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hufflepuffhollander · 4 years ago

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the photoshoot: tom holland imagine

a/n | i got this idea from a facebook post i saw and ran with it! i’ve never included a photo story in my writing so i hope i didn’t botch it! my WIPs are all pretty angsty so i figured i’d fluff it up a little for y’all (also this gif amirite)

summary | you are picked for a social experiment: a couples’ photoshoot where you don’t meet the person you’re posing with until the beginning of the session.

tom x fem reader | contains fluff, fluff, and more fluff | word count: 2.1k | enjoy!

“My god, just pick a dress, y/n. We’ve been here for hours.”

Your friend stood with her arms crossed as you studied yourself in the dressing room mirror, making faces of content then unrest, unsure if this dress was the one to go with- or if it could’ve been any of the last 15 you’d tried on.

“I can’t decide, maybe I just need to go through them again-”

“No!” your friend said, grabbing the pile of hanged clothes off of the hook on the wall and holding them out of your reach. “You’re overthinking this, it’s just a photoshoot! You don’t even know the guy! And the one you have on is obviously the best choice.”

You turned back to the mirror and stared at the starchy white fabric of the dress, its eyelet lace design making it a tight fit that accentuate your curves. You sighed in resignation. “Fine. But if the pictures come out and I look like a ghost, I’m blaming you.”

You took the outfit home and laid it out in preparation for tomorrow, kicking yourself for having signed up for this in the first place. After a long week, you only wanted to stay in your sweatpants in bed tomorrow instead of getting all dolled up to go take photos in cliche poses with a total stranger. You sent your friend a passive aggressive text about it, since she was the one who made you sign up for the ‘social experiment’, and all you received back was an annoyingly curt “you’ll thank me later”. You threw your phone aside and went to bed early, crossing your fingers that tomorrow would go by as quickly as possible.

You arrived to the shoot location the next day- a vineyard an hour away that you got turned around twice trying to find. Once you stepped out of the car, the photographer came to greet you, a friendly woman in her mid thirties wearing all black and a massive camera swinging around her neck like an oversized necklace.

“Ah, y/n, thank you so much for coming! It seems like your partner is running a little behind, so we’ll just have to wait for a few,” she smiled bleakly, running away to ridicule one of the men setting up the reflective umbrellas.

“We want to capture the people, not the sun, Nicholas.”

You leaned against your car already annoyed at your partner for failing to show up. You had woken up two hours early to curl your hair and do a full face of makeup, and this is how you get rewarded? You swore up and down that you’d smack your friend when you saw her later. The photographer, whose name you learned was Karen—typical—brought you into a tangle of grapevines to test the lighting and shoot some practice photos. You were already horribly uncomfortable when it was just you standing alone, and couldn’t imagine how much worse it would be when another clueless anti-model had to pose next to you.

“Doll, just put your hand on your hip, like this-

“Well no, not like that—uh, Nicholas, can you go pose her?

“Just smile, dear. You look...really unhappy.”

It was nightmarish.

You were saved by the bell as another car pulled into the lot and a guy of average height wearing a crisp blazer stepped out, wearing the snobbiest looking pair of wayfarers you’d ever seen.

“Oh, great! Tom’s here,” Karen cheered, happy to rush away from the agonizing one-on-one session you’d just had. You looked at Nicholas, trying again to fix the umbrella.

“Tom?” you asked, and he just nodded.

“Yeah, Tom Holland. Don’t know how she managed to get an A-lister out here for this, but that’s Karen,” he responded, walking away.

Wait, what?

Karen waltzed back over to you with him in tow, a smile plastered on her face so big you thought the one she flashed you earliest must’ve been entirely insincere.

“Great! Here we are! y/n, this is Tom,” she said, pushing him forward to stand in front of you. He gave you a bright smile and stuck out his hand.

“Pleasure to meet you, love.”

You shook his hand without speaking because you literally had forgotten how to breathe. This was your stranger? You’d had the biggest, most incurable crush on Tom Holland since you were a teenager, and all of your social skills that you’d picked up as an adult had clearly just evaporated in the sun.

“Uh, hi-” Karen and Tom shared a laugh at your starstruck expression. “Sorry, do you two know each other?”

“Yeah, Karen and I go way back,” Tom said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and squeezing her tight. “She taught me how to model.”

“Well, it’s not hard when you have this face to work with!” She pinched Tom’s cheeks and grinned, then looked you up and down, reminding you with a glance how hard it had been just to get you to smile for the camera without looking deranged. Ouch, Karen.

“Okay, well, let’s get started then,” she skipped off back to the rows of vines lining the field and Tom ushered you with his hand. “After you,” he smiled.

You tried not to stumble over your heels stepping in the uneven earth below you, and Karen brought the camera up to her face with a squeal. “Alright, sweeties, let’s make the camera think you’re falling in love!” Karen, you decided, was an extremely over-the-top human. “This is your meet cute. You’re just seeing each other for the first time. Make it sparkle.”

That was all she gave you direction-wise, and you and Tom just stood staring at each other a few feet apart as the camera started clicking. The shade of your cheeks made it look like you’d just run a marathon and you just started giggling out of sheer nerve, making Tom start to work up a laugh, too.

“She’s a bit much, isn’t she?” he motioned with his eyes so Karen couldn’t pick up on his comment.

“I don’t even know what she wants me to do.” you said, concentrating on a bushel of grapes instead of Tom’s dreamy face because you were worried if you spent more than three seconds looking into his eyes, you’d pass out cold.

“Well I’m basically a pro at this, so let me help you, okay?” he said, reaching out for your hand again. You took it as your heart did somersaults in your chest, and as he exclaimed “ooh, nice nails”, you genuinely smiled, giving Karen exactly the shot she wanted.

Your hand was shaking, and he gave it a gentle squeeze. “Why are you so nervous?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? I’m absolutely clueless!”

Tom shrugged and looked off to the side. “Well, you said it, not me...”

You gasped and feigned offense, whipping your hand out of his. “How dare you!”

He laughed and tried to take your hand again, but you dramatically swiped your arm out of his reach, and the camera picked up a series of shots that made it look like you and Tom were playing ninja.

“Uh, what are we doin’ here, folks?” Karen questioned as you and Tom ran in circles around one another, him trying to get at your hands and you doing everything in your power not to let it happen. Your nerves melted away as the endorphins kicked in. Eventually Tom gave up and decided to grab hold of you, pick you up and twirl you around, in the chaos yelling “We need to please the Karen!”. You were laughing and out of breath from running around, and you slowly lowered your head to his, the look in his eyes reading that he was about to kiss you...

“That was amazing!” Karen squealed, shaking you from Tom’s mesmerizing stare, pushing the moment past you. Tom let you down to the ground, both of you shocked that he’d made such a bold move in the first place. He wiped his hands on the legs of his pants and cleared his throat as you fiddled with some of the curls that had come loose around your face. Karen couldn’t be happier; the money shot came out looking like a magazine ad.

Tom gave you a sheepish smile. “Uh, sorry if that was too-”

“It wasn’t,” you batted your lashes at him and could’ve sworn his cheeks were tinted just as pink as yours.

Karen’s loud voice pitched in as you had ended up standing still, a photographer’s worst nightmare.

“Okay, so we’ve met, now show me that chemistry!” she shouted, getting an eye roll from you and a snicker from Tom at your reaction.

“Is she expecting us to fall madly in love now that we’ve known each other for more than five minutes?” you asked, fluffing out the skirt of your dress.

“Weirder things have happened,” Tom shrugged his shoulders and winked at you before turning around and walking towards a cluster of vines, picking off a grape and popping in his mouth with a satisfying crunch.

“Oh, are we allowed to eat them? I’m dying out here in the sun!” You followed his pattern and picked a few grapes out of the brambles, noticing a few rows away that there was a small table with two glasses and a bottle of wine. Tom followed your gaze to the alcohol and looked back at you, his expression reflecting exactly what you were thinking.

“Can I buy you a drink?” he smirked.

You collectively ignored Karen’s remarks as you wandered to the table and filled the glasses.

“Are we sure this is here for us?” you looked around skeptically.

“I have no idea, darling. Cheers.”

You sat down in the grass and clinked the flutes together, still unable to believe this was really happening to you. You and Tom started to talk about nothing, already feeling a thousand times more comfortable around each other, bonding over this shared weird experience—and the fresh off-the-vine wine certainly didn’t hesitate to calm your nerves.

As Tom was leaning closer to you, gaze notably flicking from your eyes to your lips, Karen snuck up to you—pretending to be a grape?—and snapped photos of your impromptu picnic.

“Just adorable,” she murmured, and you almost spilled your wine because of how startled you were. Damnit, Karen, you keep ruining the moment. But she didn’t think twice about the interruption; she almost had tears in her eyes because of how perfect the shots were.

You both sat up and away from one another, feeling stiff now that a lens was pointed at you.

“Well, don’t stop on my account!” she chortled, wholly unaware her debut was what killed the vibe.

Tom stood up and offered his hand to help you stand, not immediately letting it go as you wandered to a different part of the sunny vineyard. You pushed the photographer out of your mind as you chatted again, bumping each other’s shoulders as you walked and not minding it a bit. Every time you saw a certain glint in Tom’s eyes, any moment he caught you looking, there could’ve been a spark there that ignited something more. But you were constantly interrupted by shutter clicks, yells at Nicholas, and annoying directing interjections by the appropriately-named Karen.

At one point, Tom had clearly had enough of the pestering, and took your hand, pulling you into an array of closely packed trees so you couldn’t be found.

“Woah- what are you doing?” you asked, confused at the sudden change of scenery.

“Guys? Where did you go?” You heard a shrill voice coming from outside the trees, and Tom attempted to shush you by pulling you close into his body and covering half your face with his hand.

“Shut up shut up shut-”

You heard Karen’s voice grow quieter as she searched in the opposite direction.

“Tom!” you chuckled, prying his fingers off of your cheek. “You’re going to smear my makeup!”

“It’s not like you need it, y/n,” he said without thinking, attention still focused on hiding.

Your whole face grew hot and you couldn’t help but smile like a complete fool. When he looked down at your reaction, he noticed the weight in what he’d said, and made the cutest giggle you’d ever heard, trying to avert the focus from his compliment.

“Sorry, I just couldn’t handle another photo directive being shouted in my ear,” he breathed while pushing his hair back out of his eyes in some devilishly handsome way. You were still clutching the hand that had been on your face, and Tom looked down to interlock his fingers with yours.

“You do know we’re at a photoshoot, right?”

He playfully shoved your shoulder with his free hand at your sassy comment.

“Just saying, I thought you were a pro-”

You heard the photographer’s voice come into the foreground again and you abruptly ran as fast as you could with heels on, still holding Tom’s hand as you trailed behind him. You found yourselves in an even more tightly packed bramble of trees, facing each other with barely a grapevine’s width between you.

“Oh, you have a stick in your hair,” you whispered, reaching up to pick a tiny branch out of his curls. As you looked from his hair to his eyes, he was staring deeply into yours, prompting you to leave your hand resting at the back of his neck.

Wordlessly, he leaned in and kissed you in one fell swoop, and you thought you might implode on the spot when his lips came in contact with your own. He tasted like cologne and crisp grape juice and it was a mixture of scents you hoped would never leave your nose—just the way he kissed you so sweetly made you want to bathe in the stuff.

When he pulled back, he brought your intertwined fingers up to cup your cheek, and you let your hand rest on the back of his as you tilted your head to instigate another kiss, still enjoyably dizzied from the one before.

Tom let his mouth linger over yours after another long kiss before coming up for air again, and you could see his eyes wrinkling at the corners, knowing he was smiling without being able to see the rest of his face.

“You know, I was hesitant to do the whole ‘stranger photoshoot’ thing, but now I’m pretty happy I was able to be convinced.” He sighed contently.

“This was more of a stranger hide-and-go-seek than a photoshoot, I feel like,” you spoke from your lighthearted chest in airy breaths and moved to lock lips again, unable to get enough of your stranger. He put his hand on the small of your back and leaned you backward, deepening the already electric hold he had on you.

