"When they were acting so intimate with Hikigaya-kun like a couple, you must have felt awkward watching from the side, right?"
"No... I still can't betray Kaede... Though I don't know what's going on between Rurikawa-san and Hikigaya-kun, it was Rurikawa-san who got Kaede's permission, not me."
Realizing that she and Kaede were gradually drifting apart, Usui Makoto's expression darkened slightly. Yet after a long silence, she slowly shook her head.
Kaede was her only close friend, how could she possibly betray Kaede?
"Then what if I agreed to let you in too, Usui?"
"There's no way you'd agree... Kaede? When did you get here?"
Hearing her best friend's familiar voice beside her, Usui Makoto hurriedly turned her head and saw Kaede and Suzu standing behind the sofa, having appeared at some point without her noticing. They were both grinning, resting their chins on their hands as they watched her.
'When did Kaede arrive?'
'And what did she just say? She agreed?'
'Did Kaede misunderstand? She really didn't have those kinds of feelings for Hikigaya-kun! She hardly even considered such strange things!'
Kaede actually said she agreed? Was she serious?
Seeing the smile on Kaede's face, Usui Makoto's mind went blank, seriously wondering if she was dreaming.
Wasn't Kaede usually really jealous? Why had she become so tolerant lately? Not only did she agree to Rurikawa Tsubaki, but now she was even agreeing to let 'her' join in?
"Now that Tsubaki and Hachiman's relationship has been discovered by them, we can't just let Asai Saki and the others leave like this. If the disciplinary committee finds out Tsubaki and Hachiman are engaging in impure heterosexual relationships at school, the student council will be subjected to surprise inspections every day from now on."
Kaede didn't let Usui Makoto dwell on it too much, leaning in to whisper by her ear, "My idea is that we record evidence of Asai Saki and the others actively pestering Hachiman. That way, not only will they not expose what's happening in the student council, but they'll also listen to us and take our side."
"We really can't let them leave so easily, but what you just said about agreeing..."
Hearing that Kaede was doing this for Rurikawa Tsubaki and Hachiman, Usui Makoto, who had been somewhat dazed, suddenly felt a little more at ease. In her heart, Kaede had always been such an understanding girl, otherwise, she wouldn't have become best friends with someone like her, who had no other friends.
In the past, she hadn't been much different from Kotegawa Yui, her words easily offending others. It was only after becoming friends with Kaede that she improved somewhat... well, at least enough to no longer be the 'most' unpopular disciplinary committee member, second only to Kotegawa Yui.
Still, she had a small doubt in her heart.
She could help Kaede ensure that Asai Saki and Sakurai Hana kept their mouths shut about the secrets here.
But why did Kaede have to agree to 'her'? Agree to let 'her' and Hachiman... when she wasn't even that close to him...
"Actually... I also want Makoto-chan to help us."
As if seeing through Usui Makoto's thoughts, Kaede lowered her head in embarrassment, her fair, delicate cheeks faintly tinged with pink as she stammered shyly, "Hachiman is actually... really strong. Even with me, Suzu, Tsubaki, and Iris's group, it's still a bit overwhelming."
"But the main problem is that Iris is too sneaky, always thinking of all kinds of ways to please Hachiman. Whether it's mermaid songstresses, gyarus, or the girls in the Service Club taking turns to pamper Hachiman and expand his harem... even Tsubaki could be considered a result of Iris secretly encouraging things behind my back."
"Vice President Rurikawa and Hikigaya-kun were set up by the elf princess...?"
Hearing Kaede's confession, Usui Makoto pursed her lips and couldn't help but glance repeatedly at Rurikawa Tsubaki, who was still wrapped in a blanket.
This was the first she'd heard of this. Before, she'd just thought Rurikawa Tsubaki had a one-sided crush on Hachiman.
After all, Rurikawa Tsubaki and Hachiman had been in the same class for so long without anything happening between them, only for her to suddenly end up like 'that' with Kaede's boyfriend in the student council office. If someone claimed Rurikawa Tsubaki had no personal feelings and had been forced or something, Usui Makoto would never believe it.
