Chapter 1

The day before my two-week suspension ended, I was summoned to school. The setting sun shone into the guidance counselor’s office after school, and every so often, I could hear the baseball team’s shouts from outside.

Across the long table, two teachers sat on folding chairs, looking like police officers conducting an interrogation. Old-man Masuda, looked over the heartfelt apology letter I’d written and said:

“‘I’m sorry for causing trouble. I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again…’ This wording feels a little light, doesn’t it? It sounds like you don’t actually regret anything but are just apologizing because you have to.”

“I based it off of a YouTuber’s apology after they got into some online controversy.”

“What are you even using as a reference? Look, I get that your name was insulted or whatever, but in a society governed by law, if you throw the first punch, you lose, got it? Don’t think you’ll get another chance.”

The tired and graying old man spoke in a lower voice than usual. I guess he wanted to show off his dignity as head of the grade in front of my homeroom teacher (Youkou Tanami, 28 years old, single, and busty), who was sitting nearby and watching.

Not wanting to lose face, I decided to push back, responding with the kind of retort you’d expect from a teenage boy.

“Yeah, but school’s pretty much a lawless place. People with zero real-world experience can call themselves teachers and act all high and mighty.”

“I don’t know where you picked that up, but don’t start acting like you know it all. You shouldn’t underestimate adults.”

Honestly, it was just something I’d heard and repeated, but it seemed to hit a nerve based on the way his voice rose. Lady Tanami sighed as she watched us go back and forth. While Masuda wore a shabby suit, she was wearing a tracksuit, befitting a physical-ed teacher.

Rising from her seat, she reached over and tapped me on the head with the binder she was holding.

“Oh, that counts as corporal punishment, doesn’t it? Did you see that, Masuda-sensei?”

“It’s just whip of love.”

“So, you’re saying you’re a dominatrix?”

“Hey, don’t go giving Tanami-sensei a hard time now.”

If anything, she just looked exasperated. Masuda, the head of the grade, was the one who looked more troubled. Tanami-sensei, shaking her head, stood up and crossed her arms beside me, her large chest swaying as she did.

“Instead of wasting your energy in strange ways, why don’t you try a sport, Hoshi? I’ve seen your fitness test results. You quit the shuttle run after two rounds, but your other scores were pointlessly high.”

“I’m actually the strongest, you know. I even beat my dad, who used to claim he was invincible.”

“…What’s that supposed to mean? Don’t you have any hobbies?”

“My hobbies? Drinking, women, and gambling.”

“What kind of delinquent are you? And when you say ‘women,’ do you mean you have a girlfriend? Not that I’d expect you to, acting like this.”

She hit me right where it hurt. Far harder than the head of the grade.

“There are students out there, you know—just look at the baseball team practicing. When they play games, their girlfriends cheer them on. They’re living their youthful dreams.”

I could almost feel the sting of her invisible whip. She really had a queenly air about her. I decided to stay quiet, realizing resistance was pointless, when a knock came at the door.

When Masuda replied with a “Yes,” a female student timidly peeked in.

“Sorry to interrupt… Tanami-sensei?”

“Oh, sorry, sorry. I’ll be right there.”

Ms. Tanami quickly left the room. Just before the door closed, I caught the girl’s gaze. Our eyes met for just a moment, and for some reason, she smiled softly at me.

“Miki… Tachibana, huh.”

Masuda-sensei muttered to himself, as if just saying her name. It seemed to be the name of the girl from earlier.

“Feels creepy hearing you call her by her full name.”

“That’s what they call the school’s Madonna, right? I hear her name mentioned every now and then in the staff room.”

“‘Madonna’? No one says that anymore, old man.”

“Oh? So what would you call her in today’s terms, kid?”

“The school’s Lady Gaga, maybe?”

“Huh? Is that what they call it now?”

I said it without much thought, but the old guy seemed genuinely impressed.

Even with my limited social circle, I’d at least heard of this Miki Tachibana. She’s a year above me, in the second year, and apparently, people call her the “princess” or “princess of the academy.” I didn’t get a good look at her earlier, but supposedly, she’s stunningly beautiful. The kind of character who excels both academically and athletically, and is well-regarded by teachers—the classic manga trope.

“It’s hard to believe she’s a student at the same school as you. I’d love to have you drink some of her qualities and shape up.”

“Drinking qualities sounds pretty perverted, don’t you think?”

“Haah… if only you’d learn from her, just a little.”

Aside from being at the same school, there were zero connections between us. Getting a hold of her “qualities” was next to impossible anyway.

Not long after, Masuda-sensei sighed and left the room, saying he didn’t have time to keep fussing over me.

I stayed slouched over the table, fiddling with my phone. Part of me thought my homeroom teacher might come back to comfort me, but she didn’t. Seems like she genuinely didn’t have time to waste on me either. Eventually, I left the student guidance office.

As I stepped into the hallway and slid the door shut, a female student emerged from the neighboring staff room. She closed the door quietly and gave a small bow, even though no one was watching—except me, that is.

When she noticed my gaze, she looked over. It was none other than Miki Tachibana.

