Chapter 2: The "Kuh, Kill Me" Heroine Wants to Watch Over

【Pure, Righteous, and Beautiful】

That is my personal motto.

Having both father and mother as police officers, I decided from a young age to become a police officer myself, striving to become as respectable as the two people I admire, and worked hard toward that goal.

Upon entering high school, I immediately joined the student council just like in middle school. I struggled to become a model for all students and worked earnestly to be of help to everyone in any way I could.

Perhaps thanks to that, I won the student council president seat in the election with an overwhelming number of votes that left others far behind. Because of that, I was often disliked by those around me, but I had no regrets about the way I lived.

Then one day. Around the spring break of my second year, I met him.

「Ah, I'm sorry! Are you okay!?」

「No... it was my carelessness. My apologies.」

That day when I was running around preparing for class matches. Perhaps because I was a bit tired, I bumped into a male kouhai while carrying printouts.

He extended his hand to me as I had fallen on my rear, then helped me pick up the printouts, and even carried them to the staff room.

I tried to convince him many times that I was fine, but he wouldn't listen. From then on, that boy frequently helped me with my work.

They were refreshing days. To me, who had always been feared and avoided by both boys and girls, he interacted with me without any hesitation.

That boy's name was Miyano Kaede, and he often came to talk to me on his own initiative. For someone like me who had never become close with a boy my age, his existence became a source of emotional support.

...To put it bluntly, I probably like him.

Even someone as clueless about romance as me can understand that much. But he has a close childhood friend. I can tell just by watching them when they're together. They must be in that kind of relationship.

If so, I should step back. And I'll work to make this school better so they can have an even better high school life. I believed that was my mission as the student council president...

「Hey, Kaichou-san... there's something I want you to hear...」

「You are... ahh, I'll listen to anything if I'm able to help.」

Mid-June. A second-year female student approached me. I have prior acquaintance with this girl, she is a student I strictly disciplined for violating school rules. Now she properly wears her uniform, and I can't find any particular rule violations.

「Um... you know how I used to be like that, right? So I was hanging out with those kinds of people... and after Kaichou-san scolded me, I thought I'd turn over a new leaf! I was trying to cut ties with them, but... when I tried to talk to them, they threatened me... and then...」

The female student tearfully told me what had happened to her. It was a terrible story. To assault someone who was supposed to be their friend, and even demand money... utterly despicable.

「...Let me talk to my parents. They should be able to help.」

「That's... no good! Ehm... my family, uh... it's just my mom, you know, a single mother. I was causing her trouble until recently, and if this turns into a police matter...」

「But...」

「Please! Help me, Kaichou! They're threatening me to come again next week! I'm scared... but I can't defy them...! Uhh...」

It must have been a terrifying experience. Just remembering a little makes tears well up in her eyes. If I don't help this girl, she'll continue to suffer terrible things.

「Kuh... I understand. The other party is one person... right?」

「Yeah. One person. But I couldn't do anything...」

「.........」

Just one man. With the self-defense skills my father taught me and the judo I learned as a child, I shouldn't fall behind even against a man. From what I hear, the other party is just a student. He doesn't have any weapons either.

「......Leave it to me. I will... definitely save you!」

「...Thank... thank you! Our Kaichou really is dependable!」

That's right. I am this school's student council president.

How can someone who aspires to become a police officer fail to solve a problem of this level? Besides, didn't I decide to work harder for Kaede-kun's sake? What kind of student council president can't solve things alone without relying on anyone? I've always done things alone. From now on too, surely...

「Getting her with crocodile tears in one shot... she's way too weak in the head.」

In my hazy consciousness, I hear the voice of the girl who asked me for help. If I recall, I was called out to a certain park by her, and there I met the man who was supposedly threatening her. And then...

「Hey... what are we gonna do with this woman?」

「Hmm... her parents are police, so...」

「Oi oi, you brought someone outrageous... well, too late now. Anyway, we can do whatever we want, right? It'd be a waste to just look at such a fine catch.」

「...You're right. If push comes to shove, juvenile law~」

The boy and girl chatting happily. Around them are several other men besides those two, and I, unable to move, am being… by those men...

「......You really shouldn't trust people so easily~? Our dear Student Council President!」

Perhaps to escape reality, my consciousness fades again, and the last thing I heard was the mocking voice of the female student laughing at me.

As such, Shiori's event is among the most brutal of all the heroines'. When I first saw it, I was haunted for a while. That's precisely why I must prevent Shiori's bad ending no matter what.

While thinking about such things, Friday, June 21st arrived. As instructed during lunch break, I obediently made my way to the student council room.

「So? What's this talk about?」

「...I hear you've had quite a close kouhai these past few days.」

「Ahh... you mean Sera?」

「That's right. You showed no such behavior until last week... what exactly happened?」

I see. So she's wondering if I'm threatening Akari and doing who knows what. Well, it's understandable to suspect that. I hope I can somehow talk my way out of this, though...

「The other day, I went to watch a baseball game. She happened to be sitting next to me, and we hit it off from there.」

「......I see.」

This excuse is something Akari and I came up with together. Though Akari herself insisted "Senpai's good points should be spread around!" and it took me about an hour to convince her otherwise.

Now, if she'd just accept this, it would be easy, but...

「......I understand. Sorry for doubting you.」

「Ah, yes.」

Mmm, one hit. As I thought, you're really not cut out for this kind of consultation stuff. You believe what people say way too easily.

「Well, I do look like this after all. Don't worry about it.」

「I-I have no intention of judging people by their appearance, you see...」

Suppressing the urge to ask why she asked such a thing then, I moved on to my own questions.

