Chapter 6 – The Transfer Student

After parting with Midori oba… I mean, nee-chan, who was heading to university, by the time I arrived at school, many of my classmates had already arrived.

Somehow, it felt like everyone was buzzing with excitement.

“Hey, what’s up with you guys? You all seem pretty on edge. Is there some event today?”

I sat down at my desk and called out to the male student sitting in front of me. By the way, Aigou-nee is in the same class as me, but our seats are a bit apart.

“Morning, Hakuto. Looks like things are about to get interesting.”

The male student’s name was Tesso Joji. He was one of my friends. His face had a tough look to it, and at first glance he even seemed like a yakuza. Since he belonged to the karate club, his body was quite muscular as well.

However, contrary to his appearance, his personality was—as his name suggested—quite timid and skittish like a rat. Perhaps because his cowardly personality didn’t clash with mine, we got along well and often had relaxed conversations without any reservations.

“Apparently a transfer student’s coming today.”

“That’s rare. Transferring in high school.”

“I heard the exams and stuff are a real hassle. And get this, the transfer student is a girl.”

“So that’s why the guys are particularly riled up.”

I nodded in understanding. No wonder the class atmosphere was so lively.

“…I hope she’s not a scary one. What if a sukeban-type shows up?”

“Tesso, you’re still such a scaredy-cat as always. With your looks alone you’re a total thug. No offense, but I think the transfer student will be more scared upon first seeing you.”

“It’s my personality. Not something you can change so easily. The reason I joined the karate club was thinking it might help fix this personality of mine even a little…”

“Well, that’s just how the world is. Not everything goes the way you want.”

Feeling a bit interested, I called out to the other guys as well and tried to gather information. Since Aigou-nee was looking this way, I didn’t call out to any of the female students. Even I value my life.

From what I gathered, she moved to this Hikikane City because of her parents’ job. Well, it’s a common story. Apparently no one had seen her appearance yet.

So they were running a betting pool on whether the transfer student was a beauty or not, so I bet on the beauty. Even though it’s gambling, it’s just a cute thing where the loser buys the winner some juice.

＊＊＊

Before long, the bell rang announcing the start of homeroom.

“Good morning, everyone!”

Along with the sound of the bell, the homeroom teacher entered. It was Kamaitachi Kyoko-sensei. A young teacher who had been recently hired, specializing in Japanese history and world history. She was a beautiful woman with black hair tied back. Her classes were interesting, so she was popular with both boys and girls, but at the same time her voice was quite distinctive, with a strange accent and loud volume, so listening to her talk gave you a weird feeling. She was quite an odd person. By the way, according to a guy who had encountered her in town, her civilian fashion sense was exquisitely lame, so she could rather be classified as an eccentric.

That Kamaitachi-sensei immediately brought up the topic of the transfer student right from her opening words.

“Some of you have probably heard the rumors, but a transfer student is joining this class from today. Everyone, make sure to get along with her… Without further ado, I’ll introduce her. Come in.”

In response to Kamaitachi-sensei’s voice, the classroom door opened. A single female student came into the class.

“～♪”

I couldn’t help but whistle.

The female student who entered had the look of a true beautiful girl. Rather than showering her with cheers, my classmates had fallen completely silent. It seems that when humans see something truly beautiful, they become stunned rather than raising voices of admiration.

“Starting today, I’ve transferred to this school. I’m Okunihama Kaguya. Nice to meet you.”

Chapter 7 – It’s Rare for Someone to Come On So Strong From the First Meeting

The self-introduction was pretty standard, but her voice was so beautiful it could rival even a stage actress.

Through her glasses, her crimson eyes that looked just like mine sparkled. As she walked with her long black hair flowing behind her, she truly evoked the image of Kaguya-hime from the old folktale.

“I’m Okunihama Kaguya. Nice to meet you all.”

She seemed confused by the lack of reaction and repeated her self-introduction.

After a beat, the boys erupted in cheers.

“She’s seriously gorgeous…”

“D-Do you have a boyfriend?!”

