Chapter 11 | Same day (5:00 PM)

 

The student council president of St. Liliana Academy, Nikaidō Arashi.

Her residence, which is the farthest from the academy among the student council members, is a place that can only be thought of as some kind of mutation due to her insatiable appetite for sexual activities.

It takes about two hours by train and on foot.

For Liliana Academy, where students come from all over, it’s not particularly noticeable as a long distance. Still, for the (presumably) busy student council president, this commute time must be quite a burden.

Even so, the president’s grades are, of course, at the top of her grade. And she handles the majority of the (undoubtedly) busy student council work with a calm face (probably). You can’t help but admire her for that.

If only her personality—or rather, her sexual tendencies—were a bit better, she would be praised unreservedly as a person worthy of standing at the top of Liliana Academy.

…While thinking such things, I wandered around with a map in hand. Eventually, I arrived in front of what seemed to be the mansion I was looking for.

It was a samurai residence.

And an extremely imposing one at that.

My dorm and Ginbei’s rundown apartment certainly have a certain weight to them, but this mansion is on a completely different level.

High plaster walls. Beautifully maintained garden trees. Roof tiles covered in moss here and there—the atmosphere created by these structures is closer to a fortress than a mansion.

It feels like an ancient samurai in hakama might suddenly open the gate and peek out at any moment.

Honestly, this house doesn’t suit Nikaidō Arashi at all. Sure, her appearance might resemble some rōnin, but her personality is so frivolous. I wonder if she doesn’t feel suffocated living in such a stiff and oppressive mansion. Ah, maybe that’s why she has so many lovers?

Well, whatever.

Today is the last day of home visits. The countermeasures for my sister’s brother complex will also come to a temporary conclusion here.

Though it’s uncertain how the hastily started countermeasures will develop from here, I’ll trust President Nikaidō’s words, “I’ll prepare more thorough countermeasures in the meantime,” and somehow get through today.

◆

Led by a polite maid, I was guided to a small building in a corner of the garden.

It was a typical thatched-roof tea room with earthen walls and lattice windows.

………….

Hmm.

I didn’t expect this kind of development.

Being led to a tea room probably means I’ll be served tea, but I don’t have much knowledge about that kind of thing. I’d like to avoid embarrassing myself in someone else’s home as much as possible…

While I hesitated like this, the maid urged me, “Please, come in.”

Well, it’s not like I can turn back now.

“Excuse me~”

With a determined “here goes nothing,” I slid open the shoji door,

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

The host of the tea room greeted me with a three-fingered bow.

She was a woman with her hair neatly tied up, wearing a kimono.

“Welcome to the Nikaidō residence today. Please, make yourself comfortable.”

“Ah. Thanks, thanks.”

Being treated so politely made me feel a bit overwhelmed—I thought as I quietly closed the shoji door and sat down on the offered zabuton cushion.

Of course, it was in seiza position.

Oh no, this is bad.

The atmosphere made it unavoidable, but since Takanomiya’s house was Western-style, I’m not used to sitting seiza. I hope my legs don’t go numb and leave me unable to stand.

“Um, by the way,”

In the narrow space of only three tatami mats, feeling literally cramped, I stared intently at the woman sitting in front of me.

A red kimono with a plaid pattern that matched her hair color.

Her straight posture was strikingly picturesque, and she was an astonishingly beautiful woman.

Her eye level was about the same as mine, so she must be tall for a woman—but anyway, who exactly is this person?

“Excuse me. Um, are you President Nikaidō Arashi’s—older sister?”

“No.”

“Then, perhaps her younger sister? I don’t think you’re her mother, right?”

“I am Nikaidō Arashi.”

“Oh, so you’re Nikaidō Arashi-san? Nice to meet you, I’m Himenokōji Akito. Pleased to meet you. …So, where is the president?”

And then.

It was only after saying that that I tilted my head in confusion.

“…Huh? What?”

“I expected this, and it’s exactly the reaction I was hoping for, but being so thoroughly mistaken is a bit disappointing.”

