Volume 3 Chapter 7 Bound for Onigashima
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The first day of our trip to Onigashima.
”…”
Under normal circumstances, this minibus should be filled with excited chatter about what to expect at our destination. Instead, the air inside was thick, layered with a suffocating, subtle tension. For me, it was a waking nightmare.
”Oh, come on! Everyone, this is a trip, at least try to look like you’re having fun,” Chifumi’s Mother boomed from the driver’s seat, her formidable frame hunched over the wheel. “Chifumi’s Mother is getting worried! Shall we do some karaoke?”
The minibus, configured with extra storage in the front for our luggage, carried ten high schoolers—myself included.
My group members: Chifumi, Risa, Yurina, and Asari. That’s five. As for the other five…
”It’s fine, Obasama,” Kuga Manaka replied, her tone perfectly composed.1
”Are you sure? You really don’t have to be so quiet,” Chifumi’s Mother pressed.
”We’re just a little nervous because we’ve only just met,” Manaka said.
Manaka, my childhood friend, answered with a voice that was undeniably beautiful. In the standards of this world, she was a breathtaking girl. She was the one who had once reigned supreme as the leader of my ‘Initial Strong-Females.’
”That’s true~. Since there are so many new faces, why don’t we go around and introduce ourselves~?” Chifumi chimed in, sitting casually beside Manaka in the second row.
I, meanwhile, was tucked away in the very last row, sitting all by my lonesome.
”Alright, let’s start from the back. Minoru-kun~.”
”Me!?” I yelped.
Just as I was stammering in confusion, Manaka intervened. “Chifumi, let’s skip Minoru. Everyone here already knows him well enough.”
”I suppose so,” Chifumi conceded. “Then, let’s start with Asari-chan~.”
Chifumi folded like a house of cards at Manaka’s suggestion. Asari, sitting in the row ahead of me, tried to stand up in a hurry and caught herself on her seatbelt, jerking to a sudden halt.
”Yes! Oof—!”
”No need to rush,” Mitsuki said, sitting next to her and offering a gentle hand.
”Ugh… Yes, thank you…” Asari mumbled.
Once Asari unbuckled and finished her intro, the baton passed to Mitsuki, then forward to Risa and Yurina. Next were the twins, Futami Yui and Futami Ui. If I had to describe them: ‘Landmine-style.’2
Yui was the downer landmine, Ui the upper one. They looked identical, save for a stray lock of white-dyed hair—left for Yui, right for Ui. Once they opened their mouths, the distinction was immediate: Yui’s low-tension drawl versus Ui’s bottomless, infectious cheer. How many times had I wondered if their names were switched?
Nieda Sawa sat across the aisle in a solo seat. In a word: an otaku. Not a fujoshi, but a hardcore gamer. She dedicated her life to clearing games with atrocious controls and zero guides—like that one plumber action game. She was tapping away at her handheld console even now. She looked up for a split second to mutter her name, then went right back to her game.
Then, there was Manaka and Chifumi in the row ahead.
Manaka stood up. Refined features, cascading long hair, an elegant dress. Her movements were graceful, entirely unaffected by the swaying bus. She was a ‘flower on a high peak’—clear, lovely, and poised. Everything about her was exactly as I remembered, yet… the look of her.
To put it bluntly: my childhood friends had all lost weight. They were different from the memory burned into my brain. At the end of middle school, they were a group of stunning beauties by this world’s standards—which meant, to me, they were a group of heavyweight fatties. Now, they were merely… pleasantly plump. They had easily shed over ten kilos in the last three months.
Even Sawa, who had been incredibly heavy, looked like a normal person now. And Manaka, whose base features were already top-tier? I could absolutely go for her right now.
What happened?
Did they lose weight to suit my tastes? Unlikely. I was the one who walked away. There was no reason for them to change for me.
Stress, then? Koki-san had mentioned something similar.
’Shisei’ was a place for ‘Strong-Females’ who couldn’t maintain connections with ‘Strong-Males.’ These girls had severed their ties to the Strong-Males themselves. I’d heard from Chifumi that the environment was cutthroat—jealousy, hostility, gossip, and bizarre hero-worship from those who loathed Strong-Males.
