Volume 8 Chapter 4 The Exchange Battle Participation Request ②
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The week after my secret meeting with Manaka’s companions, I finished my lunch break and headed to the faculty room to inform my homeroom teacher, Tarumii-sensei, about my Exchange Battle participation.
Tarumii-sensei’s desk sat in one of the central islands of the faculty room.
”Excuse me. Tarumii-sensei, I’ve brought the Exchange Battle application forms.”
”Okay, let me check. Just a moment.”
She skimmed the important sections—participant names, reason for participation—then looked up.
”All right, this looks good. I’ll accept it.”
”Thank you.”
I turned to leave, but her voice stopped me.
”Tatemiya-kun, do you have a moment?”
”Yes? What is it?”
”Actually, this came in. I’d love for you to take a look if you’re interested.”
What she pulled out and handed me was a printout titled “Exchange Event.”
For a second I thought it was more detailed info about the Exchange Battle, but as I read on, I realized it was something completely different.
”A joint exchange event with First High and Second High…? We have these?”
”Yes. It’s a new program they started on a trial basis this year.”
In summary, it seemed we’d be holding regular exchange meetings with two regular high schools—13th District First High School and 13th District Second High School.
”Wouldn’t the selected student council members usually handle something like this?”
The student council elections had just wrapped up, and the officers had been completely replaced.
Our school’s student council elections were basically a done deal.1 The teachers consulted with potential candidates beforehand, and after a token speech and vote, every single candidate got elected and appointed.
The student council had no real power—it was a system where you got a slight boost to your internal points2 in exchange for being used as labor during events. Still, there was always a certain number of social butterflies who loved events. The tradition was that the festival-loving types got selected and took on the role willingly.
Someone like me, more on the introvert side, would never get recommended.
Komoda might’ve landed a position if she hadn’t gotten caught up in that counterattack business.
”You’re absolutely right, Tatemiya-kun. However, all of the second-year committee members want to go with First High, so we’re short on participants for the Second High exchange. How about it? Would you consider joining?”
”Hmm… I can’t decide right this second.”
”Of course. The deadline for this one’s still a ways off. I’ll give you the materials—why not discuss it with your group? I’d be happy if you’d give it positive consideration.”
I took a few extra handouts and left the faculty room.
When I got back to the classroom, Chifumi and the others came over.
”Huh? Did you not submit it?”
”Did they reject it? That’d be a problem!”
I calmed down the quick-to-jump Mitsuki and handed the materials to Chifumi.
”I submitted the Exchange Battle application and it was accepted. This is something else.”
”Oh, I see~”
”Geez, don’t scare me like that!”
You’re the one who jumped to conclusions. You’ll pay for that later.
I spread the papers on my desk, and everyone gathered around to look.
”What’s this? A joint exchange event with 13th District First High and 13th District Second High? Huh.”
”I didn’t know that existed, Minoru-sama.”
Risa and Yurina seemed genuinely curious about the concept.
The other three just looked puzzled.
”I’ve never heard of this before.”
”Apparently it started this year.”
I shared what the teacher had told me in response to Asari’s question.
”What’s the event even for? And why’s First High more popular than Second? I’m curious~”
Chifumi’s question was completely reasonable.
The answer came from an unexpected source.
”Oh, they gave you that too, Minoru? Same here.”
Ryota leaned over from behind my chair and nodded at the papers on my desk.
”Ryota got one too?”
”Yup.”
”We were just talking about why Second isn’t popular. You know anything?”
Ryota smirked.
”Take a closer look and the reason’s obvious. Hint: it’s in the events. They’ve got specifics listed, right?”
”Let’s see… Summer’s forest school, fall’s school festival and field trip, winter’s snowy mountain… That’s a lot.”
Out of all of these, the one that stood out was—
”The field trip’s for second-years.”
”Bingo. Apparently the exchange trip is part of the field trip.”
”Wow, that’s… ambitious. I’ve never heard of multiple schools doing a field trip together. That’s just asking for trouble.”
”Right? But it’s happening. And that’s why Second’s not popular with the second-years.”
”Oh?”
Ryota continued with a self-satisfied grin.
”Second High’s trip lets you pick from several domestic destinations. But First High? The trip’s overseas!”
