Ichijou Rikou Is Invited

[President, I’ve finished writing it.]

The moment she entered the club room, Amayama Kaoru hurriedly took out her notebook.

It was filled edge to edge with dense writing, along with several diagrams.

That was the piece she had promised to write.

An introduction to magical girls.

For its sake, she had spent an entire day on it.

She ignored even her classes, scribbling away furiously.

It gave the impression of someone who had suddenly awakened to the joy of studying.

Even the Japanese teacher, who normally never called on her, was drawn to her sudden change and had her read two passages aloud.

Thanks to that, Amayama Kaoru spent far less time chatting nonsense beside me.

For once, I was granted a bit of peace.

Although it only lasted a short while—

I sat silently on my chair, which seemed to give off an air of loneliness, drawing a few people over to talk to me.

They were all girls I had only exchanged a few words with before.

Yet now they spoke as if we were close friends, chatting about yesterday’s TV dramas, celebrity magazines, and newly released cosmetics.

This was even more torturous than Amayama Kaoru’s magical girl talk.

Being completely broke, I couldn’t possibly keep up with dramas, magazines, or cosmetics.

All I could do was politely ask them not to stuff that unfamiliar knowledge into my head, and not to probe indirectly about what cosmetics I used.

On the surface, I remained enthusiastic.

I made up brands I’d never heard of and replied with things like, “Ah, that one’s good too,” “He’s really handsome, I like him as well,” or “No, not at all, the ones you use are good too.”

Endless, meaningless chatter.

Compared to Amayama Kaoru, who could ramble on endlessly as long as she was half-heartedly indulged, these girls felt like demons deliberately sent by the heavens to torment my broken heart.

By the end of the day, I was nearly exhausted.

Now, I was forcing myself to stay alert as I watched Kudou Yoshiko examine Amayama Kaoru’s manuscript.

[President, Tsuki, Kaoru, please have some tea.]

Nishimura Noriyuki continued to faithfully perform her duties.

She held two roles at once—vice president and tea attendant.

Her attitude shifted slightly when facing Ichijou Rikou.

[Rikou, please.]

It was comparatively friendly.

After spending some time together, she had developed a certain level of goodwill.

After all, Ichijou Rikou often came to the club room to chat with her.

[Thank you, Noriyuki.]

[You’re welcome.]

She shook her head and offered us a faint smile.

As always, it didn’t bring much sense of ease.

Rather, it carried a certain pressure.

We had more or less grown used to it.

Still, we couldn’t really relax around her.

[Hmm—]

Kudou Yoshiko continued to stare at the manuscript, occasionally taking sips of tea.

Her meticulous demeanor made Amayama Kaoru increasingly restless.

[H-how is it, President.]

Her voice held both anticipation and anxiety.

[Kaoru, here—]

Kudou Yoshiko pointed at one of the diagrams.

[Ah, this is an illustration of the magical girl’s form.]

Amayama Kaoru leaned in and pointed at the drawings.

[For example, Sweet Chocolate.

Punching power: five tons.

Kicking power: ten tons.

Her special move is Chocolate Smash, which seals the monster inside a chocolate bar, then delivers ten consecutive kicks to completely shatter it.

It’s a really amazing skill.]

[And this one, this one.

Rainbow Sweet Chocolate.

Punching power: fifteen tons.

Kicking power: thirty tons.

Because she evolves into multicolored chocolate, her abilities change too.

She creates a rainbow bridge made entirely of chocolate beans, firmly traps the monster beneath it, then kicks down the bridge to pierce the enemy in one blow.

She’s a magical girl who arrives bearing overwhelming hope.]

As she spoke, she even lightly pumped her fist, showing her excitement.

Anyone could see her love for magical girls.

But maybe this wasn’t the best time to unleash her obsessive enthusiasm.

[Hmm—]

Kudou Yoshiko pondered even longer.

As expected, such an unreliable plan would probably be rejected.

I felt a little pity for Amayama Kaoru, who had worked all day on this.

Of course, only a little.

Like hearing the dying cry of a kitten—there’s a slight stir of emotion, but it doesn’t truly affect the heart.

After all, I was already something close to dead.

[It’s very good.]

Ah—

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

This was unexpected.

Or rather, Kudou Yoshiko was the type who always acted beyond common sense.

Still—

I lowered my head and returned to the textbook in front of me, pondering a classical sentence.

It didn’t really have anything to do with me anyway.

[We can publish it in the magazine, Kaoru.]

[R-really, that’s great.]

[You did very well, Kaoru.]

[Then—]

Amayama Kaoru dragged out the sound.

[How about the manuscript fee, President.]

[About that, Kaoru.

Let’s talk once we make money.]

Honestly, I didn’t think we’d make any money at all.

If anything, breaking even would already be a miracle.

Well, it was Nishimura Noriyuki’s money anyway.

No need to worry.

For now—

[That’s right, Kaoru.

Let’s talk once we make money.]

I smiled.

[I believe our magazine will sell well.]

Which was absolutely impossible.

[Then let’s name the magazine.]

Kudou Yoshiko crossed her arms.

