Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha

“Well then, for everyone’s hard work put into the Sports Festival – Kanpai!”^[1]

『Kanpai~!』

Hijirigasaka Academy Student Council Vice-President Kajiura Rikka, who was also the president of the Organising Committee, called out, and the people at the table echoed in unison, lightly tapping each other’s glass cups.

The people in the Organising Committee from the Student Council this year, numbered four.

Right now, this dinner party, is their celebration.

--the celebration for the Organising Committee itself, was held recently not too long ago.

However – the Student Council members who was in charge of the students’ school life were different from the normal students who could return to their usual school life after being done with the matters of the Organising Committee. They had to review the activity reports of every department and check if there were any deficiencies during the preparatory processes of the entirety of the Sports Festival, picking out on points that needed to be reflected or improved on and prepare a Student Council activity report, for consideration in the coming year.

Of course, when they were attending to the matters of the Organising Committee, they also had to deal with the daily matters of the Student Council at the same time, as well as their Finals. Hence, if any of the past second years couldn’t finish settling the after-event matters of the Sports Festival in the second semester, it’ll become a headache-inducing problem; thus the student council members who participated in the preparations of the Sports Festival, would customarily finish it in the last day of the second semester – in other words, they would keep themselves busy until December 25, and hold a celebration on that very night.

The time right now is a little after five in the evening, and they were at an Italian restaurant that only connoisseurs know about near the station – at the innermost seats. There were only four from the student council that participated in the Sports Festival, yet there were six chairs, and they were all filled.

That was because other than the student council members, Kajiura had also invited two other persons.

One of them is the stunning infirmary teacher that no one in Hijirigasaka Academy doesn’t know of – Hasegawa Chisato.

“—Hasegawa-sensei, thanks for your help on that day.”

Kajiura put down her glass cup down on the table, and expressed her thanks with a shallow bow.

“No need to thank me again after so long, it feels weird… looking after you is part of my daily work, so it wouldn’t become something special just because it’s during the Sports Festival.”

Hasegawa gave a slight smile, and at that moment not just the table Kajiura and the other were at, the atmosphere of the whole restaurant raised immediately.

…I had thought that I knew the extent of the beauty of this person.

Kajiura Rikka once again became surprised at the beauty and presence of Hasegawa who sat opposite her towards her left.

--tonight, Hasegawa wasn’t wearing the usual white robe Kajiura and the other students would usually see her wearing in school.

Instead, she was wearing a ring-necked evening dress that daringly had a big hole at the front of the dress showing her breasts, and with the addition of long black tulle gloves, she was extremely glamorous. Occasionally on television shows there would be exquisite girls advertising high-class hotels or clubs; right now Hasegawa is radiating the dark beauty of a night butterfly, that could take the breath away from even the Hollywood Stars in the Oscars Avenue of Fame. Since she was beautiful to that degree, Kajiura couldn’t be jealous even if she wanted to, she was completely moved. She was already beautiful enough with the white robe she usually wore—

…This way surpasses from when at school.

When they left the school after classes ended, Hasegawa had already changed into this. According to some of what Kajiura has heard, some students had saw across her in the corridors and seen her enter a taxi before speeding away from the staff entrance became very excited, causing a small commotion.

“I-It’s okay… We students do usually receive sensei care after all.”

The expressing of thanks for the [Duties] that Hasegawa said, was referring to Tachibana Nanao whom anyone would think that it was a female wearing the male’s uniform. Indeed, not only did Hasegawa just contribute greatly as a support staff during the Sports Festival, during normal school days, everyone in the school including students and staff were all cared for by her.

“That’s why… Hasegawa-sensei, we are really grateful for you usually taking care of us.”

Nanao thanked Hasegawa somewhat shyly. At a gathering with few people, Nanao would inevitably attract everyone’s eyes; the reason the introverted Nanao still said that despite knowing that, is because the physically weak him regularly entered the infirmary and received no less care from Hasegawa. After that, the remaining student council members sitting on Kajiura’s left and right… first-year student Takei Touko from General Affairs, and second-year student Kanou Santa from Accounting added:

“That right. The one looking after the whole school, is just only sensei.”

“Thus we want to give a reward to sensei, on behalf of the students.”

Kanou said as if from the heart:

“To have a meal with Hasegawa-sensei who is worshiped by the most number of people in our school, and to be able to see you dressed up… to us, that is the greatest Christmas gift! Right, Tachibana?”

“Y…Yes, Kanou is right.”

Hasegawa giggled seeing Tachibana awkwardly nodding while answering, and Kajiura hurried tried to smooth things over:

“…I’m sorry, sensei. Kanou is speaking loosely again.”

“Don’t worry about it… I was just remembered something someone had said to me a long time ago.”

“Eh? Does that mean that sensei has had a meal with a man somewhere before?”

“…Well, what do you think?”

Hasegawa said carefreely, dodging Takei’s excited questioning.

“Speaking of which, today is the last day of the second semester, and I’ve heard that the staff would also hold a gathering every year… Is sensei coming here really fine?”

“It’s fine… interacting with the adults there with alcohol, doesn’t really go with my personality.”

Hasegawa gave a bitter while replying Kanou, and her smile suddenly changed into a mischievous one.

“Actually, you inviting me really helped me. Usually for gatherings like those, I would make up some reason for not going… but the principal and dean had been nagging me since last week for me to at least just show up at the end of the banquet, so I had used this gathering today as an excuse to escape.”

For a great beauty like Hasegawa, simply just attending the staff meal would cause some troublesome or unpleasant things. Wearing such an outfit, is to add more weight to the excuse of this gathering. For sensei to prepare herself to this degree, Kajiura who was the vice-president really wanted to give her as much hospitality as possible, hence—

“Sensei… thank you for thinking so much about our small gathering, I hope sensei will enjoy herself.”

Kajiura said pleasantly to Hasegawa who was tasting the red wine, and then turned her line of sight to straight ahead – sitting opposite her and sandwiched between hasegawa and Nanao, is the second person the student council had invited today.

Like Hasegawa, Kajiura and the others felt that this person had also contributed greatly to the success of the Sports Festival.

Hence, Kajiura Rikka’s thanks, -- came from her heart:

“Toujou-kun too, thank you for your help… It was that with your assistance, that everything was as smooth as it had been.”

Hearing Kajiura who sat opposite him say so honestly:

“No… I didn’t really do a lot.”

