Ichijō Riku Is Interested

[It’s already been reviewed.]

Kudō Yoshiko looked somewhat terrifying.

More specifically, she resembled the kind of female ghost you’d see in a third-rate horror movie.

Her braided hair seemed on the verge of exploding.

Of course, that was just an exaggerated description used to emphasize her current appearance.

Aside from her, Nishimura Noriyuki, who had also participated in the review, had already fallen into a dazed state.

He hadn’t even made tea, something he usually did without fail.

Had they really finished reading all those manuscripts in just a few days.

And just reading manuscripts shouldn’t have reduced them to this state, right.

The answer came quickly.

[Noriyuki and I took them home and carefully read through everything before finishing the first batch.]

They really went all out for a magazine that might not even sell.

Even I couldn’t help but admire them.

After saying this, Kudō Yoshiko let out a sigh, looking as though she might collapse at any moment.

[President!]

Tenzan Kaoru looked distressed, but she still couldn’t help asking eagerly.

[So that means it can be released soon, right.]

[If you think it can be released that easily, you’re being far too optimistic.]

Kudō Yoshiko straightened her expression, finally regaining the complexion of a normal person.

[We still have to format all these manuscripts, make them into a digital version, send them for bulk printing, and then compile them into volumes.]

[Eh——]

She completely deflated.

For Tenzan Kaoru, the thing she was most looking forward to was her magical girl manuscript attracting attention.

[Mm, as for the ones submitted afterward, we’ll treat those as content for the next issue.]

Brimming with confidence, Kudō Yoshiko pointed at the manuscripts piled almost like a mountain, her brows dancing.

[Of course, that depends on how well the first issue sells.]

It’s definitely going to be bleak, so please don’t have any expectations, President Kudō.

Even though I had zero confidence in this magazine, my face still overflowed with anticipation.

At times like this, you’re supposed to indulge in hopeful fantasies, right.

Very fitting for Higashi Hazuki’s character.

[But do any of you know how to use a computer?]

Kudō Yoshiko’s gaze turned a little eerie as it swept over us.

[Um, President.]

Tenzan Kaoru raised her hand high.

[I’ll handle the layout.

I made blackboard newspapers back in middle school, and I can do drawing-related things too.]

[Then—]

Kudō Yoshiko made up her mind.

[Ichijō and Hazuki will handle text input.]

As expected, new tasks were being assigned.

What a hassle.

But Ichijō Riku had already nodded in agreement, and an enthusiastic Higashi Hazuki couldn’t possibly refuse an assigned task.

[Yes, yes.

I guarantee I’ll complete the mission.]

Responding full of energy like this would do.

[The president dumped the troublesome work on us, huh.]

After leaving the clubroom, I sighed toward Ichijō Riku, sounding a little like I was complaining.

Though, in truth, there wasn’t much resentment.

It was just that daily reading had turned into typing.

[There’s nothing we can do about it, Higashi.]

Ichijō Riku sighed as well, but still maintained his gentle demeanor.

[I’ll type faster, so you won’t have to do as much.]

Did he think I was the type to avoid work because it was troublesome.

Looks like I was underestimated.

But—

[Ichijō, have you used a computer before?]

[Yeah, we had a few computer classes back in middle school.]

[Then don’t be so confident about your typing speed.]

I stopped walking and turned to face him.

[The fake Higashi Hazuki in front of you used to spend a long time with computers.

You could say that during that period, I practically relied on it to keep going.]

It was an indispensable part of that long decay as well.

[After all, I was already a completely rotten otaku.

Every day I’d just curl up in a dark room, staring at a computer and tapping away meaninglessly.

I never thought about the future, nor cared about the present.

If you called that living, then I was practically already dead.]

This is the real me, Ichijō.

Take a good look at the decaying corpse inside this sweet body.

[So, it’s entirely possible that you can’t keep up with me.]

The tone shifted, sounding like smug boasting, and I lifted my chin slightly.

[Uh——]

He fell silent for a moment, then sighed.

[I’m sorry I’m not as skilled as you, Higashi.]

[Hehe——]

I let out a soft laugh, narrowing my eyes as gentle music flowed through my earphones.

[Ha, ha!]

The kendo club was always filled with these spirited shouts, brimming with the youthful energy unique to this age.

But when we arrived, they stopped their movements.

Amano Sora waved a hand to halt their training, just like usual.

[You’re here again.]

After coming a few times to pick up Uetsuki Tsukihi, we’d become familiar with him.

After all, we needed to rely on him to let Tsukihi leave early.

[Uetsuki can leave early.

Given her current condition, she can’t train anyway.]

Amano Sora gestured toward Tsukihi, who had already packed up and was sitting there waiting for us.

[Mm——]

Ichijō Riku nodded.

[Thank you, Senpai Sora.]

[Riku, make sure you take good care of Uetsuki.

With such a close relationship, you need to show concern when her arm is injured.]

With a gentle smile like that of a true senior, he advised Ichijō Riku.

On the surface, it was about Tsukihi, but the person he really wanted to speak to was me.

Unexpectedly clever.

It was just a little too obvious.

Still, that was something I wanted to see.

If only everyone could be as easy to read as him.

But that’s just wishful thinking.

