When I Started Capturing the Academy Princesses, Things Turned into a Battlefield - V1 Chapter 35; Interlude — The Saintess’s Soliloquy

Chapter 35.5: Interlude — The Saintess’s Soliloquy

There’s a boy I’ve liked for a long time.

My childhood friend—Yuma Kanbara.

Yuu-kun.

I don’t even remember when I first started falling for him.

Our houses were close, and our moms were friends,

So we naturally spent a lot of time together from the very beginning.

At first, he felt more like a brother.

But by the time we were finishing elementary school, those feelings had slowly turned into something more—something like love.

When we entered middle school, everyone around us started getting interested in romance.

Friends would bring it up in conversation, and bit by bit, I found myself wishing I could date Yuu-kun.

But back then… I didn’t have the courage.

I kind of believed that boys were supposed to be the ones to confess.

So I waited, hoping for that day to come.

And honestly, I expected it.

I knew I was considered pretty—I wasn’t blind to that.

So I thought it was only a matter of time.

But it’s not like I just sat around doing nothing.

I worked hard to make sure Yuu-kun wouldn’t get distracted by other girls.

I kept my gorgeous older cousin away from him, and carefully steered conversations so that none of my friends caught his interest either.

Even with all that effort… nothing ever changed between us.

So I tried approaching him from different angles.

Sometimes I acted distant and cold on purpose.

Other times, I got more physically affectionate—little touches here and there.

But none of it worked the way I hoped.

Then, one day—

A senpai who was in love with my cousin came to me for advice.

That senpai had fallen for my cousin at first sight during a club tournament.

He started chasing her pretty aggressively.

During one of their conversations, he found out about her connection to me, and later came to ask me for advice on what kind of gift to give her.

Honestly, his persistence was a bit overwhelming—

But at the same time, I genuinely admired his determination.

Then I had an idea—

Maybe I could use that senpai to make Yuu-kun jealous.

I figured the reason he wasn’t interested in me was because he didn’t see me as a girl.

So I started chatting with that senpai more at school.

I even helped him pick out gifts for my cousin,

All to make it seem like we were getting close.

But… it didn’t work at all.

Time just kept passing without anything changing.

And during that time, something started to shift.

The distance between me and Yuu-kun began to grow.

When I talked to him, his replies became short and vague.

When I asked him to hang out, he’d come up with excuses to say no.

Why?

Was it because I’d acted cold before?

Or maybe because I looked like I was having fun with that senpai?

I didn’t know.

And not knowing the reason made me anxious.

But then… I found out.

Yuu-kun had fallen for someone else.

I could tell—after watching him for so long, it was obvious.

He had feelings for a girl named Misuzu Tsuchiya.

She was the most popular girl in our middle school.

Beautiful, great style, kind personality—

The kind of girl I knew I could never compete with.

I’d lost.

I’d lost to Tsuchiya-san.

Even though she didn’t talk to boys much,

She always looked like she was having fun whenever she was with Yuu-kun.

And that’s when I finally understood—

Ah…

So those two really had become a couple.

I never had the courage to ask,

But somehow, I just knew.

And so, my first love came to an end—

…Or so I thought.

Even though I’d lost, I still couldn’t let go of my feelings.

I couldn’t give up on my first love.

So, I decided to become like Tsuchiya-san—

The girl Yuu-kun had fallen for.

I copied her look, the way she spoke.

I grew my hair out.

Even tried to match her personality.

The only thing I couldn’t imitate was her chest, but I did everything else I could.

Since she rarely talked to boys, I also kept my distance from them as much as possible.

Because the truth was… I’d never stopped liking Yuu-kun.

But I didn’t want to ruin his happiness.

So I chose to watch over him from afar.

I figured if I visited Ayane-chan—who always treated me like a big sister—I’d end up being invited to their house.

And if that happened, I’d have to see Yuu-kun again…

And I knew it would hurt too much.

So I avoided the Kanbara house altogether.

I told myself…

When they break up, I’ll make my move.

When that happens, I’ll become Tsuchiya-san’s replacement.

That was the mindset I lived with.

When I found out the two of them were going to Himegasaki Academy, I didn’t hesitate—I applied too.

At Himegasaki Academy, there was a popularity contest called the General Election.

