What even is the distinction between a man and a woman in the first place?
Chromosomes. Body. Hormones.
Biological factors?
If those were to get swapped, could we really say there exists a difference, that one could be distinguished from the other?
I personally think it’s a difficult question.
I absolutely, definitely don’t mean to say that I feel like I’ve completely lost my masculinity lately. My inner manliness is still alive and kicking. Yeah.
Being manly means I can boldly call my girl things like “Husband,” right? It’s something only a manly man can do, it’s permitted for a manly man.
Yeah, my inner masculinity hasn’t died yet—
“There’s a tip-off that Reikubyō no Yū is in the Hakgwiyaeng. Kosaka Wakamo, where is she right now? By the way, where’s the Matsuribu leader?”
At that moment, someone who had led a group of students into the Hakgwiyaeng shouted. And I was hit once again with the impression I got when I first laid eyes on Aco.
What in the world is with that indecent, shameless slit in her outfit?!
“The leader isn’t here right now! She went to the Onmyoubu with the teacher and Reikubyō no Yū!”
“…Huh? The teacher, you mean… Shalle?”
“Exactly!”
And seeing that shocked face, I couldn’t help but feel, what should I say… a bit of a Hakgwiyaeng-style Aru…? It gave me that kind of vibe.
The folks she brought along… Five students? It’s kinda adorable they only brought that many to look for Wakamo.
To be honest, if they’re just regular students, I doubt they could even handle our Trinity vigilante group, let alone Wakamo.
“Um, are you talking about our Onmyoubu…? There’s only Mai’s sweet idol Chise-chan there right now…?!”
Ah. Hearing that reminded me. That girl was totally obsessed with Chise, wasn’t she… Kaho? But,
“…Puhuh. Ahahaha! Did you hear that, Nagisa-chan? They called her a sweet idol! Super cute☆”
She really is cute. The fact that such a cool, icy beauty can say that stuff, plus her expression falling apart like that, is just so endearing.
“That’s true. But she can’t be as lovely as my lovely idol, can she?”
“…Ah.”
What did I just hear?
“I get that you’re in a good mood because of work earlier, Nagisa-chan, but yeah, that last bit was a bit much.”
“Nagisa… Hoo.”
“Why, why are you saying that? You said she was cute…!”
“That’s just coming from my fan heart. The name Chise is pretty famous in the Hakgwiyaeng. But on the other hand, Nagisa-chan isn’t known like that, is she? Not that I dislike her or anything… but honestly, to put it bluntly, it’s a bit excessive.”
“I just found it a bit hard to listen to.”
“…”
Nagisa’s expression crumbled under Hina’s bone-crushing blow. Poor kid. Still, as I said, it doesn’t mean I disliked it. That’s just a part of showing affection.
“Hahaha, don’t be too disheartened… I wonder if it would’ve been better in a different place with a different vibe~ Maybe that’ll help lighten up our Nagisa-chan a bit?”
“Mika-san…”
“Yeah, yeah, Nagisa-chan. There, there.”
While I was hugging Nagisa tightly and patting her back, Hina poked me in the side. When I looked up, I noticed that Kaho had come over and was watching us with a strange look.
“…Excuse me. Are you perhaps, the T-party host from Trinity and the Sorasaki head of Gehenna?”
“Oh, you recognize us?”
“Blooming Buds has… already become a culture in itself.”
“…That’s a bit.”
How embarrassingly blatant.
“Oh, my apologies. I still haven’t introduced myself. I’m Kuwakami Kaho, the strategic promotion team leader from the Hakgwiyaeng’s tourism culture industry support team. You might also know me as the Onmyoubu vice leader…”
“Heueng. So, what business do you have here? If it was because you were upset about me laughing earlier, then I’m sorry☆ I didn’t mean anything bad.”
“A bit hurt, but that’s not it. Since valuable guests have visited the Hakgwiyaeng, there’s no better timing than now for a satisfaction survey…!”
“Uh-huh… but say, Kaho-chan didn’t come here under the pretense of looking for Reikubyō no Yū, did she? I’m kinda curious if you have time to spend with us.”
“…It’s fine. Probably. I’ve heard of the rumors about Shalle-sensei. If she’s accompanying you, then there shouldn’t be any threats toward Chise-chan… right? If anything happens, we’ll sue Shalle and the Onmyoubu.”
Wow, she’s coming off a bit cold there… but then she fires right back. This kind of fan obsession might be a bit creepy.
“Well then, how about I ease your worries a bit. Wakamo-chan, according to her own words, has become a new fox of sorts. Yeah, in reality, she’s been personally transferred to the SRT Special Academy by the current student council president.”
