Chapter 104: [ (Fraction Review) This time, the review is really strict! ]

The spring break I never wanted to end finally came to a close.

Which meant that starting today, I was officially a second-year high school student.

Of course, at our school, even if the academic year changes, the class assignments remain the same. There’s no need

to readjust to a new environment.

But on the flip side, it also means I have to maintain the same social connections I formed last year.

Isn’t that too harsh?

This system practically guarantees that if you don’t make friends in your first year, you won’t have any until you

graduate.

Such an inconsiderate system for introverts and socially awkward people needs to be destroyed.

They should change classes every year so that everyone has the chance to start fresh.

Let those smug extroverts experience what it feels like to be friendless for once.

I shared this thought with Koga yesterday.

[Honestly, even if your class changed, you’d probably be the same, Izumi…]

Her brutally honest reply left me stunned.

I thought I had grown significantly—so much that anyone could notice it—but Koga didn’t seem to see it at all.

Refusing to accept her words, I protested sincerely.

[Then try messaging your classmates right now and ask if they want to hang out after school tomorrow.]

Koga’s response was calm, yet merciless.

She was telling me to force my way into established social groups and impose my plans on them.

No matter how much I’d grown, that was utterly impossible for me.

T-That’s why I insisted they should change the classes! I’m sure I could build new relationships with unfamiliar

classmates.

…Probably.

[Even if your class changes, you won’t be meeting entirely new people.]

But even that hope was completely crushed by Koga’s cold logic. I could only slam my keyboard in frustration. Of

course, I didn’t actually break it, knowing my mom would scold me. Instead, I just tapped the spacebar repeatedly.

Isn’t it strange, though?

The “Mama” figure is supposed to be endlessly kind and gentle, always accepting and supportive. Even if they

initially say no, they’re supposed to sigh at the end and say, “Well, I guess I have no choice,” while granting your

wishes.

Yet Koga, who’s clearly my “Mama” figure, sometimes acts so cold and logical that it’s downright scary…

I need to remind her to reflect on that later.

I’ll tell her that if she keeps this up, I’ll have no choice but to revoke her “Mama” status. Surely that’ll make her

reflect and treat me more kindly.

“Yaaawn…”

Petals from cherry blossoms fluttered gently along the path to school.

A light breeze occasionally blew past, cool enough to feel refreshing. Walking down this path alone felt oddly

pleasant.

“Kayano-chan. It’s been a while.”

While fiddling with my phone on a bench, I heard a familiar voice.

Miyauchi approached, smiling as she greeted me.

“A-Ah… It’s, been a while, Miyauchi-chan…”

“Fufu. It’s rare to see you awake at this hour.”

“W-Well… I just couldn’t sleep…”

I had always pretended to sleep, but I almost never actually slept.

Of course, I couldn’t exactly say that out loud.

“From today, we’re second-years. Don’t you feel excited when you hear that you’re a senior now? I wonder what kind

of juniors we’ll have.”

“Ah… Y-Yeah.”

Honestly, I wasn’t excited.

I, who had no friends even until middle school, had no chance of getting involved with juniors either.

But despite not having friends, I’m an observant introvert. I know how to avoid making awkward answers that would

ruin the atmosphere.

“When I saw the seniors graduating, I felt a little sad… but now, we’re the ones who have to take on the role of

seniors, so we have to do our best.”

“Y-Yeah, that’s true.”

Of course, I didn’t know any of the seniors.

So when the third-year graduation ceremony came around, I honestly fell asleep, and as soon as it was over, I went

straight home.

But, as expected, I didn’t make any awkward comments this time either.

I was a quick-witted introvert, and I had grown a lot up until now.

If Koga had seen this, she would’ve been moved and praised me for my growth.

“Oh, and Tateyama-chan said she wanted to have a reunion after class today. Are you going, Kayano-chan?”

“…I think I’ll head straight home.”

“Ah… That’s too bad.”

Miyauchi-chan seemed genuinely disappointed, her face falling.

Seeing that made me feel guilty, so I immediately waved my hand in an attempt to explain myself.

“I-It’s not that I don’t want to meet up, but I already have plans!”

“Ah, if you have plans, then I understand.”

The fact that I had plans wasn’t a lie.

I really did need to head home right after school for a broadcast.

That being said, Tateyama-chan really does seem to love gatherings, doesn’t she?

When I think about it, it doesn’t seem like it’s been that long since she last held one.

But it’s understandable because gatherings among friends at school only happen about once a year, right?

If they meet more often, everyone gets tired and ends up exhausted, don’t they?