[Let me think.]

[We’ll call it Yueji.]

[Reading through every century’s books.]

[Does manga count too?!]

Amayama Kaoru’s eyes sparkled.

[Of course.]

[President—]

Noriyuki lifted her head from the world of books and looked at Kudou Yoshiko.

[We are the Classical Literature Club.]

[Manga counts as literature, right.]

[By definition, it does not.]

[Eh—]

[Hehehe.]

I laughed lightly at just the right moment.

On the surface, it seemed like I was enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of the club.

In reality, I felt nothing at all.

I was merely acting.

As someone who kept the mood going.

I noticed Ichijou Rikou’s gaze.

I narrowed my eyes at him and smiled.

[Alright.

Rikou, Tsuki, you two have to submit an article as well.]

An entirely unnecessary task had been added.

[Okay—though, what about Noriyuki.]

Ichijou Rikou glanced at Nishimura Noriyuki, who was sipping tea.

It didn’t seem like he felt it was unfair.

Rather, he seemed concerned she might feel left out.

[No need to worry.

Noriyuki already submitted hers long ago.

And it’s an excellent piece.

You’ll be shocked when you read it.]

[Is that so—]

[You flatter me, President.

I merely completed what I should have.]

Nishimura Noriyuki bowed in thanks.

[In any case, once the first issue of Yueji is released, you’ll be able to read Noriyuki’s article.

For now—]

Kudou Yoshiko pressed a finger to her lips.

[It’s a secret.]

[—It’s about time.

We’ll head out first.]

Ichijou Rikou picked up his bag and gestured to us.

[Wait, Rikou.]

Nishimura Noriyuki spoke up, surprising us slightly.

[What is it, Noriyuki.]

[Are you free this weekend.]

[Yes, I am.]

[Then, may I invite you to my home.]

She spoke very formally.

[Eh, me.]

[Not just you.

Also—]

She looked at me.

[Tsuki, may I invite you as well.]

How should I put it—

An event, finally.

Even with me included, it didn’t disrupt the flow.

So I nodded, feeling a bit of genuine happiness.

[Of course.]

[Then, me too.]

Ichijou Rikou nodded readily.

[Rikou-nii got invited.

And by a girl, to her house?!]

Kamizumi Tsuki reacted far more strongly than expected, eyes wide open.

[Yes.

Not only me.

Higashiba-san was invited as well.]

[So it’s not just Rikou-nii.]

She seemed to relax slightly, but still asked nervously.

[What’s going on.

Why the sudden invitation.]

[Hmm, maybe because we’re relatively close to her.

Setting me aside, Ichijou-kun often talks with her.]

I said this with a bit of malicious amusement.

Just as expected, Ichijou Rikou wore an awkward expression.

I’m just telling the truth.

You won’t blame me, right, Ichijou-kun.

Besides, it would’ve come out sooner or later.

A faint sense of pleasure welled up.

[Rikou-nii—what’s going on!]

Kamizumi Tsuki grabbed Ichijou Rikou’s arm in dissatisfaction.

[Since we’re in the same club, it’s natural to interact with club members.

Noriyuki doesn’t talk much in the club, so I thought I might help guide her.

Tsuki, do you really need to look at me like that.]

[I see.

It’s that habit of yours again, Rikou-nii.

I thought you wouldn’t meet other girls anymore, but I take that back.

You might end up knowing lots of girls.]

She was still unhappy.

[At this rate, my position will be completely squeezed out.]

[Alright, Tsuki, you’re gripping too tightly.]

[See.

Rikou-nii is already annoyed with me.]

They bickered on.

There was a hint of urgency.

The kind that appears when someone realizes what once belonged to them might be taken away.

Fortunately, it was only slight.

It hadn’t reached a truly dangerous point.

Otherwise, real trouble would arise.

——That line you said earlier really put me in a bad spot.

——I’m terribly sorry, Ichijou-kun.

——It doesn’t sound sincere at all.

——Then should I offer my body.

I wouldn’t mind, but be careful not to get me pregnant.

——Please don’t joke like that, Higashiba-san.

——In the end, it’s because Ichijou-kun is so honest and told Tsuki about the invitation.

——That kind of thing doesn’t need to be hidden.

——Mm-hm, but we were close to failing completely.

——Was it that serious.

——Yes.

I was almost angry.

——I’m sorry.

——Heehee, it’s fine.

Everything is under my control.

While typing lively messages, my heart was already a withered wasteland.

Still, chatting with Ichijou Rikou stirred a bit of interest.

——That weekend, did you properly tell Tsuki your whereabouts too, Ichijou-kun.

——That weekend.

I don’t remember.

——Ah, that one.

——Tsuki asked me.

I told her I was visiting a sick friend.

A sick friend—

Without realizing it, had I even deceived the protagonist’s friendship.

And while knowing I was a fake.

There it is.

The pleasure of trampling yet another sincere bond underfoot.

[Heehee—]

I laughed out loud in the dark room.

A delighted laugh.

[Hehehehehe.]

——You’re really honest, Ichijou-kun.