Covering her mouth with her hand, she laughed elegantly and bowed again with a three-fingered gesture,

“Welcome, Akito-sama. As you can see, this is a humble abode, but please make yourself at home.”

“Huh?”

Still unable to grasp the situation, I blinked repeatedly and stared at the woman in front of me.

A Mona Lisa-like archaic smile.

Her calm, serene demeanor was like that of a scholar who spends their days secluded in a library.

There’s no way.

This couldn’t be the always confident, smirking student council president who can’t go five minutes without hitting on someone, whose keyboard’s “A” key automatically suggests the word “lover.”

It couldn’t be her.

“Huh? President?”

“Yes.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“Huh? But where’s your usual eyepatch? Your katana? And what’s with this completely different persona?”

“The Nikaidō family,”

The self-proclaimed Nikaidō Arashi smiled and continued,

“Has long dedicated itself to the mastery of martial arts and the protection of noble figures.”

“I see.”

“Needless to say, compared to the Himenokōji family, the Nikaidō family’s status is far lower. Within the academy, it’s one thing, but here at the Nikaidō residence, as someone connected to the Nikaidō family, it’s only natural to lower my head to you.”

“I see.”

Still in a daze, I could only manage such vague responses.

Well, it’s true.

Back at Takanomiya’s place, there were plenty of troublesome customs. The Himenokōji family is close to the Takanomiya family in status, but being praised so highly by the nearly extinct Himenokōji family is more embarrassing than anything.

“In any case, please have a drink. I’ll prepare some tea.”

“Ah, well. Sure, I’ll take you up on that.”

“Then, please.”

With a bow, Nikaidō-san began preparing the thick tea.

Holding a fukusa in one hand and a hishaku in the other, she scooped hot water from the kettle boiling over charcoal and poured it into the tea bowl—though I know nothing about tea ceremony, I could tell her movements were incredibly graceful.

“Here you go. It’s humble, but please enjoy.”

I lightly bowed and accepted the offered bowl, taking a sip.

I turned the bowl in my hands as if I knew what I was doing, savoring the taste in several sips.

I don’t know if I’m following the proper etiquette. Actually, in situations like this, what’s important isn’t following the rules but simply acting confidently.

The thick, bitter liquid flowed smoothly down my throat.

Hmm. It’s good.

“…I’ve enjoyed it thoroughly.”

“I’m glad it suited your taste.”

Nikaidō-san smiled faintly,

“I’m not well-versed in etiquette, so if I’ve been rude in any way, please don’t hesitate to let me know.”

“No, not at all. Your skill is impressive.”

“You flatter me.”

“If anything, I’m the one who’s clueless about this kind of thing. If I’ve been rude, please tell me.”

“Please don’t worry. Make yourself at home.”

“No, being treated like this just makes me more nervous. Hey, President, can you stop with that already?”

“Stop with what?”

“That overly humble attitude. It’s throwing me off.”

“This is the Nikaidō residence, and I am a member of the Nikaidō family.”

The president smiled without faltering.

Well, it’s true.

Today, the president is quiet, calm, and surprisingly mature for someone only a year older than me. If she could always be like this, it would be a big help.

“By the way, President. I just realized something.”

“What is it?”

“The initial impact was so strong that I completely overlooked it, but… your eyes, they’re fine, aren’t they?”

That’s right.

The president’s trademark eyepatch.

I thought something might be wrong with her eye, so I avoided bringing it up, but with the eyepatch off, her beautiful eyes are perfectly fine.

“Ah, the eyepatch?”

The president smiled.

“It’s just an accessory.”

“An accessory? That huge eyepatch? What kind of concept is that?”

“Well, Akito-sama,”

She laughed lightly,

“Wearing an eyepatch makes me look more like a chuunibyou, doesn’t it?”

“Huh? What? Chuunibyou?”

“Never mind. If you don’t get it, just leave it at that.”

Ignoring my confusion,

“And as you know, an eyepatch is very noticeable. Thanks to it standing out so much, the impression of the sword at my waist is somewhat diminished.”

“Well, I guess that makes sense. But if you don’t want the sword to stand out, why not just not carry it?”

