The Former Swordmaster Who Pretends to Be the Worst, and the School’s Top-Ranked Chairman’s Daughter Who’s Way Too Sweet in Public, It’s a Real Problem
As long as Rika is being targeted, turning a blind eye is not an option.
What’s coming our way isn’t negotiation—it’s force.
“On the surface, the Euclids are a globally recognized nation. Given that we’re dealing with this sort of opponent, there’s no point in making a loud declaration. For now, we’ll just have to make the best preparations in case assassins show up.”
After finishing my conversation with Ryotaro, I returned to the classroom.
Then class began, and I used the quiet moments to think about what to do next. Of course, the only reason I’m taking action is to protect the peace of this academy—nothing more.
In that case, Ryotaro’s intentions and what I’m seeking are aligned.
Both of us striving to protect a single girl—the situation may seem complicated, but it’s actually simple.
“Um… Well then…”
Hearing the teacher’s voice in the distance, I continued to let my thoughts wander.
To begin with, “Euclid” refers to a confederation of nations that once united Britain and its neighboring countries. It’s said that those skilled in magic gathered there, making it the most advanced region in the world for research and the like.
“We’ll take a vote… um…”
Come to think of it, Edward must have been from there as well.
I believe he was born into a prominent family in Euclid. It’s hard to imagine him being directly involved in ceremonies like this, but perhaps I shouldn’t have spoken so carelessly.
However, if there’s going to be a problem from here on out, it will likely be the presence of an assassin.
“Who cast a blank vote? Um… right, as for the rest…”
If it’s an assassin from Euclid, they’re probably skilled in magic.
If that’s the case, my swordsmanship would come into its own—
“—kun, Saito-kun!”
“Huh…?”
It was just as I was thinking that.
I was shaken out of my train of thought by Rika, who looked flustered and was shaking my shoulder. When I looked around to see what was going on, I found the eyes of every student in the class fixed on me.
What on earth is going on?
Maybe I missed something…?
“Hey, Aragaki… it was you, wasn’t it, who cast a blank vote?”
“Huh, a blank vote…?”
As I stood there dumbfounded, a teacher spoke with a sigh.
He held up the collected slips of paper and continued:
“This is the vote to decide the performances for next month’s Seihou Festival. Because you cast a blank vote, two proposals are now tied.”
“…………I see?”
Apparently, I’d been thinking too hard.
Wiping away a strange cold sweat, I looked at the board at the front of the classroom. There,
“Hey, what’s this…?”
Written there were the names of the two proposed acts.
One was a cliché, run-of-the-mill maid café.
And the other was a butler café—I had no idea who exactly it was aimed at.
With the votes split perfectly between boys and girls, the attention of the entire class was now focused on them. And it seemed everything hinged on that final vote—the one I was about to cast.
In a word, it had become a very troublesome situation.
“Saito-kun, it’s obviously going to be the butler café, right!?”
“…So the ringleader pushing for that is Rika, huh?”
My childhood friend next to me was pleading so earnestly that I couldn’t help but clutch my head in exasperation.
I don’t know what their goal is, but it seems the girls want to make some of the boys say, “Welcome home.” But if you think about it, a maid cafe is pretty much the same thing—
“Aizawa san, you’re being naive. Saito is a guy. It’s practically a done deal that we’re going to a maid cafe!”
“—And so, the mastermind behind that is Ed, I suppose.”
I couldn’t help but let out a sigh at my friend, who had made a grand entrance.
Behind the red-haired boy stood another male student. His gaze clearly betrayed youthful desire, leaving me with no choice but to smile wryly.
With all that going on, Class A is now completely split down the middle between boys and girls.
I’m stuck right in the middle of it all, and it’s a very troublesome situation.
“Well then, Saito! Whose side are you on!?”
“Saito, you’ll understand, right!?”
“Ooh…”
Led by those two, the eyes of my classmates are fixed on me. I suppose I was a bit distracted—or rather, lost in my own thoughts—but the truth is, I honestly couldn’t care less.
To calm things down for the time being, I think for a moment before answering.
“Why don’t we just… do it together?”
I said it with a hint of jest.
I presented this proposal—essentially an attempt to shirk responsibility. Then,
“…Hmm, that might actually be…”
“…a brilliant idea, maybe…?”
“Eh…?”
For some reason, Rika and Edward began to consider it as if convinced.
And so, the situation took a turn I hadn’t expected—
“That’s right! Just like Saito-kun said!”
“As expected of you, Saito! You really are amazing!”
For some reason, they clapped for me, showering me with praise.
And, ignoring my confusion, the two of them declared in unison:
“For this year’s Seihou Festival, Class A is definitely doing a maid & butler café!”
A wave of applause erupted.
As I stared at them in a daze, the teacher finally said,
“So, the person in charge will be Aragaki, since you were the one who suggested it, right?”
“…………Huh?”
True enough, the person who came up with the idea should probably be in charge.
Still, as someone who just wanted to live quietly and keep a low profile, my mind went completely blank for a split second.
And then,
“Whaaa!!?”
I involuntarily let out a scream.
It seemed I was about to be in a rather troublesome situation for the next month…
Maiban