After Kurumu joined us on the rooftop, we talked until the next bell. She was still buzzing about her cheating success, and Inner was still pretending not to be jealous about the incident with Ririko‑sensei. Nothing of consequence happened or any harm was brought to myself. We parted ways, and the exam week continued.
The next morning, I walked into Classical Japanese literature with a sense of relief. After the tension of Ririko‑sensei's serpentine gaze and Inner's possessive ear‑pulling, a normal exam felt almost like a vacation.
Shizuka‑sensei entered the room with her usual warm smile, her cat ears perked forward, her tail swaying behind her as if the Academy rules did not apply to her. No one complained. Everyone loved Shizuka‑sensei, and her tail was part of her charm.
The tension in the room eased noticeably, even the downcast expressions on the faces of students who had clearly bombed the math exam lifting just a little. Everyone loved Shizuka‑sensei, and her exams, while rigorous, were never unfair.
"Good morning, everyone," she said, her voice soft but cheerful. "Today, as I have hinted to all of you, we will be focusing on the Heian period. There will be a mix of multiple choice and short answer questions. Take your time, read carefully, and do your best."
I could hear a collective sigh of relief sweeping through the room.
Shizuka‑sensei's exams were the easiest to tackle, made accessible for everyone to understand. If you read the questions carefully, you could often find the answers hidden right in the wording. And she had a quirk that every student had learned to exploit. The longest answer in her multiple choice questions was almost always the correct one.
A boy with messy brown hair leaned toward his friend and whispered, "It is the golden rule. When in doubt, pick the longest one."
His friend, already scribbling notes, snorted. "Last time I did that, I got a perfect score on her mock exam."
"Shh." A girl with glasses held a finger to her lips. "She will hear you. I think she doesn't know that we can cheat on her exams."
Shizuka‑sensei's ears twitched, but her smile did not waver. Even if she heard, she did not care enough to change her own approach to handling exams, which again made her a beloved figure among us students.
She handed out the exam sheets with a gentleness that seemed almost maternal. When it was my turn to receive my sheet, she smiled at me, her golden eyes warm, and moved on without doing anything that would label her a dangerous predator. There was no lingering touch or whispered innuendo.
That was right; Shizuka‑sensei had always been professional in her job, keeping her distance while in front of other students, and even in private she behaved more like a maternal figure when interacting with me. A stark contrast to how Ririko‑sensei conducted herself.
'Thank you for not licking my face, Sensei. I appreciate you.'
The exam itself was straightforward. Passages from 'The Tale of Genji', questions about courtly love and poetic imagery, a short essay on the aesthetic of 'mono no aware'. I wrote what I remembered, cited the examples Shizuka‑sensei had emphasized in class, and tried not to overthink it.
My past‑life knowledge was useless here. I had been taught in the Western style and had no knowledge about Japanese literature apart from light novels, manga, and hentai. This was pure memorization and interpretation, but I did try my best on this exam, making use of my improved memory.
However, I was not truly confident in myself on this one. In my head, it would be good enough if I simply passed. It would drag me down in the rankings, but I could only do so much.
I finished with time to spare, checked my answers twice, and looked up. Shizuka‑sensei was at her desk, sipping tea from a chipped ceramic cup, her tail curling contentedly behind her. She caught my eye and gave a small, encouraging nod.
'Wow. I was half expecting Shizuka‑sensei to also get competitive and fight over me like Ririko‑sensei. For once, I appreciate her being a teacher, and a true teacher at that. Truly, refreshing.'
I looked to my right. Moka, now in her Outer self, was focused on her exam, still writing. She was already halfway through her own paper. Her green eyes were steady, her brow furrowed in concentration, and she did not look up.
I turned back to my own desk, gathered my things, and waited for the bell. The morning light filtered through the windows, and for a brief moment, everything felt almost normal. No scheming, no fighting, no teachers with hidden agendas. Just students taking an exam. But I had this nagging, nerve‑scratching feeling that things would go in a chaotic direction soon.
[> ^ <][> ^ <][> ^ <]
The biology exam was scheduled for the following morning. This was Inner's day on the schedule.
