(A/N Notes: Sorry for the delayed release, there were technical difficulties around the time I wanted to publish the chapter)
"…And that's all I have to say. Now, everyone, let's hear what our esteemed Student Council President and honor student, Nanami Yuriko, has to say."
"Thank you for your kind words, Principal."
After the principal had finished giving her speech—quite passionately, to put it in the nicest way—she gave the spotlight to Yuriko, who was waiting behind the curtains of the auditorium, which was part of the gymnasium.
Thanking and bowing to the principal, Yuriko stepped behind the podium. She neatly organized her script and took a deep breath before beginning to speak. As she did so, she looked over the rows of students seated before her, and easily spotted a certain someone.
It was Takeru, who, upon seeing her, felt his cheeks flush lightly pink because of what had happened earlier. Yuriko, on the other hand, let out a very happy, beaming smile at seeing him again, even if only from a distance, before starting her speech. However, that smile didn't come without consequences.
When the students saw Yuriko smiling so brightly, they all began to whisper amongst themselves just as she started speaking, which in turn meant that almost nobody was paying attention to her words.
Some tried to figure out who Yuriko had smiled at. A few believed she had smiled at them, others suspected it was directed at one of the more handsome boys, while still others were simply overly excited at seeing Yuriko smile in such a way.
Just as the students finally began to calm down after the initial surprise, Yuriko finished her speech and began introducing the rest of the key members of the Student Council—and most importantly, the Public Morals Committee.
"…And finally, I am happy to introduce Kurosawa Haruka as the new Public Morals Committee President, starting from this year onwards."
With her introduction complete, Haruka walked into view of the audience and respectfully bowed to the students. That alone was enough to make many of the girls present squeal at Haruka's mysterious, handsome appearance.
However, their excitement wouldn't end there, as—just like Yuriko—Haruka also noticed Takeru sitting among the other students. Much like Yuriko, she smiled at him and gave a small nod, to which Takeru could only respond by quickly averting his eyes.
And once again, the students began whispering amongst themselves. After all, Haruka, who was almost always seen with either an expressionless face or a terrifying glare, had just shown a surprisingly friendly smile toward someone in the audience.
With Yuriko's speech concluded, the principal spoke a little more before officially ending the entrance ceremony and letting everyone head to their classrooms.
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A little while later
Inside one of the classrooms, a lively rustle and bustle filled the air as students chatted with one another in groups or within their own circles of friends. Yet, among all the different conversations, one topic remained the same…
"Hey, don't you think Nanami-sama looked like she was shining even brighter during her speech?"
"I can't believe Kurosawa-sama could smile like that… I think I'm falling for her even more."
"Hey, didn't Nanami-sama look in our direction and smile at us when she finished speaking?"
"I'm still trembling from when Kurosawa-sama looked right at me and nodded as she smiled!"
And so, the conversations revolved entirely around the entrance ceremony—or, more specifically, around Yuriko and Haruka. Everyone had noticed the two smiling in a way that was far from ordinary. Yet no one could figure out what, or rather who, had been the true cause. Instead, they were too busy deluding themselves or arguing over which of them the two "princes" had been looking at during Yuriko's speech.
And among those students were two boys…
"Yo, Daichi! My man! So… how's it going in the Student Council room, Mr. Vice President?"
"Please don't call me that, Yamada. And it's too early for me to say—this is my first day as vice president, after all."
"That's not what I meant. I wanna know if you've made any progress with Nanami-sama."
"!? W-W-What are you talking about, dude!?"
"Huh? What? You're the annoying prick who kept coming to me all last year with your boring-ass tales of how Nanami-sama spoke to you that day."
"Hey! All of those stories were about the progress of my relationship with Yuriko-sama!"
"Then hurry it up, damn it! I'm already sick of hearing how much you like her. Just confess to her already!"
"It's not that easy, dang it! It took me almost an entire year just to be able to call her by her first name!"
"How!?"
The truth was, Daichi always ran away whenever he had the chance to talk to Yuriko because of his cowardice. It was only after Yuriko herself insisted that he call her by her first name—something that took nearly a whole year. In other words, it was entirely thanks to Yuriko's effort that they had gotten close, simply because she wanted more friends.
"Haa… My man, you really need to step up your game. You literally have the best position to become the school prince's boyfriend."
"Yamada… you're being so supportive it's suspicious. Spill it. What do you want?"
"I want you to give me sexy pictures of Nanami-sama once you start going out with her."
"… … … I should've guessed…"
"Hey! Do you have any idea how expensive it is to get a custom-built, super-duper gaming PC just to run all these new releases? Lewd stuff always sells, especially when there's artificial scarcity to drive up profits!"