Toujou Basara was flattered. It was not modesty… Despite how he had taken up the task of the student council like Kajiura and Nanao to supervise the Sports Festival’s Organising Committee’s work due to circumstantial reasons, what he mainly did was just sorting out and checking through the documents, as well as occasionally confirming the progress of the various departments and doing some errands for the staff and clubs when there was a need, and had done nothing that was really worthy of receiving an invite from the management group; besides, Basara had already participated in the Organising Committee’s celebration with Mio and Yuki, as well as Sakaki and AIkawa.

“…Additionally, I had caused some trouble with those third-year senpais…”

During the preparation period, Basara had a confrontation with the males from the respective Factions, causing a small commotion.

--of course, it was something that couldn’t be helped. The third-year students – especially Donoue’s harsh words towards Kajiura, Basara couldn’t pretend that he hadn’t seen them.

…But.

Basara’s conflict with Donoue and the others, was just merely his sense of justice for not overlooking Kajiura being insulted by them.

Back then – when Basara was on his way back from Hasegawa’s apartment, someone had controlled the normal civilians to attack him; but couldn’t find any leads on that perpetrator and was only able to merely just put Donoue on his suspect list. Basara’s active provocation, is mainly to observe Donoue’s reactions.

…However.

Similarly, Basara could not deny that his actions had implicated Kajiura and the others managing the Organising Committee. If it was a student who wholeheartedly wanted the success of the Sports Festival in his place, that student would have chosen an even safer way – since there were many such ways to handle the situation. Yet—

“P-Please don’t think that way!”

Nanao by his said suddenly said loudly. Seeing the frail Nanao reacting like this, everyone present looked at him, shocked; because of that, Tachibana seemed to suddenly realise what he had just done and his face reddened, yet he still said while looking into Basara’s eyes:

“…Because what Toujou-kun has done has helped us a lot, right?”

“I-Is that so…?"

It’s great if that is the case. But, Tachibana… why are you so cute today?

As Basara’s heart was unconsciously moved—

“Tachibana’s right. That Donoue-senpai suddenly becoming so obedient after that, is because you were there in the first place.”

“No… You’re giving me too much praise.”

And that was true. Even if Basara did teach a lesson to those defiant third-years in the organising committee, the real reason they became peaceful was due to Nanao using the demonic eye, with Basara’s teacher Sakazaki controlling them to attack Basara; yet in the eyes of those who didn’t know about it, it seemed as if like Basara had intimidated Donoue.

“All I did, was just make Donoue-senpai even more angry…”

“—you’re mistaken, Toujou-kun.”

Kajiura gently interrupted Basara, and said while shaking her head:

“Indeed, directly confronting Donoue-senpai isn’t an action really encouraged… but, if you hadn’t stopped them back then, the organising committee would’ve been thrown into a mess because of them, and there would be no room no salvage the situation.”

“………”

“Then again – even if that situation didn’t happen, I feel that you had contributed a lot. Because you were there to settle the miscellaneous tasks, you had lightened our workload by a lot!”

“That’s right. Toujou-kun does things really smooth and quick, and not only can you do the office work, you are also really strong. It feels as if… not only can you make decisions really quick, you seem to also be able to predict what’ll happen next.”

Takei added on to what Kajiura said, causing Basara to give a forced smile.

Predicting what to do next, and continuously quickly making minute decisions – these words, were just as if describing the way a Infinite Slayerspeed-type fighter like him fights.

“Thank you, everyone… for thinking of me so greatly.”

Although Toujou Basara no longer has the identity of a Hero, his past experiences – obtained from his time spent with his companions, still remains with him solidly to this day. Thanks to that, he could protect Mio who was implicated in a dispute and fight alongside her. Originally he was supposed to be satisfied with just that; but if could have a normal life where he could also help others—

…That would also be great.

Even if it was impossible to return to the past – he could leave his painful memories behind along with it.

Those precious moments in the past, can create their own value for things other than battle—

To Toujou Basara, this is a form of salvation.

『……………』

Basara’s expression and tone unconsciously turned solemn, causing him to naturally become imposing. Shit, this is a rare celebration with everyone happy, I can’t mess up the atmosphere.

“—but, is it really fine? I mean, reserving the whole place”

Basara said hastily while looking around the interior of the place. Even if this is a small restaurant with less than twenty seats for customers, reserving the whole place should probably require at least ten people. Not every couple would have time to be together on Christmas Eve, and adding on that it is the season for year-end parties and that this place is near the station, the number of potential customers aren’t small. To this question—

“Ah, it’s fine. This restaurant, is willing to let us book the whole place every year on this day… and at a low price too. If anything, it seems that this has happened for almost twenty years.”

Kanou smiled while saying that, and Kajiura added:

“It started seventeen years ago to be exact. The legendary vice-president at that time was highly capable, completely revolutionizing our school’s originally neat and orderly^[2] Sports Festival and Cultural Festival to be as lively as it is now in only just a short period of time after transferring to our school. The unisex three-legged obstacle race that Toujou-kun had participated in, was originally his idea too.”

“Heh… I didn’t know that it had such a long history.”

I had thought that that was something thought up recently by person on a whim.

“I had heard that he was a mass of charisma and had many worshipping him, and that many people had joined the student council because he joined, causing the student council of that term to have an extraordinary amount of people. Soon, the boss of this shop got on well with him, and began to let our student council rent the place to host the celebration for the Sports Festival at a low price.”

“If I remember correctly, Azuma was the person’s surname, right?”

Takei asked, and Kajiura nodded with a ‘Correct’, and said:

“Azuma Takehito-san – unfortunately, he soon transferred schools again and there was no contact from him anymore after that.”

“ ! –Gaha, Koho…!”^[3]

Upon hearing that name, Basara who was holding a glass cup and drinking Oolong tea suddenly choked.

“To-Toujou-kun!? Are you okay?!”

“I-I’m fine… I’m sorry, it seems it accidently went into the trachea^[4].”

Basara thanked the worried Tachibana who was helping him pat his back, and thought—

…What the hell were you doing playing around, dad!?.^[5]

Basara suddenly wanted to bury his head in his hands. The name Azuma Takehito, is the pseudonym frequently used by his father Jin. Just by changing the readings and positions of the phonetics, the name Toujou Jin東城迅 would become Azuma Takehito東丈人. It was incredibly sloppy, but his personality in the first place thinks that things like this would be better if it was made simple.

He had not expected that the three-legged obstacle race was something that Jin had created. Hearing their explanation just now, he had thought that the idiot was from a long time ago, but he didn’t expect for that idiot to be his father; and the son had participated in that race as if to repay the debt the father had incurred. History is indeed really scary.

