“Ah, I’m going to die. I can finally rest easy. Right?”
Luna stretched and said.
The moment the morning classes had just ended.
It also meant the shackles binding us were finally released.
‘It seems the instructors have lost interest in us.’
Since [Hyper Sense] didn’t react, it was certain.
“Are we going to eat right away? Let’s hurry. The food at the infirmary was the worst.”
Luna expressed her opinion, sticking out her tongue.
I agreed with her.
Not only did they conduct all sorts of tests, but the reason behind sniffing around the food the kids ate was beyond me.
Cold food was still food, but messing with all the food made it visually unappealing.
It was when Luna and I were heading to the cafeteria.
“Why have you been nodding your head since earlier? You’re not a baby bird who lost its mother.”
Luna’s scolding. But it couldn’t be helped.
I was constantly using [Information Window] on the move.
Recruiting a new comrade. I was pounding the pavement for that.
‘There are names that catch my eye here and there. There are plenty of useful extras. However…’
Those guys are excluded for now. Each has a role in the story.
It’s not possible to mess with important supporting characters.
Above all, there was an absolute condition that had to be satisfied to become my party member…
‘I need to find a kid with a nasty personality.’
A kid with a personality so vile that even the tolerant members of my first party wouldn’t dare cross.
The problem was that the two filters were too big.
Excluding the useful extras, and also the kids who hang out with their friends.
It made things quite complicated.
And one more thing.
‘I need to find a tank.’
I felt it after fighting alongside Rodelin’s party.
‘Tanks are the best.’
The dignity of Raymon, who stood up to the fourth-rank demon head-on.
It was inevitable to fantasize about tanks.
I wasn’t even hoping for a tank on Raymon’s level. After all, he’s almost like a bug.
“We can sit there.”
Luna sat next to me.
Yes, next to me, not in front.
Luna always insisted on sitting next to me.
To be prepared to run away, or so she says.
Well, I’ve gotten used to it, so it doesn’t bother me much anymore.
“Mm, finally eating something warm. Zero, eat well.”
“Keke, you too, Luna.”
However, I couldn’t afford to waste even the mealtime.
At this moment, the enemy could be moving.
One bite of food, two uses of [Information Window].
One bite of food, three uses of [Information Window].
Just when I was about to take another bite and use [Information Window] again.
Luna’s information window popped up unexpectedly.
Because Luna, who was sitting next to me, had firmly grabbed my face with both hands.
“Hey.”
“…Yes.”
“Look only at me. Stop looking elsewhere.”
Aaaaah-!
The cafeteria was momentarily abuzz.
Because the kids sitting around us suddenly burst into cheers.
Glancing over, I could see Yuridia with a nosebleed.
‘I should deal with this Yuridia group somehow… Wait, does it seem like their power has grown?’
Looking closely, there were non-Advanced Class kids mixed in here and there.
Considering they were girls who liked romance, had they united over this cause?
Contrary to their imagination, reality was not romantic at all.
‘Kids, reality is not romance but horror & thriller.’
Was it to prove that?
Luna pressed her face against mine and whispered.
“From now on, you’ll get hit every time you look elsewhere.”
“Keke, can’t I just look straight ahead?”
“No.”
Ah, I see. It’s not allowed?
And so, the official meal began.
My head was fixed towards Luna.
Hmm, this is much harder than eating while using [Information Window].
It’s like eating with the side of my face.
Swallowing isn’t easy either.
Unlike me, Luna seemed very satisfied with her meal.
I was pondering how to escape this Luna hell.
“Hello?”
“Zero! Hello!”
It was Alex and Raymon.
Of course, I couldn’t see them. I judged by their voices alone.
Raising my hand in greeting, they sat in front of us.
Click-.
As they sat down, Luna cracked her neck here and there.
“Insane. Daring to enter my territory.”
“Huh? This is an empty seat…”
“Shut up. That’s my seat too.”
“You’re despicable.”
“What?”
“Despicable! I thought only Zero could be so, but Luna, you’re not to be underestimated either! Such a demon-like greed!”
Hmm, why am I being attacked when Luna started the fight?
“I can tolerate insults towards me. But… I can’t tolerate insults towards Zero!”
Luna rose from her seat and charged at Raymon.
Thus, the grand fight between Luna and Raymon began.
Hmm, Luna, please don’t move so vigorously. It’s hard to turn my head while eating.
“Ha, it finally feels like we’re back to normal.”
“Keke, indeed.”
“By the way, thanks to them, it was easy to find you.”
“Easy to find? What do you mean?”
Alex flicked his finger towards the back.
It was where the Yuridia group was.
“Who else but you guys would have such a fan club following around?”
“…Fan club?”
“Yeah, didn’t you know? Your fan club was formed. What was the name again… ‘Demon and Princess. Forbidden Love’?”
It seems nothing fits the fan club name.
I’m not a demon, and Luna is not a princess.
And it’s not love!
I’m just a poor person being held captive!
‘I thought it was unusually large today… to think they formed a fan club.’
But Luna still seemed clueless.
