Chapter 64: Police and fried horse mackerel

Translator: Soafp

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“There were reports that your various belongings were found scattered…”

“I turned into a cat…”

“That’s just a lie… Anyway, be careful not to walk around naked. There are rumors within the police department that you’re the Grim Reaper.”

“I understand…”

I received my uniform back. I went to the police station in the morning to ask if they had found any lost items, and they had secured them. They also questioned me about the incident. The suspicion of being the Grim Reaper seems to be growing stronger…

I changed into the uniform in a room at the police station. I was asked about the situation as it was. I borrowed Gindou Kohaku Papa’s clothes and came here. I should wash it and return it later. At that moment, I thought about what happened yesterday. It was truly an eventful day.

Gindou Kohaku and Hihara Karen… they showed so much kindness… It bothers me. And perhaps there’s a possibility that I have magical power.

If I have magical power… what should I do?

I can easily answer that question. I will assist them in their story… that’s the feeling I have. I’ve thought about it many times while reading this world.

If I were there… and if this world’s “story” is like a light genre in various ways, there are still difficulties. In terms of difficulty, it’s like playing on hard mode.

Then, let’s make it easier…

Having reached that conclusion, I shook my head. It’s not good to speculate too much.

After changing into my uniform, the three of them were waiting for me.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Me neither.”

“Me neither.”

We walked together, making sure not to spread out too much. We engaged in casual conversation. However, Hihara Karen didn’t seem very talkative.

“Karen-senpai, is something wrong?”

“Eh? Ah, no, it’s nothing…”

“Karen-chan is concerned about being persistent with you, right? Isn’t that right?”

“Ah, no, it’s just… yeah…”

She looked down, and a slight shadow appeared on her face.

“You don’t have to worry about it at all! It’s all good!”

“But I’m sorry…”

“No, it’s really okay. Talking about light novels with you, senpai, is enjoyable.”

“T-thank you.”

“! D-Don’t be”

Her smile when she said “thank you.” I unexpectedly became flustered…

“Izayoi-kun, your face is turning red? Are you running a fever?”

“Are you okay, Izayoi? Should we go to the hospital?”

They leaned in closer, one silver and the other red. What is this feeling… I unconsciously took a step back.

“No, it’s nothing. Let’s just go to school.”

I started walking a bit faster… I could feel the waves of a romantic comedy… The conversation on the way to school became awkward. It’s because I heard everything about their affectionate feelings towards me when I was a cat. The embarrassment of the three of them was quite intense, so I pretended that I didn’t remember anything from when I was a cat, but in reality, those memories exist, and I can’t help but be conscious of them.

As we walked, I could hear the voices of various students…

“Amazon” has been added to the second name.

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After the final exams, it will be summer vacation. The only regret is that I’ll be forced to participate in a mental strengthening camp during the vacation.

“It is this one, over here. Izayoi, are you listening?”

“Uh, y-yes.”

“What’s wrong? You don’t seem very focused.”

“I-I’m sorry. I’ll pay attention.”

“I see.”

She’s so close… I’ve been getting used to it lately, but now…

It’s an after-school study session. Hihara Karen is teaching me. Gindou Kohaku and Kikawa Moegi are currently nearby, checking and summarizing the previous quizzes and preparing for the next topics.

All three of them are too kind…

“You still don’t seem focused… Maybe you don’t like me after all?”

“N-No, that’s not true at all. I’ll continue. Study!”

I can’t afford to get distracted. They are kind enough to teach me, so I can’t afford to get low scores here.

I regain my focus and write diligently with a sharpened pencil.

…Even though this is my second high school life… I make a lot of careless mistakes and forget things. I have to try harder again…

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And… it’s the day of the test. Ah! This is the part we studied during the study session!

I solve the problems quite smoothly with that feeling.

And then, the results are posted. The location differs depending on the grade, but Hihara Karen, Gindou Kohaku Kikawa Moegi came to see the results because they were concerned about me.

They came all the way to see, but my rank is in the 30s… It’s mediocre… Damn.

“Izayoi, you did your best. Your rank has improved significantly compared to before.”

“Ahaha, it’s thanks to the three of you.”

“Indeed. Izayoi-kun.”

“It’s impressive to jump up so many ranks, you should be proud too.”

“No, it’s thanks to the three of you.”

