“W-well, if you’re going to say all that… J-just this once, I’ll let it slide! But if something awkward comes up, just call me, alright?”
And Olivia, with her hands on her chest, shouting while blushing.
What the heck.
Why are they like this?
‘Did they all eat something weird?’
[Tsk tsk. As expected, your partner is a bad boy.]
Ignoring the Black Prince’s words, I wave goodbye to them.
“Junior! Here’s your admission application and related documents!”
After receiving several application forms and torture instructor-related papers, as well as a pen from Senior Kasumi, I step out of the clubroom.
As I exit the annex, the Black Prince throws a question my way.
[So, partner. You boasted loudly to the girls, but have you decided on a torture instructor?]
‘Of course I have.’
From the moment I planned to keep the club activities alive, I had already decided who the instructor would be.
Mayuzumi Mayu.
Our homeroom teacher and S-rank hero, “The Magical Girl of Destruction.”
With her kind-hearted personality, she won’t be able to reject such a request, and she’ll definitely care for her cadets.
This aligns perfectly with my goal of gathering the main characters from the original work.
I pull out my phone and start typing a message.
[Mayuzumi-sensei. I have something to discuss. Can we have a quick chat?]
Wow, you’re really intuitive.
I don’t get a reply.
Normally, I should receive a response immediately.
This is weird.
[No reply. Partner, is this really the right person?]
The Black Prince chimes in next to me.
I shove my phone into my pocket.
‘Looks like she’s busy. Let’s tackle another task first. Two club members.’
Mayuzumi-sensei never ignores messages from cadets.
If she’s not reading them, there’s probably a valid reason.
No need to stress too much.
[Eh, I don’t think that’s it. Did she just ghost you?]
‘Shut up.’
Swish.
I hold the two application forms that Senior Kasumi gave me as I step out.
[Who are you planning to recruit? Don’t tell me it’s those two guys again?]
‘You got it. It’s them. Yuji and Ishihara.’
[That’s not a bad choice. Okay, I’m on board.]
And what if you’re on board?
Seriously, the chatty egos won’t ever keep quiet for even a moment.
I quicken my steps without saying anything.
[Do you know where they are?]
Of course I do.
Recently, Yuji and Ishihara have been hanging out together quite a lot.
Considering the time, they’re probably…
‘At the Training Building.’
They’re likely practicing in the training room.
[Wow. Looks like they’re doing something productive compared to you throwing harem parties with the girls, huh?]
Harem party? More like dizzy party.
As I walk, listening to the Black Prince’s nonsensical ramblings, I soon arrive at the Training Building.
Arrived.
[Are you not going inside?]
‘What glory would I find going into a locker room smelling like guy sweat? I’ll just call them out.’
[Oh, I completely agree with that. Partner.]
I don’t need your agreement, okay?
I pull out my phone and send a message to Ishihara and Yuji.
[Ishihara, Kurosawa. I’m at the bench near the vending machine in front of the training building, come out. I have something to say.]
I get a read receipt and a reply that they will come.
Quick replies are nice.
I check Mayuzumi’s chat room.
Still no read receipt in that chat.
Looks like they haven’t seen it yet.
[Don’t worry too much. Partner.]
Click clack.
I get a can of cola from the vending machine and sit on the bench, sipping.
Speaking of which, Ishihara had tormented Yuji around here.
It feels like it was years ago, even though it was only a few months.
‘Maybe it’s because I switched from winter to summer uniform?’
It’s June now.
We are just transitioning from spring to summer, so obviously, the uniform has changed from winter to summer.
I’m currently wearing a white summer shirt and light gray summer pants.
Looking around, I can see some female students in white sailor uniforms.
[Sailor uniforms are nice. Wow. This is Japan after all.]
The Black Prince lets out a strange exclamation at the sight of the sailor uniforms.
Looks like he’s a sister-complex, frivolous little pervert just like a light novel character.
Just as I toss the empty cola can into the trash,
“Kim, you called?”
“What’s up, hyung?”
Two guys in gym clothes approach me.
It’s Yuji and Ishihara.
They look like they just finished practicing, panting heavily.
No need to have a long conversation with dark-skinned guys.
Let’s cut to the chase.
[That guy is Akira’s son… Looks similar.]
The Black Prince mutters under his breath as he sees Yuji.
I hand over two club application forms.
