Chapter 117 Clan Formation
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”──As a result, currently, regardless of day or night, sexual acts are openly taking place throughout the school grounds, without any hesitation from onlookers. Since regulating the acts themselves is practically impossible, the proposal from the Discipline Committee and the Beautification Committee is to prepare appropriate designated areas.”
In the Student Council office, Togamine Hatsune was outlining the reports from each committee. The summaries, hastily compiled into reports, had already been copied and distributed to the participants seated around the conference table.
Student Council President Amahara Karen was also staring seriously at the documents, but there was a subtle restlessness in her demeanor, a faint flush on her cheeks.
Though she was an Evold, it was understandable that Amahara-senpai remained inexperienced in such matters. Togamine felt a warm, amused pity for her.
In truth, Amahara had already offered her virginity to Tsuchimiya Takeru—and even now blushed at the thought of the two of them somewhere in a secluded corner of the school building. But Togamine had no way of knowing this.
In other words: “They want a fuck room made,”
The careless voice came from Higurashi Asuka, a member of Tsuchimiya’s party—or rather, his harem—who, for reasons unknown, was attending the board meeting.
Higurashi was the liaison for the Student Freedom Alliance and, recently, had not only been appearing daily at the Student Council as a point of contact but had naturally begun joining board meetings.
Thanks to her successes at the supporters’ meeting held immediately after the Student Council attack by Doromi Uryuu Goushuu (Mudshade Rainflow Legion), she had gained the officers’ trust. The day after that meeting, Higurashi proposed the so-called “Student Council exclusive building fortress plan.” This was intended to withstand the ten minutes until reinforcements could arrive, in case of another attack during vulnerable moments. Somehow, she quickly secured an inexpensive estimate for repair stone and lumber from the School Management Committee’s fortress, and the proposal was approved that very day.
While on suspension, Togamine’s squad was put to work under Higurashi’s orders, busily erecting simple barricades at entrance points and repeatedly quarrying stone from the fortress to bring back. The stones were stored in buckets on the rooftop as ammunition for throwing, and a scaffold had already been built to make it easier to hurl stones straight down into the courtyard below. The scaffold also served as a barricade, blocking access to the rooftop entrance.
It was undeniable that Higurashi was capable—but it infuriated Togamine that, despite being a first-year, she interacted with Amahara-senpai so casually, speaking in a familiar tone. No one reproached such arrogance. Worse, it was incomprehensible to Togamine that Higurashi was favored more than they were.
Moreover, since Higurashi began coming around, the tense atmosphere surrounding Amahara-senpai had clearly softened. For Togamine, the role they desperately wanted to fulfill had been stolen by an upstart outsider.
Jealousy toward Higurashi—and a deep sense of personal inadequacy—gnawed at Togamine. In reality, it wasn’t really about Higurashi. It was about the fulfillment of Amahara’s feelings for Tsuchimiya Takeru that stirred this turmoil. Yet Togamine remained oblivious.
Serious and somewhat difficult by nature, Togamine found a wild type like Higurashi ill-suited for Amahara-senpai, and felt the tension build every time they met. This woman, part of Tsuchimiya Takeru’s entourage and clinging to Amahara-senpai, was not to be trusted. Resolving to exclude Tsuchimiya’s faction, Togamine began plotting quietly.
Under normal circumstances, Higurashi should not have been here; she should have been searching for the missing Tsuchimiya. But Tsuchimiya Takeru, lured out and captured, had been taken away the same day by Kamen Papillon. There was no way Higurashi was unaware of that heinous act.
Now that it was known, it was tantamount to a declaration of war. Togamine intended to push the narrative that it was “the subordinate’s unilateral decision, and I am not privy to it,” taking advantage of the lack of evidence. Though this would cause damage, Togamine had strategies to turn the situation to their advantage.
Yet Higurashi behaved as if nothing had happened. Tsuchimiya Takeru had been diving into the dungeon early that morning as usual with Sogahara-senpai. Togamine considered the remote possibility that Tsuchimiya had not shared what happened with his companions—but that was unlikely.
Then why did Higurashi show no reaction at all? It was hard to believe Tsuchimiya’s group would remain silent. They would be expected to protest vehemently to prevent a recurrence. Perhaps they had already devised a plan and were waiting for the right moment. Given Higurashi’s sharpness, this uncertainty unsettled Togamine.
