When I Started Capturing the Academy Princesses, Things Turned into a Battlefield - V1 Chapter 33: A Mini Showdown and the Dark Saintess

Chapter 33: A Mini Showdown and the Dark Saintess

Kanon and Shiranui?

Both of them came in through opposite doors and headed straight toward me without hesitation.

Their faces were a mix of anger and urgency as they closed in.

I flinched from their sudden energy and blurted out a weak, “Hieh…”

“…Is that rumor true?”

“Is it really true, what they’re saying?”

They asked in unison.

That’s when the two finally seemed to notice each other’s presence.

Their eyes met, and both of them looked surprised.

“Princess-Prince Senpai?”

“Shiranui here. And you must be… Hikawa-san’s little sister, right?”

Apparently, they hadn’t met before.

Makes sense—different grades and all.

But being well-known, they at least recognized each other.

“…Why are you here with Senpai?”

“What a coincidence. I was just about to ask you the same thing.”

They locked eyes in silence.

No words were exchanged, but the tension felt like they were having a whole conversation with just their stares.

After several seconds, both of them turned to me at the exact same moment.

“Right now, I want to hear about that rumor.”

“Yes, that takes priority.”

“You’re childhood friends with that Saintess… and you’re even engaged?”

“I heard the same thing. Can you explain what’s going on?”

That’s what I’d like to know, thanks.

“Okay, look—just calm down for a second—”

I tried to ease the tension, but it didn’t reach them at all.

The next moment, bam!

They slammed the desk and leaned in close with intense glares.

“Just answer already!”

“Tell us the truth!”

Their expressions were completely different from usual—

Honestly, it was kind of terrifying.

But seriously… why are these two so worked up over a rumor?

It’s not like they’re interested in my love life… right?

That’s what I thought at first, but then it hit me.

Neither Kanon nor Shiranui had any close guy friends at school.

Except for me.

To Kanon, I was her friend’s older brother.

To Shiranui, I was a fellow comrade in our shared love of Vtubers.

So it makes sense they’d be curious.

When you don’t have many guy acquaintances, hearing about one of them being involved in a romance would naturally spark interest.

Honestly, if I heard a rumor that either of them had a boyfriend—or had someone they secretly promised their future to—

I’d probably be curious too.

Yeah… it’s that kind of vibe.

So now the question is—how should I explain this?

It’s true that Tsukihi and I were childhood friends.

It’s also true that we used to hang out at each other’s houses.

And she is coming over today, even if it’s been years since the last time.

This topic’s bound to come up again.

Kazama seemed really interested too.

…Maybe I should just admit it.

I mean, I don’t remember the whole “marriage promise” part,

But the rest of it’s basically true.

If I denied it, I’d be lying.

Trying to cover it up would only make things worse—and people might start looking at me weird.

…Actually, wait.

Could this be… a chance?

If I think about what would happen if I confirmed the rumor, one thing becomes clear.

Tsukihi has always had a spotless image—pure, untouchable, no rumors about guys whatsoever.

If this spreads, that image would crack.

Her popularity could take a nosedive.

She might even lose her Princess status.

And if that happens—

One more Princess cleared.

“…”

But the moment I thought that, a heavy feeling settled in my chest.

No matter how I looked at it—

It was too risky.

Admitting we’re childhood friends is fine.

But the whole marriage promise? I don’t even remember it.

If this rumor wasn’t started by Tsukihi herself, and someone else is behind it…

Then everything could fall apart.

If I confirm the rumor and it later comes out that she already has a boyfriend,

I’ll look like the worst kind of guy—someone who tried to use a fake rumor to steal her away.

Unfortunately, I’m not into that whole “steal-your-girl” thing,

And I definitely don’t have the guts for it.

Well, I guess in that scenario, people would at least find out she’s taken,

And Ayane might move up as a Princess instead…

But yeah, no.

If it ends with me going down in flames, it’s not worth it.

“Just give up and talk.”

“Come on, spill it.”

I was cornered—completely trapped.

And then—

“Ah! Found you, Yuu-kun!”

The door swung open, and Tsukihi stepped inside.

