Chapter 156: Yamai

A few hours later, the point tally was conducted.The first-place position was the most contested, with Tadano's Class 1-D and Pochi and her friends' Class 1-F vying for the top spot.After the final count, the victory ultimately went to Class 1-F because Najimi's underhanded sales tactics were deemed fraudulent and excluded from the total.

Tadano sighed, a bit disappointed, but at least this time his class wasn't completely disqualified like in the original storyline.As he listened to Najimi's miserable groans while being beaten by the rest of the class, Tadano thought:

"At least Kiyoko was kind enough not to disqualify us outright, although…"

He then looked at Najimi, who was kneeling and sobbing while raising her hands. Around her neck hung a sign that read, "I will never be a black-hearted capitalist again."

"I guess she deserved it…" Tadano muttered to himself, unaware that a sly smirk had formed on his lips.

…

Everything progressed without much issue, and Tadano shared a dance with each of his girls, earning the surprise and admiration of the other students.It's worth mentioning that Tadano had been maintaining a relatively low profile at school.Aside from his strange ability to materialize things out of nowhere—something his class had already grown numb to—most students saw Tadano as just a normal guy.This perception had begun to change due to his closeness with the school's Madonna and the subsequent deactivation of that title.

While he was somewhat handsome, to an average student, Tadano still appeared to be a normal, albeit attractive, guy.But now…

He had not only looks but also skill.

More than one girl in the gym let out a sigh.

When it was Shouko's turn, Tadano decided to be a little flashy and used more of his dancing abilities.With a display of elegance and beauty, his graceful and fluid movements made the young couple the center of attention on the dance floor.The crowd was so impressed that they instinctively stepped back, giving them space to admire such a showcase of talent and charm.

Many spectators could swear they saw movie-like special effects surrounding the pair.

When the music finally stopped, the ovation was immediate.

Shouko was slow to react—she felt as if she were in a dream.When the music ceased and she found herself standing in front of him, holding his hand, she could only utter:

"Incredible…"

Her chest rose and fell, her heart pounding a thousand beats per minute, and her obsession with the man before her grew stronger and stronger.

A wild part of her screamed for her to jump on him immediately and make him hers.But the more rational side of her urged her to remain calm.

One thing was certain.

She would be with him tonight.

She didn't care how—she needed his deep love tonight.

…

Shouko didn't know it, but her completely love-struck expression shattered hundreds of hearts in less than a second.

For the Komi Cult, seeing their goddess make such a charming expression was both an incredible blessing and an image they would treasure for the rest of their lives.

The problem lay in who it was directed at.

Seeing such an expression aimed at the greatest heretic of their cult made 99.9% of its members suffer heartbreak. Because now it was irrefutable—Their goddess had been taken by the devil, Tadano Hitohito.

With bleeding hearts, like defeated dogs, the Komi Cult decided to momentarily retreat and lick their wounds.

But they would return!

Even if their goddess had a partner now, they would still protect her from the shadows…

…

"And that's what's happening on the left side of the gym…" said Shinomiya, who was patrolling the area in clone form.

"No doubt, your ability to read the atmosphere is very convenient… How are Yamai and the Kessoku girls?" Tadano asked mentally.

"They're celebrating their victory with the Kessoku girls. Soon, they'll likely leave school to go to a restaurant for a group celebration," Shinomiya responded.

"Alright, follow them and inform me if anything happens. If necessary, I can create two more clones so Nagisa and Tomoya can accompany you," Tadano said seriously.

"No need… I'm more than enough. The moment I sense anything, I won't hold back and will use my full strength. If necessary, I'll even use a few 'toys' from the inventory," Shinomiya replied, joking at the end.

Tadano thought about it and couldn't help but laugh.

He remembered the "toys" she was referring to.

…

A Few Weeks Later… Yamai's POV

"Ugh… This is really… really disgusting." I muttered to myself as I lifted my face from the toilet.

"I suppose I thought too highly of myself, thinking this would be easy…" I thought as I wiped my mouth.

How many times had I already had this problem in the last few days?

I lost count after the tenth time.

Luckily, the one staying with me was kind Nagisa and not that blue-haired idiot or the sharp-tongued red-eyed one.

As I looked at myself in the mirror, my gaze drifted to my stomach.Even though I knew this was natural and inevitable, I couldn't help but feel a bit sad.

"Damn it… If Agari saw me now, she'd have every right to call me fat… I never thought the day would come when my belly would be bigger than that green-haired cow's." I complained while playing with my stomach.

Smack!

"Ouch… Hey, I was talking to myself, not you, alright? No need to hit me for feeling indirectly attacked." I said to the little life inside me, who seemed offended by my previous comment.

