Chapter 1 – Part 1 – I’m really just an ordinary guy you can find anywhere

My name is Amatsuyu Kisaragi. My nickname is Jouro.

Taking the “ragi” from my name results in Jouro.¹ That’s why I’m called Jouro. It’s a straightforward explanation isn’t it?

Average appearance, average grades, and average physical ability.

I’m a second year high school boy who doesn’t stand out.

I don’t do any club activities, but I’ve been a secretary in the student council since last October.

I didn’t particularly want to be an assistant, but the person who was the vice-president during my first year, who ended up going off and doing something else, recommended me.

「You work well with simple tasks」they said.

For some reason, it’s easy to push troublesome things onto me…

Well, that’s what it feels like to me.

Every day I go to school and sit through classes, and after school I go do student council work.

On days off where I have no plans, I just absent-mindedly spend time at home.

By the way, because today is a weekday, I’m currently in the middle of going to school.

It’s currently spring. Now that I don’t have to wear my heavy winter coat, I feel refreshed.

「Jouro! Goo~d mo~rning!」

「Ow, oww! G-good morning… Himawari.」

「Ehehehe~ Jouro is also Jouro today!」

What are you stating the obvious for…

The girl who slapped my back, with an innocent smiling face, is Aoi Hinata. Aka Himawari.

The story behind her nickname is similar to mine. If you write Himawari with kanji then you get 向日葵.²

If you sort her name the right way, that’s what you get.

Himawari is my childhood friend, and so we attend the same high school and are classmates.

She’s the ace of the girl’s tennis club, and has excellent reflexes.

Her grades are below average. They aren’t so bad that she has to worry about failing though.

She sports a bob-cut hairstyle that is about shoulder length. Spinning around, her lovely eyes show with their dog-like appearance. Her breasts may seem like they are non-existent, but she does have B-cups.

Anyways, her style is incredibly good.

A beautiful girl who does sports, has a tight waist, and often stands out.

Her personality is, well as you can tell. She gives off an energetic but slightly stupid impression.

She’s popular with people regardless of grade or gender, because her bright personality isn’t gloomy like mine.

Of course, that not only from the perspective of a friend, but from the perspective of women as well.

According to some rumors, it seems like someone confesses to her at least once a month.

Before if I asked her「Why aren’t you going out with anybody?」she would respond with「That’s a secret」while her face was dyed a vermilion colour. Well, because I’m not really interested that much it’s fine.

「Oh! What nice weather! It’s definitely spring! Jouro!」

「Yeah it is. It’s spring.」

「Mu! Jouro, come on, be a little more energetic!」

「It’s a little difficult for me to be so excited so early in the morning.」

「Bo~ring! But, it’s Jouro! I’ll forgive you!」

We have been talking for a while already but Himawari, with her rapidly changing facial expressions, has not gotten bored yet.

I’m a little envious. I can’t change my emotions as quickly as she does.

「Then, today as well, we’re going to dash to school! Come on, lets go!」

「Ehh~… Running again?」

Himawari firmly grabbed my hand and began to pull me without hesitation.

It hurts. It hurts I said… You, your appearance is overridden because of your strength, please consider things a little bit more.

「Of course! Running together with Jouro in the morning is fun! Let’s dash~!」

That kind of fun, don’t have it…

But, it is my special privilege to be able to run to school in the morning while holding hands with Himawari like this.

With that kind of thought in mind, the morning dash that took all my energy wasn’t so bad.

… At least, only for the first minute.

***

「Goo~d morning~ everyone!」

As soon as we entered the classroom, Himawari greeted everyone with a loud voice.

「Hah, so tired…」

As for me, I don’t have that energy.

I’m saying this as I am panting with both my hands on my knees.

Looking at the clock, it’s 8:10.

What are we doing, coming so early in the morning like this?

「… Fuu~. For the time being, let me rest.」

Staggering as I walked, I arrived at my seat and took a breath.

Looking at Himawari, she is chatting with the students that are already in the classroom.

Well, whatever. I’m going to slowly rest up.

「Yo, Jouro!」

「Ah, morning… Sun-chan.」

A cheerful voice that was full of vigor came from behind, to which I replied back with a very fatigued and gloomy voice.

The guy who sent me an enthusiastic greeting with a smile is Taiyou Ooga. Aka Sun-chan.

His nickname is Sun-chan because his name is Taiyou.³

Good at sports, but his grades aren’t that great. He has a crew cut which suits him since he’s the baseball club’s ace.

