Chapter 2: Study

Everything is indeed confusing, which is why I need to learn from many things— even if it's just a small thing.

Right now, I'm dealing with a woman who's wearing a uniform like a health worker's— it's probably the special clothes of the school's infirmary guard.

"Sensei, what time is it?"

I asked this woman who had been looking at me worriedly, but for some reason— after I asked, her expression immediately changed.

She suddenly gave me a sardonic look, and even looked like she wanted to get away from me.

Did I do something wrong?

No, I'm not sure— but I should at least wait for some more reactions from this woman.

"Sensei? Do I look that old to be called Sensei?!"

"Eh?"

Oh, so it's like that.

This woman wasn't a teacher, but she was probably a student just like me. And clearly, she's older than me.

"I'm sorry, so you're not Sensei, but Senpai?"

"Really, you're rude, do I look so old that you call me Sensei?"

She repeated her question even after I apologized, and I don't think this is a good thing.

In hindsight, it looks like I was too quick to jump to conclusions.

Actually, this woman didn't look old at all, but the reason why I could guess that she was a teacher was probably because of the clothes she was wearing.

Honestly, that uniform looked like a teacher who taught me back then. With its predominantly white color, of course I immediately thought of something.

Well, forget it— I think I'll faint again if I try to remember that incident.

"I'm really sorry, so forgive me!"

Just like that, although slightly different, I repeated my words of apology twice.

I hoped that way she could forgive the mistake I had made.

"Yes, never mind. I'm relieved that you're doing well."

"Thank you for taking care of me!"

In the end, she forgave me— then I thanked her.

From a small thing like this, I've learned that I shouldn't conclude things too quickly— in order to avoid similar incidents, I guess I'll think more in the future.

"By the way, you're a new student right? What's your name?"

"Yes, I'm a new student. My name is Keichi Yamamoto."

"Oh, Keichi-kun huh? Nice name."

She complimented my name?

What did she do that for?

I've never experienced this before, so of course I was a little confused.

"Hmm... what's wrong, Keichi-kun?"

"Uh, sorry! I was just daydreaming."

This woman is sharper than I thought— how could she not realize that she was not being noticed in such a short time.

"Then, I'll introduce myself as well. My name is Rikka Yagushi, greetings!"

"Oh. Greetings, Rikka-senpai!"

So her name was Rikka Yagushi, her nickname was Rikka— I guess she was a senior with a slightly mysterious appearance.

Her hair is long and black in color, in fact it almost completely covers her eyes, for her skin is white but a little pale, and she is quite tall compared to the other girls— if you look again, she does look like a ghost in Japanese legends.

Wait, why am I thinking like that?!

No, forget it!

I can't make a bad impression in front of her, because I want information about this school.

"Did you think something strange about me just now?"

"Eh?"

As expected, Rikka-senpai is sharp. Just by looking at my slight reaction, she immediately knew that I was thinking of something strange.

"No, I wasn't thinking about anything."

"Just tell me what you're thinking, I won't get angry anyway."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, so just say it!"

In her words, Rikka-senpai sounded casual- but her face couldn't lie, she was again giving the same cynical look as before.

What should I do now?

Ah, I see.

"Sorry, actually I only thought of one thing."

"What is it?"

"With that kind of appearance, can Senpai become a queen?"

I made an excuse and told her about wanting to become a queen with that kind of appearance.

It was a little cruel, but it would be crueler if I said that she resembled a ghost in Japanese legends.

"Oh, so that's what you think?"

"Yes, that's all."

"Huh..."

Rikka-senpai let out a long sigh, then opened her mouth.

"Keichi-kun, I don't want to be the queen. If you're asking why, it's because I've lost my motivation and purpose."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't have anyone anymore, be it people I trust or people I aim for. They all betrayed me so easily, but I can't get angry just because of that."

Ah, now I can understand it.

The reason why Rikka-senpai looked sharp and as if she knew everything, was obviously because she had lost everything.

The look she gave me, it indicated that she was indeed fed up with the people around her who ended up betraying her.

In order to avoid a similar incident, Rikka-senpai has learned to bear everything alone, and decided not to trust anyone anymore.

"I understand, Rikka-senpai."

"No, you won't understand even if I explain everything."

Rikka-senpai doesn't trust me either— it's obvious because I'm just a new person she met.

But, what is this feeling?

It feels like there's a strong turmoil inside me. Not only that, I felt that the turmoil wouldn't go away until I helped this woman.

Guilt?

No, I don't think that's it.

Then what is it?

Oh, I remembered something.

Wasn't I told to expose the depravity in that all-white place?

Deep inside me, I have no interest in becoming a king— then as a result, I just want to learn about new things that I have never encountered.

So then, I guess I'll learn a lot from Rikka-senpai— that's why I don't want to let her go.

Well, I've decided.

"Rikka-senpai, I'll help you become the queen!"

"Huh? What did you say?"

It was only natural for her to feel confused, because I said something strange too.

No matter what grade Rikka-senpai is in now— whether it's second grade or third grade, I will still help her to become the queen of this school.

I want to make Rikka-senpai an absolute queen that everyone in this school will never forget.

Maybe I'm a bit excessive, but I have to do it because the place I used to live in was much more excessive.

"You're joking, right? Keichi-kun?"

"No, I'm serious."

"How could this happen? Tell me, what did you do to me?"

"Just a few things."

"Whereas I was destroyed in a year and gave up my life for the next two years, but now I feel alive again."

"Oh, that's good then."

"Not really, I think you're a terrible person."

Again and again, Rikka-senpai realized it quickly— it seemed like she had realized that she was being manipulated by me.

Well, that doesn't change the fact that she really wants the position of school queen.

"Whatever you say, but make sure we meet again."

I had gotten what I wanted— so without wasting much more time, I walked out of the infirmary room and headed to class.