Episode 349: Hero

Rattle…

「Morning.」

「Morning…」

Pop!!!

Pop!!!

「Huh!!??」

The moment I stepped through the classroom door, a high-pitched explosion rang out, and something like confetti scattered before my eyes.

A split second later, just as I realized it was party poppers…

「Takanashi-kun…」

「「Congrats on the engagemennnnnnnnnt!!!」」

This time, I was greeted by the beautifully harmonized voices of my classmates (though it was mostly the girls’ voices)…

I mean…

What is with this all of a sudden!?

「Wh-Wh-What…」

「Now then, finally the pride of the village… I mean!! The pride of the class, the Hero makes his debut!!!」

「Heh heh heh… Welcome, Sacrifi… I mean, Takanashi-kun!! To our Romance Maidens’ Mass!!」

「Come, come, come, come, step right up to the altar!!!!!!!」

Being pushed from behind by the girls who had circled around, before I knew it, I was in front of the teacher’s desk… even before I reached it, I noticed the massive letters written on the blackboard.

There, it said…

「Congrats on the Engagement!! Hero, Takanashi Kazunari!!!」

It actually says that!?

I mean, what is with the ‘Hero’ thing!?

「Maaan, proposing in front of a crowd like that, if you aren’t a hero, what are you!」

「Reporting it to everyone here is nothing compared to that, right?」

「Exactly. While we were busy at the shop, you went and pulled off something so interesting… I mean, amazing!!」

「Listen… I didn’t propose just to entertain you guys…」

「Hey now, surely the Hero who snatched away our princess isn’t thinking of running away without a repor… hieee!!??」

「Yeah. You’d better just sit there quietly and get tease… hieee!?」

The girls, who have a weakness for romance stories, crowded around me with intense curiosity… but the guys, who didn’t find it funny or genuinely thought Sara-san had been ‘stolen’ as they said, and approached me with jealousy…

They were hit with a glare full of bloodlust from Hanako-san and were easily dismissed.

It’s not my place to say, but picking a fight with me in front of Hanako-san is reckless.

「Come on, come on, the teacher’s gonna be here soon!!!」

「Just a few words from Takanashi-kun’s own mouth, even if it’s short!!」

「Takanashi… you might think they’re just teasing you, but it seems like the class really does want to congratulate you properly?」

「Kawamura…」

「Exactly! Being more than lovers, actually getting married to Satsukawa-senpai, I’m beyond jealous. But after seeing you go that far, I feel like I just want to congratulate you honestly.」

「Tanaka… wait, huh? Speaking of which, where’s the noisiest one?」

Looking closely, Yamakawa, the festival-loving guy who would usually be the first to start a commotion, wasn’t there… and yet homeroom was about to start. Where on earth was he?

「Yamakawa? He slumped his shoulders and went somewhere a bit ago.」

「He came into the classroom with his head down and just wandered back out. He was muttering something like a spell about being jealous…」

「Jealous?」

I don’t really get it, but did he see something shocking?

…Wait, I’ve got to deal with my own situation before worrying about Yamakawa!?

「Come on, come on, Takanashi-kun!!」

「Everyone’s waiting?」

「Kazunari… it’ll be faster if you just say it clearly here.」

「Y-Yeah, I guess…」

Once even Hanako-san added the finishing blow to the persuasion, it was completely game set.

Well… if it’s just about making a report, it’s not like I need to be mysterious about it. I already did it grandly at the entrance.

Just…

「…Everyone already knows, so isn’t it kind of awkward to report it again?」

「That’s not true!!」

「Exactly, we have to hear this kind of thing clearly from your own mouth!!」

「Haa… fine. As you all know, I proposed to Sara-san… Satsukawa Sara-san, at the Miss Contest on Sunday. …Is that good enough?」

「QU-ES-TION!!」

「ME!!!」

「ME ME ME!!」

Even though I finished the report as requested, the girls started raising their hands and making an appeal for some reason.

Didn’t you guys say just a few words would be fine?