The meeting ended without anyone able to focus.
Higurashi stood and opened the refrigerator with an air of ownership.
”It’s just about time for a break. I’ve been making original juice since this morning, and it turned out quite well. I brought some to share with everyone.”
She said this while withdrawing a plastic bottle filled with a reddish-purple liquid.
”Wh-what’s this?” the secretary Sugimoto Rikka asked, eyes bright with curiosity.
”Original? Did you make this, Higurashi-kun?” Amahara’s surprise was genuine.
”Yeah. I picked out a few fruits I’d never seen in the special zone, then mixed them with milk and banana as the base.”
Higurashi poured the liquid into glasses, which had been chilled inside the fridge along with a tray, and began distributing them one by one, starting with Amahara.
──Higurashi-san’s offering at this timing!?
Togamine’s expression froze for a moment.
”A mixed juice, huh? It smells nice.”
The secretary Inami Hitomi leaned forward to sniff the glass.
”Togamine-senpai, you should have some too.”
”Eh, y-yeah. Thanks.”
Higurashi handed Togamine a glass with a smile that was unnaturally cheerful. For a moment, Togamine considered letting the glass slip deliberately, but Higurashi waited until her hand fully grasped it before slowly releasing it.
It felt like nothing but a bad premonition. Even if she spilled it, there was still more than enough liquid left in the container.
”So, last night, when you asked everyone about their likes and dislikes—this was what it was for?”
”Yeah. I thought it’d be a shame if someone couldn’t drink it after I went to the trouble of making it.”
Togamine, maintaining her composure, activated her ‘Appraisal’ skill.
Glass. No abnormalities.
Mixed juice. Milk. Condensed milk. Banana. Flandaran. Gonchomberry. Amandangyiba. Dodobrocca. Gambegan. —All edible.
There was nothing suspicious, yet the unfamiliarity of the ingredients unsettled her.
If someone wanted to drug her now, the most likely method would be tampering with the glass—but she had checked that too.
”Oh, it’s delicious.”
”The sweetness and sourness are just right. These fruits aren’t bad either,” her companions said as they sipped.
Togamine furrowed her brow before slowly bringing the glass to her lips. Cautiously, she took a small sip, letting it roll across her tongue.
A refreshing citrusy sourness mingled with an unfamiliar, complex sweetness. All blended smoothly with the milk and banana base.
In the end, it was just a regular mixed juice. Still, suspicion lingered.
When she lifted her gaze, Higurashi’s eyes met her, flashing a grin.
──I’m being tested.
It was just a petty prank. But in this situation, every reaction and action would be carefully observed.
Togamine clicked her tongue inwardly, then quickly downed the glass. The cool sensation in her throat and the pleasant aftertaste calmed her slightly. But the taste — she still couldn’t quite place it.
* * *
”Hiromi-chan, bingo!”
Akiyama Yuuki fixed a sharp glare on the stack of names submitted to the Student Freedom Alliance and finally spoke up. They were gathered in the break area of the girls’ C dormitory lobby—a cramped, plain room compared to the spacious lounges in dorms A and B. Still, with so few residents around, they didn’t have to worry about prying eyes.
Yesterday’s rally for the Student Freedom Alliance had ended, and Maekawa Hiromi had been collecting signatures at reception, carefully calling out names while independently scanning for suspicious participants. Now, Akiyama was scrutinizing the dubious entries Hiromi had flagged.
”Did anyone from Doromi Uryuu Goushuu show up?” he asked.
”No,” Hiromi replied. “That’s a separate matter. But there’s talk about Togamine-chan being involved. Third-year Kagiyama Yousuke—he’s notorious for swapping women around like trading cards. Known as a scumbag, really. His ‘clan’ includes two men and eleven women. At least eight are connected to Togamine-chan and this auxiliary reserve force.”
”So…”
”It’s safer to consider him a spy for Togamine-chan. We need to track down Kagiyama-senpai’s whereabouts. Rumor has it that in Togamine-chan’s special room on the top floor, she surrounds herself with men infamous for their bad reputations with women. Apparently, any man who steps inside ends up a submissive servant to Togamine-chan and her crew.”