And I ranked #1.

What really shocked me…

Was seeing Tsuchiya-san in 3rd place.

Wait—

She became a Princess?

Even while dating Yuu-kun?

…Could it be… they broke up?

It was possible…

But I didn’t have the courage to ask, and time just kept passing.

Still, I won’t lie—

Beating Tsuchiya-san in the rankings gave me a little sense of superiority.

Even if I’d been the one who lost in love.

Pathetic as it sounds, I kept following Yuu-kun from the shadows.

I found out where he worked part-time, checked his grades, and made sure I was always up to date on him.

Our second summer vacation in high school passed without anything happening.

September came and went in a blur.

Then October arrived.

I was starting to feel depressed, convinced that nothing would ever change.

Then, one day—

While walking down the stairs, I saw Yuu-kun and Tsuchiya-san talking in the hallway.

I panicked and was about to sneak away…

But then I accidentally overheard their conversation.

“If you don’t want to say, that’s fine. Oh, and just so you know—if it’s something involving Hikawa-san, I can’t help. But if it’s anything else, feel free to talk to me. As your friend, I’ll help however I can.”

…Huh?

“Leave it to me. I’m more thoughtful than I look, you know? Anyway, I gotta go. Tsubasa-chan’s waiting.”

Friend?

They weren’t dating?

Hearing that left me completely shaken.

If they really weren’t together,

Then I’d wasted years believing a lie.

The very next day, I couldn’t hold it in anymore.

I gathered up my courage and asked Tsuchiya-san directly.

“Yuu-kun… I mean, you’re not dating Yuma Kanbara-kun?”

The look on her face—

Tsuchiya-san was genuinely stunned.

“We’re not dating.”

“N-Not even once?”

“Yeah, not at all. Yuma-kun just listened to me when I needed advice. We’re just friends. I don’t have any romantic feelings for him.”

The moment she said that, I felt both overwhelming joy—and a crushing wave of regret.

If I’d just had the courage to ask sooner…

I wouldn’t have wasted all those years stuck in the dark.

While I was still drowning in that regret—

“Wait… you like Yuma-kun, Yoiyami-san?”

“…I do. I like him—I really do!”

I gathered every bit of courage and said it out loud.

And just like that, Tsuchiya-san gently took my hand.

“I’ll support you with everything I’ve got!”

That… I did not expect.

“I’ve been wanting someone to talk to about this!”

“About this?”

“Since you opened up, I’ll tell you too. Actually, there’s someone I like. But the thing is… I think he likes Yuma-kun.”

…Huh?

That hit like a truck.

My brain couldn’t keep up with the sudden twist.

Wait, that doesn’t make sense.

If the person she likes has a crush on Yuma-kun…

Wouldn’t that mean it’s… two guys?

Then it clicked.

There was only one possibility.

“Is the person you like… Shiranui-san?”

I asked, unsure if I should believe it.

But Tsuchiya-san didn’t have many close friends—he was the only one that came to mind.

She nodded in confirmation.

“…So that’s how it is.”

I almost blurted out “But she’s a girl…”,

But I held my tongue.

Just one look at Tsuchiya-san’s face told me how serious she was.

She truly, deeply had feelings for Shiranui-san.

“I want your help. I’ll do everything I can to get you and Yuma-kun together. And if we succeed, Tsubasa-chan will give up on him. That would be ideal for you too, right?”

My ideal…

Is to become Yuu-kun’s girlfriend.

“Alright. Let’s work toge—”

That’s when it happened.

The classroom door opened.

“I couldn’t help overhearing. Mind if I join in?”

The person who entered was completely unexpected.

Arisa Hikawa—the queenly student council president of Himegasaki Academy herself.

Both Tsuchiya-san and I shot her sharp glares, realizing she had been eavesdropping.

But Hikawa-san simply bowed her head politely.

“I understand how it looks. And if an apology is required, I’ll give one first. But please know—I want to help you both.”

Then she raised her head and spoke calmly.

“The truth is… My little sister seems to have a crush on him too.”

A bombshell.

““Eh!?””

Another rival—

And this time, it was that unbelievably cute first-year who already became a Princess.