「By the way, Kaichou-san. Have you been consulted about anything lately? Like, by a second-year girl?」

「......I haven't.」

「I see...」

It was a long shot, but Shiori didn't answer me. However, I can sense anxiety and anger from her expression. Her hands are trembling too, and the eyes that were looking straight at me just now are facing a completely irrelevant direction.

「Is that all from you?」

「Yeah. That's all.」

「...I see. Sorry for taking your time.」

Shiori bows her head to me and urges me to leave. I responded by putting my hand on the door of the student council room and left some words for Shiori as if to leave them behind.

「Don't trust people too much.」

「......What are you trying to say?」

「Nothing. Just that the world isn't full of cool and respectable people like you.」

I quoted that woman's line from the game and promptly left the student council room.

「Now then...」

What I need to do from here can be roughly divided into two things.

One. Prevent the incident from occurring.

This is the most important thing. The maliciousness of the perpetrators is different from Akari's case. Even if I come to help partway through, it will be too late. I won't let the event itself happen.

Two. Make sure Shiori doesn't find out I'm involved.

This is just speculation, but... I thought the current distorted relationship between me and Akari might be caused by the fact that she found out I saved her. In other words, this is also a verification. If she finds out... well, it's Shiori. I can probably deceive her easily.

So for now, let's search for the culprit. How am I supposed to identify that woman who was nothing but a faceless mob in the game? For the past few days, while being dragged around by Akari, I've been constantly searching for leads, but there was no sign of finding any. I mean, no one wants to talk to me. I can't investigate properly like this.

While worrying about this and returning from the student council room, one female student approached me as if she'd been waiting.

「Hey, you. You were talking to that woman just now, right?」

「That woman?」

「You don't have to play dumb. You know, that nagging Kaichou-sama.」

「Ahh... I see.」

A duck carrying green onions on its back... that phrase must exist precisely for this moment. This is probably the woman who's the root of everything.

「Yeah. I got lectured.」

「So annoying, right? Acting all high and mighty... I know your reputation. That you're on our side.」

「......Yeah.」

This is about a little while ago. But let me make use of that bad reputation while I can.

「So like, we're talking about destroying her. You in?」

「...That's an interesting proposition. By the way, what did she do to you?」

「Eh... nothing really, isn't she just annoying? What's wrong with wearing makeup to school? Looking down on me just because she's pretty. Pisses you off, right?」

Just that...

For such a trivial reason, Shiori was...!

「......Yeah, that's annoying.」

I somehow suppressed my anger and agreed with this scum's opinion. If punching this woman right here right now would solve everything, I'd gladly do it.

But if I did that, I'd face at least suspension. Considering the previous Ibuse Reo's behavior, expulsion is also possible. How would I deal with problems that occur during that time?

「......When's it happening?」

「Thanks for being quick on the uptake. We'll lure her to a park at night next week and... everyone will hold her down, shove her in a car, and... after that, we'll just wing it, I guess? I'll tell you the specific place and time next week. Counting on youー.」

The triumphant woman left laughing somewhere. There were depictions in the game too, but these people only think of it as a game. They threatened people they didn't like, demanded money, and thoroughly broke them both physically and mentally.

Even if they get caught by the police, people like this won't rehabilitate. But that's no reason to forgive these criminals now.

Every time Shiori's route failed, these people made me feel murderous rage with nowhere to direct it. Including that from my previous life... I'll let myself go wild to my heart's content.

And so, Thursday, June 27th. Late at night in a certain park.

「Ah, oiiー Reo-kunー」

I had come to this deserted park as instructed by that woman.

「I was worried if you'd come, you know? I'd heard you've been quiet lately.」

「...If I can make that woman suffer, of course I'd come.」

「I guess so. She's seriously annoying after all.」

The woman's annoying laugh echoes in my brain. I want to punch that face right now.

Suppressing that urge, I called out to the men around me as well.

「Looking forward to working with you tonight.」

「Ou. I heard from her. Apparently you've been playing around with women quite a bit.」

「Introduce us to some fuck buddies sometime!」

「...I'll think about it.」

They cackle loudly, spouting nothing but nonsense. At a glance, there are five of them. There might be people by the car stopped in the distance too, but... even so, it's probably just one or two. None of them have impressive builds. Just trash who can't do anything unless they gather this many.

「By the way, we still have time before Kaichou-san arrives, right?」

I decided to confirm with the woman how much time there was until Shiori arrived.

「Yeah. When she arrives at the nearby station, I'm supposed to go pick her up, so we'll do the stuff after I get the message.」

「Okayー... then we've got time to kill until then. Hey, got any funny videos or something?」

This time I called out to the guy who seemed to be the leader. Then that man started operating his smartphone with a stupid grin on his face.

「Hee... seems like the rumors are true. Alright, I'll show you something special.」

Even though we just met, he readily complied with my request. Is my face that villainous? Or is he just an idiot who doesn't think about what-ifs? Well, either way. I'll just use them all.

「My recommendation is~ ah here it is. She put up quite a fight. But that's what made it excitingー.」

「I get it, I get it! When they're crying is the best!」

「......Is this woman someone's acquaintance?」

The video shown on the smartphone was a nauseating hell. As expected, this isn't their first time. These guys have attacked people using similar methods before.

「Mmm... who was she again?」

「Our homeroom teacher. She pissed me off by confiscating my smartphoneー...」

「Right, right. She had quite a lot of money!」

...It seems certain that they're the scumbags just like in the game. Thanks for conveniently leaving records on your smartphone, saves me the trouble.

While I was confirming all the atrocities these guys had committed, the woman who was clearly irritated yelled at us.