At those words, not only Hiromi but also Satou Akari and Nishina Tomoko sharpened their gazes. Tsuchimiya Takeru, who’d been abducted just yesterday, would surely have been subjected to a brutal “training course” if the rescue had been delayed.
”…Guilty,” Akiyama Yuuki muttered.
”Hm? Did you say something?”
”No, nothing. More importantly, check the other two, too.”
Hiromi’s quiet murmur was lost on Akiyama.
”These participants aren’t representing clans or parties. The girl was forcibly recruited into Doromi Uryuu Goushuu early on—probably a spy as well. As for the boy, we won’t know until we investigate.”
”As expected of you, Akiyama-kun.”
”No, no. It’s Hiromi-chan who’s incredible.”
Akiyama admired Hiromi’s sharp insight. At the reception, she’d greeted each student with barely a word or two, yet she’d extracted detailed information about two of the three people in the adjacent line—none of whom were even her responsibility. Such skill could only be described as exceptional, or perhaps a kind of supernatural ability.
”Isn’t most of this information already stored in your head?”
”Just coincidence. I’m not that good,” Hiromi said, downplaying her talent. Yet Akiyama thought he detected a faint trace of sarcasm beneath her modesty.
Still, when it came to girls, especially among the second-years, she recognized about seventy to eighty percent by face and name—and knew some basic facts about half the first- and third-years as well. Since arriving in this other world, she’d been steadily updating her mental database in real time.
”Do you happen to have my data as well?”
”U—”
Akiyama faltered under Hiromi’s direct, amused gaze and warm smile. Maekawa Hiromi—once known as ‘Mary,’ leader of the infamous ladies’ gang Yasha-hime (‘Demon Princess’)—was someone he’d only recently learned to recognize for who she really was.
He’d heard vague rumors of ‘Bloody Mary,’ the brawler from a neighboring town, never imagining she’d be a student here. Yet Hiromi seamlessly switched between the fearsome gang leader and the approachable Maekawa Hiromi. To him, she was a new classmate, surprisingly cute, and like the others, he’d casually collected information on her.
She was sociable, easily mingling with anyone, though she often hung around the somewhat notorious Satou Akari—keeping her from becoming the sole center of attention in class. Through a few well-placed connections, Akiyama quickly uncovered her true identity.
Though he couldn’t verify all the rumors, they suggested she wasn’t just a delinquent but deeply tied to the underworld—a completely different world from his own ordinary life. With Satou Akari, granddaughter of a Yakuza boss, it was wise to avoid getting too involved.
But now, in this other world, where aggression ran high and fighting monsters was a daily survival, backgrounds like theirs barely mattered. With no backup or safety nets, even the dangerous became vulnerable.
In the dungeon, Maekawa Hiromi was a lone wolf who could easily overpower boys, and together with Satou Akari, they served as a tough rear guard. Here, they were no longer “dangerous” anomalies. That’s what Akiyama believed. Yet, when interacting with them, he couldn’t shake the feeling that they weren’t ordinary.
”W-Well… I don’t know your measurements, of course.”
”Hehe, you shouldn’t get too involved in a girl’s secrets.”
”Yeah…”
He felt like he’d dodged the question, but clearly, he hadn’t.
”Can I join the next representative meeting as a helper? Everyone there seems to be focused only on their own interests, so I couldn’t tell if any influential representatives with ill intent showed up at yesterday’s rally.”
”Ah, ah… I’ll count on you.”
Akiyama had heard that Bloody Mary had seen through every betrayal, trap, and lie from supposed allies and enemies alike.
If she were on his side, it would be a comfort. But imagining her as his girlfriend sent a chill down his spine—a story too wild for a guy like him.
(Tsuchimiya… I truly respect you, seriously.)
Akiyama was capable, but if Tsuchimiya held the reins of someone beyond his control, he felt relieved. For a guy who casually dodged the pursuit of girls, Hiromi was exactly the type he wanted to keep at arm’s length.
”Oh! A message from Tsuchimiya-kun just came in! ‘I’m coming back soon. Let’s all have lunch together!’”
”Shall we head back and make something?”
”Let’s do that! Looks like Asuka-chan can come too!”
Beside Hiromi, Tomoko and Akari busied themselves typing on their smartphones.
”I’ll edit the roster here. I think if I ask nicely, the dorm manager will let me use the office computer. What about you, Akiyama-kun? What are you up to this afternoon?”