"Besides, who do you think I've been suffering for these past few days? Do you know how embarrassed your mother feels when you demand your weird food cravings? Who under the sky eats mangoes with salt? Do you know that damn chuuni witch mocked me for an hour because of that?" I complained.

"…"

"No response? Hmph, just like your father—when they know they've done something wrong, they just stay silent…" I said as I opened the bathroom door.

However…

"I suppose the host isn't great at accepting guilt either," Nagisa said softly from the side.

"Kya!" I screamed in surprise.

"Fufu, don't scream so loudly, Ren-chan, or you'll wake Ai-chan. Instead, come and take this herbal tea—it'll do you good," Nagisa said kindly, handing me a steaming cup of tea on a small wooden tray.

I took the tea she offered.

No doubt, Nagisa-san had been a great help to me.

She had guided me through this torturous and difficult path of pregnancy.Even though she had only been around for a short time, her advice had saved me from many troubles.

Just like now, the herbal infusions she gave me relieved my annoying cramps and pains.

Sip

As a warm sensation filled my body, I let out a sigh of relief.

"Sigh… I really appreciate all your care, Nagisa-san. I don't know if I could have come this far without you." I thanked her.

She gave me a kind smile and said,

"No problem. Just let me know if you have any issues or discomfort—I'll be happy to help."

After patting my head a few times, she left.

A truly kind person.

…

Next DayAfter finishing packing the bentos, I took little Ai to the company.

"Good morning, Yamai-san...""Good morning, Manager...""Manager! Very good morning!"

At first, I felt a little strange having people older than me greeting me so respectfully, but after so much time, I've gotten used to it.With a brief nod in response, I headed to the studio.

Upon entering, I found Ado practicing one of her songs.After exchanging basic courtesies, I asked,"How's your project going?"

"The recordings are finished, and the trailer has already been released. I'm currently practicing for the upcoming concert arranged by the president," Ado replied.

Yamai nodded, well aware of how committed Tadano was to that movie."I'm glad to hear that, but remember to rest and not overwork yourself. We don't want you collapsing at your best moment," Yamai advised.

Ado nodded and continued practicing while Yamai prepared some audio tracks for Ai's practice.

...

StareStareYou look at me, and I look at you...

"I see you've grown a bit," Agari teased.

I rolled my eyes at this green-haired cow."Stop fooling around and give me the reports. By the way, do you know where Ichigo is? I need to make some requests on behalf of the president," I said while turning on my laptop and starting to type.

"Here... and about the vice president… Uhm, I think he went out to check potential venues for Ai-chan's concerts," Agari said while placing a stack of papers beside me.

I couldn't help but sigh helplessly at the sight of the pile of paperwork.

"Sometimes I wish I had that man's ability to handle all of this..." I thought to myself as I began going through the documents.

...

NomNom

"Yamai-nee! Yamai-nee! In a few days, the Kessoku girls will be having a concert at Comiket. Can I go?" Ai asked cutely, raising her little hand excitedly.

Yamai thought about it.That day, Ai had her routine practice... Oh, she remembered that Ichigo had asked her to check if Ai would be willing to give a few singing and dancing lessons that day.She thought that might be important.

But when she was about to remind Ai of it, she saw that look in her eyes.

"Oh, come on, that's not fair..." Yamai complained.

"Alright, you can go, but make sure to finish your daily practice first. If you skip it again, don't come crying to me when your big brother punishes you," Yamai said as she put another piece of salted mango in her mouth.

Although it was a peculiar and maybe even repulsive taste at first, she had grown to like it and now carried it around as an occasional treat.

Hearing Yamai's words, little Ai beamed with joy and gave her a big hug.

"Thank you, Yamai-nee! I knew I could count on you!" Ai said happily.

Then, she discreetly stole a piece of salted mango from Yamai's plate.

Yamai noticed but said nothing.

Not long after...

"Bleh! What is this?! It tastes weird!" Ai said, looking uncomfortable with the taste.

Yamai smiled in amusement.

She thought Tadano and Ai were very similar—at least their reaction was the same as that man's when he sneaked a bite from her plate the other day.

"Alright, alright, stop messing around. We have a signing event in half an hour."

"Signing event? Oh! Does that mean Uncle Tomoya or Sister Nagisa will be coming with us?" Ai asked curiously while taking a big sip of her milk tea.

"Uhmm... It's possible, though I'm not sure if it'll just be Nagisa-san or both of them together," Yamai replied, a little uncertain.

Author's Note:

"Well, hello everyone... proceeds to search for an excuse in the excuse box... oh, well, you see... actually, there's no excuse. The truth is, things just came up, and this author wasn't in the right mood to write. I'm really sorry to everyone who enjoys my work.

That said, this author has a couple of free days, so I'll try to write a bit faster.

With that, remember to drink plenty of water, and know that I love you all.

Sincerely, your favorite depressed author."

----------- nwnr