I walked into the classroom expecting the usual proctor, Professor Viktor Stein. The students called him Frankenstein behind his back. He had been drilling us for weeks, handing out study guides with manic enthusiasm, his stitched‑together face alight with the joy of pedagogy.
For him to be absent on exam day was unthinkable.
Some students were already yawning, chatting with friends assigned to the same room.
"What do you think Frankenstein‑sensei will throw at us?" a boy with acne‑scarred cheeks asked, stretching his arms.
His friend, hunched over a notebook, didn't look up. "Cell division. He loves cell division."
A lanky kid with ink‑stained fingers muttered, "I studied for an hour this morning. That should be enough."
His neighbor snorted. "Bold of you to assume you will pass."
"Shut up."
I listened to their banter, amused despite myself. I glanced at Inner, who sat beside me with her back straight, her silver hair catching the fluorescent light, her expression as unreadable as ever. She had her arms crossed over her chest, and her crimson eyes were fixed on the front of the room.
"You seem tense," I whispered, leaning toward her.
"I am not tense. I am focused."
"You are always focused. That is your default state. But right now, you are also tapping your foot."
She stopped immediately. Her jaw tightened. "I was not."
"You were. It is okay to be nervous. Everyone gets nervous before exams."
"I am not everyone."
"No, you are Inner Moka, the scariest vampire in the room, possibly the whole Academy. But even you can admit that biology is not your strongest subject. You told me yourself. You listened through Outer's ears, but cell division was not exactly on her curriculum."
Her eyes flickered. She did not like being reminded of her gaps in knowledge. "I read the textbook. Three times."
"And?"
"And I will do fine. Stop distracting me."
I grinned. "You know, for someone who claims not to be nervous, you are awfully defensive."
She turned her head slowly, and her crimson eyes bore into mine. "Tsukune."
"Yes?"
"Shut up."
I raised my hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. I will leave you to your brooding. But for the record, I think you will ace it. You are the smartest person I know."
Her cheeks flushed, just a fraction, and she turned away. "Flattery will not improve my score."
"No, but it might improve your mood."
She did not respond, but I saw the corner of her mouth twitch. That was enough.
The door opened.
The figure standing at the front of the room was not the old zombie in his Victorian suit and top hat. Even I was surprised. Something felt off. Stein was not the type to skip his own exam.
Yet here she was.
Chisato Hasegawa stepped confidently into the classroom, her white lab coat swaying with each step. She wore it over a green knitted turtleneck and a tight black mini‑skirt.
She settled onto the teacher's desk, crossing her legs at the ankle, leaning back with a casual grace that seemed almost theatrical. Her red round glasses caught the light, and her green eyes sparkled behind them.
The classroom went very quiet.
Then the whispers started.
"Who is that?" the boy with acne‑scarred cheeks whispered.
His friend leaned so far out of his desk that his chair creaked. "That is Hasegawa‑sensei. From the infirmary. You never get sick, do you?"
"Don't tell me she is our new teacher?" a girl with a high ponytail asked, her eyes widening.
Another student, the lanky kid with ink‑stained fingers, lowered his voice. "Has Stein‑sensei finally retired?"
"I do not know, but she is… wow." A boy in the front row wiped his forehead with his sleeve.
"Shut up. You are drooling." His neighbor elbowed him.
"I am not." He wiped his chin, embarrassed, then whispered, "Okay, maybe a little. But I cannot help it. She smells like vanilla."
Someone in the back whistled, low and appreciative.
Chisato‑sensei enjoyed the attention. She smiled, a warm, easy expression that seemed to embrace the entire room.
"Good morning, everyone," she said, her voice melodic and calm. "Professor Stein has come down with a sudden flare‑up of his arthritis. Nothing serious, but he will be out for the rest of the week. I will be proctoring your exam today. Please do not be nervous. I will even try to close my eyes when you are peeking."
The boy with acne‑scarred cheeks elbowed his friend. "She is way nicer than the old man. I once asked Stein‑sensei for help, and he just stared at me for ten seconds without blinking."