…If that’s the case, my dad would be my senior.

According to history, seventeen years ago would be the end stage of the Great War in the Demon Realm. Since the fighting was beginning to end, it is possible that Jin would become a student of Hijirigasaka Academy for a mission; if he had to return to the battlefield mid-way, an excuse for quickly transferring schools again could be created. Jin becoming friends with the boss here, was probably due to frequently making contact with each other during the undercover mission.

As Basara thought about Jin’s past, he steadied his breathing with Nanao’s help. Just then—

“—say, Toujou-kun, do you want to join the student council?”

“Eh… you mean me?”

Kajiura’s sudden question, caused Basara to ask back, shocked.

“Seeing you become this surprised is making me become embarrassed… As I said just now, you performance this time had really helped us a lot; that’s why I think that you’ll definitely be able to show even more of your worth after joining the student council, and I had also heard that you didn’t join any clubs! How about it?”

Kajiura then continued:

“We, plan to continue to remain in the student council for the next year. The four of us including you that organised the Sports Festival, will become the core members of the Student Council… If we can draw on your strength, we can feel more secure.”

Unconsciously, Kajiura’s expression became very honest. Not just her, Nanao, Kanou and Takei also earnestly looked at Basara, showing that it was not just Kajiura who thought that.

…I see, so…

To tell the truth, Basara could somewhat guess the reason for being invited to the celebration; Kajiura having him sit at the seat opposite her, was to make it easy for her to speak to him.

This is really touching. In Basara’s heart, being regarded this highly by Kajiura and the others, made him truly happy.

“Speaking of which, the preparations for the Cultural Festival that will be held in spring usually begins in the winter break from the previous year… Toujou, do you have anything on during the winter break?”

“…I’m sorry, Kanou-senpai. From tomorrow, I’ll be going somewhere far for something.”

Basara apologised with a shallow bow, and Hasegawa who sat beside him holding red wine asked:

“Somewhere far, is it… You’ll be going overseas with Naruse and Nonaka?”

Basara nodded while replying: [Yes, that’s it] and brought the topic to a halt. Since he can’t say out the truth, it’ll be better to not let the topic develop.

“Uwa~ A person with a real life…”^[6]

Takei said while making the whites of the eyes show^[7], and Basara could only smile bitterly while scratching his cheek.

--from a certain angle, Takei was right.

For the winter break this year, Basara and the other’s ‘real life’^[8] will become even intense.

…Since.

Later – Basara and the others will be heading to the Demon Realm with Maria’s sister Lucia guiding them.

“So, I’m sorry… I’m not able to help during the winter break.”

Seeing Basara apologise with his head lowered, Kajiura’s eyes met with Kanou’s with a self-blaming look, and then said:

“Don’t worry about it. In the first place, asking you to help out during the winter break when this is the first time raising the topic is already inconsiderate… Kanou, you only just wan to slack off a bit more, don’t you?”

Kanou laughed unapologetically with a [Well…], and Kajiura sighed.

“So, Toujou-kun… I’m not asking you to decide now. If possible, may I ask you to consider it carefully over the winter break?”

“……I understand.”

There was no point in endlessly dragging out the deadlock atmosphere, so Basara nodded, and—

“Umm – Hasegawa-sensei.”

Using the opportunity, he raised to Hasegawa a question.

“When going overseas… is there anything to take note of?”

Not long later, Basara and the others will be going to the Demon Realm to take care of the various problems surrounding Mio.

What they will be facing, will either be the Demon Lord Leohart or the high-class demons making up the Council – there will inevitably be a big battle with them.

Though he had psychologically prepared himself for that, Basara would still like to hear what Hasegawa has to say before departing.

In the past, every time Basara spoke to Hasegawa about his thoughts, she was always able to direct him down a path.

Just like, magic, she had often helped Basara to overcome difficulties.

Hence – despite knowing that he was being imprudent, Basara still asked Hasegawa for advice. Then—

“Well, it’s not just restricted to going overseas…”

Hasegawa said as if after the prelude:

“When going overseas, usually there won’t be much time… because the original plans has to keep up with the changes in situation. Of course, I’m not asking you to not plan; but if you stubbornly keep to the original plan, you’ll easily forget what the most important thing is.”

“What the most important thing…is?”

Basara asked, and Hasegawa nodded and said:

“Yes. When going overseas, your attention can easily be attracted by the fresh things before your eyes, causing you to not see the things far away clearly. Going to a foreign soil, something like that is probably inevitable; but try to always remind yourself, to try to be more flexible. If, there is someplace that you must go or something that you must do, then put all of your mind to complete those goals.”

Listen closely.

“Don’t think of completing everything in just a single trip… No matter how far that place is, if you have the heart, you can go there once more anytime. For things that can be postponed, leave it to next time.”

“…I see, you’re right.”

Thank goodness I asked… Basara was glad from the bottom of his heart. The advice Hasegawa provides, always a feeling of enlightenment. Things that can be done anytime, and things that he wants to do no matter what, although the two might seem similar, they are in fact different; and as the destination is the Demon Realm, it produces a feeling that there might not be a next time, but in fact—

…If there’s a need, retreat first, and then look for an opportunity to make a move.

Basara and the others originally thought that they had to deal with all the problems no matter what – but that way of thinking is too conceited, and would easily cut off all their options.

While there are somethings that he must not give up on… the need to thoroughly deal with everything nicely is non-existent. Especially what Mio was carrying and implicated the conflict between the Moderates Faction and the Current Demon Lord Faction, affecting the whole of the Demon Realm; wishing to settle everything at one go, is just wishful thinking.

“—so, did that help you?”

“Yes… Thank you.”

As Basara nodded and answered the lightly smiling Hasegawa—

“—sorry to keep you waiting.”

The female waitress came to the table carrying plates with the appetizer, bringing this topic to an end.

“Umm, Toujou-kun…”

As the waitress served the plates to everyone on the table one by one, Nanao beside him gently pulled on his sleeve, and whispered into his ear:

“About that thing from just now… If it’s possible, can you also consult Naruse-san and Nonaka-san? If they accompany you, you’ll probably enjoy yourself more.”

“……I see, you’re right. I understand, I’ll consider it.”

Basara once again whispered: ‘Thanks’, and Nanao happily smiled with a ‘Nn’.

…That’s true.

Basara thought positively. Right now they were in a situation with the two biggest powers in the Demon Realm focusing on them –if the issue couldn’t be settled, he wouldn’t have the heart to join the student council.

…But.