”I haven’t had much time lately, so I’m going to dive in as much as possible. I need to earn room fees for Sonoka and the others by the end of the month, or else it’ll be bad.”
”Don’t overdo it. Take care of yourself.”
”Ah, thanks a lot.”
With a tired expression, Akiyama stood, then hurried out of the room.
* * *
”Thank you again for today, Tsuchimiya-kun. I’ll contact you once I’ve spoken with Yanagi-kun about the dojo matter,” Higurashi said with a nod.
”No, I should be the one thanking you,” I replied. “What are Sogahara-senpai and the others doing this afternoon?”
After joining Higurashi outside the Student Council building, I exchanged farewells with Sogahara-senpai and the rest. We had decided to secure a safe zone on the fifth floor before heading back to the Academy. The timing worked out well—just before lunch.
”From now on, we’ll be on standby,” Higurashi explained. “Togamine-kun and the others are still suspended, but they’ll need to dive soon.”
Apparently, in case of an emergency, at least one of Sogahara-senpai, Togamine, or the kendo club captain, Yanagi-senpai, is expected to remain stationed at the Student Council building.
”What about you, Tsuchimiya-kun?” Kijima-senpai called over. “What are your plans for this afternoon?”
”After a break, I’m heading down to the third floor with Maekawa-san. If all goes well, we’ll try pushing through to the fourth. Hano-san’s gotten stronger lately, so it should be doable.”
”Hehe, well, you’re level 5 now, after all,” Kijima-senpai chuckled.
While leveling up Maekawa-san and the others is part of the objective, the real priority is replenishing water from the recovery spring.
Of the three enchanted water pouches—Water Pouch +1—one belongs to me. I’ve handed the other two to Himeno and Maekawa-san. Himeno carries a Storage Bag, and Maekawa-san and the others have access to Valeria’s storage magic, so the bulky pouches aren’t a burden.
Mine, however, is nearly two-thirds empty. Even a single sip fully heals my wounds, but the consumption rate is too high. It’s essentially my lifeline, and if I don’t replenish it soon, it’ll be dry within the week.
”You’ve been fighting since morning, Tsuchimiya-kun. Are you holding up okay?” Saegusa-senpai asked, her tone warm with concern.
”We’ve mostly been exploring the third floor. With two parties switching off, we’ve actually had it pretty easy,” I replied. “I’m supporting Irie-senpai and monitoring the archery club today, so I can’t dive either.”
Higurashi hasn’t had time to dive at all this week due to her work establishing the Student Freedom Alliance. As a result, her level’s been overtaken by Himeno and Kanon.
”If you notice any strange movements from Doromi Uryuu Goushuu, contact me immediately,” I told Sogahara-senpai. “If it’s around twenty people, I can mobilize that many right away and send reinforcements while we hold the position.”
”Thank you,” he replied. “I’m counting on you.”
After parting ways with Sogahara-senpai and the others, we made our way toward the girls’ dormitory in Building C. Apparently, Maekawa-san and the others were preparing lunch today.
”By the way, how was Togamine’s condition?” I asked Higurashi as we walked.
”They’re still under observation,” she answered. “They’ll probably keep quiet for a while… but Tsuchimiya-senpai, don’t let your guard down.”
”Understood.”
”If you give the word, I can take their heads at any time,” Himeno added nonchalantly.
”That’s fine. Just… calm down.”
Himeno could infiltrate any location using Darkness Transition and take out a target from behind without effort. She was terrifyingly competent as an assassin. I, however, was a pacifist. If nothing happened, that was ideal.
As we passed through the small school gate into a tree-lined path that resembled a park, I spotted a familiar figure in the shade nearby—a beautiful girl, standing still and radiant.
”Tsuchimiya-senpai~♪”
Upon seeing me, she shook her long twin curls and dashed over with a skip in her step.
”Huh? Hagiwara-san?”
It was Hagiwara Akane—the very same girl who had kidnapped and confined me yesterday.
Himeno and the others eyed her with a collective expression of Who? Her casual appearance left me slightly unsettled. She was being bold—too bold.
”Yes! I came to return your uniform, Tsuchimiya-senpai!” she said cheerfully, holding out a paper bag.
”Oh! My wallet and student ID!”
