The Aftermath of Trial and a Reckless Proposition

My protagonist possesses no plot armor, nor do they require any.

Having concluded the first class trial, time had imperceptibly crept towards four in the afternoon.

We slowly trudged out from behind the large red doors, each of us appearing utterly dejected; I was no exception, having just witnessed for the first time the stark transition from life to death among those around me.

Indeed, most things in this world rarely unfold as one desires.

Returning to my room, I buried my face into the soft quilt, replaying the recent events in my mind.

A single class trial had, without a trace, taken two lives.

I let out a soft, self-deprecating chuckle, feeling rather useless for allowing myself to drown in the grief of my companions’ passing.

Yes… one cannot dwell solely on sorrowful matters, but must instead consider how to live each coming day with cheer.

Straightening my languid body, I stretched with a wide, satisfying yawn.

“Mmm, mmm~” The movement clearly accentuated the graceful, alluring curves of my figure.

“Grrr—” Having gone without lunch due to the class trial, my stomach had begun to rumble insistently.

Perhaps I should see what there is to eat in the cafeteria; after all, filling my stomach was of paramount importance.

Stepping into the cafeteria, I was greeted by a gentle breeze carrying a rich aroma that wafted to my nose, invigorating my senses and lifting my spirits.

And there, too, was Arisumi Momoko, practically drooling.

“Arisumi Momoko, what are you doing standing here…?” I couldn’t help but inquire.

“Ah! I’m admiring the beautiful sight of the food… It’s just a shame Chisaka Erin said I can’t have any yet, and that I have to wait for everyone else to arrive in the cafeteria before we can eat…” Arisumi Momoko lowered her head in disappointment.

“Since Chisaka Erin prepared dinner for everyone, we should all enjoy it together then,” I said with a gentle smile.

“How are you feeling now, Arisumi Momoko…?”

“Me? I’m doing great! No matter what major events happen around me, as long as I taste something sweet and delicious, all my worries just fly away!”

“Is that so… The power of dopamine truly is remarkable… Still, it’s good to be positive and optimistic.”

“Kamimura Anko, when you’re feeling down, you could also try treating yourself to some sweets, you know?”

“Heh heh… I’ll keep your suggestion in mind.”

“Kamimura Anko, you’re here,” Chisaka Erin said, walking over to greet me.

“Yes… I didn’t eat lunch, so my stomach’s a bit empty…”

“Why don’t you eat first? It’s better not to let yourself get too hungry.”

“Um… is that really alright? Everyone else isn’t here yet…”

“It’s fine. You made a significant contribution for all of us, after all.”

“Well… it was simply my duty. If that’s the case, then I shall humbly accept.” I settled into a dining chair and began to eat my dinner.

“I, too, shall humbly—” Arisumi Momoko began to take a seat at a dining chair.

“Not you. You wait until they arrive before eating,” Chisaka Erin said, mercilessly grabbing Arisumi Momoko’s collar.

“Why… Waaah… Chisaka Mom, just one bite, please…” Arisumi Momoko’s eyes welled up with tears.

“Even calling me Dad won’t work. It’s just that your appetite is a bit beyond my imagination…” Chisaka Erin sighed helplessly.

“Ah! Is it dinner time already? Perfect, I’m starving.”

“Ah… me too…”

“Though this lady has a slender figure, I can’t afford to starve myself into a stomach ailment.”

“Since everyone’s here, let’s eat quickly. The food won’t taste good if it’s not eaten while hot.”

“That’s right, that’s right! If it doesn’t taste good, just give it all to me!” Arisumi Momoko said, eating with a blissful expression.

Scanning my surroundings, I noticed one person missing. Out of caution, I asked Takagi Masahiko, “Takagi Masahiko, where’s Suzuki Minoru? Isn’t he coming for dinner?”

“Hmm… I knocked on his door and called for him before I left. He said he’d come down to eat later.”

“That lunatic… it doesn’t matter if we just leave him be,” Amemiya Wakaba remarked with a chilly tone.

“Exactly… why should we care about that guy? Just thinking about what he did during the class trial gives me a headache…” Ishii Yoshimi said, looking speechless.

“I can’t even be bothered with him anymore… That guy… let him do as he pleases,” Akahira Yuusuke said, his eyelids slightly lowered, his tone nonchalant.

“…Even though Suzuki Minoru… he’s a bit unhinged, but… he also helped us… during the class trial… so maybe we shouldn’t let him go hungry…” Osakabe Nanase stammered, and the surrounding atmosphere suddenly grew quiet.

Indeed, had it not been for Suzuki Minoru’s timely intervention, the class trial might have dragged on for much longer.

