Aris’s pink lips tremble slightly.
[Partner, you’re in a pinch again.]
The voice of the Black Prince echoes.
The stomachache I just managed to settle starts bothering me again.
Damn it.
Is this what they mean by bad timing?
The girl I love is invincible, after all.
Aris’s cheeks quiver.
In Ikebukuro, her eyes catch the sight of Makoto and Kim Deok-Sung sticking together like lovers.
Kim Deok-Sung.
Aris knew that the number of girls in his circle was substantial.
The nickname Black Beast didn’t come about for no reason.
But knowing it in my head and experiencing it firsthand are two different things.
Emotions run wild.
My head is heating up.
Bubbles of anger.
I feel sick.
I don’t like seeing him cozy up with another girl.
“Huh?”
Kim Deok-Sung replies blankly.
“Was your reason for skipping training today due to this scoundrelly inter-gender relationship?”
Aris’s silver eyes fixate on Kim Deok-Sung.
Her lips tremble.
Jealousy rises from deep within her heart.
I actually want to be alone with him like that too…
As her thoughts reach that point, Aris bites her lip.
“This is inappropriate! Mr. Kim Deok-Sung!”
Pointing her finger at Makoto and Kim Deok-Sung, Aris declares.
“No, it’s not just Mr. Kim Deok-Sung that’s the issue. Kamiya! Who on earth told you to go outside and engage in such… inappropriate relations!?”
Aris’s hands tremble.
“Disorderly conduct is absolutely unacceptable! As the Student Council President of Shuo!”
Right.
This is purely an obligation as the Student Council President.
It’s definitely not jealousy, no way!
Just because I feel ugly jealousy seeing a first-year dating him, a senior in the third year, is nothing, right?
At that moment, while Aris was rationalizing herself.
“Ugh…”
Swish.
Makoto hides behind Kim Deok-Sung.
Her face turns red.
As a sword, she must protect her master.
But her feet and mouth won’t move.
[Kamiya.]
Han Seo-Jin’s voice echoes in her ear.
[Step forward. This is the chance to score points with Mr. Kim Deok-Sung.]
[Seo-Jin is right. Makoppi, if you want to show your true feelings to our Master, you need to step up now.]
Eri’s voice pierces through Makoto’s mind.
[The rules of Shuo Academy do not prohibit engagements between genders, Kamiya Makoto. What you’re hearing now is just the absurdity of Student Council President Saionji Aris. Because she is one of the women who secretly admires Mr. Kim Deok-Sung as well. If you point that out, she’ll back down.]
Saionji Aris is just being stubborn. After all, she’s one of the women who has feelings for Mr. Kim Deok-Sung. If I point that out, she’ll back down.
Han Seo-Jin’s realistic advice echoes in Makoto’s ears.
“I can’t keep retreating. Makopi’s true feelings aren’t just that, right? There’s no need to be afraid of the Student Council President. Eri’s friend Makopi isn’t that kind of person, and the girl you love is invincible!”
The girl you love is invincible.
At Eri’s words, Makoto’s heart races.
Her chest settles quietly.
Yeah, they’re right.
With all this support and encouragement, how could I hide behind my lord in shame?
That’s nonsense.
Makoto bites her lip.
She rushes out from behind Kim Deok-Sung, blocking the space between Aris and him.
“Um, President!”
“Do you have something to say, Kamiya Makoto?”
The Student Council President’s silvery eyes focus on Makoto.
Makoto’s hands tremble.
“Hang in there, Makopi! Believe in yourself! Believe in love!”
“Kamiya-san. You can do it.”
Han Seo-Jin and Eri’s encouragement rings in her ears.
Makoto clenches her fist.
“W-whether I go on a date with my lord or not, what does that have to do with you, President?”
Zap.
Makoto’s green gaze collides with Aris’s silver one.
“What does it have to do with anything? That’s solely the Student Council President’s stance regarding the school’s decorum…”
“Isn’t there a rule at Shuo Academy prohibiting relationships between the opposite sex, President?”
Makoto spits out her words coldly.
Aris flinches.
That’s right.
There’s no rule at Shuo Academy against relationships.
It’s just regulations about maintaining decorum.
“Still, your actions…”
“Are you perhaps using the excuse of decorum to separate me from my lord, President?”
Swish.
Makoto links arms with Kim Deok-Sung.
Her large chest squishes against his arm.
Aris bites her lip at Makoto’s words.
She sees Makoto and him linked together.
“Ugh…”
Makoto’s words are the truth.
She can’t think of a proper counterargument.
“Or are you just ugly denying your own feelings towards my lord…”
“No! Absolutely not, I swear!”
Aris yells, cutting off Makoto.
Her silver eyes swirl like a storm.
Both of Aris’s fists clench tightly.
“I represent all students of Shuo Academy as Student Council President. There will absolutely be no personal involvement in my duties.”
She speaks as if justifying herself.
In contrast to her cold voice, her heart beats hotly.
Thud, thud.
“That means what you just said was just stubbornness, right, President?”
Makoto says, a faint smile forming on her lips.
I’m protecting my lord.
Makoto’s face turns a rosy shade.
“Ugh.”
Stubbornness.
Aris, pierced right in the heart, bites her lips again.
Despite being committed to the principle of fairness, she deeply feels within her that Makoto’s criticism is correct.
But she cannot admit it.
If she accepts Makoto’s criticism, she’ll also have to acknowledge the unknown feelings boiling inside her heart.
I feel like I have to acknowledge these mysterious emotions.
That can’t be.
As the Student Council President, she must always show a perfect image to everyone.
She can’t crumble here.
“That’s right. It’s not coercion. I was just… a little concerned about the students’ discipline. As the Student Council President.”
Aris awkwardly explains in a low voice while brushing her hair aside.