“I don’t want you to be a stranger anymore, darling,” he mumbled against you, sending vibrations through you with his voice. You just whispered a soft “okay”, lost for words, as his mouth touched your cheek, your jaw, and then back to your lips for more of your wine-infused kisses. You were wishing this moment could last forever, Tom holding you and sending shivers down your spine, right as you heard a click and saw the bright white flash of a bulb.

“Jesus, Karen!”

But she didn’t care that you were mad; her experiment had worked, she’d gotten her strangers together—and just look at that shot.

#tom holland #tom holland imagine #tom holland one shot #tom holland blurb #tom holland pictorial #tom holland fanfiction #tom holland x reader #tom holland x you #tom holland imagines #tom holland one shots #tom holland blurbs #tom holland pictorials #tom holland fanfictions

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hakuogakuen · 4 years ago

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Hakuouki SSL: Chapter 1 (Hijikata)

Here is the translation for chapter 1 of Hijikata’s route! Common route translation is by yuugs, and the Hijikata-specific scenes translations are by shizuumi. Proofreading by shizuumi, kuririn and dei-hime.

Translation begins under the cut! You can also find it on our new Blogspot

―― June ――

As the calendar turns to the next page, our uniforms turn to summer ones as well.

In April and May, I was so desperate to get used to high school life that the months just flew by….

Lately, I think I’ve finally made a place for myself in my life at Hakuo Academy.

Of course, it’s still an environment meant for boys so I still feel a little out of place. But thanks to my reliable friends and teachers, I’m living a fulfilling life at school——

Two months have passed since I began high school. It’s a clear and sunny morning in June. When I came to school, immediately after entering the building, the first thing I felt was an odd atmosphere.

As I climbed the stairs, just as I turned onto the landing——

Chizuru Yukimura: “Wah!?”

???: “Ah!”

I collided with the student rushing around the corner, and ended up falling on my butt.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Ow…"

Susumu Yamazaki: "Yukimura-kun? Sorry…”

Hajime Saitou: “I told you not to rush, Yamazaki. Are you alright, Yukimura?”

I looked up into two faces I recognized. Saitou-senpai was holding a textbook under one arm. He held out his hand to me.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Ah… yes, I’m alright."

Trying not to overthink it, I grabbed his hand and he pulled me upright.

Chizuru Yukimura: ”…Thank you for that.“

Chizuru Yukimura:: "I’m sorry, Yamazaki-senpai. I wasn’t being careful.”

As I bowed deeply to the two of them, I noticed a second year textbook had fallen to the floor.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Isn’t this your textbook, Yamazaki-senpai?”

Susumu Yamazaki: “O-Oh, did I drop it? …I didn’t notice. Thanks.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “……”

Something was off. Yamazaki’-senpai’s eyes had kind of a glazed look, and there were dark circles underneath them. Saitou-senpai also looked tired.

This seems…

[Are you alright?] or [Are you not getting enough sleep?]

Chizuru Yukimura: “Are you getting enough sleep?”

Susumu Yamazaki: “Well, um, that’s just how it is right now… It’s no big deal.”

Hajime Saitou: “Right. The real pain will begin next week or so."

Chizuru Yukimura: “…?”

They smiled bitterly, and then turned away. As they did…their gait seemed uneven. They said it wasn’t a big deal, but it didn’t look that way.

Chizuru Yukimura: "I wonder if they’re okay…”

I was getting more and more worried, but I didn’t have much time left before homeroom. Without another word, I hurried off to my classroom.

_ _

All morning, the school had been filled with chattering students. The hallway before the classrooms was especially lively. Maybe it was because classes hadn’t started yet. Having gotten to know them over the last two months, I exchanged greetings with my classmates in the hall as I headed to my classroom. On the way, I saw familiar faces in the distance and suddenly stopped in my tracks.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Heisuke-kun and Okita-senpai?"

I thought that was a freshman classroom. Why would two sophomores be there? It would be time for homeroom soon…

[Call out to them] or [Leave them alone]

Chizuru Yukimura: "Heisuke-kun, Okita-senpai!”

I called out to them, waving. Both of them noticed me and immediately came over.

Heisuke Toudou: “Yo, Chizuru. G’morning!”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Morning, Heisuke-kun. Did you guys just come back from practice?"

Souji Okita: "Yep. Been working like dogs all morning.”

They were part of the kendo club, which often met in the morning. On days when there was morning training, Heisuke and I couldn’t walk to school together. I got a bit lonely those days… But seeing him trying his hardest made me happy.

Chizuru Yukimura: “But why are you guys here? This is a first year classroom…”

Heisuke Toudou: “That’s… well, the thing is… We were just passing by…”

Souji Okita: “Why not be honest? This guy came by ‘cause he was worried about you.”

Heisuke Toudou: “Ah! Hey, Souji!”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Worried…about me?” I blinked in surprise. Heisuke rubbed his head and mumbled.

Heisuke Toudou: “I mean, you’re surrounded by a bunch of guys, right? I’m worried they might pick on you or something.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “No, no, I’m alright. I’ve made a lot of friends in my class these past new months.”

Souji Okita: “There you go. Yet here he comes anyway, worrying his little head off about you. Pretty stalker-ish vibes, don’t you think?"

Heisuke Toudou: "W-Who you calling a stalker! I’m not anything like one!”

I smiled at Okita-senpai’s and Heisuke-kun’s bickering.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Anyway, guys, I think the bell’s about to ring.”

Heisuke Toudou: "Oh, crap! You’re right!”

Souji Okita: “Well, we’ll probably see you at lunch later.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Yup!”

After seeing them off, I went back to enter the classroom…

When I did, I took out my textbook and notebook to get ready for class. The bell rang as soon as I’d finished, and I heard the sound of the door opening.

Sanosuke Harada: “Take your seats, guys. Homeroom’s starting.”

As Harada-sensei came in, everyone rushed to their seats.

Classmate A: “Stand! Bow!”

Sanosuke Harada: “All right, morning!”

Everyone in class: “Good morning!”

Sanosuke Harada: “Time for attendance…is what I was going to say, but it seems like everyone’s here. Raise a hand if not.”

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: “You can’t do that if you’re not here…”

Ibuki-kun startled me by suddenly speaking up. A laugh escaped me before I could stop myself. Harada-sensei did make jokes like this at times. He really was a friendly, kind teacher.

Sanosuke Harada: “Now then, you all started school two months ago, and now it’s June. With that being the case…Though you might already know this, our school’s midterm exams start in two weeks! Make sure to study diligently, you guys. Put your feet up and slack off, and who knows what horrors you might be tempting?” Harada-sensei smirked as if he knew something we didn’t.

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "Horrors…?”

Sanosuke Harada: “If you think this’ll be the same as tests back in middle school, you’ll be in for a bad time. As you all know, Hakuo Academy has a teacher that’s much more passionate about educating its students than other schools do.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Passionate about educating, meaning–”

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: “…It’s Hijikata-sensei, isn’t it?”

Sanosuke Harada: “Well, so it goes. Following a certain teacher’s suggestion, there’ll be penalties for students with lower scores. Those scoring less than 50% in a subject will receive a special homework assignment, and must clean all the school’s windows.“

Everyone in class: ”……“

As Harada-sensei with his explanation, everyone in class got paler and paler.

Sanosuke Harada: “Below 30% gets you cleaning corridors on top of the additional homework… And below that, the punishments get extra special.”

Chizuru Yukimura: ”'Special,’ he says…“

Sanosuke Harada: "Below 20% means doing a problem set, weeding the school yard, and a week of additional classes!”

Classmate A: “Whaaaaat?!”

Sanosuke Harada: “Sorry, but it’s already set in stone. Don’t like it? Then study like there’s no tomorrow. I don’t think anyone should get lower than 50%. If you study then you’ll be in the clear, right?”

While listening to Harada-sensei, I recalled what happened this morning. The reason why Saitou-senpai and Yamazaki-senpai seemed so off was probably this.

Chizuru Yukimura: “……”

While I didn’t mind studying, there was no way I’d want extra homework.

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: “What would that guy do to me if I got myself stuck in supplemental classes...?!” Ibuki’s face drained of all color, and he hung his head.

This was going to be difficult. I would have to brace myself… The midterm exams would begin the week after next. Although I thought June’s hardships were over, the real battle was just around the corner.

_ _

After morning classes had finished, it was finally time for lunch. ‘Am I worrying too much about the tests? I feel kind of weird today,’ I thought.

Chizuru Yukimura: “I should go to the cafeteria for the time being.”

Heisuke-kun and Okita-senpai were probably waiting for me…After quickly putting my school supplies away, I headed for the cafeteria.

For Hakuo Academy students, there were essentially three ways to get lunch. Some students brought a bento from home, and some bought their lunches at the school store. But the most popular lunch choice was to buy a meal from the cafeteria.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Wow…”

The school lunches were all delicious and affordable. It was no wonder they were so popular. I usually brought a bento, but sometimes I didn’t feel like having one. Since it was so popular, it was jam-packed by the time I got there.

Genzaburou Inoue: “Hey, you there! Line up properly! There are plenty of meals to go around...Hey now…! Don’t argue over the rice! Remember your manners and share!”

The beloved school chef, Inoue-san, was also managing the cafeteria. It looked like he was doing a good job sorting the students out, as usual.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Heisuke-kun isn’t here yet, huh…?” ‘I’ll get in the way if I stand and wait here. What should I do?’ the moment the thought passed through my mind...

???: “You’re in the way. Move.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Huh…?”

A voice rang out from the other side of the crowd. Immediately afterwards, the masses parted, splitting into two. Imperious as ever, the figure which emerged between them was...

Chizuru Yukimura: “K-Kazama-senpai…”

Amagiri-senpai and Shiranui-senpai pushed away annoyed students left and right, creating an empty clearing in the otherwise crowded cafeteria.

Chikage Kazama: “Chizuru…? For us to meet here of all places… How serendipitous. As I thought, there is a strong bond of fate between us. Don’t you agree?”

Chizuru Yukimura: "Wha–”

Kyou Shiranui: “Is it? You go to the same school with the same cafeteria. Wouldn’t it be weirder if you didn’t see each other?”

Kyuuju Amagiri: “It is strange, now that you mention it... That you have never encountered each other here until today is rather more mysterious.”

Chikage Kazama: “……”

Kyou Shiranui: “Don’t sound like much of a bond to me.”

Chikage Kazama: “……No matter. Whatever the peanut gallery says, rest assured that our meeting today was destiny. As such, I will have your lunch prepared. Order whatever you wish.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Huh?!”

Chikage Kazama: “What’s wrong? There’s no need to hold back. Even if you want everything on the menu, I won’t mind.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “That’s not what I’m worried about…! At any rate, treating me to so much is unfair to you!”

Chikage Kazama: “That modesty is a virtue of yours, but I insist that it’s fine. ....Or is it something else? Does the cafeteria food not suit your palate?”

Chizuru Yukimura: “T-That’s not the case at all! It’s delicious! It’s just that……”

As I shook my head, the number of people waiting for food was increasing. Maybe because of how we stood out in the middle, other students couldn’t get in line…The people who were stuck around us were getting angry. ‘W-What should I do…?’ I was so conflicted that I could feel tears starting to form in my eyes. Then–

???: “You again, Kazama!!” An ear-splitting yell descended upon us.

Toshizou Hijikata: “Just what do you think you’re doing, harassing the female student in the middle of the cafeteria? Can’t you see she’s about to cry!?”

Chikage Kazama: “Ha. How ludicrous… You say that as if I were the one who made her cry.”

Kyou Shiranui: “…You say it, Amagiri.”

Kyuuju Amagiri: “Well, I can say we never intended in the slightest to make her cry…”

Toshizou Hijikata: “Then why is she holding back tears? …And why is everyone packed like sardines in here? Out with it.”

Chikage Kazama: “My wife’s eyes are full of tears due to her gratitude for my superb generosity. As to the cafeteria, it just happens to be crowded today. To falsely accuse a single student of being responsible is unbefitting of a teacher such as yourself.”