「......She's not contacting me! Don't tell me she stood us up! This is the worst!」

「Haa? Seriously, she'd do that... Oi, try calling her from our end.」

The leader-like man rushed over to the woman, and the two started discussing what to do next. From that state, it seems Shiori won't be coming to this scene. I was glad she believed my words.

「Well well, don't be so worked up... okay?」

「No no, what do you think we came all the way here for──」

When I spoke to the leader telling him to calm down, he showed obvious anger. It's selfishness to an extreme degree, but... since we're here, let me help him blow off some steam.

「C'mon. Calm... DOWN!!」

THUNK!!

「GAH......!?」

I grabbed the man's head and slammed a headbutt into his face with enough force to crack his skull. A dull sound echoed through the late-night park, and the leader collapsed on the spot with blood flowing from his nose. The remaining members had looks of complete confusion, unable to grasp the situation.

「W-What are you doing...」

The woman was frightened by my sudden action and slumped to the ground.

「Hah? What, you ask... I just don't like it. Ganging up on weak people... sure, it must've been fun. For you lot.」

There's no need for restraint anymore. I can feel the frustration I'd been bottling up deep inside exploding all at once. I'll rampage until the police are called.

「Alright... come at me, you small-dicked trash. Garbage who can't do anything unless you gather in groups.」

「This guy......!!」

「Looking down on us! Oi! Everyone, get him!」

I provoke them as clearly as possible. Then the remaining four attacked in rage. I've never been in a fight against multiple opponents before. But my mind was completely calm.

After all, right now, I am...

「Come at me, trash. I'll make sure you can never use those pathetic things again.」

The strongest villain. Ibuse Reo.

「Now then... how do you feel? Scum woman.」

「Don't kill me... stop......」

Having beaten back the four without any problem, all that remained was the woman who was the root cause of this incident.

「...You think crying will get you forgiven? How many people have apologized to you lot like that until now?」

「I was... being threatened by these guys too...」

It might be a coherent story. But I know the truth.

To begin with, this woman and the leader have known each other for a long time. She'd always deceived people she didn't like and had these guys attack them. Afterward, they'd threaten the victims and demand money. Truly despicable.

All of this is content revealed in Shiori's route. In the game, this event can be temporarily avoided by raising Shiori's affection and getting her to tell you about the consultation from this woman.

But this woman doesn't give up on entrapping Shiori, and eventually uses Kaede, who has started dating Shiori, as a hostage to attack her.

There are various other things, but... once Shiori is attacked, there's only one ending she reaches.

She quits high school, goes missing, and one day on the news...

「...You know, I advocate for gender equality.」

Just remembering various things makes my anger surge.

「N-No... stop......」

Just as I grabbed the woman by the collar and was about to punch her face with all my might. Her mouth slightly relaxed. Why would she smile in this situation...

「──Gah!?」

Suddenly, electricity ran through my body. Something was pressed against my side, and from there, a shock that nearly made me lose consciousness coursed through my entire body, and I collapsed face-down.

「Ahaha! How stupid! Acting all cool!」

It isn't this laughing woman who did something. In that case...

「......You woke... up... pretty fast...」

「Don't underestimate people... or this is what happens...」

The leader I should have knocked out first was standing behind me, holding a stun gun.

「And he's still conscious after that! He's seriously a monster!」

「Oi, what do we do with this guy? Just leave him here?」

「Let's report that he suddenly picked a fight with us! Come on, wake up the sleeping guys and let's get out of here!」

This is the worst. I screwed up at the very end. I can't afford to get involved with the police here. If that happens, Shiori will surely be... by these people...!

「What are you doing there?」

As I desperately tried to move my body thinking about the tragedy that would befall Shiori, a familiar voice echoed through the park where only we should have been. A dignified, cool low female voice.

「......Why... are you...」

She's not in her usual uniform. Wearing a sleek white jersey chosen for functionality, our student council president Fujita Shiori was glaring at us.

「...So you came after all. Since you didn't contact me, I thought you canceled.」

「My apologies for that. Various circumstances overlapped. And I'll ask again... what exactly are you all doing here?」

At Shiori's question, these people sighed as if annoyed, and with a resigned look, the woman gave instructions to the man.

「At this point, we'll just use force.」

At the woman's signal, the man moved away from me and approached Shiori while still holding the stun gun.

「Idiot... run......!」

「Who knew you'd fallen for Kaichou-sama... as thanks for doing whatever you pleased, I'll let you watch from the best seat as we break her, so be grateful!」

「.........」

Shiori didn't flinch at the approaching man, just staring intently at something.

「Ha... having such uselessly huge tits... looks like you'll be fun to break!」

「...What's wrong? Haven't you hit puberty yet? You seem a bit shorter than me. Given your state... pfft. It must be quite pathetic.」

「......YOU BITCH!!」

「Shiori.........!!」

It was instant.

「Hmph!!」

Just when I thought the enraged man was attacking, Shiori suddenly lowered her stance and sank into his reach. The next moment, the man's body was floating in the air, and with a spectacular sound, he was slammed back-first onto the ground.

「GAHK......!」

「Eh... no way...」

「He's not dead, is he...」

A splendid ippon seoi nage that made even those watching feel the damage. The man who was slammed back-first onto the ground seemed to have completely lost consciousness this time.

「I learned self-defense from my father, and judo from a young age, so there's no way I would fall behind against a single ruffian like you.」

Seeing Shiori even deliver a cool one-liner, all my anxiety from before flew away somewhere, and I ended up uttering a completely inappropriate impression at her beautiful standing figure.

「......So cool.」

「...Now then, shall you explain?」

Having thrown the leader, Shiori walked toward me while calmly questioning the woman. The woman panicked and pointed at me, who was lying on the ground.