Just look at today. Kaede wasn't even here, yet Rurikawa Tsubaki was playing around with the maid Shion and Hachiman. Did she look even slightly unwilling? She was clearly enjoying herself.
"Mmm...", Hearing Kaede mention her and noticing Usui Makoto's scrutinizing gaze, Rurikawa Tsubaki could only shrink further under the blanket, her face burning as she looked toward Asai Saki, who was already being "educated" by Hachiman and currently burying herself in her "studies."
'Since when did Kaede become like Iris?', It was almost exactly like what Iris had said that day when she was being controlled by Ursula, comforting her while watching from the sidelines. Except this time, it was from Kaede's perspective, and 'she' had become one of the examples used to persuade and comfort Usui Makoto...
She really wanted to say something, but with her thighs still sticky and damp with sweat, she didn't have the confidence to advise Usui Makoto on whether or not to follow Kaede's suggestion.
Still, compared to Asai Saki, who had practically thrown herself at Hachiman like some kind of... 'pervert', she should at least count as relatively reserved, right...?
Though she knew Hachiman might truly be... 'gifted'. It wasn't just her, Iris and the others were also completely obsessed with him.
But Asai Saki didn't know any of that. She hadn't even been threatened. She might've just been lusting after Hachiman's looks and given herself up for free.
Under the gazes of Usui Makoto and Kaede, Rurikawa Tsubaki silently lowered her burning face, only daring to grumble in her heart.
'Well...' She 'was' Kaede's best friend. No matter how many reasons she had, stealing a best friend's man wasn't exactly honorable. Thankfully, Kaede had never blamed her, even accepting Hachiman's dream of becoming a househusband, letting her use her family's wealth to support Hachiman and Kaede's group as a way to atone for her actions.
"Tsubaki doesn't have any objections, and Suzu, you also agree to let Makoto-chan join us, right?", Seeing that the shy Rurikawa Tsubaki wasn't going to help pull Usui Makoto into this, Kaede turned to Suzu beside her and asked with a smile.
Usui Makoto and Rurikawa Tsubaki came from different family backgrounds, but they were alike in one way. Neither had many friends, and both treasured their friendships deeply.
In situations like this, the best approach was to use the expectations of their close friends to gently pressure Usui Makoto.
After all, if 'everyone' had tried to persuade her and she still refused, then she couldn't blame them for not including her in the future.
"Mm. Kaede agrees," Suzu glanced at Kaede, who was being uncharacteristically generous today, and for once spoke more than a few words to Usui Makoto, though her expression remained as blank as ever, her face nearly identical to Kaede's.
"This... Even if this is your request, Kaede... I don't have any experience, and my personality and temper aren't exactly great... Would Hikigaya-kun even accept me...?", Hearing that both Rurikawa Tsubaki and Suzu wanted her to join, Usui Makoto's heart pounded violently, her face flushing crimson as she struggled to get the words out.
She didn't have any particular interest in 'that kind of thing', but she didn't dislike Hikigaya-kun either. If it was for Kaede, her only close friend, she was willing to give it a try with Hikigaya-kun. It wasn't like it violated school discipline, as disciplinary committee members, they were 'supposed' to conduct "customs activities" to "sanction" Hikigaya-kun's energy.
Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, as if this whole situation was like a dream.
'Hikigaya-kun is so... capable that Kaede can't handle it and has to ask my for help? Can a guy really be that strong?'
Her health class had taught her that men were fragile in 'that' area, in cases of female-on-male bullying at school, they were often easily crippled. Yet Hikigaya-kun had 'so many' girls unable to endure him that they needed 'her' as backup...?
"Don't worry, Makoto-chan. We won't make your first time so rushed. You can use this to get a feel for it first."