「Takanashi-kun, you’re living with Satsukawa-senpai, right!?」

「Living with that Satsukawa-senpai!! Under the same roof with a beauty like that, there’s no way a healthy high school boy could hold back…」

「Does that mean you two are doing it every day!?」

「Kyaaaa!!! No more of that, nooooooo!!!」

「DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!! TAKANASHIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!」

「Y-Y-You, I’m way too jealous!!!!!!!!!!」

「Satsukawa-senpai…!!!!!!!!!! Satsukawa-senpai is…!!!!!!!!!!」

「Ugh… just give up already. Give up… for now, let’s just congratulate the Hero who climbed the stairs to adulthood a step ahead of us…」

「Um…」

I haven’t even said anything yet, and I haven’t called on anyone… why are they asking questions on their own, giving answers on their own, making a scene on their own, and despairing on their own?

I mean, can I just go sit down now!?

Nobody’s going to believe me even if I explain that nothing’s happened yet anyway, right!?

Slide, slide, slide…

「Hey, you lot!! What are you shouting for!!!」

「Crap!?」

「Wait, he’s way too early today!?」

Suddenly, the classroom door was thrown open with force, and in stepped my saving grace (?), my homeroom teacher… wait, is that Yamakawa being dragged in by the hand?

「Haa… you guys… what is this?」

Looking at the congratulatory messages from my classmates written on the blackboard (decorated in cute letters, no less), the teacher let out a massive sigh.

But I was more worried about Yamakawa behind him…

「…Honestly, I got reports that there was a huge commotion at the entrance, so I came early to check…」

「Sensei?」

「It’s nothing. Teachers have their own circumstances too. More importantly, get back to your seats right now!! Today’s monitors, wipe that board clean!! And clean up that pile of paper scraps too!! Also… Yamakawa. I don’t know what happened to you, but how long do you plan to stay like that?」

「Yes… sorry…」

There was no trace of his usual cheerfulness as Yamakawa muttered an apology.

This looks more serious than I thought… did something that shocking happen?

「Come on, get it all finished before the bell rings!」

「「Okaaaaaay.」」

Answering reluctantly, my classmates began to do as they were told.

On the other hand, I was left standing in front of the desk, feeling quite out of place.

「Takanashi, stay quiet for a while, okay? Don’t do anything to stand out unnecessarily, especially inside the school. Got it?」

「Y-Yes.」

「…Also, if anything happens, it doesn’t have to be me, so consult a nearby teacher immediately. They’ve been briefed, so anyone is fine.」

「U-Um…?」

Even if he whispers something that meaningful… between the other day and today, the fact that my homeroom teacher is being so strangely kind is kind of scar… I mean, it’s just too weird. But if Yamada-sensei’s follow-up at the entrance was for the same reason… then there’s no doubt it’s related to Mayumi-san’s talk.

But to have this much influence over the school over something that’s clearly a private matter…

Hmm…?

Natsumi POV

Suddenly…

I’m currently facing an unprecedented crisis.

It’s a situation that might even surpass the final moments of a match against a superior opponent where I’ve exhausted all my strength and have nowhere left to turn. Pure, literal desperation.

I never imagined I’d be cornered like this, it’s literally a predicament…

「Now, now, now… spill the beans already!?」

「To think you’d hide behind Satsukawa-san and pull it off yourself too…」

「You’re acting like such a stranger. Why didn’t you report it to us first, since we’re together every day?」

「Is there some deep reason for this? Hmm?」

「No… it-it wasn’t like that…」

Cornered from all sides, I’m already backed up against the classroom wall. I can’t move back any further, let alone escape…

Why… Why did it turn out like this!?

「Female friendships are such lonely things. I wonder if they end this easily?」

「Wait, why would you put it like that!?」

「Well… what’s done is done. But now that it’s happened…」

「Exactly. You’re going to give us a proper explanation.」

「Just so you know, we’re not letting you get away, okay?」

「Natsumi, just give up!!」

「Don’t just join in, Yuri!!」

The distance is closing in, and I really have nowhere left to go. And unfortunately, there’s still time before the warning bell… meaning I can’t even expect the teacher to intervene!!

And my last hope, a bet that could go either way… my best friend, Sara, is strangely late today of all days!?

She should have been here ages ago… why today of all days.

Ugh, is this really the end!?

「Natsumi…」

「Natsumi-chan…」

「Nacchi…」

「Yuzuki-cha-a-an!」

「You shut up!!」

「Ouch!?」

For now, I’ll vent my stress on Yuri (divine punishment) and calm my nerves…

「Now…」

「「Spit out everything about your boyfriend!!」」

「Why does it have to be like that!?」

That’s right…

I’m currently…

in the middle of being interrogated about Yuji!!