“…Reikubyō no Yū, to the SRT? What on earth was the student council president thinking?”
“You haven’t heard any news of Reikubyō no Yū causing a ruckus since that ridiculous stunt happened, right? That kid has been living so quietly that even she herself is surprised. Yeah. As long as nobody provokes her, it shouldn’t be an issue.”
“Hmm. That sounds like if you provoke her, something will blow up.”
“Then where does her true nature go? While suppressing everything, that’s how it is. It’s just that the degree varies; everyone’s kinda similar, right?”
The ones who seem absolutely non-angry tend to be especially dangerous. Because when those kinds of people blow up, they really stop playing around.
“I believe… in Chise-chan.”
“Heueng. Sure, that’s fair enough… I can hang out with you for a bit then. Oh, just in case you didn’t recognize me and got upset, this is one of the other leaders from Trinity…”
“I’m not upset, Mika-san.”
“Yeah, yeah, I believe in Nagisa-chan☆”
“…Even if you say you’re not upset.”
Anyway, those guys are probably fine, right?
*
Thud!!!
The last bullet fired by Wakamo blasted through the Onmyoubu member blocking her way, giving them a one-way ticket beyond consciousness. At the same time, the burning gaze from behind her mask dimmed.
“How boring. Weaklings like this getting in my way, is simply unforgivable.”
“Um… Wakamo, wasn’t this something we could solve just by talking?”
“Of course, it might have been a problem that could have been resolved with a talk, as the teacher said. No doubt about that. But personally, I just didn’t want to do that, teacher.”
“That’s quite an aggressive solution…”
“I think I’ve calmed down a lot compared to back then… Back then, I was someone who truly had nothing in view. Until I met an opponent I absolutely couldn’t overcome and opened my eyes to reality… I don’t know. Beast? It wouldn’t be wrong to express it that way.”
“Teacher, Reikubyō no Yū… was expelled from the Hakgwiyaeng and due to her acts of terror across Kivotos, she’s notorious enough that regular students can’t be unaware of it.”
“Uh-huh.”
A delinquent of that caliber had repented and transferred to SRT, which could be boldly declared as the most just institution in Kivotos. The fact that this change was practically a result of Mika was half-verified at best…
“I’m curious to know what exactly happened.”
“That’s something the Onmyoubu should explain too, so wouldn’t it be best if we entered and listened together?”
“That does make sense…”
‘Is this really okay?’
The teacher shook her head as she looked back at the Onmyoubu members sprawled around like corpses. The existence of a few students who stood out stronger than the rest seemed truly unfair, she thought.
After subduing however many Onmyoubu members there were, the teacher’s group was finally able to meet the only student left in the Onmyoubu.
The second-year Onmyoubu member, Waraku Chise, greeted them with an expression that seemed to reflect what she was thinking.
“Welcome— Ah, teacher. I was waiting.”
“Chise… You were waiting for the teacher? Did you know we were coming?”
“Yeah— Nia said— that three would come. The cute teacher, the raccoon, and the fox with a leash.”
“Ugh…! Who’s the raccoon…?”
“…Fufu. Fuhuhuhuhuhu… The one with the leash? Now that’s a funny story. Yes, a very fun one indeed.”
“Uh, Wakamo…?”
Seeing Wakamo giggle with an aura of mischievous energy, the teacher panicked. It was clear to her she was radiating a vibe that suggested she was about to cause a major incident.
“Uwaah! Chise, I mean, why is that esteemed leader provoking Reikubyō no Yū…!”
Even as Shizuko was in a fluster, Chise maintained an exceptionally calm demeanor. As if she believed that Wakamo wouldn’t get mad even after hearing such disrespectful words.
“Make sure you tell that snake-like leader exactly this: I’m not the one on a leash; I willingly offered it.”
“…Huh?”
With a clueless expression, Chise started to speak leisurely.
“Ah… the leash.”
Taking her sweet time like that.
“Hmm— A dog suits you.”
“…”
In an instant, everyone was lost for words as Chise followed up with her second strike.
“The bad fox has put on a leash to find her spring.”
“…Wha—? Out of nowhere?!”
“Fuh, fufufu…”
“How kind—”
And then came the finishing blow to top it off.
Hearing that, both the teacher and Shizuko turned rigid, directing their gaze at Wakamo.
“…”
Silently moving aside her mask, Wakamo shot Chise a look filled with the feeling of something being deeply pressed down.
And slowly, she spat out each word with careful deliberation.
“I hope you found it entertaining, while you were creating it… genuinely.”
“If raised… isn’t the fox supposed to be more docile than the raccoon?”
“…Hoo.”
“Please, don’t talk about treating people like pets?!”
At that moment, the teacher desperately needed a headache remedy.