”Wh-what?!”
I acted shocked, but was it really that big a deal?
”First High’s basically using us as security for their overseas trip. So we can go for almost nothing out of pocket. Second High, on the other hand, barely has any subsidies—you’re mostly paying your own way. And it’s domestic. So First’s the obvious choice.”
Honestly, I didn’t think most participants from our school cared much about mingling with regular students. They’d probably think either school was fine, so the deciding factor would be the pros and cons of what each event offered. Second-years compared the options and naturally picked the one with clearer benefits—First High.
”Minoru~, let’s do the exchange event together~”
”With Second?”
”Yeah. Sounds good, right?”
Ryota shook me as he talked, like that anime character trying to rope someone into playing baseball.
His grip was way too strong. My head was bouncing around so much I couldn’t even answer.
”Hey, stop that!”
Yamada-san peeled Ryota off me.
I put the decision on hold.
”Fine, fine. I’ll consider it. I’ll talk it over later.”
”Awesome!”
The warning bell rang, so we broke for now. Everyone headed off to their different classrooms and seats.
As Chifumi was about to leave my desk, I handed her the info sheets and asked her to gather the group’s opinions on joining the Second High exchange. I was leaning toward participating as the leader, but if there was strong opposition, that was another matter.
”Got it~. I’ll stop by your place after school~”
”Thanks.”
Chifumi left the classroom, waving the papers. I could see Risa and Yurina waiting for her outside, and they immediately started chatting.
Afternoon classes ended, and it was time to head home.
After school, I was going separate ways from Chifumi and the others. It was my first club activity of the new school year.
Today was just a meeting, so I didn’t change into my swimsuit.
I waited by the poolside in my uniform as club members trickled in. I hung out with some light conversation while waiting for the meeting to start.
”Alright, let’s get started!”
The new Shooting Club President gathered everyone together.
When the former president and seniors retired at the end of last year, the new officers had already been decided. I was just a regular member—a carefree position with no responsibilities.
”First-years can’t join until second semester, so we’ll be running with this group for a while. I’m thinking we’ll keep the key and cleaning duty assignments from last year.”
”Any objections? Nope.”
The discussion moved along smoothly.
”One last thing. This is still a ways off, but at the end of this semester, there’s the first-year recruitment day and orientation. As usual, we’ll do a skit in swimsuits and handle trial participation. Everyone outside the officers will need to help out, so be ready for that.”
A few questions came up, but nothing contentious. We wrapped up in under thirty minutes.
I’d thought about heading home with the others if we finished early, but I could hear sounds of practice from the music room, the kendo dojo, and the shooting range. I wondered how the handicrafts club was doing and headed that way—only to see Asari sitting on a chair, quietly working felt with a needle while chatting with a friend.
Didn’t want to interrupt. I caught her eye and just signaled that I was heading out, then left school alone.
As I wandered through the shopping street, I ran into someone unexpected.
It was Risa’s mother. Her biological mother.
She was coming out of the supermarket, bags in hand, and we just happened to cross paths.
”Oh my…”
”Hello…”
And we made eye contact. Awkward. Best to just ignore it.
I gave a slight nod to the woman carrying the supermarket bags and kept walking toward the station.
”Wait. Please wait.”
For whatever reason, she hurried to catch up, falling into step beside me and striking up a conversation.
”Can I help you?” I asked, not slowing down.
”Oh, uh… thank you for the other day.”
The other day? When she came to the Tatemiya estate to apologize?
I couldn’t think of anything else. I gave a safe response.
”I didn’t do anything worth thanking.”
”Not the apology. I’m grateful you prevented Risa from being taken over by that Shadow before things became irreversible.”
I stopped dead and looked at her face.
She wasn’t talking about when she came to apologize—she meant during the dungeon battle.
Come to think of it, this was the first time I’d spoken with her one-on-one since the incident. When Anri-san had questioned her, her attitude was very different from the dungeon, and she’d been meek when she came to apologize.
From what Risa told me, she’d been quietly doing her work as a servant for the Naruse family. And today, she seemed to be out gathering ingredients for dinner.
When I stopped, she stopped too, bowing deeply.
”I’m so sorry for all the trouble.”
”It’s fine. It’s in the past. And your family made amends as well. I don’t plan to complain any further. Please raise your head.”