"Shh." The girl with the ponytail held a finger to her lips. "She is talking."
Chisato‑sensei continued, her voice unhurried. "I have received the exam sheets from Professor Stein. He asked me to tell you that he expects you to do your best. I am sure you will make him proud."
She slid off the desk and began to circulate, handing out the exam sheets with a soft smile. The boys in the front row received their papers with trembling hands, their eyes fixed on her face, then on her hands, then anywhere but the questions in front of them.
When she reached my desk, she paused.
Her green eyes lingered on my face, studying me in a way that felt different from her casual observation of the other students. There was a depth to her gaze, a curiosity that went beyond simple interest. It was as if she was trying to peel back my skin and see what was underneath. I met her eyes, keeping my expression calm.
The System window flickered at the edge of my vision, but I did not need to open it. I already knew who she was, but I could not figure out what her intent was by staring so intently at me.
'Even after breaking the ice with Inner, if I am stared at like this by such a beautiful woman, I will not be able to hold back my blush.'
"Sensei?"
A small, knowing smile played on her lips, but she did not say anything that would send alarm bells ringing in my mind.
"Ah, my bad." Her smile flickered. "You remind me of someone." She shook her head lightly. "Look at me, sorry. This isn't the place for daydreaming. Good luck, student."
She placed the exam sheet on my desk almost in a hurry, as if she had noticed she made a mistake by lingering too long. Her fingers brushed against mine. Her skin was warm, softer than I expected, and I felt the faintest pulse of power, like static electricity.
"Thank you, Sensei."
She nodded and moved on. I could not help but stare at her back for a moment. Aside from her generous curves, the previous short interaction made my eyebrows furrow, as if something did not quite click.
She had shown her interest in me before, ever since I made Gin my Blood Servant and she had to cure him of the All‑Black wound I left on him.
I let out a slow breath and opened the System window.
[Name: Chisato Hasegawa]
[Threat Level: ??? (Goddess – weakened)]
'So it confirms it. The System could not read her. That was new.'
I closed the window and forced myself to focus on the exam sheet. The questions were straightforward: genetics, ecology, human anatomy. Professor Stein's study guides had been thorough, and my past‑life knowledge of biology was solid. I filled out the answers quickly, my pen moving without hesitation.
Chisato‑sensei continued to circulate, but her attention kept drifting back to me. I could feel her gaze on the back of my neck, a gentle pressure that was not unpleasant but impossible to ignore. She was not like Ririko. There was no flirtation in her stare, no hidden agenda. Just curiosity. Intense, focused curiosity. I could not decide if that was better or worse.
(Chisato's POV)
'Up close, you are even more interesting. That energy inside you is not just vampire. It is something older. A wielder of a Longinus who was human a few months ago. I cannot help but be drawn to you when so many people expect so much of you.'
'What are you, Aono Tsukune?'
She watched him from across the room, noting the way his pen barely paused between answers, the way his brow furrowed only for difficult questions, the way his dark hair fell across his forehead. The vampire transformation had done more than sharpen his features; it had given him a stillness, a predator's patience.
She had treated hundreds of students, but none had made her forget to breathe.
'If I approach him, it will draw attention. But Mikogami and Nurarihyon are already watching him. His Sacred Gear must be extraordinary.'
'I will not hurt anyone by learning more about him.'
She needed a reason. Medical check‑ups. Counseling. Something official. Tea and conversation would scare him off.
'Medical check‑ups it is. He will not think twice.'
She smiled and continued her rounds.
(Tsukune's POV)
The end of the exam arrived. I set down my pen and looked up. Moka, still silver‑haired, was watching me with a raised eyebrow.
I shrugged. "Do not ask. I have no idea either."
She let it go.
Chisato‑sensei collected the answer sheets with practiced efficiency. When she reached my desk, she paused.
"Aono‑kun." Her voice was low, meant only for me. "Visit the infirmary sometime. For your regular medical check‑ups. And if you ever feel troubled, about the Academy or your personal life, I am a good listener. I can offer counsel."
