“But I’m relieved. Even for you, [Living under one roof with a cute step-sister ♪] is impossible. God has not abandoned us!”
“You read too much manga. What’s with this obsession with step-sisters…?”
“You just don’t get it! The romance of being called ‘Onii-chan ♡’ by a cute sister who adores you unconditionally!”
“As someone who actually has a sister, I seriously don’t even want to understand…”
Izumi was thoroughly put off by the hidden fetish of a male friend he thought he was quite close with. It was at a level where he was considering reevaluating their friendship.
While he was thinking that, Nanao (who was walking beside him in an extremely natural position) said, as if remembering something.
“Ah, but Izumi-kun. You said Kasumi-chan was staying at the apartment the other day, so what happened after that?”
“Eh? Ah, she’s still at my place. There’s only one bedroom, and it must be inconvenient for the family car to make a detour to pick her up…”
“Fufu. So she really wants to be with her brother after all?”
“No, it’s seriously not that kind of atmosphere. She’s harsh on me, and because of her daily rhythm, I’m forced to wake up an hour earlier than usual… Hmm?”
He noticed the atmosphere around him change.
Turning around, he saw Satou staring at him with a face completely devoid of emotion.
“…Izumi. Didn’t you say you were kicked out of your parents’ house and were living alone?”
“Eh? Ah, yeah. But since last week, Kasumi has been staying at my room. Apparently, she’s monitoring my messy private life. Though she can’t even prepare her own meals… Hey, Satou? Why are you looking at me with murderous intent? Also, Amane, why are you grabbing my arm? Hey, what are you guys planning to do by making sure I can’t escape…”
Izumi finally realized his slip of the tongue, but his path of retreat was already blocked by the boys (including Amane).
At Satou’s command, the classmates who had restrained Izumi began dragging him away.
“Take this Rom-Com Minister away∼∼∼∼!!”
“Why∼∼∼∼∼!?”
Watching the noisy procession, Nanao blinked.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have said that…?”
“Kufufu. It’s nice that things are so lively around Izumi-sama∼”
The two of them smiled wryly and hurriedly chased after them.
💣💣💣
And so, in the Student Council room.
Two peerless beauties sat across from each other at a large table.
Shiragiku Hakua, the [Ice Princess].
Sumie Kasumi, [The Black Rose].
The women who could be called the brains of their respective academies were facing each other with gentle smiles.
—A cold bargaining session between women was quietly unfolding.
Hakua opened the discussion while looking through the documents.
“Regarding the project proposed by your school this time…”
The documents.
—A [Goodwill Exchange Meeting] between the two schools.
A [Goodwill Exchange Meeting] suddenly proposed by Seirin Girls’ Academy.
Wary of what it might be, it turned out to be a proposal to “Hold the autumn school festival jointly between both schools.”
She had read the documents sent a few days ago repeatedly, but found nothing suspicious. She even had her subordinates scrutinize it for any hidden codes… but as expected, she couldn’t sense any ulterior motives regarding Shiragiku Confectionery or its related companies.
(What is the meaning of this? Could it be that they really just want to do the school festival together?)
Still, it was incomprehensible.
Seirin Girls’ Academy.
A prestigious, formal school. While their academics were excellent, in this day and age, it was a place where that formality was their only saving grace. Because they had a tendency to naturally look down on other schools, there was no information suggesting they had ever done anything jointly before.
And now, a joint school festival with this academy?
It was true that the distance was relatively short. The location was convenient, but she didn’t understand why they would choose this academy, which had no merit other than its free-spirited school culture. To be blunt, there were many idiots like Satou, so there was also the concern that it might have a bad influence on the young ladies.
(Above all, since the proposer is this Sumie Kasumi, there’s no way there isn’t something behind it…)
It was so baffling that it was almost more realistic to suspect some fantasy story about Tokugawa’s buried treasure being hidden under the academy and them moving to recover it.
(Normally, the standard move for a mysterious offer like this is to decline… but the teachers have gotten all excited about it… Haa.)
For now, Hakua put on her “public” beautiful smile. It was the “divine sculpture” smile she used when acting as the future leader of the Shiragiku family, or when she lived up to her alias as the [Ice Princess].
“As I mentioned in our written correspondence, this proposal is more than we could have ever hoped for. We look forward to working with you.”
Then, Kasumi smiled.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.GITHUB.IO
She wore a smile so divine it seemed she had completely forgotten her usual behavior. The change was so drastic it felt more realistic to suspect she was a different person who just happened to share the same face.
“Thank you very much. As the first step in our two schools coming together, let us ensure its success.”
Both girls rose from their folding chairs and stepped toward each other in front of the table. They grasped each other’s hands firmly.
It was a scene of utter tranquility.
They radiated a godlike aura, as if it were a celestial banquet of goddesses. In this cold modern era, a masterpiece had been born—one that would surely be passed down to future generations.
Before they knew it, the student council members were moved to tears. Simultaneously, their bodies moved on their own, breaking into spontaneous applause. It was a bizarre sight, yet they felt as if this was the only natural response.
Standing upon this divine stage, Kasumi suddenly spoke.
“That reminds me. Now that you have accepted the proposal, I have one request…”
According to what she casually mentioned next…
“During the preparation period leading up to the cultural festival—I would like you to grant our student council members unrestricted access to your school.“
At this unexpected condition, Hakua’s face instinctively stiffened.
“—!?”
But her agitation lasted only a second.
After a single blink, her expression returned to her usual 【Ice Princess】 persona. With an extremely calm demeanor, she questioned the true intent behind Kasumi’s condition.
“Unrestricted… you say?”
“Exactly as it sounds. We will be coming and going for meetings, and I believe it would be best to grasp the layout of this academy. Furthermore, to deepen our friendship, I believe it is necessary to mingle with the general students beforehand, rather than just the student council members…”
Kasumi rattled off her points smoothly, as if she had prepared them well in advance.
Finally, she let out a small, enchanting chuckle. In that moment, she looked like a spider incarnate, watching a prey that had just wandered into her trap.
“Requesting permission from the academy every single time would be quite inefficient, wouldn’t it?”
“…………”
Hakua realized it.
The true purpose of this [Goodwill Exchange Meeting] was to secure this specific promise. Kasumi likely intended to use this free access to achieve something else entirely.
But the problem was that “something else.”
While maintaining a serene mask, Hakua’s brain began spinning at the speed of light. She considered every element, refusing to dismiss even the most absurd conclusions. She knew from experience that a small lapse in judgment could lead to catastrophic losses.
The right to infiltrate this academy. What on earth was she planning to do with it? Even with Hakua’s intellect, she couldn’t see through it. This was just a normal high school. From its founding to… no, even going back to ancient times, there shouldn’t be anything Sumie Kasumi would want here.
(Sumie Kasumi… what an eerie woman…)
Hakua felt a surge of fear.
The small girl standing before her felt like a massive, incomprehensible entity. No opponent—not even her beloved father—had ever planted such fear in Hakua. Behind her smile, her back was drenched in a cold, unpleasant sweat.
However, she could not back down here.
For she was Hakua Shiragiku. As the future leader of Shiragiku Confectionery… and as Izumi’s future spouse! She could never surrender to an enemy. On her shoulders rested the happiness of tens of thousands of families. And the happy future she planned to spend with Izumi!
(Fine. I shall play along with your game!)
Hakua replied with a smile so pure it hid any trace of her inner turmoil.
Visit the request page If there’s a Japanese Light Novel (LN) or Web Novel (WN) you’d like me to translate
When the donation goal progress bar above hit 100% one novel will be chosen for translation
| Table of Contents | Next* |
Support the Author by Buying the Original Books!