Right in the middle of the shopping street, with students and shoppers all around. Having a well-dressed older woman bow to a high schooler in public wasn’t exactly comfortable…
Whether she understood my feelings or not, she straightened up quickly. Her face showed awareness of the surroundings but also a clear determination to say what needed to be said. There was more.
”Please take care of Risa. I know I have no right to ask… but as a daughter of the Naruse family and one of your strong females, please keep her by your side.”
”I don’t need to be told that. Risa is one of my witches. I have no intention of letting her go.”
”Thank you. Please.”
She bowed deeply again, then quickly withdrew from me.
The direction she headed was the opposite of the station. She’d walked out of her way just to talk to me.
Still… was that sincere?
I thought back to her demeanor when she came to apologize before.
Since the Shadow’s destruction, her attitude had become remarkably humble on the surface. I’d heard she didn’t resist at all when ordered to wear the collar of oath. None of the hidden malice that seeped through on her first visit to the Tatemiya estate.
Apparently she’d been perfectly competent in her student days, and if they told me her personality had reverted after the Shadow’s influence faded, I’d almost believe it.
Her behavior earlier didn’t betray any obvious ulterior motives—I couldn’t tell if it was an act or genuine regret. If I didn’t know her history, I’d assume she was truly sorry and genuinely worried about Risa.
Well, I didn’t need to decide right away. I could afford to wait and see how she acted going forward.
’Yeah. At least she’s not gonna pick a fight with us.’
Asunaro resided within Risa. Even if that woman tried something, Asunaro could handle it, right?
’Asunaro’s been slowly getting his strength back. Even if some Shadow got into big sis now, Asunaro could purge it on his own.’
That was reassuring.
’Asunaro wants to show big brother his good side too, so you can count on him to look after big sis~’
I chatted with Hinoki in my head on the way home.
After getting home and settling into meditation, Chifumi showed up.
Lately, the snow flies’ reactions to different visitors had been changing, and I could tell who was coming without Hinoki’s interpretation.
I handed Chifumi a cushion after she let herself in, and we started discussing the exchange event.
”I talked to everyone~. No objections to participating in the exchange event.”
”Got it. That settles it.”
”Yeah. But there are some conditions.”
”Oh? From who?”
”Mitsuki-chan.”
”I figured. She wants to make sure it doesn’t affect the Exchange Battle, right?”
”Bingo~. You know her so well, Minoru.”
Her top priority was always the Exchange Battle. She’d naturally be worried about anything that might get in the way—I could understand why she’d want to nail that down.
”Anything else?”
”Um, from Risa-chan~”
”Risa? What’s her condition?”
”She’s fine with Second High, but she doesn’t want First High.”
”Why?”
”She’s got someone there she can’t stand.”
”Someone she doesn’t like… ah, her childhood friend and his girlfriend?”
”Yeah. The boy might be okay, but the girl doesn’t get along with Risa-chan at all. There’s no reason to choose the worse option, she said. Yurina-chan said she could put up with it better than Risa-chan, but she didn’t seem too keen either~.”
Now that I thought about it, I’d never seen Risa and that girl together. Actually, I’d only seen Yurina chat with her briefly. I’d heard they didn’t get along, but clearly the dislike ran deep.
”Well, First High’s already got enough participants anyway. If we request Second, we’ll get placed there. If the teacher asks us to switch to First, we’ll just decline. Sound good?”
”Yeah. I think that’s fine~”
I asked about the other two who hadn’t voiced opinions.
”What about you and Asari?”
”I’m all for it~. It’s more chances to connect with Ishimoto and Masuki-san and build relationships~”
”Yeah.”
”Asari-chan said she’ll follow your lead. She’s not particularly for or against.”
”Got it.”
So the decision was to apply for the Second High exchange event.
”Alright, I’ll fill out the application form.”
”I’ll start on dinner~”
After that, it was business as usual.
We ate together, did homework, practiced sorcery, took a bath, cuddled on the futon, and went to sleep.
Even though we were a year older, things at home with Chifumi hadn’t changed much from last year.
I drifted off to sleep, feeling Chifumi’s soft warmth beside me, perfectly content.