Toshizou Hijikata: “There’s a suspicious clearing around you and you only! Put two and two together, and it can only be your fault!”

Hijikata-sensei and Kazama-senpai always fought like cats and dogs, and their terrible relationship was infamous at school. Sparks flew the moment they met, and it only ever grew more and more extreme.

Chizuru Yukimura: “……”

When I saw Hijikata-sensei coming earlier, I thought everything would be sorted. It relieved me from the bottom of my heart… But far from improving anything, the situation seemed like it was only going to get worse.

Chizuru Yukimura: “…W-What do I do…?”[Stand and watch] or [Forcibly break them up]

I was a bit scared to intervene, but if I didn’t do something, they'd trouble even more people. Summoning my determination, I took a deep breath and called out to them.

Chizuru Yukimura: "U-Um, Hijikata-sensei, Kazama-senpai!"

Chikage Kazama: "Look now, Hijikata. Your quibbling has even annoyed my wife as well. If you've so much time to kill that you can stick your nose in other's love lives, why don't you go on and eat whatever you do for lunch?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Um...! The people around here are...!"

Toshizou Hijikata: "I was on my way to eat when I had to deal with the nuisance in the room... By the way, don't get it twisted. She isn't married to you, nor does she plan on marrying you."

Chizuru Yukimura: "......Please listen to what I have to say!!"

Hijikata ＆ Kazama: "———"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Anyway, let's clear out of here!"

I forcibly grabbed both of their arms, and dragged them out of the cafeteria.

Chizuru Yukimura: "...Don't you realize that making such a racket would bother everyone else?"

My heart was still pounding from raising my voice... But looking back at the cafeteria, the traffic seemed to smooth itself out thanks to the odd clearing going away.

Toshizou Hijikata: "...You're absolutely right. When Kazama is involved, I tend to lose my head."

Chizuru Yukimura: "N-No... I'm sorry as well. I think I was a little too aggressive..."

Chikage Kazama: "...What are you whispering about over there? Hijikata, don't stand so close to my wife. Put some distance between you."

Toshizou Hijikata: "......"

Chikage Kazama: "Hmph... It seems that you finally understand the position you're in. Now, with you more at ease, I will permit you to eat with me, wife of mine."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Huh...?"

Kyuuju Amagiri: "As expected of Kazama-sama. The instant the conversation starts to simmer down, he brings it right back up to a boil again, toute suite."

Kyou Shiranui: "Why does that impress you?"

Amagiri and Shiranui had followed us out of the cafeteria and had begun the a running commentary. But I wish they would help stop it, not play along with it…!

Chikage Kazama: "Hehehe, Hijikata… You've gone quiet all of a sudden. Do you have no further comebacks? If so, then leave my sight. Never speak up against my and my bride’s romance again!”

Toshizou Hijikata: "...You no-good little...!!"

Kyou Shiranui: "Hijikata's irritated but he's putting up with it well. Now that's the response of a respectable adult."

Kyuuju Amagiri: "Although Kazama-sama is winning, I do wish he would reflect upon his childish behavior..."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Please, tell him something that important directly...!"

Although he has to keep quiet putting up with this, Hijikata-sensei looks ready to explode. And so, I…

Chizuru Yukimura: "U-Um!"

[Sensei! I have a question!] or [Please ask me next time] or [I promised someone else]

Chizuru Yukimura: "Hijikata-sensei, I have a question!!"

Toshizou Hijikata: "...What?"

I'd no choice but to distract him myself. Trying to change the subject, I opened my mouth, and desperately began to ad-lib:

Chizuru Yukimura: "There's actually something I wanted to ask you about classical literature! I'm having trouble with interpreting the Paulownia section in the Tale of Genji..."

Toshizou Hijikata: "Hey. You don't even have your textbook with you. What are you saying? Have you memorized it?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Uh..."

Chikage Kazama "...How boring."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Huh...?"

I was confused, Hijikata-sensei looked amazed, and Kazama-senpai looked dissatisfied.

Chikage Kazama: "Just where has this conversation ended up? Don't tell me you forgot I was here?!"

Kyuuju Amagiri: "Well, the tests are soon upon us. Everyone is concerned with their studies during this time. That's simply how it is."

Chikage Kazama: "My interest has dwindled... Let's go."

Kyou Shiranui: "Huh?! What about our lunch?!"

Kyuuju Amagiri: "...Give it up, Shiranui. We'll just buy bread at the school store.

Kyou Shiranui: "Damn it! I was looking forward to eating the cafeteria food!!"

With Shiranui-senpai dissatisfied and Amagiri-senpai troubled, they went to chase down Kazama-senpai, who had already left.

Toshizou Hijikata: "Good grief..."

With those three out of sight, Hijikata-sensei let out a sigh.

Toshizou Hijikata: "Thanks, Yukimura. ...You couldn't bear to just watch, so you interrupted on purpose, right? We would've argued to no end if you'd left us to our devices. I appreciate you stopping us."

Chizuru Yukimura: "N-No, I didn't really..."

Toshizou Hijikata: "That being said, it seems you’ve caught the interest of some pretty weird types, haven’t you..."

Chizuru Yukimura: "I'm alright, but I do wonder why Kazama-senpai is so interested in me..."

Toshizou Hijikata: "Beats me. I've known him for a long time, but I still can't tell what he's thinking. Don't think about it too much."

Chizuru Yukimura: "...Yes, sir..."

Toshizou Hijikata: "Also, if you really have a question, come and ask me anytime. ...Do you like classic texts?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes!"

Toshizou Hijikata: "I see...” a smile flickered on Hijikata-sensei’s face. “There are plenty of others besides the Tale of Genji. Look forward to them.” Then his expression turned stern. "That you need to be careful now goes without saying. Don't neglect studying for your tests."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes. I've definitely braced myself for them. I'll study well!"

After giving me a slight smile, Hijikata-sensei left.

Feeling grateful for his kindness, I smiled at his back as I watched him leave.

As the days went by, the older students, who already knew how severe the penalties were, grew more and more desperate. Seeing them also made us grow more anxious as well, as freshmen. The strange tension that enveloped Hakuo Academy just kept growing stronger.

And then…

―― 7 days until the tests ――

While we studied for our tests day after day, Harada-sensei looked around at our exhausted faces and grinned from his podium.

Sanosuke Harada: “Looking good, guys. It looks like you lot finally understand how serious we are about our tests.”

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: “What does he mean, 'looking good’? This is just agony…”

Sanosuke Harada: “Hey, don’t say that. It’s not like I don’t get what you’re going through. Just think of this as a rite of passage. This is what you signed up for enrolling into Hakuo Academy. There’s no turning back now. Anyway, just do your best.”

Everyone in class: ”……“

What he said was irrefutably correct. Everyone lost the will to argue, and went silent.

_ _

―― 6 days until the tests ――

That day, I ran into Kazama-senpai in the corridor without expecting to. Naturally, Amagiri-senpai and Shiranui-senpai were shadowing him, as usual.

Chikage Kazama: “Chizuru. Less than a week remains until testing begins. Are you studying properly?”

Chizuru Yukimura: "I am. I’m working at my own pace, and it’s going fairly well, I think…”

'How about you, Kazama-senpai?’ ...I felt like I didn’t even need to ask. Why? Because he seemed plenty calm, a smug smile spreading across his face.

Chikage Kazama: “These students growing so flustered over mere high school tests is truly unsightly. Don’t you think so?”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Uh… T-That’s…”

Kyou Shiranui: "Uh, no, 'cause high school students are bound to freak out over high school tests. Rather than unsightly, it’s just normal.

Kyuuju Amagiri: ”…Kazama-sama. If we do not depart soon, you will be late for your next lesson.“

Chikage Kazama: “Hmph. Whether or not I attend any classes, there’s not a single thing the test will cover that I won’t understand… But very well. Let us show our faces in class for today. Well then, I bid you farewell.”

I was left standing alone in the hallway, overwhelmed as Kazama-senpai swaggered off with an arrogant look on his face.

_ _

―― 5 days until the tests ――

Chizuru Yukimura: “Good morning, Saitou-senpai.”

Hajime Saitou: “Is that you, Yukimura? Morning.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “You still have disciplinary committee work in the mornings even though we only have five days until the tests. That must be hard…”

Hajime Saitou: “No, it’s important to accumulate knowledge on a regular basis in order to study properly. So there’s no point in panicking just before a test.”

Just what you’d expect from Saitou-senpai…

Hajime Saitou: “However, all sports and culture clubs have suspended their activities for the tests. So since Heisuke’s not with you, he must be late. One strike for him.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “N-No, he’s on class duty today, so he should’ve arrived before me!”

Hajime Saitou: “Come to think of it, he might’ve passed by a short while ago…”

Looking at him more closely, I could see the dark bags under Saitou-senpai’s eyes. On the surface, he looked as dignified as ever, but his grip on his pen looked a little shaky, too. Perhaps Saitou-senpai was staying up late studying too…

_ _ ―― 4 days until the tests ――

On Saturday, I was studying in my room, when suddenly my cell phone rang.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Okita-senpai…?”

‘A message with a picture attached, as usual. Let’s have a look…’

He’s making a peace sign at the camera, with an odd-looking plushie hanging from his hand.

“I won a toy that I thought you’d like.

I’ll give it to you at school.

I’ll bring it up to your classroom for you, even.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “……”

‘What kind of tastes does he think I have? Moreover…’

Chizuru Yukimura: “Even though it’s a Saturday with tests right around the corner, he still finds time to fool around!”

_ _

―― 3 days until the tests ――

It was Sunday morning.

I decided to do a little sweeping by the front door for a change of pace. At that moment, Heisuke appeared, staggering.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Heisuke-kun?! Are you okay…!?”

Heisuke Toudou: “Chizuru… Mornin’…”

He had terrible, dark bags under his eyes and his eyes were hollow. He was so exhausted that he couldn’t even walk straight.

Heisuke Toudou: “I-I’m on the verge of falling asleep… So I’m running a lap around the block. Must…stay…awake…”

Chizuru Yukimura: “But if you don’t sleep a little, you won’t last until the test!"

Heisuke Toudou: "No way! I’m not done studying yet! I’ll totally flunk it!! Don’t stop me, Chizuru! Don’t stop me! I’m not ready to die yet!”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Wait, Heisuke-kun! A whole lap around the block is too much no matter how you look at it—”

I tried to stop him, but he’d already run off... While watching his disappearing figure staggering in zigzags down the road, I could only pray for his safety.

_ _

―― 2 days until the tests ――

During recess.

I gathered my class’s printouts and brought them to the staff room…

Toshizou Hijikata: “……”

Hijikata-sensei, looking particularly annoyed, was sighing deeply. He looked no better than the students, just as exhausted by pre-test frenzy.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Is something wrong, Hijikata-sensei?”

Toshizou Hijikata: “Those guys are so tired from cramming that they sleep through my classes. Because of them, I’m screaming my lungs out every morning. Classes are a key part of test preparations. Their priorities are all backwards!”

Chizuru Yukimura: “…You’ve been working really hard…”

I think they just stay up all night studying out of fear of punishment… Even though I understood Hijikata-sensei’s concerns, I couldn’t help but smile wryly.

―― At last, the day before the test ――

Chizuru Yukimura: “Finally, it’s tomorrow…”

At the end of the school day, while I was putting away my textbooks, I glanced to to the desk beside mine…

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: “……”

Ibuki-kun sat here, engrossed in his studies, showing no signs of getting up to go home.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Ibuki-kun, aren’t you going home?”

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: “Ah… I wouldn’t be able to study even if I did. Since Serizawa-san’s there...”

Ibuki-kun often mentions him when we talk. It seems like he doesn’t get along with this ‘Serizawa-san’. With him looking so cornered, I could only bring a forced smile to my lips.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Do your best.”

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: “You too.”

He gave a little smile, and then, as if he were clinging onto his desk, dived back into his books for the test.

At that moment…

Chizuru Yukimura: “?”

I noticed my phone vibrating in my pocket and took it out. A message notification came up on my screen.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Oh, it’s from Sen-chan.”

Sen is my friend who attends Shimabara Girls’ High School not too far away from my academy.

