Volume 6 Chapter 8 – Invincible Hero

| Shirasaki Lillie

It’s been a month since I started my part-time job. Thursday after school and half the day on Sunday—twice a week, I attend my personal training sessions.

Originally, I’ve never been good with people. But as a high school sophomore, I resolved to change and came up with a plan: work in customer service to learn how to talk like a normal person. That’s what I told my two best friends.

At least, that’s the official story.

The truth? Being at an all-girls’ school, I have no chance of getting a boyfriend. Sure, meeting someone at a family restaurant isn’t exactly what I imagined, but it’s worth a try.

I just want to go on one date. Just one! To feel like the wonderful me I dream about…

But since I started? I’ve been fumbling my words. All the time. Stumbling over my sentences like a complete idiot.

Why do I keep tripping over every S-sound? What even is mashu supposed to mean? Or deshu? Ugh…

My two best friends came by again today. They’ve been with me since the day we were born. All of us share the same birthday—March 14th, White Day. It’s a special bond, and we’ve been inseparable ever since. Same high school too—Daizen Girls’ Academy.

Mari Akagi, or Mari-chan, is one of them. Today, her long, straight black hair is tied up in a ponytail. Her family runs the Akagi Ittoryu dojo, and her elegant, sword-like presence makes her a beautiful, cool girl. No surprise she’s super popular at school. With girls, anyway. Not that she likes the attention.

Despite her composed exterior, she’s a total slob. Chloe-chan and I always scold her for it, and when we do, she clams up like an unresponsive shell, eyes wide open.

Then there’s Chloe Amamiya, or Chloe-chan. Her father’s a foreigner, making her a half-Japanese beauty. Petite face, soft blonde hair, big round eyes, deep green irises—and she’s the shortest of the three of us. She takes after her mother in that regard. She always insists, “You two are just tall!” whenever we tease her about it.

She’s also terrible at sports, which makes her furious when we point it out.

It’s raining today, so her hair must be giving her trouble, meaning she’s probably in a bad mood. She also has the biggest chest among us and never misses a chance to flaunt it.

As for me? I’m doing just fine. Bigger than Mari-chan, at least.

Then misfortune struck during the lunch rush. A table of six men. Their order was chaotic, the table was a mess, and there were tons of glasses from the drink bar. They kept calling me over for no reason.

When I tried to clear some glasses, one of them shoved my elbow, spilling a drink on another guy.

What the heck is wrong with these people!?

Growing up in an all-girls’ school, my idea of men came from novels and manga. I never imagined they could be this barbaric. I suddenly understood the appeal of yuri.

As I tried to apologize, something unexpected happened.

They staged it.

These jerks used this as an excuse to hit on me!

How dare they! Do they have any idea how much I’ve dreamed about meeting someone special!?

My body trembled with anger.

But that rage silenced my habit of stumbling over words. I stood my ground, firm and resolute. Not bad, me!

However, these guys weren’t about to give up. Their voices grew louder, their tone more threatening. My earlier confidence started to fade, fear creeping in.

Still, since we were in the restaurant, I figured they wouldn’t cross a certain line. I resolved to keep apologizing until they gave up.

But my best friends couldn’t stand it any longer.

Ah! Stop! I’m the employee here; I can always call the police if it gets worse. But if you two get involved, who knows what might happen to you on the way home!? Even Mari-chan can’t do much without her shinai, and Chloe-chan wouldn’t be able to outrun anyone.

What do I do, what do I do, what do I do…?

Alright. If it means they’ll leave my friends alone, I’ll give them my contact info.

Just as I made that decision, a boy casually approached us.

Without wavering, he stood up to the six men, completely unfazed. He placed the three of us behind him.

And to my shame, my heart skipped a beat.

No male employee came to help. The surrounding office workers pretended not to see. Just when I was starting to think all men were hopeless, this boy stood in front of me…

Like the hero from a storybook…

Wait! No! He’s up against six of them. Sure, he’s brave, but he doesn’t look particularly strong. He’s more… slender. Fashionable. Clean.

Wait! No! I need to stop him!

“Uh, um!”

“You don’t need to sacrifice yourself.”

He looked me straight in the eyes, smiled warmly, and with a sunny demeanor that could clear today’s rain, he said those words…

Then he walked off with all six men.

…How did he know what I was thinking…?

Is this… what being married feels like?

So, does that mean I’m… his bride?

“Lillie, are you okay?”
“Are you alright?”

Wait! Snap out of it!

“Geez! I appreciate the concern, but I’m fine! I’m a staff member here, remember? Mari-chan, you’re useless without a shinai, and Chloe-chan, you can’t run to save your life! Don’t scare me like that!”

“…Wow, that’s harsh. But I can’t argue.”
“…Useless without a shinai…”

You two need to reflect more! What would I have done if something happened to you!?

“More importantly, is that boy going to be okay?”
“I’m not sure, but I’ll go check. I have an umbrella.”
“Yeah, I’ll capture the assault on video.”

“Huh!? Were you even listening to what I just said!?”

What is wrong with these two airheads!?