After a moment of contemplation, I finally spoke.

“I’ll take him his meal.”

“Although it might not be necessary to say, I still want to tell you to be careful on your way,” Takahashi Aki said gently.

“Honestly… I don’t care… Don’t worry about us, just go,” Akahira Yuusuke said, turning his head with a resigned sigh.

“Kamimura Anko, if there’s any danger, you can shout for help!” Katagiri Mimi suggested kindly.

“Kamimura Anko, why don’t I go with you—”

“No need to worry. It’s just delivering a meal, and I assure you he wouldn’t dare do anything to me,” I interjected, cutting off Takagi Masahiko and addressing everyone.

“Hmm… I hope so…” Habara Kazuhiro murmured.

Carrying the meal, I walked to Suzuki Minoru’s door and gently knocked three times.

“It’s not locked, come in,” a magnetic male voice called from behind the door.

What met my eyes was the sight of him sitting cross-legged on the floor, bare-chested and with his eyes closed, his hands forming a mudra below his navel. It seemed he was… meditating…?

“Are you… meditating?” I asked, breaking the tranquil atmosphere.

“Ah, it’s you… Yes, this is precisely Zazen (TL Note: A form of seated meditation in Zen Buddhism.), a form of meditation from Zen Buddhism.” He slowly opened his eyes.

“What are the benefits of this practice for one’s mind and body?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

“They are countless. Studies show that our brains spend approximately fifty percent of the time lost in various thoughts, and this continuous ‘mind-wandering’ is a direct cause of human unhappiness.”

“Furthermore, researchers have found that just ten minutes of mindfulness meditation each day can reduce the need for painkillers in patients with mental disorders, as it enhances the body’s pain tolerance and alleviates anxiety.”

“Beyond that, it leads to better sleep quality, more stable emotions, improved memory, and so on,” Suzuki Minoru recounted meticulously.

“I never realized you were so particular about your lifestyle…” In that moment, I truly began to see him in a new light, simultaneously noticing his well-proportioned, athletic physique, which was adorned with numerous scars.

It seemed… this man, too, carried a past.

“Oh… I apologize for disturbing you. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Not at all. The essence of Zazen requires one to dismiss all external thoughts, and from the moment you entered, I found myself unable to maintain that focus,” he said to me, standing up with a serious expression.

“Speaking of which… are you here to bring me food?”

“Don’t overthink it. This is for everyone’s sake, and also to prevent unnecessary trouble in the future,” I explained immediately, my expression unchanged.

“Eh… I was actually hoping you’d feed me by hand~”

“I’m leaving.”

Just as I intended to turn and make a swift exit, he suddenly reached out and seized my wrist.

“What are you doing?” I felt a familiar premonition of something unpleasant about to happen.

“Nnn… just stay with me a little longer, won’t you…?” Suzuki Minoru pouted, whining playfully.

“…Let go first.”

“Promise me first.”

“If you let go, I’ll consider it.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, he immediately released my hand, yet all I wanted to tell him was: Never trust a woman’s words.

No sooner had I thought it than I turned to flee, but his reaction speed was so astonishing that I barely registered it before he had me pinned against the wall with one hand.

I never imagined… that I would experience a ‘kabedon’ (TL Note: A common trope in East Asian media where a person is trapped against a wall by another person’s arm, often in a romantic or dramatic context.) from a man.

“Anko, you dare to trick me, eh…? It seems I’ll have to teach you a little lesson…” He gazed at me with mischievous intent, and then the space between us rapidly diminished, his scorching breath beginning to fan my face. My body, for reasons unknown, started to grow warm, and this strange sensation made me realize the situation was spiraling into something far worse!

Instantly, I pressed both hands against his shoulders, and he looked at my eyes with a surprised expression. But then, I delivered an unexpected knee strike to his groin.

“Ooh-ooh-ooh!!!” Suzuki Minoru cried out in agony, doubling over before collapsing to the floor, groaning.

“Oh~ Anko, you could hit me anywhere else… but absolutely not… *there*…!” A mask of pure agony remained etched upon his face.

“If you dare to act so recklessly again next time, I’ll give you double the pleasure.” My cheeks, once again, retained a lingering warmth.

Ugh… Did I perhaps go too far…?

“Are you… um… alright…?” I couldn’t help but worry if his ‘little brother’ was genuinely in trouble.

“N-no… I’m not alright!! It’s almost broken! Only if you give it a massage can it return to its original state…!”

!!! This guy was treating me like a girl and messing with me again! Enough… I should quickly return to my room…

Lest he come up with another trick to toy with me.