When I Started Capturing the Academy Princesses, Things Turned into a Battlefield - V1 Chapter 07: Mischievous Wind Fairy Sitting Beside Me

Chapter 07: The Mischievous Wind Fairy Sitting Beside Me

“Wait… you did hear my story, right?”

Kazama stared at me in shock.

“I heard every word. But tell me—what’s so bad about making someone fall for you? There’s nothing wrong with it. If anything, it’s normal. Making an effort to win someone over—that’s how most relationships start, isn’t it? That’s just how romance works in the real world.”

Now, if she had been mocking the guys who confessed to her with her friends, that would’ve been a different story.

I would’ve called her out for that.

But—

“Did you ever tell anyone about your little game?”

“…No, I haven’t.”

Just as I thought.

Kazama clearly saw her actions as something shameful.

If she had been bragging about it, it would be a different matter, but she had kept it completely to herself.

All she did was put in the effort to make someone like her.

That was it.

Sure, she kept notes on the guys she “captured,” but it wasn’t like she spread rumors or used it against them.

If she was just enjoying it for herself, then—honestly, where was the harm in that?

“There aren’t any victims, so there’s no real issue here.”

“But—”

“No one got hurt. Liking someone isn’t a crime. If making people fall for you was illegal, then actresses and idols would be public enemy number one.”

“…Well, when you put it that way.”

It was a bit of an extreme argument, but Kazama seemed to reluctantly accept it.

“If anything, what you’re doing is charity work, Kazama.”

“How does that make sense?”

“Think about it. Even if your goal is to make a guy fall for you, you still talk to them—a lot. Do you have any idea how much that means to guys who aren’t popular? A cute girl talking to them normally? That alone is enough to make a lot of hopeless guys happy.”

“…That sounds kinda gross.”

Oi. No need to say it like that.

“Even grown men pay money just to talk to cute girls. In other words, your services are basically saving a ton of guys. Not everyone is a pretty boy, you know.”

I knew this better than anyone.

Most girls treated anyone who wasn’t handsome with cold indifference.

Even if you talked to them normally, they’d respond half-heartedly like they couldn’t be bothered.

It was especially obvious with greetings.

You could see the difference in their tone when they greeted a handsome guy.

But Kazama was different.

She talked to everyone the same way—laughing, engaging, actually enjoying the conversation.

For unpopular guys, she was probably a literal goddess.

“Basically, Kazama, you’re out here boosting the confidence of guys who never get attention. That’s something that should be praised.“

“…Is that really how it works?”

“Trust me. As an unpopular guy myself, I know exactly what I’m talking about.”

I said it with complete confidence. For some reason, though, Kazama just looked at me with… pity.

I don’t get it.

“So don’t worry about it. You’ve heard the saying, right? In love, the one who falls first loses.“

“…Loses?”

“Yeah. It’s a loss. The guys who fell for you? They’re just self-proclaimed losers who got played. They fell for you on their own. They confessed on their own. They got rejected on their own. None of that is your fault. So there’s absolutely no reason for you to feel guilty about it. You won, Kazama.“

In love, the one who makes the other fall wins.

The one who confesses is automatically in the weaker position. Meanwhile, the one being confessed to? They hold all the power.

That’s just how it works. An absolute rule that can’t be overturned.

So if Kazama wanted to reject them from a position of superiority, that was her right.

The one who makes someone fall holds all the power.

And the one who falls? They have no choice but to obey.

“In fact, if you feel even a little guilty about it, then whatever you do—don’t apologize.“

“…”

“I’m not going to tell anyone about this, and if it really bothers you, then there’s no need for you to bring it up either. Talking about it would only hurt them more.”

If the truth ever came out, they might start seeing themselves as victims, twisting it into some I was played sob story.

There are some things in life that people are better off never knowing.

“Besides, the guys who confessed to you probably feel satisfied in their own way. They got to tell the girl they liked how they felt. You saw Yamada’s face, didn’t you? He looked at peace with it. So just stand tall and own it. As long as you stay the amazing girl they fell for, even the guys who lost will feel like it was worth it. If you really want to make things right, then give them that. Let them believe they had good taste—that falling for you wasn’t a mistake.“

I had to admit—I nailed that. 

Even I was surprised by how smoothly the words rolled off my tongue.

“If you really want to change, just take it slow from now on. And, well… if you ever need help, I’m here. You can rely on me.”

How was that?

A perfect mix of reassurance and an invitation to get closer—subtle, but effective.

This was the peak of my romance game experience put into practice.

“I get what you’re trying to say, Kanbara-kun.”

Oh? Looks like she really understood.

“…How cocky.”

“Huh?”

Without another word, Kazama started walking away.

“I’m heading home. Bye.”

…Wait.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.

In my head, Kazama was supposed to be flustered, blushing, and starting to see me as a man.

Instead, she just left.

What just happened?

I stood there, completely stunned.

“Uh… what was that supposed to mean?”

I had no answer.

◇

Let’s get straight to the point—I failed.

Even though I gave it my all, my words clearly didn’t have the effect I was hoping for.

In the end, Kazama just went home.

And after that?

Nothing. No messages. No reactions. No follow-ups.

The next morning, as I arrived at school and took my seat, I tried to figure out where it all went wrong.

What was it? Where did I mess up?

I was convinced I had perfectly set the mood.

So why didn’t Kazama respond the way I expected?

And more importantly—what was with that expression she had before leaving?

She looked almost… frustrated.

But thanks to my absolute lack of dating experience, combined with my minimal interactions with women, I had no idea what my mistake was.

As I sat there, lost in thought—

“Good morning, Kanbara-kun.”

Kazama arrived and greeted me as she took her seat.

Her face was as normal as ever. 

By now, I knew that was just part of the mask she wore.

“O-Oh. Morning.”

“Great weather today, huh?”

“Uh… yeah. I guess so.”

“Though, too much sun isn’t always a good thing. It’s still hot out, so be careful not to get heatstroke.”

She acted completely normal.

Like our conversation yesterday never even happened.

As I stared at her, trying to make sense of it, Kazama casually hummed a tune while getting her things ready for the day.

“Why are you staring at me?”

“Nothing.”

“Really?”

Before long, the usual group of girls gathered around Kazama, chatting like always.

“I’m coming, wait for me!”

Kazama stood up and, as usual, started walking toward her group of close friends.

But then—

“Oh, right. Kanbara-kun, I need to tell you something.”

“…What?”

“A declaration of war. From now on, you better be prepared.”

…A declaration of war?

That sounded way too intense.

I had meant for my words yesterday to flirt with her, not provoke her. 

Did I somehow end up making her mad?

As I stood there, confused, Kazama suddenly leaned in closer.

“Annoying as it is, your little attack yesterday really got to me. You’ve probably noticed by now, but I actually have a pretty big ego. So, Kanbara-kun, I will get back at you for this. Just a warning—brace yourself.“

She whispered those words right into my ear.

…Wait.

What does she mean my attack worked?!

I looked up in confusion, but Kazama just giggled softly before walking off toward her waiting friends.

Her smile, though…

It was different from before.

A little more mischievous.

Like a fairy straight out of a story—one who loved to play tricks on unsuspecting fools.