The initiative has completely shifted to Makoto.
[Good job! Makopi!]
[Well done, Kamiya Makoto.]
I can hear Eri and Han Seo-Jin’s praises.
Makoto clenches her fist.
“If you truly have no personal feelings toward the master, then I would appreciate it if you would stop meddling. Senior President.”
Swipe.
Makoto, who is openly clinging beside her and laughing lightly, makes Aris’s insides boil.
Sizzle.
Aris’s silver eyes turn toward Kim Deok-Sung.
“Mr. Kim Deok-Sung! You will pay for today’s missed training… with a few times more next time, so be prepared!”
Pointing her finger at Kim Deok-Sung, Aris says.
It’s not because she’s angry.
It’s definitely not because she’s jealous seeing him with a younger junior with a big chest while missing a date, or rather personal training.
It’s natural to make up for missed training.
“Yes, sure. I understand, Senior Saionji.”
“Mph…”
Aris bites her lip at Kim Deok-Sung’s response.
Senior Saionji.
It’s always a pleasant echo to hear.
In fact, she wants to be called ‘Senior Aris’ instead.
Second-year junior and head of the cooking club, Hoshino Kasumi, has already been called ‘Kasumi-senpai’ by him.
Even closer, as ‘A-chan’…
‘Not yet.’
Frustrating, but not yet.
That can’t be.
Because Saionji Aris is the Student Council President.
Aris shakes her head.
“Then I hope both of you spend your time healthily. Don’t forget that I’m watching.”
She hurriedly picks up a fallen envelope and rushes off.
If she stays here any longer, the emotions she has desperately suppressed to maintain her perfect Student Council President act might explode.
“Phew.”
Makoto sighs in relief as she watches Aris disappear.
[Good job! Makopi! You were the best today!]
[Kamiya Makoto. Now you should ask Mr. Kim Deok-Sung for a compliment.]
Hearing Eri’s encouragement and Han Seo-Jin’s request, Makoto uncrosses her arms and approaches Deok-Sung, sticking her head out.
“Master. I did well, right? Praise me. Pat my head… please…”
“What?”
Deok-Sung’s brows furrow.
Just then, Makoto, feeling a bit scared seeing his expression, hears a whisper.
[Makopi. You shouldn’t say it like that. If you act cutely, calling him ‘Makopi’, then the master will definitely pat your head.]
Eri’s suggestion rings in Makoto’s ears.
Thump.
Her heart races, and her face turns red.
Makoto looks down.
Her body sways.
Her large chest sways along with it.
“Ma, Makopi, pat my head, please!”
At Makoto’s words, Deok-Sung internally sighs.
All the eyes around them have been on this side for a while now.
“Oh my. What was that? A love quarrel?”
“That looks like the Shuo uniform.”
“Is that the infamous Black Beast?”
“A love battle in the middle of a bustling city, how youthful, truly youthful. Hehehe.”
“In the middle of a love fight, this is truly youth, isn’t it? Haha.”
“I feel sorry for the girl…”
Whispers from extras reach Kim Deok-Sung’s ears.
How embarrassing is this?
[Partner, you should fulfill the lady’s requests like a man, right?]
I have no intention of listening to the Black Prince, but if I leave it like this, she won’t budge an inch, so I have no choice.
With a sigh, Kim Deok-Sung places his hand on Makoto’s head.
“Okay, okay. Well done.”
The compliment lacks sincerity.
Yet, to Makoto, it was the highest praise.
Her heart raced, her face warmed, and her breathing tightened.
“Thank you… my lord.”
A smile bloomed on Makoto’s lips.
I did well to go on this date.
Thinking so, Makoto approached Kim Deok-Sung and linked her arm with his.
*
After the confrontation with Aris.
After touring the Sunshine Aquarium with Makoto and having dinner, we headed to the final destination, the Sunshine 60 observation deck.
The observation deck located on the top floor of the Sunshine 60 building, a landmark in Ikebukuro.
The night view of Tokyo from this observation deck, aptly named Sky Circus Sunshine, was quite magnificent.
It felt like a spectacle.
“Wow. It’s beautiful.”
Makoto gasped in awe.
Just like in the restaurant and the aquarium, there was strangely no one in sight at the observation deck.
At this point, one would have to be dense not to notice.
“Hey, Makoto.”
At my call, Makoto turned to look at me.
“About the restaurant, aquarium, and observation deck all being empty… Did you rent them out all by yourself?”
At my words, Makoto’s eyes flickered.
With a blushing face, she nodded.
“Geez.”
What am I supposed to say to this?
I thought she would deny it, but with her admitting it so readily, it feels rather odd.
Should I ask why she wasted her money so needlessly?
[Partner, it shows how great Miss Makoto’s affection is for you. Shouldn’t a man reciprocate?]
Reciprocate my foot.
“Yeah, well. Don’t do that next time. Stop wasting money unnecessarily…”
“It’s not unnecessary spending!”
Makoto retorted.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
Taking a step, Makoto approached me.
“It’s to look good in front of my lord… I know that I’m less charming than Shinozaki-san, Bonaparte-san, and Nishizawa-san…”
Makoto bit her lip.
“But still… even though I’m a girl who acts like a guy, or someone who’s dull, I wanted to appeal to you like this. It’s just that… I don’t want to be left behind…”
Makoto lowered her head.
There was a quiver in her voice.
Seeing her suddenly switch from “watashi” to “boku” after acting so conscious until now stabs at my heart.
Drip, drip.
Tears flowed from Makoto’s eyes.
[Hey, partner. Are you really going to leave a lady crying like that?]
The Black Prince’s voice buzzed annoyingly in my head.
What am I supposed to do?
What a dilemma.
Should I be glad there’s no one around?
[At least pat her head. Partner, it seemed like she liked that.]
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