Sorry that this took so long. Real life things happened and I just never got around to writing more. I'd been thinking about writing another one for the last few weeks but the tipping point was a message from DrunkenDutch, so you can thank them for this chapter.

I'm going to start writing again, so you can expect more chapters shortly.

Thanks and Enjoy!

Chapter 9 - The First Class

We ended up being rather early actually, despite my previous worries.

So Akiho and I had a conversation as people kept piling in.

Out of everyone entering, I noticed a few familiar faces.

There were 2 capture targets from the game among them.

As expected from love interests in an otome game, they were high-spec.

They were sparkling so much I had to squint to see them properly.

One of them was the classic bad boy type. He had died red hair, piercings in his ear and although that looks like the school uniform, I think he modified it.

There are rips in stylish places and I don’t think the sleeves are supposed to be that short and loose…

A complete ikemen…

He was also the Prime-Minister’s rebellious son.

It was that kind of setting.

The other was a member of a foreign royal family.

He was huge.

I couldn’t really tell from his 2D pictures in the game but this 15 year old boy looks like he’s about 6”4 and his muscles aren’t small either.

On top of that, rather than the face of the brutish monster his body would suggest, he looked like a supermodel!

Seriously, some guys are too lucky.

Both were capturable characters of course.

Hmm, now that I think about it, although I won’t persecute Kaede, that doesn’t stop the rest of the harem from doing it.

When I think about these two bullying Kaede, I can’t help but send a menacing glance at the both of them.

Ah! But they haven’t been captured yet!

That’s right! I just have to capture them first!!!

…

No, wait. I’m a guy…

They’re guys…

Kaede can capture them?

Absolutely not, I’m not sharing!

Then Akiho?

Hmmm….

No, no, no, he’s trying his best to be manly. Moreover he’s my first friend!!!

Perhaps due to Jin’s feelings of desperately wanting friendship, but I treasure him deeply already.

He’d probably be really creeped out if he knew…

Anyway, we can’t ask Akiho to do it…so…I guess it’s up to me?

No wait! I can just befriend them!

Yea! I don’t need to make them fall in love with me! I just need to make sure they’re out of reach from that bitch!

Ok! I’ve got a plan.

I tune back in and Akiho is still talking. About…Swords?

Huh, Akiho has surprisingly manly tastes.

“I’m going to be your teacher for the year, please treat me well” The middle aged sensei up front bowed.

He looked like a mad professor, with circular glasses and uncombed hair with a white overcoat.

“Please treat us well”

Everyone responded in unison.

“First order of business. We have the freshman welcoming assembly. There will be three speeches, one from the Principal, one from the Student Council President and one from his highness, Jin Wolfgang Staeles”

………Huh?

NO ONE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS!!!

MARI! YOU’VE FAILED ME!

Although I’m in crisis mode on the inside, on the outside I’m wearing an indifferent expression.

Jin’s so cool…

No, wait, WHAT AM I GOING TO TALK ABOUT?!

At least I’m last, I have time to think about it and get the mood right from the previous speeches.

Un, yes, I’ll be fine……

Probably…

I mean, what’s the worst that could happen?

…

I could embarrass the royal family…

Okay, now I’m scared.

Akiho’s looking over at me with his fists pumped and expectation in his eyes.

Ah, Akiho heals my soul.

I don’t even care if he’s a guy, this is a crisis.

The bitch on the other side of me is looking at me with her mouth drooping.

Oh yea, I guess she wouldn’t have known I was the Prince before this.

Haha, she looks so stupid.

See that capture targets? What a strange looking bitch right?

I look back and the Prime Minister’s son isn’t paying attention.

The member of the foreign royal family has his eyes closed.

Damn…

Oh, I drifted off there for a minute, the teacher is explaining classes.

“You’ll be responsible for 4 core classes this year. History, Literacy, Swordmanship and Magic. Along with these, there are two electives you must choose from a list of options. I’ll hand the options out now. Please sign your name and pick two”

I receive the sheet.