—
Summary:
Minoru navigates the administrative maze of school events, submitting Exchange Battle forms while discovering a new exchange program between three high schools. Through Ryota’s enthusiastic persuasion and Chifumi’s group coordination, the decision to participate in the Second High exchange solidifies, but Risa’s personal history with First High casts a shadow of lingering tension. The encounter with Risa’s mother raises unresolved questions about sincerity, redemption, and the long-term consequences of the Shadow incident.
—
Trivia:
The student council elections at Minoru’s school are rigged in advance, with teachers hand-picking candidates before the token vote.
Internal points are a real school mechanic that slightly increase in exchange for student council labor.
Komoda’s career trajectory was derailed by the counterattack incident mentioned in passing.
Ryota uses a working-class Northern English dialect, reflecting his Kansai-ben roots in the original Japanese.
Asunaro resides within Risa and is slowly regaining his strength after the Shadow incident.
The snow flies at Minoru’s house react differently to each visitor, allowing identification without Hinoki’s translation.
Risa specifically avoids First High due to a girl from her past—her childhood friend’s girlfriend.
Risa’s mother was a competent student in her youth, making her current meek demeanor potentially an act or a reversion.
The exchange event includes an overseas school trip with First High, which is the primary reason for its popularity.
Minoru is a regular member of the Shooting Club with no responsibilities, in contrast to his leadership role with the witches.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Manaka – Manaka Kuga is an elegant, sharp-featured Shisei High student, authoritative circle leader, and strategist for the top-tier Kuga family’s Founding Strong-Females. Minoru’s refined yet direct childhood friend, she uses a short staff for spatial/air-shaping sorcery. Known for her aristocratic bearing and “-chan” honorific, she manages security, led a year-long deception, and orchestrated an exchange battle request.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• 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.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• Tatemiya – Tatemiya is the family name of Minoru, a pragmatic protagonist in a world with reversed beauty standards. He leads a strong-female harem with analytical detachment, treating interactions as transactions. Strained by Manaka abandoning Minoru, the family has tense ties with the Kugas. Associated with a symbolic residential gate, the name connects to Manaka’s father’s social circle.
• Komoda – An eccentric, polite male sorcerer and leader of the influential Komoda house, he is Minoru’s second-year classmate who speaks with casual familiarity. He commands a Sword-Hammer Cave squad, manages travel and intel, coordinates with Ryota’s group, and seeks an alliance with Minoru. Outperforming Shoji’s team, he cleared the surface layer by purifying a giant scaled earthworm boss.
• 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.
• Chifumi – Eldest daughter of the Takino residence, this 160cm, J-cup kimono-clad sorcerer is Minoru’s childhood friend, Lead Majo, and trusted partner. Sporting a long brown side-tail, her bright, casual personality bridges his group with Manaka’s companions. Wielding a staff with flowing ice/water magic, she manages household admin and rearguard combat while secretly protecting him from the truth.
• Mitsuki – Eldest daughter of the Onigahara estate, this 188 cm science-track classmate has short brown hair, a lean athletic build, an I-cup, and a mischievous grin. A determined vanguard and healer in Minoru’s group, she uses a golden mace and Oni-Transformation Sorcery. She bickers friendlily with Minoru, coordinates with Manaka’s companions, and uses recovery magic for service play and training.
• Minoru – The protagonist and narrator is a black-haired Demon reincarnated from Japan, standing 183cm with sharp eyes. Pragmatic yet internally hurt, this eldest Tatemiya son wrongly believed his childhood friends abandoned him. Serving as ‘master’ to a mixed female group, he uses inherent spatial manipulation sorcery to command a handgun and subjugated monsters like Pape in mid-guard combat.
• Yurina – A stoic, analytical 165cm Plain-folk vanguard with a black ponytail and G-cup. A humanities student and eldest daughter of seven, she uses a katana and Severing Sorcery in Minoru’s party. She protects Chifumi, fights alongside Mitsuki, and addresses Minoru-sama with polite deference. Efficient and loyal, she trusts his judgment despite feeling unsettled by his escalating violence.
• Risa – A curious humanities student (167cm, light brown semi-long hair, H-cup, black eyes) and the youngest Naruse sister. Playfully assertive and protective of Minoru’s group, this mid-guard sorcerer has no inherent magic but wields magic pistols and Hinoki’s power. When Asunaro takes control, her eyes turn red, enabling fire and lightning sorcery. She is also known to bake cookies for Tatemiya.
