Chapter 27: Mob stabbed with holy sword

Translator: Soafp

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Volume 3 : Red and White Sports Festival

I found myself in a white space.

　…… Eh?　Where am I?

　It was pure white, and white all the way down the road. Quiet and empty, I thought.

“Izayoi-kun……”

　I heard a familiar voice from behind me and turned around. I knew it was Gindou Kohaku, but when I looked back, I gasped.

Silver dress and tiara. With some purple accents here and there, she still gives off a pure white impression with her beautiful skin and dress.

-Magic armor…!!

Gindou Kohaku is adorned in magical armor. In her hand is the radiant holy sword, Light Caliber.

She looks dazzling and cool wielding that sword. I really want to see it and touch it, even just once. As I get a little excited, she asks me in a cold voice.

“Why?”

“Eh?”

Why? Did I accidentally touch her chest? Or maybe I accidentally spat out spicy water? Stalker… no, I did it to protect her, right?

…Could it be that it’s because I lowered my gaze when talking? There are too many possibilities, I can’t tell.

If I say the wrong thing, it might just make her angry. I should keep quiet.

“Why did you abandon me like this? Following me around on your own and then just discarding me…”

She points her sword at me. Oi, oi, that’s dangerous!

“Hey, calm down!! You shouldn’t aim a weapon at someone…”

“Enough. I’ll make you mine here forever!!!”

She approaches me… and thrusts the sword.

I’m going to die. No, but I have a dictionary… That’s what I thought. But the holy sword pierces through my abdomen.

Ah, well, a dictionary can’t win against a holy sword.

As she pulls out the sword from my body, I fall down, my abdomen covered in blood. She places her hand on my fallen cheek, making eye contact.

“It’s your fault. For abandoning me. But now we’ll be together forever. I’ll follow you soon… okay?”

I realized that her eyes had no light. She smiles.

Eh? Ehhhhhhhhh? Is this… death? It can’t be true!!!

What kind of ending is thisssssssss?!!!

“Uooohhh!!!”

…It was a dream. When I woke up, I’m back in my usual room.

Is my abdomen okay?! I quickly touch it, but there doesn’t seem to be any problem. No blood, no hole. I’m relieved, but I’m fully awake now. It was an incredibly realistic dream.

The surroundings are already bright, with sunlight streaming in through the curtains. Should I get up now?

I get up from the bed and head towards the living room. As I walk, I recall the dream I just had.

However, what kind of dream was that? It doesn’t seem like something that would happen the day after saving Hihara Karen…

Was that… a yandere…? I can only pray that such a future never comes true, but still, it was so scary.

I mean, she stabbed me in the stomach with a sword!! Blood was gushing out, and she was laughing!!

Well, regardless, she was cute in some way. But it was terrifying. With a mix of fear and happiness, I prepare myself and head to school.

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As I head to school, I hear voices from other students.

“I wonder if the sports festival will continue?”

“I hope they decide to go through with it…”

“The sports festival…”

“If they don’t continue it, should we just skip school and go to a maid cafe?”

“Yeah, maybe…”

　Everyone is gloomy. I completely forgot because of the Hihara family, but there was a sports festival. What’s going to happen in the end?　I asked the principal of Isshiki High School, but I don’t know if reality will go that well.

If they don’t continue it, the atmosphere in the classroom will become heavy, almost three times heavier. Even I, who wasn’t particularly looking forward to it, would like to participate if possible. It’s bound to be fun, and I’ve put a lot of effort into being part of the planning committee. It would be a bit disappointing if it all went to waste.

“Hey.”

As I’m lost in thought, I hear a voice from behind. It’s Hihara Karen. But she wouldn’t be wearing her magical armor, right???

I turn around nervously.

She’s in her school uniform!! Thank goodness!

“Good morning, Hihara-senpai.”

“…Good morning.”

There’s something displeased about her expression. Should I apologize for yesterday? It’s not like I did anything wrong, and if I explain in detail, she might understand.

“I’m sorry about yesterday. I had bad timing, so I couldn’t hear your story, Senpai.”

“I see. So… what happened?”

“When I was on the phone, I was at a family restaurant, and the waiter accidentally spilled my salad.”

“And then?”

“Well, it got on me and made a mess, so I was caught up in that, and I couldn’t hear what you were saying. I’m sorry.”

“…That’s an awful waiter. Should I make a complaint?”

She’s angry. Really angry. But you know, that waiter was working hard too, and I hope she can cut them some slack.

“The waiter didn’t mean any harm, so you don’t need to go that far…”

“…You’re right. I’ll let it go.”

She was really troubled. I’m glad the waiter was able to continue working without any issues.

“You didn’t hear what I said yesterday, did you?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t hear it.”

“…Fine. I’ll tell you again.”

“Please do.”

She starts to avert her gaze and fidget nervously.

“What I said yesterday was… Well, it’s not a big deal, but I… for me, it’s…”

…..Oi, oi, oi. What’s going on? What does this mean? I sense some kind of sweet and sour atmosphere…

Did something like a flag get raised from what happened yesterday? I don’t know much about romance, but maybe, just maybe… No, but…

“Y-Yes?”