That whole thing where he gave me a princess carry after the match and we reported our relationship seems to have spread perfectly…

I was secretly hoping that Sara and Takanashi-kun’s massive commotion would hide it and let me slip by…

Tsk, was I too naive?

「You never showed any sign of a guy, so you caught us off guard.」

「To think it’s a boy from another school… a complete blind spot.」

「Apparently he’s Takanashi-kun’s best friend, so if Natsumi doesn’t talk, we’ll interrogate Takanashi-kun…」

「Y-You idiot!! If you do that, Satsukawa-san will kill you!?」

「Is there something wrong with me?」

「「Hieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!」」

Without me noticing, Sara was standing at the classroom entrance, staring intently. I’m sure it’s not just my imagination that she’s giving off an ominous air.

But putting that aside…

This might be lucky.

「Did I just hear Kazunari-san’s name?」

「N-No, we have nothing to do with it!!」

「Th-That’s right, Yuri’s just saying whatever she wants!!」

「Wait!?」

「I see. In that case, Yuri-san… what exactly did you plan to do to Kazunari-san? Look me in the eye and say it again.」

「Hieeeeeeeeeeee!!! I’m lying, I’m joking, please forgive me, I’m sorrrryyyyyyy!!!」

A scene of Sara intimidating Yuri with clear bloodlust seeping through her usual smile.

Terrifying… even as her best friend, she’s terrifying.

「Aaaah, Satsukawa-san’s wearing a ring!!!!」

「Oooooh!!!!」

「Show us, show us!!」

But… while Yuri herself, who was the direct target, was affected, the romance junk… I mean, romance maidens were unfazed, and Sara was surrounded in an instant.

Against the person herself, who looked slightly bewildered, the girls were like hyenas swarming around bait (material)…

Does this mean I can assume they’ve forgotten about me!?

「Whoa, amazing!?」

「Beautiful… are the gems in it real diamonds!?」

「Wait!? Th-This… this isn’t something a high schooler would normally wear, right!?」

「Idiot, it’s an engagement ring!? No way it’s just something we’d usually use!!」

「Sa-Satsukawa-san, is this ring really the one Takanashi-kun prepared!?」

「Yes. This is a genuine engagement ring I received from Kazunari-san, you know?」

「Oooooooooooooooooooooo!!!」

「If Satsukawa-san accepted this…」

「She’s wearing it on her ring finger!! So of course…」

「It means she’s really, truly going to marry Takanashi-kun, right!?」

The girls gathered their curiosity-filled gazes on Sara, full of excitement and heart-throbs…

On the other hand, the guys watched silently from the outside with expressions of despair…

Sara, in the middle of it all, wore a smile full of happiness… and gave a small nod.

「Yes. Though it is a little ways off… I will officially marry Kazunari-san.」

「…………」

「……」

「…」

「「KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!」」

「「GWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!」

Without a shred of doubt, declaring it as if it were only natural.

Sara said it clearly and effortlessly, an impactful statement that didn’t sound like it came from a high schooler.

Well, it’s Sara, so I guess it’s as natural as it gets.

「Congratulations, Satsukawa-san!!!!」

「’Marriage’… the sound of it is amazing, right!!」

「I definitely want an invitation to the wedding!!」

「Satsukawa-san in a wedding dress… whoa, just imagining it is a masterpiece!!」

「And Takanashi-kun gets it all to himself!!」

「Don’t say that to them! The boys are already in tears as it is.」

「「UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!」」

I mean, the contrast between the boys and the girls is just too much.

Heaven and hell… maybe that’s not quite right, but the structure is that the more the girls get excited, the more the boys fall into despair.

「Oh, right!! Hey Satsukawa-san, is it really true that you’re living with Takanashi-kun!!??」

「Yes. We are living together, just the two of us.」

「WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!! REALLY!!??」

「L-Like, just the two of you completely alone!?」

「KYAAAAAAA!! AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!」

「I-Isn’t living with a boy tough in lots of ways!? Like, those various things… mainly those various things!!!」

「No, I have never once thought it was tough. Besides, our current life is partly a rehearsal for our future marriage… so if anything were to happen, I would be happy to accept it.」

「「YOU’D ACCEPT IT IF SOMETHING HAPPENED!!!!????」」

「Eh? Y-Yes… of course. I want to do everything I am capable of for Kazunari-san…」

「「YOU’D DO EVERYTHING FOR HIM!!!!????」」

Aah… she said something a bit suggestive again…

Of course, I know perfectly well that Sara doesn’t mean anything deep by it. But I’m the only one here who understands that, so saying stuff like that naturally…

I mean, the conversation is slightly out of sync… are these guys intentionally rewriting Sara’s lines in their heads?