Wow, there’s a lot. Horse riding, Numerals, Military Tactics, Etiquette, the list goes on.

“What are you going to pick Jin?”

Hmm, ah, I can’t remember what Jin picked before! There’s no reference!

Alright, alright, let’s think. What’s the best outcome?

To get into the same classes as Kaede of course!

So what would Kaede pick? Etiquette maybe?

No, no, no. She’s already really good at that kind of thing.

Maybe horse riding? Can she ride a horse?

AH! I don’t know very much about Kaede do I…

It’s all your fault Jin!!! You bastard!!!

“…I’m not certain yet, what are you going to choose Akiho?”

“Well! Although there’s a Swordsmanship class in the core subjects, there’s also this extra class Swordsmanship II, where apparently you get to use different weapons and learn new stances, and…”

Wow, Akiho’s eyes are shining, he really likes this kind of thing…

He’s still talking though, let’s ask a question.

“You seem like you like this sort of thing a lot Akiho, is there a reason?”

Akiho’s mouth stops moving and his eyes shine brighter.

He clenches his tiny, womanly fists…

You can’t say that Jin!

“Hm? Didn’t I tell you Jin? My father is the head of the Royal Guard and my two elder brothers are captains in the army. Our whole family is a military family and all the men always become soldiers!”

Oh no! All I can picture is a slightly taller Akiho being in charge of guarding my father…

I’m concerned for his safety.

“They’re all really strong and cool you know!”

Hmm, maybe a slightly taller Akiho with a stubble? A small beard maybe.

Then he got quiet all of a sudden, his eyes started drooping.

Sparkly Akiho is cute, but droopy Akiho makes me want to hug and protect him.

Ah! No, wait. I already have Kaede. No, Wait! He’s a guy!

He’s a guy!

He’s a guy!!!

“They’re all much bigger and have really huge muscles! I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to be as strong as them…”

Ah, no I take it back. Sad Akiho makes me sad too.

Wait, huge muscles? I think my mental image is slightly off the mark.

As if I already had a speech prepared, I tried to comfort my first school friend.

“There’s more to combat than simply being big and having muscles, it could even make you a bigger target. On the other hand Akiho, you have a smaller frame and can dodge and move around much more easily. It’s all about how you use your strengths, instead of fighting like your father and brothers, you need to adopt your own style. I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to be stronger than them if you do so”

“Ah!”

I heard a sudden gasp from behind me but chose to ignore it.

Where did that speech come from?

Jin? Was that you? Who knew you were so eloquent!

Tears fell from Akiho’s face.

“You…D…Do you mean it? I...No one’s ever told me I could become a great fighter like my father before…Most tell me to give up…”

“It will take a lot of effort, as your style of fighting would have to be a lot smarter in order to make up for your lack of strength. However, with diligence and persistence, you’ll make a great fighter yet”

“Ah!”

Another gasp.

Ignore. Ignore. Ignore.

“Huuuu! Jin! You’re a really good guy you know?! I will do as you say! I’ll keep trying really hard and…and one day I…Even I will become strong and cool and manly too!”

Hmm, manly may be a stretch, but…

Good Luck!

I nod positively as Akiho desperately tries to wipe his tears.

Seriously Jin, too awesome! What a great advice!

It does sound rather familiar though…

“Right, class is ending soon. Make sure to hand in your elective sheet and then you may proceed for lunch”

OH SHIT! I forgot about the electives!

Um, uh, what do I pick though?

Military tactics sounds like something I could use as the future King, ok choice number one done!

Hmm, for the last one…

“Alright class dismissed, please hand in your sheets now”

SHIT! Uh, Swordsmanship II then!

Phew, that was close!

“The assembly will occur after lunch, please proceed immediately to the assembly hall after lunch finishes”

I FORGOT ABOUT THE SPEECH!!!