“I can’t help but agree with the washing board’s words this time. Deok-Sung, you’re definitely a tsundere.”
Then Rin chimes in.
“The junior guy is a bad boy trampling on a girl’s pure heart, but his inability to be honest is kind of cute.”
Kasumi-senpai’s face flushes.
What on earth are they talking about?
Isn’t this some sort of historical distortion?
Just when I was about to say something in disbelief.
“Master, I know.”
Makoto looks at me with sparkling eyes.
“Master, deep down, you want to talk kindly to us, but you’re just a shy tsundere who acts grumpy on the outside. This anime just reflects your ‘inner thoughts.’”
Makoto surprisingly speaks confidently, breaking away from her usual shy demeanor.
[Oh, Kamiya’s words are spot on, partner. I don’t see any serious distortion either.]
The Black Prince agrees with Makoto.
“Makopi’s right! Master, although your words are rough, the truth is that you’re a kind person. Eri knows that! Hehe. You’re prickly on the outside but warm on the inside, that’s your charm, Master!”
Wink.
Eri gives a wink.
Her cat ears perk up.
“Hmm, yes, Deok-Sung. There’s no need to be so shy. We already know your true feelings, so let’s be honest for this moment.”
Rin coughs, blushing as she speaks.
Whose true feelings do they think they know?
My head is spinning.
When did I become this kind of character?
Where did it all go wrong?
An unnecessarily warm atmosphere flows in the classroom.
I turn my gaze to Olivia.
If the tsundere Olivia were here, she would surely break this uncomfortably warm atmosphere with a classic tsundere line.
“······Hmph. At least we know that idiot much better than that arrogant little girl! Among us, the one closest to that fool is none other than his exclusive maid, Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte! Do you understand, Kurosawa Haru?!”
Chic.
Olivia places her hand on her chest, pointing at Haru.
Wait, why is the fireball flying over there?
Haru, seeing this, covers her mouth and laughs.
“Hehe? Big sisters, is this anime really made to deal with me? It’s super funny. Nishishishi.”
“Hmph. You’re just an immature little girl with no worth being cautious of, this anime was simply made to show you the gap resulting from the strong bond between us and that fool!”
Chic.
Olivia points at Haru again.
At Olivia’s words, Rin, Makoto, Kasumi-senpai, and Eri all nod in agreement, glaring at Haru.
“Hmm, it’s true that Haru joined Deok-Sung’s harem pretty recently, but…”
Haru squints her eyes.
“But still, I don’t feel like I’m going to lose to you guys. Because right now, I’m getting super close to Onii-chan’s favorite character in real-time. Nishishishi.”
“What?!”
Olivia snaps back at Haru.
All eyes are on Haru now.
Just when a rush of mental fatigue hits.
Grab.
Aris takes hold of my wrist.
“There’s no reason to keep watching this farce. Kim Deok-Sung, let’s use this moment to escape.”
She whispers quietly in my ear.
Right.
Maybe now, while Haru is causing a ruckus, is the perfect chance to make a getaway.
The site inspection isn’t over yet.
We can’t stay here.
“Understood.”
I nod at Aris’s words and quietly slip out of the classroom while Haru and Olivia are in a standoff.
Creak, tap.
The sliding door closes quietly.
Once out in the hallway, I feel a little better.
I take a deep breath.
“Now, let’s head to the next class.”
The nightmare of the anime screening and sign event is finally over.
Just as I was about to lead Aris to the next class with light steps…
Just as I was about to guide Aris to the next class…
“Kim Deok-Sung, about that anime we saw earlier…”
Aris looks at me with a low voice.
“…My screen time was way too little.”
She wears a serious expression.
Suddenly?
“I’m just saying.”
Aris turns her head away with a slightly sulky expression.
I’m seriously losing it.
*
1st Year A-Class Classroom.
Amidst the fierce tension between the heroines of the cooking club, including Haru and Olivia over Kim Deok-Sung, one person remained expressionless.
A beautiful woman in a gray bobbed suit, Han Seo-Jin.
‘So he really left.’
Unlike the others absorbed in the tension, she was the only one to realize that Kim Deok-Sung had disappeared with Aris and hugged her tablet PC to her chest.