Seeing that Usui Makoto was still hesitating, Kaede glanced at Asai Saki and Sakurai Hana, who were currently "charging headfirst" on the other side of the room, then suddenly took out a pink wristband and fastened it around Usui Makoto's wrist. As she did, a delighted smile spread across her face.
"As for Hachiman's side, you don't need to worry. Makoto-chan, you're so outstanding, how could he possibly dislike you? Besides, you're exactly his type, long black hair, black pantyhose... You can rest easy."
"Mmm... What is this wristband... Mmm...?"
Hearing Kaede say she was Hikigaya-kun's 'ideal type', Usui Makoto's heart raced even faster, and she hurriedly tried to change the subject, wanting Kaede to explain the sudden pink wristband on her wrist. Was it some kind of permission slip allowing her to conduct "customs activities" with Hikigaya-kun?
But before she could finish asking, she realized something was wrong with her body.
Her 'tongue'... her 'chest'...
Horrified, Usui Makoto instinctively covered her mouth to stop herself from making any strange noises, but it was useless. The bizarre sensations kept flooding in without weakening, even growing more intense.
"This pink wristband is called a 'Sympathy Wristband.' It's a secondary device linked to the silver 'Empathy Bracelets' that Asai Saki and Sakurai Hana are wearing right now. Its function is to share all physical sensations experienced by the bracelet wearers. With this special tool, Makoto-chan, you can experience your 'first time' several times in advance~"
A flash of white light passed by, and the "Kaede" who had been persuading Usui Makoto to join them suddenly transformed, revealing a petite, adorable figure with beautiful golden hair and flawless, pointed elf ears.
"The elf princess? Y-You're not Kaede?"
Usui Makoto stared in disbelief as her best friend "Kaede" changed form. Her best friend had actually been the elf princess, Iris, in disguise this whole time?
So all those words just now had been lies from Iris?
'So this Kaede was fake... No wonder she'd felt something was off about Kaede's behavior...'
"Of course not. I even called you by the wrong name at first, lucky for me, you were too nervous to notice."
Iris giggled and shook her head. She wasn't very familiar with Usui Makoto and had accidentally called her "Usui" at first. Thankfully, Usui Makoto had been too flustered to catch the mistake.
"Don't worry, Kaede actually does agree. Right, Kaede?"
Iris motioned for Usui Makoto to look behind her.
"Kaede! I-I'm sorry...!"
Usui Makoto whirled around and saw that several more people had appeared behind her at some point, with the real Kaede standing at the front, looking at her with a resigned expression. Meeting Kaede's gaze, she hurriedly tried to explain, but the strange sensations coursing through her body made her words ring hollow.
"It's fine, Makoto-chan, I'm not angry... Even though I didn't approve of Iris impersonating me, the general idea isn't wrong."
Looking at Usui Makoto, who had been thoroughly tricked by Iris, Kaede sighed helplessly. She first set the tone to reassure Usui Makoto before turning her attention to the blonde-haired princess.
Though she was a little frustrated, 'usually so strict about discipline, so serious and meticulous, how could Makoto-chan be so easily fooled just because Iris said a few words?'
Aside from the impersonation (which she 'hadn't' approved), everything else Iris said 'was' something she'd actually considered before.
Iris's words just now 'had' struck a chord with her. Even with so many of them already, Iris still kept encouraging Hachiman to pick up more girls, even actively helping him find obedient beauties.
Faced with such a cunning, shameless elf princess who kept spoiling Hachiman, she and Suzu really had no way to fight back. Even adding Rurikawa Tsubaki as an ally didn't seem to tip the scales much.
Since Makoto wasn't particularly opposed to the idea of Hachiman, she 'did' hope Makoto would join them. Otherwise, they'd have to keep making excuses to exclude her whenever they needed to discuss things, and if Makoto found out later, it would hurt her even more.
"Rather than letting Makoto-chan run off with some other guy, it's better to let the club president take good care of her."
Iris smiled as she watched Usui Makoto trembling, her legs already starting to give out. She nodded in satisfaction.