Really, how could she not know?
“Keke, I see. Quite troublesome people. Ah, enjoy your meal. They must have been a bother.”
“Yes, Zero. But, you know…”
Alex hesitated.
Dragging it out. Does he have something important to say?
“Can you look this way when you speak?”
“Ah…”
Currently, my neck was fixed towards Luna.
Meaning, Alex had been talking to the side of my face from the start.
But it can’t be helped.
“Keke, if Alex is willing to take the hit for me, I won’t decline.”
“Hmm, I think it’s better to stay as it is. The more I look, the more I think you look better from that angle.”
…This guy?
Chuckling, Alex continued.
“Actually, I came to say thank you.”
“Really?”
“When we were fighting the demon, you were ready to sacrifice yourself for us at the end, right?”
At the moment when defeat was virtually certain.
He was talking about trying to protect the children by making a ‘demon’s contract’ with Bineus to save this world.
Back then, I thought it was obviously my duty, but looking back now, it’s totally embarrassing.
“Keke, not at all. The demon was also weakening and ready to retreat. It was a contract to stop fighting each other.”
“Is that so? Still, thank you.”
Nope, doesn’t work, huh?
It’s a good thing we’re not facing each other.
Otherwise, I’d have wanted to crawl into a mouse hole.
“And I think everyone feels the same?”
“Do you think so?”
“Yes, nobody mentioned that you tried to make a contract with the demon during the investigation. To avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.”
Already receiving unfavorable opinions due to my appearance.
Because of that, I was nearly threatened and interrogated by priests and administrators.
Of course, to me, it was nothing more than child’s play.
Having been truly threatened and assaulted by Caron, I guess I’m well-trained in that regard?
Certainly, I wasn’t grateful.
As I was reminiscing, I realized one thing.
‘Now that I think about it… Rodelin didn’t accuse me either?’
Given Rodelin’s upright character, lying wouldn’t have been easy for her.
Hiding me despite feeling guilty?
‘She must have been worried about me? How cute.’
I’ll have to pat her head again when I see her.
“Tombstone Piledriver!”
Boom!
Luna slammed Raymon into the ground head-first.
Catching Raymon, whose evasion rate increases the closer he gets, and planting him into the ground?
Our Luna is truly legendary.
Beep-beep-beep— beep!
“Bullying is a reason for demerit points!”
Speak of the devil.
Rodelin turned towards me.
Suddenly changing direction, she headed towards where Luna and Raymon were.
It was natural, with the culprits sprawled right in front of her.
“Both of you, 1 demerit point each, and write a reflection paper right here and now.”
“Senior! But…”
“Ah! Isn’t Luna an adult? Behave responsibly like an adult.”
The word “adult.”
Did that word strike a chord with Luna?
Luna drooped her head.
“Adult… right. I am an adult. Unlike that guy, an adult. I’m the victim, but I should forgive with the magnanimity of an adult.”
“I, I’m an adult too! And the victim is me!”
“Move aside! I’ll finish my reflection paper first!”
“I’ll finish mine first!?”
Kids, you’ve been had.
Not only did she stop the fight, but she also turned it into a competition to write reflection papers.
Rodelin really knows how to handle children.
She then glanced at me and said.
“…And Zero, could you see me for a moment?”
This is why being a popular guy is troublesome, isn’t it?
Currently, Luna is out of it.
Turning my head back to its original position, I followed Rodelin.
A secluded spot not frequented by many.
Rodelin turned around with a twirl and opened her mouth.
“Do you have anything to say to me?”
What’s this? Asking for a confession?
Of course not. After a moment of thought, I realized why Rodelin was angry with me.
‘Because I was willing to sacrifice myself.’
Even though she was willing to sacrifice herself as well.
With a slight smile, I said.
“Keke, this time, I received help.”
“…What do you mean by that.”
“That you didn’t tell the investigators about me touching the demon’s contract?”
Twitch-.
Rodelin’s body slightly shuddered.
Whether it was because of guilt or being caught by me.
I’m not sure which it was.
“What are you talking about? I told the truth about everything.”
“Is that so? Then, there’s nothing I can do. I’ll have to confess and align our stories. That way, I might get a lighter sentence.”
Rodelin trembled with her fist clenched.
She set up this situation to scold me, but instead, she was the one being attacked.
“…Tch.”
Rodelin clicked her tongue and turned her head sharply to the side.
Petulant. The white neckline and slightly protruding lips.
Even the expression of displeasure was perfect.
‘Ah, don’t show me that look. If you keep doing that…’
I’ll want to wrap you up in love.
“Anyway… don’t do that again in the future. Next time, it won’t end with just a demerit point.”
To threaten with a demerit point after touching the demon’s contract.
It’s almost cute.
Ah, I can’t take it anymore.
It’s not because I’m a pervert.
It’s just that seeing new aspects of a character makes me want to see more.
Is that perverted?
…Impossible. I’m just a gamer enjoying the game faithfully.
I gently pushed Rodelin against the wall, cornering her.
–TL Notes–
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