“But you know, I honestly think Kanon-chan is way too young for a boyfriend. Actually, I don’t think she needs one at all. The idea of her dating someone is just… wrong. And if I try to picture her doing anything even remotely romantic with that guy, I feel physically sick.”

Yeah…

It was painfully obvious—Hikawa-san was a total siscon.

“Anyway, I want to help you and Yoiyami-san. If you end up becoming Yuma Kanbara’s girlfriend, I think Kanon-chan will give up on him too. This way, we all benefit. So—what do you say?”

There was no need to even think about it.

Tsuchiya-san and I looked at each other—

And joined hands.

Right then and there,

The Big Three Alliance was formed.

◇

After finding out Yuu-kun was single,

And realizing I now had allies who shared the same goal—

I finally went on the offensive.

I knew just sitting back and waiting wouldn’t get me anywhere.

If I’d had just a little more courage earlier,

I wouldn’t have wasted all those years.

We might’ve already been dating…

We could’ve been holding hands, going on dates… all of it.

I regretted the lost time—

But there was still a chance to make up for it.

So I marched straight to Yuu-kun’s house.

He looked surprised, sure.

But he didn’t seem bothered.

We chatted like old times, and this time—

I didn’t wait around.

I insisted we start a study session together.

At the same time, I asked Tsuchiya-san and Hikawa-san to help spread the word.

They smiled and happily agreed.

The story?

That Yuu-kun and I were childhood friends—

And that we had made a promise to be together someday.

The first half of the rumor was true—

But the second half was a complete lie.

There was no promise of marriage.

Still, if the rumor spread and people started believing it,

Then it would become the truth.

And maybe… the girls aiming for Yuu-kun would finally back off.

I never imagined there would come a day when I’d exchange contacts and team up with Tsuchiya-san—

The very girl I used to see as my biggest threat.

But now that she was on my side, she seemed incredibly dependable.

And then—

The morning after our study session.

The rumor had completely spread.

When Yuu-kun arrived at school, he was already surrounded by Princesses.

Since Tsuchiya-san and Hikawa-san were my allies,

The other half surrounding him must’ve been girls still trying to get close to him.

Otherwise, there’d be no reason to press in like that.

The most unexpected part was Kazama-san.

I hadn’t expected her to be a rival too.

But honestly… it didn’t matter who I was up against.

“Here you go, Yuu-kun. A bento.”

“…Whose?”

“Yours, of course. I woke up early this morning to make it for you.”

I handed him the bento in front of everyone,

Boldly showing off just how close we were.

…Hehe. Just like the old me.

I glanced at the three Princesses.

Their faces mirrored exactly how I used to look.

Watching the person they liked getting along with someone else…

Unable to say a word about it.

I knew that feeling all too well.

Letting yourself fall into a passive role just because you’re pretty.

Waiting—believing that one day, your prince on a white horse would come and confess his love to you.

Just like I used to believe.

Did you really think that if you played the long game, he’d eventually turn to you?

Too naive. Far too naive.

I learned it the hard way.

In love—the early bird wins.

Back then, I didn’t understand that.

All I did was cry into my pillow, night after night.

I resented Tsuchiya-san,

And in my head, I cursed her more times than I could count.

I never want to go through that again.

A sweet little story about a beautiful princess waiting for her prince to come?

No—

This is the story of a former princess who once lost everything…

But now, walks forward on her own two feet,

To claim her prince and her happiness.

I don’t need the title of “Princess” anymore.

That can go to all of you adorable girls still dreaming and waiting.

Hold onto it…

At least until the next prince shows up.

“So just sit back—and watch me take the happy ending for myself, okay, little princesses?”

I whispered softly.

“Hmm? Did you say something?”

“Nope, nothing at all.”

“…Alright then.”

“Okay, I’m heading back to class. See you later.”

“Yeah. And… thanks for the lunch.”

Hearing his gratitude made my heart flutter,

And I walked off toward my classroom.

The sound of the bell echoing through the school halls—

To me, it sounded like a bell celebrating the future between me and Yuu-kun.

――――――Afterword――――――

Thank you so much for reading!

With this, the first volume of Hime-Shura comes to an end.

Please look forward to the next update!

If you enjoyed it, I’d be happy if you could show some love with a ♡ or a ☆! (^^♪