Chapter 85: Love Is War [2]

Roy, as Haruto Takahashi, peered through the corner of the stairs at the hallway.

Suzuki Kyouno, along with her friends, walked out of her class and headed in the direction further away from him.

’In Pierre’s first run of this level, Aiko was stabbed to death on her way back home. Homicide. And in the second, she committed suicide because of the rumour between her and the maths teacher having a secret relationship…’

Roy’s eyes squinted slightly, and he rubbed his chin in thought. It had taken him a while to recall that information, and he only did with help from his system, but Roy acted as though he remembered naturally, wanting to seem smarter to himself.

“Hmm. Aiko and the maths teacher…”

Their relationship was a curious case. She was the class rep, and he was their teacher. Drawing from previous quest descriptions, the term ’rumours’ was a serious indicator of an underlying mystery that wasn’t entirely random.

The story description of Level 7’s main quest stated: Hanabira Reina is President of the Occult Club, and has always set her eyes on anything spiritual, mystical, and rumors say—demonic.

And also, the hidden quest’s story description started with: Rumours say a ghost haunts Aoi Private High School, appearing as a red-gloved shadow to students when they’re alone.

’Hence, placing the maths teacher as the second suspect isn’t a far-fetched idea,’ Roy thought and nodded.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind him, whispering.

“What’s wrong with Aiko-chan and Daichi-sensei, Takahashi-kun?”

“…!”

Roy jumped in fright and was met with a quite unfamiliar girl.

Her most notable features were her blue glasses, short frame, wolfish hair, and overly long skirt.

She tilted her head slightly, waiting for him to answer.

“Uh…”

However, Roy had absolutely no idea who this young lady before him was. But with the way she spoke, he was supposed to know her.

’Who is this? Show me her profile.’

+

[Character Profile]

Name: Sasaki Utahime

Age: 16

Nickname: Grandma

Height: 160 cm

B/W/H: 73/54/75

Blood Type: B

Relationship Status: Taken

Likes: Money, manga, romance novels, flowers, and Haruto Takahashi.

Dislikes: Bullies, dishonesty, pink, and makeup.

Summary: A modest and reserved girl known for sleeping during class and reading BL manga in her free time. Her boyfriend is Haruto Takahashi.

+

The ’Affection Rate’ data was absent since that information was brought about by Pierre’s [Love Sensor] passive skill, which Roy didn’t currently possess.

Roy, though, still couldn’t believe his eyes. The words written on the pink-themed panel before him made him dizzy.

’Takahashi has a girlfriend?! How could an incel piece of shit get a girlfriend?!’ Roy lampooned inwardly. Takahashi was just like Chris and the rest of the boys in the class—losers! So how did he do it?!

’I-It must be some kind of witchcraft. Yes. Or aliens. If not those, then she must have a secret agenda! I can’t fall for her Jezebel tricks!’

Thinking all this, Roy could see why the love system’s rating of him was “Incel piece of shit.” This wasn’t Takahashi’s original rating— no, this new rating was entirely Roy’s. The spite of the love system ran deep.

He clicked his tongue inwardly. ’Tsk. Bitch system.’

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

He didn’t even notice when the first set of dialogue options came and went. But now the second set appeared before him.

“N-Nothing. I was… just startled,” he shyly said in the voice that wasn’t his.

She scanned him silently.

“So, what is it about Aiko-chan and Daichi-sensei? And why are you hiding?”

Quickly standing upright, Roy chuckled awkwardly and gestured, “Ah, it’s nothing really. Haha.”

“…”

Sasaki Utahime glared at him, and he quickly remembered that ’dishonesty’ was among her dislikes.

[A: Actually, I was watching Suzuki Kyouno. And the thing about Aiko-chan is…]

[B: No, really. It’s nothing.]

[C: What are you doing here?]

Takahashi nudged his glasses and leaned in closer to her.

“Erm… actually, I was watching a suspect.”

“Ah? Suspect?” Utahime asked dryly. She didn’t already believe him, but Roy couldn’t have that. He couldn’t openly work with Pierre, but he still needed another set of trusted eyes. And who was better to work with than his literal girlfriend?

“And the thing about Yoshida-san…” Roy quickly spoke, almost ignoring her words. He looked left and right and grabbed her hand.

Thankfully, his words and actions weren’t overridden by the LOVE system. Now, if he could describe the dialogue options displayed, it was as though they read his mind and just appeared before him in the manner Haruto Takahashi would say it. However, the essence of the words, the reason for his questions, and the actions that followed were all Roy’s, and they would only be overwritten when Pierre was around.