"Sigh… You do you, Yamada. But I'm not getting dragged into your schemes again. I already have enough trauma from being caught up in your shenanigans last year."
"Kukuku… Oh, my innocent Daichi. I don't think you understand your position in this exchange."
"Oh, I believe I do."
"Heh… Then what if I offered you a little incentive to join my scheme, Mister Vice President?"
With a smug grin plastered across his face, Yamada flashed an envelope toward Daichi. Though suspicious of its contents, Daichi's curiosity got the better of him, and he accepted it. Without wasting time, he opened the envelope—and the first thing he saw was…
"!?!?!?"
What Daichi saw were several photos of Yuriko in her underwear, changing inside the girls' locker room on the second floor of the main school building.
"Kehehe…"
"…"
"Hmph!" Raises nose with a clear look of superiority
But after I got the photos, that same branch snapped, and I fell hard and flat on the ground! Right after that, I nearly got caught by that Public Morals Demon and almost lost all my precious merchandise!>
"…Why?…"
"This is just business, and I need money to sustain my very expensive gacha addiction. So what do you say? Will you join my future business plan in exchange for keeping that advanced payment?"
"…Haa… Fine. I'll put some effort into trying to get Yuriko-sama to go out with me."
"Excellent choice, Vice President Daichi."
Just as the two finished their conversation—unnoticed by the rest of the classroom, since everyone else was still busy talking about the two school princes—the sliding door suddenly opened, and in walked Yuriko.
"There! That's your chance, my man! Go greet her!"
"Yes!"
"!?"
But before Daichi could even stand up, Haruka also stepped into the classroom. Immediately, both Daichi and Yamada snapped their heads away from the two girls, desperately trying to hide their faces from Haruka's gaze.
As for the rest of the class, the room fell completely silent at the sight of the two school princes. Students quickly parted to clear a path for them, and Yuriko and Haruka gracefully made their way to their seats, sitting down almost simultaneously—right next to each other.
With both of them present, the classroom that had been buzzing with chatter moments ago became utterly quiet, as the rest of the students also hurried back to their seats.
"Ah! Daichi-san, what a coincidence. It seems we'll be seat neighbors from now on."
"A-Ah! Y-Y-Yuriko-sama, y-y-yeah… I-It a-a-appears t-t-to be s-so…"
"Whispering Oi! What're you doing? Stop stuttering and just talk to her normally!"
"Whispering I'm trying here!"
"Whispering Then try harder!"
As Daichi and Yamada continued bickering in whispers, Yuriko naturally noticed the two of them exchanging words.
"Daichi-san, did I perhaps interrupt your conversation with your friend?"
"Huh? Ah! N-N-No, y-you didn't—!?" Turns away
"…" "?"
When Daichi heard Yuriko's question, he tried to deny it—but then noticed Haruka leaning forward slightly, glancing in his direction. That alone made him instinctively whip his head away from her, which also meant looking away from Yuriko.
Seeing Daichi react like that made Yuriko believe she really had interrupted his conversation, causing her to give a troubled smile as she decided to leave him alone for the time being.
As for Haruka, she had only looked toward Daichi because of the excessive movement he was making. It was mere curiosity, nothing more. So when she saw Yuriko turn her attention back away from him, and Daichi and Yamada staring out the window behind him, Haruka also shifted her gaze to her phone, quietly waiting for the teacher to arrive.
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About a year ago
It was a clear morning, another ordinary weekday. Classes had already been in session for a few months, and most of the new students had grown accustomed to their high school routines. But today was different—a day to break the usual pattern.
The Public Morals Committee was conducting a random bag search at the school entrance, something they did occasionally to prevent students from slipping past inspections.
This particular search was also Haruka's first time participating. And so far… she had already become the center of attention. Out of everyone in the Committee, she had confiscated the greatest number of items prohibited by school regulations—though most were just small things that would be returned at the end of the day.
As Kurosawa finished another bag search—which this time turned up nothing—the head of the Public Morals Committee approached her.
"…You've made quite a haul, Kurosawa-san."
"Ah… Leader, no, this is nothing impressive. I am only doing what the manual expects me to do."
"Upright as always, I see. In any case, keep up the good work, Kurosawa-san."
"Yes, Leader."
With that, the head of the Public Morals Committee moved on to check on the other members, leaving Haruka to continue the bag searches on her own.
It was then that she spotted a boy with dark blue hair walking in a way that made it painfully obvious he didn't want to be chosen for inspection. Naturally, Haruka called out to him.
"Oi! You with the blue hair over there!"
