Time flies like an arrow... the ancients said it well. It had already been a year since I became a fake high school student, and I had become a senior student.
"Yo, Kanzaki."
"Ah, good morning."
I exchanged greetings with a classmate and took my seat. What? Didn't I become a loner? Hehehe, it's true I was on the verge of becoming a loner. But! The one who saved me from that fate was her... Rias Gremory, who was the first to speak to me.
According to her, "Everyone seems too nervous to talk to you, so I thought I'd be the catalyst." When I tilted my head wondering why they'd be nervous around a transfer student, she said something like "You're dense, aren't you." I had no idea what she meant.
But indeed, with her as the catalyst, one by one, my classmates started talking to me. The girls still seemed nervous though... Anyway, that's how I was finally accepted into the class.
Really, I'm so grateful to her. I thought I'd have to spend all my time alone in the same space with kids younger than me (mentally). When I told her to let me know if she ever had any troubles as a way to repay her, she gave me a mature response: "I'll look forward to it." I think again - is she really a high school student...?
So I managed to avoid walking the loner road, but then, somehow, I ended up receiving all sorts of consultations instead.
What was the trigger? I think it started when a male classmate came to me for romantic advice. When I asked why me, he said something like "You seem older and reliable." ...I was a bit depressed that my mature aura couldn't be hidden after all, but since I was relied upon, I wanted to respond. Though I had never had a girlfriend from birth to death in my previous life, I mobilized all my knowledge as someone with slightly more life experience than them and gave him a plausible answer.
And what do you know! That boy successfully got together with the girl he liked. The story should have ended there, but apparently that boy spread the word that he got a girlfriend after consulting with me, and from then on, not only classmates but students from other classes and even different grades started bringing their problems to me.
I don't dislike it in itself. Being relied upon doesn't feel bad. ...But I think it's questionable when even teachers come for consultations. You guys are supposed to be on the "listening" side, not the "asking" side...
First came Yamada-sensei. "Is it because I'm not teacher-like that students tease me? I'm thinking of imitating a senior I respect," was her quite serious concern. However, from what I've seen, the students properly respect her as a teacher, but maybe she has resistance to being called with "-chan."
When I asked what kind of senior, she said someone who talks like a military person and whose special skill is silencing noisy students with one strike of the attendance book. Yeah, just imagining it gave me chills.
So I answered "You're wonderful just as you are," and the teacher's face turned bright red and she started trembling. Thinking back now, it sounded like I was hitting on her. If you give such a frivolous response to a serious concern, even gentle Yamada-sensei would get angry.
In the end, that was the first and last time Yamada-sensei came for consultation, but she seemed to have gotten over something after that. Though she still subtly blushed whenever our eyes met, so it seemed her anger hadn't subsided yet.
After receiving consultations like that, before I knew it, I had been given the embarrassing nickname "Kuoh's Reliable Big Brother." Well, at least it wasn't "Dady" or "Old Man."
So that's about it regarding me. Let me also talk a bit about Kuoh Academy. Having attended this academy for a year, I think there are quite a few - no, considerably - unique kids enrolled here.
First, my benefactor who saved me from being a loner, Rias. As expected, she's incredibly popular throughout the entire academy. I'd only seen people called Onee-sama by both boys and girls in the anime, but seeing it in real life is somehow embarrassing. The person being called that doesn't seem to mind at all though.
"Good morning, Kanzaki-kun."
Speak of the devil, she arrived at school. Standing next to her with her usual lovely smile was a girl with glossy black hair in a ponytail, the very image of a yamato nadeshiko.( is a term for a female character who is a representation of the Japanese ideal of a perfect woman. They appear gentle, delicate, and feminine on the surface, like a flower, but are strong enough to endure the hardships for their family. They have a very old-fashioned attitude where they are completely loyal and devoted to their husbands. They are very mature, with a lot of modesty, grace, and uncompromising determination, while also being nurturing and caring. They also fit traditional beauty standards in Japan, such having long black hair and wearing kimonos.)
She's Himejima Akeno-san. Rias Gremory san's friend and a girl from the same class. She's as beautiful as Rias, and together they're called "Kuoh Academy's Two Great Onee-samas." I wonder if Maria-sama is watching somewhere.
...Hmm? Why am I using "-san" with younger people? Well, I basically don't use casual names and add "-kun" or "-san" even to peers and younger people. I wasn't like this until middle school in my previous life, but after entering high school, it suddenly felt right. I wonder what that was about?
