Enchanted by the Power of the Evil Eye ~The Harem School Life Crafted by a Girl Falling Under My Hypnosis~ - Chapter 89: Newspaper Club’s Minazumi-senpai

Chapter 89: Newspaper Club’s Minazumi-senpai

(MC POV)

The next day after school, Yuna and I head to the newspaper clubroom.

Sayaka’s busy with library committee duties, and Asuka-chan’s at band practice, so they’re not here today. I’m having everyone maintain their normal routines as much as possible.

(Don’t want to draw too much attention yet.)

I planned to go alone, but Yuna insisted, so I reluctantly brought her along.

Akamine Yuna, a top-tier beauty in our grade, attracts attention just by walking. Every guy we pass stares at her.

(Honestly, I’d rather not be seen alone with her…)

Whether she knows my thoughts or not, Yuna’s all smiles.

“Hey, can we hold hands?”

“Nope…”

“Ugh… then can I link arms?”

“Why would that be okay?”

Yuna puffs out her cheeks, sulking.

Her ever-changing expressions are just too cute.

We reach the newspaper clubroom. It’s tucked away behind the school, just as described.

This place really seems like you could make noise without anyone noticing.

The clubroom is a prefab house, bigger and sturdier than I expected.

(Not bad for a club on the verge of shutting down…)

This could be perfect. It’ll make things so much easier.

Yuna’s wandering around the shed, looking excited.

“Minazumi-senpai, you there?”

I knock on the door, but there’s no response. The knob’s locked tight.

(Maybe she’s out, or there’s no club today…)

The windows are locked, frosted glass and curtains blocking any view inside.

Security’s tight. Minazumi Honoka-senpai’s been aggressive with her reporting, so this place probably holds a ton of student secrets…

I want it even more now. Gotta have it.

(Maybe we’ll come back another day…)

“Caught you! Big scoop!”

A loud, familiar voice booms from behind.

I turn to see a lively girl with a ponytail swaying in the breeze, her big eyes striking.

Minazumi Honoka, newspaper club president.

As energetic as ever, she points dramatically at us.

“First-year beauty queen, Akamine Yuna, in a secret rendezvous! With a plain classmate!! Gotcha!!!”

Same exact line as the first time we met. Even if she forgot, people’s thought patterns don’t change, huh?

Also, what’s this “beauty queen” stuff? Who’s saying that?

She snaps photos of us with the digital camera dangling from her neck.

Yuna flashes a shy smile, making a small peace sign. She’s surprisingly reserved when photographed.

“How’s it feel to win over a beauty? Your thoughts? One comment, please, Kageyama Mamoru-kun!!!”

Total déjà vu…

“How’s it feel…?”

Yuna sidles closer, muttering, glancing up at me bashfully.

So cute… no, not now!

I nearly lose it but shake my head to refocus.

“…You know my name, Minazumi-senpai?”

She should’ve forgotten our first meeting, so I play it like we’re strangers.

“Of course! I’ve checked out every freshman! From the beauty queens to the hot guys, even under-the-radar types like you!! …Wait, you know me?”

She looks surprised, a different reaction from last time.

“Yeah, you’re kinda famous…”

“Guess so~ I’d rather be the one reporting on famous people, though! Being a beauty’s tough~!”

She strikes a dramatic pose, hand on her forehead.

“Haha, yeah…”

She is famous… as the “gorgeous but quirky” girl when she’s quiet.

This is only my second time meeting her, but I get it.

“Anyway, when did you two start dating?”

She thrusts a voice recorder at us.

“Huh? You’re writing an article?”

“Obviously! Beauty queen’s love story? Front-page material!”

Her big eyes sparkle as she aims the recorder at us… if only she’d stay quiet…

(Ugh… annoying…)

I glance at Yuna, who’s twirling her hair, fidgeting, ears red… cute… no, not now!

I’ve already planted a suggestion in her, but I don’t want to do anything weird until we’re officially in the club.

“Can you not, senpai? I’d rather not make a fuss.”

“Oh? Not denying it, huh?”

Her eyes glint mischievously. Irritating.

“…Not denying it…”

Yuna mutters… cute… no, focus!

“…Senpai, we actually came to ask something…”

“Hm? What? I’m not dropping the article, you know?”

She tilts her head, her ponytail swaying. Kinda cute.

“Uh, well… we want to join the newspaper club…”

“…Huh? Are you serious…?”

Her eyes widen even more… and she starts crying.

“W-What’s wrong?”

“It’s just… two first-years joining… sniff…”

She covers her face with both hands, sobbing. Damn, that’s thrilling…

“Oh, and our friends, Utashiro Asuka and Kurokami Sayaka, wanted to come too but had stuff today…”

Yuna says hesitantly. Honoka’s head snaps up.

“Utashiro-san and Kurokami-san… the beauty queens…?”

(Who’s calling them that?)

“Can they join too? If it’s not a bother?”

She slaps my shoulders hard… ouch!

“Of course! Thank you! Four new members! I’m so happy!”

Her beautiful face is a mess with tears. Damn, I’m getting hard…

“Let’s not stand out here, come in, come in!”

She wipes her tears with a handkerchief and ushers us into the clubroom with a big smile.

“What about the interview?”

“No way! I wouldn’t write about my cute kouhai!”

She starts tidying the room, humming.

…Nice… I definitely want her…

*

“So! Why’d you want to join the newspaper club?”

Honoka sets up chairs around a table in the middle of the room and serves us coffee.

(Oh crap, I didn’t think of a good excuse…)

“Uh, well, wait! Never mind! As long as you work hard, I don’t care why!”

She grabs four club application forms from a desk in the corner.

“Are Utashiro-san and Kurokami-san really joining…?”

She asks Yuna cautiously. Yeah, hard to believe, right?

Beauty queens, huh… three of the four are already mine… feels good…

The last one’s probably Natsume. Guess I’ve already completed the set?

“For real! They had committee and band stuff today, but they both want in.”

Honoka grabs Yuna’s hands.

“Thank you! Tell them they’re super welcome!”

Two beauties interacting is always nice… I’m reaching my limit…

“Truth is… the newspaper club was down to just me, on the verge of shutting down…”

(I know… that’s why we want in…)

“…And our advisor, Ren-chan-sensei, isn’t much help…”

(Yup, that’s another reason…)

“So I’m so happy. Let’s make the club and the academy awesome together, okay?”

She thrusts out her fist with a wink, her ponytail bouncing…

Such a gorgeous girl… so cute…

“Yes! Looking forward to it, Minazumi-buchou!”

Yuna bumps her fist against Honoka’s.

My Yuna’s cuter, though… by a mile…

“B-Buchou… hehe…”

Honoka’s face melts into a goofy grin. She’s thrilled…

Sorry, senpai… we’re using you as a front…

(Alright, we’re in… time to…)

“Senpai…”

“Hm? What’s up, Kageyama-kun?”

“‘Honoka is my exclusive reporter.’”

*

(Honoka POV)

(Yesss! Four new members! No more shutdown…)

And three of them are beauty queens… I’m so happy…

(I’m a senpai now! Gotta be a great buchou for my kouhai!!)

“Senpai…”

Kageyama-kun calls me. Weird, it doesn’t feel like the first time meeting him… that exchange felt like déjà vu…

“‘Honoka is my exclusive reporter.’”

“…Ah…”

Memories swirl in my head… that’s right… I remember… this person… is my… Master…