“Any trouble since transferring?! If there’s anything bothering you, I can—!”

“Damn, she’s even prettier than Hakuto…”

The voltage in the classroom shot through the roof. I felt a little annoyed at that last comment, but I still cracked a smile.

“Heh heh heh… As much as I hate to admit it, I’ll acknowledge there’s a girl prettier than me. For now, looks like we win the betting pool.”

“What, you jealous of a beautiful girl?”

“Hey, I do have confidence in my face’s deviation value, you know.”

“Hakuto. You’re surprisingly narcissistic, huh.”

While I was bantering like that with Tesso, my eyes met Okunihama-san’s.

Her red eyes, almost identical to my own crimson ones, gave an intellectual impression thanks to her calm aura. When she noticed me, she smiled softly.

Was that smile directed at me? Did she also get captivated by my looks?

It went without saying that the boys in class were all knocked out by her archaic smile.

“Hakuto, hey, Hakuto.”

“What?”

As I returned her smile with a business-like one of my own, Tesso called out to me.

“Your big sis-slash-girlfriend is making one hell of a face.”

“Huh…?”

When I looked toward Ina-nee, she was staring our way with an obviously displeased expression. There was no light in her eyes at all. Some of our classmates who sensed her killing intent quickly averted their eyes from Ina-nee and us, as if they’d seen something they shouldn’t have.

“This is bad… She might accuse me of giving the new girl bedroom eyes and beat me up later. I should follow up with her afterwards.”

“…The white rabbit has it rough too, huh.”

“It’s the price of being born beautiful.”

As we were saying such things, Kamaitachi-sensei clapped her hands.

“There will be plenty of questions, but homeroom time is limited. Let’s save the socializing for later. First, about Okunihama’s seat… There’s an empty spot right next to Kicchodani’s younger brother. Sit there.”

“Yes.”

“Eh, next to me?”

My seat was right at the back row. Thanks to my small stature, it’s hard to see the blackboard, but now this seat had brought a whole new problem.

The transfer student sat down in the previously empty seat right next to me. In other words, a beautiful girl was now sitting beside me. Which meant… it would further stimulate the fighting instincts of the wolf at my house…

Just as expected, when I glanced at Ina-nee, my eyes met hers, filled with jealousy. Yeah, those eyes are the dangerous kind.

“Let me introduce myself properly. My name is Okunihama Kaguya. …Since we’re neighbors now, let’s get along, shall we? Kicchodani Hakuto-kun?”

Furthermore, Okunihama-san casually spoke to me. Her voice was as adorable as ever. Her overall atmosphere was gentle and intellectual, and her natural way of speaking had quite an androgynous feel. This was definitely going to irritate Ina-nee’s nerves even more…

…Wait a second? This should be our first meeting, so why does she know my name?

“…Ah. Nice to meet you.”

“Was it surprising that I knew your name? Well, it’s like this—you’re famous as one of the top pretty boys in your grade, no, in the entire school. I had heard the rumors.”

“I see. Rumors, huh.”

“Yes, rumors. Contrary to how I look, I actually prefer cute-type boys over the big, rugged macho kind. Honestly, you’re my type.”

Man, this girl sure comes on strong too…

“Thanks, I guess. …But it’s better not to act like you’re hitting on guys when you don’t really mean it, okay? Guys are simple creatures, so they misunderstand real quick.”

“I appreciate the advice. Well, I do quite seriously like you though.”

“I appreciate the affection, but let me give you some honest advice: if you’re aiming for me, you should stop. I have some pretty troublesome family members.”

I shifted only my eyes toward Ina-nee. She was biting her own fingernails with a straight face. It was an old habit of hers when she got irritated.

“Fufu. Well then, let’s take our time and get to know each other, neighbor.”

“Nn… Yeah, nice to meet you.”

“Right away though… I haven’t prepared my textbooks yet. Could you slide your desk over and show me?”

“…Haa~”

I couldn’t help but sigh. This… looked like today’s going to be all about appeasing Ina-nee’s mood. Otherwise, there was no telling what that wolf might do to this girl.