—–

Sub: Will you be okay for the test?

Chizuru-chan, are you going to be okay for the tests?

I can’t take it anymore~!

I just want to run away from it all~!

But, after we get through these midterms, we definitely need to hang out!

I will survive them on your moral support, Chizuru-chan!!

—–

Chizuru Yukimura: “I see. They have tests at the same time as us. Shimabara High is a sister school to Hakuo Academy, come to think of it…”

“Jeez, Sen-chan…”

Having read her message, I decided to reply right away. ‘But what should I write?’

[Looking forward to it!] or [Concentrate on studying!]

"'Don't try to escape reality!' ...Send."

We have to concentrate on our studies now. I told her that in a reply, and after a little while…

—–

RE: Will you be okay for the test?

Chizuru, you're too serious��

—–

Chizuru Yukimura: "...W-Well, I should study for tomorrow."

I messed that one up. My chest tightened a little. I'll properly make it up to her once the tests are over and done with. Having decided that, I left the classroom.

‘Now then…’

Chizuru Yukimura: "Guess I'm not heading home right away today. I'll stop by the library."

Just like Ibuki-kun said, there are all kinds of distractions at home that might hamper concentration. ‘Tomorrow's test day. The real deal. I have to do my absolute best today!’

I headed to the library with that in mind, but it seemed that everyone else had had the same idea. The library was practically overflowing with students. It was much more crowded than usual. I managed to somehow find an open seat, and started revising my notes.

Chizuru Yukimura: "Uh-huh..."

I started with Classical Literature for 30 minutes. Before I went on to cover the questions I didn't get, I suddenly stopped writing.

Chizuru Yukimura: "...Right. I should find a reference book since I'm at the library..."

With that in mind, I went through the bookshelves sorted by subject to look for the book I needed.

Chizuru Yukimura: "Ah...Is it that one?"

There it was, on the topmost shelf: a reference book on classical literature, complete with a glossary. Hijikata-sensei recommended this one, saying it was especially useful, since it included detailed explanations as well.

Chizuru Yukimura: "Hm...Huh...Alrighty then..."

I reached for the book on the top shelf with all my might. But with my height, I couldn't reach it even while stretching my hand.

Chizuru Yukimura: "Just a little further...!"

???: "You looking for this one?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "......"

A hand suddenly stretched out from behind me, the scent of tobacco surrounding me. I froze. And when I turned around in my confusion, his face was much closer than I expected.

(CG get!°˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°)

Toshizou Hijikata: "Ahh… This is the book I recommended. I see you remembered it, huh? Kids these days don't appreciate all you do for them. You recommend them some books, meaning to be helpful, and they just forget the moment they're out of the classroom."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Whoa!!" Belatedly, I yelped in surprise.

Toshizou Hijikata: "...You're real jumpy, aren't you? Relax a little."

Chizuru Yukimura:: "S-Sorry..!"

That was such an idiotic reaction on my part. My face flushed with embarrassment the moment I realized it.

Chizuru Yukimura: "Um, it's just… I never thought that I'd see you in a place like this."

Toshizou Hijikata: "Whether I'm here or anywhere else in the school, I'm still a staff member here. I visit the library too when I need to."

Chizuru Yukimura: "...I see..." ‘What do I do?’ I was so embarrassed I wished I could run away...!

Toshizou Hijikata: "Here, take it."

Chizuru Yukimura: "T-Thank you for helping me."

Toshizou Hijikata: "You're welcome. But still... The library is usually so deserted. But before a test, it's swarming with people. If only they were always this willing to study without needing to be motivated by penalties. That'd be much better."

Hijikata-sensei nodded bluntly, looking over the library with a somewhat bewildered expression.

Toshizou Hijikata: "Anyway, Yukimura. Haven't I told you that you can ask me anytime if there's something you don't get in classical literature?"

His stern gaze had me fidgeting nervously, but I decided to speak my mind.

Chizuru Yukimura: "But... You've been looking very tired lately... I felt bad wasting your time by bothering you with questions..."

Toshizou Hijikata: "So I really look so tired that even students have started worrying, huh.” He nodded solemnly; it seemed he was perfectly aware of his own exhaustion.

Toshizou Hijikata: "More importantly, how are your studies going?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "R-Right. I think I'm working hard enough that I won't suffer any penalties."

For a brief moment, a faint smile flickered on Hijikata-sensei's face. But it turned into a strict frown the very next second.

Toshizou Hijikata: "Yukimura. I'll tell you now: You won't get any special treatment. The fact that you're the only girl in the whole school in no ways means that we'll go easy on you."

As he fixed me with a stern look, I said…

[I'm ready to face it.] or [I'll be fine!]

Chizuru Yukimura: "I'm gonna be fine!"

Toshizou Hijikata: "I-...Is that right...?" Hijikata blinked in surprise at my cheerful response.

Chizuru Yukimura: "Thinking about the penalty does get me a little nervous... But it'd be unfair for everyone else for me to get a lighter punishment just because I'm a girl."

Toshizou Hijikata: "But it was meant for the boys in the first place. Cleaning the whole school may end up needing a lot of physical labor... That'd be much tougher than doing the homework, don't you think?"

He carefully chose his words, as if trying to make sure that I understood what he meant.

Chizuru Yukimura: "Even if it's tough, there's no helping it."

Toshizou Hijikata: "......"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Everyone in the academy already attends so much to my needs. On top of being able to attend the same school, I shouldn't let myself be spoiled by everyone's kindness too much..."

As I carefully spoke my mind, Hijikata-sensei nodded silently.

Toshizou Hijikata: "It's good that you understand that. You know, any other student in your position could've said something pathetic along the lines of: I'm a girl, so please go easy on me'... I would have deeply regretted accepting you into our school if you turned out to be like that."

As he said that, his gaze on me was surprisingly calm.

Toshizou Hijikata: "Yukimura. You've got guts. That's one of your strengths. Keep doing your best."

Chizuru Yukimura: "...I will!"

He gave me a little smile and nodded at my words. Seeing that, I relaxed a little as well.

Chizuru Yukimura: "Um, Hijikata-sensei. Can I ask you one thing?"

Toshizou Hijikata: "What is it?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "There's something I got curious about while we were talking... Could it be that you were the one who came up with the idea of having penalties?"

Upon hearing my question, the soft expression on Mr. Hijikata's face changed momentarily.

Toshizou Hijikata: "...Well, yeah. Maybe it's a bit too harsh, but I absolutely must raise the schools’ grades by all means possible. If it's for the sake of students’ grades… I'm willing to do anything."

In his eyes, I saw a glimpse of something hidden deep within his heart.

Chizuru Yukimura: "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have asked you that."

Toshizou Hijikata: "...No, it's fine. Anyway, don't you also think that the penalties are too strict?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "...I don't know. It's my first time facing them, so I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. But..." After a brief pause, I continued, "There's a reason you had to do it this way, right? In that case, I'll trust your judgement, and do my best as well."

Hijikata stared at me with a look of surprise. And then…

Toshizou Hijikata: "You're pretty cheeky, aren't you?" His face unexpectedly relaxed into a droll smile. "I assume you're going to stay here and study for a while, but be sure to return home before it gets dark. Nothing good will come out of last minute cramming anyway. ...Got it?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes, sir. Thank you very much."

As I bowed, he nodded in return and then quickly left the library.

Chizuru Yukimura: "Well, I'll go work for a little longer...!"

Thanks to chatting with Hijikata-sensei, my mind had cleared up. I felt like I could definitely solve all the questions that seemed too hard for me before. After all, with the reference book that Mr. Hijikata recommended, I had a powerful ally on my side.

The day of the test had finally arrived. It was time for the real thing at last. I studied as much as I possibly could, but still felt a bit anxious…

The tests had finally started. I thought back to Hijikata-sensei's words. Even though my nerves made me freeze up somewhat, I could feel myself gradually growing calmer.

Chizuru Yukimura: "Okay... Let's do this!"

[Minigame Pass]

Chizuru Yukimura: "I'm in good condition. I'll do fine."

The test today had a blank column in which I was able to fill out my answer sheet completely. ‘This must've also been thanks to Hijikata-sensei...!’

Then, several days later…

Chizuru Yukimura: "What a relief...!"

I saw the test results that had been posted on the notice board, and it lifted the weight off my chest. Of course, avoiding the penalties put me at ease, but I also got a better grade than I expected.

Toshizou Hijikata: "Well done, Yukimura."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Mr. Hijikata!"

Toshizou Hijikata: "Kids who don't normally study like they mean it already couldn't get grades like these even if they tried."

‘Could it be that he came here to praise me...?’ Thinking that made me feel somewhat embarrassed.

Chizuru Yukimura: "I got such good grades thanks to you, Mr. Hijikata."

Toshizou Hijikata: "Huh? What do you mean?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "In the library the day before the test, you gave me that pep talk."

Toshizou Hijikata: "Ohh, that... You'd have known all that even if I hadn't said anything."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Even so, Sensei... What you said really resonated with me."

Toshizou Hijikata: "...I see."

Chizuru Yukimura: "I'll work hard and study diligently every day!"

Hijikata-sensei nodded with a little laugh and kept speaking.

Toshizou Hijikata: "The next time you have any questions you don't understand, don't be shy. Make sure you come and ask me, since that's part of my job as a teacher. ...Got it?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Hijikata-sensei..."

It was a little embarrassing, but hearing that made me happy as well.

Chizuru Yukimura: "...Thank you very much."

Not only did I feel relieved that I avoided the penalties, but having Mr. Hijikata's praise on top of that made me so happy...

I really felt glad that the test results came out. If they hadn't, I wouldn't have been able to see Mr. Hijikata's smile in the least.

_ _

At last, the tests were over, and the results had been announced…The tension gradually seeped out of the school, and everything slowly went back to normal.

After school, after the test results were announced…I was on my way out of the school building to return home when…

Isami Kondou: “……”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Just now…was that Kondou-sensei?”

Kondou-sensei went around to the back of the school. When I saw that, I paused. ‘There isn’t anything over there, so where is he going…?’ I thought it was kind of mysterious. And so, egged on by my curiosity, I jogged after Kondou-sensei. I went further behind the school… I’d never set foot back here before. After reaching his destination, Kondou-sensei suddenly stopped.

Isami Kondou: “……”

‘What is this place…?’ Towering in front of me was an old gate, and my eyes widened. ‘To think there was such a place here, right on academy campus…’

Isami Kondou: “……”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Um…”

Isami Kondou: “Hm… Yukimura-kun? Why are you here?”

Chizuru Yukimura: “I’m sorry. I saw you heading this way, and curiosity got the better of me…”

Isami Kondou: “Ahh, so that’s what it was.”

Kondou-sensei smiled in understanding, and turned his gaze back towards the gate. The old wooden door was shut tightly, looking like it hadn’t been opened in a long time. It had been two months since I began studying at Hakuo Academy, but I never knew such a place existed until now.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Um, Kondou-sensei. What is this place…?”

Isami Kondou: “‘The Shieikan.’”

Chizuru Yukimura: "Huh?”

Isami Kondou: “…That’s what it was called, at least. There used to be a swordplay dojo here by that name.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Used to be?”

Isami Kondou: “Yes. As you can see, it’s closed now. There are no students here; there’s no one at all. But the teachings of that dojo are certainly still being passed down… That’s what I believe.”

There was a look in his eyes; almost as if he were lost in a different time, far from the present. I got the feeling that this must’ve been a very important place to Kondou-sensei.

Isami Kondou: “I always come here whenever I want to return to my roots…This place, the Shieikan, is Hakuo Academy’s starting point.”

Kondou-sensei put his hand on the place where I expected the sign must have once hung, and his eyes shut, lost in nostalgia.

…'Shieikan.’ As if to confirm the word, I mouthed it to myself. That name… I felt as if I’d heard it before…

Chizuru Yukimura: ”……“

Looking at me as I thought about it, Kondou-sensei smiled and kept talking.