「T-This... It's him!! Actually, he's the one who's been threatening me!!」

There's no way such a lie would work at this poi──

「Is that so, Ibuse-kun?」

「As if!! Are you an idiot!?」

The overly gullible Shiori made me involuntarily retort loudly, and the composed Shiori started chuckling.

「Sorry. That was a joke.」

「This isn't the time for jokes...」

Shiori must be calm enough to make jokes in a situation like this. I feel stupid for panicking.

「You two... damn it... don't come any closer!! I'll kill this guy!!」

In contrast to the calm Shiori, this scum woman straddled my back and pressed a knife she had hidden against my neck to threaten them.

「...So she says, but Ibuse-kun. Do you need help?」

「...What a demanding Kaichou-sama.」

「Huh? You two have been acting all confident this whole time... wait!?」

When I retorted loudly to Shiori earlier, I noticed my body could move again. And I flung off the woman who still thought I couldn't move, trembling while pressing a knife she had no intention of using against me, by suddenly lifting my upper body.

「Ow... huh, ah...」

I stood up with that momentum and kicked the knife the woman dropped toward Shiori.

「Got anything else coming out of those proud pockets of yours?」

「...Damn it......」

At the same moment the woman cursed, the sound of a car stopping came from near the park. Then police officers immediately came and scolded me to explain what was happening. Well, I'm the only one standing unharmed here, and my face looks villainous, so it can't be helped.

According to the officers, there was a report of a fight happening in this park. I had business with the police too. I'll comply with the questioning obediently. I've already confirmed that there's plenty of irrefutable evidence that these people are criminals. If I'm lucky, I might be let go in a few days.

And so, as I was about to get into the patrol car along with the collapsed men and the scum woman and passed by Shiori, she secretly whispered in my ear.

「Monday lunch break. I'll be waiting in the student council room.」

「.........」

I hope I can actually go to school on Monday. I thought that but didn't say it aloud, and without answering anything, I was taken to the nearby police station.

Monday, July 1st. In front of the student council room.

「Senpai! I'll wait here! If anything happens, scream!」

「Yeah yeah...」

I was released surprisingly easily and was able to return to school safely by the start of the week.

I also told the police about what those people had done. I thought I'd have to do various detailed explanations and such, but it only took up all of Friday.

However, because I couldn't go to school on Friday, Akari was incredibly worried about me, and even now she followed me all the way to the student council room.

「Excuse meー.」

「Oh my. Have you already received your pardon?」

When I entered the student council room, Shiori, who was sitting in the furthest seat doing work, asked with a smirk.

「I just got them to compromise. So please make it quick.」

「Understood. Then, getting right to it...」

Shiori stopped her work, stood up, and came right in front of me. She looked up at my face, spaced out for a moment, then murmured in a small voice.

「......You really are big. I was confident in my height, though.」

「......Is that what you wanted to talk about?」

「Ah, no... ahem!」

Her face slightly red, she cleared her throat deliberately and then bowed deeply to me.

「Thank you. For saving me.」

「...I don't know what you're talking about. If anything, I was the one who got saved.」

I try to deflect, at least for appearances. But since she came to that scene in the first place, she has probably figured out most of it. So this is just me being embarrassed.

Rewinding a bit to Thursday, June 27th, during lunch break. The day of the park incident. I was talking with Shiori about that woman that day.

「Yo.」

「...Oh, it's you. What's up?」

I went all the way to the third-year floor, found Shiori while being glared at by those around me, and called out to her.

「You got consulted by Kakizaki last week, right?」

「...I don't know what you're talking about.」

Kakizaki was that woman, and hearing that name come up, Shiori was visibly shaken. Also, Shiori that day was completely exhausted, and I couldn't sense her usual dignified bearing.

「Actually, me and her are close. She consulted with me too. That she's being threatened by her ex-boyfriend.」

「.........」

Shiori seemed surprised that information only she should have known kept coming out of my mouth, and she listened silently to what I had to say.

「So like, that matter's apparently already resolved. Seems that guy got arrested for something else... she seemed really happy to be freed.」

「......I see.」

「So it's fine now. She says she'll be busy for a while, so she'll come thank you later.」

It was a lie that would fall apart if examined. I thought I could fool Shiori with that much though... I must have underestimated her too much.

As a result, I ended up involving Shiori, and she probably also found out that I was trying to resolve things behind the scenes. It's honestly embarrassing.

And today. To do the answer verification from the other day, I accepted Shiori's invitation.

「...It seems I need to reconsider my perception of you. You are intelligent, brave, and kind. I don't know what changed you so much, but... did you perhaps have a good encounter?」

「......Thanks.」

She glances at the door to the student council room and smiles. She seemed to be misunderstanding something, but since she probably wouldn't believe me if I said it was memories from my previous life, it's safer to leave it at that.

Even so, I'm just using game knowledge and a borrowed body, yet being praised so directly like this makes me feel ticklish somehow. I can't help but feel like I'm doing something wrong.

「Let me apologize for my past rudeness. I'm truly sorr──」

I put my hand on Shiori's shoulder as she tried to bow again, stopping her apology.

「...You're just doing what you should do as student council president. Don't worry about it. So, um... don't apologize.」

「......A-Actually.」

Shiori, who was stopped from bowing, suddenly started fidgeting. Is there something hard to say?

「My suspicion of you was... that, more than as student council president... it was personal...」

「...What do you mean?」

「......Please don't tell him, but actually, you know there's a student called Kaede-ku... Miyano in your class? He asked me. That there's a delinquent who's been involved with his younger sister's friend lately. Please do something about it... he asked me.」

「......Haaaah」

Him again. Why does his stock drop every time he comes up in conversation? Handle it yourself. That's why other guys take your heroines from you.

