IV / Don’t Get Too Close to Danger
The next day during lunch break.
Having endured the dull classes, the students rose from their seats to fully enjoy a moment of freedom.
Izumi was no exception.
At this school, students either brought a lunchbox or bought food from the cafeteria.
Izumi was in the lunchbox group…or rather, the group whose neighbor always provided one for him. As a high school student working part-time to support himself, being able to save on lunch expenses was honestly appreciated.
As he opened the lid of his lunchbox, a female classmate suddenly called out to him.
“Sumie-kun! Come over here for a sec!”
“Eh? Me?”
As he stood up and headed over, he sensed an ominous presence in the hallway.
(Ah, this feeling is…)
Just as he thought, something rather troublesome was happening there.
“…What are you guys doing?”
His classmate Satou was being cried at by an adorable girl student.
No, it wasn’t a metaphor. Satou, who had recently invited Izumi to a group blind dating party, was tearfully accusing someone of something.
“I-Izumi! She’s an underclassman in your club, right!? Do something about this!”
“Ah, I had a feeling it was something like that…”
In front of him stood a certain female underclassman.
[Kasuga Haru]
Despite being an underclassman, she exuded a mature aura thanks to her refined features. In simple terms, she was an extremely beautiful woman.
“Oi, Haru. What are you doing in front of my class?”
“……..”
When Izumi called out to her, Haru turned around and glared at Satou with contempt, as if he were some kind of molester.
“This man was trying to approach Inori with an indecent look, so I just asked him to leave.”
Inori.
That was the name of the female student standing behind Haru.
Her full name was Dōmoto Inori. A first-year like Haru, and her best friend. She seemed gentle, and was also extraordinarily cute in appearance.
Despite being newly admitted students for barely two weeks, these two were already the subject of many rumors among the second-years. Their stunning looks were simply outstanding.
At this academy where the two great romance champions Amasaki Ame and Shragiku Hakua are often discussed, it was whispered that these two might even surpass them.
And for some reason, the two had already acquired strange nicknames.
[The Angel and the Devil]
It was a simple matter.
Dōmoto Inori, who was as adorable as an angel, and Kasuga Haru, who acted like a devil guarding her – that’s what the nicknames referred to.
Inori was often approached by male students due to her cute appearance and easy-going nature. Whenever that happened, Haru would invariably intervene, hurling vicious insults to drive them away. Their infamous reputation quickly spread throughout the academy. This situation likely stemmed from Satou carelessly approaching the “Angel” in an attempt to make up for a failed goukon, oblivious to the “Beware of Dog” sign.
For some reason, these two girls belonged to the same club as Izumi.
The pitiful Satou clung to Izumi in distress.
“Say something, Izumi~!”
“Well, it’s your own fault for recklessly talking to her…”
“But it’s spring, and being alone in my room felt so lonely~!”
“That’s no reason to casually approach someone like her. Just go back to the classroom…”
After ushering Satou back to the classroom, Izumi let out a deep sigh.
Then he addressed his underclassmen in the club.
“So, what are you two doing here? First-years can’t be roaming around.”
Inori responded with a smile so bright it seemed to bring happiness to those around her.
“We came to ask you about club activities today, Senpai~”
“Ah, that’s right, we haven’t decided yet. But did you really come all this way just to ask that?”
He stopped himself from saying they could have just asked via smartphone…no need to be so insensitive to underclassmen who came to see him, even if it was about club matters.
“What are your plans after school?”
“I have something to do today~”
“Got it. Then let’s take the day off.”
“Thank you very much~”
She made the atmosphere so lively just by responding normally.
“Oh, Inori. About that book you recommended the other day…”
“Ah, did you read it, Senpai~?”
“Not yet, but I spotted it at the bookstore, so I bought it…”
As they continued their casual senpai-kouhai conversation,
There was someone who stood between the two of them as if to interrupt.
It was Haru.
She glared at Izumi intently, and in a quiet yet intimidating tone, said:
“Senpai. Please don’t act so smitten with Inori unnecessarily.”
“Eh? I was just talking normally…”
“Your business here is done. …Inori, let’s go.”
Haru promptly turned to leave, with Inori hurriedly following her.
“W-Wait, Haru~!”
Then Haru glanced back.
With a look of scorn, she clicked her tongue and spat out:
“– You lustful beast.”
A shock ran through Izumi as if struck by lightning.
He faltered, his knees buckling as he slumped to the floor.
“I was just reporting that I bought a book…!”
Amasaki Ame, who had poked her head out from the classroom due to the commotion, patted his shoulder with an oddly affectionate gaze.
“Tough times for you, Izumi-cchi…”
“…Yeah.”
The other students also seemed at a loss for words.
As expected of the Devil-chan.
Even the slightest casual comment was enough to prick her scales. Hurting anything she touched – her infamy would only grow further.
…Unfortunately, no one knew Haru’s true intentions at that time.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
–A few days later, after school.
This was the preparation room next to the library.
In the cramped six-tatami mat space lined with desks, bookshelves and other furniture used by the librarian, there was effectively only about three tatami mats’ worth of open floor. Three chairs were arranged there, occupied by three people silently reading.
Izumi Sumie. Kasuga Haru. Dōmoto Inori.
The Literary Club.
No, more accurately, the Literary Society. With only three members, it wasn’t recognized as an official club, resulting in their extremely poor treatment in terms of an activity space.
As for the club’s activities…obviously, reading books. It seemed rather plain, but that was simply the reality.
To begin with, this society was supposed to be disbanded this year.
Last year, Izumi was on good terms with the graduating senior members, who had asked him to keep the numbers up, which was why he was part of this literary society – an odd fit for a guy like him.
Of course, for Izumi, there would be no reason to remain once those seniors graduated. He didn’t dislike reading itself, but since he worked part-time after school, he hadn’t intended to devote much time to club activities. He certainly hadn’t planned for some passionate, youthful drama about “carrying on the seniors’ legacy!” After all, it was just about reading and chatting.
However, this year the new students Kasuga Haru and Dōmoto Inori, who stood out exceptionally, ended up joining the society.
Izumi checked the time on his smartphone.
(I have a shift today, so I need to leave school in thirty minutes…)
At the same time, he observed the two girls.
Inori was intently absorbed in reading a paperback with a book cover.
As for Haru…for some reason, instead of reading, she was just constantly playing games on her smartphone. One-third of all members was already refusing to participate in activities. Signs of the club’s impending collapse were imminent.
(Haru really doesn’t read books, does she…)
So why join the Literary Society?
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