• Yuri – A cheerful, energetic, and curvy Higashi High first-year student dating Shibuya. While calculating, she is fiercely loyal, even winning a third-place Best Couple Award with him. She was an acquaintance of Kibe Yurina in middle school. Known for being aggressive toward Hayato and displaying overt favoritism, she is defined by her intense relationships, vibrant spirit, and distinct presence.
• 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.
• Asari – A tall (175cm), braided black-haired Kasakura honor student with an E-cup, this analytical, quiet, and pragmatic science-track strategist serves as Minoru’s devoted partner and Risa’s future host. Close to Mari and Nagase, she uses a hand-armor gauntlet and Silicic Armor to manifest crystal barriers, switching between Vanguard and Mid-guard. Polite yet lecturing, she is currently recovering from mana exhaustion.
• Ryota – Minoru’s loyal, outgoing best friend since middle school is a male science-track classmate, sorcerer, and Majin. A fat supremacist with a slightly anxious yet pragmatic demeanor, he assertively leads a ‘Strong-Female’ squad, gaining two Majo by his first year’s end. He enjoys skiing, trains at a shrine dungeon, uses the Nagase hideout, and shares casual banter with Minoru.
• Yamada – A female student with the family name Rana. She belongs to Ryota’s group and interacts with Minoru’s circle.
• 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.
• Shadow – A parasitic entity originating from a jewel as the collective will of past Yukizuki heads, it sought to exploit Hinoki’s power by possessing hosts like Risa and her mother. Responsible for the Oboroka sorcery, this malicious force suppresses its victims’ souls and shows no regard for their well-being. It was ultimately thwarted and expelled from both hosts after failing to create a divine sorcerer.
• Anri-san – The fourth Naruse sister and Risa’s older sibling, Anri is an apprentice Dungeon Manager and sorcerer who guards a District 5 dungeon. Skilled with spear, staff, mind incense, and insects, she leads interrogations and possesses Inherent sorcery. A commanding figure, she mentors others, maintains ties to the Naruse Estate, and recently escorted her mother home following a family crisis.
• Anri – Anri is the tall, plump fourth Naruse sister, Risa’s older sibling, and a second-year student leading a District 5 school group. A commanding apprentice Dungeon Manager and Oboroka sorcerer, she guards a dungeon, leads interrogations, and uses spears and insects. Part of Shoji’s group, she mentors others, maintains Naruse Estate ties, and recently escorted her mother home.
• Naruse – Naruse is the paternal surname of sisters Anri, Risa, and Momono, separate from their mother’s magical Shoji line. Led by their influential hotel/dungeon manager mother, this wealthy old-money sorcerer family and merchant guild provides institutional support to local establishments. They reside in an understated, modest private estate featuring an integrated dungeon and a small dojo.
• Asunaro – An anomalous White Centipede monster who received a fragment of Hinoki-sama’s power. Known as Lady Asunaro, she resides in Risa’s body, serving as a second interpreter. Saved by Minoru (whom she affectionately calls “Prince Charming”), she speaks with a flat tone but has genuine emotions. Her name is heard during the goodnight sequence, and she belongs to a group with a large presence.
• Hinoki – An older classmate and powerful anomaly who speaks with a warm, blunt, Kansai-influenced dialect. Using they/them pronouns, they have a shy yet contrary personality and interact casually with the protagonist. As a mediator in the supernatural community, they secure bodies and support others, having bestowed fragments of their power upon Pape, Kram, and Risa.
• Ishimoto – A friendly, proactive female student at 13th District 2nd High School and former junior high classmate of Minoru. She maintains a positive, sometimes self-conscious rapport with others, once organizing a group outing, politely acknowledging Minoru, and thanking him for his help. She also presents the protagonist and Ryota with chocolates.
• Masuki – A serious, glasses-wearing female student at 13th District 2nd High School who is acquainted with Aikawa-senpai. Analytical and deeply interested in mechanical systems and sorcery engineering, she is highly capable but tends to become slightly socially awkward whenever her niche technical interests are revealed.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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