「Please don't think badly of him. It was my fault for agreeing so readily in the first place. I'll talk to him later about reconsidering his perception of you.」

「...I'm fine. I don't care.」

「B-But...」

「More importantly. Can I ask you some things?」

「...Ahh. Ask as much as you like.」

I cut off the conversation to start asking my own questions. If I keep listening to talk about that wimpy protagonist any longer, I'll get so irritated I might punch him if our eyes meet.

「First, why did you come to that place?」

「...The other day, I received some advice from a certain person. "Don't trust people too much", they said.」

「I see...」

「That person acts bluntly, but actually, deep in their heart, they're always thinking about others...」

「Yeah yeah, I didn't ask for that much.」

So it was because of the unnecessary thing I said that day. But following that logic...

「You believed the words telling you not to believe what people say.」

「............Hm?」

I wanted to tease her a bit, so I made a sophistry. Shiori tilted her head, seemed to think for a while, then her face turned bright red and she shouted.

「...Don't tell me you deceived me!?」

「Pfft...!? What do you mean, deceived...!」

Shiori seriously pondered my sophistry and reached such a nonsensical conclusion, panicking completely, which was so funny that I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

「But... you said not to believe...」

「Yeah yeah, my bad. Thanks for believing my words and doubting me.」

「...M-Mm? ...Mm?? Y-You're welcome??」

I can see a ton of question marks floating above her head. Shiori is way too weak to this kind of topic after all. Combined with the gap from her usual self, she looks very cute.

「And one more thing. Are you okay?」

「A-Ahh! I'm fine!」

「...You pulled some strings with the police, didn't you?」

「.........I don't know anything about that.」

Where did the flustered person from before go? She suddenly got a serious expression at my main question. I thought I could ask while riding the flow, but... it won't be that easy.

「I don't know anything, but my parents are police officers. They have a decent position. And it's a daily routine in our household to talk about school matters during breakfast. Ahh right, I might have talked about a friend I made recently at that time.」

「You're surprisingly shrewd.」

「......I don't know anything about that.」

I can sense Shiori's age-appropriate side that I couldn't feel in the game, as well as her distinctly Shiori-like shrewdness, and I'm having a very fulfilling time right now. That alone made it worth all my efforts up to──

「Senpai! Lunch break!! Is ending!!!!」

Just when we were having a nice atmosphere, Akari, whose existence I had completely forgotten, started banging on the door.

「Fufu. We took too much time. You should go to her quickly.」

「...I'll do that.」

As I put my hand on the door to return to Akari, who politely doesn't come inside, Shiori called out to me again.

「Ah, that's right, Ibuse-kun. May I ask just one last thing?」

「Make it quick.」

「Speak politely. I'm your senpai.」

The reason I hadn't been using honorifics with Shiori was my role-playing as the delinquent Ibuse Reo, but... also because if I use honorifics, my true self might slip out, so if possible I didn't want to. But...

「......Understood.」

「Mm. Good.」

Instantly judging that persuading Shiori at times like this is impossible, I chose to obediently become Shiori's kouhai.

「Senpai, Senpai. Here, say "ann"!」

「Stop it. Eat it yourself, don't push it on me.」

「I'm not pushing it on you~ I just thought Senpai might want the green pepper!」

「...If you keep eating like that, you'll never grow.」

「!?!?」

「You two really are close...」

A few days later during lunch break. We changed our location to the student council room.

The reason is simple. It's just too hot. I can't take it. But if I talk with Akari in the classroom, the stares from others are too painful, so as a last resort, I beg Shiori and we are borrowing the student council room.

「Kaichou-san... Senpai is... Senpai is being mean to me...」

「No, I just stated the obvious.」

「That's right, Akari-chan. You need to eat your vegetables properly. You're still growing, and if you get proper nutrition, you'll have Ibuse-kun wrapped around your finger.」

「Wrapped around my finger...」

「Stop filling her head with weird ideas...」

I've never seen these two interact in the game. So I was wondering how it would turn out, but I was glad they became friends quickly.

「I'll... make Senpai fall for me! Chomp... uhh, bitter...」

「Yeah yeah, good girl.」

「...By the way, Ibuse-kun. You're telling others about nutrition, but what's that bento of yours?」

「It's a convenience store bento.」

What's wrong with a convenience store bento? It's convenient and tasty. It's an all-purpose food that provides proper nutrition too.

「...Are your parents busy in the morning?」

「Ahh... I'm living alone right now.」

「Ehh!? Senpai, really!?」

「Some stuff happened.」

Ibuse Reo apparently had a bad relationship with his parents. So he forced his way into living alone right after entering high school. But he didn't work part-time and somehow got by with monthly allowances.

As you can tell from the fact that he can live without a part-time job, the allowance from home is quite substantial. His parents are putting Reo first even though Reo unilaterally hates them.

On behalf of Reo, who was in the middle of his rebellious phase, I thanked his parents. I even told them they could stop the allowance if they wanted. I'd manage with part-time work. But when I said that, Reo's parents cried with joy and actually increased the amount from before.

「I see... living alone...」

For some reason, Shiori suddenly started thinking deeply. That flow is weird. You're scheming something, aren't you? Akari seemed to think the same seeing her behavior and started threatening Shiori.

「Kaichou-san! You can't! He's mine! My Senpai!!」

「I'm not yours.」

「Ahh, that's right... but at the same time, he's also my cute kouhai.」

「Please stop saying cute.」

「Muu... getting all lovey-dovey... I send Senpai my underwear every morning──」

「Stop stop!! Oi!!!!」

I covered Akari's mouth with my hand before she could blurt out something outrageous. Akari struggled for a while after being muffled, but gradually her face became one of pleasure.