I remembered—I had left Kondo-senpai’s wallet in those pants. I had been hoping to get it back at least.
”I didn’t touch anything,” Hagiwara said. “I wanted to wash it before returning it, but it might’ve gotten confiscated if it stood out too much. I’m sorry.”
”No, you really helped me out. Thanks.”
At that moment, Himeno seemed to finally sense who she was. A dark aura began to seep from her as she stepped forward.
As I took the bag, Hagiwara ignored Himeno’s sharp gaze and gently placed her soft hand over mine.
”Ufufu~♪ That’s the right response, isn’t it? You say ‘thank you,’ right?”
”Well… it’s something important, after all.”
Honestly, I’d hoped Tina would retrieve it, but it seemed she intended to discard Kondo-senpai’s relic. Next time, I’d make sure to ask in advance.
”Are you… angry about yesterday?” Hagiwara asked. She looked up at me with a worried expression. Her slight lisp, exaggerated gestures, and practiced gaze were almost certainly calculated—she knew how to weaponize her cuteness. Just a while ago, I wouldn’t have been able to even speak to someone like her.
Truthfully, I wasn’t angry. I just found situations like that scary and tiresome. I wanted them to stop.
”Please let go of Tsuchimiya-senpai,” Himeno said coldly.
Her voice carried a murderous edge that made me instinctively straighten my posture.
”Yaan~♪ So scary,” Hagiwara cooed, shrinking back dramatically before latching onto my arm.
Himeno immediately countered, clinging tightly to my other arm and… growling?
”Did she just growl?” I muttered.
”How dare you, kidnapper! Don’t cling to Tsuchimiya-senpai!” Himeno snapped.
”Ehh~? But Akane just confessed to Tsuchimiya-senpai, okay? So how about we go over there, just the two of us? You can answer after you fall for me~♪”
Huh? I rejected her already, didn’t I?
As Hagiwara tugged on my right arm, Himeno yanked on my left.
”Wait—ow! That hurts!“
Despite her petite frame, Hagiwara had the strength of a heavy infantry unit and began dragging both Himeno and me along with ease.
”Asagiri-san, you’re hurting him! Let go!” Hagiwara protested.
”You’ve got no right to say that! You let go first!”
”Wha—!?”
”Whoaa!”
”Kyaa!”
In the commotion, Himeno lost her balance, and Hagiwara suddenly released me. Himeno and I crashed to the ground, tangled together from the momentum.
”Oww… Himeno, you okay?”
”Y-yeah… I’m fine.”
”Oh dear~ when I saw Tsuchimiya-senpai in pain, I couldn’t help myself. I let go first, before Asagiri-san. Akane is so admirable.” She winked. “Well then, let’s talk alone next time, okay~♪”
With a skip in her step, Hagiwara turned and ran toward the schoolyard.
”Ah! Wait! Hey—!” Himeno struggled to get up, but I was half on top of her, and by the time she managed to move, Hagiwara was already gone.
”Ugh… that woman is dangerous. We have to hunt her down.”
”Wait, wait. Violence won’t solve anything,” I said, calming her down as she began to draw Izayoi.
”Wow, she’s kind of amazing…” Hano said, watching Hagiwara disappear with a mix of awe and disbelief.
Kanon fidgeted beside her, clearly unsure what to do. Higurashi stood nearby with his arms crossed, wearing a faint grin.
From behind the Student Council building, Hagiwara paused, turned, gave us a cheerful wave, and vanished into the courtyard.
”…Hmm. I suppose it does kind of look like a tombstone,” Higurashi muttered as he stared at the image uploaded to the chatroom.
It was a picture of the abandoned object we’d found in the fifth-floor safe zone. We hadn’t touched it—just snapped a photo before we left.
After talking with Sogahara-senpai and the others, we concluded that the item probably belonged to Kibakura. The oversized, custom-made shirt pointed to that. But we still couldn’t figure out why they would do something like this.
”Kibakura-senpai really does have Spatial Storage, right?” Himeno asked.
”Yeah,” I replied. “Tina said the same thing.”
I remembered our first encounter. Kibakura had drawn a metal rod out of thin air. During the fight with Sogahara-senpai, they’d somehow ended up wielding a wooden hexagonal staff. No one saw them retrieve it.