Isami Kondou: “Yukimura-kun, it looks like the sun is about to set. Don’t you think it’s time for you to head home?”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Oh, right. That’s true. It’s already so late…”

Isami Kondou: “By the way, I heard from Toshi. It looks like you got some magnificent test results this time around.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Hijikata-sensei said that?”

Isami Kondou: “Yes, you’re the most talented woman in the history of Hakuo Academy! It truly is magnificent!”

Chizuru Yukimura: “…Thank you very much.”

There was no hint of lies or flattery in Kondou-sensei’s cheerful words… I remembered how he delivered them while walking away, and I felt a little embarrassed.

Isami Kondou: “A student has a duty to study, so I want you to continue trying your hardest! But of course, it’s not just your studies. If you also have fun living your everyday life at Hakuo Academy... As this school’s principal, I’d be very happy!”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Yes!”

Returning his nod as he smiled, I looked back at ‘Shieikan’ only once. He had called it the ‘starting point’ for the school. I wonder what that meant…? Questions along those lines came to mind, and I couldn’t help but wonder at such a mystery…

Anyway, I would do my best from here forward. I smiled, in high spirits.

#hakuouki #hakuoki #chapter 1 #hakuouki ssl #hijikata toshizo #fan translation #otome

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guysbeingdudesbeingbros · 6 years ago

Text

Brothers ~ George Centric

Prompt: hey, love! i was wondering if you'd do one where george is the youngest among all three boys, where they're all brothers, and g's still in school? he gets sick while in while in school one day, and has to go home because he panicked as he's never been so ill without his two brothers before? thank you!

Note: I googled what age you get done with school in England (since I’m from the US) and it said 16, so George will be 15 in this, Blake is 18 and Reece is 19. Sorry if my info isn’t completely accurate!! Also I know the boys don’t drive, just go with it.

Sometimes it sucked that George was the youngest out of his brothers. He couldn’t go out with Reece and Blake with their friends, he couldn’t hang out and record music with them all day, and he couldn’t go anywhere alone without one of them going with. They constantly babied George.

Which is why when he woke up feeling like complete shit, he didn’t tell anyone. We didn’t want to suffer through Reece’s million questions and Blake’s forcing him to take almost every medication they have. No thank you, he would rather deal with the clogged sinuses, scratchy throat, and unsettled stomach alone.

“G, time to get up!” Reece called up the stairs from the kitchen. Their parents worked a lot during the week, leaving work before George woke up, and usually getting home very late at night. That left most of the responsibilities of parenting fall on Reece and Blake.

George groaned, before climbing out of bed slowly. He had to pause for a second once he stood up, his head feeling fuzzy and his vision swimming in front of him. George rubbed his temples, feeling a dull throb start in his head. Yup, today is really going to suck, George thought angrily. He grabbed a random sweatshirt and jeans. He decided to skip doing his hair today, not having the energy to style it nicely and letting it flop in his face.

George stumbled down the stairs, groggily making his way into the kitchen. He grabbed two pieces of bread, plopping them in the toaster and leaning his head on his hand while he waited for them to be done.

“Hey Blake! I have to go grocery shopping this morning, can you give George a ride to school?” Reece called, finishing making George’s lunch. Blake jogged into the kitchen, grabbing an apple and jumping to sit on the kitchen counters. George grabbed his toast, putting some butter on it and taking a bite. His stomach rolled unhappily at the thought of food, but George needed to eat.

“Yeah, morning G!” Blake said cheerily. George grunted around his mouthful of toast, not feeling up to talking. Reece turned to look at George, who usually was in a good mood in the morning.

“What’s up?” Reece asked him, feeling his protective instincts flare up.

George just shoved the rest of his toast in his mouth before mumbling, “Nothing, just tired,”. Reece looked over at Blake with his eyebrow raised. Blake just shrugged, he didn’t know what was wrong with George today either.

“I’ll pick you up after school, George. See you in about an hour, Blake!” Reece called, ruffling their hair as he walked out the front door. Blake cursed at Reece’s laughing form for messing up his hair, George using the distraction to quickly take a few aspirins.

“Alright, Georgie! Let’s go!” Blake commanded in a weird voice, grabbing George’s backpack for him and taking him to the car. George trudged to the car, climbing in. Blake started the car and headed towards George’s school.

“Are you okay? You seem... off,” Blake asked after a few minutes of silence in the car. George was just staring out the window, not telling stories of dumb people at school or changing the radio stations like he usually does.

“I already said I’m tired,” George answered with a slight attitude in his tone. He was grumpy and feeling slightly ill. Not that Blake knew that, but whatever, he’s allowed to be grumpy sometimes.

Blake glanced at George, watching him out of the corner of his eye. George almost never had an attitude, only when their parents’ would fight with him. George is an easy going kid, not like Reece, who had a hair-trigger and would explode in anger at any small thing. George’s behavior only added to Blake’s feeling that something was wrong.

“Okay. Well if something changes, text me,” Blake added softly as they pulled up to the front of George’s school. He saw George nod quickly, getting out of the car. George waved at Blake before heading inside. Blake sighed, unable to shake the feeling that something was wrong, before heading back towards their house.

George was beginning to think his plan for not telling his brothers about how he was feeling was a bad idea. It was only halfway through his second class, and he already felt a million times worse. His head was pounding viciously, bordering on becoming a full-on migraine. His face felt hot, but the rest of his body was covered in cold sweats. Also, his hands were shaking like crazy, making it hard to write in class.

He planned to go to the nurse after this class, and call his Blake or Reece to come get him. But, that plan went to shit when his stomach flipped over dangerously. His mouth filled with spit, giving him a warning as to what was about to happen.

George got up out of his desk, running to the bathroom quickly without caring about leaving class in the middle of a lesson. He slammed open a stall door, sinking to his knees as he gagged.

As he began to empty the contents of his stomach into the school toilet, he really thought about how dumb he was for not saying anything.

Meanwhile, Blake was sitting on the couch, the tv on but he wasn’t really watching. He couldn’t help the feeling of worry building up inside of him about his youngest brother. George was acting odd this morning, and he didn’t look great this morning. Maybe something happened at school? What if he’s being bullied? Or he failed a class? Blake was overthinking everything.

The sound of the front door opening broke Blake from his thoughts. Reece called out a greeting, carrying grocery bags into the house. He stopped in the living room, putting down the bags once he saw Blake’s face.

“What’s wrong?” Reece asked quickly, feeling his stomach sink. A million awful things started running through his head.

“Nothing, I just think there’s something wrong with George,” Blake explained quickly, not wanting Reece to get too worked up. Reece felt relieved, but only partially.

“Yeah, me too. Something was up with him this morning,” Reece said, grabbing the bags and moving to put them away in the kitchen. Blake followed him, helping put things where they went.

“Yeah, and he had an attitude with me when I asked if he was okay. Which was weird since he never gives sass,” Blake admitted, feeling better that someone else knew. Reece always knows what to do, he can help me handle this, Blake thought.

“That’s not like George. We can ask him after school,” Reece decided, Blake nodding in agreement. They put the groceries away in silence, both lost in thought.

Reece’s phone ringing sharply jolted from their thoughts. “Hello? Yes, this is him. Oh my god, okay! We are on our way!” Reece paled, answering the person on the phone with rushed answers. He quickly hung up, grabbing Blake’s arm and running towards the front door.

“What’s happened?” Blake nervously asked, climbing into the car. Reece threw the car into reverse before speeding down the street.

“George got sick at school and is having a panic attack,” Reece anxiously informed Blake, who gasped at the thought of their little brother freaking out at school and sick.

Reece drove faster towards the school, towards his little brother.

George isn’t sure how long he threw up for. Long enough that there was nothing left in his stomach, his throat burning horribly. His stomach still tried to expel itself, causing George to dry heave over the toilet painfully. Tears sprang to his eyes, wishing he wasn’t alone and in this much pain.

Finally the torture ended, letting George get a full breath in and lean back away from his vomit. He flushed the toilet shakily, climbing to his feet clumsily. Everything spun in front of him, making him lean against the stall door while trying not to pass out.

George hasn’t felt this sick in years. He couldn’t even remember the last time he was sick, it was so long ago. But, he knows he has never been alone while he was sick. Even when he was little, he remembers Blake and Reece being with him while he’s sick. The thought of his brothers make the tears in his eyes fall. I want my brothers, I don’t feel good. I want this to go away, George thought, feeling his stomach clench again. He turned around sharply, remaining standing over the toilet as he started to throw up again.

George felt like he couldn’t stop, getting more worked up with each heave. He couldn’t seem to catch his breath, more tears falling from his eyes rapidly. George coughed, choking on spit and throw up. His whole body was shaking, he felt like he was going to pass out. And he couldn’t breathe properly. Nothing was going into his lungs.

George somehow flushed the toilet, wiping his mouth on his sleeve and stumbled out of the bathroom. He continued to gasp, his chest falling in uneven, shallow breaths. George stumbled into the nurse’s office. The nurse on duty rushed to his side, catching him before he fell over. She led him towards a chair, asking what was wrong. But George couldn’t hear her over the grating sounds of his breathing and his heart hammering in his ears.

“I-I need my brothers, please! I-I need R-Reece and Blake!” George panted, shaking and crying. The nurse rushed back to her desk, grabbing her phone. She asked him his name, quickly grabbing George’s file when he told her. She dialed the number listed under emergency contact.

A boy answered the phone, and much to her relief it was Reece. She quickly informed him of the situation, asking Reece and his brother to get to the school as soon as possible. Reece hung up the phone, and the nurse rushed back over to George’s side.

“George, your brothers are coming! They will be here soon, but for now I need you to focus on breathing with me, okay?” She instructed firmly, but calmly. George nodded, tears still pouring down his cheeks.

Blake and Reece ran through the halls of their old school, before they finally made it to the nurse’s office. They slammed open the doors, instantly spotting George.

Their youngest brother was sitting in a chair, his head between his knees, over a trashcan, dry heaving. A nurse was sitting next to him, rubbing his back soothingly. Reece and Blake rushed forward, each taking a seat beside George.

Blake rubbed George’s back, murmuring softly in his ear. George continued to get sick, not noticing their presences yet. Reece turned to the nurse, “What happened?” he asked, his voice nervous. Reece has never seen George like this ever when he was sick.

“He just came into my office in the middle of his panic attack. George told me he got sick in the bathroom, before he came here. I tried to get him to calm down, but he kept begging for you both. Hopefully you being here with calm him down enough to end the panic attack, which will stop the dry heaving,” the nurse explained gently, sitting at her desk to give them space while also watching in case they need her help.

“George, it’s Reece and Blake. Can you hear me?” Reece asked quietly, brushing George’s sweaty hair back off of his forehead.

George began aware of the two people around him slowly. One of them was rubbing circles into his back, the other was brushing his hair and speaking quietly to him. George focused on figuring out what the one was saying, causing him to stop getting sick and calm down slightly.

“-eece and Blake. Can you hear me?” the voice said. George knew who that was.

“Reece,” George panted, swallowing before attempting to speak again, “Blake?”. He felt the two bodies on each side of him shift closer.

“Yeah, it’s us, love,” Blake said on George’s right. George let out a breath of relief, knowing his brothers were there.

“You’re here, you’re here,” George whispered, smiling a little. Reece placed a kiss on George’s temple.

“Yeah, we are here Georgie. We are gonna take care of you now, we promise,” Reece said, letting the worry in his stomach diminish as George’s breathing evened out.

“Let’s take you home, Georgie,” Blake quietly added, picking George up bridal style in his arms. Reece signed George out of the nurse’s office, thanking her for the help. Blake sat with George in his lap in the backseat as Reece drove them home. They carried him upstairs, putting him into bed and climbing in beside George.

“Love you guys,” George mumbled as he fell asleep. He felt his each of brothers press a kiss on his forehead. He barely heard their echoes of the sentiment, letting himself feel safe and protected. Maybe letting Reece and Blake baby George wasn’t so bad after all?

This is super long and i actually think it is so cute lol.