"Eh!? M-M-Me!?"
"Yes! Bring your bag here."
"…O-Okay…"
The boy reluctantly walked over to the foldable desk Haruka was using and placed his bag on top of it.
"Name?"
"Y-Yamamoto D-D-Daichi! F-First year!"
"I see."
Without wasting a single moment after asking his name, Haruka opened Daichi's bag.
"!?"
"Ah!"
And the first thing Haruka was greeted with… was an H-doujin with a very perverted cover. For a moment, she froze completely, but she managed, with trembling hands, to pick up the magazine. Her eyes began spinning faster and faster the more she looked at it.
As for Daichi, he was panicking utterly at being caught red-handed.
"A-A-Aaaaaahhh!!! K-K-K-Kurosawa-sama! I-I-I can expla-explain t-t-t-this!"
"!?"
"GUAH!!!"
In his panic, he tried to snatch the H-doujin from Haruka's hands, but she swiftly pulled it away. Confused and flustered, she instinctively jabbed straight at his face with full force, sending him flying backward. Everyone else in the vicinity froze, their expressions a mixture of shock and disbelief.
"…"
This included Suzuki Yamada, who had just managed to hide his own H-doujins by slipping them between his textbooks and covering them with fake detachable covers.
In his growing panic, Yamada accidentally knocked his bag over, scattering its contents across the floor. One of his H-doujins slid right in front of Haruka—who was standing next to the member checking his bag—its fake cover now completely gone.
"…" Haruka glares at Yamada, confusedly
"…Fucc… GUAH!!!"
And just like Daichi, Yamada also received a straight jab to the face.
"Oi! What's going on here!?"
Hearing the commotion, the Committee leader returned, immediately noticing Daichi and Yamada sprawled on the floor, Haruka standing still with an H-doujin in her right hand, and several others spread across her table and the one next to her.
The leader quickly deduced what was happening.
"… … … Deeply breaths in Assistant!"
"Y-Yes, Leader!"
"Go ask the principal to let us borrow the metal bat!"
"T-The metal bat!?"
"THE METAL BAT!!!!"
The leader repeated the words with a strangely excited tone, almost as if she were genuinely looking forward to using the metal bat—if it weren't for her perpetually expressionless face, much like Haruka's. Her assistant—cue friend—immediately ran off toward the principal's office.
. . .
"Hm? Kaichou, are you also hearing that commotion outside?"
"Why, yes. I am hearing a commotion outside, Nanami-san."
In the Student Council room, only the president and Yuriko were present, tending to some paperwork. They noticed a significant amount of noise coming from outside. Curious, the president stood up from her desk and went to check, just in time to see the Public Morals Committee leader's assistant passing by with a wooden sword used by the kendo club tucked under her arm.
"? The Assistant!? Why are you carrying a wooden sword?"
"Ah! Kaichou! The Leader asked me to bring her the metal bat, but the principal said she forgot it at home, so she told me to use this sword instead!"
Without looking back, the assistant ran back toward the leader.
"There's an ongoing situation that requires the metal bat!?"
Upon hearing that, the president's eyes immediately began to sparkle with excitement.
"Nanami-san! I must go witness whatever beating that unlucky soul is about to get! So I leave all the paperwork to you until my return!"
"Eh? Sure?… I think?… Stay safe, Kaichou."
"Thank you!"
With Yuriko's agreement, the president dashed out of the Student Council office toward the commotion. And on that day, she would come to regret ever allowing Haruka to join the Public Morals Committee—after seeing Haruka pummel the two boys on the ground with a blood-stained (dramatic special effects) wooden sword, before turning to her with a frenzied (confused and desperate) expression.
And that was the day Haruka earned her infamous nickname: the Public Morals Demon.
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Back to the present
Bell ringing
At the sound of the school bell, all the students at Yama High began to loosen up—it was now lunchtime. Some chatted with friends, others got up to head to the cafeteria, and a few picked up their own lunch boxes.
Among them, Yuriko and Haruka belonged to the latter group, each carrying their own lunch boxes. Seeing Haruka with hers, Yuriko began a conversation.
"Ah! I see you bring your own lunch from home as well, Kurosawa-kanchou."
"That is correct, Nanami-kaichou. But if you will excuse me, I already have a certain matter that I must attend to, so I shall be taking my leave now."
"Ah… I understand, Kurosawa-kanchou…"
With that, Haruka got up from her seat. Yuriko, now a little dejected that her conversation with Haruka had been cut short, turned toward Daichi, once again wearing her usual friendly smile.
"Daichi-san, would you like to join me for lunch?"
