Q.
What kind of relationship do the two of you have?
Arisu: “That is a question we’ve heard so often our ears could bleed…” Kiriha: “Right.
Hmm, my relationship with Arisu, huh…?
Friends, lovers, siblings…
none of them feel quite right.
If I had to use a Yu-Gi-Oh!
analogy, Arisu is the Nameless Pharaoh, and I’m the Partner.” Arisu: “Wait a moment, Kiriha.
Why am I the Pharaoh?
I should be the Partner, shouldn’t I?” Kiriha: “Ah?
What are you talking about, Arisu?
Since you’re the king, you are the Pharaoh.
I’m the Partner.” Arisu: “No, it’s me.” Kiriha: “No, it’s me.” Katsuragi: “Hey, stop it, you two.
Don’t fight over who gets to be the Partner.
The Pharaoh is going to feel left out.” –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– “Everyone, may I have a moment of your time?” Just after Mashima-sensei left, while our classmates were bustling with excitement over how to spend their points or where to hang out after the entrance ceremony, Katsuragi stood up from his chair and addressed the entire class.
“Starting today, we will be spending our school life in the same class for the next three years.
Therefore, to deepen our class’s friendship, I would like to set up a time for self-introductions.
What do you all think?” “Sounds good to me.” “Yes, I agree as well.” It is the Japanese nature to go with the flow.
Since the two who gained the class’s respect during the earlier exchange with Mashima-sensei agreed—along with myself, the guy who carried a girl up the stairs in a princess carry on the first day of school—no opposing opinions were likely to surface.
Besides, the proposal itself wasn’t something anyone would object to.
“Thank you.
Then allow me, the one who proposed this, to go first.
My name is Kohei Katsuragi.
Due to alopecia totalis, I have been hairless for as long as I can remember.
I know I have a stern face and might seem difficult to approach, but please feel free to interact with me comfortably.
I served in the student council in elementary and middle school, and I intend to apply for it at this school as well.
I look forward to working with you all.” I see.
Serious, sincere, strong-willed, and sharp-minded…
He might be lacking in the hair department, but he seems like a man with real backbone.
Arisu was also flashing a delighted smile, looking like a child who had just been bought a new toy.
Judging by her reaction, he seems to have passed as an acceptable rival for now.
After that, self-introductions proceeded in order of desks.
The sullen Kamuro who finished with just her name; Hashimoto, who was instantly recognized by the whole class as a playboy just as he looked; Kitou, whose appearance—following Katsuragi—made you want to blurt out, “Are you really the same age as us?”; a pretty colorful lineup continued until it was finally my turn.
Now then, time for the fantasista to show off his skills.
“I’m Kiriha Honjo.
My specialty is sports in general, and my hobbies are gardening and…
lately, I’ve been getting into magic tricks.” “Really?
That sounds awesome, show us something!” “Well then, to answer needy Hashimoto’s request…
here you go!” I pulled out a handkerchief, fluttered it around to show the class, gently draped it over my palm, and then whipped it away in one swift motion.
There, resting on my palm, was a single flower—a white Casablanca lily.
As several classmates clapped in admiration, I draped the handkerchief over it once more and pulled it away.
The Casablanca had vanished without a trace.
“Everyone, check your right jacket pocket.” Tilted heads filled the room, but as my classmates reached into their pockets, every single one of them pulled out a single white Casablanca lily.
As the class fell speechless, I raised the Casablanca I had pulled from my own pocket to put on the finishing touch.
“And so, following the language of flowers for the Casablanca lily…
I offer our enrollment and future high school life…
‘Blessings’.” Receiving a round of applause that far eclipsed the previous one, I took my seat, having accomplished everything I set out to do.
“A splendid performance…
I would like to admire it, but please learn some moderation.
It’s incredibly difficult to go right after you.” “Self-introductions are entertainment, you know~.
Plus, since there are no class reshuffles, right now is the last chance.
…Besides, a woman of your caliber wouldn’t shrink back from something like this.” “Fufu…
quite true.