「W-Well... hobbies are hobbies. Yeah... I'll pretend I didn't hear that...」

「No wait... it's not like that...」

My reaction apparently backed up Akari's statement even more, and Shiori figured it out and was completely put off.

「Mufuuh... Ow!?」

I removed my hand from Akari's mouth, which had a triumphant look, and delivered a chop as punishment.

While enjoying such trivial but fulfilling youth, suddenly there was a knock on the student council room door.

「Excuse me. Is Fujita Kaichou here?」

「Yes. Please wait a moment.」

At the girl's voice from beyond the door, Shiori's face switched to work mode, and she bowed to us.

「Sorry. It seems I have a visitor. I'll step out.」

「...Nah, we'll be the ones to leave. C'mon, let's go, Sera.」

「Okaaay!」

This is a place we're borrowing on our own anyway. We'll spend the remaining time quietly in front of the rooftop door.

「Well then, excuse usー」

「Usー!」

「Hii......!?」

When the two of us left the student council room, standing in front of the door was one of the heroines, the otaku girl with glasses who's also in my class, Kinoshita Nanami. I can't help it, but she's super scared of me.

Though it's nothing new at this point. Nothing to worry about. I bowed and apologized for startling her, then headed to the rooftop.

「Senpai.」

When we reached the rooftop entrance, Akari called out to me with a pouty face.

「What?」

「You were looking at her boobs.」

「I wasn't.」

「You were!」

Well, I can't help it. It's practically like I've seen Nanami naked before. When I think about how those ridiculously huge breasts are right in front of me, of course I'll sneak a glance.

「Kaichou-san's are big too... someone like me...」

It's not like Akari has no chest either. The others are just too big. By real-world standards, Akari's size is normal. I patted Akari's head to cheer her up since she was feeling down, and spoke to her.

「Sera is properly cute too, so don't worry.」

「Fuhiii... dehehe. More...」

Perhaps quite relieved, Akari's face completely melted, and like one would do to a puppy, I was made to keep patting her head for a while.

「Excuse meー.」

「Welcome... huh? Where's Akari-chan?」

「...Probably at the staff room by now.」

Monday, July 8th, lunch break. Today I came to the student council room alone. I ran into Akari on the way, but she was grabbed by the scruff of the neck by a woman who seemed to be her homeroom teacher and dragged away. What is that girl doing?

「I see. Then I'm sorry to be so sudden, but Ibuse-kun. Are you free this weekend?」

「This weekend? I'm probably free...」

As I sat in my usual spot and took out my usual convenience store bento, Shiori started a conversation.

「Actually, there's something I want to talk to you about.」

Saying that, Shiori stood up, placed a mysterious rectangular box on the desk in front of me, returned to her seat as if nothing happened, and began talking.

「This matter was a consultation from someone I have a bit of a connection with... but I couldn't come close to solving it on my own. That's why I want to rely on you. On you, who is so trustworthy and kind.」

「...I don't need that kind of flattery. Please get to the main topic.」

Being told so directly that I'm trustworthy and kind makes me embarrassed. To hide that embarrassment, I urged her to get to the main point. Then Shiori smiled with a "fufu" and resumed talking.

「This weekend is a long holiday, right? Apparently there's something called a cosplay event to coincide with it. The person who consulted me really wants to attend but is anxious about going alone. That's why they reached out to me, but... they also want a man's help. What do you say?」

「......I see.」

This person who consulted her is almost certainly Kinoshita Nanami. It matches with her visiting the student council room during lunch break last week, and I vaguely recall hearing a similar conversation flow in the game.

I've been so busy lately that it completely slipped my mind that it's about time for Nanami's event. Nanami's event is... really rough. It doesn't have the same gut-wrenching feel as Shiori's or Akari's, but it has a different kind of roughness.

「Well, personally I have no problem with it. But whether the person who consulted you would accept someone like me... that's questionable.」

「You can rest assured about that. I'll persuade her. That you are a truly wonderful person.」

「I hope such nonsense would be believed... Also, let's be honest, it's Kinoshita, right? From my class.」

「...As expected of Ibuse-kun. To have seen through that much.」

「If it's Kinoshita, isn't there a more suitable guy than me? You know, among people you know, like Miyano.」

「Miyano-kun, huh. I did consider that, but...」

The moment I brought up the protagonist's name, Shiori made a sour face.

「He's been a bit on edge lately. The cause is probably because I talked to him about you. The other day, I tried to convince him that you're not such a bad guy now, but it backfired. Also, apparently he's not doing well with Mizukami-san either. I heard they were fighting the other day...」

「I see, so that happened...」

So that's why the protagonist's gaze has been more painful than before lately. Not only his cute kouhai, but even a dependable senpai is getting along with Ibuse Reo, the fact must be unbearable for him. Well, I understand that feeling. Information-wise, it's basically like NTR.

Even so, it was surprising that things aren't going well with Noa either. Unlike in the game, they don't have me as an obstacle. I thought they'd quickly start dating and enjoy their youth, but... reality sure is difficult.

「So that's the reason why it's hard to rely on him right now. Do you understand?」

「...I understand that. But do you really need me? If you're there alone, you could throw most men, right?」

「Is that so. Then you wouldn't mind if I get hit on at that event or something.」

「.........」

「Even though you cared about me so much, even got into a fight to protect me... Ahh, I see. You've been captivated by your cute kouhai lately. How unfortunate. I suppose I'll go look for a good encounter myself.」

「...That's way too underhanded.」

「......You'd go along with this, right?」

Shiori was looking at me with a smug face. Knowing Shiori, she could probably throw most idiots. But Shiori is definitely weak to things like getting hit on. I can easily imagine her getting swept along before she knows it.