If these messy and troublesome matters can be settled… It was a choice worth considering.

Mio and Yuki, as well as himself, sincerely wish to enjoy the school life.

Enjoy – the life that was taken for granted.

When the appetizers have been served to everyone, the meal started.

First up are three types of platters like ham and cheese, followed up by Italian pasta with an abundance of mushrooms, before coming to the main dish for Christmas.

It was large roasted turkey meat with sauce made from sherry vinegar and grilled onions.

…This is really high-class.

From at the ala carte menu, although the prices are more reasonable than the high-class restaurants, it still wasn’t at a level really affordable for a high-schooler. With the meals, the beverages were free-flow, so naturally it wasn’t really much cheaper.

It looks like the bill will go into the student council’s budget; either they have got sufficient funds, or there was a special discount from the fact that Jin and the boss are old friends. Basara looked around through the corners of his eyes, and saw the others focusing on the dishes, eating heartedly.

…Nevermind, this isn’t something I should be worrying about.

We've already begun eating already, so worrying about it would do nothing.

Following the others, Basara cut out a piece of meat with a knife and fork and put it into his mouth, and the flavours of the meat and sauce immediately spread, a refreshing vanilla fragrance filling his nose… probably rosemary was added to whether the sauce or oil.

“Delicious…!”

“Is that so… Glad that you like it.”

Seeing Basara give praise, Kajiura gave a gentle smile.

That was an elegant expression that he had never seen on the Organising Committee… Kajiura’s unexpected side, caused Basara so unconsciously stare at her.

“——————!?”

And he almost dropped the knife and fork, but that was not because his hand slipped due to Kajiura causing his mind to wander off. There was a hand, suddenly pinching the inner side of his thighs. Looking down, Hasegawa who sat beside him had put her left hand under the white table cloth—

“………”

As Hasegawa was wearing a sexy dress that attracts glances to the breasts unconsciously, Basara tried to avoid looking at her as much as possible, but she made an attack on him while he was in a disarray… Basara sent a sideway look at her saying ‘What are you doing’, and Hasegawa quietly stopped moving that hand; however, that hand still remained on Basaras thigh, and it remained like that even after finishing the wine in the cup. She ordered another cup, and the waitress came with the bottle. Just then—

…Wha…!

Toujou Basara’s whole body suddenly stiffened. Hasegawa’s fingertips had then begun gliding over his thighs, indigenously using just enough force to almost make him let out the wrong sounds – it past the stage of producing an itching sensation, a provocative caress.

“Is this much fine…?” “Ah, yes… Thank you.”

As Hasegawa thanked the waitress that poured wine, she kept her hand at a dead spot where the others couldn’t see, nonchalantly caressing Basara’s thigh.

“………!”

To Hasegawa, that might me a small prank, but Basara couldn't stand it anymore.

Basara sent a sideway glance to Hasegawa for her to stop, but she just continued chatting with Takei before her, while using her fingertips to write ‘cheater’^[9] on his thigh.

…What!?

Basara became protested in his heart, and his sentiments accidentally appeared on his face—

“ ? Toujou-kun, is anything wrong?” “…No, nothing’s wrong…!”

Basara hurriedly evaded it, pretending to be calm and turned his attention to the food. Since in the situation with him holding on to a knife and fork, he would be at Hasegawa’s mercy.

“Oya, what’s the matter, Toujou-kun? Why did you suddenly begin eating so hastily?”

At that moment, Hasegawa took a dig at Basara with a carefree smile.

“ ! …It’s because the turkey is very delicious, and I can’t stop once accidentally let myself go…”

“I see – since you like it so much, I’ll let you have half of my portion too.”

Saying that, Hasegawa then pushed her own plate to Basara who had a tight expression.

“I’ve already cut them into pieces already, so don’t worry about hygiene and eat with a peace of mind.”

Looking down, half of Hasegawa’s turkey meat has already been cut into bite-sized pieces.

…S-She can predict what I will say…?

Doing this much preparation for a under-the-table prank was definitely too thoughtful.

“You don’t have to, sensei shouldn’t…”

“Young people shouldn’t hematite about something like this. Also, don’t start eating so quick so suddenly… it might cause indigestion, okay?”

Hasegawa revealed an exquisite smile to Basara who declined, but Kajiura asked worriedly:

“Sensei – is it not to your taste? It’s still early now, I can go to the kitchen to ask for a change of dish for you, is it okay?”

Nice one, senpai! – Basara cried out happily in his heart.

“No need, the food is delicious… it’s just that lately, I’m on a diet.”

“Nonono, Hasegawa-sensei has got such a nice figure, there’s no need for any diet?”

Kanou said in an irresistible tone to Hasegawa who had a wry smile, but unexpectedly—

“I’m also a woman – once I find a man that I love, of course I would want to become even more beautiful for him, no?”

Hasegawa instead replied openly.

『……………』

After the sudden confession caused everyone to widen their eyes—

“Eh～～～～～～! So sensei does have a boyfriend~!”

Takei’s upper body leaned towards Hasegawa, and said with sparkles in the eyes:

“Many people in the school was saying, sensei becoming especially beautiful for the past month…is definitely because you have found a boyfriend!”

Basara originally thought that Kajiura whose personality is to go by the book would stop Takei who was trying to conceal the excitement from showing – but in the end she was still a girl, and asked while shocked and curious:

“Could sensei be going for a date after this?”

“No, but if the other person wants to, then I guess we will.”

Hasegawa shot a glance at Basara after saying that.

…Uh…

He already had a headache from the prank under the table, and now the topic is becoming dangerous. As he became even more uneasy—

“—sensei, please give me the meat.”

To halt the topic, Basara moved the turkey meat to his plate, inserted the meat quickly into his mouth one after another.

“Delicious… This turkey meat really is amazing!”

However, no one wanted to look as Basara gobbled the food.

“It’s probably a workplace love! Could it be, sensei’s lover is someone in the school?”

“Well, what do you think…?”

At Takei’s questioning, Hasegawa calmly smile and evaded the question.

“Then at least tell us if the person’s age is bigger or smaller than yours! Sensei is usually so cool, could it be that you’re different when the two of you are alone?”

“Well… his age is smaller than mine. As for whether I’m the same when we’re alone, I also don’t really know; but…”

Hasegawa moved the hand that was caressing Basara’s thigh further in, and said:

“Usually I don’t really care about the gender between me and other people… But before him, I will often remember that I’m a woman; so I want to show to him, the appearance of a woman that no one else will see.”