I blinked. No flirtation. No innuendo. Just sincerity.
"Thank you, Sensei. If the check‑ups are mandatory, I will come. And I will consider your offer."
She nodded, her green eyes warm, and moved on.
I gathered my things and walked out, Inner close behind. As we passed Chisato‑sensei, Inner gave her a long, unreadable look. 'You too?' it seemed to ask.
Chisato‑sensei met her gaze without flinching. A small, knowing smile. Then she turned away.
Outside, the air was cool and carried the scent of rain that had not yet fallen. I breathed deep, trying to clear my head.
'First Ririko. Now Chisato. What is with teachers and their sudden interest?'
'At least Shizuka‑sensei is normal. Mostly.'
The exams were almost over. Just a few more days, then the results. Then a meeting with Chizuru‑senpai. Then dealing with the teachers who had begun circling like sharks.
'Ririko first. She is the easiest target.'
Inner walked beside me, her silver hair catching the pale light. She did not speak, but I felt her attention, the quiet weight of her presence.
"What is on your mind?" she asked.
"Women," I said without thinking.
Her steps faltered. "Excuse me?"
"Women are too troublesome."
She kicked the back of my knee. Not hard, but precise. My leg collapsed. I hit the pavement face first.
"What was that for?" I groaned.
"For being an idiot."
"You did not have to kick me."
"I did. You were thinking about other women while walking beside me."
"I was not thinking about them like that."
"Then what?"
I pushed myself up, rubbing my knee. "I was thinking about how complicated my life has become. Teachers who want to study me. A vampire girlfriend who is jealous. A succubus who cannot keep her hands off me. A yandere kitsune sending me random messages wanting my attention and chatting late at night. An alcoholic senpai who wants to drag me into her new manga club. A shota femboy with too much artistic flair wanting me to cosplay as all sorts of heroes for his audience."
I paused, letting the list hang in the air. "It is a lot."
Inner did not answer immediately. She stood with her arms crossed, her crimson eyes fixed on something in the distance. Then she sighed, a long, slow exhale that seemed to carry the weight of her own thoughts.
"Your life is complicated because you make it complicated," she said. "You could ignore them and only look at me. Only me. You could always walk away. But you are a stubborn fool. Maybe it is because you are still immature that you want to pursue this harem of yours."
I raised an eyebrow. "You think I am immature?"
"I think you are an idiot. There is a difference."
"Hahh." She shook her head, a strand of silver hair escaping her ponytail. "And I am also an idiot for allowing you to do this instead of kicking your head until I get you straight."
I could not help the small smile that tugged at my lips. "Should we try that? The head‑kicking, I mean."
She gave me a flat look. "And then have you begrudge me for not allowing you to explore? You would call me heartless and then break up with me."
"I would not hold a grudge, Moka‑san. But..."
"But what?"
I hesitated, rubbing the back of my neck. "But I still would want to approach other women. Not because I do not love you. It is not about replacing you. It is just... I do not know how to explain it."
Her expression softened, just a fraction. "Honestly, it seems you have something that attracts them. The looks, the power, a balanced personality. You are not too big of a pushover, but you are also not a weakling." She paused, considering her words. "I think this is what humans call a 'bad boy' in your world."
I laughed despite myself. "A bad boy? Me?"
"Do not let it go to your head."
"Too late."
She swatted my arm, but there was no force behind it.
"Because ignoring problems does not make them disappear," I said, returning to the earlier thread.
"No." She started walking again. "But you do not have to face them alone."
I fell into step beside her. "I know."
"Good. Now stop complaining. You chose this."
"I did not choose to be surrounded by beautiful, terrifying women."
"You chose to be with me. The rest are consequences."
I laughed. "That is fair."
She did not respond, but I saw the ghost of a smile on her lips.
The exams were almost over. There were only a couple more for tomorrow, and by Friday we would be done.
I was sure the future me would say that he gave everything he had in these mid‑terms and that he had no regrets. But he would also say that he should have steered clear of the BDSM‑loving lamia who made him question his own kinks and quirks. Trying to beat any sense into that reptilian brain was a waste of energy.