Thank you for requesting and reading xx

#new hope club #new hope club imagines #new hope club one shots #reece #reece bibby #Blake Richardson #George Smith #george smith centric #george centric #imagines #one shots #nhc ships #nhc imagines

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hakuogakuen · 4 years ago

Text

Hakuouki SSL: Chapter 1 (Okita)

Here is the translation for chapter 1 of Okita’s route! Common route translation is by yuugs, and the Okita-specific scenes translations are by shizuumi. Proofreading by shizuumi, kuririn and dei-hime. Translation begins under the cut! You can also find it on our new Blogspot

―― June ――

As the calendar turns to the next page, our uniforms turn to summer ones as well.

In April and May, I was so desperate to get used to high school life that the months just flew by….

Lately, I think I’ve finally made a place for myself in my life at Hakuo Academy.

Of course, it’s still an environment meant for boys so I still feel a little out of place. But thanks to my reliable friends and teachers, I’m living a fulfilling life at school——

As I climbed the stairs, just as I turned onto the landing——

Chizuru Yukimura: “Wah!?”

???: “Ah!”

I collided with the student rushing around the corner, and ended up falling on my butt.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Ow…"

Susumu Yamazaki: "Yukimura-kun? Sorry…”

Hajime Saitou: “I told you not to rush, Yamazaki. Are you alright, Yukimura?”

I looked up into two faces I recognized. Saitou-senpai was holding a textbook under one arm. He held out his hand to me.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Ah… yes, I’m alright."

Trying not to overthink it, I grabbed his hand and he pulled me upright.

Chizuru Yukimura: ”…Thank you for that.“

Chizuru Yukimura:: "I’m sorry, Yamazaki-senpai. I wasn’t being careful.”

As I bowed deeply to the two of them, I noticed a second year textbook had fallen to the floor.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Isn’t this your textbook, Yamazaki-senpai?”

Susumu Yamazaki: “O-Oh, did I drop it? …I didn’t notice. Thanks.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “……”

Something was off. Yamazaki’-senpai’s eyes had kind of a glazed look, and there were dark circles underneath them. Saitou-senpai also looked tired.

This seems…

[Are you alright?] or [Are you not getting enough sleep?]

Chizuru Yukimura: “Are you getting enough sleep?”

Susumu Yamazaki: “Well, um, that’s just how it is right now… It’s no big deal.”

Hajime Saitou: “Right. The real pain will begin next week or so."

Chizuru Yukimura: “…?”

They smiled bitterly, and then turned away. As they did…their gait seemed uneven. They said it wasn’t a big deal, but it didn’t look that way.

Chizuru Yukimura: "I wonder if they’re okay…”

I was getting more and more worried, but I didn’t have much time left before homeroom. Without another word, I hurried off to my classroom.

_ _

Chizuru Yukimura: “Heisuke-kun and Okita-senpai?"

I thought that was a freshman classroom. Why would two sophomores be there? It would be time for homeroom soon…

[Call out to them] or [Leave them alone]

Chizuru Yukimura: "Heisuke-kun, Okita-senpai!”

I called out to them, waving. Both of them noticed me and immediately came over.

Heisuke Toudou: “Yo, Chizuru. G’morning!”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Morning, Heisuke-kun. Did you guys just come back from practice?"

Souji Okita: "Yep. Been working like dogs all morning.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “But why are you guys here? This is a first year classroom…”

Heisuke Toudou: “That’s… well, the thing is… We were just passing by…”

Souji Okita: “Why not be honest? This guy came by ‘cause he was worried about you.”

Heisuke Toudou: “Ah! Hey, Souji!”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Worried…about me?” I blinked in surprise. Heisuke rubbed his head and mumbled.

Heisuke Toudou: “I mean, you’re surrounded by a bunch of guys, right? I’m worried they might pick on you or something.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “No, no, I’m alright. I’ve made a lot of friends in my class these past new months.”

Souji Okita: “There you go. Yet here he comes anyway, worrying his little head off about you. Pretty stalker-ish vibes, don’t you think?"

Heisuke Toudou: "W-Who you calling a stalker! I’m not anything like one!”

I smiled at Okita-senpai’s and Heisuke-kun’s bickering.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Anyway, guys, I think the bell’s about to ring.”

Heisuke Toudou: "Oh, crap! You’re right!”

Souji Okita: “Well, we’ll probably see you at lunch later.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Yup!”

After seeing them off, I went back to enter the classroom…

When I did, I took out my textbook and notebook to get ready for class. The bell rang as soon as I’d finished, and I heard the sound of the door opening.

Sanosuke Harada: “Take your seats, guys. Homeroom’s starting.”

As Harada-sensei came in, everyone rushed to their seats.

Classmate A: “Stand! Bow!”

Sanosuke Harada: “All right, morning!”

Everyone in class: “Good morning!”

Sanosuke Harada: “Time for attendance…is what I was going to say, but it seems like everyone’s here. Raise a hand if not.”

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: “You can’t do that if you’re not here…”

Ibuki-kun startled me by suddenly speaking up. A laugh escaped me before I could stop myself. Harada-sensei did make jokes like this at times. He really was a friendly, kind teacher.

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "Horrors…?”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Passionate about educating, meaning–”

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: “…It’s Hijikata-sensei, isn’t it?”

Everyone in class: ”……“

As Harada-sensei with his explanation, everyone in class got paler and paler.

Sanosuke Harada: “Below 30% gets you cleaning corridors on top of the additional homework… And below that, the punishments get extra special.”

Chizuru Yukimura: ”'Special,’ he says…“

Sanosuke Harada: "Below 20% means doing a problem set, weeding the school yard, and a week of additional classes!”

Classmate A: “Whaaaaat?!”

While listening to Harada-sensei, I recalled what happened this morning. The reason why Saitou-senpai and Yamazaki-senpai seemed so off was probably this.

Chizuru Yukimura: “……”

While I didn’t mind studying, there was no way I’d want extra homework.

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: “What would that guy do to me if I got myself stuck in supplemental classes...?!” Ibuki’s face drained of all color, and he hung his head.

_ _

After morning classes had finished, it was finally time for lunch. ‘Am I worrying too much about the tests? I feel kind of weird today,’ I thought.

Chizuru Yukimura: “I should go to the cafeteria for the time being.”

Heisuke-kun and Okita-senpai were probably waiting for me…After quickly putting my school supplies away, I headed for the cafeteria.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Wow…”

Genzaburou Inoue: “Hey, you there! Line up properly! There are plenty of meals to go around...Hey now…! Don’t argue over the rice! Remember your manners and share!”

The beloved school chef, Inoue-san, was also managing the cafeteria. It looked like he was doing a good job sorting the students out, as usual.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Heisuke-kun isn’t here yet, huh…?” ‘I’ll get in the way if I stand and wait here. What should I do?’ the moment the thought passed through my mind...

???: “You’re in the way. Move.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Huh…?”

A voice rang out from the other side of the crowd. Immediately afterwards, the masses parted, splitting into two. Imperious as ever, the figure which emerged between them was...

Chizuru Yukimura: “K-Kazama-senpai…”

Amagiri-senpai and Shiranui-senpai pushed away annoyed students left and right, creating an empty clearing in the otherwise crowded cafeteria.

Chikage Kazama: “Chizuru…? For us to meet here of all places… How serendipitous. As I thought, there is a strong bond of fate between us. Don’t you agree?”

Chizuru Yukimura: "Wha–”

Kyou Shiranui: “Is it? You go to the same school with the same cafeteria. Wouldn’t it be weirder if you didn’t see each other?”

Kyuuju Amagiri: “It is strange, now that you mention it... That you have never encountered each other here until today is rather more mysterious.”

Chikage Kazama: “……”

Kyou Shiranui: “Don’t sound like much of a bond to me.”

Chikage Kazama: “……No matter. Whatever the peanut gallery says, rest assured that our meeting today was destiny. As such, I will have your lunch prepared. Order whatever you wish.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Huh?!”

Chikage Kazama: “What’s wrong? There’s no need to hold back. Even if you want everything on the menu, I won’t mind.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “That’s not what I’m worried about…! At any rate, treating me to so much is unfair to you!”

Chikage Kazama: “That modesty is a virtue of yours, but I insist that it’s fine. ....Or is it something else? Does the cafeteria food not suit your palate?”

Chizuru Yukimura: “T-That’s not the case at all! It’s delicious! It’s just that……”

???: “You again, Kazama!!” An ear-splitting yell descended upon us.

Toshizou Hijikata: “Just what do you think you’re doing, harassing the female student in the middle of the cafeteria? Can’t you see she’s about to cry!?”

Chikage Kazama: “Ha. How ludicrous… You say that as if I were the one who made her cry.”

Kyou Shiranui: “…You say it, Amagiri.”

Kyuuju Amagiri: “Well, I can say we never intended in the slightest to make her cry…”

Toshizou Hijikata: “Then why is she holding back tears? …And why is everyone packed like sardines in here? Out with it.”

Toshizou Hijikata: “There’s a suspicious clearing around you and you only! Put two and two together, and it can only be your fault!”

Chizuru Yukimura: “……”

Chizuru Yukimura: “…W-What do I do…?”

[Stand and watch] or [Forcibly break them up]

‘Trying to interfere from the sidelines may make things even more complicated.’ Thinking that, I decided to keep my mouth shut for the time being. But in the end…

Toshizou Hijikata: “Looks like I was right! It doesn’t seem like she asked for your 'superb generosity’!”

Chikage Kazama: “That is due to a difference in values. It seems that a lowlife like you has yet to be able to understand my excellent resourcefulness…”

...There was no sign of the dispute stopping anytime soon. While I squirmed on the sidelines, someone called out to me from the side.

Heisuke Toudou: “Chizuru! Sorry we’re late! Class went on longer than normal."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Heisuke-kun, Okita-senpai…!”

Souji Okita: “What the? What’s all the fuss about? Why’s it so crowded here?”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Right, actually—”

After I briefly explained the situation, Heisuke-kun and Okita-senpai looked amazed. While Hijikata-sensei and Kazama-senpai glared at each other with murderous intent, Heisuke-kun and Okita-senpai looked at the pair and sighed.

Souji Okita: “How about we leave them to it and head off? If you don’t hurry, you won’t get to eat.”

Heisuke Toudou: “Right, right. Our lunch break’s gonna end! I’m already hungry too…”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Oh? …O-Okay…” ‘Would that be alright…?’

Genzaburou Inoue: “Hey, Toshi-san and Kazama-kun, what’re you doing!? You’re holding up the line for everyone!!”

The teachers’ confrontation weighed on my mind, but...Mr. Inoue shouted to rein in the situation. Hearing his booming voice, I turned around and left the pair.

Souji Okita: “Chizuru, over here.”

With our meal sets on our trays, we found Okita-senpai sitting at an empty table. I’d chosen meal set 'A’. Drinking a cup of warm miso soup always relaxed me.

Heisuke Toudou: “Ahh, it’s so good…! I worked out so much this morning, I couldn’t wait for lunch!”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Good work with training this morning, you guys!”

Heisuke Toudou: “I’m sorry I couldn’t walk with you to school because of that...But in the end, morning’s the best time of day to be working up a sweat.”

Souji Okita: “Well, it gets hot during the day this time of year, so I get sluggish when school ends.”

Heisuke Toudou: “You said it… But lately we got club members who study in the middle of morning practice. You can’t focus on training if you do that.”

Souji Okita: “The entire school’s been on edge. I don’t know whether it’s the tests or the punishments, but it’s a real pain.”

Heisuke Toudou: “Well, the one who’s most on edge would be Hijikata-sensei.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Speaking of which… You’re both in Class 2-1, so isn’t Hijikata-sensei your homeroom teacher?”

Souji Okita: “Yep. He’s all busy ruining the mood at school and being pissy about it, what with embodying the root of all evil and all, and causing a good amount of trouble."

Chizuru Yukimura: "The… The root of all evil…?”

Heisuke Toudou: "I mean, earlier, the reactions from everyone felt different than usual.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “…Now that you mention it…”

You could call it a kind of insecurity hanging over everyone… There was no mistaking that the air felt heavier than usual, at least to me. Midterms were about to begin, after all. ‘I wonder if the tension is spreading…’

Heisuke Toudou: “Oops, we ended up talking about the tests even though I wanted to forget about it for lunch.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Ah… Sorry about that, Heisuke-kun.”