Calm down. Don’t jump to conclusions. Maybe I’ve had too much morning barley tea and need to go to the bathroom.

“It’s… about that.”

“W-What is it?”

“If I say it up to this point, you should understand, right?!”

I flinch. Somehow, no, I can’t say I haven’t guessed what she’s getting at… Even if she says it outright, there’s nothing I can do. It feels ethically questionable, and if my guess is wrong, it would be absolutely disgusting.

Aaah!! Unless, I had the qualities of a dense protagonist or something.

“So, w-what about it? If you don’t understand what I’m trying to say, I won’t let you off the hook.”

I wanted to remain ignorant about this. Let’s admit it. Lately, I’ve been admitting a lot, but it seems a flag has been raised for her.

How should I respond? Of course, I do have some feelings of wanting to be in a relationship, maybe 30%, no, 40%, 50%… or maybe 60%?

It’s there, but I feel like it wouldn’t be a good idea to jump into a relationship right now.

“…”

“If… if you don’t want to, then?”

“I-It’s not like that…”

She looks at me with a sad expression. Please don’t make that face!! Ugh, what should I do?!

“Izayoi-kun?”

Another voice comes from behind. I’ve heard this voice in the classroom and even in my dreams…

“G-Good morning, Gindou-san.”

“Good morning. Uhm, if you don’t mind, would you like to go to school with me?”

Even she’s fidgeting over here too! Gindou Kohaku had a flag theory tooooooo!!

“Who’s that? This girl?”

“Oh, she’s Gindou-san, a classmate of mine.”

“Gindou Kohaku, the one Izayoi-kun saved before.”

Ah, you knew that too, huh? It’s only natural since rumors spread throughout the school.

“Nice to meet you…”

“Hi…”

It’s kind of their first meeting, isn’t it? In the “story,” they hardly have any connection until summer break, but they encounter each other there. It’s a relationship where they know each other’s faces and names, that’s about it.

When their eyes meet, they initially seem hesitant and reserved, but as they continue to gaze at each other, they seem to realize something.

Their eyes gradually narrow at each other. And finally, they lock eyes in a staring contest…

“”…””

They keep staring at each other. They should have become quite good friends under normal circumstances… They would go shopping together, and Hihara Karen would introduce her to light novels or recommend manga. That’s how I remembered their relationship, more like close female friends.

“”…””

How long are they going to keep staring at each other? Is this… my fault?

After a while, they finally avert their gazes from each other, and the heavy atmosphere dissipates slightly.

“Izayoi-kun, as I mentioned earlier, how about we go together? It’s been a while since we last did, and we coincidentally ran into each other here…” [TL: Sure, “coincidentally “…]

“Ah, Uhm…”

“Sorry, but I’m in the middle of something right now, so could you walk ahead?”

“I’m asking Izayoi-kun, not you, so I’ll decline your request.”

“…Izayoi, tell this girl to go away.”

“Uhm well… How about the three of us go together?”

I’m such a coward… I’m keeping both options open and not choosing either. I’m the worst.

But it’s not good to strain their relationship here either. It could be quite problematic if they’re not on good terms when they become “Masou Shoujo.”

“I can’t.”

“I can’t either.”

Even though it’s their first meeting, it’s gotten this bad. This is bad, this is bad, I need to do something to fix this!

“But you know, this might be some kind of fate. You should cherish the connections you make with people.”

“What a rotten connection.” (Karen)

“Ara, you have such a foul mouth. How scary.” (Kohaku)

“Ha? What’s your problem? Got something to say?” (Karen)

“No, no, I just thought it would be better for a woman to have more elegance.” (Kohaku)

Was Gindou Kohaku the kind of character who provokes people? Can things become this bad within a few minutes of meeting?

At that moment, I gradually realized that the relationships between the characters in the story were changing, and a sense of urgency started to well up within me.

Even if I avoid a bad ending, is that the end of it?

Hihara still with his veins popping, provoked by Gindou Kohaku’s words.

“Fmm. You should also have more elegance. Izayoi-kun isn’t interested in you anymore, yet you’re still approaching him with an ex-girlfriend face. It’s so pathetic.”

Now Gindou Kohaku’s veins started popping too.

“This B*tch…”

Huh? Did she just call her a b*tch? No way. She was supposed to be a calm, gentle, and dreamy ojou-sama character, right?

“Ara, you have such a foul mouth. How scary.”

Hihara Karen continues to provoke her. Gindou Kohaku clenched her fist!!

“Please calm down!!! Everyone is watching us!!!”

When I mentioned the people around us, both of them took a step back. We were seen by other students… It’s only a matter of time before it spreads throughout the school. It’s a spectacle to see how far this will escalate!! (In a state of panic)

“For now, let’s go together as three…”

“I guess there’s no other choice.”

“It’s very unwilling, isn’t it?”

With the two of them still glaring at each other while I’m in the middle, we somehow managed to arrive at school.

I wonder if it has already spread… This chaotic situation…