"Eh!? Ah! W-W-W-W-Well, Y-Y-Y-Yuriko-sama, y-y-you see… Erm…"
Caught off guard by Yuriko's sudden invitation, Daichi began to cower. Yamada, growing annoyed at Daichi's cowardice, gave him a shove.
"Ouch!" "… … …!"
Just like before, Yuriko noticed Daichi and Yamada glaring at each other, seemingly arguing over something. She observed them silently for a moment before coming to a conclusion.
"Daichi-san, did you perhaps already agree to eat with your friend there?"
"!? Ah! N-N-N-No, i-i-it's not like that, Yuriko-sama!"
"It's okay, Daichi-san. I understand, so you don't have to worry about it. And in any case, I apologize for interrupting you two."
"Ah!"
With that, Yuriko got up from her seat. Daichi was too slow to stop her from leaving the classroom and failed to chase after her, sinking into despair once again over missing another opportunity to spend time alone with her.
"…Now I understand why you didn't make any tangible progress with your relationship with Nanami-sama last year… It's because you're a massive coward."
"Shut it!… Haa… Anyways, I'll be having lunch in the cafeteria. Do you want to join me?"
"Are you going to pay for my portion as well?"
"No."
"Then give me back that envelope containing my bribe."
"Fine, I'll pay."
"Excellent!"
With that, the two got up from their seats and made their way to the cafeteria.
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Meanwhile
As Haruka walked down the hallway, she inevitably drew the attention of those around her. Everyone stared—some in admiration, some in attraction—but no one dared speak to her, due to how her beauty was rivaled only by Yuriko's.
However, as she moved away from the cafeteria, the number of onlookers rapidly decreased, replaced only by the occasional glances of couples or loners trying to find a quiet spot for lunch. Still, even they regarded her with the same awe and respect as everyone else.
All of that lasted only briefly. By the time she reached the front entrance of the gymnasium, she no longer felt any eyes on her, which allowed her to feel a bit more at ease.
"Ah… You're already here…"
"! Turns around … Tanaka-san, so you didn't try to run away after all?"
"Not that I had a choice in the matter…" low, dejected tone
"What did you just say, Tanaka-san?"
"…Nothing, Kurosawa-senpai."
"Is that so? Then shall we get going?"
"…Yes, ma'am."
"Perfect."
"Hm? !? W-What're you doing, K-Kurosawa-senpai!?"
"Just making sure you won't try to run away again, Tanaka-san."
"…Right…"
Haruka stepped closer and hugged one of Takeru's arms. Embarrassed and dejected, he looked away, realizing he really had no chance of escaping her. Because of that, he completely missed the rare, relaxed smile on Haruka's face—a smile she reserved for these small moments.
After all, Haruka was worried about having lunch all by herself, now that the previous head of the Public Morals Committee, Haruka's senior, had graduated weeks ago. The two would occasionally have lunch together in the committee's room, though conversation was rare; the former leader only spoke when necessary, or when she felt like it—which was almost never.
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Door closing sound
"Everyone else in the Student Council already has their own plans for lunchtime… so I guess I'll be eating alone today… Ahaha…"
Yuriko stepped out of the Student Council room, which she had only visited to check whether the advisor had left any extra work for her—fortunately, there was none today. She began heading toward the school rooftop, letting out a small laugh at her own situation before her expression grew melancholic. She remembered last year, when she occasionally had lunch with the previous president. Even though most of the time the president would simply talk while Yuriko listened and smiled, it was still better than eating alone—the fate she now faced.
"Haa… I wish I could've run into Tanaka-san and invited him to lunch… Maybe I'll try tomorrow… …Hm?"
As she sighed, Yuriko glanced outside the windows of the now-empty hallway; most students were either in the cafeteria or at their preferred lunch spots. That's when she noticed a familiar face walking.
"Ah! It's Tanaka-san! Maybe I can invite him to lunch today after all!… Hm?"
But her hopes were dashed when she saw Takeru find another familiar person: Haruka. The two appearing to talk closely.
"Eh?… Tanaka-san and Kurosawa-kanchou are going to have lunch together?… No, no, no, there's no way they could be that close already… Hm? Huh!?"
Suspecting what was about to happen, Yuriko tried to deny it—but she couldn't. Haruka got closer to Takeru, hugging his arm and guiding him toward the direct of the garden where Yuriko had previously spent time with him.
"Mugugugu… I'm not going to let you take Tanaka-san away from me, Kurosawa-kanchou!"
Jealousy flared up, and Yuriko couldn't help but pout at seeing the first person she'd gotten close to this year seemingly being taken away. Without a second thought, she sprinted after the two.