If anything, his current manifested state would perfectly be described as a merger of an extra and Player 2.

With a determined look, he marched on to somewhere they could speak without others hearing.

But inwardly, Roy’s heart was beating like a boom box. ’I-I’m holding hands with a girl. Mom, Dad, I’m moving up in the world!’

A sneer found its way to his lips as they ran. Roy was heading to the back of the school, a secluded area where Pierre once found one of Hanabira Reina’s colored rocks.

“Takahashi-kun, where are we going?” Utahime asked boldly, her eyes facing ahead, but Roy could notice her face was turning red.

’She really does like me! Ahem, I mean— Takahashi!’

“Just follow me,” Roy replied, but quickly noticed there was no dialogue box.

They arrived shortly, and Roy turned to her.

“I have to ask, though, why were you behind me?”

She folded her arms. “Takahashi-kun, you said we would have lunch together.”

Roy smiled sheepishly and scratched his head.

“Sorry. What do you know about Suzuki Kyouno in Class D?”

“Ah? Why are you asking about her?” Utahime squinted her eyes.

“I-I’ll tell you. But first, you have to answer.”

“Hmm. She followed that bully, Jean-san, around. And I think she has feelings for him. I know these things from afar. Huhu~” She smirked and nudged her glasses in from the middle.

“Can you… find about more about her for me?”

“…” Utahime leaned in close, staring deathly at Roy.

“W-What?”

She breathed in deeply and put his head in a deadlock in her arms.

“Takahashi-kun, are you developing feelings for her? Eh?! Tell me so I can kill you!”

“Ack! N-No! Never!”

“But you find her cute, don’t you?”

“S-She’s cute, but—Ack!”

“You’re dead!”

[-1 ♡]

A minute later, Roy panted fearfully and rubbed his neck. ’What the hell? This girl is crazy, and so damn strong. If I didn’t tell her she was the most beautiful girl in the world, I would have really died. Thirty-five error points would’ve gone down the drain like that…’

“Hm! From now on, always text me that before you go to bed!”

“Y-Yes, for sure!”

Utahime took a breath of relief and returned to her reserved and composed self, almost like she never grew fangs just some minutes prior.

“Why did you say Suzuki-san is a suspect?”

Roy scrutinized the girl sitting beside him, but oscillated gazes between her and the snack in his hands.

“Don’t tell anyone this, okay?”

“What? Spit it out! Of course, I wouldn’t!” She grabbed his plump cheeks and shook his head.

“Fine. Fine. I think Class Rep is in danger. And it might have something to do with Suzuki-san and… Daichi-sensei.”

“…Class Rep?” Utahime looked at Takahashi carefully. Frankly speaking, the dorky look on his face, along with the shy smile weren’t actually selling the case for him. But then she nodded.

“Okay. I believe you.”

“R-Really? Why?”

Utahime tapped her glasses and asked bluntly, “Why will you lie about something like this? Besides, I trust you, Takahashi-kun.”

Roy’s heart burst into tears. ’Is this what it means to have a girlfriend? Takahashi, you lucky bastard.’

Roy scratched the back of his head. “T-Thank you.”

“And also, can you become close friends with the Class Rep and tell her good things about Jean-san and love?”

“Ah? Why? Don’t you hate that bastard? And Aiko-chan for such a bully?” Utahime shook her head and folded her arms. “No.”

“Please! If you don’t do this, she could die! She has to love to live!”

“Hah? Are you being serious?”

“Hime-chan…” Roy began, his eyes twinkled, and stared beyond the distance, wearing an expression of melancholy mixed with joy. “I wish for others to share what we have.”

He took her hand, and she blushed.

“T-Takahashi-kun, w-what are you doing?”

His chubby face kissed the back of her hand, looking comical, and he winked.

“Please?”

’Pierre did this in Level 4, will it really work on her?’

Utahime looked away bashfully. “You are quite different today, Takahashi-kun. Okay. I will help.”

After Utahime finally accepted, they chatted a bit more before recess was over, and then went back to class.

Not long after, the closing bell rang, signifying the end of the school day.

Roy spotted Utahime following Aiko-chan home, along with the latter’s close friend, Sato Himari, and nodded in approval.

With Daichi-sensei in his mind, he opened the classroom door to leave and was met by three individuals.

Pierre, Nishi Sakamoto, and Haruka Yosuke, the guy who bullied Pierre when he was a nerd.

Roy bumped into Yosuke, who bore him down with a heavy gaze and asked aggressively, “Where did you take Utahime-chan during recess, four-eyes?”

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