By the end of May, the midterm exams—the first major trial since enrolling at the Advanced Nurturing High School—had finally co to an end.
Despite the school springing an unfair trap by suddenly changing the exam scope for every subject, the students had sohow survived.
A few days later, during horoom, the graded tests were returned.
The atmosphere inside Class 1-B was overflowing with relief and celebration.
"Okay, everyone, quiet down! I've finished handing back all the test papers!"
Their horoom teacher, Chie Hoshinomiya, clapped her hands with a playful wink.
Unlike the cold expression she'd worn earlier in the month when announcing the point deductions, today her face carried a genuinely warm smile full of praise.
"Now then, straight to the results… Class 1-B had zero expulsions this exam! Every single one of you successfully avoided failing grades in all subjects! Honestly, I'm so touched. I never expected everyone to work together this hard!"
"""YEAHHHHHHHH!!"""
The classroom exploded with cheers.
Athletics representative Shibata Hayato pumped both fists into the air triumphantly, while secretary Shiranami Chihiro tearfully hugged Amikura Asako beside her.
Class representative Ichinose Honami and vice-representative Kanzaki Ryuuji also let out relieved sighs as they watched their classmates celebrate.
And for good reason.
The school had intentionally set a trap by drastically changing the test scope only three weeks before the exam.
But when the tests were finally revealed, every question matched the "past exam papers" Ichinose had bought from upperclassn—word for word.
By distributing those old exams only three days beforehand and having everyone morize the answers, even the academically weaker students managed to avoid failing with ease.
"…Aizen. Shiina. It's thanks to you two that we were shown a clear path to victory. …I sincerely thank you."
Kanzaki stood up from his seat and walked all the way to the back of the classroom—to my desk—before bowing deeply.
As if following his lead, Ichinose and the others also turned toward us and began expressing their gratitude one after another.
"Aizen-kun was right. Waiting until the last possible mont to hand out the old exams really was the correct move! Thanks to spending the earlier ti building up our fundantals, we weren't nearly as anxious before seeing the past questions, and I feel like we actually improved academically too!"
"Yeah! If it weren't for those hardcore translated study sessions from Aizen and Shiina-san, I definitely would've slacked off! Seriously, thanks a ton!"
The gazes directed toward were filled not only with awe, but also genuine respect and gratitude.
Compared to the complete isolation I suffered on the first day of school as the "Demon King who'd kill you if you approached him," the atmosphere now felt unbelievably warm.
(Oooooh…! Everyone's thanking so much! I only wanted to say 'let's study properly'… But seriously, I'm glad nobody got expelled! Everyone worked really hard!)
Inside, I was practically crying tears of joy.
Outwardly, however, I rely gave a fearless smirk and gazed out the window.
"—Do not misunderstand. I rely found it sowhat tedious to watch the pieces upon the board shatter in despair at their own helplessness. …That you crawled through the mud and seized your tickets to tomorrow was simply the result of your own pitiful persistence."
(NOOOOOOO!! I just wanted to complint everyone while hiding my embarrassnt, but it turned into another arrogant demon king speech!! Sorry everyone! I actually ant: 'Good work! This was all thanks to your efforts!')
At my usual intimidating wording, Kanzaki and Shibata instinctively flinched.
But the silver-haired angel seated beside let out a soft giggle.
"...Fufu. What Sousuke-kun is trying to say is:
'All I did was help a little. The reason everyone avoided failing grades is because you all studied hard without giving up until the very end. Truly, good work everyone.'"
"""OOOOOOHHHH!! AIZEN!!"""
Thanks to Hiyori's impossibly perfect—and incredibly kind—translation, the class's admiration reached its peak.
At this point, the students of Class B had fully established a shared understanding:
Aizen Sousuke = extrely tsundere demon king
Shiina Hiyori = the only translator capable of understanding the demon king's heart
"Still, Aizen-kun really is amazing… Perfect scores in every subject."
Ichinose looked at the stack of answer sheets on my desk and sighed in admiration.