Souji Okita: “No, there’s no reason for you to apologize. This is his fault.”

Heisuke Toudou: “That’s right—wait, no, it’s not! You’re the one who brought up the tests, right!?”

Even though Heisuke-kun shot a disgruntled look at Okita-senpai, he heaved a deep sigh right after.

Heisuke Toudou: “Anyway, it’d be better if the tests just, like, disappeared…”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Don’t say that. We should study hard anyway.”

Heisuke Toudou: “N-No, that… Well, I know that, but…”

Souji Okita: “……”

While Heisuke faltered in his mumbling, Okita-senpai looked at him and grinned. At some point, he snapped a picture before I’d even realized he’d taken out his phone.

Heisuke Toudou: “Whoa!? Souji, what’re you taking pictures of!?”

Souji Okita: “You’re not photogenic at all, are you?”

Heisuke-kun slumped his shoulders, and Okita-senpai grinned at him, eyes full of laughter.

I said to them…

[Is it that hard?] or [The rules may be too strict…] or [Studying daily is important.]

Chizuru Yukimura: "Maybe the penalties are too strict..." I murmured to myself without really meaning to, and Okita-senpai cracked a smile.

Souji Okita: "I think so, too. Don't you think it's strange they’re not even based on reviewing the class content?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Strange, you say?"

Souji Okita: "Yep. I get the reason for the homework and all, because it still means you have to study. But cleaning's just completely unrelated to that. That's more like punishment for losing a bet or a match."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Well, that does make sense..."

Heisuke Toudou: "Yeah, but Souji here'll be fine. He's got good grades in everything but Classical Lit."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Really? Okita-senpai, are you not good at classical literature?"

Souji Okita: "It's not like I'm bad at it. It's more like I just don't like the teacher for it."

Chizuru Yukimura: "The classical literature teacher being...” ‘...O-h. Hijikata-sensei.’

Heisuke Toudou: "That's how it is. Souji's always goofing off and it makes Hijikata-sensei mad. If only he’d take class more seriously sometimes."

Chizuru Yukimura: "......" I had a number of concerns about what he said just now…

Chizuru Yukimura: "Um, Okita-senpai? Why don't you take classical literature more seriously...?"

Souji Okita: "......"

Instead of answering my question, Okita-senpai just smiled at me enigmatically.

Souji Okita: "Well, the real wild card here is Heisuke, right? I hope you can weather these tests."

Heisuke Toudou: "Y-Yeah, man... I don't think I'll make it..!"

As Heisuke-kun started getting impatient again, Okita-senpai grinned and continued to tease him… But I didn't understand what Okita-senpai really meant, and started feeling uncertain about it. In the end, our lunch break ended without me ever finding the answer to my question.

_ _

And then…

―― 7 days until the tests ――

While we studied for our tests day after day, Harada-sensei looked around at our exhausted faces and grinned from his podium.

Sanosuke Harada: “Looking good, guys. It looks like you lot finally understand how serious we are about our tests.”

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: “What does he mean, 'looking good’? This is just agony…”

Everyone in class: ”……“

What he said was irrefutably correct. Everyone lost the will to argue, and went silent.

_ _

―― 6 days until the tests ――

That day, I ran into Kazama-senpai in the corridor without expecting to. Naturally, Amagiri-senpai and Shiranui-senpai were shadowing him, as usual.

Chikage Kazama: “Chizuru. Less than a week remains until testing begins. Are you studying properly?”

Chizuru Yukimura: "I am. I’m working at my own pace, and it’s going fairly well, I think…”

'How about you, Kazama-senpai?’ ...I felt like I didn’t even need to ask. Why? Because he seemed plenty calm, a smug smile spreading across his face.

Chikage Kazama: “These students growing so flustered over mere high school tests is truly unsightly. Don’t you think so?”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Uh… T-That’s…”

Kyou Shiranui: "Uh, no, 'cause high school students are bound to freak out over high school tests. Rather than unsightly, it’s just normal.

Kyuuju Amagiri: ”…Kazama-sama. If we do not depart soon, you will be late for your next lesson.“

I was left standing alone in the hallway, overwhelmed as Kazama-senpai swaggered off with an arrogant look on his face.

_ _

―― 5 days until the tests ――

Chizuru Yukimura: “Good morning, Saitou-senpai.”

Hajime Saitou: “Is that you, Yukimura? Morning.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “You still have disciplinary committee work in the mornings even though we only have five days until the tests. That must be hard…”

Hajime Saitou: “No, it’s important to accumulate knowledge on a regular basis in order to study properly. So there’s no point in panicking just before a test.”

Just what you’d expect from Saitou-senpai…

Hajime Saitou: “However, all sports and culture clubs have suspended their activities for the tests. So since Heisuke’s not with you, he must be late. One strike for him.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “N-No, he’s on class duty today, so he should’ve arrived before me!”

Hajime Saitou: “Come to think of it, he might’ve passed by a short while ago…”

_ _ ―― 4 days until the tests ――

On Saturday, I was studying in my room, when suddenly my cell phone rang.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Okita-senpai…?”

‘A message with a picture attached, as usual. Let’s have a look…’

He’s making a peace sign at the camera, with an odd-looking plushie hanging from his hand.

“I won a toy that I thought you’d like.

I’ll give it to you at school.

I’ll bring it up to your classroom for you, even.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “……”

‘What kind of tastes does he think I have? Moreover…’

Chizuru Yukimura: “Even though it’s a Saturday with tests right around the corner, he still finds time to fool around!”

_ _

―― 3 days until the tests ――

It was Sunday morning.

I decided to do a little sweeping by the front door for a change of pace. At that moment, Heisuke appeared, staggering.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Heisuke-kun?! Are you okay…!?”

Heisuke Toudou: “Chizuru… Mornin’…”

He had terrible, dark bags under his eyes and his eyes were hollow. He was so exhausted that he couldn’t even walk straight.

Heisuke Toudou: “I-I’m on the verge of falling asleep… So I’m running a lap around the block. Must…stay…awake…”

Chizuru Yukimura: “But if you don’t sleep a little, you won’t last until the test!"

Heisuke Toudou: "No way! I’m not done studying yet! I’ll totally flunk it!! Don’t stop me, Chizuru! Don’t stop me! I’m not ready to die yet!”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Wait, Heisuke-kun! A whole lap around the block is too much no matter how you look at it—”

I tried to stop him, but he’d already run off... While watching his disappearing figure staggering in zigzags down the road, I could only pray for his safety.

_ _

―― 2 days until the tests ――

During recess.

I gathered my class’s printouts and brought them to the staff room…

Toshizou Hijikata: “……”

Hijikata-sensei, looking particularly annoyed, was sighing deeply. He looked no better than the students, just as exhausted by pre-test frenzy.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Is something wrong, Hijikata-sensei?”

Chizuru Yukimura: “…You’ve been working really hard…”

I think they just stay up all night studying out of fear of punishment… Even though I understood Hijikata-sensei’s concerns, I couldn’t help but smile wryly.

―― At last, the day before the test ――

Chizuru Yukimura: “Finally, it’s tomorrow…”

At the end of the school day, while I was putting away my textbooks, I glanced to to the desk beside mine…

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: “……”

Ibuki-kun sat here, engrossed in his studies, showing no signs of getting up to go home.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Ibuki-kun, aren’t you going home?”

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: “Ah… I wouldn’t be able to study even if I did. Since Serizawa-san’s there...”

Ibuki-kun often mentions him when we talk. It seems like he doesn’t get along with this ‘Serizawa-san’. With him looking so cornered, I could only bring a forced smile to my lips.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Do your best.”

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: “You too.”

He gave a little smile, and then, as if he were clinging onto his desk, dived back into his books for the test.

At that moment…

Chizuru Yukimura: “?”

I noticed my phone vibrating in my pocket and took it out. A message notification came up on my screen.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Oh, it’s from Sen-chan.”

Sen is my friend who attends Shimabara Girls’ High School not too far away from my academy.

—–

Sub: Will you be okay for the test?

Chizuru-chan, are you going to be okay for the tests?

I can’t take it anymore~!

I just want to run away from it all~!

But, after we get through these midterms, we definitely need to hang out!

I will survive them on your moral support, Chizuru-chan!!

—–

Chizuru Yukimura: “I see. They have tests at the same time as us. Shimabara High is a sister school to Hakuo Academy, come to think of it…”

“Jeez, Sen-chan…”

Having read her message, I decided to reply right away. ‘But what should I write?’

[I’m looking forward to it!] or [Let’s concentrate on studying!]

Chizuru Yukimura: “'I’m looking forward to it!’ …and send.”

I think it’s easier to persevere when there’s a prize waiting for you after all the struggle.

A short while after I sent it, Sen-chan replied.

—–

RE: Will you be okay for the test?

Definitely!

Let’s both do our best!

—–

Chizuru Yukimura: “Hehe…”

I could feel my motivation grow with Sen-chan cheering for me.

“Well, I should go over my notes one last time before the test…”

I finished getting ready and took my bag, leaving the classroom.

Then…

After having studied for a while, I'd just left the entrance hall, intending to go home. Suddenly, something white wafted gently down from the sky.

Chizuru Yukimura: "A paper plane?"

When I bent down to pick up the plane that had gently landed on the ground nearby, that's when I suddenly noticed. It was clearly a printout used for class, the page packed tight with printed text.

Chizuru Yukimura: "What is this doing here?"

Troubled by this mysterious phenomenon, I looked up at the sky…

Chizuru Yukimura: "Ah!"

The person who I think threw the paper plane was standing on the roof, beckoning to me. ‘What should I do...?’

I hesitated for a moment, but felt it was too awkward to just brush it off and pretend I hadn't seen it. So I went back and headed upstairs.

Chizuru Yukimura: "Okita-senpai! What do you think you’re doing up here?"

Okita-senpai was all alone on the roof, and he welcomed me with a smile.

Chizuru Yukimura: "W-What are you grinning at?"

Souji Okita: "Your face is so scary. You gonna scold me now that you're here or something?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "But it was you who..."

Souji Okita: "That's no good. I'm your senior, after all. Show me some respect."

Chizuru Yukimura: "......"

He looked amused while watching me, and I sighed in frustration. I was already regretting coming up here. I tried to change the subject.

Chizuru Yukimura: "So... Why did you call me up there?"

Souji Okita: "No real reason. As for what I was doing here... I was just watching the sunset. The red sky was beautiful."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Even though the tests are just around the corner?"

I glanced around and sure enough, the rooftop was painted bright red by the setting sun. It was certainly pretty, but I couldn't help but wonder why one would admire such an ordinary sunset.

Chizuru Yukimura: "There's nothing wrong with watching the sunset… But are you going to be okay not studying for the test?"

Souji Okita: "Yeah. I don't see the point in cramming the day before anyway."

Seeing him so full of confidence, I remembered our conversation from before. Heisuke told me that, aside from Classical Lit, Okita-senpai's grades were pretty good.

Chizuru Yukimura: "I'm a little jealous of how confident you are."

Souji Okita: "Heh, so you aren't, then, Chizuru-chan?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Not as much as you."

I fell silent, and Okita-senpai stared at me with great interest.

Souji Okita "C’mon.”

He made a vague gesture for me to come near.

Chizuru Yukimura: "?"

Wondering what he wanted, I approached him.

All of sudden, he grasped my arm. Then, before I had the chance to say anything, he suddenly pulled me towards him.

(CG get!°˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°)

Chizuru Yukimura: "Wha—"

Souji Okita: "A commemorative photo."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Why, all of a sudden?!"

Overcome by embarrassment, I yelled in protest. He was way too close. Practically zero distance; our bodies were touching. I was surprised and flustered. My feelings were in disarray and I couldn't think straight. I tried to move away from him right away, but his grip was surprisingly firm on my shoulders. There was no chance for escape.

Souji Okita: "Sorry, Chizuru-chan."

Chizuru Yukimura: "If you feel the need to apologize..."

Souji Okita: "I sure startled you. Your eyes are half-closed in the picture. How about another take?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "......"