"For Kaede, isn't it better to have her best friend Makoto-chan join than to let some other girl take her instead?"
"Who knows? You might even stay best friends forever this way."
As she spoke, Iris glanced at Kaede, whose face was full of resignation.
She knew Kaede was out of options. Kaede and the others simply didn't have the stamina to keep up. If they didn't recruit Usui Makoto and the others to help with the "aid," they'd never be able to keep up with her and the club president's... 'games'.
"Heh. I won't argue with you on that, but even if Makoto-chan joins, it won't stop Hachiman from chasing other girls, will it?"
Seeing Iris acting like she was doing them a favor, Kaede couldn't help but pout.
"Forget other girls, just among your elf tribe, there are plenty who want Hachiman's 'aid,' aren't there?"
As student council president, she knew the list of demi-humans transferring in wasn't limited to just Lumilia and Lala.
She'd seen the profiles of those elf girls. Fair-skinned, beautiful, slim-waisted, long-legged, each one stunning. Even if they weren't elf princesses, they weren't much worse than Iris, Aegis, or Lumilia. It was obvious they'd been carefully selected.
Honestly, it was 'really' hard to compete with Iris.
Iris herself was 'ridiculously' beautiful, with an amazing personality, completely devoted to Hachiman in every way. Not to mention, she had the resources of an entire race at her disposal, allowing her to pick out as many girls as Hachiman liked.
'So frustrating!', Even knowing Iris was after Hachiman's body, wanting him to "aid" their elf tribe, there was nothing she could do.
After all, Iris had been throwing herself at Hachiman from the start, never doing anything to harm him.
Could she really claim that Iris helping Hachiman build a massive harem was 'bad' for him?
"Hehe~"
Seeing Kaede could only grumble, Iris smiled without responding.
The number of elf girls selected alongside her sister Lumilia, specifically waiting for the club president's "aid", wasn't 'huge', but it wasn't small either. But just like the former forest guardian, Sylpha, who had "gifted" herself to them, they'd only be called over when needed.
Otherwise, if too many elf girls appeared at once, the club president wouldn't even remember their names, let alone be able to "aid" so many of them properly.
She was deeply grateful to these elf girls willing to sacrifice for their tribe. That was why she hoped they could all come to love the club president just as she did, to look forward to and cherish each "aid" session.
If they were only breeding for the sake of survival, with no emotions involved, then there was no point in the elf tribe continuing anyway.
The elf royal family had to lead by example, and they had to ensure that everyone's "aid" sessions with the club president were filled with warmth and affection.
"Rather than worrying about that, Kaede, I think you should focus on your best friend Makoto-chan right now."
Iris pushed aside her wandering thoughts and blinked at Kaede, who was still brooding.
"Makoto-chan?"
Kaede snapped back to reality and looked at Usui Makoto, who had somehow ended up sitting limply on the floor. She bit her lip.
"H-How... I can't... get it off... It went on so easily just now..."
Usui Makoto sat on the floor with her legs folded beneath her, her fair face burning red as she stared at the pink wristband tightly fastened around her slender wrist. Her breathing grew increasingly ragged.
The cute pink wristband looked stretchy enough not to constrict her wrist, but no matter how hard she pulled, it wouldn't budge.
"Ah, sorry! I forgot to set a release function for this Sympathy Wristband. Once it's on, it won't come off until its energy is depleted. It also can't turn off the sensation-sharing, there's only a toggle function to switch between the two Empathy Bracelet wearers and choose whose sensations you want to experience at the moment."
Seeing Usui Makoto struggling with her invention, Lala, who had been standing behind Kaede, scratched her head sheepishly and grinned.
This Sympathy Wristband had been made quickly and roughly, and due to time constraints, she hadn't been able to fine-tune it. After confirming there were no major side effects, she'd brought it out as-is.
At the time, she'd only been thinking about making a replica of the Empathy Bracelet, she 'had' forgotten to consider the removal issue.
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