In that sludge of raw emotion, these five must have formed their own group to survive their first semester of dungeon training. Manaka’s inherent sorcery was potent, and the others were Chifumi’s equal in ability. They wouldn’t blink at your average monster.
They must have withered away from the sheer mental strain.
While I was lost in thought, Manaka finished a flawless introduction for the Shisei group.
”And last but not least, Chifumi’s Mother!”
Mitsuki’s mother, who was driving, called out. She was the same as always—a ‘demon wife’ who looked like Mitsuki would after aging while staying overweight, possessing both height and girth. She was usually kind, but terrifying when angered. My unredeemed self had been punished by her more than once.
We had a reason for taking the bus. Onigashima was an inhabited island in the inland sea, a few hours away by car, followed by a forty-five-minute ferry ride. Chifumi had requested the use of the Onigahara family villa, and they’d kindly agreed—even offering this premium pick-up service.
Such hospitality didn’t come cheap; the trade-off was bringing Mitsuki along for a break. I’d met her recently, and she was close with Asari and Chifumi. More importantly, that ‘willowy’ new body of hers was enticing. I’d agreed to the extra passenger with ulterior motives, but… I hadn’t expected the entire collection of childhood friends.
I felt so awkward.
I’d frozen at the entrance, and Manaka had looked at me with a perfectly straight face and asked, “Are you not getting on?” My heart nearly stopped.
As for Chifumi, the person I should really be complaining to? She’d sat right next to Manaka. She was my secretary—she had to have known. In fact, she’d probably orchestrated this. I’d be having a word with her later.
I didn’t have the courage to sit near Manaka, who was making direct eye contact with me, so I retreated to the back. Sawa just gave me a fleeting glance before dropping back to her game. Yui stared at me in silence as always, and Ui was uncharacteristically quiet.
I retreated to the very back, and Mitsuki moved to sit next to Asari in the row in front of me. I took the opportunity to use the two tall girls as a wall, and that’s where I remained.
With the introductions out of the way, group interaction began. Chifumi and Manaka were catching up. Risa and Ui were chatting, while Yurina and Yui listened in. Asari and Mitsuki were deep in conversation.
Actually… everyone was getting along better than I expected. The first contact hadn’t been a total disaster. Well, almost everyone.
Yurina kept glancing at Sawa. I think she wanted to strike up a conversation, but I needed to remind her: don’t bother being considerate with Sawa. That was just her default. She wasn’t angry; she wasn’t ignoring you.
I was getting bored watching the scenery, so I decided to play with Sawa for the first time in ages. I mustered my courage and moved to the seat behind her.
”Sawa.”
”…What?” Sawa grunted, not looking up from her screen. She’d always been a mess when it was just us, but today her hair was perfectly kept. She’d read the room.
”Long time no see.”
”Mm. Yeah.”
”What are you playing?”
She paused her game, reached into her duffel bag, and pulled out a second handheld console. “Here.”
”Oh, thanks.”
I took it, turned it on, and she handed me a cable to link our devices. “Co-op?”
”Sure.”
We started the game in two-player mode. I heard Ui comment to the others as they watched us.
”Sawa-chin loves games, but we don’t really play,” Ui said, her voice bright. “It’s no fun if we just have to let her win, you know? Only Minoru can actually keep up with her. She looks so happy playing with him.”
”Huh, really?” someone replied.
In my previous life, I’d been a decent gamer. I was nowhere near the level of a pro like Sawa, but I was competent enough to give her a real game.
It felt nostalgic. The cartridge wasn’t a new release, but a game we’d obsessed over in elementary school. I didn’t even know it was released for this console. Sawa must have brought it because she knew she was traveling with me.
We cleared four stages just as the bus pulled into the harbor.
”Let’s stop here for now.”
”Yeah,” Sawa nodded. When I tried to hand the console back, she shook her head.
”Keep it.”
”Keep it?”
”We’ll play more later.”
”Right.”
I went back to my seat in the last row. Chifumi’s Mother went to pay the ferry fare, leaving us to wait in the car. Nine girls in one bus made it feel incredibly vibrant—or noisy, depending on your perspective. It was hard to believe how somber the atmosphere had been when we started.
I was relieved we seemed to be getting along… but wait.
