Chapter 92: Pre-established harmony

Translator: Soafp

---

“Look, Natsume. Take this wet towel.” (Yuki)

I fumbled around and took out a wet towel and handed it to Natsume.

“Are you all right, Kazunari?” (Natsume)

“I’m sorry for making you stay with me, Chika.” (Takahashi)

“Don’t be! I was worried as well……” (Natsume)

I observe their interaction in the infirmary with an emotionless expression, grinning inwardly (compared to our standards).

“W-what the heck, Kokonoe? What’s that meaningful look in your eyes!” (Takahashi)

“There’s nothing wrong with me. I thought you guys got along pretty well.” (Yuki)

　Before I knew it, Takahashi-nii and Natsume were calling each other by their first name. It seems that they are getting along well. Is this what you call youth? It’s nice to be young (Yukito Kokonoe, 16 years old)

　Natsume is cuddling up to Takahashi-nii who sprained his leg.

Her diet plan was a great success.

　Natsume used to be a little chubby, but now she is a beautiful woman with great style. If she had not been dressed so plainly, she would have caught the attention of many people.

　However, she postponed her unveiling until the Miss Contest. In order to make a big impact, I had to make her as inconspicuous as possible.

I won’t make fun of them because it could provoke them. I’ve learned from reading romantic comedies that in situations like this, when I make an insensitive joke around me, there’s a possibility of impulsively saying something like, “Who would date someone like that!” and causing a strain in their relationship.

“I’m totally not ……” (Natsume)

“No, Chika has become very cute.” (Takahashi)

“Kazunari-san,……” (Natsume)

“Let me tell you, I have the strongest mentality, so no matter how much you make out in front of me, I’m not going to throw up sugar on you, okay?　I can keep my cool and stay warm.” (Yuki)

“That’s also embarrassing, Kokonoe-san.” (Natsume)

“Well, Kokonoe as usual, huh? Still, the timing was bad. ……” (Takahashi)

The infirmary without the Lord is a lonely place. In fact, the school nurse was currently absent. She retired a while ago. For personal reasons, she said.

Normally, a teacher would retire in March and a new teacher would be assigned in April, but apparently there was a death in the family and she had to return to her parents’ home far away from home.

　I have not had any contact with the school nurse since I started high school because I don’t use the nurse’s office much anymore, but I guess she can’t be absent forever. I just hope that a replacement teacher can be found soon.

“–Haa!?” (Yuki)

　I felt an intense chill and looked around.

　Takahashi-nii asks me suspiciously.

“What’s going on all of a sudden, Kokonoe?” (Takahashi)

“I don’t know. But I suddenly had a premonition that a new heroine was about to appear on the scene.” (Yuki)

“A new heroine?” (Takahashi)

“I hope it’s just my imagination. ……” (Yuki)

Wiping the cold sweat from my forehead. It can’t be….right.

No matter how much I say I have the lowest LUCK value to always get a bite in Russian roulette, that can’t be true. ……

　I saw a small insect outside the window.

“…..Is this a sign of foreboding?!” (Yuki)

“Like I said, what’s going on?!” (Takahashi)

　Damn!　Is it inevitable that a new heroine will appear?

　Yes!　If it comes to this..!

　Bekki!

“Kokonoe, did you hear something strange?” (Takahashi)

“Ah. I just broke the flag. It should be safe now.” (Yuki)

“In an empty space?!” (Takahashi)

“I don’t think that’s real…….” (Natsume)

　Takahashi-nii and Natsume are in trouble, so I’ll moderate. It’s okay to talk about me, not really.

“So, what’s the matter with you, Takahashi? You have something to say, don’t you?” (Yuki)

　When I asked him that, Takahashi-nii started to speak with a dejected look.

“Yeah. The guy who just stepped on me is a senior member of the soccer club.” (Takahashi)

“……I see.” (Yuki)

　Takahashi’s story had unexpectedly deep roots.

　I thought it might have been an impulsive crime against Class B, which was making rapid progress at the gymnastic festival, but apparently not.

　Takahashi-nii was a promising young soccer player who had won a regular spot in the team even though he was only a freshman. Kimura, a senior in his second year, was removed from the regular team because of this. In other words, there was a grudge between Takahashi and Kimura.

“We were close until a while ago. …… Lately, things have been a little tense in the club.” (Takahashi)

“That’s not your fault, Kazunari-san!” (Natsume)

“Yes, but …… I also flirted in front of Senpai.” (Takahashi)

“But still!” (Natsume)

　Jealousy is an ugly and deep-seated emotion. Even though we are aware that jealousy is an undignified thing, it is hard for us to remain unaffected by it. Envy and jealousy are everywhere.

