Author note: Volume two is on sale in j.a.pan! Please look forward to it (*・ω・)

             She tilted her head slightly and traced her cheek with her finger .

             Her movement, the shape of her eyes, the shape of her mouth; every part of her was like a work of art . I was so enchanted by her beauty it took me some time to understand her words .

             She said she wanted to meet me . She wanted to meet me .

             Eh, why?

             I have thought that I wanted to meet her before, but to her I should be a complete stranger . One among a sea of undercla.s.smen . I’m on the same level as villager C .

             Did she hear about me from Cattleysama? She does value me too highly and kind of dotes on me for some reason .

             They are in the same club and about as popular so they are probably friends… right? Club members are different from friends but I feel like they have some kind of solidarity . Is that just my preconception?

             “Ah, I’m sorry . I haven’t even introduced myself yet, how rude of me . ”

             “N-no, that’s my line…”

             “I’m Chris, Christine Reishia . I perform in the drama club . ”

             “I saw you perform as Red Riding Hood at the school excursion . It was very wonderful… My friends and I were completely absorbed in your performance . ”

             “Oh thank you . It was a difficult role so when you say it like that it makes me happy . ”

             “Um… So, why do you know about me…”

             “Cattleya said she asked an undercla.s.sman to help out . Before that I heard from her about a beautiful girl in school but… I didn’t think it was you . I’m glad, it saves me some trouble . ”

             “Trouble…?”

             “I have always wanted to speak to you . ”

             The corners of her beautiful mouth were raised so it looked like she was smiling . However, I had a feeling that she didn’t have such welcoming feelings for me .

             From my experiences up until now, when you’re called to in these kinds of settings, generally something bad is going to go down . I know from experience and I’m used to unpleasantness .

             I wanted to run away but the exit was behind Christine-sama… There have been many times where I have wanted to talk to someone face to face, but if I had the courage to do so, I wouldn’t have avoided so many things in the first place .

             “Umm… Do you need something?”

             Getting into a quarrel with an uppercla.s.sman in the bathroom… If this were a shoujo manga then it would certainly be pointless bullying . It definitely feels like that kind of scene . I’ve done it before, back in the automode times .

             But, this probably isn’t anything like bullying, right? Surely .

             I say this because of Christine-sama’s personality… if it were bullying, she wouldn’t be speaking beautifully . Her behavior was too lukewarm for this to be an attack on me .

             It’s a one-on-one between me and Christine-sama . Considering that we are an uppercla.s.smen and an undercla.s.sman, she needs at least three people . Better too big than too small . The majority has the edge over the minority . Moreover, the first impression is the most important . Of course, appearances are important but if you want to overpower the opponent quickly, then the more lackeys you bring the better .

             If you can’t bring enough people, then you shouldn’t try a frontal attack . It’s best to act quietly from the shadows or to pretend like you are a kind bystander . Supposing the bathroom is the stage, pouring water into a stall from above would be a basic procedure .

             Why do I know so many details? Of course it’s from experience . A page from my black history .

             “Could it be, there was something wrong with my help?”

             “No . About that, all of the club members are very grateful . Thank you . ”

             “Is that so…”

             Then I can’t think of any other reasons… If she were here to complain, then I could have laughed it off like Francisama . These kinds of enigmatic opponents trouble me the most .

             “Um, then why…”

             “I came to ask Mariabell-sama… you, in a battle . ”

             “Oh, that’s it…”

             … . Hm? A battle?

             “A battle, eh… EH!?”

             What’s with this sudden development? Today was our first time meeting, right? I remember saying “nice to meet you . ”

             Also, was Christine-sama a belligerent type of person, contrary to her appearance? I won’t be infatuated by that kind of gap so please fix this right now . [look up gap moe if you’re confused]

             “U-um, why do you… what do you mean by battle?”

             “The Oz Contest . ”

             “… Ozcon?”

             “I will be partic.i.p.ating in it . And, I recommended you as a partic.i.p.ant . ”

             “HAAH…!?”

             I let out a noise unbecoming of a young lady, but I think this much should be allowed this time . It’s better than grabbing Chris-sama’s collar and yelling “YOU’RE f.u.c.kING KIDDING ME” right?

             Why did she do such an unnecessary thing? I cried from the depths of my heart . I heard about the recommendation system for the Ozcon . From experience I knew that if I were recommended that there would be a strict examination . It’s difficult to refuse . That’s why my friends were careful not to recommend me and refused any recommendations for me .

             As I thought, this person came to attack me . Rather than using numbers or petty tricks, she used something that would critically damage me, something they knew I hated .

             “At Ozcon, I want to have a match with you . ”

             Don’t say such selfish things . I really wanted to tell her off—it would be easy . My head was in a chaotic frenzy and I honestly couldn’t think straight . Using the last of my reason, I tried to cool my head and think of a way to resolve this situation .

             “With the position of Runsama’s fiancé as the stake . ”

             Until I heard the words that left Christine-sama’s mouth .

             Thanks to her words, my brain completely cooled off, but at the same time I went pale . What the h.e.l.l is this person saying?