Even after I drained her power and made her submit, she only became greedier, crazier, more obsessed. And when she finally got me under her influence, she did not let go. That snake tongue of hers was just the beginning.
[> ^ <][> ^ <][> ^ <]
The morning of the results felt heavier than any exam. I had survived a werewolf under a full moon, but waiting for a piece of paper to tell me if I was smart enough? That was a different kind of terror.
The Academy did not believe in coddling its students. You either passed with a respectable rank, or you suffered the shame of seeing your name near the bottom of the list for everyone to see. The bulletin board was massive, a dark slab of enchanted stone that displayed the rankings in crisp, glowing letters. It was positioned at the center of the courtyard, impossible to ignore, and surrounded by a crush of bodies.
The noise was overwhelming.
"Uwaaaahh! The test results are posted!!!" someone screamed from the front of the crowd.
"I do not wanna look at it!" a girl wailed, her voice cracking.
"Damn, I failed!! If my parents find out, they will kill me." A boy with green scales on his cheeks dropped to his knees, clutching his head.
"Move, move! Let me through!"
"Stop pushing! I was here first!"
I listened to the chaos with a mixture of amusement and sympathy. The panic was infectious, and I felt my own heart rate pick up despite my confidence.
It was ironic that those Yokais were so worked up, but I later found out from Chizuru‑senpai, Rinko‑senpai, Tamao‑senpai, and even from a teacher like Shizuka‑sensei that the Yokai Academy had many links with the human world.
The Yokais going to this school, after completing their high school studies, would continue on to collaborating universities in the human world, such as Kuoh Academy's College Division or established ones like Tokyo University, Kyoto University, Stanford, Oxford, or Cambridge.
I was amazed when I heard that Yokais mingled this deep into human society, but then Rinko‑senpai laughed at me and told me that Yokais also had to make money to survive. Unlike the Devils, they could not do contracts with humans for money or their souls as a stream of income to sustain themselves.
This was why many of them would go off to these universities or go into business in human society. You would be amazed by how many conglomerates were owned in the shadows by Yokai clans.
And this was where Inner confirmed to me that the Shuzen House was akin to old money rich, with their shadow spread globally, from defense contractors, mercenary work, protection services, arms business, to pharmaceuticals, and the most casual ones in the human world.
[> ^ <][> ^ <][> ^ <]
While trying to ignore the noise, I, Inner, and Kurumu pushed our way closer to the board. The crowd parted around Inner instinctively, no one wanting to be too close to the silver‑haired vampire with the cold crimson eyes. Kurumu clung to my arm, her tail wagging beneath her skirt, her amethyst eyes scanning the list with manic energy.
"There!" Kurumu pointed. "I see my name! I am in the top 120!"
I followed her finger. Kurumu Kurono – 114th place. Not bad. Not great, but not terrible. She had passed, and that was all that mattered.
"Congratulations, Kurumu‑chan," I said.
She beamed, pressing herself against my arm. "I told you I could do it!"
"You told me you would cheat," Inner said dryly, her eyes still scanning the list. "There is a difference."
"Results are results."
"Debatable."
I tuned out their bickering and found my own name. Tsukune Aono – 13th place.
I blinked. Thirteen. Out of 256. That was… unexpected. I had hoped for top fifty, but thirteenth was better than I had anticipated. My past‑life knowledge had carried me through the subjects I knew, and my vampire‑enhanced brain had filled in the gaps. Classical Japanese literature had dragged me down, but not as much as I feared.
I let out a slow breath. Not bad. Not bad at all.
Inner was still scanning the list, her expression unreadable. I found her name just below the top.
Moka Akashiya – 2nd place.
She had lost first place by a narrow margin. I patted her back tenderly, feeling the tension in her shoulders.
"Second place is incredible," I said. "You should be proud."
"I should have been first," she said, her voice flat. But there was no real anger in it, just a quiet frustration. "It was that stupid question on the biology exam. That woman distracted me with her presence. I could sense something... different about her energy. Not demonic. Not yokai. It felt almost holy, the opposite of our vampire nature. It irked me."