That's right.
My exam results were naturally all perfect scores.
To the intellect granted by the "Aizen specs," first-year high school material wasn't even sothing requiring thought.
As for Hiyori, her grades were also exceptional, ranking among the top in class.
(Hiyori's seriously smart. Being in the sa class and studying together with her is the best.)
I exchanged glances with Hiyori, internally lting with happiness while quietly waiting for horoom to end.
"Alright then, class dismissed! Make sure to rest up over the weekend!"
With Hoshinomiya-sensei's cheerful voice, the final bell rang.
Freed from the hellish pressure of the exams, the students hurried out excitedly.
"Let's hit karaoke!"
"We're going all out at Keyaki Mall!"
Hiyori and I also packed our things and stood up.
"Sousuke-kun, now that exams are over, would you like to look for so of the new books in the library today? We've been so focused on studying lately that we haven't had ti to read properly."
"—Ah. To once more imrse ourselves within the sea of words that shapes the world… that does not sound unpleasant. Shall we head to our sanctuary?"
(Translation: Totally! Let's finally relax and read again!)
Together, we left the classroom and walked down the hallway bathed in sunset light toward the library.
The school echoed with the cheerful voices of students enjoying their freedom after exams.
For , these peaceful monts walking beside Hiyori were more precious than anything else.
(Still… a lot's happened in just one month.)
As I walked, I reflected on my turbulent school life so far.
It all started with my catastrophic first-day poem explosion turning into a lonely demon king.
Then ca the gambling frenzy that earned twenty million points for Hiyori's transfer to Class B.
The destruction of student council vice president Nagumo Miyabi.
And my reunion—and gaming battle—with my old friend Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
Even though I was just an ordinary guy inside, the Aizen specs and cursed automatic-poetry conversion kept turning everything into insanity.
But since I could stay together with my best friend, the result was worth it.
Thinking that, I opened the heavy library doors.
Perhaps because exams had just ended, there were only a few students inside.
Hiyori and I headed toward our usual seats and placed our bags down.
"I'll go check the shelves in the back for a bit. What would you like to read, Sousuke-kun?"
"...Let's see. If it's a story chosen by you, then no ending could ever bore . I'll leave it to your intuition."
"Fufu, understood. Please wait a little."
Smiling happily, Hiyori disappeared deeper into the bookshelves.
I sat down and absentmindedly gazed at the crimson sunset outside the window.
If only these peaceful three years could continue forever.
That small but earnest wish filled my heart.
However—
That prayer for peace was rcilessly shattered by the appearance of two shadows at the library entrance.
Click. Click. Click.
Steady, heavy footsteps echoed through the silent library.
Without hesitation, they approached directly toward my table.
(Hm…? Soone's coming?)
I turned my gaze away from the window.
Standing there were two upperclassn.
One was a serious-looking female student standing slightly behind the other.
Student council secretary, Tachibana Akane.
And then—
The one standing before .
A perfectly worn uniform.
Sharp, coldly intelligent eyes behind glasses.
Just standing there caused the surrounding air to grow heavy with pressure.
This was completely different from the intimidation exuded by people like Nagumo or Ryuuen.
This was the aura of a true king—soone refined to stand above all others.
I recognized his face.
The man who gave the welcoming speech during the entrance ceremony.
The ruler at the very top of Advanced Nurturing High School—
Student Council President Horikita Manabu.
(...!?)
My heart violently skipped a beat in terror.
(T-The student council president!? Why!? Why is the guy from the entrance ceremony coming all the way to see !?)
The worst possible simulations rapidly unfolded in my head.
There was only one reason the school's top authority would personally seek out a first-year student.
Punishnt.
(This is bad bad bad! It's definitely because they found out I went around challenging upperclassn to gamble matches and extorted points to transfer Hiyori! Well obviously they knew already, but did it really beco such a huge issue that the student council got involved!?)
Cold sweat ran down my back.