『………!』

Hasegawa’s bewitching appearance of Hasegawa giggling took everyone’s breath away, and words to tease her couldn’t be voiced out.

“ ! –thank you sensei!”

Just then, Toujou Basara put down his knife and fork after finishing all of his meat and the portion sensei’s had given, and moved a hand under the table to grab Hasegawa’s hand that was caressing his thigh.

However – Hasegawa had already expected that he would do this.

“Why did you finish it so quickly, Toujou… Is it really that delicious?”

“Thanks to you…”

Basara’s words to Hasegawa had an irony that only she understood, and that exquisite and glamorous infirmary teacher giggled while her fingers crossed with Basara’s in a lover’s grip, and raised her index finger and began moving it towards Basara’s thigh, and drew a few heart shapes ♥.

“T-Toujou-kun… You’re really sweating a lot?”

“I-I’m alright… The turkey’s spices probably helps perspiration.”

Basara tried to muddle past it, and said something like that.

“—would you like to have the deserts served now?”

Seeing everyone’s plates are now empty, the waitress came forward and asked.

“O-Okay… I see, please do so.”

Only then did Kajiura return to herself and hurriedly nodded while replying.

“Today’s desserts are Tiramisu^[10], ice cream, and mixed berries. What would everyone here like?”

Everyone here immediately chose their own favourites from the waitress’s provided options.

When she went back to the kitchen to submit the orders, the atmosphere at the table changed—

“…Since only the deserts are left, I guess we can probably start that presents exchange now.”

“The Student Council tradition is finally here… Then time to take it out.”

…Ah…

After Kajiura's suggestion got Kanou's echo, Hasegawa’s hand drawing heart shapes on Basara’s thigh under the table finally stopped. ‘’At least it stopped…’’ Basara cautiously let go of Hasegawa’s hand, and Hasegawa hand slowly appeared from under the tablecloth.

“Fufu…”

And with a satisfied smile, she used her hand to naturally unhook the hair behind her ear.

…Finally.

Basara heaved a sigh of relief, reached for the storage basket under the table, and took out the paper bag containing the presents. He had known beforehand that there would be an exchange of presents today, and had not forgotten to bring presents. The budget was up to two thousand yen, and to respect the intentions, handmade gifts are fine too; but probably no one wants a gift handmade by a male, thus what Basara were gifts bought using the budget given.

When everyone got their presents ready, Kanou went to retrieve a square box about 30cm wide on each side over from a neighbouring empty table; on four sides of the box plus the top, holes 15cm wide have been made, which made Basara who had noticed this strange box early on curious.

“So it really was prepared by senpais… Just what is that?”

“This? This is a student council tradition our Hijirigasaka Academy passed down from generation to generation, 『Doki Doki Box-kun Z』.

Kanou placed the box on the table and sat back down, and said:

“As the celebration was held at Christmas, the Student Council president at that time had suggested for everyone to exchange presents… and the legendary vice-president I had told you about before said that simply just exchanging presidents is boring, and thought up of a game that used this box.”

“There’s five holes on the box, right? In every one of those holes, there are paper strips. The top is『Assigning Numbers』, and the holes at the sides are for『What Number to Receive Present From』, 『How Long or How Many Times』, 『By Yourself or With What Number』, and 『What To Do』.”

Kajiura then continued:

“In other words, this is while drawing lots to exchange presents… it is a game where you have to do what is written on the paper strip.”

“ ? For some reason, Kajiura-senpai seems very reluctant to play this…”

Basara felt that there was something wrong from Kajiura’s tone and expression.

“It’s because some of the instructions are quite audacious… it all depends on your luck, and the instructions were all prepared by the senpai back then. Just like the game of Kings^[11] where you can give reckless instructions to someone, it can do things like breaking down relations between people to the point where it cannot be salvaged.”

“…I-Is that so?”

What the hell was that damned dad thinking? – amazed, Basara asked:

“Then, inside that large white bag over there is…”

“Yes, there are many items that the instruction will use, and they’re all in here.”

What a scary Christmas gift pack. Speaking of which—

“Um… If you really do not want to play, you can just simply exchange presents, okay?”

Jin is the idiot that thought up of the stupid race of being sandwiched between females in that year, so everything in the box will definitely be instructions filled with bursting youthful exuberance.

“No… This is something that must be done.”

Unexpectedly, Kajiura shook her head and said:

“Didn’t I just say ‘tradition’? That generation of Student Council that created that unprecedented grand Sports Festival, is the legend of our school… so to gain some of the atmosphere of success, the tradition gift exchange held at this restaurant will begin.”

“Rather than saying tradition, it feels more like a curse. Because—“

Kanou said:

“In the past, there were many who didn’t want to play this game, or had changed the instructions to be a little lighter… but at the next Sports Festival, there were unexpected calamities”

“You mean…?”

Basara asked as he looked at Nanao and Takei talking.

“…Nn, I’ve only heard about it today.”

“If we don’t play it this time, something will go wrong for the next generation who will be organising the Sports Festival.”

The two of them gave a bitter smile to Basara.

“…Is there really such a thing? It feels more like a superstition…”

“Probably.” Kanou said to the doubtful Basara:

“Wasn’t there the issue of too many people in the Organising committee this year, the quarrel with the third years, the sudden tornado on the day itself and many other problems…? To tell the truth, at last year’s celebration, there was a red-face that said [I won’t do as this instruction says!], making some big talk that she won’t lose to this curse and will definitely make the Sports Festival we had organised this time a success.”

“……!”

Hearing Kanou’s words, someone’s body twitched, and the face turned red.

That person, was none other than Kajiura. Seeing her reaction, Kajou added on with a wry smile:

“But from my point of view, the Sports Festival this year wasn’t really successful… so in consideration for next year’s Sports Festival, I hope you can respect this curse.”

“I see…”

“…I’m sorry, Toujou-kun. It looks like I had dragged you into it.”

“No, that…”

That was not something Kajiura should be apologising for. If anything, Basara wanted to apologise for Jin’s mismanagement.

“Hasegawa-sensei… For that reason, we’ll probably become very noisy later on, so we’ll need to have you bear with it.”

Kajiura said, embarrassed:

“Of course, we won’t do something illegal like drinking alcohol.”

“Isn’t this something that went on for over ten years and is like a tradition? After so long, I had not heard of any trouble caused after the previous student councils play it, and we had also reserved the whole shop; if we play it here, there probably won’t be any troubles… so don’t worry, I won’t be a wet blanket and not let you play because of just a little noise. Besides—“

Hasegawa continued:

“I had never seen such a game… I’ll be watching as the audience, so you guys enjoy yourselves.”