...Could this be a new flag? Because I prevented Shiori's bad ending, she didn't quit school, so she received consultation from Nanami, and a new flag was born, that's a possibility.

Given this game's nature, I don't even want to confirm what could happen from there. There's Nanami, but the other one is Shiori, who has the most gut-wrenching route. Things could get really bad...

「...Understood. I'll come along no matter what.」

「Mm... I see. Thank you.」

Shiori nodded happily at my words. Her face seems somewhat red too.

「......So, what is this?」

After the talk about Nanami settled down, I pointed at the rectangular box placed in front of me and asked Shiori.

「Ahh... that's tamagoyaki. A homemade one.」

「Why tamagoyaki?」

「Just eat it. Tell me what you think of the taste.」

「...Roger.」

Urged by Shiori, I opened the box. Inside are beautifully arranged tamagoyaki, and I decided to try them right away.

「......How is it?」

Shiori asks anxiously about the taste. In response to such Shiori, I expressed my honest feelings.

「It's sooo good...!」

「I-I see. I'm glad then.」

It's just so delicious. This moderate sweetness is the best. And I never thought I'd get to eat Shiori's home cooking. All my efforts up to now are worth it.

「......If it's alright with Ibuse-kun, shall I make you a bento?」

「Eh... Seriously!?」

「Ahh... well, I make it every morning anyway...... one more portion... wouldn't be a problem.」

「Seriously...... Ah, but I can't just receive it for free... Please let me pay for it!」

「Fufu... It's not such a grand thing that you need to pay for it. Don't worry about it.」

「No, I do worry about it! So please let me pay!」

「.........Good grief. What a strange guy.」

My excitement was through the roof knowing I could eat Shiori's homemade bento.

I mean, can you blame me! It's handmade by a heroine I liked from the game I played! There's no way I can receive that for free!

「Understood. Then I'll charge you an appropriate price.」

「Roger! Thanks!」

The negotiation with Shiori was successfully concluded, and I started moving my chopsticks again to eat the remaining tamagoyaki.

Then...

「Shiori-senpai. Are you there?」

「「!?」」

A male voice came from beyond the student council room door. This voice is... probably the protagonist Kaede. Shiori seems to have noticed too and was completely flustered.

「A-Ahh! I'm here! But could you wait a moment!?」

Shiori immediately pulled my hand and spoke to me in a whisper.

「Please. Hide under my desk along with your belongings. If you and him meet in a place like this right now, things could get really bad.」

「......Roger.」

I also wanted to know about Kaede's current state. I'll obediently follow her instructions here.

「Sorry! Thanks for waiting!」

Shiori opened the door herself, somewhat flustered, and welcomed Kaede.

「No, not at all... By the way, Shiori-senpai. About Ibuse, have you reconsidered?」

And here I thought what he came to talk about, and it's about me. You sure have free time.

「...Reconsider? My view is just one thing. He's not such a bad person. At least not now.」

「Then please tell me why! Both Akari and Shiori-senpai... you won't tell me anything detailed, yet you say Ibuse isn't bad... I can't believe that!」

「I told you the reason, didn't I? You asked me, and through talking with him, I simply came to that judgment. There's nothing special about it. That's really all there is to it.」

Of course neither of them can give detailed reasons. "I was saved when I was about to be assaulted by men", there's no way such a convenient story exists. Especially for Akari, if she said that, she'd have to explain everything that led up to it. Plus, I get the feeling that even if they told him, the current Kaede wouldn't believe them anyway.

That said, from Kaede's perspective, it's quite a difficult situation. I hope he doesn't mess up his choices and the conversation ends as peacefully as possible...

「......But Shiori-senpai, you know, right? About the fight that happened around here the other day. I heard some students from our school were involved too.」

「That's right. I heard from my father.」

「Then do you know this? The rumor that Ibuse was the cause of that fight.」

「......Heeh, that's news to me.」

News to me too. Well, I was the one who started it, so it's not entirely wrong.

「Senpai, you're saying he's changed, but... he's still getting into fights! It's probably for some stupid reason! He hasn't changed at all! Both Akari and Shiori-senpai are just being deceived right now, and eventually he'll assault──」

「Hey, Kaede-kun.」

Ah, she snapped. Her tone became low and cold.

「I can tell you're worried about us. Thank you. I'm grateful. But... please don't say anything more unnecessary today. Otherwise, I might have to reconsider my perception of you.」

Scary. If Shiori said something like that to me in that tone, I'd seriously cry.

「B-But......」

「...Certainly, there's some truth to what you're saying. I also looked into his past. He was always fighting and barely came to school. A true delinquent. But what about him now? He comes to school properly, and his grades aren't bad. From what I heard, the fight the other day was to protect a female student.」

「......B-But! That girl he protected is probably just some scum like him who──」

Ahhhh...

「I believe I told you not to speak?」

「Eh......」

This is hopeless. He completely messed up his choices.

「...I thought you were the kind of man who doesn't judge people by their appearance or bad rumors, but sees their true nature. It seems that only applies to the opposite sex.」

「N-No, I... was thinking of you two...」

「Thinking of? What? You have Mizukami Noa, don't you? Do you have time to be distracted by us?」

「It's not like Noa and I are in that kind of relationship...」

「I see. So you two were not in that kind of relationship. Even though you seemed so close. How surprising. Then let me say this. You and I are not in that kind of relationship either. From this very moment. So please don't worry about me.」

「Eh... no, I......」

「If you properly talk with Ibuse-kun, determine that he's not the person he used to be, and still have something to say, then come again. At that time, I'll listen to your opinion.」

「......Ah... S-Sorry, wait. It was my fault. So──」

「You're forgetting to speak politely. I'm your senpai. Mind your manners.」

Saying that, Shiori firmly shut the student council room door. Kaede didn't open that closed door, and after a while, heavy footsteps fading away could be heard.