If I did, I wouldn’t be fit to serve as your general.” My classmates, who had been excited by my performance, fell quiet as soon as Arisu slowly stood up from her seat—or rather, they were silenced.
It wasn’t that Arisu did anything specific; the entire class was simply overwhelmed and swallowed up by the commanding aura she radiated.
“My name is Arisu Sakayanagi.
I suffer from a congenital illness and my body is not strong, to the point that daily life would be difficult without this cane in my hand.
I may cause you trouble in the future, but I look forward to working with you all.” It was a self-introduction made to sound as if she were a weak victim, but knowing the inner truth, it was so brazenly fake it almost made my stomach twist.
This is coming from someone fully intending to cause trouble from angles completely unrelated to her illness.
Look—even without my insight, not a single person in the class is looking at Arisu as a weakling.
Katsuragi in particular looks stern, breaking out into a cold sweat while glaring at her with blatant vigilance.
After that, our self-introductions concluded (to be honest, I felt a little bad that the remaining people looked so self-conscious going after me and Arisu), and the self-gratifying ceremony of the higher-ups—err, the entrance ceremony—came to an end.
A few students from our class went straight home, while Katsuragi and Arisu each took a group of a little over ten students somewhere to hold a gathering to deepen their friendships.
“See ya, Arisu.
I’ll help you shop for daily necessities later, so hit me up when you’re done.” “Understood, thank you for taking the trouble.” “You don’t have to do something so roundabout like parting ways and meeting up again, you could just come along with us.” “Got a little errand to run.
Ask me out another time.” I fabricated a quick excuse to answer Hashimoto’s reasonable question and left the classroom.
Though billed as a social gathering, in reality, it would likely serve as Arisu’s briefing on her future direction.
Having known her for a long time, I generally understand her thoughts without her having to explain them one by one, so I had no interest in attending such a tedious and pointless meeting.
Kiriha-kun hates being bored, after all.
Now then…
guess I’ll explore the school until Arisu contacts me.
I strolled around the school building, throwing a peace sign at every single surveillance camera installed along the way.
I passed by the cafeteria and the second- and third-year classrooms, checking off various details.
Just as I was thinking about wrapping up my exploration to hang out outside, I spotted what was likely the final camera.
As I posed with a peace sign, a man and a woman approached me.
Judging by their posture, this guy was completely guard-free yet had zero openings—he was insanely capable.
His black hair was a nice bonus point, too.
“What are you doing?” “Exploring the school while striking a pose every time I find a camera.” “Why do you strike a pose for the camera?” “No particular reason.” A sharp-looking man wearing glasses and a woman holding a notebook with her hair up in braided twin buns…
Hey, wait a minute, Twin-Buns-chan, what’s with that bewildered look like you’re staring at a weirdo?
Kiriha-kun is gonna cry, you know?
“What business do the Student Council President and the Secretary have with me?” “…Oh?” “W-Why do you know we’re student council officers?” “Because your President over there has a President Face.” “President Face!?” “Allow me to explain, Twin-Buns-chan!
A President Face refers to a person whose face looks just like a Student Council President!” “That’s literally just what it sounds like!
And what’s with ‘Twin-Buns-chan’!?
I am your upperclassman, you know!” “Allow me to explain!” “No need to explain!” “Twin-Buns-chan is—!” “Hey, don’t ignore me!
Should I beat some manners straight into your face, you punk?!” Flailing her arms in anger, Twin-Buns-chan—or rather, Tachibana-senpai—barked at me.
Man, teasing this person is way too much fun; I can’t stop, won’t stop.
“Calm down, Tachibana.
What good does it do to get emotional with a freshman?
Do you intend to compromise your dignity as a student council officer?” “Ghh…
My apologies…” Whoops, now I feel a slight pang of guilt.
“Ah…
sorry about that, Tachibana-senpai.
Your reaction was just so good that I got carried away and teased you too much.” “A-And you call that an apology…!” “Well then, as an apology for ruining your mood…” I took Tachibana-senpai hand and covered it with a handkerchief.
“Eh, w-wait, what are you do—” “1, 2, voila!” “…Eh, a flower?” When I pulled the handkerchief away, Tachibana-senpai hand was holding a single hosta flower.