“—sorry to keep you waiting.”

As Hasegawa said while smiling, the waitress arrived with their deserts.

“Now then – we’ll start as we eat the deserts.”

After that, Hijirigasaka Academy’s gift exchange tradition began with Kanou’s words.

Firstly, everyone drew a number from the top hole and decided on everyone’s number.

What Basara drew was Number 4 – which means that he will be the fourth person to draw a present and instruction from the box, and—

…As long as no one else draws number 4, I won’t be dragged into someone’s order.

Basically, this is like Russian roulette. Kajiura had said that, it can break down human relations; from another angle, under this condition, the morals and views of the person drawing the lot plays a role, doing as the instruction says no matter how heartless it is.

“Now – it my turn then.”

Kanou who had drawn number 1 drew a piece of paper which has been folded twice from every hole at the sides.

Instead of opening the paper strips, he passed all of them to Takei.

Making the person with the next number read out the contents, was a rule made for increasing the tension of the atmosphere.

“—Kanou-senpai gets gift from number 3.”

Takei opened the strip with the present number first, and announced to the audience, and Nanao then slightly raised her hand and said:

“Um, I am number 3… um, here you go, Kanou-senpai”

“Oh, Thank you!”

Once Kanou received the gift, the gift wrapping was quickly taken apart, and the gift inside the small box is—

“Uh… clock? No, it’s a step counter?”

“Yes, to be precise, it’s an activity gauge… It can track things like the distance walked and how many calories was burnt.”

Nanao nodded, and said shyly:

“It’s because my body isn’t really healthy, so I wanted to gift something that’s good to the health… If senpai doesn’t mind, can senpai try it?”

From the implications of him saying ‘can senpai try it’ instead of ‘why don’t senpai try it out?’, it shows that Nanao’s cuteness isn’t merely just in his appearances only, his appearance was also cute, igniting some warmth in Basara’s heart.

“Okay, I’ll try it out then… Takei, hurry up and see what instruction I had drawn.”

Takei nodded while saying ‘okay’, and opened the rest of the paper stirps. First one was [Thirty Minutes], and next is [Alone], which caused everyone to sigh in relief, while Kanou pouted.

“Tch, no one’s collateral damage?”

Lastly, Takei opened the paper strip containing the instructions.

“…『Run around the neighbourhood』.”

“This is the Sports Festival celebration, and you want me to run that long alone in the cold?”

Kanou’s face turned into a look of anguish.

“Ara, Tachibana’s gift will come in handy right away, isn’t that right?”

Kajiura then said as if to retort Kanou’s whining, while laughing:

“Make sure you don’t slack off, and just looking at the activity tracker will reveal if you cheated.”

“No way… Right, I think that there are some items to use?”

“…Um, it’s this?”

Kanou retrieved a black waist fanny from the large white bag and said:

“Here you go. There’s a towel to wipe your sweat and a T-shirt for you to change into inside.”

“Way too thoughtful… Damn.”

Kanou took the fanny from Takei’s hands and took out the activity tracker from the box Nanao gave, installed the batteries and put it on the wrist, and said after stuffing all of the Tiramisu on the plate into the mouth:

“Well, at least I won’t be dragged into the instructions after this one. I’m off then.”

At this moment, Hasegawa stopped Kanou.

“Hold on, Kanou. Wear a jacket before you go."

“No need for that, since I’ll take it off after running one round when I become too hot… And since I’ll be coming back here, it’ll be much easier this way.”

“You have to consider the state where your body will before cold after you sweat. Also, as the infirmary teacher, I don’t really approve of running right after eating… If you want to run, it’s best to do a slow jog for thirty minutes first to warm up your body.”

“Eh… so it’ll turn into an hour?”

“Tomorrow’s the winter break already, you do not want to spend it on the bed due to indigestion or a cold, do you?”

Saying that, Hasegawa then retrieved a 500 yen coin from her purse, and flipped it at Kanou through the air.

After Kanou caught the coin that flew through the air, Hasegawa continued:

“Even if it's winter, sweating a lot will cause your body to lose water… so don’t forget to buy some water half-way through.”

“…Okay, I’ll be going then.”

After listening to Hasegawa’s advice, Kanou nodded and then exited through the entrance after putting on a jacket.

After everyone watched Kanou leave—

“—well then, I’m next.”

Number 2 Takei drew the lots and handed them to number 3 Nanao. The number 5 present Takei drawn – was the leather nook slipcases Kajiura prepared.

“Um, 『Until the end of the game』 and 『With Number 5』.”

“Ah~ Even after receiving your present, I’m sorry to have to drag you down with me.”

“Can’t be helped, it’s the game rules…”

Kajiura smiled bitterly while replying. Yet, she didn’t know – that this leisure acceptance won’t last long.

“What’s wrong, Tachibana?”

Basara suddenly felt that Tachibana was acting weird, and asked, a bit worried.

“………Well…”

Only to see Nanao’s face turn red, and instead of reading it aloud, he showed the paper strip to everyone.

“………!”

A few minutes later, Kajiura’s face was reddened to the point where people would sympathise with her as she sat opposite of Basara. The instruction Takei had drawn was [Remove underwear] – and Kajiura also had to do it.

“Um, Kajiura-senpai… I’m sorry.”

Takei who awkwardly apologised was seemingly not as embarrassed as Kajiura, and that was because Takei had worn shorts under her skirt. Even if was somewhat embarrassing to not wear underwear on the upper half of her body and to directly wear panties under the skirt, it was still much better than Kajiura’s situation, since she is really not wearing any underwear both on top and below. The violating predicament curse was witnessed by Hasegawa personally, so it was really followed through.

Kajiura usually wears black tights, yet today she came wearing nothing else between her legs; which means, Kajiura who was dragged along was in a worse situation than Takei.

“To think that last year’s debt, would still hound this year…”

Kajiura couldn’t help but to lament. Ironically, this instruction is the very instruction that she had refused to follow last year. Normally speaking, she would’ve worn some shorts under her skirts this year as a precaution due to experience like Takei did… but having experienced the powerful jinx of this game, Kajiura was apparently scared that appearing in the same outfit as last year would cause history to repeat itself.

And in the end, that thinking had backfired on her.

“Senpai, the instruction is for until the end of the game… so let quickly finish the game.”

“…Oh. You’re right. Thank you, Toujou-kun.”

Basara saw Kajiura who was a little tearful cheer up a little and nod.

