Chapter 29

Episode 29: When a Beautiful Girl Strokes Your Head, You Probably Start Melting from the Brain

Ah, the week I was confined was hellish, wasn’t it!

After all, I was practically bedridden except for the bare minimum of activities!

I couldn’t even properly do cross-dressing.

But with the full recovery of my right arm, I was finally released without issue.

“Yes, you seem to be doing fine now. There’s no scar left.”

“Yes. Thank you for your concern.”

“If you feel that way, please don’t recklessly run off again. Especially, never let your injuries worsen during training again.”

“Ah, yes.”

Miroku Senpai’s face, which should be smiling brightly, looks rather terrifying.

By the way, Mizuki Senpai had been released from this confinement three days earlier than me.

Today, she is going on a rescue mission with Toa.

Which means, I’m staying behind.

“Well then, could you please start by organizing the documents?”

In the Student Council room, I am staring at documents alongside Miroku Senpai.

For students not participating in the rescue missions, this is basically our job.

That said, Mizuki Senpai has been taking the lead in the rescue missions.

She does seem like someone who would struggle with this kind of work…

Still, organizing documents isn’t particularly difficult.

After all, most of the content in these documents is the same.

All of them talk about this academy’s debt.

“…”

“Oh, what’s wrong, Kei? Why the long face?”

“Our school has quite a lot of debt, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. It’s laughable how many digits there are, isn’t it? Fufu.”

No, there’s nothing funny about it.

What are you laughing cutely for? Still, beautiful girls really are cute, aren’t they?

“Apparently, we used to hand over the cores of Dungeons. But after Factom General Academy lost its Dungeon core, it switched to money. Though, that was more than ten years ago.”

Factom General Academy is, as Miroku Senpai says, in a hellish financial situation.

Normally, academies survive through support from companies outside Academy City.

However, there are no companies supporting Factom General Academy.

Around twenty years ago, all the companies withdrew simultaneously.

What did you guys do back then?

Currently, it seems we’re surviving by having other academies mediate support from companies.

In return, we’ve been asked for high-rank Dungeon cores.

Now it’s money, but the requests haven’t changed.

And you probably already know, there’s only one academy that does things like that.

That’s right, Kisou Academy!

You damn academy…!

The withdrawal of those companies wasn’t your doing, was it…!

“There’s no way any company would suddenly come to support a school drowning in debt like this. Eventually, you’ll get used to looking at these numbers.”

“I don’t want to get used to it…”

“Fufu. But this year, we might achieve good results in the War Festival. If we do, maybe we’ll catch the eye of some companies.”

“Huh, do you have some kind of plan?”

In response to my question, Miroku Senpai stopped writing and smiled, saying “You.” Stop it, I’m falling for you…

“Kei is a precious front-line fighter. Moreover, you’re an explorer with abilities. You also have good compatibility with Mizuki and Toa. An average explorer wouldn’t stand a chance against you.”

The expectations are immense.

Just because you’re dressed as a girl…

“You’re overestimating me. …By the way, is that sword yours, Miroku Senpai? The one that looks like a rapier?”

“Yes, that’s right. Though, strictly speaking, it’s not a rapier.”

Saying that, Miroku Senpai deployed her weapon and showed it to me.

It’s a thin blade.

If we were to clash swords seriously, it would likely break.

“I’m not suited for combat. During the War Festival, I’m not sure if I can contribute much.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I’m not very good at sports either… As a result, I’ve become quite skilled at document organization.”

Miroku Senpai shrugged.

“Even so, thanks to that, Mizuki Senpai and Toa can go on rescue missions.”

“…Sometimes, I feel conflicted about always staying in safe places while others are risking themselves.”

Her voice was slightly cold.

A disappointed tone as if she didn’t expect anything from herself.

Stop it! As a beautiful girl, you’re already one of the centers of the world!

Alright, I’m going to cheer up Miroku Senpai!

If Mihaya-chan can do it, so can I!

“Miroku Senpai, you—ah, by the way, Kei-kun. The day after tomorrow, would you accompany me?”…”Ah, yes.”

My momentum was crushed!

Miroku Senpai’s previous atmosphere had vanished, replaced by her usual gentle expression as she looked at me.

Then, she continued with the same smile.

“Let’s go on a date the day after tomorrow.”

“…Eh?”

Huh?

Seeing Kei-kun’s bewildered face, I laughed again.

His out-of-character vacant expression made me feel like I saw his true self, which was delightful.

“Just kidding. It’s not a date; it’s a part-time job. My employer asked if I could bring one more person.”

“A-ah… Is that so? Please don’t joke like that suddenly.”

Kei-kun sighed in relief.

From his reaction, I felt somewhat reassured that he might actually be thinking about me.

He usually maintains a serious demeanor despite being surrounded by three girls and shows no trace of typical male student behavior.

Even when Toa-chan feeds him, he seems more apologetic than happy.

Any ordinary male student would be captivated by Toa-chan’s cuteness.

Could it be… he’s actually a girl?

With his androgynous features, if he wore a girl’s uniform and was called a girl, I might believe it.

“So, where are we working for this part-time job?”

“At an amusement park. There’s a dungeon created for tourism purposes, and we’ll be handing out balloons. You’ll probably be in a mascot costume.”

“Hmm, a mascot costume, huh? This is my first time.”

He seems unexpectedly enthusiastic, which is good.

More than that, Kei-kun agrees to all our suggestions.

He’s never refused.

Even now, while we’re organizing documents, Mizuki would surely complain, yet he handles it as if it’s an easy task.

He’s also taken care of Toa-chan and gets along well with Mizuki.

Once again, I realize how significant Kei-kun’s presence has become within Factom General Academy.

“What’s wrong, Miroku Senpai? Are you looking at me?”

“…No, nothing. I just noticed you have bedhead.”

“Eh? Where? Oh no! Is it here? Or here?”

Watching Kei-kun restrain his head, I couldn’t help but laugh.

Then, I stood up and positioned myself behind him.

“I’ll fix it for you.”

“Ah, really? Thank you.”

“Not at all.”

While pretending to fix his bedhead, I gently touched his hair.

Beautiful, silver-blue hair. Different from my dull blue.

Its smooth texture makes me doubt if he’s really a boy.

“Uh… Miroku Senpai?”

“I’m fixing it right now, okay?”

“Ah, yes.”

Before I knew it, I was stroking Kei-kun’s head.

Just like how my teacher used to do it for me.

Did my teacher feel this way too?

“Please continue to take care of Toa-chan and Mizuki for me.”

“Eh? Well, yes. Though, I’m the one who should be asking for help. Supporting everyone, I feel like I’m barely contributing.”

“Now, stop being so modest. I trust you, Kei-kun.”

“…Thank you.”

Slightly lowering his head, he remained silent and let me stroke his head.

Peaceful time flowed by.

The ticking of the clock and the faint breeze coming through the window.

Today will surely be another wonderful day.

“I truly believe in you.”

I wish this place becomes a place where his heart can rest.

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