In the middle of the classroom—almost dead center—was a large cluster of students.
The royalty of the Fashion Department’s first-year students: Azusa Harajuku, and her entourage.
“Azu! I saw your stream yesterday. You’ll be participating in an event in France next month, right?”
“By invitation only, right? That’s amazing for a high school student to get an invite!”
“The end-of-term exam sounds like it’s just a formality for you at this point! You’re the best of the best!”
The schoolgirls were all praising Azusa Harajuku.
Harajuku smiled modestly as she was being showered with praise.
“Oh, come on. Don’t make such a fuss! You’re gonna make me blush, you know?”
It didn’t seem like she was just saying it. Her cheeks really were red, and her hands were fluttering.
Despite the hot weather, she was wearing long sleeves and a long skirt, so my first thought was that she was just suffering from heatstroke, but… Nope, that was definitely a blush of embarrassment.
The way she spoke, her clothes, and her long, flaxen-colored hair combined to create the atmosphere of a mature older-sister type, but the way she blushed so easily made her seem like a small child at the same time. An interesting contrast.
Was it natural? Or calculated? I’d prefer the latter. That way, it made more sense to me. To naturally be this good at deflecting praise… That made me suspicious. I’d never be able to trust a woman again. Although I don’t really trust anyone to begin with, regardless of gender.
“Besides, I’m not underestimating the final exam. This school’s full of rivals, and any one of them could give me a real run for my money.”
She placed a hand on her full chest, her outfit showing off her curves even without exposing a lot of skin.
“Each design is like a precious child to me. Whether it’s for the end-of-term exam or for an event, I’m going to pour my love into each piece equally.”
“Oh! A goddess!”
“Bewitching and charming like a sorceress, and pure like a goddess. The Enchantress with Two Faces!”
“Oh, please, stop it… You’re embarrassing me…”
Harajuku blushed and looked down, surrounded by the excited crowd of girls.
…Azusa Harajuku wasn’t the sort of character I thought she was.
From the streams, I thought she was a sleazy Minato Ward–dwelling rich bitch, but in person, my impression of her was the exact opposite.
Modest, but with the level of talent to not even need modesty…
“She may be even more of a goddess than you, Shibuya.”
“Huh? If you’re trying to diss me, then speak up! Don’t mumble!”
“Gah! Keep your voice down!”
“Huh? You’re one to talk! You bellow as loud as Gian from Doraemon!”
“I wasn’t saying anything!”
Hmm, Komae often says the same thing to me when we argue. Like some kind of catchphrase.
Our loud, silly arguing seemed to have caught the attention of the other students, and before I knew what was happening, every eye had turned to look at us.
Having so many stylish girls staring at me made my pulse quicken.
It’s been a while since I’ve been in this type of social situation. I’ve only focused on Shiika since we entered this school. So I haven’t really been aware of it, but my social skills truly suck, second only to maybe Shiika’s.
“Wh-what now, Shibuya? Your loud bellowing has drawn attention to us!”
“Don’t go blaming it on me! Anyway, we came here to talk to Azusa Harajuku, so we have to make ourselves known at some point!”
“Your logic hurts! Can’t you try to spare my feelings a little bit more?”
“Oh, shut up. Look, let’s just go make our pitch. We’re causing a disturbance here.”
Shibuya peered into the classroom.
Harajuku, like the other students, was blinking her eyes at the strange visitors.
“Harajuku, can we have a minute?” Shibuya asked.
“Huh? Yes. Do you need something from me?”
Shibuya weaved through the throng of students to stand in front of Harajuku.
Harajuku looked dubious for a moment, confronted by this strange duo… But she soon recovered her gentle smile.
“We are students of the Music Department, and—”
“Erio Shibuya…isn’t it?”
“Er, yes… You know of me?”
“Of course. I know all the notable students from every department… But I don’t know who this boy is. I’m so sorry; it’s an embarrassing gap in my knowledge.”
“…Ah, please don’t worry yourself on my account. I’m actually kind of an irregularity at this school. A black-suited figure behind the scenes. Please just forget I’m even here.”
“Okay… Not sure what that’s about, but anyway… If the top student in the Music Department has something to discuss with me, it’s got to be regarding…the final exam?”
“Good, good, we can cut to the chase. How about teaming up with us?”
A straight fireball. No beating around the bush.
Shibuya’s fighting technique was formidable. It cut straight through to her opponent’s chest, no hint of hesitation.
I was supposed to be the manager, pulling all the strings behind the scenes and setting things up. But I’d been carried, yet again, by the power of another. Of course, I wasn’t regretting it. If Shibuya could sweet-talk her way to the solution we wanted, it would be less trouble for me. After all, I’m here to live life on easy street.
“We’ve formed a team of me, Nokia Komae, Shiika Ikebukuro, and Mana Akihabara. And this guy here is Shiika’s older brother, Gakuto. Scouted by Tennouzu himself! He has no particular talent of his own, and he’s older than us, but since he’s Shiika’s manager, he also attends classes as a first-year student.”
“Scouted…?! By THE Tennouzu? I heard the rumors, but to think… Wow!”