‘I’ll have to report the domestic box office performance after he’s done with his work.’
If Kim Deok-Sung heard that, he’d grab his neck in disbelief.
A declaration of war.
Shuo Hero Academy.
1st Year A-Class Classroom.
In the theater-like space where all the audience had exited, Eri puffed up her cheeks.
“Hmph, Haru. No matter how much you say that, Eri-ring and Master are bound by a firm and sticky bond!”
Eri fiddles with her dog collar.
It feels warm to the touch.
Her face slightly reddens.
“It’s been like that for ages…”
The collar, filled by Master himself, is a testament to the bond between her and Master.
A unique gift given only to her, something no one else in this room possesses.
Eri truly believed that.
“Eri-ring, are you talking about that collar? It’s hilarious how you touch it every time you mention it. Plus, Eri-ring, your chest is smaller than Haru’s. It’s like a cliff. A washboard.”
Eri’s face flushes at Haru’s words.
Her gaze naturally drifts toward Haru’s chest.
As infuriating as it was, Haru’s words were facts.
Haru’s chest looked significantly more voluminous than Eri’s modest B cup.
“And Haru is younger than Eri-ring. Nishishishi.”
“What does that matter!? Anyway, Eri-ring won’t lose to anyone else but definitely not to you!”
Eri’s face turns red.
“Nishishishi. Is that so?”
Just as Eri was about to say something in response to Haru’s words…
Tap.
Shinozaki Rin, who had been beside Eri, stepped in.
“I can’t help but agree with the washboard and Bonaparte this time. Haru. There is an unbridgeable gap between us.”
Shinozaki Rin’s gaze turns toward Haru.
Ten years ago, they were like real sisters, and that feeling still lingers.
But now, the competitive spirit as rivals is far stronger than that of sisters.
“Giiiii…”
“Seems like the junior is pretty cocky…”
Makoto and Kasumi glare at Haru.
“Rin-nee covering for Eri-ring means Haru is that much of a threat, huh? Makopi still makes that giiiii sound, huh? Nishishishi. So funny.”
Nishishishi.
Just then, when Haru was laughing…
Swoosh.
Olivia places her hand on her chest.
Her blue gaze turns to Haru.
“Listen well, Kurosawa Haru. If you want to approach that fool, you need the permission of me, Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte, his personal maid. Understand?!”
Olivia’s blue eyes and Haru’s red eyes meet.
Haru squints her eyes.
Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte.
The French princess and platinum knight princess.
And Kim Deok-Sung’s first heroine and personal maid, having spent the longest time with him.
In Haru’s eyes, alongside her favorite character Aris, she was also a formidable opponent to watch out for.
“Is that so? But I think it’s not the time for you sisters to worry about me. That move just now is a huge deduction in my score.”
Haru squints her eyes.
“What do you mean?!”
Olivia, flustered by Haru’s cryptic words, questions back.
Haru giggles while covering her mouth.
“Looks like you sisters don’t know that Deok-Sung-oppa already vanished with A-chan. That’s another huge score deduction for me.”
As Olivia, Rin, Makoto, Eri, and Kasumi look around in confusion, just as Haru said, Kim Deok-Sung was nowhere to be found.
He had already slipped out of the class with Aris during the commotion.
“What is… this…?”
Rin’s face stiffens.
“Did Saionji-senpai really take Master away?”
Eri’s eyes widen.
She nervously clutches at the dog collar.
“Abuse of power… Uuuu…”
Kasumi puffs her cheeks.
“Master…”
Makoto calls out for Kim Deok-Sung, and Olivia’s face turns bright red.
Olivia’s face turned bright red.
“President Saionji… How could this be…?”
Everyone quietly recognized that Aris was a potential rival.
There were rumors that they shared a bed during the Kyoto Exchange Tournament, and tales of their unusual relationship circulated among the students.
However, since Aris herself wasn’t particularly proactive and always prioritized her responsibilities as the student council president—along with the fact that she had yet to acknowledge her own feelings—they didn’t consider her a strong competitor.
Moreover, although they didn’t know Aris’s true nature, they at least understood who she was.