“If Kimura-senpai disappears from the soccer club like this, I will ……. Please, Kokonoe!　Can’t you do something about it?” (Takahashi)

“Is there anything I can do as an outsider?” (Yuki)

“No, to tell you the truth, I got a regular spot by practicing the physical maneuvers I learned from you, Kokonoe.” (Takahashi)

“Chaotic involvement” (Yuki)

Sorry Takahashi-nii. I was the source of all this.

　I can’t make a strong defense that this was nothing to do with him.

“I don’t want my senior to be punished or anything like that!” (Takahashi)

“….. Kazunari-san, you don’t hold a grudge, do you?” (Natsume)

　Natsume asks dubiously. She is probably not convinced that Takahashi-nii, who was injured, is defending the perpetrator.

“I would have practiced for a sprain like this. Besides, I want to go back to my normal relationship with my senpai, just like Kokonoe always does.” (Takahashi)

　Takahashi-nii smiles. He seems to have a big, strong, and smart personality, as he is a member of the athletic club. I guess you could say he is a handsome guy from the inside out. Natsume may have been attracted to this aspect of Takahashi-nii

Haa. It can’t be helped. This year B group’s troublesome troublemaker, Yukito Kokonoe, is going to do something about it.

“Should we go tell the whole soccer team at once……. No, that won’t solve Kimura-senpai’s problem, will it? Hmmm… Takahashi. Give me some time to think about it.” (Yuki)

“I’m sorry to trouble you!　I’ll help you in any way I can, and I’ll pay you back!” (Takahashi)

　But it was originally my fault. Yeah, I’ll do something to help him here.

“Well, you should get to know Natsume better and protect her from NTR.” (Yuki)

“I won’t be cuckolded!” (Natsume)

“Don’t be naive, Natsume!　Can you say no to a hot, flirtatious college student who suddenly asks you out?　You’ll be drinking with a pushy guy, and the next thing you know, you’re in a love hotel in the morning, desperate.” (Yuki)

“Aren’t you too prejudiced?!” (Natsume)

“Takahashi, don’t let her out of your sight.” (Yuki)

“Ou, leave it to me!” (Takahashi)

“K-Kazunari-san ……” (Natsume)

---

When I returned to the sports field, Class B had won the equestrian battle. Shakado, the ace attacker, was named MVP. As a symbol of her position as the ace, a ★ sticker was affixed to Shakado’s forehead, like this ↓. Shakado belongs to Generation Z, in other words, she is a Z warrior. It is the ultimate proof of strength among Earthlings.

★★

　　　　　　　　　　★★

　　　　　　　　　　★★

The commotion had calmed down to a point. For now, they decided to put the problem behind them and put priority on the progress of the sports festival.

　Shiori, with her ponytail swinging, rushes over to me, perhaps having spotted me with her excellent sense of smell. I pat her under the chin.

“Yuki, how’s it going, Takahashi-kun?” (Shiori)

“It’s just a slight sprain. I think you should question your own behavior a little bit.” (Yuki)

“Unconsciously?!” (Shiori)

　　Aside from Shiori, who was stiffening as if she couldn’t believe it herself, recorder Hinagi spoke to me, looking troubled.

“Hey, Yukito. It’s the last relay, and Takahashi is going to run in it.” (Hinagi)

“As expected, sprinting at full speed is impossible. It might get worse.” (Yuki)

“I know, right? What shall we do?” (Hinagi)

　The relay team is selecting the members who can run fastest in order. If there is a vacancy, the winner is moved up, but it is not so easy to fill the hole of Takahashi-nii who is competing for the first and second places among the B group.

“Why don’t we make Kagemen Pearlrice run twice?” (Yuki)

“Why? You’ve got the right person there.” (Hinagi)

　I turn around. Shiori is still rigid. Petrified?

　No matter how hard it is, girls can’t take the place of boys. Gender violation is a big problem in the sports world these days. A fresh looking inferno came along and pointed a finger at me.

“You, you!　Why don’t you join us, Yukito!” (Mihou)

“Haa?” (Yuki)

　What is he talking about? Do you think I’m stupid?

　Don’t play with me, you son of a b*tch. Stop saying irresponsible things!

“Why don’t we let Yukito run?” (Mihou)

“Listen……You don’t know what you’re talking about. Listen to me.” (Yuki)

　I’m going to give him a lesson in reality.

“I’m a communicator, and I don’t think I could do the relay.” (Yuki)

“Shut up.” (Mihou)

　I’m going to be in the relay.