「KYAAAAA!! Satsukawa-san, how bold!!」

「Th-That’s right!! Since they’re living together on the premise of marriage…」

「And Takanashi-kun can take responsibility, so it’s no problem!?」

「S-So Satsukawa-san was a girl after all… no, a woman!!!」

「S-Satsukawa-san… Satsukawa-san is…!!!!!!!!!!」

「Noooooooo!! I don’t want to hear any moreeeee!!!!」

「Give up… just give up… uuuu…」

「DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!!」

「Um…?」

On the other hand, Sara doesn’t understand why everyone is making such a fuss (or why it’s a disaster for the boys), so she just looks blank and a bit bewildered.

Hmm…

At this rate, it looks like Takanashi-kun is going to end up in a pitiful state too, so maybe I should stop them out of a sense of mercy.

Since they’ve completely forgotten about the talk regarding me by now…

「Come on, that’s enough. You’re bothering Sara!!」

「N-Natsumi!?」

「Wait, what’s with you all of a sudden!?」

「You guys are sticking your noses into their private business way too much!!」

「Eeeeh… but we still have so much we want to ask.」

「It’s fine. We don’t intend to touch on such sensitive topics!」

「Exactly… like the late-night stories…」

「I want to hear!!! I actually want to hear those!!!」

「Listen…」

Well, they’re at that age… I can’t say I don’t understand them being curious about those topics.

But those two really don’t have anything going on, so asking is probably pointless. Especially since Takanashi-kun’s face gives it away immediately, you can tell「there’s nothing yet」even if you don’t want to… though to be honest, I’m curious about something in a different sense… wait, not that!!

「Anyway, no more…」

Rattle, rattle, rattle!!

「Alright, stop making a noise and get to your seats right now!!」

「「Eh!?」」

The door opened suddenly with a loud sound, and in walked our homeroom teacher, Kasahara-sensei (single).

It’s not even time for homeroom, and the warning bell hasn’t even rung yet… why today?

「Sensei, isn’t it way too early…」

「That’s right, we haven’t finished talking yet…」

「I received a report that this class was exceptionally noisy! Just sit down.」

「…Okaaaaay.」

「…Understooood.」

Under sensei’s undeniable force, my classmates reluctantly returned to their seats.

I’m not sure what just happened, but I guess things worked out… maybe?

「…Regarding the school newspaper at the entrance and what you’re all making a fuss about, I know. You probably have things you want to ask them, but don’t go prying too much…」

「Sensei!! Putting it like that, does it mean Satsukawa-san and Takanashi-kun living together is okay with the school!?」

「…This is a private matter, so we will not accept any inquiries from anyone other than those involved. However, formal permission has been granted by the school.」

「Whoa, really!?」

「School-approved cohabitation!?」

「Darn, as expected of fiancés!!!」

「Alright, quiet down!! Anyway, prying unnecessarily into Satsukawa-san and Takanashi-kun’s matter is forbidden. If excessive behavior is confirmed, the school will intervene, so keep that in mind.」

「Whaaaaa!?」

「Why go that far!?」

…That was a bit of a surprise.

I figured it would be fine by tacit understanding, but I didn’t think it was officially approved. Sara’s Dad… the influence of the Saba Group’s next Chairman is no joke.

And for the teacher to bring that up as soon as he got to the classroom… could the reason he came early actually be to provide cover for Sara?

Hmm?

「Haa… fine. Let’s put Satsukawa-san’s matter aside for now and start with Natsumi.」

「Yuri!! Don’t dig that back up…」

「That’s right!! We still have Natsumi-chan’s sweet and embarrassing stories, don’t we!!」

「Mufufufu, I really want to hear how the princess carry felt…」

「Wait!?」

Crap… this is the pattern where everything focuses on me!?

「You can talk about Yuzuki-san all you want during break. More importantly, let’s start homeroom.」

「「Okaaaaaay.」」

「’More importantly’!?」

Under the collective stares of the hyenas with their nasty smirks… I feel a sense of danger far greater than before.

Plus, sensei is taking a stance of complete indifference, totally different from when it was about Sara…

I mean… why does it always happen to me!?