I'd already felt that our conversation was like a game of cat and mouse since the start… But I'd gotten completely swept up in Okita-senpai's pace.

Souji Okita: "Hey, the camera's over here. You looking?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Y-Yeah..."

Souji Okita: "Say 'cheese'! ...Yup, nice one. I'll send it to you later, okay?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "......"

Souji Okita: "What's wrong?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "I absolutely can't understand the reasoning behind anything you do."

Okita-senpai always did whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. As I let out another sigh, Okita-senpai regarded me with an amused smile.

Souji Okita: "Hey. You only say that because I don't do things the same way everyone else does. Is it that weird that not everyone goes around looking miserable the day before a test? There's no law in the world that says you absolutely must burn your textbooks into your retinas before an exam."

Chizuru Yukimura: "......"

That was definitely not the direction I thought our conversation would go…

Chizuru Yukimura: "B-But tests are important. It's better to study at least a little..."

Souji Okita: "Okay, let's say that I do study the day before, just like everybody else. Don't you think that anyone can spare a moment to look at the sky? Both me and you, too."

I replied to his smiling face.

[That's just an excuse.] or [Well, you are not wrong.]

Chizuru Yukimura: "Aren't you just making excuses?" My shoulders stiffened unconsciously, and I stared right back at Okita-senpai. "I understand what you're trying to say. You do have a point. But in this context, you're just twisting things to suit you..."

At my slight glare, Okita-senpai laughed, shrugging his shoulders.

Souji Okita: "...The cat's out of the bag. You're right, I'm just not in the mood for studying in the least."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Honestly...!"

Souji Okita: "Oh. Look at you, you're angry again. You've done nothing but chide me today. Well, Chizuru-chan, if you so insist, maybe I'll make a more serious effort next time."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Really?"

Souji Okita: "I'll keep this photo as a talisman. So that my motivation never runs out."

Chizuru Yukimura: "......"

Okita's eyes crinkled in a smile. Ever since I came up to the roof, he seemed just a bit different from usual... I was a little reluctant, but I couldn't just let him off the hook for giving me such a scare, earlier.

While looking at him, I decided to ask him about something that had been on my mind.

Chizuru Yukimura: "Um... There's something I want to ask you."

Souji Okita: "Be my guest."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Is the reason why you don't like studying… something to do with Hijikata-sensei?"

He probably hadn't expected this question, from the surprise that flashed across his face. But only for a moment. Before long, his lips sharpened into a lazy smile.

Souji Okita: "Heh... You saw right through me. You're right. I can't stand him. You know Kondou-san? He’s looked after me since I was a child. He's truly like a big brother to me. Hijikata-san's always been good friends with him. I got good at kendo, I've got grades apart from classical lit... If only Kondou-san counted on me more. But man... I guess I'm just still not good enough."

I listened to what Okita-senpai was saying. But just as I was about to interject…

Souji Okita: "Just kidding. Did you fall for it?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "...Huh? Uh, were you lying?"

Souji Okita: "Hehe. I wonder. Well, I saw the sunset, and took a good picture. It's about time we headed home. I shouldn't waste your precious study time any more than I already have."

Chizuru Yukimura: "R-Right..."

How should I answer him? I vaguely bowed to Okita-senpai, not knowing what to say.

Chizuru Yukimura: "Thank you for being considerate."

Souji Okita: "No, no, it's all good. Well then, shall we go?"

After parting ways, I idly pondered what Okita-senpai's reasons could be for hating studying so much. Then, I got a message with the photo he took earlier.

I was sure he had taken another one, and yet the photo he'd attached was the one where I had my eyes half-closed.

‘...I suspect that he sent me the botched one on purpose… ‘ I couldn't help but smile dryly at Okita-senpai's mischief. I really didn't understand him at all.

The day of the test had finally arrived. It was time for the real thing at last. I had studied as much as I possibly could, but still felt a bit anxious…

The tests finally started.

Chizuru Yukimura: "I hope Okita-senpai's also doing well now..."

Subconsciously, I thought back to the curious incident yesterday.

Chizuru Yukimura: "...I have to focus on the tests today."

I put my all into it and tried my absolute best.

[Minigame Victory]

Chizuru Yukimura: "Yeah. I think I'll get a grade I can be proud of with this..."

Maybe the picture I got from Okita-senpai did its magic after all…

Chizuru Yukimura: "......" ‘...Right, as if.’

Then, several days later…

Chizuru Yukimura: "Yeah! I got a good grade...!"

I read the posted test results, and when I smiled in relief…

Chizuru Yukimura: "!"

I heard a shutter sound from very close by. I spun around in a panic to see Okita-senpai smiling at me.

Souji Okita: "That was a pretty nice expression you had there. When I saw you making that face...Well, I figure I don’t need to ask how your tests went. Congrats, Chizuru-chan. All your hard work paid off.”

Chizuru Yukimura: "It has... Thank you so much."

For some reason, Okita-senpai's smile made me feel a little sheepish.

Souji Okita: "You did a great job overcoming your tests. I should give you some kind of reward as your senior, right?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "N-No need! Just your congratulations is enough."

Souji Okita: "You sure? I thought I could give you the plushie I won at the arcade, though."

The plushie he was talking about was probably the one he took a picture of that time. I think my mixed feelings showed on my face, and I tried to change the subject.

Chizuru Yukimura: "More importantly... How did you do on your test, Okita?"

Souji Okita: "That's a secret. If you're interested, why don't you try taking a look at the sophomores' results later? And anyway, the tests are over now. Let's go and hang out after school to celebrate."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Wha—"

Souji Okita: "You don't wanna?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "N-No, that's not what I—"

Souji Okita: "Then we can hang out?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "...Yes."

Souji Okita: "You good waiting at the student entrance? I'll go there right after classes finish."

Souji Okita: "Looking forward to it."

With that, he walked off with a skip in his step.

Chizuru Yukimura: "...Maybe."

Was his invitation just now that 'reward' he said he'd give me for my efforts? It was a little difficult to get a grasp on Okita-senpai's thought process... I was excited about how it would go, though, and very much looked forward to that evening.

___

At last, the tests were over, and the results had been announced…The tension gradually seeped out of the school, and everything slowly went back to normal.

After school, after the test results were announced…I was on my way out of the school building to return home when…

Isami Kondou: “……”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Just now…was that Kondou-sensei?”

Isami Kondou: “……”

‘What is this place…?’ Towering in front of me was an old gate, and my eyes widened. ‘To think there was such a place here, right on academy campus…’

Isami Kondou: “……”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Um…”

Isami Kondou: “Hm… Yukimura-kun? Why are you here?”

Chizuru Yukimura: “I’m sorry. I saw you heading this way, and curiosity got the better of me…”

Isami Kondou: “Ahh, so that’s what it was.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Um, Kondou-sensei. What is this place…?”

Isami Kondou: “‘The Shieikan.’”

Chizuru Yukimura: "Huh?”

Isami Kondou: “…That’s what it was called, at least. There used to be a swordplay dojo here by that name.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Used to be?”

There was a look in his eyes; almost as if he were lost in a different time, far from the present. I got the feeling that this must’ve been a very important place to Kondou-sensei.

Isami Kondou: “I always come here whenever I want to return to my roots…This place, the Shieikan, is Hakuo Academy’s starting point.”

Kondou-sensei put his hand on the place where I expected the sign must have once hung, and his eyes shut, lost in nostalgia.

…'Shieikan.’ As if to confirm the word, I mouthed it to myself. That name… I felt as if I’d heard it before…

Chizuru Yukimura: ”……“

Looking at me as I thought about it, Kondou-sensei smiled and kept talking.

Isami Kondou: “Yukimura-kun, it looks like the sun is about to set. Don’t you think it’s time for you to head home?”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Oh, right. That’s true. It’s already so late…”

Isami Kondou: “By the way, I heard from Toshi. It looks like you got some magnificent test results this time around.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Hijikata-sensei said that?”

Isami Kondou: “Yes, you’re the most talented woman in the history of Hakuo Academy! It truly is magnificent!”

Chizuru Yukimura: “…Thank you very much.”

There was no hint of lies or flattery in Kondou-sensei’s cheerful words… I remembered how he delivered them while walking away, and I felt a little embarrassed.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Yes!”

Anyway, I would do my best from here forward. I smiled, in high spirits.

#hakuouki #hakuoki #hakuouki ssl #chapter 1 #fan translation #otome #Okita Souji

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hakuogakuen · 4 years ago

Text

Hakuouki SSL: Chapter 1 (Heisuke)

EDITED 8/1/20

Here is the translation for chapter 1 of Heisuke’s route! Primary translation by yuugs, and proofreading by kuririn, shizuumi, and dei-hime.

Translation begins under the cut! You can also find it at our new blogspot!

―― June ――

As the calendar turns to the next page, our uniforms turn to summer ones as well.

In April and May, I was so desperate to get used to high school life that the months just flew by….

Lately, I think I’ve finally made a place for myself in my life at Hakuo Academy.

Of course, it’s still an environment meant for boys so I still feel a little out of place. But thanks to my reliable friends and teachers, I’m living a fulfilling life at school——

As I climbed the stairs, just as I turned onto the landing——

Chizuru Yukimura: “Wah!?”

???: “Ah!”

I collided with the student rushing around the corner, and ended up falling on my butt.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Ow…"

Susumu Yamazaki: "Yukimura-kun? Sorry…”

Hajime Saitou: “I told you not to rush, Yamazaki. Are you alright, Yukimura?”

I looked up into two faces I recognized. Saitou-senpai was holding a textbook under one arm. He held out his hand to me.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Ah… yes, I’m alright."

Trying not to overthink it, I grabbed his hand and he pulled me upright.

Chizuru Yukimura: ”…Thank you for that.“

Chizuru Yukimura:: "I’m sorry, Yamazaki-senpai. I wasn’t being careful.”

As I bowed deeply to the two of them, I noticed a second year textbook had fallen to the floor.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Isn’t this your textbook, Yamazaki-senpai?”

Susumu Yamazaki: “O-Oh, did I drop it? …I didn’t notice. Thanks.”

Chizuru Yukimura: “……”

Something was off. Yamazaki’-senpai’s eyes had kind of a glazed look, and there were dark circles underneath them. Saitou-senpai also looked tired.

This seems…

[Are you alright?] or [Are you not getting enough sleep?]

Chizuru Yukimura: “Are you getting enough sleep?”

Susumu Yamazaki: “Well, um, that’s just how it is right now… It’s no big deal.”

Hajime Saitou: “Right. The real pain will begin next week or so."

Chizuru Yukimura: “…?”

They smiled bitterly, and then turned away. As they did…their gait seemed uneven. They said it wasn’t a big deal, but it didn’t look that way.

Chizuru Yukimura: "I wonder if they’re okay…”

I was getting more and more worried, but I didn’t have much time left before homeroom. Without another word, I hurried off to my classroom.

_ _

Chizuru Yukimura: “Heisuke-kun and Okita-senpai?"

I thought that was a freshman classroom. Why would two sophomores be there? It would be time for homeroom soon…

[Call out to them] or [Leave them alone]

Chizuru Yukimura: "Heisuke-kun, Okita-senpai!”

I called out to them, waving. Both of them noticed me and immediately came over.

Heisuke Toudou: “Yo, Chizuru. G’morning!”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Morning, Heisuke-kun. Did you guys just come back from practice?"

Souji Okita: "Yep. Been working like dogs all morning.”

They were part of the kendo club, which often met in the morning. On days when there was morning training, Heisuke-kun and I couldn’t walk to school together. I got a bit lonely those days… But seeing him trying his hardest made me happy.

Chizuru Yukimura: “But why are you guys here? This is a first year classroom…”

Heisuke Toudou: “That’s… well, the thing is… We were just passing by…”

Souji Okita: “Why not be honest? This guy came by ‘cause he was worried about you.”

Heisuke Toudou: “Ah! Hey, Souji!”

Chizuru Yukimura: “Worried…about me?” I blinked in surprise. Heisuke-kun rubbed his head and mumbled.