Two people are first. One is second. 1st and 2nd year Gindou Kohaku and Hihara Karen immovable top grades. And Kikawa Moegi, who was second in the second year of excellence. I don’t feel out of place.

Ah, Sasamoto’s name is at the end… You have done it.

“I want to celebrate somehow.”

“Let’s go to a café.”

“Agreed. I wanted to try the fried eggplant skewers they have at that café.”

“In that case, let me treat you all. I’ve been in your care, the three of you.”

“If you say that, I’ve been constantly relying on Izayoi-kun.”

“Me too.”

“Me too.”

“But this time, I’ll treat you all. It’s proper etiquette to treat women.”

“Well, you’re a gentleman. Truly, Izayoi-kun!”

“I already knew that.”

“Thank you.”

I’ve been in their care, so it’s only natural to treat them.

However, I think it’s just my imagination that I can hear words like “perverted gentleman” from the people around. Yeah.

“Well, in a way, he’s a gentleman.”

“I see.”

“Amazon.”

“That guy is popular.”

“Chikuwa Daimeijin” [TL: “Chikuwa Daimeijin” is a playful phrase in Japanese that combines “chikuwa,” a type of cylindrical fish cake, with “Daimeijin,” meaning a great deity or god. It is a humorous nickname or term of endearment used to refer to someone, usually a male, who is perceived as influential, powerful, or charismatic. It’s a lighthearted way to acknowledge someone’s popularity or charm.]

“Who said that just now!?”

I’m not talking about ‘Amazon’… I can hear various conversations from the students. But I’m getting used to it, including the rumors. I shift my gaze to the three of them.

Just a little more, just a little more, the three of them in front of me… Just a little more…

Summer vacation is approaching.

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As the final exams come to an end, we find ourselves enjoying the ordinary days, and before we know it, summer vacation begins tomorrow. The faces of everyone in the class are filled with excitement, and they are already thinking about where to go and how to spend their time during the break.

“Listen carefully, starting from tomorrow, it’s summer vacation. While it’s important to have fun, don’t forget about your studies…”

Rokudo-sensei is discussing the guidelines for summer vacation. It seems that all the boys are required to participate in the mental strengthening training camp. Well, I already knew about that since it was mentioned in the “story.” The mental strengthening camp will take place right at the beginning of summer vacation, on July 27th.

And then, on “August 16th” … the world will begin to move…

But before that, there’s the summer festival. In the “story,” it was briefly mentioned, but the “Mina no Iro” in this town is a large-scale festival. There are many food stalls, beautiful fireworks, and it’s well-known.

I’d like to attend that. It will be held for two days on August 9th and 10th.

“Alright, make sure to have a well-regulated summer vacation. Dismissed!”

“””Yayyyyy!”””

The students start making a fuss. It’s the last homeroom of the semester, so everyone is excited.

I’m feeling a bit excited too… Ah, I really don’t want to go to the mental strengthening camp.

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[Natsuko Pov]

My name is Noguchi Natsuko. I’m just an ordinary high school student.

I’ve been helping Gindou-san with her love situation from the seat in front of me, and lately, I’ve noticed that she’s become quite aware of Kuroda-kun. However, I haven’t told her about this fact yet. It seems like she’s unsure about the distance between her and him and is concerned about it.

That’s why I’ve concluded that it’s better not to say anything about it.

As I listen to Rokudo-sensei’s talk, I ponder about what lies ahead. Summer vacation is filled with various events, but it wouldn’t be good if I start meddling and disturb her pace.

Recently, I haven’t been as proactive as before, but she has been making small gestures of interest. It seems to have created a certain harmony between them, at least I believe so. However, there’s also a sense of urgency in her that things won’t go well if she becomes too complacent.

Then there’s second-year senior, Hihara Karen. Well, now that she’s more composed, the awkwardness between them has lessened. However, sparks are still flying.

And there’s Kikawa Moegi, who is with the two of them… It’s a delicate position. The blue person who appeared on TV seemed to be more than just a friend…

“Something outrageous”

Unless that happens, I don’t sense any disruption in her top positions.

Ah, but… both Gindou-san and Hihara-senpai seem to have something else going on… I have a feeling that they carry their own “greatest flaws”… It’s just a hunch, though…

Well, it’s summer vacation, so I guess “various things” are bound to happen…

I hope Gindou-san and Kuroda-kun can go to the summer festival together…