The remaining flow should have been Amano Sora seeing us off, and us leaving smoothly.

However—

[Come to think of it, we always come here, but I’ve never seen Senpai Amano practicing kendo himself.]

I sighed regretfully.

[It feels like a bit of a shame.]

[Higashi—]

Amano Sora’s eyes suddenly lit up, as if something had sparked his interest.

[Are you interested in kendo?]

[Yes, Senpai Amano.

I think kendo is really cool.

When you swing the sword, it’s just like those samurai who punish evil on TV.]

[Do you like samurai movies too, Higashi.

My favorite is Seven Samurai.

I wonder if you’ve seen it.]

[I have, and I really, really liked it.

Especially that—um—that really cool one.]

[You mean Kyūzō, right.

I like him too.

Using his swordsmanship to help villagers threatened by bandits, just like a true samurai.]

It seemed he’d found a topic to talk about with me.

Amano Sora looked excited, yet his elegance remained intact.

His speech was exceedingly gentle, though I didn’t know if that was because he was deliberately trying to impress me.

But for me, it didn’t really matter.

[So, would it be alright to trouble you and let us participate in training for a bit.]

The request came from Ichijō Riku, just as we had planned.

[Of course!]

Amano Sora readily agreed and turned to lead us to change clothes.

[Riku, why did you suddenly become interested in kendo?]

Tsukihi asked in confusion from the side.

[I remember you weren’t interested in this kind of sport at all when we were kids.]

[Ahem—]

For Ichijō Riku, who wasn’t good at lying, these questions were deadly.

He could only clear his throat softly without answering.

[Why do you always keep things from me, Riku.

Come on, tell me, tell me.]

Tsukihi was becoming more troublesome as time went on.

Keeping her steady was the hardest part of the harem-king route.

Hang in there, Ichijō.

I could only silently pray for him from the side, completely unable to help his situation.

[Because—]

Ichijō Riku finally answered.

[I want to protect the people around me.

I don’t want her to get hurt.]

I caught one word keenly.

Her?

[Hehe, honestly, Riku.

Saying things like that.

I’m studying kendo properly too, you know.

There’s really no need to worry about me.]

Tsukihi fidgeted shyly, but the happiness on her face was impossible to hide.

And I, too, curved my lips into a smile, just like always.

[Alright, Higashi and Riku, sit here and watch.]

Amano Sora called out to us, then turned his gaze toward the rest of the kendo club.

[Is it okay if we head back a bit later?]

[Of course, President.]

Clearly well-liked.

The moment he asked, he was answered with a unified shout.

[Now, I’ll personally check your current skill levels.]

[B-by the president himself?]

Some showed excited expressions, though they tried to restrain themselves and didn’t stand up.

[I won’t waste time.

I’ll focus on those who’ve improved the most recently.]

[Could it be me, could it be me?]

[Idiot, you’ve been slacking off.

How could it possibly be you.]

That remark stirred up a bit of commotion.

[When your name is called, come up.]

[Furukawa I!]

[Yes, President.]

A sturdy-looking boy stepped forward.

Wearing protective gear, they bowed to each other, then raised their bamboo swords.

Both were cautious, shuffling with small steps, their shinai crossing.

Neither intended to make the first move.

That situation didn’t last long.

[Men!]

Amano Sora shouted sharply, his shinai striking out in an instant.

In the blink of an eye, it had landed on Furukawa’s head.

[S-so fast!]

[The president is still incredibly fast.]

As the kendo club president, Amano Sora undeniably possessed a speed that most people didn’t.

At least, that’s how it looked to amateurs like us.

It was almost impossible to react.

We only saw the bamboo swords move slightly, and Amano Sora’s had already landed.

But if that was his level, then it was just right.

I grew a bit more serious, and noticed Ichijō Riku beginning to concentrate.

[Ichijō, have you become interested in kendo now?]

[Yeah, a little.

I used to think kendo was just boring sword swinging, but now that I see it, it’s actually pretty interesting.]

[Hm.]

In truth, Ichijō Riku had quite a bit of talent for kendo.

If he’d chosen the kendo club at the start of the game, he would’ve become the anchor in a certain tournament.

But now—

[You could join the kendo club too, you know.]

[I’ll pass.

If I did that, President Kudō would definitely eat me alive.

And besides, I’ve already promised Higashi.

If I left now, wouldn’t I just be someone running away from responsibility?]

[Hehe, just as I expected.]

[Were you planning to tease me from the start, Higashi?]

[That’s right.

After all, I’m a nasty person.]

[I don’t really think so.]

Or rather, my acting was just too good.

He still hadn’t noticed my rotten heart.

[Ichijō, when you said you wanted to protect that “her,” who were you referring to?]

My eyes remained on Amano Sora, who was displaying overwhelming strength, but my words drifted elsewhere.

Perhaps it was curiosity, or perhaps some inexplicable expectation.

An expectation that it would be what I thought.

[Ah, that.]

He answered without much hesitation.

[Of course, I meant you, Higashi.]

——

This really is—

[Do!]

Amano Sora defeated another club member and deliberately glanced my way.

And I met his gaze with a smile.

[Hehe—]

Amano Sora seemed to get fired up, like he’d been injected with adrenaline.

But that has nothing to do with me.