Chisato‑sensei. Of course. Even her presence had been enough to throw Inner off.
"Still," I said, "second in the whole Academy is nothing to dismiss. You beat almost everyone."
"Hmph."
Before I could say anything else, the crowd around us shifted. A group of male students had noticed Inner, and their eyes widened with the familiar glint of simping desperation.
"Awesome! As expected of our Ice Queen, Moka‑san has ranked 2nd in the whole Academy!" one of them shouted, his voice cracking with excitement.
"Not only is she the most beautiful girl in the Academy, but she is smart too!" another added, pushing closer. "She has a split personality, but even in her Ice Queen state, she is the best!"
"She is perfect!"
"She is the number one ideal girl!"
Then their attention turned to me, and their expressions soured.
"Come ditch that Tsukune playboy and give us a chance!" a third guy yelled, his face flushed. "We will make you happy!"
"We will treat you better than him!"
"He is just a lucky bastard who got in her pants by accident!"
They started to insult me verbally, calling me all sorts of names and throwing insults that would have made a sailor blush. Womanizer. Leech. Good for nothing. Only strong because Moka carries him.
I was about to activate a Blood Ability, or maybe summon the Vampire Lord to scatter them, when I noticed the Idiot Trio at the edge of the crowd. Kazemaru, Gorou, and Bunta‑kun were watching the scene with wide eyes, their bodies tensed, ready to defend me.
But before anyone could act, Inner raised her hand.
A thin, invisible wave of crimson energy pulsed from her body. It was not strong enough to hurt anyone, but it was enough to push back the encroaching simps. They stumbled, tripped over each other, and fell in a heap of limbs and embarrassed groans.
The Idiot Trio, who had been standing just outside the blast radius, froze in place. Their eyes met mine, wide with a mixture of fear and admiration. I gave them a nod and a thumbs‑up. I had seen their rankings earlier; they had all placed in the top 100. Not bad for three guys who had started the year as nothing but simping idiots.
Kazemaru straightened his glasses and nodded back. Gorou puffed out his chest. Bunta‑kun just looked relieved.
Then Inner spoke, her voice cutting through the noise like a blade.
"Bunch of flies, constantly irking me while I am trying to have some peace and quiet." Her crimson eyes swept over the fallen simps. "Also, you lot! Who gives you the right to badmouth my man? If I ever hear any bad words about Tsukune in my presence, I will send them to an early grave."
Her aura flared, just for a moment, and the remaining students scattered. The ones who had been knocked down scrambled to their feet and fled, their tails between their legs.
I blinked. "That was unnecessary, Moka. I was about to send my vampire retinue to make short work of them."
She raised an eyebrow. "Your vampire retinue?"
I nodded, a small smirk tugging at my lips. "I can proudly say that I have expanded my collection of vampire summons significantly. Vampire Sorcerer, Vampire Lady, Vampire Ghost, Vampire Lord, Vampire Shadow, and several others. They would have made short work of those idiots."
Inner snorted. "No need to expose your powers. They were annoying. Like apple flies. I dealt with them faster than your summons could materialize."
"You did not have to."
"But I wanted to."
I sighed, letting it go. "Well, I was trying to say that I am proud of you for ranking second."
Her cheeks flushed, just a fraction. "I should have been first."
"Second is still amazing."
"Hmph."
Kurumu, who had been watching the exchange with a pout, tugged on my sleeve. "Tsukune‑kun, what about me? Look, look, I managed to pass the exam! Teehee!"
She took my whole right arm and buried it between her breasts. The warmth and softness were distracting, and I felt the gazes of the few remaining students lingering on us.
I cleared my throat. "Of course I cannot forget about my sneaky, cheating, favorite succubus. Congrats, girl. I do not know what you did with that Suzuki guy, but you ranked better than him."
Kurumu beamed. "See? I told you my abilities were better used on the exam. And do not mention that idiot Suzuki. I almost failed the math exam because that idiot got his mind foggy from the hypnosis and could not calculate properly. I had to ditch him at the last minute and fill in the answers from someone else."
