Zannen Kei na Ojou-sama no Nichijou

8. The heroes of the manga

​​Drinking black tea as I made myself at home on top of the sofa, Aoi sat down on one facing opposite me.
 
“Nee-san, we’ve been going home by ourselves lately… Did you join a club?”
“Hmm… it’s a bit different”
“Is it?”
 
Uu-nn, how should I explain to Aoi… That is definitely not a form of club activity. Aoi’s question towards why we’re returning at different times has another reason to it, that is; the existence of an assembly for cheap snacks. The other members being; the weird ojou-sama, Miyagawa Sumire and the worldy-wise man, Maeshiro Hitomi.
 
We have been gathering at the 2nd tea room to sample cheap snacks since then. The one we’re especially into was a game of guessing whose favourite is which in the 3 snacks lined up. The one eating desperately tries to hide the fact while the person guessing looks out for the trivial signs of truth. If seen through, they must, in all effort, make a weird face. If not, the person guessing has to make it instead. That’s the type of game. For now, it’s Hitomi-sama’s complete win. The weird faces are picked up between me and Sumire-sama.
 
An idiotic game like this, I definitely wouldn’t want Aoi to know. He’ll probably be surprised by the fact that I’m eating cheap snacks before that.
 
“Eetto, I’ve been spending time chatting with Miyagawa Sumire-sama and Maeshiro Hitomi after school”
“Aa, people from flower’s princess?”
“Yes”
 
Aoi’s in another building so he probably doesn’t know much about our side but it seems like he at least knows the names of the members from flower’s princess. Well, those two do stand out…
 
“Aoi, what are you holding on to?”
“Eh? … Ah, this”
 
Signalling the white envelop in his hand, Aoi handed it over to me a bit listlessly. Finding things a little mysterious, I opened the received envelop. Inside was an photograph of five, male classmates.
 
“This is…”
“From the Kendo tournament last time. The top five got together to have a photo taken, I got one… even though I don’t need it”
 
Now that I think of it, Aoi said that there was a Kendo competition held during class for the middle school boys… My face stiffened a bit at the personnel in the photo that gave a sense of déjà vu.
 
“Everyone’s in second year, the same people as last years too”
“The second years are quite remarkable”
“… that may be so. Ah, Kuze’s in here too”
 
My heart jumped, startled upon hearing that name.
 
I have heard of the name Kuze, there was no way I wouldn’t have. He is someone I’ve met a number of times, parcelling out a sense of hatred from the heart. That was the feelings of Maria before having the memories of her past life.
 
Kuze Koutarou, my fiancé decided upon by my aunt.
 
However, the relationship between he and I was the worst. Unable to align from the moment we met, to finally, the point of glaring at each other the moment we met. It would be difficult to reject my aunt’s decision while being enrolled in school. The Flower’s Palace has uncle as the board chairman, aunt wouldn’t stand still if her decision gets rejected.
 
I, myself, would like to reject this offer, but likewise, both of us would prefer not to make a fuss with short-tempered my aunt while we’re still in school. Couldn’t wish for a faster engagement annulment after our graduation. There is, still the issue about the two houses and by no means would anything go as smooth as planned.
 
The Maria in the manga admired Tengenji, she might’ve found her school days suffocating for not being able to love freely. Well, from the reader, her personality was the worst. The Kuze in the manga treated Maria rather coldly too… Maria, quite a character for gathering hatred.
 
Eetto, Aoi’s fourth in rank, Kuze Koutaro fifth, first is… ah, as expected
 
Third place was a boy with smooth, black hair with the bangs on the left side a bit longer; Kiryuu Takuto, eyes looking a bit intense while giving a sour look. This person, he was always tsun tsun with the heroine in the manga… well, the dere comes in bit by bit afterwards.
 
Second place is a cute boy with soft, milk brown hair, facial features like that of a girl’s; Amamiya Yuzuru. In the manga, he was very popular with the girls, playful but kind of light in areas of romance, but falling for the heroine, he still pulled back as he thought of his best friend. This point was highly favourable from the views of the readers.
 
Ranking first was one with silky, light brown hair, a kind expression on a face of good features; Tengenji Yuu. A well-proportioned nose with distinct double-layered eyes, he was the orthodox of the ikemen selection. He was like a sparkly prince charming in the manga, one with tremendous popularity. He’s the hero who’s kind, and will always protect the heroine.
 
It’ll be no surprise if these people, like the manga, are popular even after going up to high school. Kuze Koutarou was popular amongst the girls and Aoi too, was popular. Something like; expect no less from the handsome five from Flower’s Palace?
 
I’d much rather avoid having anything to do with them but… I guess avoiding Kuze Koutarou is out, he’s already made an appearance as my fiancé…
 
The main issue is living my high school days peacefully, and after that, how to annul the engagement.
 
“Nee-san too, as expected, interested in these people?”
“No, not really”
“Fu-un”
 
I’m not interested. I’ll get troubled with getting involved with Tengenji Yuu and having to advance straight to the manga scene. I don’t know who’s trying to kill me, but it should be someone who already made an appearance. The incentive to getting killed may also be because I got involved with these people. It’s better to avoid anything that’s likely to stand up a death flag.
 
“… Is Aoi close to these people?”
“Not particularly. We don’t really talk with each other unless necessary”
 
The manga too, Aoi wasn’t that close with Tengenji and them.
 
“Things look troublesome after we enter high school. Even now, there are girls who come over to steal a look”
 
Uwah, there’s even those types of people… well, the manga did have fan clubs in high school.
 
I need to train while I still have time, train so that I can brace one’s legs even if I’m half an inch from getting pushed down the stairs. Not to forget, the ability to outrun the offender even if I get chased after and, physical strength for struggling even if I get blocked!