“Hm? Kayano-chan, you’re up?”

“Oh, Ookusa-kun. It’s been a while.”

“Ah, um… O-Oh, it’s been a while, Miyauchi.”

After that, the vice president, Ookusa-kun, came in and sat next to Miyauchi-chan.

“U-Um, sorry, I just got a message, so I’ll be right back…”

I fled to my safe haven (the old science room).

As expected, I still believe that if the academic year changes, the class should change too…

★

After school today, I didn’t head home.

[Shirasaki Kazaki Household]

This was my second time seeing it, but the enormous gate still sent a wave of tension down my spine just by looking at it.

“Haa…”

I took a deep breath and pressed the doorbell. The clear chime echoed.

[Yes, this is Shirasaki.]

“Ah, um, it’s Kayano. I said I’d come today…”

[Ah, I’ll come out to meet you. Please wait a moment.]

“Hah…”

As I waited nervously, the gate opened, and the person who appeared was—

“It’s been a while.”

“Ah, aah… Hello…”

It was the burly man with a long scar on his face who had greeted me the last time.

I’m pretty sure Kuromami-senpai called him Yuto-san…

“I’m sorry. I’m the one who came out to greet you again…”

“A-Ah, no, it’s really fine…”

He had a rough appearance, and the scar on his face was intimidating, but I knew that in reality, he was someone as

cool as—or even cooler than—me.

“Miss. Your friend has arrived.”

“Ah, thank you, Yuto-san.”

“This is the least I can do.”

“Ah, thank you.”

“Then I’ll take my leave now…”

“U-um, senpai. Is it okay if I come in…?”

“Yes, please come in.”

After a very familiar exchange, I slowly opened the sliding door and entered the room.

Unlike last time when she wore a kimono with black and pink colors, this time, Senpai was dressed in a bright red

kimono.

I had thought that she had worn the kimono earlier for Hatsumode, but I wondered if Senpai always wore kimonos

like this at home.

Then again, with a family like hers, it wouldn’t be strange at all…

“Long time no see, Izumi-san.”

“Ah, hello, Kurokami-senpai.”

“Isn’t it ‘Shiro-nee’?”

“…Eh? I thought we agreed to only call me that outside…”

“I just want to call you ‘Shiro-nee’ for now. Please, just once.”

“…Shiro-nee.”

“Hehehe…”

Koya, Utsumi, Aki, and even Kurokami-senpai.

For some reason, everyone around me seems to have a dream of calling me ‘nee-chan’.

Of course, I don’t not understand, but… how should I put it? It feels a bit embarrassing.

At least until now, Akabane has never said anything like that…

But who knows? Maybe next time, she’ll suddenly ask me to call her ‘nee-chan.’

“Shall we start getting ready?”

“Ah, yes…”

“Then before that, would you like to try wearing a kimono again?”

I tried to refuse, but…

“Hehehe…”

With Senpai smiling like that, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse, so I nodded.

“By the way, Izumi-san, what did you eat to grow so short but have such big breasts?”

“Wh-what?! Wait a minute, Senpai?!”

Why are there so many women around me who love physical contact?!

[【Faction Assessment】This time, the assessment is really strict! #KurokamiHikari #KayaIzumi #StarsFlow]

• Is this the time someone will pass the test?
• Last time, Nacchan barely failed, too.

Kurokami-senpai’s faction assessment.

It’s a test to see if Kurokami-senpai can acknowledge someone as ‘her ally’.

Apparently, the villainess needs faction members who can help elevate her position, or so they say.

But the test is absurdly hard, and no one has passed it yet.

Even the fundamental member, Nacchan from the “Ebony Star” group, failed twice.

Anyway, this faction assessment is a test made up of questions selected by Kurokami-senpai herself.

If you score over 75 points, you pass.

But the highest score so far was Nacchan’s 62 points.

…And the lowest score was Aki’s 12 points.

I wonder if I can pass?

Well, I came in thinking I’d fail anyway, so it doesn’t really matter.

“Now, let’s begin. You’re ready, right, Izumi-san?”

“Ah, yes…!”

“First question! When is my birthday?”

…042?

“January 15th.”

“Correct! Next question! What’s my height?”

“167 cm.”

“Correct again. Amazing!”

• It’s so obvious what you’re trying to do, lady. ᄏᄏ
• So this assessment was already decided from the start.
• There’s so much personal interest in this!

Despite all the complaints flooding in the chat, Senpai calmly ignored them.

“Third question! When is my debut date?”

The faction assessment continued.