Dong Hazuki Meets the Heroine Part One

The bell always rang when you least expected it.

The melody of Westminster chimes flashed by in an instant, replaced by a few small cheers after hearing the teacher announce the end of class.

[Hazuki, you’re really serious in class.]

As soon as class ended, Tenzan Kaoru started chattering.

Mixed with the noises in the classroom, her voice turned into a boring tune in my ears.

[That’s for the sake of the future, you know.

If you work hard from now on, you can get into a better university later.

Kaoru, you should learn from me too.

You have to listen carefully in class.]

[But the teacher’s lectures are really boring, so I just can’t focus at all.

Just now, I was forcing myself not to fall asleep.]

What she said wasn’t wrong.

The teachers at Sakurano High really did teach in a very boring way.

But for me, it was still very easy to get into the rhythm of studying.

As for why.

It was probably because I had already gotten used to boredom.

However—

[Kaoru, the teacher hasn’t left the doorway yet.

They might have already heard what you just said.]

After I said that, I saw Tenzan Kaoru panic and turn her head toward the door.

[Eh.

Eh.

Really—Hazuki, you’re such a bad girl.

You tricked me again.]

[Pfft.

Hahahahaha.

That’s because you’re really too dumb, Kaoru, so you get tricked by me all the time.]

[That’s because I trust you.]

[Hmm.

Sometimes, Kaoru, you shouldn’t trust people too much.

Including me.]

There was still a smile hanging on my face.

But in truth—

There was no feeling of joy in my heart at all.

If I had to say what my real thoughts were.

They were probably—

Ah.

How boring.

[Maybe everything about me is fake, you know.]

[Hmph.

Hazuki’s joking again.

I’m ignoring you.]

[Alright, alright.]

I soothed her with a few words like that.

[Goodbye, Dongye classmate.]

[See you tomorrow, Dongye classmate.]

Most of the classmates waved and greeted me before leaving.

And I responded with the warmest attitude possible.

[Mhm, see you all tomorrow.]

[I really envy you, Hazuki.

You’re so popular with everyone.]

Tenzan Kaoru muttered again.

At the same time, she swept her eyes over those people with the look one would give an enemy.

As if she were afraid that her few friends might be taken away by others.

So really, there was no need to worry.

After all, people as foolish as you are are quite rare.

And if I had too many close friends, some cracks might show.

That would be bad, since this persona was something I had painstakingly acted out.

[Alright, I’ve already said it before.

Being popular isn’t necessarily a good thing.

The people who were laughing and chatting with me just now might already be thinking of ways to badmouth me behind my back.]

[Eh.

Are there really people like that?]

[Kaoru, the way you see the world is far too simple.

That won’t do.

You have to remember, it’s good to be cautious of others, but you must not intend harm.]

Just like me right now.

Facing everyone with a fake appearance.

And using the most despicable way to treat this sincere friendship.

[Uh.

Is Hazuki going to start saying things that are hard to understand and make people sleepy, just like the teacher?]

Tenzan Kaoru covered her head.

As if she were trying to avoid some kind of divine punishment.

And naturally, I wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

[Hmm.

If that’s the case, I might have the potential to be a teacher too.

Ahem.

Then, Tenzan-san, please solve this problem.]

[Nooo—]

The playing around ended here.

Because for me, continuing had no meaning.

And it was extremely boring.

[Let’s submit the application to the Classical Literature Club now.]

[Mhm.]

Seemingly full of anticipation for the upcoming club activities, Tenzan Kaoru bounced a little.

Just like a rabbit.

Mm.

Rabbits are always stupid.

[Excuse me, do you know where the Classical Literature Club is?]

Since the location wasn’t clearly marked on the flyer, we could only go to a general area and ask people for directions.

I actually knew where the Classical Literature Club room was.

But in this situation, I couldn’t act like I was familiar with the route.

So I could only ask around together with Tenzan Kaoru.

[Sorry, I don’t know.]

Whenever we asked for directions, people were always willing to stop.

But the answers we got were never satisfactory.

[Alright, sorry to bother you.]

Together with Tenzan Kaoru, I bowed apologetically.

The Classical Literature Club really was hard to find.

[Um—I’m Furukawa Akira.]

The person we had asked didn’t leave.

Instead, he started introducing himself, facing our puzzled gazes.

[I’m in Class 8 of the second year at Sakurano High.]

Ah.

That explained why he felt a little familiar.

I had seen him before.

More precisely, I had seen him in the game.

Since it was only once, my memory was a bit vague.

I remembered his role as—

[Hello, Furukawa-senpai.]

I bowed again.

[Are you two underclassmen looking to join a club?]

Although it was phrased as a question, his tone was certain.

And then—

[I’m the president of the Height Growth Club.

I was wondering if you two underclassmen might be interested in joining our club.

Our club’s purpose is to promote physical optimization, stimulate adolescent development, and help people reach their theoretical height—]

He enthusiastically introduced his club, completely immersed in himself.