With a bright and lively personality, he is always working very hard.

However, since he really hates losing, he gets extremely fired up when it comes to competitions.

It can be said that his personality is sufficiently displayed through his 18◯⁴ cm tall, muscular body.

Our personalities are the exact opposite of each other, but strangely we fit together well and so he’s continued to be my close friend since middle school.

「Oops! As per usual, you’re exhausted in the morning.」

「Well yeah. Even though I’m not very good at running, Himawari…」

「Don’t worry about it! Himawari doesn’t care if your feet are slow!」

Yeah. That’s not what I was talking about.

「That’s it! Jouro, if ya want to increase your physical strength, then do ya want to do muscle training in the morning with me?」

Sun-chan shows off his well-developed biceps. Toned muscles are pretty cool.

「Ah! That seems interesting! I’ll do it too!」

「Oh! If it isn’t Himawari! Sounds good!」

「Sun-chan, goo~d morning! Jouro too, go~od morning!」

I noticed that Himawari was suddenly participating in our conversation.

I mean, it’s okay for you to not specially say hello to me you know. You said it earlier, didn’t you?

「Even so, you guys are really good friends! You guys also came to school today together didn’t you?」

Sun-chan looks at us, and says a few words with a smile.

「Pin pon pin po~n! Me and Jouro also came together today!」

With a shameless attitude, Himawari props her arms up near her chest while saying that.

Ah… Because she said it with a big voice, we gathered a lot of strange attention from everyone.

Well, whatever. They have cold gazes that say,「Ah, it’s the usual again」.

「Hey well, you guys, when will ya start going out?」

Damn Sun-chan, coming in with a straight ball today.

Even though if it was like usual then it would be things like「Hoo- Hoo- It’s hot in here!」or「As expected of childhood friends!」, phrases with that kind of feeling.

I’ll only say this once, Himawari and I are not dating.

It seems that people think childhood friends are fated to go out with each other, but in reality that is not the case.

I think that me and Himawari are just good friends, and that she thinks the same way.

「H-hey! Sun-chan, stop that!」

Huh? What’s the matter? Himawari, your face is bright red you know.

If it was like usual then this light joke would end here, but today’s reaction was extremely different.

「Ha ha~! There’s no need to be shy Himawari! If it’s you, then you can make Jouro fall for you just like that!」

Sun-chan says that with a broad smile, with his teeth sparkling, and his thumb sticking up.

Whether or not that was a trigger, Himawari’s attitude became more weird.

「Aa… Uhm… Uh…」

With her eyes getting moist, Himawari looked like a kid who just got scolded.

Her gaze is shakey, as she looks back and forth between me and Sun-chan.

While looking at Himawari like that, Sun-chan and I tilted our heads at the same time.

Oh, as expected of close friends. We get along well, don’t we… Wait huh? Himawari turned her body around.

「…… ー!」

「Ah! Hey, Himawaー」

Just like that, she started to run!

Sun-chan called out to her to get her to stop, but Himawari wouldn’t stop.

In the blink of an eye she left the classroom and went somewhere.

… This is bad. Really bad. Himawari. That kind of behaviour is all sorts of trouble.

Completely different from earlier, gazes of curiosity are gathered on us.

What… should I do about this?

「Uuh… Did I do that?」

「Yeah. Probably but…」

I affirmed Sun-chan’s words as he looked towards me with a seemingly awkward face.

But, I don’t really understand. What could be the matter with Himawari?.

Even though it was the usual light atmosphere, her face became bright red.

Well, there must have been some circumstances.

Himawari doesn’t seem to be the kind of person who does meaningless things.

By the way after this, towards the trudging Himawari who returned, Sun-chan lowered his head multiple times.

In response, Himawari also lowered her head multiple times.

Are you guys imitating shishi-odoshi?⁵

***

「Okaay, lets let my hot blood surge today as well! The sports ground is waiting!」

「To club! Let’s goー!」

The moment classes ended, Sun-chan and Himawari instantly disappeared from the classroom.

As expected of the baseball club and tennis club aces. Their motivation is on a different level.

No, perhaps it’s just their foundation. They’ve been fully motivated ever since they joined their clubs.

Well, whatever. I’m not copying those two but I also quickly left to head to the student council room.

Nimbly raising my bag to my shoulder, with a slightly lively pace, I headed towards my destination.

