Episode 22

“…R-Really?! Are you still accepting new members? If possible, I’d like to join too…”  

“I’m sorry. We currently can only contract with one person.”  

Seraph smiled gracefully and bowed her head politely.  

As expected, Seraph’s popularity was incredible.  

“Besides, the Union was formed by me, Luminous-san, and Takigawa-san. If we take on a new member, we all need to discuss it. Right, Luminous-san, Takigawa-san?”  

Seraph’s voice called out to us, almost as if saying, “You can’t escape.”  

Luminous cast a brief glance my way, sighed, and responded.  

“Well, if Seraph finds someone she likes, she can do whatever she wants with that. I’m just going to stick with Takigawa.”  

“I feel the same way. I’ll take care of Takigawa, so if there’s a new applicant, Luminous-san, you can decide.”  

Don’t use me to avoid the hassle.  

“Takigawa…?”  

Everyone turned their gaze toward me.  

I was suddenly in the spotlight, far from just being a background character. I quietly held my head in my hands.  

The whole situation went off-track because I took a night walk on my first day after moving here.  

Just as someone was about to speak, the sound of a chair scraping echoed through the room, drawing everyone’s attention.  

With her long, silver hair shimmering, a girl stood up, rubbing her sleepy eyes and wiping drool from her cheek.  

She seemed drowsy.  

It was Kirisaki Mizuki, a member of the Michael Union and considered the strongest.  

She stared at me with a blank expression.  

“Takigawa Yuma.”  

Kirisaki muttered my name under her breath, looking directly at my face.  

…How does she know my full name?  

Before I could even ask, the room began buzzing.  

“Kirisaki-san… remembers someone’s name?!”  

“No way…!”  

The surrounding students widened their eyes in shock, staring at Kirisaki in disbelief.  

Everyone knew—Kirisaki hardly ever remembered people’s names.  

The only characters whose names she remembered were Michael, Lucifer, and other famous Union leaders…  

And of course, Seraph, Luminous, and the protagonist of the game.  

Amid the mix of astonishment and confusion, all eyes were on me. But Kirisaki didn’t seem to care.  

She casually murmured.  

“I heard you contracted and immediately took down a Kyōjū. Is that true?”  

Now the surprise and attention shifted toward me.  

Stop! Don’t make me stand out any more than this!  

My plan to enjoy the game as a side character was falling apart piece by piece.  

Sure, I was grateful to have met Kirisaki like this, and it was thrilling to see her… assets up close, to the point I was nearly overwhelmed with joy.  

Being noticed by one of the strongest heroines in an eroge was, of course, exciting, but… this level of attention was too much.  

I glanced sideways, trying to ignore her question. But Kirisaki leaned in, as if she were doing a side-step drill, peeking into my face.  

When I shifted my gaze to the left, she immediately followed.  

It seemed there was no escape.  

“…Yeah, I did. But it was more like a sneak attack, honestly.”  

“So, you really did take it down…!”  

“No, I mean, like I said, it was more of a surprise attack—”  

“Morning magic training.”  

“Huh?”  

“You used two magic elements.”  

“Wait, where did you see that?”  

“This morning. I saw you practicing in an empty lot while I was out running. It’s not like I was stalking you or anything. I didn’t ask for your address or search the area to find you.”  

…With the Michael Union’s resources, it would be easy to find my address.  

Besides. if they contacted Seraph or Luminous, they’d know right away.  

“Isn’t that a confession?”  

“Can you use two elements?”  

She completely ignored my question.  

I really wish she’d stop saying unnecessary things…  

The students around us were now so shocked that their mouths were hanging open, as if their jaws were about to drop.  

Kirisaki, in an excited state, bombarded me with questions. She was showing far more emotion than she ever did in the game.  

…Her appeal was supposed to be that cool, emotionless attitude that contrasted with her intense nature.  

“I can use them, but I can’t control them perfectly.”  

“I want to spar with you. Right now.”  

“We’re about to have the entrance ceremony.”  

“It’s fine. You don’t have to attend.”  

She grabbed my hand firmly, her breathing heavy.  

Kirisaki was portrayed as a battle maniac. That’s probably why she was intrigued by me, a rare case of someone with two magic elements.  

In the game, she also approached the protagonist, who could use every magic element, out of sheer interest.  

Right now, it’s just like that. If only I’d transferred here a year later, I wouldn’t be in this situation, with Kirisaki focusing on me.  

Maybe I should have transferred next year after all…  

As I was about to lose myself in the softness of her hands, I barely managed to stay conscious and shook my head.  

“Sorry, but I need to attend the entrance ceremony.”  

“Then when’s the next chance?”  

“Well, if I get some free time eventually…”  

“……”  

As I tried to escape from Kirisaki’s piercing stare, the announcement chime rang through the room.  

『This is a notice that the entrance ceremony will now begin. Please make your way to the venue promptly. I repeat, the entrance ceremony will now begin—』  

The announcement about the entrance ceremony played over the speakers.

The previously restless classroom gradually returned to a calmer state.  

…In the end, that saved me.  

“Well then, I’m heading to the ceremony.”  

“…….Fight.”  

Kirisaki pouted slightly, glaring at me with a dissatisfied look.  

Original Author’s Comment:

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I’d be happy if you could check out my new stories.

New Works:

– “I Risked My Life to Save the Hero Sacrifices and Returned to Japan. It Seems the Heroes in the Other World Have Fallen Into Despair”

https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093085679083559

“A Boring Explorer from a Rural Town Ends Up Going Viral After Saving a Beautiful Dungeon Streamer”

https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093085895224513

– “I Became the Butler for the Seventh Princess, Who’s Regressing Into Childhood”

https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093085369325469

(Note: The third one I’m already TL-ing right now. Here’s the link if you want to read it: https://dragonholictranslations.wpcomstaging.com/novel/i-became-the-butler-of-the-seventh-princess-whos-regressing-into-a-child/)