Nishizawa and Makoto sat on the left by the window, while Olivia and Rin occupied the right.
And at the edge of the table near the clubroom door, there was an empty chair.
In front of it, a nameplate reading “Kim Deok-Sung” in katakana lay flat.
Looks like it’s my designated spot.
A banner crudely scribbled in crayon read “[Kyoto Training After-Party]” on the wall of the clubroom.
On the table, several 1.5-liter cola bottles sat, along with heaps of cookies and snacks piled high on disposable plates.
“Sit there, Junior. I’ve specially prepared a spot for you.”
Thud.
I closed the clubroom door and settled into my designated seat.
The whole table came into view.
“Well, since you’ve arrived, let the after-party begin… But first, I have something to say.”
Kasumi’s words drew everyone’s attention.
She placed her hand over her heart and spoke.
“Junior, Miss Bonaparte, Miss Kamiya, Miss Nishizawa, and Miss Shinozaki. Thank you all so much for everything. Even though I was a spy for the enemy… even though I was a bad person, you all still became my friends… Even after everything was revealed, you told me it was okay… I truly appreciate it.”
Kasumi’s voice trembled.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
She pulled out a handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
Almost like a line straight from the original work.
As her words ended, a brief silence followed.
“Hmph. There’s no need to thank me for something so obvious!”
Olivia broke the silence.
She crossed her arms and huffed.
“It’s nothing special. Hoshino-senpai, no need for thanks as Bonaparte said.”
Rin then chimed in after Olivia.
“Yeah, yeah! Hoshino-senpai did nothing wrong. The bad ones are the villains! Eri-ling will take care of all those bad guys!”
“Hoshino-senpai, don’t feel too guilty. There’s no need for that.”
Nishizawa and Makoto offered words of comfort.
A classic light novel moment, everyone kindly sharing their thoughts.
Crunch.
I silently nibbled on the chocolate chip cookie in front of me.
Pretty tasty cookie.
“Thanks to you juniors, I was able to not feel alone. I was able to endure. Thank you for saving me… Thank you. Now, I’m not alone anymore. With Rena and such reliable juniors by my side, so…”
Kasumi wiggled her fingers.
She looked at us with a determined expression, suggesting she had made a significant decision.
“I think it’s time to dissolve the reading club. It was never an official club activity, just a ghost activity. Keeping it longer would just inconvenience the academy. Now I… don’t need the reading club because I have juniors I trust.”
Just as she was about to create a heartfelt moment with something akin to a line from the original, it was the perfect timing.
Thud.
I lightly tapped the table.
The mood momentarily broke.
“…Junior?”
Everyone’s gaze, including Kasumi’s, turned toward me.
Feeling their eyes on me, I spoke up.
“I oppose the dissolution of the club.”
“…Y-You oppose? Why?”
“Because it’s needed. Your club is.”
“I need it because it’s your club activity.”
To me.
As I swallowed the follow-up words and blurted out what I had to say in that moment.
Hoshino Kasumi’s face flushed at my words.
Swish.
She quickly grabbed a book from the table and held it up to cover her face.
“Ho, hooee…”
A strange exclamation slipped out of Kasumi-senpai’s mouth.
Is she doing that again? I can’t take it anymore.
Cool Guy? Where did she learn that?
Kasumi-senpai’s hands trembled as she hid her face behind the book.
In a shy voice, she said, “J-Junior… if you suddenly say something so bold… I… I get all flustered… You’re a bad boy, Junior…”
“What nonsense are you imagining?”
Why is everyone so ready to explode?
[It’s your fault. Partner. Let’s just settle on it being your fault.]
‘Maybe you should just shut up.’
[Tsk tsk. Well, pretending not to know might be better. Come to think of it, you seem to be doing well. Let’s keep it that way. Don’t forget that His Black Highness is watching.]
Ignoring the Black Prince’s annoying interruption ringing in my head, I said, “Anyway, we can’t abolish the club activities.”
“Is there a reason for that…?”
Kasumi-senpai asked.
The gaze of the other girls turned toward me as well.
Taking a deep breath under their scrutiny.
As always, in this kind world, convincing someone doesn’t require a brilliant argument or great effort.
You just have to go with the, “I believe in you!” vibe.
‘The problem is, saying something about trust is super embarrassing…’
Unlike in the early days of being possessed, I’ve pretty much gotten used to this damn crazy light novel world by now.
Most light novel situations can be dealt with effortlessly; I can just grumble internally while letting them slide.
Humans really are creatures of adaptation.
But when it comes to actually speaking lines, the situation is a bit different.
Even if it’s for a necessity, how can a person say such things out loud…?