I’m looking forward to after school, aren’t I. Now then! Today as well, I’ll do my best with my secretary activities!

***

After finally arriving in front of the student council room, I knocked on the door.

「Go ahead.」

It is a formality here to knock first and then open the door after hearing a voice say 「Douzo⁶」 .

I entered the room in response to the gentle voice I heard from beyond the door, and was welcomed by a beautiful girl who was smiling at me.

「Hi Jouro-kun. You’re early today too.」

「Only because our homeroom ended quickly.」

Aahー! So beautiful today as well!

Meeting this person and having a conversation with her every day is definitely the best part of the student council.

But, it still hasn’t started yet.

「Even so. You, who always comes to the student council first, are very precious to me.」

The girl who said such kind words to me is Sakura Akino. Aka, Cosmos.

Her nickname is Cosmos because as you can see from her name, Cosmos is「kosumosu」when written in kanji.⁷

Being one grade above me, she’s currently a third year high school student.

To say it clearly, she’s beautiful. Her long hair reaching until her waist is too lovely.

At any rate, this person, who is super high-spec even if you only look at her appearance, is the student council president.

She is the student council president, so of course her grades are good.

To tell you the truth, she’s the number one student in her year.

To answer the question「What about her physical ability?」, it’s also amazing. A well rounded person you know, well rounded.

Moreover, her style is very good. And unlike Himawari’s chest, her’s is quite splendid.

According to information obtained from a certain source, they seem to be D-cups.

Her personality is also very pleasant. She has a sharp impression that makes her appear cool and cold, but in reality she is kind and loved by everyone in the school.

Along with Himawari, they are the two beauties who divide my school’s public favour.

If Himawari is cute, then president Cosmos is beautiful.

Everyone has named her an unobtainable flower.

For this reason, admiring her takes priority, and according to some information obtained from a certain source, it seems like there aren’t many confessions as a result.

Still, she’s been thoroughly compared with ordinary people by a lot of people…

It looks like she doesn’t have a boyfriend.

But according to information obtained from a certain source,「I have someone I like」was said…

Where and who is this guy. Man I’m jealous. Let’s expect some new information from a certain source soon.

「But, the other members haven’t come yet huh.」

「Yes, it seems like it. Is homeroom still not finished yet?」

「Well… I don’t know? Yamada is in the same class as me though…」

By the way, Yamada is the treasurer.

He’s not very important and so his introduction is light.

Yamada is just a mob character. That’s all.

「Well isn’t it fine? Let’s slowly wait for them.」

「Hahaha. You know, I like that sort of my pace attitude of yours Jouro.」

「Thank you, very much.」

President Cosmos says「I like」and my heart suddenly starts to beat fast.

Good grief, I’d like you to choose your words with a little more awareness of how I’ll react to them.

To someone like you… or rather right now, isn’t it just the two of us?

When I think so, a little… no, I’m quite excited.

「Ah, that’s right. Jouro-kun, could I request something of you?」

「Yes! What bis it!」

「Huh?」

Oh no! I was still excited and fumbled my words. This is embarrassing…

「S-so, what would you like me to do?」

「A-ah. That’s right.」

Somehow I returned the subject back by glossing over my little slip up.

I’m fine right? She won’t think I’m weird right?

「There’s a book that I want you to pick up in the library. Come on, there’s our school’s traditional Hundred Flower Festival⁸ in May right? Because of that, I want to reference past documents. If it’s right now, then you can go pick it up and return since there’s enough time so, could you accept my request?」

「Y-yes! It would be my pleasure!」

「Okay. Thank you.」

To her warm voice released with a gentle smile, my heart went ‘zukyun’!

No don’t! Don’t stir up my heart any more than this!

I think this is the sensation of being shot in the heart. I think I can really understand.

I carefully received the note that president Cosmos gracefully handed to me, opened the door in a hurry and resolutely headed towards the library.

Ah, of course I’m not running you know. Because running in the hallway is not allowed. I’m speed-walking.

While swinging both of my arms, I headed towards the library.

***

「Fuu…」

First, take a breath. My heart, which had been playing a violent heart beat until a while ago, settled down during the walk to the library, and now it has greatly calmed down.

I mean, the library huh…

If possible, I don’t want to come here too much.

There’s nothing particularly special about the school’s library.

Well if I had to say something, then I think that the space where you can eat and drink is special, but that’s the only exception, everything else is normal. My problem is with a person inside.

I swallow my saliva and open the library door.