If all these childhood friends were here, what was going to happen to my plan to get ‘intimate’ with the group? I’d intended to spend the night having fun, and I’d thought I could keep things within reasonable limits if it were just Chifumi’s Mother and Mitsuki. But with Manaka and the others here… this was going to be awkward.
Was I going to be left dry for this whole trip? Or, wait—was Chifumi trying to force me to make up with them?
I was brooding when Chifumi’s Mother returned. We moved the car, waited ten minutes, and successfully boarded the ferry.
During the boat trip, we left the car and headed into the ship. We parted ways with the others, who went to the passenger cabin, and I walked along the deck. I moved toward the bow and leaned against the railing.
It was a clear day. The ferry glided over the calm sea, smooth and comfortable. The salt breeze felt nice. As I watched the water, I heard footsteps approaching.
Manaka came and stood next to me, at a distance that was just slightly out of reach. There were many things we should talk about. Maybe I should apologize. But at this moment, I was at a loss for how to start.
Perhaps sensing the atmosphere, Manaka spoke first. “It’s beautiful weather.”
”Yeah. It really is.”
”It was just like this last year, too. Do you remember?”
”Yeah, I remember.”
Every year was packed with so many different events, after all.
”Were you surprised to see us?”
”I was. I only thought Mitsuki was coming. I didn’t expect all of you to be here.”
”Fufu. It was worth asking Chifumi to keep it a secret,” she said with an elegant smile. She was cute. I turned my gaze back to the sea.
”Why did you come?”
I meant: since our paths had diverged—since you cut ties with me—what was the reason?
Manaka answered quite naturally. “We needed a break, too. Besides… I was interested in the people in your group, Minoru. I wanted to talk to them.”
”I see.”
”I want to get along with them. Truly.”
”…Don’t tell them any weird stories, okay? Like, about my past screw-ups.”
”Hmm? I can’t promise that,” she giggled. It felt like being transported back a year.
”Oh, they’re coming. I’ll take my leave now.”
”Right.”
Just as I thought we might have a serious conversation, Risa and the others arrived at the worst possible time. She came to stand beside me, right as Manaka walked away.
”Sorry, did I interrupt?”
”No, it’s fine. We weren’t really talking about anything important.”
”Really? Good. Even so… I didn’t realize car ferries were like this. It’s kind of a beat-up ship, isn’t it?”
”It’s an inland sea with low waves, so a ship like this is perfectly fine.”
The cabin everyone went into was a large, open-plan space with simple seats arranged in rows. Other than that, there were only a few vending machines for drinks and snacks. Even though they could see the ocean from inside, they must have realized it was more fun to look at the view from the outdoor observation area on a day this clear.
”Where is our destination? Is it that island?”
”Yep, that’s the one.”
Of the several islands in the direction the ferry was heading, Yurina pointed to the largest one. That was Onigashima. It was still faint and blurry in the distance, but as we got closer, the harbor and the town would come into view.
It was an island with enough population to have an elementary school, and it had electricity, too. There was even a beach. It was a place often used for retreats and training camps.
Watching the island gradually grow larger, I wished for this trip to be a fun one.
—
Summary:
The protagonist travels to Onigashima with his current group and a surprise gathering of his childhood friends. Tensions are high due to the unexpected reunion, but the group begins to settle in. The protagonist shares a nostalgic gaming moment with Sawa before the ferry ride, where he has an awkward but promising conversation with Manaka.
—
Trivia:
The protagonist’s childhood friends were overweight in the past but have significantly lost weight.
’Shisei’ acts as a social hub for female characters who have broken ties with ‘Strong-Males.’
The twins, Yui and Ui, are distinguishable by the side on which they have a white-dyed lock of hair.
Sawa is a dedicated, non-fujoshi gamer who focuses on difficult, poorly-controlled retro games.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• Chifumi – Minoru’s 15-year-old childhood friend is a scrawny, long-haired frost/water mage and elite witch from a Sorcerer bloodline. A brilliant, bubbly, and sharp-witted facilitator, she manages the group’s communications, kitchen, and intimacy schedules. While devoted to Minoru, her airy charm masks an observant, suspicious nature as she probes secrets, maintains diplomatic ties, and leads as his scout.
