EX: April Fools' Day Special ~ [Title Redacted]

A/N:

EX = Extra Story. There will only be one April Fools chapter this time. Anyway, Enjoy!

This is set sometime before the outbreak.

◇◇◇

"Leon! You're not going to believe this!"

"Sure."

It was afternoon and I was lounging on a bench right below one of the big trees on the campus. It was a hot day, well its summer so that's somewhat understandable. Still, global warming might have just screwed us up.

However, that was also the time when Alice came running to me as if she carried a revelation as big as the world ending next month.

"Apparently, zombies exist!"

"I sure won't be believing that."

What's she up to?

"Ahh... as expected, you're sharp. Well, April Fools!"

So that's what it was... But Alice, you really have to think of something better than that.

"It was rather anti-climatic."

"Uuuuh, I'm sorry."

When I spoke of her rather anti-climatic joke, she dropped her head and apologized. But I felt pretty guilty so I patted her head with a smile. As if she was a cat, she got startled at first but accepted the petting.

"Well, if you're really into this, uhh, April Fools' tradition, then you really have to think of jokes better than that."

"Really... Woah, Leon seems to have some kind of experience in this..."

Experience? Nah, that's an understatement. I'm a master of April Fools that I can get even someone like Claire annoyed as hell. I still remember the atrocious stuff that I tried on her back in the past.

In the end, she even cried at some of them so I got scolded by Aunt, err, her mother. Hmm... Thinking about it now, it's kinda nostalgic.

Alright, I have nothing better to do anyway!

"Then, Alice, wanna do something fun?"

"Fun?"

"Yeah! Since it's April Fools anyway, let's play a prank on the other members!"

"...I see! That sounds fun indeed!"

Alice's spirit quickly shifted to energetic as she tugged my shirt like a child who can't wait to buy her favorite food. After heaving a sigh, I stood up to walk with her and asked.

"Now, who do you want to prank first?"

"Ahh... Umm, I realized it just now but wouldn't the others get angry?"

"Don't worry about it, it's April Fools anyway."

"Really?"

"Yep, surprisingly, that excuse can let you get away with most things."

"I see... Does it include, maybe if I accidentally stab someone?"

I am sorry, dear Alice but unfortunately, that is not included in 'most things'!!!

Or rather, what's with that super specific example!?

Casually avoiding the landmine that's beside me, I scanned the surroundings for the others.

Right now, we're in the facility of our club. Yes, not a club room, but a goddamn facility! I mean, it's kinda obvious with the status of most of the members but this is still too much.

I guess the fact that this isn't being questioned was also their work. The world of the elites is scary...

As I was thinking of that, I finally located our first target. It was Eden. She wears loose auburn-red hair and a pair of silver eyes. More than that, she also has big breasts and silky smooth thighs that were exposed because of our ridiculously short skirts for a school uniform.

It's like something that came straight out of a Japanese manga. Well, not that I'm complaining at least.

Alice didn't speak but nodded when I signed at her about the first target.

"Alright, in the meantime, you should hide in this corner and watch. Eden wouldn't let herself out if there were others who were present."

"Yes, Master!"

Master?

Ignoring what she just said, I casually approached Eden, who was relentlessly looking around for whatever reason.

"Hey."

"...!? Leon!?"

She was... startled? Wait why? I couldn't think of any reason for her unease but regardless, I executed my plan.

I kept my mouth shut as I stared at her before forming the nicest smile that I could. No, it would be more appropriate to say that it's the best smile a player could muster.

When Eden stared back at me, I could see her cheeks slowly being dyed with crimson. That's right, Eden was... well, a woman who's heavily susceptible to this kind of attack.

But from what I've observed she's still as cold as ice to other men as she only shows this side of hers to me for obvious reasons. With that considering, I kind of feel bad about this kind of prank but... I already committed to this.

I'll accept a punch or two later!

"Hmm? By the way, Eden, did you put some makeup on?"

"...Eh!? Uhh, you noticed?"

"Um. You were already beautiful like usual but if it's like this, I'm even having a hard time taking my eyes off of you."

The moment I said that Eden quickly became so flustered that I thought I could hear a kettle boiling with hot water, steam coming out of its top.

——Leon used: Compliments!

——Eden Blushed. It's super effective!

If we were playing a game right now, that's what I would hear. Heck, that retro sound is also coming back to my head.

——What will Leon do?

After showering her with a compliment or two, I thought that I could enter the next phase and start flirting.

——Leon used: Flirt!

"You know... it's not often that we get to be alone together."

"Eh?"

"I guess, this would be the right time, to talk about... more intimate topics."

I said that as I slowly walked towards and Eden walked backward until she reached the wall and was cornered. Because of that, she let out a cute gasp that made me feel even more guilty for what I was doing.

Now, it's time for the last strike!

When I pinned Eden against a wall, I raised my right hand and slammed the wall's part that was close to her head.

——Leon used: Kabedon (A/N: Err, Wall Slam? But I'm sure you guys already know this.)

After successfully enacting a move I saw in an Anime I watched before, I lowered my head to her ears and whispered.

"Perhaps, topics like the fact that you keep seducing me?"

"W- wah!?. W- w- w- w- w- wuhh!?"

For some reason, Eden was even more redder than before, or rather, is that even humanely possible? However, seeing that figure of hers made me a little embarrassed as well. Although I'd actually prefer that than my sadistic side resurfacing.

Eden was a mess. I even thought I heard—

——Critical Hit!

—Or something. Now, how do I break it to her about the April Fools?

...Now that I think about it, isn't that the hardest part!? Just what did I put myself into!?

N- no, just calm down me... There's gotta be some other way to this, right, maybe someone appearing and interrupting us? Then, I smile big and say 'April Fools!' with great enthusiasm!?

No, but it should be the right person or else-

"Leon?"

——A wild Claire appeared!

Hold on, that was the wrong notification!!! As I was contemplating about my current adversity, an angel that would save me- no, that would be the demon who would curse me that appeared.

"...What are you two doing?"

"Eh!? Ah, we were just reenacting something we saw in a video earlier!!!"

"...Huh...? Is that so?"

——Not very effective...

I failed! Giving up on convincing her, I turned to Eden for refuge but...

"/////////~"

"Hello? Earth to Eden!?"

Eden.exe has stopped working.

My mind ran with different kinds of thoughts, one of them was even about running away but I was a step too late. Claire already arrived beside me and was squeezing my shoulder... rather forcefully.

"Now then, we should at least have her come back to land and after... I could fancy an explanation from you... capiche?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Claire was smiling, she was but as her childhood friend, I could discern exactly what kind of smile it was. It's like the smile of a demon of pure carnage.

I gave up as I braced for a hell of a scolding that awaited me. However, that would be a story for another time.