“Then, I’m next…”

Nanao gulped, nervous, and handed the paper strips to Basara after drawing them. The gift is Takei’s gift box of chocolate of a name brand, and the contents of the instructions—

“Time is 『Twenty Minutes』, and method is 『Done by someone of the same sex』… which will be me, since Kanou-senpai is not here.”

“Uh … S-Sorry, Toujou-kun.”

“No, it’s fine… Don’t worry about it.”

The duration drawn was shorter than Takei, and since it’s with Nanao, it seems more like helping instead of being implicated. Hence, Basara opened the last paper strip – and immediately widened his eyes.

“W-What’s wrong, Toujou-kun? Could it be something really bad?”

“Not really… It’s probably still fine, I think.”

Basara said so hesitantly, and showed the instruction to the others.

“Indeed, it’s still fine.” ‘That’s right, there’s no problems at all.” “How lucky to have drawn an easy one~ Tachibana-kun”

Kajiura, Hasegawa, and Takei immediately expressed their agreement. However, only Nanao –

“—w-why? This is obviously really shameful!”

Expressed rejection with a bright red face. What was written in that strip was—

『Cross-dress as the opposite sex. 』

The reaction of Kajiura and the others made Nanao dissatisfied and sigh. ‘Ugh~’

That was to be expected. Just simply changing by himself is simple enough, but having Basara do it would mean Basara would have to take off Tachibana’s clothes and personally put on female clothes onto him. Having two males do such a thing, is a very horrible punishment game equally to both the executer and the receiver.

Yet when compared to Kanou who had to run in the cold winter night, and Takei and the implicated Kajiura who had to not wear underwear, this indeed is much lighter.

Nanao took out a red pouch from the white bag, and asked while looking at him:

“…Toujou-kun, because it’s embarrassing to change here, can we go to the toilet?”

“O-Okay… You’re right.”

This made Basara’s heart to suddenly become tense, and he then followed Nanao into the male’s toilet, and locked the cubicle door to prevent people from straying in.

“…So, what kind of female attire is it? Is it difficult to wear?”

Taking off the clothes would not be a problem… Both Nanao and Basara are wearing the same male’s uniform; but if the female’s wear were some special kind of attire, things could become complicated.

“Uh, it appears to be the girls’ uniform of our school…”

Nanao released a sigh in relief after checking the pouch’s contents.

“That’s great… You’re used to removing our school’s girls’ uniform, so there’ll won’t be any problems.”

“……Well, I guess so…”

Nanao was probably referring to Mio and Yuki.

--after the events of the Sports Festival, Basara and Nanao know each other’s true identity.

Thus, Basara told Nanao of the fact that he was no longer a Hero, as well as the Master-Servant Contract with Mio and Yuki. As the chances of the curse of the Master-Servant Contract activating in school was not zero, he felt that explaining it to Nanao beforehand would help in preventing misunderstandings.

However, being told by him with a cute smile that he was ‘used to it’ and that ‘there won’t be any problems’ really feels awkward.

…Although it is a fact that I am used to it…

To relieve Mio and Yuki when they activate the curse of the Master-Servant Contract, Basara often needed to take off the girls’ school uniform when are wearing – if they had to do it at school or at a place that is not at home, Basara would help them wear their clothes again when they bodies become limp after being hit by climaxes head-on. Hence, the speed at which Basara assisted them in removing their uniforms became faster and faster, and a recent side effect of this effect was Maria quipping:

“As expected of a speed-type… Not only just in battle you’re also very fast in taking off girls’ clothes.”

Whenever he remember the annoying expression Maria had back then, Basara would become slightly angry. At that moment, Nanao said shyly:

“To-Toujou-kun, this would drag that of Kajiura-senpai… Should we get moving?”

“Ah… I almost forgot.”

Before this ridiculous game ends, Takei would have to go without a bra while Kajiura had to go without underwear, and Nanao would have to wear this girls’ outfit for twenty minutes.

“Th-Then excuse me, I’ll be taking it off now, Tachibana.

“U-Un…”

Nanao nodded, and Basara’s hands then began taking off the clothes of this cute friend of his; removing the student jacket^[12] after undoing all the buttons, and after undoing the belt, he got ready to pull down the pants.

“Eh—…?”

“W-What’s wrong… Is this fine?”

Nanao’s shock caused Basara to become flustered.

“N-Nothing, I’m fine… Please continue.”

But Nanao only shook his head and urged Basara on, and Basara slowly pulled the pants down slowly.

“Nn……”

Before Basara’s eyes, Nanao twisted his body about embarrassedly. The image of those thin white thighs crossing caused great sense of guilt in his heart, making him feel as if he’s a criminal.

“……Tachibana…remove your foot.” “…Un.”

The red-faced Nanao nodded to Basara, and did as he said.

After hanging the jacket and long pants on the cubicle door, as Basara was about to take off Nanao’s shirt, he said as if unable to hold it back anymore:

“U-Umm Toujou-kun… I, would like to wear the skirt first.”

“I-I see…?”

Basara had removed the clothes in the order he was used to, and had not taken into account Nanao’s feelings.

“Right now is different from when helping Naruse-san or Nonaka-san take off their clothes, as we only just need to change clothes. Also…”

Nanao said shyly, embarrassedly:

“To tell the truth, my body right now…”

“ ! –I-I understand…! I-I’m sorry…!”

Basara hurriedly apologised. Just like as Basara who revealed his true self and the Master-Servant Contract with Mio and the others, Nanao also had told Basara of another secret about his body apart from him being a vampire; and Basara had accepted that secret to not have their friendship deteriorate, and after wrecking his mind over it, he has decided to see Nanao as a male.

...So he is actually this shy…

As Basara finally realised the reason why Nanao had protested against Kajiura and the others—

“…Say, Toujou-kun. If it was a girl like me, would you feel anything?”

Nanao suddenly asked with puppy-dog eyes.

“W-Well… I’m not sure…”

Basara forced himself to answer vaguely. If this question from Nanao was purely due to feeling inferiority towards his own feminine appearance, Basara would immediately deny it, and even scold him.

--however, these words spoken by Nanao in this current state, held a completely different meaning.

Despite that – what Toujou Basara valued, is the person known as Nanao.

“But to me… No matter what, you’re still you.”

And Basara honestly said to Tachibana that no matter which of it was his appearance, his thoughts wouldn’t change.

“……Nn, Thank you.”

Nanao gave a slight smile shyly, and said:

“But – I would really prefer to wear the skirt first.”

