Chaos Mate ~Revenge In This Chaotic Academy~ - Chapter 54: The Start of Summer Vacation

Chapter 54: The Start of Summer Vacation

A day under intense summer sunlight.

Four days ago, the month-and-a-half summer break began.

After walking 30 minutes from the academy to a major station and boarding a bullet train, I’m now gazing out the window, earphones in, cheek propped on my hand.

Listening to my favorite band, the blue sky, white clouds, and passing scenery shift rapidly with the train’s speed, calm and quiet…

“Hey, Motoki-cchi, grab the chips!”

Quiet…

“Eh? If you eat that much, they’ll be gone in no time, Kumi-chan.”

Qui…et…

“Mogami-san, you brought a cat? It’s peeking out of your bag.”

Qui…e…t…

“Yeah… I couldn’t leave Noir behind—”

“Shut up, you guys!!”

Finally at my limit, I yell at the four people in the seats next to and across from me.

Mogami, sitting beside me, glares half-lidded and says, “You’re a hundred times louder, Madoka.”

Not just Mogami, but Naruse, Motoki, and Kumi are tagging along for my homecoming.

How did this happen?

The story goes back to the first day of summer break.

※

Three days ago, the first day of summer break.

After contacting my parents and packing for the trip home, Motoki called at just the right moment.

“Yo, Madoka! Wanna hang out?”

“Why me? Just invite a bunch of girls you’re into and make your harem.”

“Haha, like I’ve got the guts for that. That’s harsh, man.”

His fake crying over the phone quiets me, and he changes the subject with, “Joking aside…”

“So, I’m free this summer, and Ruri-chan and Kumi-chan are too. How ‘bout we, the usual crew, go somewhere?! That’s my pitch. And, with Emi-chan, we can plan where to—”

“I’m going home in three days, so you three have fun.”

As I try to hang up, he cuts in with a loud, “Hold up!!”

“What? Home? Alone?”

“Was planning to, but Mogami’s coming, so it’s two of us.”

“Then we wanna come too!!”

“No way.”

Hanging up with a deep sigh, exhaustion hits, and I move to lie on my bed.

But the next moment, the intercom chimes.

Who the hell… I’m wiped out…

Opening the door, I instantly regret it.

Motoki and Kumi stand there, beaming, while Mogami and Naruse, likely dragged along, look reluctant.

“Yo! Let’s plan a trip!!”

“…Worst. Day. Ever!!”

Overwhelmed by Motoki’s sparkling enthusiasm, I let them in.

Pushed by Motoki and Kumi’s pressure, I called home again to say five of us were coming.

I swore never to tell Motoki my plans again.

※

Propping my cheek, I glance at my right wrist, where a white bracelet catches my eye.

We were told to wear it when leaving the academy.

It’s supposed to stay on at all times.

There’s no specific restriction, but not knowing why we need it makes it hard to relax, especially with just an order to keep it on.

Crossing my arms and closing my eyes, I remember something I should’ve asked.

“By the way, won’t your parents worry if you don’t go home?”

“It’s fine. I don’t even want to see my parents’ faces.”

“I was told not to come back till graduation, nya.”

“Nah, I’m good. I’m a guy.”

This is bad. This is totally the route where I meet their parents.

In my head, I picture a yakuza-faced dad with crossed arms and a youthful mom in a kimono. (Can’t call her “auntie” to her face.)

Those two, seen by these four…

Well, aside from looks, they’re not embarrassing, so if we get past first impressions…

Predicting mental exhaustion in a few hours, I tell Mogami and Naruse, “Wake me when we arrive,” lean back, and fall asleep.

Gotta save my energy.

During this summer break, I had no idea that returning to the Tsubaki house would trigger an unexpected chain reaction, tossing me into its waves.

※

At the station, Mogami tugs my left ear, and Naruse pinches my right cheek to wake me.

“Madoka, wake up. We’re here.”

“If you don’t, I’ll post your dumb sleeping face online for the world to see.”

My mistake. Asking these two to wake me was stupid. I should’ve specified how.

Yawning, I stand, sling my backpack on, and exit the train.

Stepping out of the station, the town feels oddly nostalgic despite only three months away.

“I’m back… Tsubakigawa Village.”

“Super rural, huh.”

“Don’t say that, Emi-cchi. But, like, it’s really rural, right? Any fun spots?”

“You’re rude too, you know? Still, I like how quiet it seems.”

Tsubakigawa Village, a region nestled against lush, mountainous terrain.

This is where I lived as Tsubaki Madoka.

I didn’t have friends, so my memories are mostly with Nee-san.

I’m back, Nee-san…

Lost in sentiment, Mogami tugs my sleeve.

“Hey, shouldn’t you stop those two?”

“Huh?”

Looking where she points, I see two kids acting wild.

“Wow, the mountains are huge!!”

“Hey, look, a wild deer! Can I take a pic!?”

Sighing deeply, I approach Motoki and Kumi, grab their collars, and calm them down.

In a low voice, I say, “You guys tagged along, but if you cause trouble, I’ll shut you down, no questions asked.”

““Sorry!!””

Silencing them, we head to the bus stop, ride for an hour, and get off.

We climb a sloped road through a forested area.

“First time seeing so much forest. Unlike the concrete jungle, the green’s easy on the eyes.”

“Instead, you’ve got dangerous wild animals. To me, it’s like my backyard.”

“Jealous. Must’ve been fun climbing trees.”

“…Don’t remind me of tree climbing. I was told not to come home till I reached the canopy… Nearly died. Definitely not for a five-year-old.”

“Tree climbing… I used to do that back home.”

“You, Mogami? That’s surprising.”

“No games back then. Plus, my mom nagged me to stay active.”

With Mogami and Naruse on either side, chatting as we walk, I glance back to see Motoki dragging a panting Kumi.

“I’m done… Can’t do this…”

“C’mon, Kumi-chan, you got this! …Madoka! How much farther!? Kumi-chan’s at her limit!!”

“Almost there… Look, there’s the roof. It’s close.”

Spotting the long row of traditional tiled roofs, I see a large house surrounded by white walls.

At the gate stands a dignified woman in a kimono, her long navy-blue hair swept to the left.

Shocked, I run toward her.

But her expression turns sour.

“Hey, Mom!? What’s—”

“What’s that, huh, you idiot son!!”

As I reach her, she hooks her right arm around my neck and slams me into the ground.

“Didn’t I say to call once a month!? It’s been three months! What’s your excuse? Don’t say you forgot!!”

“S… Sorry… I was… busy…”

“‘Busy’ doesn’t cut it!! Explain yourself!!”

“…First, look over there.”

Grabbed by the collar and shaken, I get dizzy.

Pointing at Mogami and the others, her eyes widen briefly before she flashes a smile, laughs elegantly as if nothing happened, and looks at the slightly freaked-out group.

“Well, well, welcome! Thank you for looking after my son. I’m Tsubaki Shizuna, Madoka’s mother.”

Yes, this is my current mother, Tsubaki Shizuna.

The woman I absolutely can’t defy, who’ll lariat me without question if angered. Her lariat’s so fast, no ordinary person could track it.

Also, a strong woman who keeps my dad in check.

To me, she’s the symbol of terror.

“We’ve been expecting you. Madoka told us about you, so please make yourselves at home.”

Looking at the four, Mogami’s expressionless but sweating profusely, Naruse averts her gaze unconsciously, and Motoki and Kumi tremble as they greet her.

““T-Thank you for having us!!””