Peeking through the opened library door, I cautiously checked in the direction of the reception desk.

Please don’t be there!

「Ara, Jouro-kun?」

See, they’re there! As expected this person was at the reception desk! This is why I don’t want to come to the library!

The girl who filled me with unpleasant feelings in the blink of an eye is Sumireko Sanshokuin. Nickname, Pansy.

If you omit parts of her name, you get「Sanshikisumire」which is why her nickname is Pansy.⁹

I’ll say this first because from the flow of things up until now, you might think she seems to be a charming girl, just like Himawari and president Cosmos.

This girl has no charm in the slightest.

Well, I’ll be glad if you can understand why I say so in the following explanation.

This girl is in the same year as me, but in a different class.

Although she has such a refined name like Sumireko Sanshokuin, she’s a fraud because she was raised in a normal, ordinary household.

Moreover, she wears glasses and has braids you know?

Nowadays, I guess it’s possible to like strange appearances? Perhaps people unconsciously change into a strange appearance.

It’s no good if you have to coil it up, don’t you think? It’s like they’re screws, she should be called Roll Hair.

Her face is average, and it can be said that she’s flat-chested.

As far as grades are concerned, it’s vexing but her appearance corresponds to them, as she’s a top ranking student.

In particular, her grades in modern Japanese and classics, as well as classical Chinese writing are crazy.

Ever since she entered the school, no one else has ever scored higher than her in the Japanese language course.

In other words, as far as her academics are concerned, she’s usually the number 1 student in our year. As expected of braids and glasses girl.

As for her personality, I’ll say this clearly, it’s the worst.

She’s always indifferent, so I can’t understand what she’s thinking, but more than anything else she has an extremely toxic tongue.

I never say this about other people at all you know?

Every time this girl sees my face, she uses abusive language and harasses me.

I wish she would understand that she doesn’t have normal friends at school because of that personality of hers.

… Now then, have I explained enough so far?

In conclusion, I really hate this girl.

「H-hey.」

Even so, somehow I put on a smiling face and greeted Pansy, who was sitting at the reception desk.

Even if you dislike the other person, it’s not necessary to create a conflict. I am a pacifist.

「What died?」

Huh? That’s weird?

I think that it’s only just a question, but I feel like she has been incredibly mean?

No, don’t worry about it.

If I snap even a little bit at Pansy, then I’ll be quickly shot down and just like that bring ruin to myself.

Up until now, I’ve been thoroughly gathering proper words to play around with. Referencing sentences from various novels, I only talk about what people care about.

No presence, short legs, mood-breaker, etc, until now countless words of ill will have been said by her.

Furthermore, since she happily watches me when I am flustered because of her words, her nature is more nasty than anyone else.

I have student council activities after this, so shouldn’t be wasting my stamina on this pointless situation.

However, even if I ignore her, Pansy is the head of the library committee.

This school’s library committee entrusts the management of the library to several members after school, but since Pansy’s enrollment to this school, she has been doing it nearly all by herself.

As far as I know, the book loving Pansy, as the head of the library committee, has total control over the library. She has good benefits, like how she buys the books herself and the money spent is compensated for. She can get whatever she wants.

I have a good memory about when I asked about this until I got information out of someone because I was a little curious, and then I was so shocked.

Because of my curiosity, I experienced the moment where I destroyed myself.

… Well, time to quietly cover those memories. Firmly so they do not pop up again.

「Just for a bit, I’ll be searching for some document okay? It is a document from past Hundred Flower Festivals, but do you know where it is?」

「Yes. A ghost¹⁰ right? There’s one exactly in front of me.」

There, it immediately came! Did you hear that? Don’t you think it’s terrible?

What are you doing? I just simply came to the library to ask a question but I have to deal with this.

Let me tell you, I have absolutely never done anything to Pansy in the past.

Since about the second semester last year, I have never been involved with her up until then and yet she suddenly appeared before me and it’s been like this ever since.

C-calm down me… I can feel my forehead muscles twitching but calm down.

For my sake, I should not say anything unnecessary, and act like normal as much as I can…

「As usual today as well, your face looks like spoiled mandarin skin.」

Even the usual behaviour was an out…

Wait, if I have this kind of conversation, then I will not be able to get the document even though time keeps passing.

Leave me alone Pansy, I’ll go search for it myself.

Above all, if I keep talking with this girl, then my stomach will burst.