Aris was someone who valued fairness, strictly distinguished between public and private matters, and was well aware of the duties that came with the powerful position of student council president.
Thus, they weren’t too worried even though Kim Deok-Sung became an executive committee member.
If Aris prioritized her role as student council president above all else, she would not engage in personal actions with Deok-Sung.
“A-chan, you’re the real super powerful competitor here. Of course, Haru is also super strong, but this isn’t the time to worry about her. Ladies, step back.”
A silence fell over the room in response to Haru’s words.
“Besides, haven’t you heard the rumors? Apparently, every day, bro and A-chan are alone practicing in the training room, and sounds of extreme scoundrel behavior are leaking out. Hehe.”
“But that… that’s just groundless rumors…”
Olivia spoke up on behalf of the heroines.
Haru squinted her eyes.
“Ladies, do you really think that?”
The room fell silent at Haru’s question.
Olivia, Rin, Kasumi, Makoto, and Eri all felt their minds stir at Haru’s words.
Annoyingly, there was no error in what she said.
Isn’t it true that Aris hasn’t vanished with him without a word?
“Maybe what Haru is saying is right. Saionji-senpai could be a dark horse.”
Rin, who had a close relationship with Haru, was the first to agree.
“Ugh, Eri is also feeling anxious. The quiet cat might be the first one up on the stove. Saionji-senpai might be subtly wagging her tail at master!”
Eri pouted her lips.
“I hate to admit it, but there’s some truth to that… Kurosawa Haru.”
Olivia crossed her arms, looking at Haru.
“So, what do you want to say?”
Her blue gaze was fixated on Haru.
“Haru wants to say something super simple. Let’s team up with A-chan and the sisters to declare war together!”
A declaration of war.
Kasumi raised an eyebrow in confusion at Haru’s words.
“A declaration of war? What do you mean by that, junior?”
With a swift motion, Haru pulled out a poster from her bag and spread it out.
Thud.
The poster unfurled on the desk.
[Miss Shuoou Selection Contest]
[Eligibility: Any female students of Shuoou Academy are welcome ☆]
What Haru spread was the poster for the Miss Shuoou Selection Contest happening tomorrow, the second day of the cultural festival.
“The winner of the Miss Shuoou Selection Contest gets to be Deok-Sung’s partner for the folk dance during the festival.”
Haru grinned mischievously.
“Well, what do you think, ladies?”
Everyone’s faces stiffened at her words.
The folk dance at the festival.
The last event where you could dance alone with your chosen partner.
Naturally, everyone there didn’t want to miss this golden opportunity.
“Seems like this would keep Saionji-senpai in check, right? If she abuses her power to choose bro as her folk dance partner, that’d be super troublesome.”
Haru emphasized her point.
Her eyes sparkled with seriousness.
Haru knew.
Aris had been ignoring her own feelings due to her position as student council president, but that situation would end soon—either tomorrow or at the latest by the festival.
Even now, Deok-Sung was making moves behind the scenes to save Aris, and if she were to be saved in any form, she would finally recognize and accept her own feelings.
Once Aris acknowledged her feelings, she wouldn’t hesitate to use any means necessary to gain Deok-Sung’s heart.
Haru predicted that.
‘Before that happens, this super cute gyaru little sister Haru needs to make the first move.’
Once Aris recognized her feelings, she would be a far more formidable opponent than even Olivia.
That was Haru’s judgment.
Aris, already favored as the best girl, had been receiving preferential treatment without anyone being aware of it.
Right now, the situation was calm as Aris denied her own feelings, avoiding any significant events. But if she began to openly appeal with acknowledged feelings, the situation would change completely.
So, before Aris recognized her feelings, Haru aimed to rally the sisters and declare war on her to create an opportunity to run for the folk dance partner.
Before that, I’ll team up with the older sisters to declare war on her and create an opportunity to become the folk dance partner.
That was Haru’s plan.
“It’s definitely a hard offer to refuse. It’s reasonable. I’ll go along with Haru’s suggestion.”
The first to agree was Rin.
“It’s frustrating, but I think Eri is right about Kurosawa’s words. Now is not the time to fight.”
Next was Eri.
“Surprisingly, the younger students speak quite logically.”