”This rugby ball must’ve come from Storage too, then,” I muttered. “That means… Kibakura-senpai did this on purpose.”
”Some kind of message?” Himeno frowned. “I just don’t get why they’d do it somewhere so conspicuous…”
”Could this be… nah. I can’t say yet…”
Higurashi had started to speak but trailed off. Judging by the troubled look on her face, she’d formed a hypothesis—but didn’t like what it implied. Higurashi never speaks unless she’s confident. Maybe I’d ask her later, when we were alone. Right now, we just didn’t have enough to go on.
Just as that thought crossed my mind, my phone buzzed.
”Huh? Sogahara-senpai?”
A call. We’d only just exchanged numbers in the dungeon, so it felt oddly sudden. My lonely smartphone, ringing with a call from the Academy’s golden star. Surreal.
’Hello, this is Tsuchimiya.’
’Hey, Tsuchimiya-kun. It’s been a while. What are you up to now?’
Even over the phone, Sogahara-senpai’s voice was as breezy and composed as ever. Gender didn’t seem to affect how refreshing he came across. But that consistency made him hard to read—even during serious conversations.
’We’re still at Maekawa-san’s place,’ I said. ‘Taking a short break before diving again.’
I’d just finished my shower and lunch. Maekawa-san and the others were tidying up and prepping for the next dive.
’Glad to hear it. Actually, I have a favor. Would you mind bringing Amahara-kun with you?’
’Huh?’
I blinked. Amahara-senpai? With us?
’Amahara-kun doesn’t get many chances to dive,’ Sogahara-senpai explained. ‘Her level hasn’t progressed much. I’m not asking for a share of your gains—just let her tag along, if possible.’
’Wait, wait, wait! You mean Amahara-senpai as in the Amahara-senpai? The Student Council President? Is it really okay for someone like her to join our party?’
Sogahara chuckled. ‘Calling her an outsider is a bit harsh, don’t you think? She’s your girlfriend, after all.’
’Well, yes, but—! I mean, it still feels wrong on a few levels!’
Amahara-senpai’s low dive rate wasn’t just due to her busy schedule. There was also the risk of being targeted by the Doromi Uryuu Goushuu. She couldn’t move carelessly. If something went wrong, who would be held responsible?
’The Doromi folks are tied up lately,’ Sogahara continued. ‘And they know you’re more than capable, Tsuchimiya-kun. Togamine-kun is away too, so no one’s going to complain. There’s no issue.’
Isn’t this basically a ‘while the cat’s away’ situation?
I glanced over at Higurashi, hoping for backup. Today’s dive was just to the recovery spring. Not exactly a good time for guests. But as Sogahara-senpai had pointed out—Amahara-senpai was also my girlfriend. Where did we draw the line?
”Well, just keep it a secret,” Higurashi said lightly.
”Can we really do that? Even if we say it’s secret, we’re talking about Amahara-senpai…”
”What you can’t handle, just leave to her,” she replied calmly.
…She gets it. She knows what I’m thinking.
So, Higurashi was giving her okay.
’I understand,’ I said finally. ‘We’ll be leaving shortly.’
’I’ll bring her over now. Please wait.’
When Amahara-senpai said she was coming, Maekawa-san and the others jumped into motion, cleaning and organizing. The room hadn’t been messy, but everyone suddenly acted like we were hosting royalty.
Barely five or six minutes later, the doorbell chimed.
”Already here!?” Nishina-san, who had just finished wiping the table, looked panicked.
Maekawa-san headed to the entrance. The rest of us stood, tension rising with each approaching step down the hall. Then the living room door slid open—and Amahara-senpai entered, following behind Maekawa-san.
The moment I saw her, my brain supplied a mental thud!
The air tightened.
Hano-san, visibly overwhelmed, lowered herself into a defensive crouch, as if preparing to beg forgiveness on reflex. Amahara-senpai wore a stern, composed expression—an aura of suppressed tension clinging to her like a storm about to break. But I knew this side of her. This was how she looked when she was nervous.
Maekawa-san, ever serene, smiled calmly.
Amahara-senpai stepped fully into the room, gaze sweeping across us. Then she walked forward and stopped in front of Himeno.
Himeno took an instinctive step back, sweat breaking across her brow.