“My position doesn’t allow that.”

“I see. Well, I’m sure there are reasons, so I won’t pry too much.”

“And Akito-sama, please take a closer look.”

“? At what?”

Smiling, the president pointed to her own eyes.

It was her right eye, usually hidden by the eyepatch.

…Hmm?

Wait a minute?

“Is it just me? The lighting’s a bit dim, so I can’t tell for sure, but… President, isn’t the color of your right eye different? It looks kind of reddish.”

“Yes. As you can see.”

“Wow.”

So it’s heterochromia.

I’ve seen it in cats and dogs, but this is the first time I’ve seen it in a human.

“The color of this eye stands out more than the sword or the eyepatch. So, in a way, I’m camouflaging myself multiple times over.”

“I see, that makes sense.”

Well, it’s true.

Whether the difference in eye color stands out more than the sword or the eyepatch is beside the point. The non-standard nature of physical traits can sometimes lead to bullying, and that’s obvious to anyone.

Especially in the president’s case, given that she’s an exceptionally capable person (presumably), it’s entirely possible that she could become a target of the “tall poppy syndrome.”

In short, rather than living vulnerably and giving others an opening to exploit, she proactively chose to create a noticeable feature to divert attention.

If you want to hide a tree, hide it in a forest.

If you want to hide something noticeable, make other things stand out as well.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of Nikaidō Arashi’s shrewd survival tactics.

Thinking about it, her way of speaking and character might also be part of that strategy. Wow, she’s quite cunning.

“I’m impressed. I had no idea there was such meaning behind the president’s style.”

“You flatter me.”

“To be honest, I was a bit put off by the president’s usual appearance, but if that’s the reason, it’s a completely different story. If you were born with different eye colors, such measures would be necessary. Yeah, I get it now.”

“I’m truly honored. …Though, actually, these are just contact lenses.”

“That’s pointless!”

I couldn’t help but shout.

Seriously, that’s just meaningless in every way.

“What’s that supposed to mean!? That makes no sense at all!?”

“When I take off the eyepatch, there are eyes of different colors—isn’t that the essence of a chuunibyou scenario? Don’t you think so?”

“Who knows!”

“And these are disposable lenses. They’re changed daily, so they’re always clean.”

“I couldn’t care less!”

“Moreover, when you remove the eyepatch, it creates a gap moe effect. That significantly increases the chances of successfully wooing a lover.”

“So that’s what you’re after!”

This person really should apologize to me. All the mental support I was giving them has gone to waste now.

…Well, that’s that.

But honestly, this has oddly put me at ease.

After all, this is the student council president’s house, and we’re in a secluded tea room.

Last time we were alone in the student council room, I almost let my guard down and got played. So, naturally, I came here today on high alert.

Well, I doubt even the president would reveal her flirting techniques to someone she’s trying to woo.

Plus, even though her appearance has completely changed, Nikaidō Arashi is still Nikaidō Arashi—her mischievous personality hasn’t changed a bit. That realization also makes me feel a bit relieved.

“How is it?”

She asks.

As if anticipating my mood, the president continues,

“If this has helped ease your tension even a little, I’m glad.”

“…The way you say that makes it sound like you planned this whole thing.”

“I’ll leave that to your imagination.”

“Well, I guess I do feel a bit more at ease. Despite the polished exterior, I can see you’re still a beast at heart.”

“My, how flattering.”

“I’m not complimenting you, though?”

“Fufufu.”

The president covers her mouth with her hand, laughing elegantly,

“Akito-sama, you’ve been quite busy lately, haven’t you?”

“Huh? You think so?”

“It’s written all over your face. You look quite troubled, and a bit tired too.”

“Ah, well, I’ve been doing home visits for three days straight. It’s only natural.”

“That’s why I thought it would be nice for you to have a relaxing moment here. Everyone needs a bit of respite amidst their busy lives.”

“Hmm. ‘A moment of calm in the midst of chaos,’ huh?”

“Yes. ‘A moment of something in the midst of chaos,’ indeed.”