"Heeeh. What a bad girl. Yet, you did what you had to do to pass the exam." She squeezed my arm tighter. "Ranking 114 is still better than I expected."
She looked up at me, her amethyst eyes soft, and her cheeks flushed a deep pink. "Tsukune‑kun… about my reward…"
"Sureeee," I said, drawing out the word. "But are you sure you want it now?"
She blinked. Her face went from pink to crimson. She shoved my arm away from her chest, crossing her own arms over her chest with a huff.
"Baka! You are such a tease!"
I laughed. "I am just saying. The offer is on the table."
She composed herself, smoothing her skirt, and gave me a shy smile. "But, um, congratulations to you too. You ranked thirteenth! That is amazing!"
I shrugged, trying to look modest. "You might not expect it, but I managed."
Inner, who had been watching the exchange with narrowed eyes, finally spoke. "I was right about the bet, Tsukune. She almost failed because of that Suzuki boy."
Kurumu's eye twitched. "I did not fail. I passed."
"Barely."
"Passing is passing."
"Details."
The two of them were about to start another round of bickering when Inner reached out and grabbed my arm. She pulled me away from Kurumu, pressing herself against my side, her silver hair brushing against my shoulder.
"What are you doing?" Kurumu demanded.
"Reclaiming what is mine," Inner said flatly. "You had your turn."
"I was not 'having a turn.' I was congratulating him."
"You were also pressing your chest against his arm."
"That is how I congratulate people!"
"It is inappropriate."
"You are just jealous!"
"I am not jealous. I am possessive. There is a difference."
"Ladies," I said, holding up my free hand, "you do realize I am standing right here, listening to you both describe my arm as if it were a contested territory?"
They ignored me.
"Stay out of this, Tsukune," they said in unison.
I sighed. Some things never change.
But as they argued, a sharp, mocking laugh cut through the noise behind us. It was not the good‑natured laughter of students celebrating. It was cruel, targeted. The crowd shifted, and I saw a small figure surrounded by three larger students.
I craned my neck to see what was happening.
A small girl with a drooping witch hat was standing alone, clutching a folded piece of paper to her chest. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were bright with unshed tears. Three older students loomed over her, their expressions cruel, their voices loud enough to carry.
I recognized her. Yukari Sendo. The little witch from the Club Festival, and for those who had watched the anime, a bit of an annoyance but nonetheless lovable, akin to a younger sister. She was the one who had tried to prank me with a bucket of syrup.
She looked terrified. And she was alone.
'Another stray,' I thought. 'Of course.' I sighed not because I did not want to help, but because I was tired of being the only one who noticed.
The crowd around her was filled with curiosity and indifference. Most students were too focused on their own results to care, but the three lizardmen had made her their target.
They were from her class, the self‑proclaimed "smart ones." Their scales glistened in the morning light, and their glasses were thick enough to rival Suzuki‑kun's. They were C‑tier threats, not physically dangerous, but their words cut deeper than any claw for the little witch.
"Well, well. First place again." The lead lizardman adjusted his glasses, his scales catching the light. "Must be nice to have all that natural talent. Too bad natural talent does not teach you how to make friends."
His cronies snickered.
"Or how to dress," one added, eyeing Yukari's drooping witch hat.
"Or how to talk to people without stuttering," the other finished.
Yukari's lower lip trembled. She clutched the paper tighter, but she did not run. She stood her ground, even as her eyes glistened with tears.
I sighed and started walking toward the commotion.
"Tsukune?" Kurumu asked, noticing my distraction. "What are you doing?"
"What I always do. Making problems for myself."
Inner fell into step beside me, her expression unreadable. "You have a habit of collecting problems on yourself."
"Someone has to."
She did not argue.
We walked toward the lizardmen, and I could already feel the headache forming behind my eyes, not because of the trouble it would cause putting those morons in their place, but because of the message it would send to this little witch and how things would escalate further.
'Here we go again. Hopefully I do not get myself a loli witch bothering me constantly, wanting my affection.'