For the first time ever, she genuinely looked like a Saintess to me.

She walked straight toward me, then finally noticed the other two facing off with me.

“Oh, it’s Shiranui-san and Hikawa-san’s little sister, right? Am I interrupting something?”

Tsukihi glanced between me and the two girls.

“It’s not what it looks like! We just happened to run into each other!”

“Really? What a coincidence.”

…Okay yeah, meeting “by chance” in an empty classroom is pushing it.

But I powered through with sheer confidence.

“Anyway, Tsukihi—why were you looking for me?”

“Our study session! I wanted to check which subject we should start with.”

So it was about which subject to study, huh.

Yeah, it made sense to plan that out beforehand.

Focusing on just a few subjects would definitely be more efficient.

Maybe Tsukihi came all the way here during lunch as a thoughtful gesture.

It’s true—talking in an empty classroom like this was way better than chatting in a crowded one.

I appreciated the thought…

But the timing couldn’t have been worse.

Would’ve been nice if she showed up when I was alone.

Kanon and Shiranui were both silently staring at us.

Maybe they were staying quiet out of basic politeness.

“…I’ll let you decide the order.”

“Got it. I’ll start with the subject that’s easiest for me to teach, then.”

“I’ll be counting on you.”

“Leave it to me.”

Tsukihi gave a soft smile, turned around, and started walking away.

“Okay, I’ll come over later then. You better greet me at the door, Yuu-kun. I’ll be upset if you don’t!”

Right after she said that—

The atmosphere in the room shifted.

“…Your house?”

“Did she say she’s going to your house?”

Kanon and Shiranui both muttered in disbelief, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Tsukihi paused and turned back around.

“Yup! Yuu-kun and I are childhood friends—we used to live really close. I’m going over to his place today too. Oh! And we’re having dinner together.”

“Hold on! No one said anything about dinner!”

“I was invited just now. By your mom, Yuu-kun.”

Tsukihi casually swung her phone back and forth.

…Did she exchange contacts with my mom?

Well, thinking about it, it’s not that surprising.

My mom had always treated Tsukihi like her own daughter.

Even while Tsukihi and I had drifted apart, the two of them stayed in touch.

She’d even bring up Tsukihi’s updates during dinner—without me asking.

“…She’s got parent approval?”

“Eating dinner together too…?”

For some reason, Kanon and Shiranui both looked pale.

“Oh? Don’t tell me you two came here to ask Yuu-kun about that rumor?”

Wait—so you knew about the rumor too?

“If you mean that rumor, then yeah—it’s true. Yuu-kun and I are childhood friends, and we used to visit each other’s houses all the time. We even took baths together back then.”

“S-Stop right there!”

“What? I’m just telling the truth.”

Both Kanon and Shiranui turned to glare at me with sharp, piercing eyes.

…And yes, it was true.

But that was way back—like, kindergarten days.

It’s barely even in my memory at this point.

Still, what was Tsukihi playing at?

I looked at her, ready to complain—

Only to see her chuckling softly.

It wasn’t her usual calm smile.

It was a devious little grin that didn’t suit a Saintess at all.

“Fufu… and with that, my mission’s complete. See you later, Yuu-kun.”

Humming a cheerful tune, Tsukihi strolled out of the room.

…Wait, what?

As I stared at the door she left through,

For just a second—I could’ve sworn I saw Tsuchiya and Hikawa standing there.

No way.

I must’ve imagined it.

The Big Three aren’t that close, right?

“…House. Parent-approved. Bath time.”

“Happy dinner with the family. Bathing together… scrubbing each other’s backs…”

While I was distracted by what I thought I saw outside,

I started hearing the two girls muttering weirdly under their breath.

This… is getting dangerous.

I should get out of here before things escalate.

I turned and made a move to leave.

“Wait!”

“Yeah! This conversation isn’t over yet!”

They looked like they were about to grab me,

So I bolted for the door.

“Afternoon classes are starting soon anyway! Later!”

And just like that, I ran out of the room like my life depended on it.

I could feel their burning stares behind me,

But I didn’t look back even once—not until I made it safely back to the classroom.