“Ah, right… Of course!”

Basara nodding desperately made Nanao laugh, and Nanao took the skirt from the pouch—

“Eh – this… W-What to do, Toujou-kun?”

And stared into the pouch, and pleaded Basara for help.

“W-What is it…what’s wrong?”

After that, Nanao took out the thing stuffed right at the bottom of the pouch to before Basara.

It was something obviously different from the uniform; a complete set of cute underwear.

“…………” “…………”

Seeing such attention-drawing women's items, Basara and Nanao looked at each other, not speaking a word.

“……Please do it, Toujou-kun.”

In the end, Nanao put the underwear into Basara’s hands.

“Nonowait, this is really just…”

“It’s fine… Otherwise Kajiura-senpai, Takei-san, and Kanou-senpai’s efforts will go to waste. So—“

Nanao continued:

“Please follow what you are used to… and treat me as a girl.”

Seeing Nanao resolving himself while trying to suppress his shyness, Toujou Basara strongly nodded.

“I understand… I’ll try to make it fast, so please endure it.”

After that, Basara sped up in doing that. After being removed of his shirt and the T-shirt as the undershirt, Nanao upper half was now naked, save except for his boxers.

“Aahh…”

Revealing his own chest to someone else, caused Nanao to tremble from being embarrassed.

However, Nanao put up no protest to Basara; in order to quickly end the game, he gave himself up to Basara. Thus after Basara went around to behind Nanao’s back, and after putting the bra onto his friend’s chest and doing the back hook, he raised both of Nanao’s hands, and quickly helped him put on the sailor suit shirt.

Despite Nanao's chest area had bulges now, and at the tips of those bulges were something obviously different from a males, and that he had incidentally touched something soft while putting it on just now; Basara didn't think about it, and focused on his current task.

“——————”

Basara quietly hooked his fingers into the boxers – pulled it down in one shot.

“ ! ———— “

Perfectly round buttocks was exposed, causing Nanao to almost scream out. He had covered his mouth and held it back.

To his friend working so hard, Basara had him lift up his left and right legs a little successively, and took off the boxers. As he had went behind Nanao first, he couldn’t see how his front looked like… but seeing from the changes in his upper body, this is probably not good. But despite saying tha—

“Nn… Aahh, Toujou-kun…!”

Probably because it’s his first time revealing his body to Basara, Nanao was extremely embarrassed; even to the point where just like when Mio and Yuki fell into the aphrodisiac curse, he unconsciously began to twist about.

“Sorry… Please endure for a bit longer.”

Thus Basara said some words to give him some comfort, and after putting the girls’ panty onto his legs, he said:

“—here I go, Tachibana.”

And pulled it up to his waist holding it by the sides in one breath. But because of the influence from nervousness, the panty was pulled a little higher than planned—

“ ! ～～～～～～～“

And dug in between his thighs, causing Nanao to throw back his back and head, his whole body becoming tense.

“Ah… Haah… Aahh… ♥”

And then collapsed like how a girl would after reaching climax, backwards against Basara. Basara then put the skirt onto Nanao, and after doing the zipper and buttons, he whispered into his ear:

“I’m sorry. I was too nervous, and became a little too rough… Let your breathing calm down first, no need to go back quickly.”

Nanao raised his head in a daze—

“Nn… I’m alright, so… Toujou-kun, I think we should return quickly…?”

If not, this game will never end – at the end, Nanao used his eyes to say.

“I see… It’s okay if you’re fine with that.”

Toujou Basara changed his thoughts as he nodded. For Tachibana, and for Kajiura and Takei who was forced to remove their underwear, he had to focus on ending this game as quickly as possible; and then, Kanou who had to run around outside wouldn’t have to be dragged into the rest of the game.

Hence – Basara helped Nanao leave the cubicle with an action that was like a hug, and returned to the table where everyone was waiting.

"Ah, they’re back—…”

The first to realise it, was Takei. It seems like she was going to say something to Nanao who had changed into female clothes, but could not while keeping her mouth open; Kajiura then turn around to look due to this unexpected reaction from Takei, and gasped, speechless. Not sure if it was because Nanao wearing the female uniform was too cute, or that it was because was more feminine than a girl's.

There was only one person – Hasegawa, who calmly raised her wine glass to sip the red wine.

"--sorry to keep you all waiting."

Basara returned to his own seat, while supporting the waist of Nanao whose face still held traces of blankness to sit back down at his seat beside him.

“It’s my turn now then…”

And straightforwardly drew the paper strips, and handed them all to Kajiura who was next.

Kajiura seemed to have gotten a shock from Basara suddenly acting differently, and read out the contents a little nervously. Time was「Ten Seconds」, person was「Done to Number 3」, and—

“Uh… It says『Kiss』.”

“……I got it.”

Basara only said just that to Kajiura who announced that a little disturbed, and didn’t give it too much thought.

What’s of utmost priority right now, is to end this game.

“…Is it okay, Tachibana?” “Nn… If Toujou-kun’s fine with it, I’m okay with it too…”

Nanao nodded clearly, and Basara said:

“Okay… Here I come.”

Not only was Nanao still cute as usual, there was also an air of blatant sexual appeal around him with him leaning towards Basara, and Basara immediately lifted his chin—

“Eh! –are you two really—!”

Basara ignored Takei’s shout, and moved towards Nanao’s lips, and then kissed. At that moment—

“Nn! –Aa, Fuaahh!”

Nanao cutely screamed, and violently tensed up, and trembled non-stop.

--the reason Nanao could scream, was because what Basara had kissed was not his lips, but his neck.

Even if he wanted to quickly end the game, Basara was not unswerving to the point where he would kiss lips to lips; since the instruction was simply just「Kiss」 without specifying a place, this should probably be fine. It’s just that Nanao gave an extremely sensitive reaction, causing everyone present to misunderstand… After ten long seconds had passed, Nanao slowly collapsed towards him, and Basara asked worriedly while holding his thin shoulders:

“ ! Are you alright Tachibana…?”

Was the effects from changing clothes still lingering? Nanao then released a deep breath ‘Nn…’, and slowly pushed himself upright away from Basara’s body; in his misty eyes focusing on somewhere far away, a slight red glow seemed to appear—

“…Der Meister…”^[13]

And murmured something in a very small voice that even Basara who was in front his him had trouble hearing.

“Tachibana…?”

“……Nothing, don’t mind that. I’m sorry, for suddenly scaring you with such a weird shout…”

Nanao gave a smile, and said nothing else.

--and that was why, Basara had only f