Chapter 4

"Welcome to my infirmary."

The carefree Mr. Ichijou serves us tea. It's been a while since I've had tea. ...Still, this tea has such a wonderful aroma!

"Mr. Ichijou, I'm sorry to be so abrupt, but..."

"What? Kujouin-san?"

"Could you tell me the brand of this tea?"

Everyone's eyes widened. They probably thought I was going to ask about Yuria Sakurada, the so-called 'radio girl.' I apologize, but this tea is so delicious that I want to buy it when I become rich. So please tell me the brand.

"This is Darjeeling First Flush. It's a gift from someone who imports it personally from contracted farms. It's not available on the market."

What a surprise. Even if I become rich, I won't be able to buy it without connections. The world isn't just about money. I feel a bit sad, especially since I'm so poor and have no connections.

"Mr. Ichijou, could you tell us about Yuria Sakurada? She was muttering something about a 'patsy' to me."

Mr. Ichijou sighed and crossed his long legs.

"Yuria is my sister's daughter-in-law. She was a shy and introverted child. Last month, she hit her head and lost consciousness. She regained consciousness quickly, and a thorough examination showed no abnormalities. But after that, she started saying strange things..."

"Yuria Sakurada originally behaves differently in front of men. Men are so blind and pitiful."

The atmosphere became slightly awkward, but Mr. Ichijou continued. The story he told was unbelievable.

Yuria Sakurada believes that this world is the setting of a 'otome game' (a dating simulation game for girls).

"I'm sorry, but what is an otome game?"

"I don't know either."

Sara said, and Shizuki took out her smartphone.

"Wait a moment. I'll download the most popular otome game."

I peeked at the smartphone in Shizuki's hand. Wow, what a beautiful screen! Amazing! I don't have a TV. The radio is my only source of information. The newspapers I read are old because I read them at the library. It's good for reading carefully, though. The radio is a cassette player given to me by the landlord's son. I've received quite a few cassette tapes, so I record my favorite songs from the radio. But the tapes are stretched from overuse. I also have a tape of Mari's performance, which is my most precious treasure. It was recorded a long time ago, but the sound was beautiful. Mari was a really spoiled girl, but that sound was real. Cassette tapes degrade over time, so I'm very worried about whether I'll be able to listen to them in the future.

"Rai-chan, the download is finished."

Shizuki, sandwiched between Sara and me, started the otome game.

"Oh! It's so beautiful. It's moving and talking!"

"Rai-chan, is this your first time seeing a game?"

"Yes, and it's my first time seeing a smartphone up close. It's amazing."

This must be fascinating for everyone. I can understand why people become addicted to smartphones. The screen and sound are so beautiful that you want to keep looking at it. Hehe, it's sparkly and fun.

"Rai-chan, smartphone addiction is more about social media and videos."

"Oh, I was thinking out loud?"

"No, but I can tell from your expression."

Shizuki is quite perceptive. Mr. Ichijou described Yuria as shy and introverted, but Shizuki said she was snobbish.

"Here, you can choose the protagonist. I'll choose randomly."

"Everyone's hair color is so unusual."

We started the game. The protagonist has a default name, which we used. Kurara is a slightly shy girl who tries hard to get the boy she likes. We progress by making choices, and the ending changes depending on the choices.

"Oh, it's like the game books I got as a child."

The uncle who gave me the cassette player also gave me a few game books. They were popular at the end of the Showa era, but I don't know much about it since it was long before I was born.

"Kujouin-san, what kind of life do you lead? I'm curious, Mr. Ichijou."

Mr. Ichijou asked with concern. That's understandable. I've never played a game or owned a smartphone.

"I live alone in poverty, but I'm not particularly inconvenienced. I'm a scholarship student, so I can attend this school, but I don't really belong here."

"Really, you live alone?"

"Yes, my only relative passed away."

Mr. Ichijou looked apologetic. Ah, I don't like this atmosphere. I'm not the only one who's unfortunate, and I think there are people in similar situations around the world. I feel lucky to be born in Japan!

"I understand about otome games. Now, please tell me about Yuria Sakurada's delusional world."

According to Mr. Ichijou, Yuria Sakurada believes this world is an otome game, and she thinks real people are characters in the game. Like the game we just played, there are 'target characters' to pursue.

There are six target characters. I took notes on the back of a printout. This printout is from leftover paper from the middle school office, cut to A5 size. There's also B5 size. I punch holes with a hole punch and attach a string to make a memo pad. Fukiko said the paper at the current school is impressive. In the past, they used a different kind of paper called waraban.

Now, let's summarize the characters in Yuria Sakurada's 'otome game' world.

First, the heroine:

Miu Yuki. First-year high school student. Former commoner.

Last year, her mother married the chairman of Yuki Paper Group and took the Yuki surname. Her stepbrother, Akira, is a college student.

"Oh, Yuki is the heroine?"

"Who is she?"

"She's an external student in our class. She introduced herself in today's homeroom, Sara-chan."

I called Sara 'Sara-chan' for the first time, and she looked very happy. What a cute person.

