Chapter 76

"It's like candy."

Swearing words slip out.

If only the setting of selecting the exchange match members based on midterm exam scores didn't exist, I wouldn't have to study so hard.

But no.

Now, considering the level of national pride that has reached a state of madness, high scores might be necessary after all.

Seems like I'm destined to study, one way or another.

I really want to check my status window.

"Junior, why do you look like that? Did something bad happen? I'm happy to see you after a long time. Even though you took away my pure love and left me alone without any contact. Hmph. Bad boy. Junior."

Kasumi-senpai puffs her cheeks.

Her sweet tone is still the same, but it's a bit more tolerable now.

At least Kasumi-senpai is better than the old lady who pretends to be fatally charming.

"Junior, I finally heard the rumor that you've even gotten close to the transfer student, Kamiya-san. You even lived together and did all sorts of things, right? Every time the number of girls around you increases, my heart aches. Junior, you're a black beast who doesn't appreciate a girl's pure love."

I take back what I said.

My head is pounding.

What did I do with Mako?

I press my temples and point to the mountain of study materials.

"Stop talking nonsense. Can you really finish this in one day?"

It's impossible to finish in one day.

Kasumi-senpai nods.

"Yeah. To reach the goal you're aiming for, you need to do this much. But Junior, why are you suddenly so dedicated to studying?"

Kasumi-senpai tilts her head.

"I have to go to the exchange match."

The regular exchange match with Meijin Hero Academy in Kyoto.

I must participate in this event held once a year.

"Speaking of which, the selection for the exchange match members in the first year isn't over yet. It's already finished for the second year. I'm also a member of the exchange match... Could it be, Junior...?"

Kasumi-senpai's eyes turn to me.

Her face turns red.

"Did you... study for me? Because you want to go to the exchange match with me...? Such... a thing? Junior, you're still a bad boy, but you're kind. I might be a little touched?"

Kasumi-senpai hurriedly covers her face with a notebook.

I do want to go to the exchange match with them, but not for that reason.

What kind of useless fantasies are you spinning in your head?

"Alright. If you have that resolve, I'll forgive you for leaving me alone and not coming to the club until now. I'm a broad-minded senpai."

Kasumi-senpai, who is covering her face with a notebook, smiles.

Sure, let her misunderstand.

After all, I need Kasumi-senpai's help to get good grades, so it's fine if she misunderstands.

Even if the dialogue is a bit chaotic.

Rustle.

She takes out a paper bag and places it on the table.

"I bought a special melon bread from the cafeteria for you today. Let's study while eating. Junior."

Kasumi-senpai brings the bread close to my mouth after peeling off the packaging.

Melon bread.

Not as good as yakisoba bread, but it often appears in Japanese school stories.

A visual similar to a hot dog bun with spaghetti carbonara stuffed in the middle, as depicted in manga.

I'm a bit curious about how it tastes.

"I'll eat it. Senpai."

I snatch the melon bread from her hand and eat it.

It's delicious.

Better than I thought.

The combination of carbs and carbs might be bad for the body, but it tastes good.

"How is it? Is it delicious?"

"Better than yakisoba bread."

"Hehe. It was worth waiting in line at the cafeteria for you. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Junior."

Kasumi-senpai smiles.

As she speaks, the three girls leave the room.

Clunk.

The club room door opens.

What is it?

There are only two members in the Literature Club: me and Kasumi-senpai.

Moreover, the club room is in a secluded spot, so other students rarely visit.

But who could it be?

At that moment, I turn my gaze.

"There you are. I couldn't find you for a long time... You... You asked me for such an unreasonable favor...!"

There stands Olivia, a platinum blonde girl, with her arms crossed and cheeks puffed.

"Master. You left Eri behind and had a secret meeting with senpai here? That's too much."

Nishizawa suddenly appears beside Olivia.

"I thought I was pretty confident in my womanly skills... But... I can offer you my womanly side if you want it!"

Shinozaki Rin appears beside her.

What are you offering?

"Sorry, Master... Everyone was wondering where you were... I ended up telling them... Master."

Makoto, who has revealed herself last, speaks timidly.

Right.

Now I remember.

Before going to study, I told Makoto that I would be studying with Kasumi-senpai in the Literature Club.

Then, I told Olivia to get along well with Makoto.

It seems they all gathered here somehow.

Thud.

Kasumi-senpai puts down the notebook she was using to cover her face.

She smiles.

"Wow, four cute juniors came to the club room. What brings you here? This is our space, just for Junior and me."

Her usual gentle tone.

But there's a chilling edge to it, as if it's laced with thorns.

Nishizawa steps forward, hearing Kasumi's words.

She glares at Kasumi with a scolding expression.

"Trying to monopolize Master? I'm not happy. No matter if you're a senpai, I won't forgive you. Eri hasn't even monopolized Master yet! We haven't even had a midnight park walk on a leash! I can't forgive you for calling this your space!"

What?

A leash walk?

Is she crazy?