[What’s embarrassing about it? Confirming trust and bonds is the flower of human relationships. Partner, how have you lived to be that jaded?]
The Black Prince suddenly chimed in.
Confirming trust and bonds, huh?
How can he only pick the cringeworthy words, no matter how he puts it?
That’s a talent too.
‘Shut up. What do you want me to do about it being cringy?’
[You say it’s cringy? Because of that cool-guy trend, proper emotional exchanges are disappearing. This low-trust, low-credit society is quite a problem, partner.]
‘Cool Guy? Where did you learn that phrase?’
[From the Korean internet that you browse. Since becoming a spirit, I could understand other countries’ scripts and languages. It’s one of the few perks.]
‘What a predicament.’
A spirit using the internet in this world, huh?
This is the end times, for sure.
[Anyway, you should convey your true feelings to the girls. Partner, stop deflecting.]
‘It’s not my true feelings!’
Does anyone think I’m doing this because I want to?
[Deflecting. Partner, you’re not acting like a man here. Let’s go with some courage.]
Ignoring the Black Prince’s words, I awkwardly stammered a response.
“I can’t just abolish the club activities, which are filled with memories shared with everyone, including you, senpai… So I oppose it.”
Aaaagh!
My hands and feet.
I really can’t take the cringe.
[Well done. Partner.]
The Black Prince complimented me.
“J-Junior…”
Kasumi-senpai’s eyes shimmered with tears.
“I’m really moved… Junior, you truly are a bad but kind person.”
No way, how does she flip her decision like a hot pancake after hearing such nonsense?
‘This is why blind trust is dangerous.’
At this point, it’s beyond convenient and a bit scary.
In a world where one word of belief gives away everything, including organs.
Is this some sort of Choco Pie bond?
[Between friends, this is only natural. Isn’t it too much to think you’re so distrustful of humans, partner?]
“Hey you?”
‘It’s an important moment, so could you please be quiet?’
“Sure. Well, if my partner wants it that way.”
The Black Prince shuts his mouth.
Hoshino Kasumi wipes her tears and puts down the book she was using to hide her face.
“Alright. We’ll pretend this revival club doesn’t exist. Everyone else is on board with this, right?”
She says with a smile.
“Well, I’m not particularly interested or inclined, but… I suppose I have to agree to stay by his side to fulfill my duty as his exclusive maid. Just know it’s an honor!”
“Married couples stick together. A wife can’t oppose her husband’s pursuits. I fully support it, Hoshino-senpai.”
“Eri-ling always agrees with whatever Master says! I want to do anything he orders! Even doing nighttime service!”
“Um, I also agree… Because I need to be by my lord’s side to protect him…”
The girls, sounding dazed, wholeheartedly support the continuation of the club.
Objective achieved!
“But junior. To keep the club going, we need to upgrade the reading club from a temporary activity to an official one… To become an official club, we have to change the club’s theme. The reading club overlaps with the literary club… We also need to find a faculty advisor… Yeah.”
Hoshino-senpai says cautiously.
“And we need more members. About two more… Plus, we can’t upgrade right away; we have to go through student council approval…”
As she counts on her fingers, Hoshino-senpai continues.
“How oddly realistic. Hoshino-senpai.”
A heavy silence follows her words.
Makoto speaks carefully.
True that.
Unexpectedly realistic in situations like this, huh? I thought you’d be all “hoho” and “heh” like a flower garden in your head.
[Hoshino Kasumi, that girl, is quite meticulous, huh? She would be good at managing a household.]
The Black Prince starts to ramble.
Ignoring him, I say, “I’ll handle all of that. You focus on changing the club’s theme.”
We can’t establish overlapping clubs.
As Hoshino-senpai stated, the reading club’s theme overlaps with the literary club, so to upgrade to an official one, we need to change the theme.
“So, what would be a good theme? What do you juniors think?”
Hoshino-senpai ponders while touching her lips and looks around the table, asking.
“Senpai, are you okay with the reading club not being a reading club anymore?”
Makoto tentatively asks.
“Yeah. Kamiya, I’m okay. As long as I’m with you juniors, I don’t mind the theme at all. I can read books by myself, right? I’ve made many friends aside from books now… so it’s fine.”
Hoshino-senpai smiles shyly while handling the book.
“Wow… Hoshino-senpai, you seemed really grown-up just now. A bit cool, maybe?”
Nishizawa covers her mouth in admiration while looking at Hoshino.
“Senpai… that was amazing.”
Rin follows up with a mumble of admiration.
“Hmph. I was just stating the obvious, why is everyone so moved? Don’t you all have any pride?”
Bang bang.
Olivia slams her hand on the table.