The tension crackled—until Amahara-senpai dropped smoothly to the floor into a perfect seiza, then bowed her head with formal grace.
”Everyone, it is my first time meeting you. I am Amahara Karen. I’ve joined Tsuchimiya-kun’s romantic circle. I apologize for the late introduction!”
Silence followed. Long and heavy.
The pressure she brought in had been too much. Everyone seemed frozen in place, unsure how to react. Even I, who had braced myself somewhat, was caught off guard. ‘Romantic circle’? Was that even the right phrase in Japanese?
Maekawa-san cleared her throat, gently nudging the atmosphere back to normal.
Himeno, seeming to regain herself, knelt across from Amahara-senpai and bowed in return.
”Thank you for your courteous greeting. I am Asagiri Himeno, Tsuchimiya-senpai’s primary girlfriend. We welcome you, Amahara-senpai.”
Maekawa-san followed suit, kneeling and bowing with serene dignity. The others followed one by one. I, of course, joined them.
As we all lifted our heads, Amahara-senpai slowly raised hers as well. A visible tension seemed to melt from her shoulders.
”I’d been thinking I should greet you all properly,” she said, her voice quiet but sincere. “But the opportunity never came. I truly apologize.”
”With your responsibilities, it can’t be helped,” Himeno replied kindly. “Please don’t worry about it.”
Apparently, Amahara-senpai had already exchanged casual greetings in the group chat, but now she received proper introductions from everyone in turn.
”Nice to meet you, ladies. I’m Sogahara Takashi, vice president of the Student Council. Feel free to drop by anytime,” said a calm, composed voice.
Sogahara-senpai, who had somehow slipped into our group without notice, was now casually introducing himself.
”I’m sorry for asking so much and taking up your time,” he added.
”Amahara-kun was really insistent about greeting everyone in person,” he continued with a small shrug. “So I figured we might as well earn some exp points together—it’s been progressing rather slowly anyway.”
”That conversation went smoothly, didn’t it?” someone murmured.
Of course, when it comes to earning exp points, there’s always a measure of risk. If anything were to happen to Amahara-senpai, it wouldn’t just be inconvenient—it would be serious.
”Sofar, Amahara-kun has only been tagging along temporarily with my or Togamine-kun’s party,” Sogahara-senpai went on. “She’s never had a fixed party of his own. So I thought—why not have her officially join Tsuchimiya-kun’s party? It wouldn’t be strange, given they’re dating, and I’ve already confirmed their abilities. Everyone agreed without hesitation.”
That must’ve been when Togamine was away.
”Right now, there might not be many chances for us to dive together,” Amahara-senpai said, her eyes meeting mine, “but… would you allow me to join Tsuchimiya-kun’s party as well?”
I glanced around. Himeno, Higurashi, and Kanon all nodded without hesitation.
”Understood. You’re welcome,” I said.
”Speaking of which,” Hano-san muttered thoughtfully, “we’ve been diving with Tsucchi and the others for a while now, but… what exactly is our position?”
”If Hano-senpai and the others are okay with it,” Higurashi offered, “how about forming a clan? It would broaden our options for party formation. We could make ‘The Last Survivor’ into an official second party under the same banner.”
”A clan, huh?” Hano-san mused. “Is that even okay?”
”I’m fine with it,” said Maekawa-san. “Honestly, I’d feel safer being part of a group than staying in a solo party.”
A clan… It wouldn’t change the current situation much, but just putting it into formal structure—yeah, that would help. Diving alongside Maekawa-san and the others wouldn’t feel strange anymore. We’d be united.
”Alright, then it’s decided,” I said. “Maekawa-san and the others will join Amahara-senpai under the clan name ‘The Last Survivor.’ Sound good?”
”Yes,” Amahara-senpai said with a small bow. “Once again, nice to meet you all.”
”I—I also ask for your favor,” Maekawa-san stammered, a bit flustered. “Thank you!”
A clan, huh. Just like that, we’d grown into a big group.
”If we’re bringing Amahara-kun along, it’s inevitable that we’ll attract some attention,” Sogahara-senpai said, her tone laced with mild concern. “But I’d still prefer we keep as low a profile as possible.”
”Understood,” I replied, with as much confidence as I could muster. “Leave that to me.”
Notes:
• Togamine – Togamine Hatsune. The girl who like the student council but hate the MC.
