Category: natsuki

4
 

These days, robot vacuum cleaners are getting pretty advanced, but they’re still just flat disks, and I wasn’t about to let them take over my job. For now, there was still demand for what I did.
 
“…Alright. That should do it.”
 
Looking over the cleaned-up clubroom, I muttered to myself with a sense of accomplishment.
 
It wasn’t exactly sparkling, but it was more than good enough for regular use.
 
Apparently, the Drama Club mostly used the practice spaces and performance hall in the main building, so they didn’t often come to their clubroom.… Read more

At the request of this self-proclaimed fairy who refused to lift a finger, I pushed open the door labeled Second Literature Club – First Clubroom.
 
The moment I did, the sight of a cluttered room—and one girl sitting inside—greeted me.
 
“…………”
 
“————”
 
The girl inside froze, staring at me with a what the hell? expression.
 
Can’t blame her—some random guy just walked in carrying a person. As for the fairy on my back?
 
“I’m home, Mina!”… Read more

 
Before me (well, below me) was a teary-eyed, enigmatic girl, staring up accusingly.
 
“It hurt so much… I thought I’d die…”
 
“S-Sorry! I didn’t think we hit that hard…”
 
“But my butt hurts.”
 
“I said I’m sorry!”
 
“My round butt got flattened…”
 
“I-I mean, what am I supposed to do about that…?”
 
“Like the lunch pack.”
 
“…………”
 
“Like the lunch pack.”
 
“Saying it twice doesn’t help!”
 
“I’ll haunt you.”
 
“Me specifically!?”
 
She really holds a grudge.… Read more

I got the request this morning, right after parting with Shiranui and returning to the faculty office.
 
After returning the borrowed key to Hiyama and reporting that Shiranui had been using the room, he sighed wearily.
 
“I see. As long as that’s confirmed… Really, Tokimoto-kun…”
 
He muttered, thanked me, then shook his head in exhaustion.
 
I’m not sure what exactly he found convincing, but it seemed unrelated to me.
 
And so, Hiyama’s request came to an end—though the conversation continued because, for some reason, an unfamiliar upperclassman girl was also present.… Read more

“Just kidding. I was only messing with you.”
 
“You…!”
 
“Anyway, nice to meet you. At least I won’t call you by your first name, so don’t worry.”
 
I added that last part casually.
 
It wasn’t anything meaningful, but Shiranui narrowed her eyes slightly at the remark.
 
“…There’s someone who might make that complicated.”
 
Her voice was so quiet it sounded more like a murmur to herself than a reply to me.
 
Hearing that, I asked without thinking much of it.… Read more

As I watched puzzled, the girl quietly removed her hands, let out a small sigh, and murmured.
 
“……Guess I’m not scared after all, huh… me……”
 
Seems like she wants to be scared. Huh. I see. …What kind of feeling is that, anyway?
 
What would it take for someone to end up thinking like that? The more I dwell on it, the more curiously it pulls me in.
 
Shoulders slumping (?) at her own lack of intimidation, Shiranui talks to her reflection in the mirror.… Read more

“School layout…? What are you talking about?”
 
“The northeast corner of the school. Near the second club building area – do you know it?”
 
Caught off guard by the sudden location description, I tilted my head as I answered.
 
“…If you’re saying it’s pretty far…”
 
“That’s understanding enough. Actually, there’s an old lodge there, and I’d like to ask you to run an errand there. Here’s the key. Please return it here when you’re done.”… Read more

1
 

Thursday morning, the second week of May.
 
As I walked to school from the station, I mentally reviewed my high school life so far.
 
“For now… I think it’s going… pretty well.”
 
—In the past, I was someone often called a “nice guy” by those around me.
 
I couldn’t deny that I deliberately acted the part.
 
Not because I wanted to be seen as a nice guy, though. Back then, I was just naively idealistic, a little dumber than average, and utterly repulsed by the idea of calculating personal gains in relationships.… Read more

Episode 1: [The Butler of Seishinkan]
 

 
0/D
 

—All human relationships should fundamentally be transactional.
 
This was the creed I carried into high school—and as Kageyuki Sou, a man who firmly believed it, I never imagined things would turn out like this a mere month after enrollment.
 
The root of it all traces back to the second “Natsuki” I met right after starting school. But to cut to the chase: thanks to her, I’ve secured my place in this new life.… Read more

“So? Where’d you see me before?”

Even the way she referred to herself had subtly shifted as she asked me a question with palpable boredom.

─ ─ Honestly, it’s an unbelievable change—like night and day.

Anyone would wear a mask depending on the time and place. Someone who’s always their raw, unfiltered self is probably rare to begin with.

But even so, this was the first time I’d ever seen someone commit this hard to an act.… Read more