Miu Yuki has a short bob and cute dimples, like a small animal. She was bright and led everyone in the orientation for external students. Yes, she fell for the Kozuki brainwashing seminar.

Next, the target characters:

One:

Kazuki Kozuki. Second-year high school student.

Salon member and student council vice president. He will become president in the game world this year. He is a princely figure. Heir to Kozuki Heavy Industries. Good-looking and academically excellent.

"Um, what does 'princely' mean?"

"Umm, it's hard to explain."

I didn't understand 'princely' and asked Shizuki, but I didn't get a clear answer.

"A self-centered person."

Sara explained. I see, that's why he's 'princely.'

Two:

Shizuki Hongo. First-year high school student and Sara's twin brother. Salon member.

Heir to HONGO Pharmaceuticals. He is usually cool but becomes passionate towards the heroine. Cool beauty. Very intelligent.

"Shizuki is a cool beauty! That's funny!"

Sara laughed loudly. She really enjoyed it. Shizuki's mood was bad.

"Why am I a target character?"

"That's how the world works, Shizuki-sama."

"My name is Sou-kun."

"Yes... It's a bit hard to call you Shizuki-sama. I'm sorry."

"I'll make you call me Sou-kun someday."

Three:

Yuu Marikoji. Third-year high school student. Student council president. Salon member.

From a prestigious old family. His family's business failed, forcing him to live a poor life. The heroine supports him in his unfamiliar commoner life. There's a mini-game where the heroine uses her grandmother's wisdom.

"How poor is he? Being able to attend this school means he's quite wealthy. Unusually wealthy! If he has debt, he should quit school and work. He has enjoyed a rich life until now."

"Rai-chan, you're getting too worked up."

How poor is it to be able to attend this school? I don't think it's poor at all. He should work.

Four:

Yousui Ichijou. 28-year-old doctor.

After two years of clinical training, he works at his family's hospital. He has been stationed at the school since this year and will return to the university medical department after the game ends.

"Yes, I'm apparently a target character too."

"Right, be careful not to violate any laws."

I tried to encourage him, but it didn't seem to help. Mr. Ichijou held his head.

Five:

Michel Enjo. Second-year high school student. Half-German.

His parents are famous musicians, and he is an active pianist. Salon member.

Six:

Ryo Torigoe. First-year high school student. Soccer player.

He seems carefree but is actually serious. An external student from the middle school. He is a well-rounded and passionate student, excelling in both academics and sports.

"Yuria is determined to pair Ryo Torigoe with Miu Yuki."

Mr. Ichijou took a sip of tea. It's still delicious even when cold. I took a sip too. It's delicious. I feel happy.

"Is that so? In this otome game world, I'm apparently the villainous lady."

"Yes, you're supposed to interfere with Ryo Torigoe and Miu Yuki. You're a terrifying villain who corrupts all the target characters."

"By the way, I'm also involved in revoking Mr. Ichijou's medical license, right?"

"Rai-chan wouldn't do such a thing. Yuria doesn't know anything about you."

Mr. Ichijou looked surprised at Sara's angry reaction.

"You met Hongo-san for the first time today, right, Kujouin-san?"

"That's true, but she's not a villain."

"She might be approaching you for money."

"...Mr. Ichijou, that's a low opinion. I despise it."

Sara seemed genuinely angry. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her beautiful pigtails were shaking.

"Sara-chan, you can't blame me for thinking that. I'm a poor scholarship student with no backing. I'm truly poor, but at least I don't have any debt, so I consider myself lucky."

"Rai-chan, you are the most noble blood of the Kujouin family. The rightful heir."

"Blood has no nobility. Besides, the current Kujouin family is hopelessly poor."

Sara sighed. Shizuki explained that the Kujouin family was more prestigious than I thought.

The Kujouin family was one of the largest zaibatsu (financial conglomerates) in Japan before the war. I knew that much. After the war, the Kujouin family lost most of its assets due to the dissolution of zaibatsu, but they managed to rebuild and contribute to the research of pharmacology and medicine in Japan, which was still poor at the time. They sponsored many Japanese researchers to study abroad and funded research in Japan. However, the Kujouin family itself lived a very modest life. My grandfather, who passed away before I was born, was a respectable person. I didn't know this story.

"My current life is far from modest..."

"They lost their assets in the bubble economy."

"Yes, my father made a bad investment. Still, my grandmother and the helper, Fukiko, lived modestly in the remaining villa. After I was born, my father caused more problems, and we had to give up the villa and move to our current rural home."

I feel like my life is being controlled by a father I barely remember. I think he's a real scumbag. I only know my mother's name from the family register, but she has already passed away.

"Mr. Ichijou's family, the Ichijou Clinic, has also benefited from the Kujouin family. Before you speak rudely to Rai-chan, you should do your research."

My grandfather must have been a person of character. Regardless of the Kujouin family's past, I am still a poor high school student. Oh, right, do I still have the katsuobushi for the bamboo shoot stew? I can't remember. I'll buy it on the way back.