Nishizawa is indeed the most mentally unstable.

"Agreed, Hoshino-senpai. Cutting in is cheating!"

Rin follows her.

Cutting in? Cheating?

What are they talking about?

"Sorry, Master... Just because... I want to be with you... I'll join the club. I'll show you what a French princess can do."

Kasumi's face turns red.

She and I lock eyes.

"Hmph. Baka... Baka..."

Olivia turns her head away.

Her ears and neck are also red.

"Master. Eri will join the club for you. Watch me. I'll always be by your side, Master."

"Even though I don't usually join clubs. Fine. For Kim Deok-sung...! I can eat poison and lick the plate clean!"

Olivia, Rin, and Nishizawa, burning with unnecessary determination.

"Can I join too? Master..."

Makoto, standing between them, speaks softly and normally.

That day, the Literature Club gained four new members.

Anyway, the meeting of the four heroines and Kasumi-senpai happened much earlier than in the original story.

But it doesn't matter, right?

To ensure maximum performance in the exchange match, they also need to get good grades.

If Kasumi-senpai and the four heroines get to know each other quickly, the exchange match story might progress more smoothly.

Even though the original story has lost its meaning, I need to observe the impact.

With Mako, the title heroine of Volume 8, already here, it's dangerous to make predictions.

The midterm exams and the exchange match are just around the corner.

Today, I have once again raised your name (illustration included).

The study session with Kasumi, Kim Deok-sung, and the four new members went surprisingly smoothly without any major conflicts.

"This part won't be on the test, so you can skip it. Start memorizing from here."

Hoshino Kasumi.

The top student in the second year, she overwhelmed the other four heroines with her superior study performance.

The three girls were skilled in both practical and written exams, but compared to Kasumi's vast knowledge, they were like children trying to write in front of Confucius.

"Ku... A new rival has appeared..."

"Eri thought she was good at studying... But it's a complete defeat."

"Ugh... Next time, I won't lose!"

The three heroines left the club room, venting their frustration after the study session.

"See you next time, senpai."

Makoto, in stark contrast to the others, bows politely.

"See you next time."

After Kim Deok-sung leaves, Kasumi is left alone in the club room.

Clunk.

The club room door closes.

Kasumi's gaze turns to the entrance where Kim Deok-sung just left.

"Junior, you're a fool for not understanding a girl's heart."

Kasumi puffs her cheeks.

The platinum-haired princess, the samurai of the cutting wind, the beautiful kunoichi... and the notorious transfer student, Kamiya Mako, the Assassin Prince.

All of them are beautiful girls who match Kasumi in both appearance and ability.

An ordinary human, neither a spy nor a monster, like her.

"I'm a monster."

Kasumi bites her lip.

Her hands tremble.

The club room, which usually feels cold, now retains some warmth.

The table where Kim Deok-sung and the other four juniors were just sitting.

For Kasumi, who always felt out of place in her grade, this was the first time she had chatted and laughed with so many people.

"Maybe it wasn't so bad. The club room being bustling... was kind of nice."

No, actually, it was fun.

She was happy.

Even if they were rivals, Kasumi saw them as cute juniors.

Olivia, Rin, Eri, and Mako.

Teaching these four cute female juniors was unexpectedly enjoyable.

So enjoyable that I almost forgot my identity as a chimera and my role as a spy, wishing time would stop.

"Is it okay for me to be this happy, Lena?"

Kasumi smiled sadly, calling out the name of her absent friend.

*

Time flows, and finally, the midterm exams are approaching.

"I'm in trouble."

The preliminary results of the written exam are barely passing.

To be selected for the exchange match, I need to make up for it in the practical exam.

The practical exam for the midterm is the Ground Zero training.

The event from Volume 3 of the original story where Nishizawa Eri and the protagonist discover a ruin and fight the Mad Hatter.

The Mad Hatter is already gone, and the ruin has already been discovered, so it's just a test now.

"For the safety of the students, this Ground Zero training will be conducted in groups of five!"

If only the group formation hadn't suddenly changed, like it did during the interim school, and I hadn't ended up in the same group as Olivia, Rin, Nishizawa, and Makoto.

The Ground Zero training turned out to be surprisingly easy.

The competitive spirit among the girls in my group ignited, and they became obsessed with scoring points.

"This time, I, Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte, will show you my true power. Watch closely! You'll see what kind of person the French princess, your exclusive maid, is!"

"Only Eri thinks of you as the number one priority. I'll be the top in this training too. I'll get all the points, including the ones you should have. Just sit and rest. I'll do everything. I'm your number one slave!"

"Supporting a husband is also a wife's job. Kim Deok-sung, I'll perform to become the top bride candidate for you. Getting points in the training is part of my bride training. Watch me. I'll show you the results of my womanly skills training!"

"Master, I'll do my best too. I want to get a lot of points and earn your praise. Is that okay?"

The rules of the Ground Zero training are simple.

You earn points for each wild interdimensional creature you defeat in the eroded area.