• M – A first-year student at District 13 High School and the childhood friend of Anonymous Student 0006, described as an atavistic strong-female who looks plain but possesses significant power.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• Yurina – A refined, black-haired Plain-folk student and disciplined vanguard in Minoru’s group, she balances piano talent with high-precision sword skills that sever sorcery. A childhood friend born as a rare Strong-Female from the Kibe family, she is stoic, prone to performance anxiety, and nearing her physical limit. Close to Chifumi and Risa, she shows curiosity toward others and a voracious appetite.
• Asari – A tall, long-haired first-year student from the Kasakura lineage, this defensive sorcerer specializes in barrier magic like Silicic Armor. Formerly one of the Free Girls, she is now a dedicated, diet-conscious member of Minoru’s group. Observant and modest, she shares a close bond with Mari and Nagase, training rigorously under her master’s guidance while seeking personal growth.
• Risa – A childhood friend whose birth pattern resulted in her being a Plain-folk despite her sorcerer heritage. A girl and member of the protagonist’s group who participates in the trip to the island. A girl brought into Minoru’s group whose inclusion caused a stir among his childhood friends. A member of Minoru’s group who is noted for her sharp intellect outside of sorcery-related matters.
• Yuri – A cheerful and energetic first-year student at Higashi High who is a classmate of Shibuya and an acquaintance of Kibe Yurina from their middle school days. A girl known for being aggressive toward Hayato and displaying overt favoritism.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• R – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has successfully built a squad and added multiple girls, including M and A, into his group.
• Manaka – A refined, elegant beauty with a beautiful voice, this former Tatemiya house student is a Private School strategist and powerful sorcerer. As leader of the five Initial Strong-Females, she maintains close ties with them while navigating Shisei group social dynamics. Analytical and composed, she is Minoru’s childhood friend; though their relationship grew awkward, she now holds an independent identity.
• Kuga – A family name associated with both Marin and Manaka, highlighting their shared familial identity and connections with others.
• K – A student from East Middle who followed N to National High School out of care, successfully remaining pure through N’s protection until a misunderstanding involving Anonymous Student 0008 led to her capitulation.
• Minoru – A black-haired, pragmatic student and sorcerer reincarnated with past-life memories into a world of reversed beauty standards and Majin/Majo systems. As a strategic, possessive leader, this hidden shock-wielding Devil manages a party of subordinates and four brides via contracts. He navigates complex romantic and political dynamics with childhood friends whose appearances have drastically changed.
• Mitsuki – Koki’s younger sister, a Shisei first-year, and a former member of Minoru’s inner circle who joins the trip. Once sharing his athletic background, she recently underwent a major physical transformation—losing weight to become taller, curvier, and highly attractive. Pouting over her current relationship with Minoru, she navigates complex social ties involving the Tatemiya, Takino, and Onigashima properties.
• N – A student from East Middle with an eccentric personality who entered National High School due to complex family circumstances and used herself as leverage to negotiate a protective agreement for K.
• Yui – A childhood friend who developed a weird persona during their middle school years. A childhood friend who is one of the initial Strong-Females and part of Minoru’s early social circle. A student at a Private School and an initial member. She is observant and tends to copy the behavior of others, such as Ui. Twin sister of Ui and part of the Shisei group. She is a low-tension ‘downer’ landmine-type girl with a white-dyed lock of hair on the left side of her head.
• Ui – A childhood friend and the twin sister of Yui, known for being proactive and aggressive in her interactions with Minoru. A student at a Private School and an initial member. She is casual, social, and maintains a close friendship with the rest of the original group. Twin sister of Yui and part of the Shisei group. She is an upbeat, high-tension ‘upper’ landmine-type girl with a white-dyed lock of hair on the right side of her head.
• Sawa – A childhood friend who grew close to Minoru around the same time others began developing odd personas. A childhood friend who is an indoor, IT-savvy individual and a hardcore gamer. A member of the Shisei group and a dedicated, hardcore gamer. She is characterized by her glasses and her focus on clearing difficult games without help. A student at a Private School and one of the initial members. She is pragmatic and supportive of maintaining a connection with Minoru.
• Koki – A powerful second-year student known as the Second-Year Ogre. He is nearly two meters tall with a muscular build and a handsome face, serving as a prominent figure at the high school.
• Onigahara – The family name of Mitsuki.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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