Wait, why’s pride coming up here?
“Hehe. I’m glad everyone thinks well of me. So, what club activities do you all want to do?”
“…I would like the kendo club.”
The first to raise her hand is Rin.
She says.
“Cow. That one already exists, you know? Don’t you even know what clubs we have at our academy? How pathetic.”
“Ugh…”
Rin bites her lip at Nishizawa’s jab.
She looks at Nishizawa and says, “…Then, how about a laundry board? What do you want to do?”
“Me? Hmm. Eri-ling likes the cooking club. I’m a bit dissatisfied that there isn’t one in the academy. Cooking is essential for a woman’s charm and the quality of a good wife, right? Don’t you think so, Makopi?”
Nishizawa directs her gaze at Makoto.
“Ah, yeah. That’s right. Nishizawa, I also think your idea is good.”
Makoto nods in agreement.
Nishizawa, having received Makoto’s support, turns her head toward Olivia.
“What about you, princess? What do you think?”
“Is it a joke?”
“Well… it’s not a bad idea for someone like you from the common folk.”
Olivia huffs and turns her head. That means it’s good by her standards.
“Cow. What do you think? Are you just going to keep it in mind?”
“….Ugh. It’s frustrating… But you’re not wrong that cooking is the essence of femininity… I can’t argue with that. I have to admit defeat. Nishizawa.”
Rin bites her lip and responds to Nishizawa.
“Alright. Master! Master, you’d like the cooking club too, right? Right?”
Nishizawa’s eyes sparkle uncomfortably.
Honestly, I don’t care whether it’s the cooking club or whatever.
As long as it’s not something physical like the kendo club, I’m good.
‘Physical activities are such a hassle.’
[Hey, partner. You shouldn’t find it bothersome. This is why your training is lacking. Tsk tsk. Don’t you know that a drop of sweat in practice saves a drop of blood in battle?]
‘What’s with the nagging? Are you my mom…?’
Having thought that far, I stopped my thoughts.
The word “mom” had unintentionally made me think of my original world.
Concerns about my family’s situation and parents flood my mind like waves.
‘No, enough of that.’
[Partner… Yeah. Seems like there’s a reason. Sorry for bringing it up.]
The Black Prince suddenly adopts a lower stance.
‘If you understood, just be quiet for a change.’
The Black Prince doesn’t respond.
Now that feels a bit better.
“Master?”
Nishizawa tilts her head.
“I don’t care, so do whatever you want.”
“Got it! Senpai, how about Hoshino Senpai joining the cooking club?”
“The cooking club. The essence of femininity… Okay. I’ll go with that too. Nishizawa.”
Senpai Kasumi nods, and the discussion about changing club activities wraps up.
Senpai Kasumi places her finger on her mouth, tilting her head and saying,
“Now we just need to find an advisor and two club members… Junior, can you handle it alone? Or should I help you?”
“Hoshino Senpai! That’s unfair! Kim Deok-Sung, I’ll help you! This time, I’ll prove that I’m the wife who truly supports you!”
“Master! This time, you’re bringing Eri-Ling, right? Huh? Right? I’m looking forward to it!”
“Lord, I want to stand by your side too… I want to be the sword that helps you.”
“Everyone, be quiet! That seat next to him obviously belongs to me, Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte, his exclusive maid! It’s obviously mine! Right? You?”
Five pairs of eyes turn toward me.
[You’re quite the sinful man, partner.]
The Black Prince’s comment gives me a headache.
Sinful? Please.
Where does one find someone who can live without the law like me?
If I had to point out my sins, it would only be filial piety.
Ah, that’s why I fell into this crazy world.
‘Damn it.’
I press my temples and stand up.
“I’ll just go alone and sort everything out, so everyone stay here. Behave. Don’t go anywhere.”
With the Black Prince around, I’d rather just go by myself than drag him along.
I release a long sigh internally and prepare my mind for the impending flood of nonsense remarks.
There’s no way they’re just going to let it slide with one sentence.
They’re sure to babble on with useless arguments.
The headache caused by the Black Prince earlier is already intensifying again.
[Oh, partner. That was pretty manly just now, wasn’t it?]
Just as I thought the Black Prince was going to start with the nonsense again.
“Ah, fine. Junior, if you say so…”
Senpai Kasumi starts to cover her face with a book.
“Eri-Ling, I’ll follow Master’s lead. Master might have looked a bit cooler than usual just now?”
Nishizawa beams with a smile.
“Very manly… Kim Deok-Sung. I… No, never mind. Ah, nothing.”
With a red face, Rin shakes her head while Makoto next to her nods.
“Alright. I’ll obey the Lord’s command.”
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