“…Weird. It’s the same phrase, but when you say it, it sounds oddly suggestive. Why is that?”

“It must be your imagination.”

She laughs elegantly again.

“In any case, considering the current situation with Akito-sama and Akiko-sama, I believe we need to take immediate action. The temporary home visits end today, and I plan to implement a new strategy tomorrow.”

“Hmm… Well, personally, I’d rather you focus on preventing Akiko’s reputation from worsening at school. That’d be a big help.”

“Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. While we at Nikaidō don’t intend to side with either the Takanomiya or Arisugawa families, we still have to report certain things. We can’t just gloss over the surface and call it a day.”

Ugh.

She’s saying all this with a smile, but what she really means is, ‘Do as I say, or I’ll spill the beans.’

This is bad.

Judging by her tone, it seems she’s already figured out about my job.

It’s not something I can openly discuss, and I’d prefer to keep it a secret… but I guess it’s impossible to hide from someone like the president or Nasuhara-san. Ginbei might stay silent out of gentlemanly agreement, but these two would uncover it in no time.

Well, whatever.

There’s no point worrying about it now.

And honestly,

even though I’ve only been at St. Liliana Academy for a few days,

and even though

‘due to certain circumstances, we’ve been separated for a while—[omitted]—this monotonous story continues without much of a plot,’

things have taken quite an unexpected turn.

But me, Himenokōji Akito,

have somehow come to enjoy these noisy days more than I expected.

Yes.

After enduring so much for so long, I finally achieved my ultimate goal in life—‘living alone with my sister.’

But now,

with Sawatari Ginbei Haruomi,

Nasuhara Anastasia,

Nikaidō Arashi,

and me and my sister in the student council,

I’ve started to think that all this commotion isn’t so bad after all.

“…Is something wrong, Akito-sama?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“You just looked unusually happy.”

“Did I? I didn’t mean to.”

“I can tell. Even though you’ve only been in the student council for a few days, I’m still the president. I can see these things.”

Hmm.

I didn’t think it showed, but she saw right through me.

Or maybe I’m just in such a good mood that it’s leaking out despite my efforts to hide it.

I’ve become quite honest with myself, haven’t I?

“In any case,”

the president says with a relaxed smile,

“if Akito-sama is enjoying this time, then nothing could make me happier.”

She bows with her three fingers on the floor again.

“…President.”

“Yes?”

“Please stop that. I’ve told you so many times.”

“And I’ve told you just as many times that, given my position, this is only natural.”

“Well, I guess so. And seeing a different side of you was quite refreshing. It’s a nice change of pace.”

“I’m honored.”

“But starting tomorrow, please go back to being your usual self, okay? I kind of prefer the usual you.”

“…………”

Huh?

The president hasn’t moved from her bowing position.

“President?”

“…This guy’s a natural-born heartbreaker,”

she mutters under her breath, facing the tatami.

“Perfect timing with that innocent act. These types are the hardest to handle… I might actually fall for him. I wasn’t planning to make a move today, but maybe I should just go for it…”

“? Sorry, I didn’t catch that.”

“It’s nothing. Please don’t mind me.”

She lifts her head, her face still adorned with that model-worthy smile.

“I’ve been on a diet lately, so I thought it might be best to limit my meals a bit.”

“Really? But you have such a great figure. You don’t need to diet.”

“Women have struggles that aren’t visible to others. And to endure those struggles, you need a will as strong and resilient as steel. That’s what allows me to stay true to myself.”

“Huh, self-control? That doesn’t seem like a word that suits you, President.”

“Oh? If you’d like, I can discard that ‘unsuitable self-control’ right here and now.”

“No, no.”

This is bad. The president’s eyes are gleaming dangerously. I need to steer this away before things get out of hand—

“Could I have another cup of tea, please? It was really good.”

“I feel like I’ve been skillfully diverted, but very well.”

She resumes her elegant demeanor and begins preparing the tea.

I watch her skillful hands as time passes leisurely.

…Yeah.

It seems like today’s duties will end without incident.

My role here is done for now, so I’ll just have to wait and see what the president’s ‘new plan’ entails.