When she stepped into the Electronic Network Communications Club's room, Mafuyu Kirisu immediately spotted the one man she least wanted to see.
"Hi, Kirisu-sensei. What a coincidence—fancy seeing you again," Hayashi Maki greeted her with a smile.
"…"
She froze for two seconds, then turned on her heel. "I'm leaving!"
She'd been trying to avoid him; just seeing Hayashi Maki now made her panic.
Kyoh Goshoin frowned. "Maki-kun, stop Kirisu-sensei!"
"No problem!"
Hayashi Maki blurred forward, appearing behind Mafuyu and wrapping an arm around her slender waist.
"Ah! W-what are you doing? Let me go!" Mafuyu's face went scarlet as she balled her fists and thumped him.
It was one thing to be alone with him before—no one would see. But now there were others here! How could she let him hold her like that?
"I won't—unless you agree to be our club advisor!"
"Ugh… This school doesn't only have me. Why don't you ask Hiratsuka-sensei instead?"
"Nope. We want you."
"You… let go of me!"
"Nope."
"…"
Having no choice, Mafuyu took a deep breath and tried to negotiate. "At least tell me what this club even does?"
"Then you can't run."
"Fine, I won't."
Mafuyu rolled her eyes. With a shameless guy like this around, she couldn't leave even if she wanted to.
Only then did Hayashi Maki reluctantly release her waist.
Kyoh shot Hayashi Maki a thumbs-up as Mafuyu returned. "As expected of you, Maki-kun. Nicely done."
"Okay, let me explain our club's activities."
Ako Tamaki promptly hugged Hayashi Maki's arm, watching Mafuyu warily.
Mafuyu was exasperated, but chose to hear Kyoh out.
"Kirisu-sensei, this is Akane Segawa—handle 'Schwein.' We all met through an online game; we're in the same guild," Kyoh began.
"At our recent offline meetup, we realized Ako has a severe case of reality–online confusion, so we decided to help her work through it and come back to reality."
"That's why we founded the Electronic Network Communications Club."
"Right now Ako treats in-game things as common sense, and even sees the person she 'married' in-game as her real-life husband. I prepared this equipment and created this club for her sake."
"…I see," Mafuyu said, grasping Kyoh's idea. "So your club activity is… playing online games together here after class?"
Kyoh nodded. "Yes. But the main goal is to help Ako gradually learn the difference between games and reality. Before, we never saw each other—everyone played at home on their own PCs, talking through our avatars."
"Ako probably identifies with her avatar and treats in-game knowledge as real-world common sense. That's not good. She also skipped school a lot at her last school, holing up at home to play."
Hearing this, Mafuyu glanced at Ako—still glued to Hayashi Maki's arm and acting cutesy—and her gaze grew stern. "Goshoin, are you sure this will work?"
"With trying, we'll find out. We can't just sit on our hands," Kyoh said with confident smile. "Sensei, could you really watch your student stay stuck in this confused state?"
"Mmh… you're right. If Ako keeps this up, it's dangerous." Mafuyu frowned, then shot Hayashi Maki a sharp look. "Though someone seems to be enjoying it."
For some reason, her tone sounded a little sour to Hayashi Maki.
Segawa, too, eyed him with open disdain. He seemed more dangerous by the minute.
Kyoh, unruffled, said, "Hayashi Maki is essential. He's the closest to Ako in-game; having him help her recognize reality is best."
Mafuyu gave Hayashi Maki a frosty stare and a cold snort, but ultimately agreed to be the club's nominal advisor.
"Hey, wait! I don't remember saying I'd join," Akane Segawa suddenly objected.
"I never planned to play games at school. I like games, but I only ever play at home in my free time."
"Oh? Are you sure you won't join, Schwein-chan?" Kyoh smiled. "We're the only familiar faces you have here, and I hear your rig at home stutters a lot. Meanwhile, our gear is top-of-the-line. If you join, you can use it for free—are you sure you want to turn us down?"
"Uh… I… um…"
Staring at the monster-spec PC, Segawa swallowed. "Grr… fine! If I can use it for free, I… I'll join!"
Kyoh looked pleased. "Then the Electronic Network Communications Club is officially established. Kirisu-sensei, we'll be counting on you as our advisor."
"Mm. All right," Mafuyu nodded. What else could she do? Someone was still eyeing her like a hawk.
Even so, she tugged Hayashi Maki outside to talk alone. Ako tried to follow, but Kyoh stopped her—time to get familiar with the equipment.
At the doorway, Mafuyu fixed Hayashi Maki with a severe look.
"Don't you already have a club? And you're joining another one just to play games? Can you handle it?"
"What about your light novels and manga—are you not creating anymore?"
Hayashi Maki took her hand and said earnestly, "Don't worry. It's busy, but I've been writing continuously. I can totally support you."
"Who needs your support! I'm your teacher—show some respect… mmph—!"
Before she could finish, he pulled the same trick again—yanking her into his arms and lowering his head to kiss her.
Mafuyu blushed and struggled, but soon stopped resisting and let it happen. She didn't know what was wrong with her; her resistance to him was getting lower and lower.
Maybe… with kissing, there's only a first time—and then countless times?
Ugh, why is he so practiced at this?
After a while, Mafuyu fled in a panic, saying she needed to help process the paperwork for the club's approval.
To be honest, juggling two clubs was a lot. But the one Hayashi Maki founded was laid-back—basically reading light novels and manga, letting Mahiru, Shinka, and the others build up their otaku knowledge. The girls usually did social-practice shifts and part-time jobs, too.
So occasionally running games with Ako and the others in Kyoh's club wasn't bad either. And if they weren't gaming, they could go out and hang—help the girls get to know each other.
He had no intention of pretending otherwise; he'd be openly scummy. If all the girls knew he was a flirt and still chose to stay, that would be the most satisfying achievement of all.
~~~
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