「...Haaaaah.」

Shiori let out an unusually big sigh and crouched down on the spot. She said such harsh things to a boy she was supposed to like. It must be quite painful.

「...Wasn't that too much?」

「I know... I know, but... I just couldn't hold back...」

I crouched down beside the dejected Shiori and decided to encourage her for now.

「It can't be helped. That's how guys are. They inevitably favor girls. And my bad reputation from last year isn't a lie either. It's natural form him to worry about Kaichou.」

「I know that. But you see......」

「The damage is bigger because you had feelings for him.」

「Wha...!? Just how much do you know...」

「Watching Kaichou-san... I kind of figured it out, I guess.」

「......I can't beat you.」

「......That's not really true.」

After that, we ended up spending time leisurely in the student council room until Shiori recovered from the shock.

Two days later, after school. At a certain café in front of the station, I was sitting across from two girls.

「You both know each other since you're in the same class, but let me introduce her again. This is Kinoshita Nanami. She's my precious friend.」

「......P-Please to meet you... yes.」

「Likewise...」

The one who timidly bowed her head in line with Shiori's introduction is the otaku heroine with heavy bangs and plain glasses that didn't match the tremendous impact of her chest, Kinoshita Nanami. This is actually the first time we're properly talking, and Nanami was clearly scared of me, both on the way here and now. Can we even have a proper conversation in this state?

「Now, Nanami. This man is my precious friend, Ibuse Reo. His face is scary, but he's very kind at heart, so you can relax.」

「I-I-I-I'm not scared! Ah... no, sorry... for raising... my voice...」

「...I don't care about that stuff anymore. You don't have to hide it.」

「Eh... but......」

「See? He's kind, right?」

For some reason, Shiori was smiling proudly, and instead of us who couldn't even manage a conversation, she began confirming things.

「Now then, Ibuse-kun. Is it alright to assume you'll accompany us on the day?」

「...It's fine.」

「Nanami too. Is that okay with you?」

「I... ehm... if that's what Shiori-chan decided...」

At Nanami's passive answer, Shiori shrugged with a "can't be helped" and turned to face me again.

「Hey, Ibuse-kun. I have a small favor to ask.」

「What is it?」

「There's still some time until the day. Could you get to know Nanami better by then?」

「Eh!?!?」

At Shiori's sudden suggestion, Nanami, who had been shrinking in front of us, reacted before I did.

「W-W-What are you saying, Shiori-chan!? That's... it would be a bother to him!」

「First, please calm down, Nanami. Try lowering your voice and calming down.」

「Ah...... sorry...」

Because Nanami reacted with such a loud voice, she drew stares from other customers and staff in the shop. Noticing this, Nanami shrunk even further, her face turned bright red, and she fell silent.

「So as you can see. At this rate, she might not be able to fully enjoy the event this weekend. That's why I want you to become friends with Nanami.」

「I'm fine with it...」

「Thank you. Ahh, also.」

Shiori suddenly stood up, moved to sit next to me, and whispered in my ear so Nanami couldn't hear.

「To be honest, I want her to develop some resistance to men through this opportunity.」

「...I thought it might be something like that.」

「Fufu... As expected.」

When you think about it normally, there was no point in me tagging along for this matter. If that's the case, it's natural to think there's some other intention.

More importantly......!!

「...What's wrong? Your ears are red.」

「No... this's...」

Having Shiori whisper in my ear with her low voice, I can't help but react. Every time her breath touches my ear, it sends shivers through me. Just having Shiori sit next to me makes my heart race, and now being whispered to, what kind of reward is this?

「Oh my... could you be embarrassed? I thought you'd be used to this much. You really are still a cute kouhai after all.」

「...Of course I'd get embarrassed if a beauty like Kaichou got this close. What do you think I am?」

「!? ...I-I see... sorry.」

Shiori's body jumped for a moment, and then she quickly fled back to her original seat as if escaping.

「W-Well. That's how it is. Yes. So that's the situation. Ehm... you two get along!」

With her face red, Shiori forcibly wrapped up the conversation, and we ended up disbanding for the day.

「That said, how am I supposed to do this......」

The next day. Having been given this difficult task by Shiori, I quietly muttered during class while observing Nanami who sat in front of me.

If I try to talk to her in the classroom, it would be a disaster. Nanami would panic like crazy and Kaede would definitely come running.

In that case, there's only one method. I'll properly complete the job I accepted. If I don't, I can see a future where Shiori nags me endlessly. She'd definitely do it.

So after school. I decided to visit the school library for the first time. The library has no people and feels even more deserted due to its decent size.

But if it's Nanami, she should definitely be here after school before summer break. Somewhere inconspicuous, reading a book, she should be......

「.........」

I was captivated. Even though I knew she would be here, even though I knew she was actually beautiful, my thoughts still froze for a moment.

Her usual heavy bangs parted to the sides, her back straight as she faced her book; that profile is so beautiful that I can't believe she's the same person who was flustered yesterday. From her facial features to everything else, she's completely different. Speaking in meta terms, it feels like the art style itself is different. She's in a different dimension from us.

Looking at Nanami's beautiful mode like this again, I recall a certain review that concisely expressed the core of Nanami's route.

According to that reviewer, "The Nanami stuff is the most painful. It makes me want to cry, remembering the past".

Saturday, August 3rd~

Event name, "The Angel Who Sat Beside Us"

Target Heroine: Kinoshita Nanami