“I’m trying to start a club, but I need more members. So join.”
“Cooking club? Hyung, are you into cooking?”
Ishihara asks, sounding bewildered as he looks at the forms.
“Sometimes.”
It’s not really a hobby, but living alone requires cooking, so I had no choice but to do it.
“You’re more domesticated than you look, hyung. I respect that.”
Ishihara’s eyes sparkle as he picks up a pen to fill out the club application.
Domesticated my foot.
“If it’s a request from Kim, I’ll do it. But, Kim, is there anyone else besides us in the club?”
Yuji asks while filling out the form.
“Kasumi-senpai, Rin, Nishizawa, Olivia, Makoto, and me.”
“If it’s just me and Ishihara joining, then we’ve met the minimum member requirement for the club. Mmm, got it.”
Kurosawa Yuji writes the application form with a serious expression.
“Here. I’m done.”
“I’ve completed it, hyung. Is there anything else you need me to do?”
“No. Just practice.”
I take the application form and stand up.
Next, it’s Mayuzumi-sensei.
*
After Kim Deok-Sung leaves.
At the bench near the training building.
Yuji gets two sports drinks from the vending machine and tosses one to Ishihara.
“Otsu. Thanks, Kurosawa.”
“No worries. It’s nothing much.”
Yuji, looking a bit shy, scratches his head as he opens the sports drink can.
Gulp gulp.
Yuji chugs the sports drink.
Ishihara watches him with a slightly worried voice.
“By the way, Kurosawa, I filled out the application since hyung asked, but…”
Yuji’s dark eyes turn to Ishihara.
“I’m not good at cooking; is that really okay? I’m worried I might be a burden to hyung.”
Ishihara scratches his cheek, smiling awkwardly.
At first, when he was forced to do a dogeza, he didn’t genuinely serve him.
Once, Ishihara had not truly served him.
But during the gate incident at Inokashira Park, moved by his perfect leadership and manliness, Ishihara decided to sincerely regard him as “brother.”
Proving that his decision was not wrong, Kim Deok-Sung’s fearless journey continued even after the cherry blossom viewing incident.
This was precisely the image of a true man that Ishihara admired.
He even gave up on his feelings for the girl he once liked, Shinozaki Rin, believing he could trust his brother to take care of her.
Because of this, Ishihara wanted to avoid doing anything that might burden his idol, Kim Deok-Sung.
With Ishihara’s serious worry, Yuji smiled.
“What’s up, Kurosawa? Why are you laughing? Are you ignoring my serious concerns just because you think you’re a good cook? I can’t burden my brother! Do I need to look for a cooking academy starting now?”
“You don’t need to,” Yuji shook his head.
Ishihara’s expression stiffened.
“Huh? Kurosawa, what do you mean? No matter how much you think of it, if it burdens my brother…”
“There probably won’t be much cooking for us to do.”
Yuji declared in a calm voice.
Ishihara tilted his head at his words.
“Just look at the club members, can’t you tell? This club was formed by girls trying to appeal to Kim, right? The theme of cooking is just a pretext anyway, so it should be fine. The essence is a competition for love.”
Yuji already knew.
Not just his childhood friend Rin, but also Olivia, Eri, Kasumi, Makoto, and more.
He was aware that the beautiful girls around liked Kim Deok-Sung.
He didn’t particularly feel jealous.
To Yuji, Kim Deok-Sung was his best friend and roommate.
Friends are someone to cheer for, not to envy.
‘Besides, I have a mission for revenge.’
That’s why Yuji had been intentionally keeping Ishihara out of the girls’ romantic pursuits so far.
‘Unlike me, Ishihara has no sense to stay clear of the spotlight.’
He thought he’d have to keep an eye on Ishihara moving forward.
That was the path he believed was for his friend, Kim Deok-Sung.
“Whoa! Truly, brother! You’ve built a harem suitable for the title of the Black Beast, gathering the finest beauties in the area! A man’s dream!”
Ishihara clenched his fist and exclaimed.
“Yeah. But this is a secret from Kim. The competition among the girls must remain fair. If he catches onto it, it won’t be a fair competition.”
“Got it, Kurosawa. You’re really perceptive!”
Ishihara gave a thumbs up.
Watching him, Yuji finished off the remaining sports drink.
‘Looks like the competition is going to get fierce; I should give Rin some advice.’
