Chapter 48

Episode 48: Beginner’s Mind and Resourcefulness

It’s been three days since our return.

Factom General Academy was truly a peaceful place.

With the sudden reduction in debt, there’s a high possibility that it can now operate as an ordinary academy.

Thanks to this, Mizuki Senpai and Toa also seem happy.

Miroku Senpai is incredible.

What on earth did she do against Kisou Academy?

I, who am merely a pseudo-beautiful girl of Phectom, can’t even imagine what method she employed.

She’s definitely a natural beauty; she’s in a different league altogether.

In that case, I too must put in effort.

It’s not right to rely solely on the three of them.

When it comes to admiration for beautiful girls, I don’t intend to lose!

And so…

“I will dress as a girl.”

“Huh? Was that contextually connected? Why cross-dress?”

Star Reader’s Staff seems just as clueless as ever, like a broken-down Gear.

The fact that Factom General Academy might become a regular academy means that there’s a higher chance of new students enrolling.

We can now use the dungeon core for expanding the autonomous zone instead of repayment, and we could even allocate funds for repairing the school building.

This year’s War Festival gives me various advantages, so securing a high rank is almost certain.

Next year, freshmen will be joining us.

In that case, I will become a mysterious beautiful girl senior.

“Will you really?”

Yes, I will.

I’ll place a chair by the window in an empty classroom and read incomprehensible literature!

The spring breeze will waft through the open window, and I’ll hold my long hair with one hand!

I’ll address underclassmen as “you” and act as a cool senior who breaks their fetishes.

This is what I’ll be next year.

“I don’t want to comprehend or calculate that.”

There’s no need to calculate!

Miroku Senpai is a dependable older sister.

Mizuki Senpai is a reliable big sis.

Toa is a kind senior who causes misunderstandings in many ways.

Look, the cool character slot is open.

I’m stepping in!

Me! I volunteer!

“It feels like a mistake that someone cool should transfer in. It doesn’t feel right to leave it to my partner.”

Huh?

I only destroy the fetishes of male freshmen, right?

Then, I’ll turn everyone into beautiful girls.

That way, we’ll create a unique school culture where, despite being co-ed, it will undoubtedly become an all-girls school within a year.

“That’s no different from a dungeon. If you defeat your partner, won’t a core appear?”

No, it won’t.

Ah, of course, I’ll prepare a spot for beautiful girls for Star Reader’s Staff too ♥

You should work hard to gain a physical form by next year ♥

“I absolutely refuse.”

It seems like you still lack awareness as a partner to a mysterious beautiful girl.

Therefore, I shall remind both Star Reader’s Staff and myself of our初心 (beginner’s mind) by cross-dressing.

“There’s no such thing as初心.”

Recently, because variable TS has become possible, I’ve grown complacent about becoming a beautiful girl.

Thus, I shall return to the basics and cross-dress once more.

Do you understand, Star Reader’s Staff?

This time, I won’t use your magic.

Because everyone inherently possesses the magic called ‘desire to transform into a beautiful girl’.

“What is this guy?”

I will pray and express gratitude in my room before changing into a gothic lolita outfit.

A familiar image of a beautiful girl appeared in the dirty mirror.

It’s profound.

We’ve come a long way.

I am steadily approaching the ideal of a beautiful girl.

“Well, let’s… organize some documents.”

“Yeah, you’re not going outside, are you?”

Well, there are documents left to organize.

I’ve entrusted rescue requests to Mizuki Senpai, and Toa and I are dividing tasks to tidy up the paperwork daily.

Also, with the reduction in debt, we can now formulate various budgets.

We’ll gather ideas for necessary items and facilities among the three of us and compile them into official application forms.

For example, this one.

“To make Factom General Academy’s shower rooms produce warm water,” etc.

I don’t mind cold water, but I wish for the three beautiful girls to grow healthily.

Should I dig a hot spring perhaps?

“You might actually do it.”

“…How deep can Solciera’s artillery attack penetrate the ground?”

“I’m genuinely surprised. Absolutely don’t use it for that. Have some self-awareness as a star reader?”

Shut up!

Anyway, I want the beautiful girls to be happy!

And I want to join their happiness by becoming a beautiful girl too!

“Alright! I’ve finished today’s share of documents!”

The portion I brought back to my room is neatly completed.

Beautiful girls handle document organization gracefully too.

So, I’ll stuff the documents into Dive Gear’s expansion field and head to the Student Council room.

“You’re taking your job seriously, so no one can fault you.”

“Well… Shall we go?”

“Eh? In that outfit!?”

Of course.

I’m returning to the basics and cross-dressing at Factom General Academy.