Tenzan Kaoru tugged at my sleeve, questioning in her eyes.

She was asking whether I had any intention of joining the Height Growth Club.

After all, not long ago, I had picked up a flyer for that club.

Even though I said it was accidental, it was enough to give her the wrong idea.

Unfortunately—

If it weren’t for inviting Ichijou Rikuu to join the Classical Literature Club, I might have actually considered it.

But still.

How should I interrupt this Furukawa-senpai?

After all, he was a senior.

Interrupting him rashly wouldn’t lead to anything unbearable.

But it definitely wouldn’t be a situation I wanted to see.

[So you’re the president of the Height Growth Club.]

A familiar voice came over.

More precisely, it came from an inconspicuous corner.

So inconspicuous that one might even doubt someone was standing there.

In fact, it was because she was too short to be noticed.

It was a girl with twin ponytails, who looked only twelve or thirteen.

Her small, cute face was filled with dissatisfaction.

[Hey.

Can’t you guys see me at all?!]

This person was—

I hadn’t expected to meet her here.

So for a moment, I couldn’t help but show a surprised expression.

[Whoa.

She’s so cute.

I really want to pinch her cheeks.]

Tenzan Kaoru whispered.

And that whisper caught the little girl’s attention.

[Hey.

You over there who looks really dumb.

And that big-chested woman next to you.

What are you whispering about?]

She showed a great deal of hostility toward us.

But honestly, this was already expected.

Nangou Rin.

One of the five heroines in the game who could be romanced.

She was insecure about her inability to grow taller.

And she harbored intense hostility toward girls with good figures.

Right now, I was the target of that hostility.

After all, the fake named Dong Hazuki didn’t just have a gentle and beautiful face.

She also had a figure that towered over most people her age.

And she was often stared at by Tenzan Kaoru with jealous eyes.

[This underclassman is—]

Furukawa Akira’s attention was completely drawn to Nangou Rin.

[I want to join the Height Growth Club.]

Nangou Rin crossed her arms over her completely unremarkable chest and looked down on us.

In reality, she was just too short, so she had to strain to look up at us.

She really did need to join the Height Growth Club.

[Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

We’re always happy to welcome new members.]

For the moment, Furukawa Akira had no time to deal with us.

And at that moment, I nudged Tenzan Kaoru.

[Since Furukawa-senpai has something to attend to, we won’t disturb him.]

I said this loudly.

Then immediately turned around and left quickly with Tenzan Kaoru.

[Eh.

Eh.

You two underclassmen—]

[Hey.

Are you even listening to me?

Why are you ignoring me and paying attention to those two instead?]

[I’m saying, you, president of the Height Growth Club.

Can you really help me grow taller?

You’re not lying, right?

Oh, and you can help with body shaping too.

My standards aren’t high.

About the same as that big-chested woman would be fine.]

Nangou Rin was a troublesome person.

Anyone who had played that game knew this deeply.

So once Furukawa Akira got entangled with her, there was no way he could get free anytime soon.

Of course.

That had nothing to do with us anymore.

In the end, we still found the Classical Literature Club.

Through Ichijou Rikuu.

He was already standing at the clubroom door.

[Eh.

Eh.

Hazuki, look.

Isn’t that Ichijou-san?]

He had arrived much earlier than us.

Holding his application form, he stood at the door.

When he heard our voices, he looked over at us in surprise.

[Dongye-san, Tenzan-san, hello.]

[Ichijou-san, why are you standing here?

Could it be that you’re deliberately waiting for us?]

With a gentle smile on my face, I spoke to him playfully.

[I didn’t expect Ichijou-san to apply for the Classical Literature Club too.]

Tenzan Kaoru said this quietly.

As if she were afraid of affecting our conversation.

Only I could hear her voice.

[Because Dongye-san invited me to join.]

That “only” needed a question mark.

At the very least, Ichijou Rikuu clearly caught that sentence.

And answered honestly.

Honesty was one of the many virtues of galgame protagonists.

He was no exception.

But at this moment, it caused me unnecessary trouble—

Tenzan Kaoru looked at me with a stunned expression.

Even someone extremely slow could notice how abnormal my behavior was.

Fortunately, Tenzan Kaoru, who had long since been guided in another direction by me, was now thinking of the possibility that I had feelings for him.

[Because I thought Ichijou-san suited the Classical Literature Club very well.]

My eyes narrowed slightly.

As if he thought he was being blamed, Ichijou Rikuu scratched his head and stopped speaking.

Ah.

I’ve been misunderstood.

It’s fine, Ichijou-san.

I don’t actually dislike honest people.

Compared to a fake like me, who seems to exist solely to deceive others, this quality is precisely what separates noble people from rotten ones.

However, what I say in my heart will still never be spoken aloud.

Because right now, I am deceiving others.

So—

[Ichijou-san still hasn’t said why you’re standing at the door, have you?]