Chapter 100

Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

Makoto and Nishizawa sat to the left of the window, while Olivia and Rin sat to the right. There was an empty chair at the end of the table near the club room door. In front of it, a nameplate written in katakana read "Kim Deok-sung." It seemed to be my designated seat.

A banner written in crayon with wobbly letters, saying "<Kyoto Training After-Party>", hung on the club room wall. On the table, several 1.5-liter bottles of cola and a lot of cookies and snacks on disposable plates were visible.

"Sit there. Junior. I've prepared this seat especially for you."

Thud.

I sat down at the designated seat, closing the club room door. The entire table came into view at a glance.

"Since Junior is here, let's start the after-party... But before that, I have something to say."

Everyone's attention focused on Kasumi-senpai as she spoke. She placed her hand on her chest and said,

"Junior, Bonaparte, Kamiya, Nishizawa, and Shinohara. Thank you all so much. Even though I was a spy for the enemy... Even though I was a bad girl... You all became friends with me... Even after all the facts came to light, you all said it was okay... Thank you so much."

Kasumi-senpai's voice trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes. She took out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears. It was a line similar to one from the original work.

After her words, a moment of silence fell.

"Hmph. It's not like we need to be grateful for something so obvious! Junior!"

Olivia broke the silence, crossing her arms and speaking with a tsundere tone.

"It's not a big deal. Kasumi-senpai. There's no need to be grateful, as Bonaparte said."

Rin followed Olivia, speaking with a slightly embarrassed tone.

"Right, right. Kasumi-senpai, you didn't do anything wrong. The bad guys are the villains! I'll make sure to scold them all, Eri-ling!"

"Kasumi-senpai, don't feel too guilty. There's no need to."

Nishizawa and Makoto offered words of comfort. It was a quintessentially light novel scene, where everyone spoke kindly.

Crunch.

I silently chewed on a chocolate chip cookie. It was quite delicious.

"Thanks to you, Junior, I don't feel alone anymore. I could endure. Thank you for saving me... Thank you. I'm not alone anymore. And now, I have many friends besides books... It's okay."

Kasumi-senpai touched her book and smiled sweetly.

"Wow... Kasumi-senpai, you just sounded so mature. Maybe a bit cool?"

Nishizawa covered her mouth and said, looking at Kasumi.

"Senpai... You're amazing."

Rin followed, trailing off in admiration.

"Hmph. I just stated the obvious. Why are you all so moved? Don't you have any pride!"

Bang, bang.

Olivia slammed her desk. Why did pride come up here?

"Hehe. I'm glad you all see me this way. So, what club activities do you all want to do?"

"······I want the kendo club."

Rin was the first to raise her hand and speak.

"Udder. That already exists. Don't you know what clubs are in our school? Pathetic."

"Ku······."

Rin bit her lip at Nishizawa's taunt and looked at her.

"······Then, ironing board. What do you want to do?"

"Me? Hmm. Eri-ling likes the cooking club. I was a bit dissatisfied that our school doesn't have one. Cooking is the foundation of womanhood, the essence of a good wife and mother, isn't it? Don't you think so, Makopi?"

Nishizawa's gaze turned to Makoto.

"Ah, yeah. Right. Nishizawa-senpai. I agree with your opinion."

Makoto nodded. With Makoto's agreement, Nishizawa turned to Olivia.

"Princess? What do you think?"

"······Not bad for a commoner's idea."

Olivia turned her head with a hmpf. By her standards, it meant she liked it.

"Udder. What do you think? Are you just going to sit there and listen?"

"······Ku. Although I'm frustrated... Your point about cooking being the foundation of womanhood is correct... I can't argue with that. I admit defeat, Nishizawa."

Rin bit her lip and answered Nishizawa.

"Good. Master! Don't you like the cooking club? Right?"

Nishizawa's eyes sparkled, looking at me expectantly. Honestly, I didn't care whether we did the cooking club or something else. As long as it wasn't a physical activity like kendo, I was fine.

'Physical activities are just a hassle.'

[Hey, partner. You shouldn't think that way. That's why you lack discipline. Tsk tsk. Don't you know that a drop of sweat in practice saves a pint of blood in battle?]

'What, are you my mom now...'

I stopped my thoughts there, as the word "mom" brought back memories of my original world. Concerns about my family and home flooded my mind.

'No, it's fine.'

[Partner... I see. You must have some issues. Sorry for bringing it up.]

Kasumi-senpai suddenly lowered her tone.

'If you understand, be quiet.'

The Black Prince's voice fell silent. I felt a bit better now.

"Master?"

Nishizawa tilted her head.

"I don't care, so just decide on your own."

"Got it! Senpai, how about the cooking club?"

"Cooking club. The foundation of womanhood... I like it. I'll go with that, Nishizawa."

Kasumi-senpai nodded, and the discussion about changing the club activity was over. She tilted her head, placing her finger on her lips.

"Now, we just need to find a faculty advisor and two more members... Junior, can you do it alone? Or do you need help?"

"Kasumi-senpai! That's cheating! Kim Deok-sung, I'll help you. I'll prove that I can be a helpful wife this time!"

"Master! This time, will you take Eri-ling with you? Right? I'm looking forward to it!"

"Lord, I want to stand by your side... I want to be a sword that helps you."

"Everyone, be quiet! The seat next to him naturally belongs to this exclusive maid, Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte! It's obviously mine! Isn't it? You?"

Five pairs of eyes turned to me.

[You're a man of many sins, partner.]

The Black Prince's words made my head ache.

Sins? Bullshit.

Where would you find someone who can live without rules like me?

If I had to list my sins, it would only be filial impiety.

Ah, that's why I ended up in this crazy world.

'Damn it.'

I pressed my temples and stood up.

"I'll go and solve everything myself. Just wait here. Behave. Don't go anywhere."

With the Black Prince already in my head, I didn't want to add more trouble by bringing them along. I sighed inwardly, preparing myself for the inevitable flood of sweet, sweet lines.

There was no way they would just accept this one sentence. They would surely start making pointless arguments and nitpicking.

My headache, already worsened by the Black Prince, felt even worse.

[Oh, partner. You sounded quite manly just now?]

Just as I thought the Black Prince was making pointless comments again,

"Ah, okay. Junior. If you say so..."

Kasumi-senpai started by covering her face with her book.

"Eri-ling, I'll follow Master's words. Maybe you looked a bit cooler than usual just now?"

Nishizawa giggled.

"Manly... Kim Deok-sung. I... No, never mind. Ah, nothing."

Rin blushed and shook her head, while Makoto nodded beside her.

"Got it. I'll follow Lord's orders."