“The flower language of the hosta is ‘devotion.’ Your daily efforts are surely supporting the President.
…Well, we just met for the first time, so I don’t actually know if that’s true or not.” “…Pfft, what is with that?
You really can’t keep your cool until the very end, can you?” Tachibana-senpai covered her mouth and giggled.
Great, great.
Looks like she’s back in a good mood.
“I see…
You seem to be quite a unique student.” “I’m a natural-born fantasista, after all.” “I haven’t introduced myself yet.
I am Manabu Horikita, a 3rd-year from Class A and the Student Council President.” “Likewise, Akane Tachibana, 3rd-year Class A, Secretary.” “Ah…
I’m Kiriha Honjo, 1st-year Class A, President of the ‘Gardening Appreciation Club’.” “Hey, don’t try to compete by pulling out fake titles!” Tachibana-senpai scolded me with a playful glare.
Man, everything this person does is adorable, jeez.
“I see…
so you are Honjo.” “What’s with that tone, like you already know who I am?” “Word reached my ears that two students scored perfect marks on this year’s entrance exam.
You are one of them.” Hey, hey.
Even if you’re the Student Council President, don’t go leaking private student info like that.
Where’s your compliance standard?
“…By the way, the other one is Arisu, right?” “That’s right.” Thought so.
A tie once again, huh?
“By the way, Honjo…
how much of the S System have you grasped?” “Hmm…
from my exploration just now, pretty much 100% of it.” “Oh?” –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– “—And then a bunch of things happened, and he lent me a million points.
As expected of the Student Council President, he seems to have accumulated quite a stash~” “Hmm…
Should I say ‘as expected of a school managed by my father’?
I look forward to seeing how things unfold.” A short while later, I received a message saying the social gathering was over, so I met up with Arisu.
We shared information while shopping for dorm life necessities.
Arisu is the daughter of the school’s chairman, but Chairman Sakayanagi—being strict about rules—didn’t tell her anything about the S System.
Well, just like me, Arisu is starved for entertainment, so she doesn’t care for spoilers like that anyway.
Investigating and unraveling these things yourself is what makes it fun.
“Well, putting the other classes aside for a moment, first you need to take control of our class, Arisu.” “Indeed.
Katsuragi-kun seems to be quite sharp and possesses all the qualities of a leader.
…However, a group does not need two leaders.” Two brilliant generals are not as good as one ordinary general.
The French emperor apparently said something like that, but in the first place, an Arisu who quietly obeys someone else wouldn’t be Arisu at all.
“…Just to be sure, let me ask: I don’t need to openly participate in the political struggle that’s about to happen, right?” “Yes.
In fact, even if you begged me, I wouldn’t let you participate openly.
If you and I teamed up, we would be too invincible, and no matter how Katsuragi-kun struggled, the outcome would be obvious.
Please don’t take away the toy I finally found.” “Mm, honest and concise.
Excellent.” I love that side of you.
“Then I’ll operate behind the scenes for a while…
For now, the main focus is raising funds, huh?” “I appreciate how quick on the uptake you are.
It seems points aren’t just allowance; depending on how they are used, they can serve as a shield to protect ourselves or a sword to strike down enemies.” “Right.
We can figure out the specific uses later…
How much do you want?” “I’ll leave the method to you.
Please gather about 5 million points by next month.” “I knew it, but you really show no mercy…
Got it, got it.
I’ll work myself to the bone.
As long as you remain my ‘general’.” “Fufu…
Then I must make sure not to disappoint you either.” I have no intention of serving a “general” who is less capable than myself.
Katsuragi is undoubtedly an exceptional guy, but…
if you struggle against an opponent of that level, Arisu, you won’t be qualified to stand above me.
“…By the way, Kiriha, what absurd thing have you been doing for a while now?” “A game where I keep giving peace signs to the surveillance cameras.” “It’s embarrassing to walk next to you, so stop it.” –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Author’s Note: Arisu: “Just how many flowers do you carry around on a daily basis?” Kiriha: “Trade secret.”