It’s fine, it’s fine.

Toa has returned to the dorm, and Mizuki Senpai has gone out on another rescue mission.

The main building is currently unmanned!

So, I plan to practice next year’s mysterious beautiful girl moves while cross-dressing in the main building.

Therefore, I’ll go without weapons.

Alright, Star Reader’s Staff, you’re observing today.

Later, I’ll have you submit a report based on your observations of today’s cross-dressing.

“No way.”

Why are you so stubborn?

Alright, I’ll regain my composure and step into the hallway.

As a mysterious beautiful girl, I’ll pay attention to every gesture and sway my hair gracefully as I walk.

From time to time, I’ll stop and gaze wistfully out the window.

“The stars are so clear tonight.”

“Don’t dawdle and hurry to the Student Council room already!”

Hey, shut up.

Alright, alright, I’m going.

Our destination is the Student Council room after all.

■

The Student Council room is indeed empty.

Bathed only in moonlight, the room gives off a completely different impression than during the day.

The eerily chilly room feels even larger than usual.

I take out the documents one set at a time from the Dive Gear and arrange them on the desk.

Phew.

All that’s left is to submit these.

I sit down in the chair and cross my legs.

While gazing outside the window, I sigh wistfully.

“Hey, do you love this world? …This deceit-filled world?”

“Whoa, something’s starting…!?”

I need to practice for next year.

Saying cryptic things and making underclassmen flustered is part of the routine.

“What’s the purpose of that? …No, maybe I shouldn’t ask.”

Got it. No need to say it if you understand.

Truly, you’re a great partner.

“…Yeah.”

I smile seductively towards the door while brushing my hair behind my ear.

Assuming a junior stands exactly where the door is open.

Next year, I’d like to get an empty classroom just for this performance.

“I… Well, at least as long as I’m with you, I won’t find this world boring.”

After saying this, I want to slam the book shut dramatically.

Closing a difficult-looking paperback!

Though its actual content is a light novel!

“…Ah, wait! Someone’s coming! Hide immediately or escape from here!”

Is this another lie?

You know, it’s wrong to lie to your partner.

Even if you’re jealous of how mysterious I am, that’s unacceptable.

Therefore, I’ll continue being a mysterious beautiful girl.

“An introduction… isn’t necessary anymore.”

I say this as if singing and look up at the ceiling.

“We’ve met once before, haven’t we?”

Even if we haven’t met, saying this will give the other person a strong sense of a boy-meets-girl moment.

By getting close, I can mess up their preferences easily.

Eventually, it will overflow with affection, and the candidates for beautiful girls will be filled with the desire to become like me.

“–Isn’t that right?”

Saying this, I’ll make an exaggerated turn at the end which is absolutely unnecessary.

Like sharply bending my neck to show I’m not just anyone!

This way, the junior standing at the door will fall for my terrifying yet somehow alluring mysterious charm.

Now, let’s turn our heads dramatically!

“Aah, that’s right. We’ve met once before.”

“…??????”

Eh? What?

I thought a junior would be there, so why is Mizuki Senpai here?

Did my brain project a beautiful girl?

“…It’s real.”

Huh?

“I said I’d come…”

Really?

Real Mizuki Senpai?

Rescue request?

Did she come back for a break?

…This is bad!?

While sweating profusely on my back, I hide my mouth and smile.

“Because it was necessary. That’s all.”

“…Again, is it related to Demons Gear?”

“Hehe, what do you think?”

What should I do?

What do you think, Star Reader’s Staff?

“Serves you right.”

You bastard!

“Could there still be something unusual in this academy?”

That’s something I’d like to know too.

Isn’t this academy weird?

There’s the Star Reader’s Staff, the dormant Demons Gear, debts to Kisou Academy, and Sakura Rikka seems somehow involved too.

Are you guys really extras?

“How should I answer to satisfy you?”

“Tell me everything you know.”

Saying this, Mizuki Senpai stared at me intensely.

There’s no escape…

“Hey, if you give me a two-second opening, I can teleport. Create some space.”

Seriously?

Great partner, you’re reliable!

“Your palms seem busy.”

Right when our hearts align, I calmly assess the situation.

This is a wonderful scenario for a mysterious beautiful girl.

A mysterious beautiful girl suddenly appears in our academy.

Under the moonlight in the classroom, she gazes wistfully—what could she possibly be?

And so, I shall now execute Plan B for the mysterious beautiful girl.

“Plan B?”

Yeah, that’s right.

Plan B.

It’s about saying plausible-sounding things to confuse the situation!

“Oh, the usual.”

Let’s go!

Click your heart to easily convey support. (Login required.)