• Hatsune – Togamine Hatsune. The girl who like the student council but hate the MC.
• Amahara Karen – Student Council President
• Karen – Student Council President.
• Amahara-senpai – Student Council President
• Higurashi Asuka – A girl afflicted with an incurable disease. Another MC’s girlfriend.
• Higurashi – Higurashi Asuka. A girl afflicted with an incurable disease. Another MC’s girlfriend.
• Asuka – Higurashi Asuka. A girl afflicted with an incurable disease. Another MC’s girlfriend.
• Doromi Uryuu Goushuu – Doi’s unit from Demiurge—the one who was raped by Togamine of the Student Council Auditor and her team.
• Sogahara-senpai – Student Council Vice President
• Sogahara – Student Council Vice President
• Sugimoto – Sugimoto Rikka. Student Council secretary. The mood-maker and energetic girl of the Student Council.
• Higurashi-kun – Higurashi Asuka. A girl afflicted with an incurable disease. Another MC’s girlfriend.
• Inami Hitomi – Male treasurer of student council. Traumatized after being extremely worked over by the secretary, Sugimoto Rikka, when he was at level 1
• Hitomi – Inami Hitomi. Male treasurer of student council. Traumatized after being extremely worked over by the secretary, Sugimoto Rikka, when he was at level 1
• Inami – Inami Hitomi. Male treasurer of student council. Traumatized after being extremely worked over by the secretary, Sugimoto Rikka, when he was at level 1
• Akiyama Yuuki – The boy in the same class as the MC, who collaborates with Higurashi in the Student Freedom Alliance
• Akiyama – Akiyama Yuuki. The boy in the same class as the MC, who collaborates with Higurashi in the Student Freedom Alliance.
• Maekawa Hiromi – The leader of the group of four girls (including Hano, etc) who are in the same class as the MC.
• Satou Akari – The Scout. Long black hair, slender and cool-looking. Passionate underneath, she was once the leader of the violent yakuza gang. Same party with Maekawa.
• Nishina – Nishina Tomoko. Shy girl. Looks like an upper elementary school kid despite being in high school. Childhood friends with Satou Akari.
• Tomoko – Nishina Tomoko. Shy girl. Looks like an upper elementary school kid despite being in high school. Childhood friends with Satou Akari. One of the Maekawa group
• Satou – Satou Akari. The Scout. Long black hair, slender and cool-looking. Passionate underneath, she was once the leader of the violent yakuza gang.
• Akari – Satou Akari. The Scout. Long black hair, slender and cool-looking. Passionate underneath, she was once the leader of the violent yakuza gang.
• Sonoka – Girl from Akiyama Yuuki’s (the boy who collaborates with Higurashi) party. The tall one
• Kijima-senpai – Kijima Shiori. Sogahara-senpai’s girlfriend. Currently working as a Student Council assistant.
• Kijima – Kijima Shiori. Sogahara-senpai’s girlfriend. Currently working as a Student Council assistant.
• Maekawa-san – The leader of the group of four girls (including Hano, etc) who are in the same class as the MC.
• Hano-san – Hano Chikako. Brown-skinned, brown-haired gal, and free-spirited. Honest and straightforward. She joined Maekawa Party after being helped in the past.
• Hano – Hano Chikako. Brown-skinned, brown-haired gal, and free-spirited. Honest and straightforward. She joined Maekawa Party after being helped in the past.
• Himeno – MC’s first girlfriend
• Saegusa-senpai – Third-year vanguard student in Sogahara-senpai’s party
• Irie-senpai – The class rep of MC’s class.
• Irie – The class rep of MC’s class.
• Kanon – Watarase Kanon: The magician girl. Party with the MC.
• Hagiwara-san – Hagiwara Akane. Bright and energetic. Sub-member of Togamine class. Got caught by a goblin in her first dive, but was saved by Tsuchimiya.
• Hagiwara Akane – Bright and energetic. Sub-member of Togamine class. Got caught by a goblin in her first dive, but was saved by Tsuchimiya.
• Kibakura – Leader of Demiurge
• Nishina-san – Nishina Tomoko. Shy girl. Looks like an upper elementary school kid despite being in high school. Childhood friends with Satou Akari.
• Takashi – Sogahara Takashi. Student Council Vice President
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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