"What's wrong, Kanzaki-kun? Staring at my face like that. Could it be you were entranced?"
Akeno shows a mischievous smile. Hmm, I wonder. I don't want to make assumptions, but this girl seems like an S-type.
"Yeah."
I affirm. Well, I actually was entranced, and if I try to cover it up poorly, she might tease me even more. Then she didn't break her smile but showed a slightly flustered expression.
"...I didn't expect you to answer with a straight face."
"Fufu, too bad, Akeno. You should have learned in this past year that such things don't work on him."
As Rias says, Akeno teases me like that at every opportunity. While I can respond calmly on the surface, I'm quite flustered inside.
I mean, if such a beautiful girl says suggestive things to you, of course you'd be flustered. The only ones who wouldn't react would be dense protagonists from light novels or homos...
"I'll definitely make you see your flustered face soon."
Saying that, Akeno san points her slender finger at me. Honestly, it's steadily shaving away my mental life, so I'd like her to stop.
I braced myself for whatever else might come, but was saved by the sudden chime. Looking at the clock, it was already time for homeroom. Watching the backs of the two as they took their seats, I prayed to mom that I could spend today peacefully too.
Time passed in a flash, and now it's after school. I was heading to the library.
"Oh... Kanzaki-kun."
On the way, a girl walking from ahead called my name. Short black hair and glasses that gave off an intellectual atmosphere. She looked exactly like an honor student, and indeed she was this academy's student council president.
"Sitri-san."
Sitri Sona... that's her name. Though we're in different classes, I've built a friendship with her too. We first met in the library, reaching for the same book and our hands touching - quite a dramatic encounter. However, the cool her didn't blush but tried to let me have the book. But being me, I let her have it instead.
She looked troubled at first, but when I silently offered her the book, she accepted it with a smile and words of thanks. Yeah, the destructive power when a cool girl smiles is extraordinary.
"Studying in the library again?"
"Yeah, there's still a lot I need to do."
After all, it's been years since I've had high school classes. I can't help but feel anxious without reviewing and previewing in my free time like this. But here too, I had to take my hat off to Al-Van-sensei's specs. Content that I should have studied desperately in my previous life, I can understand smoothly with just a little effort in this body. I learned that handsome guys really are blessed.
"Kanzaki-kun is a model student. I'd like to say I could teach you if you'd like... but I have student council work from now on, so I'm sorry..."
Sona says this with an impressed expression, but I don't think so. This academy has many studious kids. Since I started studying in the library, the number of kids studying similarly has increased day by day. Though it bothers me that they're all girls. That's no good, boys - playing and club activities are fine, but you'll suffer later if you don't study properly. Ah, this is from experience.
And the conscientious her sometimes teaches me as thanks for letting her have the book. It's very clear and helpful. Today's apology is probably about that.
"No, don't worry about it. Rather, is there anything I can help with for that work?"
If I return thanks with thanks, it might never end, but I am indebted to her. When I said that, Sona shook her head slightly.
"I'm sorry. I'm reluctant to assign student council work to a regular student, so I'll just accept your feelings."
"I see..."
Well, if that's how it is, it can't be helped. Kindness isn't something to be forced. I parted with her as she bowed saying "Well then," and started walking toward the library again.
Oh, right. Through her, I also became acquainted with the student council members, including third-year vice president Shinra Tsubaki. When I was first introduced, I seriously wondered if you had to be beautiful to join this school's student council. After all, every single girl who belonged was sexy or cute without exception.
And among them, Saji Genshirou, the only male member. I wanted to be friends with him since it must be tough being the only guy, but... when Sona introduced me, unlike the other friendly members, he alone gave me a glaring look for some reason.
He even said something like "What's your relationship with the president?" Are you Sitri-sama's father? When I safely answered "friends," he stopped glaring, but I still don't understand why I was glared at.
While reminiscing, I had come within a short distance of the library. It's all about girls, isn't it? There's one more first-year I became acquainted with, but let me touch on the boys first.
Being a former all-girls school, it seems like only girls stand out, but of course there are unique boys too. As far as I know, both of those two are famous. However, the word "famous" isn't necessarily used in a good sense.
"Wait! Hyoudou!"
"You perverted trio! Today I'll finally finish you off!"
Girls' screams can be heard from somewhere. Ah, he must have done something again.
Hearing multiple approaching footsteps, I pictured a certain boy's face...