If possible, it would be better for childhood friends Rin and Kim Deok-Sung to end up together.
Yuji thought that as he carefully disposed of the empty sports drink can in the trash.
*
While leaving the training building with the two seeing him off, he checked his phone.
[Still no reply. Partner. Is something wrong with this Mayuzumi teacher?]
That shouldn’t be the case.
However, he could guess the situation.
He recalled the original settings for Mayuzumi Mayu.
The homeroom teacher of the protagonist’s class.
An S-rank hero once known by the cheesy title of “Destruction Magical Girl” during her active years.
A considerate person who can’t refuse requests and treasures her students, known for her kind nature.
And her specialty: coming home from work in training clothes to enjoy beer, okonomiyaki, and video games, a real junk food aficionado.
‘Could it be she’s off work?’
If she’s tipsy from beer after work, that could happen.
[I just declared earlier that I’d handle everything myself to the girls. Partner. A man’s word is a golden rule. Once you say something, you must keep it. As a man.]
“Words once spoken should be kept. After all, I’m a man.”
The Black Prince of France quoting an idiom, huh?
“I’ll handle it, so don’t worry.”
“Got it, partner. I’ll just watch from the side.”
With those words, the Black Prince shut his mouth.
It’s nice and quiet.
The first place to hear anything is the Main Building’s staff room.
After a 20-minute walk from the Training Building, I arrived at the Main Building.
Inside the staff room, I got the response I was expecting from the instructor who was still there because of overtime.
“Mayuzumi Sensei? She left early today. By now, she should be resting at her lodging. Is something the matter?”
“No, it’s nothing urgent. Thank you for your response.”
Beep.
The automatic door closes.
The situation I had feared has happened.
“So, what now?”
“I need to go find her.”
“How do you know where it is?”
“I have my ways.”
I pulled out my phone and sent a message to Seira.
“President Shinozaki, I’m asking because I need help with the club activities advisor. Could you please tell me the room number of Mayuzumi Sensei’s lodging?”
Unlike Mayuzumi, I got a read reply back immediately.
“Looks like our little one is getting into some interesting trouble again ◝(⑅•ᴗ•⑅)◜..°♡”
“You aren’t planning something naughty in Mayuzumi’s room, are you? (°ロ°)!”
What kind of mindset leads to such a thought?
I typed back.
“No, so please tell me quickly.”
“I want to tease you more, but since you seem distressed, I have no choice＠＾▽＾＠”
“Alright, I’ll make an exception (≧∀≦)”
“Mayuzumi’s room is Room 201 of the instructor’s lodging ε٩(๑> ₃ <)۶з”
With the usual disgusting emoticons to accompany the info, I headed straight to the lodging.
“Long time no see, Seira.”
The Black Prince’s voice echoed in my mind.
“I’m glad to see you’re doing well.”
His tone was serious and calm, different from the usual lighthearted atmosphere when I met Yuji earlier.
Arriving at the lodging with the silent Black Prince, I stood in front of the door marked Room 201 and rang the doorbell.
Ding dong. Ding dong.
Just as I pressed the doorbell multiple times.
“K-Kim Deok-Sung?! W-What brings you to S-Sensei’s h-house?”
Mayuzumi Sensei’s flustered voice came through the intercom.
“I came because I have something important to discuss. Can I consult with you, Sensei?”
“Y-Yeah, I can’t ignore a student in need. Please wait a moment! Kim Deok-Sung!”
Click.
The intercom went silent.
Bang! Crash! Clang! Crash!
As sound effects you’d see in an anime echoed from behind the door,
Creak.
The door opened slightly.
Mayuzumi Sensei appeared with a towel haphazardly tied around her head, her pink hair messily styled, wearing thick-framed glasses instead of contact lenses, and a pink tracksuit that hugged her breasts despite being loose.
Even with no makeup, her natural beauty was still stunning.
Honestly, everyone looks annoyingly pretty.
“Wow, this is a mess.”
The Black Prince made a sharp comment.
Mayuzumi Sensei’s face turned red.
“It’s a shabby room, but… p-please come in, Kim Deok-Sung…”
“Then, excuse me.”
Following her lead, I stepped into the room where beer cans were scattered around.
Now that I’m inside Mayuzumi Sensei’s room, I’ve officially crossed the first hurdle for establishing the club activities.
All that’s left is some easy persuasion.
What a little rascal.