Our eyes met, and once again, she smiled at me. Her shoulder-length hair swayed slightly as she tilted her head, and the setting sun turned her bangs a soft shade of brown, casting a warm light on her pale neck.

“You’re Knight-kun, right? Hoshi Naito-kun.” [TL: Naito is his first name]

I’d love to say I’m not someone with such a ridiculous name. But that really is my full name. My dad came up with it, so it’s not like I’m the one with issues.

“It’s a cool name, you know.”

“Alright, let’s take this outside for a bit.”

She chuckled at my response, brushing off my attempt to pick a fight.

I was still stunned that the school’s Lady Gaga—or rather princess—actually knew my name. It might just be because I’m notorious for all the wrong reasons, though.

“You seem to take some pretty big risks. I heard you went wild with a fire extinguisher while surrounded by a crowd?” 

“Yeah, well, thought the cigarette smoke was dangerous, you know?”

“I admire people who can do things like that. I’d be too scared to try.”

“Anyone can do it. Just pull the pin, press the lever, and you’re good to go. Wanna give it a shot? There’s one right there.”

“You’re funny, Hoshi-kun,” she laughed, covering her mouth in a graceful gesture. Even her smallest moves had an elegance to them, and there wasn’t a hint of mockery in her laugh.

Her large, dark eyes blinked slowly, framed by long eyelashes that fluttered with each movement. Standing about a head shorter than my mid-170 cm height, she naturally had to look up at me. I ended up staring directly at her, catching a faint, pleasant scent that drifted toward me. Everything about her face—the shape, the nose, her lips—was flawless. It was no wonder she had every guy at school going crazy.

“Oh no, looks like we ended up staring at each other, huh?” she said, lowering her gaze shyly.

It was another perfect move. A lot of guys would probably fall head over heels for that look alone.

“Hey, would you like to exchange Line contacts?” Miki asked, pulling out her phone.

This brought her points down a bit. “Would you like to” didn’t make sense to me. Actually, none of this did.

“Why?”

“Gosh, Hoshi-kun, you’re funny,” she chuckled.

I had no idea what she found so amusing. That must be the princess effect—she laughs at things normal people wouldn’t find funny. I didn’t really have a reason to exchange contacts with her, but I didn’t have a reason not to, either. So I took out my phone, and she tapped her screen expertly, holding up a QR code for me to scan.

Still, I couldn’t help but feel that exchanging contact info right off the bat with someone you’ve just met was kind of un-princess-like. Part of the appeal of someone like her was that she was supposed to be out of reach. But if she was that easily accessible, it kind of killed the aura.

I figured there was no point in getting my hopes up. Maybe she’d end up just asking me to buy iT-nes cards for her or something.

“Well, see you around,” she said, waving as she walked down the hallway.

She didn’t get far before a guy—a big one in a baseball uniform—caught up to her.

“I’m on a break right now. We’ve got full practice today.”

“Really? Well, good luck!” she replied cheerfully.

They seemed to be enjoying the conversation. The princess tilted her head in that cute way, making the baseball player smile goofily as he scratched his head. Not to be mean, but it reminded me of “Beauty and the Beast.”

“What are you staring at?” Beast-kun said in a low voice, noticing my gaze.

Normally, I’d shoot back with something like, “What if I am staring?” but I’d learned my lesson. I quickly looked away and turned to leave, hearing his giddy laughter trail off behind me. Quite the range of emotions. 

If I got all excited and started messaging her, I might end up acting just like that. I’m not saying it’d be bad—I could probably stand to have a bit more fun in my life.

After spending two weeks in suspension, being totally alone, I realized I was actually craving some company. So instead of heading home right away, I wandered around the school aimlessly, observing the after-school buzz. Most of the classrooms had small groups hanging around, chatting or laughing together. This was what people called “youth,” I guess.

I circled around the second-floor hallway without bumping into anyone, eventually stopping in the middle of the breezeway to watch the sunset from a window.

The school cast long shadows over the courtyard below. The sound of the brass band practicing drifted up, accompanied by a cool breeze.

It’s been half a year since I started at this high school. Finally, the heat had started to ease up, and fall was on its way. But so far, nothing remotely resembling a youth-filled event has happened in my life. Time just kept slipping by.

I leaned against the window frame, zoning out for a while. Not that I expected anyone to come up and start chatting with me. Instead, I caught a glimpse of a pair cuddling under the trees in the courtyard below, cheeks close together. The sight was so disturbing I felt like I’d been scarred. I decided it was time to head home.

On the way to the shoe lockers, I stopped by a restroom in the dim hallway of the other building. It looked pretty unused, so I figured I’d give it a try. But when I tried to push the door, it wouldn’t budge, as if something was blocking it.

I braced myself and gave it a good push.

There was a loud thud as the door finally opened, and I saw a mop sprawled across the floor. It seemed to have been wedged against the door.

Then I noticed something strange—a faint sense that someone was inside. And then, I heard a voice.

Taking a step in, I was hit by an even stranger sight.

[TL: Thanks for reading. Hope you guys comment a lot.]