“If Eri says so, there’s nothing we can do······.”
Kasumi and Makoto agreed with Haru’s words.
Having secured the agreement of four people, Haru turned to Olivia.
“What do you think, Sister Olive? How do you feel about Haru’s suggestion?”
Feeling the gaze from Haru, Olivia hesitated, biting her lip.
Haru’s sudden advance felt intimidating.
Unlike the other girls with whom she’d built a rapport, Haru was a new face, which made her somewhat hesitant.
But such a slight reluctance was not enough to refuse her offer, as it was just too enticing.
A folk dance partner being the winner of the beauty pageant.
That was the most fair and acceptable method for everyone right now.
“······Have you set the date for the declaration of war?”
“Tomorrow morning. Before HR starts.”
At Olivia’s words, Haru’s eyes sparkled.
“We’ll do it in the Student Council President’s Office. Sisters, you can come to the Student Council Hall then.”
Hehehe.
Haru left a giggle behind.
Everyone nodded at Haru’s words.
Watching this, Han Seo-Jin’s eyes gleamed coldly.
‘Kurosawa Haru, even though she’s a newcomer in the race, she’s managing to captivate everyone······. She’s no ordinary person.’
It was the moment when Han Seo-Jin’s harem plan expanded its target.
*
The post-animation screening site inspection was uneventful.
The slightly sulking Aris quickly returned to her usual self, and we wrapped up the inspection by experiencing something like a haunted house.
“Thank you for your hard work today. I look forward to tomorrow as well, Kim Deok-Sung.”
“Understood, Saionji-senpai.”
After the site inspection ended, I was only able to return to the dormitory after saying farewell to Aris.
The cultural festival’s first day was ending.
Since today’s event was nearing its conclusion, guests were leaving like a receding tide.
I arrived at the accommodation after passing through the campus.
“Thank you for your hard work today as well, Kim Deok-Sung.”
Han Seo-Jin greeted me politely.
After washing up, I changed into my casual clothes and collapsed onto my bed.
I was mentally fatigued from running around, going to the animation screening, and the cosplay café.
Just as I was about to take a little nap.
“Kim Deok-Sung.”
Han Seo-Jin’s voice echoed in my ear.
I got up from my place.
“I have something to report.”
“What is it?”
In response to my question, Han Seo-Jin silently handed me a tablet PC.
I instinctively directed my gaze toward the tablet screen she presented.
There I saw:
[President Kang captured crying while watching a movie… “Such an emotional film. I give my praises to the film depicting the life of our era’s hero, Hero Kim Deok-Sung.”]
[Black-haired Boy’s heroic tale surpasses 2 million viewers on its first day of release… Setting records for the highest opening and highest daily viewers since the release.]
[Hero vs. Hero showdown? Is it possible for ‘Black-haired Boy’s heroic tale’ to surpass 20 million viewers? Showing growth faster than the historically highest domestic box office movie ‘Myeongnyang: The Battle of Hansan’.]
[(Director’s Interview) The tale of the Black-haired Boy’s hero, a story that serves as a model for all heroes living in this era. A warm animation that realistically depicts the chronicles of Hero Kim Deok-Sung.]
[One week after the release of the Black-haired Boy’s heroic tale PV video, it surpassed 100 million global views! The Japanese animation industry is already in a state of chaos! The essence of K-animation that shocked Japan and praised by America is now released!]
[The power of K-animation conquering the world! Invading the Japanese archipelago! Why is the world excited about K-hero Kim Deok-Sung? The amazing things that happen when the world’s strongest K cultural industry meets K-hero, focusing on the spotlight!]
[While the world stays in the 21st century, why is Korea in the 23rd century?! The astonishing secrets of 23rd-century K-animation praised by film critics worldwide!]
[Finally, Korea did it! Just how far will the class of Korean animation reach? Following K-POP, K-Food, K-movies, K-dramas, and now animation too! Highlights of the K-animation ‘Black-haired Boy’s heroic tale’ that astonished the world!]
There was some ridiculous nationalistic nonsense.
What should I do now?
Suddenly confronted with national pride unprepared, my mind became hazy.
Please, just stop.
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