Episode 23

…What an incredibly cute appearance. She’s much more expressive than in the game, but… I guess that’s probably because the events related to Kirisaki haven’t started happening yet.

Over the course of this year, she’ll face a whirlwind of experiences. Eventually, when her heart is worn down, she’ll meet the protagonist and confide her worries to him. That’s the story surrounding Kirisaki.

Well, even though I want to enjoy the main storyline of the game, I don’t plan on getting too involved with her. I’ll return to being just a background character.

As we were getting ready to head to the ceremony, the classroom door suddenly opened. Standing there was… Michael-sama.

“Seraph-san, Luminous-san, Takigawa-san, could I borrow you for a moment?”

Her light blue hair gently swayed as she smiled softly. Now that I think about it, there was a setting where, during the first year, Michael was the homeroom teacher for Seraph’s class. In this academy, the leaders of the Unions also serve as faculty members. High-ranking angels and demons use their knowledge and experience to guide the students.

Well, they probably just made up a plausible reason for it, though. Michael and Lucifer had such great character designs that it would’ve been a waste not to involve them more. So they were made teachers. Also, some of the developers likely gave in to their own desires of “wanting to have a special relationship with a teacher.”

In this academy, there are even current active Soul Binders, like Kirisaki. And the students share information with one another while growing stronger together.

“During the entrance ceremony, we’ll also be explaining Unions with the three of you. So I’ll call you up on stage for a little while. Please be prepared.”

“”Understood,”” 

Seraph and Luminous nodded with a smile. And I also nodded, albeit a bit delayed. Deep down, I was thinking, “Seriously? There’s no way I can stay a background character like this…” But I kept that to myself.

We started walking toward the gymnasium. Looking around, I noticed many characters that I had seen in the main game. They weren’t major characters, but rather the side characters or those who could be recruited as allies.

…Since this is an eroge, there are generally more female characters. In the first place, it’s a setting where women tend to make better Soul Binders. But really, it’s just a flimsy reason to include a lot of beautiful girls. Not that I mind.

While getting excited as I spotted side characters on our way to the gym, I noticed the other famous Union leaders, including Lucifer. Michael-sama was wearing the same outfit as when we met at the Union. But Lucifer and the others were sharply dressed in suits. Lucifer, with her imposing presence, truly embodied the top-tier status of the demon faction’s Union. 

When I glanced in her direction, Lucifer caught my gaze and flashed a confident, victorious smile at me. I’m pretty sure she was smiling directly at me.

How lucky can I be? To make it even better, the other Union leaders also noticed me, each turning their attention toward me. Even though they were key characters with their own events in the game, it’s still overwhelming to have them focus on me like this. It’s clear that I can’t just fade into the background. But at the same time, seeing them in person fills me with an unparalleled sense of happiness.

Looking around, I saw characters that could be recruited as allies. And others who, though they only appeared briefly, had erotic scenes. I recalled all of their scenes in my mind and trembled with joy at meeting these game characters in real life.

I’m so happy I might pass out. This might be the happiest moment of my life. I can feel my brain screaming, “I can’t take it anymore!” But there’s no turning back now.

I want to shout out loud, “I’m so glad I was reborn into this world!” but doing so would surely mark me as a lunatic. I know that. I know it, but my heart is still racing.

…Damn it. What a blissful place this is. I can’t take it anymore, my heart won’t hold up…! Having to attend the entrance ceremony in a place like this…!

Sweat beaded in my palms, and it felt like my heart was pounding in my ears.

Ah, this is too precious…! It’s so precious I could die…!

Screaming internally, I desperately tried to keep my excitement from showing on my face.

I joined the line with Seraph and Luminous. I could feel the gazes of the surrounding students slowly focusing on me. While it’s natural for Seraph and Luminous to attract attention, the fact that I’m also being noticed… well, it’s probably because rumors about us have already spread.

We were seated by class in the chairs set up in the gymnasium. Since we might need to step out at some point, we were guided to sit in the very back.

Once all the classes had entered the gym and taken their seats, the entrance ceremony began right away. On the stage stood the principal, who calmly started her speech.

The principal is a strikingly young and beautiful woman. There was talk initially of making the principal an older man. But everyone agreed, “We want a beautiful woman!” . And so, she was chosen. She clearly seems too young to be a principal. But since this is a fantasy world, details like that don’t really matter.

After all, in this world, there are plenty of young mothers who could easily pass as the older sisters of their kids.

The content of the principal’s speech was fairly standard. She spoke of wanting the angels and demons to aim high, reminding the apprentice Soul Binders to be aware of their role in protecting towns and cities. And finally, she shared some general advice on how to make the most of school life. 

It was the kind of speech that makes you sleepy. Especially since the principal’s voice actress had a calm, soothing voice.

After a while, the principal finished her speech, and the ceremony entered its final phase. That’s when Michael-sama stood up on stage and took the microphone.

Original Author’s Comment:

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