(Or is this revenge for utterly destroying Vice President Nagumo in penalty kicks and taking five million points from him!? Like, 'How dare you do that to our vice president'!? Either way, I'm finished! If I get expelled, Hiyori and I will be separated!!)
Internally, I was in full panic mode and on the verge of dropping to my knees begging for forgiveness.
Yet despite my terror, the "Aizen Sousuke exterior" showed not the slightest trace of agitation.
Sitting with legs crossed and chin resting on my hand, I slowly lifted my gaze and t Horikita Manabu's eyes head-on.
The pressure released by the two "monsters" collided, making the library air tremble.
The first to break the silence was Manabu.
"…The man who exposed the entirety of the 'S-System' on the very first day of school, and obtained the absurd sum of twenty million points in only a single month."
His low, calm voice echoed through the room.
"…So you are Class 1-B's Aizen Sousuke."
His sharp gaze pierced through as though trying to see every layer of my being.
Even Tachibana behind him radiated intense caution.
(HIIIIIIII!! HE KNOWS EVERYTHING!! AND HE SOUNDS REALLY MAD!! Apologize! Hurry up and sincerely apologize!!)
I desperately tried to force words of apology from my throat.
But that cursed equipnt once again rewrote my survival instincts.
"—Indeed. I am Aizen Sousuke."
What erged from my mouth was not an apology, but an exquisitely arrogant poem.
"…Have my footsteps shaken your throne, perhaps? But rest easy. One does not require much ti to expose the world. …I rely pointed lightly toward the 'cracks' the adults tried so desperately to conceal."
(WHYYYYYYYYYY!! WHAT ARE YOU SAYING!? You're completely picking a fight with the student council president!! 'Shaking your throne'? 'Exposing the world'? That's straight-up terrorist dialogue!!)
Inside, I fell into utter despair.
This was over. I'd touched the student council president's reverse scale. Tomorrow I'd definitely receive an expulsion notice.
Hiyori… it was fun while it lasted…
But—
Instead of anger, genuine interest and approval appeared in Horikita Manabu's eyes.
"…Cracks, hm. Heh. I see."
He adjusted his glasses.
"I've also heard about your match against Nagumo. I heard you completely crushed him and took five million points. …For a first-year student to overwhelmingly defeat the current vice president…"
(Eek! He knows about Nagumo too! This is definitely retaliation!!)
"—He willingly offered his own neck beneath my blade. …To tear the wings from an insect ignorant of its place is rely the rcy expected of one who stands above the heavens."
(I HATE THIS MOUTH!! It casually called Nagumo an insect right in front of the student council president!! I'm dead!!)
I was already halfway into self-destruction ntally.
Tachibana looked ready to explode.
"H-How dare you speak of the vice president like that—!"
But Manabu stopped her with one hand and stared directly at .
"…You are an interesting man, Aizen Sousuke."
What ca from his mouth next was entirely unexpected.
"A being like you—an irregular who refuses to be bound by existing fraworks—may bring a new wind to this school's system. …Tell . Do you have any interest in the student council?"
"""...Huh?"""
The few students in the library—and even Tachibana herself—froze in shock.
Naturally so.
The strict Horikita Manabu had personally scouted a troubleso first-year student only one month after enrollnt.
(...What?)
I froze internally too.
(The student council!? !? Absolutely impossible!! First of all, without Hiyori—the world's strongest translator—I can't even hold a normal conversation! If I start spewing poems during student council etings, the academy will collapse in seconds!!)
I had to refuse.
Clearly.
Firmly.
'Sorry, but I'm not suited for such an important role! I don't want to work under anyone! I just want to peacefully read books!'
I slowly stood up and looked down at Manabu with determination.
"—For to serve beneath another is impossible. …From this point onward—"
Slowly brushing back my bangs, I declared with absolute pressure:
"—I shall stand atop the heavens."
(AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!)
Inside, I nearly exploded from embarrassnt.
(I SAID IT!! THAT LEGENDARY LINE!! I only wanted to say 'I'm not joining the student council,' so why did it turn into a declaration from so god planning world domination!?)
