When I Started Capturing the Academy Princesses, Things Turned into a Battlefield - V1 Chapter 25: The Next Target?

Chapter 25: The Next Target?

Sunday night.

It was that time again—the usual check-in.

This had already become something of a routine, but tonight felt a little different. As always, Ayane entered my room… except this time, her mood was clearly off the charts. You could tell at a glance—she was in an unusually good mood.

“I became friends with Kanon!”

That was the very first thing out of her mouth.

“Oh? Well, congrats, I guess.”

“I mean, it only happened because she insisted! I didn’t have a choice!”

Despite saying that, her face was absolutely glowing with satisfaction. No doubt she was thrilled about it—but I decided not to comment on that.

“She actually has a good eye, you know? She kept complimenting me, said she’d always wanted to be friends. I didn’t want to admit it before because it felt frustrating, but now? I guess I’m okay with acknowledging her. I mean, she’s super cute if you really look at her. Makes sense, considering she became a Princess even before I did.”

Not long ago, she had so much animosity toward Kanon—yet now, the moment they became friends, she pulled a complete 180. My sister really was easy to read.

“So… are you planning to keep getting along with her?”

“Obviously. It’s best if cute girls stick together, right?”

“…Well, fair enough.”

When a girl on Princess level hangs out with another cute girl, it naturally creates a glamorous vibe. Personality aside, Ayane—who ranked 7th in the academy—was definitely close to Princess-tier in terms of looks.

It was great that she’d made a friend, but honestly, that had nothing to do with me. What mattered to me right now was something else entirely.

“So? Mind telling me why you told me to stop going after Kanon?”

When I brought up the question that had been bothering me, Ayane furrowed her brows slightly.

“You really want to know?”

“Of course I do.”

“Well, since she asked to be friends, I guess I can tell you now. Truth is, I was planning to ask her to be friends myself. Remember what you said? You asked if there was a route where I could get along with Kanon.”

So Kanon had been the one to make the first move, but turns out Ayane had been planning to do the same.

The way she made it sound like she was doing Kanon a favor was a little annoying, but I let it slide.

“And how does that tie in with me backing off?”

“Ugh, you’re slow. Think about it. If Kanon and I actually became friends, how horrible would it be if her boyfriend turned out to be a creepy guy like you?”

…Excuse me?

She spat out that insult like it was nothing.

So that’s what it was—

She stopped me from going after Kanon because she was planning to befriend her herself.

“So, now that you’re actually friends, what happens next?”

“Obviously, the plan’s on hold. No way I’m letting my best friend become Aniki’s girlfriend. Just imagine it—me and Kanon, creating this perfect, adorable girl space, and then you show up to ruin it? That would completely destroy the vibe. Try using your brain for once.”

When did they become best friends?

And man, the way she talked about me—like I was some walking trash heap.

It pissed me off a little, but… I guess in a way, it was a relief.

Non-Non had told me to keep going, but honestly? I wasn’t too keen on stepping into the underclassmen’s classroom again. So putting the plan on hold actually worked out for me.

Plus, the last thing I wanted was to be the reason their friendship fell apart. That would definitely come back to bite me later. I could already hear the endless complaints. If we called off the plan now, I wouldn’t have to deal with any of that.

“Still, there’s a bit of a problem.”

“A problem?”

“Well, remember how I said we’re close siblings—even if it was just an act? Because of that, Kanon’s gotten the wrong idea. She keeps bringing you up whenever we talk, like she’s really paying attention to you.”

“Hey, that’s not my fault!”

You’re the one who brought up the whole “we’re super close” thing!

“I know, okay? This one’s on me. I just… can’t exactly turn around and say it was a lie now. It’d make things really awkward going forward.”

“Serves you right, idiot.”

“Shut up!”

I gave my dumb little sister a smug look, and in response, Ayane kicked me with her stubby little legs.

Didn’t hurt at all, though.

“Don’t get cocky. Did you forget I’m the one holding your secrets?”

“Ugh…”

As Ayane casually dangled her phone in front of me, I fought back the overwhelming urge to punch her in the face and stayed silent.

“Anyway, back to the real topic. Hurry up and go after another Princess.”

“…We’re still doing this?”

“Obviously. My goal is to definitely become a Princess. Sure, I’ll give you some credit for becoming friends with Kanon, but that doesn’t change anything. It’s a separate issue.”

“Even if you say ‘another Princess’…”

There were only two I hadn’t approached yet.

One was a complete ice queen—untouchable, with zero connection to me.

The other was a saintly childhood friend… who I hadn’t spoken to in forever.

No matter how I looked at it, both were impossible. The queen would just glare at me with those frosty eyes and shut me down instantly. And dealing with my childhood friend? That was going to wreck my mental state for sure.

“Let’s be real—the queen’s a no-go. So that means your next target’s basically decided. Go talk to her already.”

“…I can’t.”

“Her house is nearby, isn’t it? I wouldn’t mind if you went over right now.”

Yeah, and show up this late at night? That’d just be plain annoying.

“Well, honestly, I don’t care how you go about it. If you’d rather go after one of the other Princesses instead, that works too.”

Yeah, that’s not happening either.

There hadn’t been any progress with the other Princesses. And honestly, I couldn’t even imagine there would be.

Kazama still sat next to me and teased me like always, but that was it.

Shiranui and Tsuchiya would occasionally stop by to chat, but it was always just small talk. Nothing ever came out of it.

If there was any change, it was in how people looked at me.

Guys and girls alike kept glancing my way, with all sorts of mixed emotions in their eyes.

It was probably because I’d been seen getting close with the Princesses.

Apparently, I was the only guy on friendly terms with Shiranui, so even the girls were starting to notice.

But those reactions had nothing to do with the actual mission.

No real progress had been made.

So… what now?

I racked my brain for a solution, but nothing came to mind.

“…Can I take a break?”

Those words just slipped out of my mouth.

There was no way I could go after either of the remaining two.

And I wasn’t getting anywhere with the ones I’d already met.

I just needed some time to come up with a plan.

“A break?”

“I mean, I’ve been going hard at this every week. I’m just… kinda worn out.”

It started with Kazama.

Then Tsuchiya, Shiranui, and now Kanon.

Week after week, I’d been trying to approach one Princess after another.

For a guy who’d barely talked to girls before this, it had been mentally exhausting.

“Well, whatever. Do what you want. The general election won’t happen until the end of the second term anyway. As long as you make me a Princess by then, I don’t care—”

Just then, Ayane’s phone lit up with a notification sound.

“Kanon just messaged me!”

Looked like the message was from Kanon.

Ayane stood up, grinning from ear to ear.

“I’m gonna go have a nice little chat with her, so I’ll head back to my room. Oh, and about the whole Princess plan—if I end up getting chosen, then I don’t mind if you take things slow. Just go at your own pace, Aniki.”

Humming a cheerful tune, the devil exited the room.

A few moments later, I could hear her overly sweet voice coming from the next room.

It had been a while since I’d heard her fake, cutesy tone at home.

No matter how many times I heard it… it still creeped me out.

“…Screw it. I’m going to sleep.”

There was a lot I needed to think about, but right now, I just wanted to forget everything.

The next target?

Still undecided.