Silence filled the library.
Faced with such an overwhelmingly arrogant yet charismatic proclamation, Manabu remained quiet.
"..."
For several seconds, he studied carefully, trying to discern my true intentions.
Then—
"…I cannot fully understand the taphors and poetic expressions you use."
He narrowed his sharp eyes and slightly raised the corner of his lips.
"But I understand this much. You have no intention of serving beneath . Yet one day, you intend to seize the summit—the heavens—themselves. …Very well. I shall ta even that ambition within the student council. I will take your words as acceptance."
(...EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!?)
My eyes nearly popped out.
(NO!! I REJECTED YOU!! I literally said 'I'll stand atop the heavens'!! Why did you interpret that as 'I'll join the student council and overthrow you soday'!? Don't accept it! Return it!!)
Naturally, my soul's screams reached no one.
Turning away, Manabu spoke as he left.
"Co to the student council room tomorrow after school. I'll introduce you to the other mbers."
"P-President, are you truly sure about this!? Bringing soone with such dangerous ideals into the student council—!"
Tachibana hurriedly objected.
"What I decide is final. …Let's go, Tachibana."
"…Understood. …Since the president has specially permitted this, make absolutely sure you arrive on ti tomorrow."
After glaring sharply at , Tachibana followed him out of the library.
Silence returned.
I remained frozen like a statue, completely burned out.
(...It's over. My peaceful library life… I've been dragged into the student council, the most exhausting and attention-grabbing battlefield imaginable… Why did I have to act cool and declare I'd stand atop the heavens…)
"I'm back, Sousuke-kun."
At that mont, Hiyori returned carrying several books.
Noticing my strange expression, she tilted her head.
"What's wrong? You look terribly exhausted… And I just saw the student council president leaving. Did sothing happen?"
I looked at Hiyori with hollow eyes.
Then, as though I'd given up on everything, I spoke in a sorrowful poem.
"—Hiyori. …It seems I have stepped upon a terribly tedious ga board. …I simply could not ignore the pleas of those pitiful souls who wished to offer their throne."
(Translation: Hiyori… the student council president scouted , and sohow I couldn't refuse, so now I'm joining the student council…)
Hearing that, Hiyori widened her eyes briefly.
Then she perfectly translated my tragic cry and smiled brightly.
"Eh!? Sousuke-kun, the student council president personally scouted you!? That's amazing! Joining the student council is such an honor!"
(That's not the point, Hiyori… I don't need honor…)
"But… you originally intended to refuse, didn't you? Because you wanted to quietly spend your ti reading."
(YES!! EXACTLY!! As expected of Hiyori—nobody understands better!!)
"—There is no reason to withdraw the foot I have already stepped forward with. …They themselves placed the board before . If so, then crushing it entirely is rely the courtesy expected of a conqueror."
(Translation: It's too late now… I'm too scared to refuse… what do I do…)
As I spoke in an almost tearful voice—though thanks to the curse it sounded like the determined voice of a demon king—Hiyori smiled gently and softly took my hand.
"Fufu. Sousuke-kun is actually a very kind and responsible person. You can't simply ignore people when they ask for help, can you? …I'm sure student council work will be difficult, but please do your best."
Her warm voice and the soft sensation of her hand gradually cald my storming heart.
"If anything troubles you, or if things beco painful… please talk to anyti, okay? I'll always be on your side."
Bathed in sunset light, Hiyori smiled like an angel.
(...!)
Inside, I was already kneeling before her in worship.
(She's such a good girl!! An angel!! A goddess!! For Hiyori's sake, I'd do student council work or even world conquest!!)
"—Ah. So long as you remain by my side, no darkness shall ever cloud my path. …Co, Hiyori. Let us open the next page of our story."
"Yes!"
And thus—
Though rely a peaceful ordinary person inside, Aizen Sousuke was dragged—against his will—onto a new stage known as the student council, the very pinnacle of the school.
And so, his strange yet precious school life with Hiyori continued spiraling further into chaos.
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