「We-well then, I will go search for the document, so bye!」

I showed a non-hostile smile to Pansy, and I escaped in order to immediately separate from her and began searching for the document.

Well, in reality, I ran away.

Lets see… Mmm… Where could it be?

I searched all over the bookshelf, but I couldn’t find it. Maybe someone has it with them?

「Hey, Jouro-kun?」

「Aaahhhh!」

When did she come up behind me!?

Is it that? Is there a spirit behind me? Are you going to haunt and curse me with the intention to kill?

「Please don’t act like a ghost because I don’t want a corpse with me all the time. What a bothersome person.」

Yeah. Can you not respond to my inner voice like it is natural to?

Haa… Why do I have to face those eyes from Pansy?

When I listen to other people as well, nothing is particularly said about her… It’s weird you know.

…No. This isn’t the situation to be complaining in my inner thoughts!

If I don’t reply quickly, it will become even more difficult!

「Wh-what is it?」

I turned my neck to my backside, and somehow made a smiling face. You’re doing your best, me.

「The document you’re searching for is not here you know.」

「Huh? Why?」

「The likelihood that it’s hidden in my bag is very high.」

「What?」

Pansy let a sneer leak. My mouth was hanging open.

Uhm… Right now, what did she say?

「While you were clumsily searching in the wrong place, I borrowed a certain book under my name and just like that put it in my bag. So, if it’s not here then I wonder where it is?」

This girl did something so unnecessary!?

「Uhm, Sanshokuin-san…」

「Sumireko is fine.」

「Well then, Sumireko-san.」

「Ah, I wonder what’s the matter? A death poem¹¹ just came to my mind. I’ll be resting in the health room.」

You’re the one who called me! It’s not my fault!

「W-wait! That, Sumire… Sanshokuin-san.」

I panic and call out to Pansy to stop her from leaving.

「What’s the matter, Jouro-kun?」

Pansy turns her head and looks over her shoulder, showing a cheerful facial expression.

I have a dreadful premonition.

「U-uhm, that book, could you please lend it to me today?」

「Sure.」

Oh, I was surprisingly granted permission quickly. All I had to do was try. What’s this. I was just misunderstandingーー

「If you shout『Ba◯ Dome! Shoot the ball to the opponent’s goal! Super • exciting!¹²』 after spinning around three times and saying “woof”, I’ll lend it to you.」

I take back what I just said. The difficulty just skyrocketed. Why do you know the contents of old commercials?

「What will you do? It doesn’t matter to me what you choose to do.」

Checking the clock, quite some time has passed.

In front of me, with a blank look on her face, Pansy is looking over here with doll-like eyes.

Perhaps she won’t lend me the document unless I do what she just said.

「…」

I spin around silently.

「Woof!」

And then,

「Ba◯ Doooome! Shoooot the ball to the opponent’s gooooal! Super • exciting!」

「Okay, well done.」

The result of screaming with all my might, Pansy retrieved the document from her bag, and handed it to me.

「Y-yeah… Thanks.」

「Don’t mention it. I was very satisfied today.」

With a slight bounce in her steps, Pansy returns to the reception desk.

If I could, then I want to get angry and get revenge, but I won’t do that.

After all, I don’t feel like winning against Pansy right now, and strategic retreats are important.

Now, let’s hurry and run away.

***

---

Prologue | Index | Chapter 1 – Part 2

TL notes

1. His name is: 如月雨露 (Kisaragi Amatsuyu), if you take the 月 (ragi) out, 如雨露 is read as Jyouro (じょうろ) which means watering can. I took out the ‘y’ because… just cause. Also note: I put his first name first and surname second in the TLs (the western way)
2. Her name is 日向葵 (Hinata Aoi), and if you swap the position of the first two kanji you get Himawari (means Sunflower)
3. His name is 大賀太陽 (Ooga Taiyou) and 太陽 (Taiyou) refers to the Sun, also note that the original is サンチャン (San-chan, San can refer to the Sun) but I think that Sun-chan is better and the manga TLs used that so I’ll do it too.
4. Author intentionally did this. Don’t know his real height, just that he’s at least 180cm
5. these
6. Douzo (どうぞ) can be used in many ways and has many translations. I just used “Go ahead”, but I couldve used “Enter” or something else. idk.
7. Her name is 秋野桜 (Akino Sakura) and Cosmos (Kosumosu/コスモス) written with kanji is 秋桜 in this case.
8. Direct translation from the Kanji: 百花祭
9. Her name is 三色院菫子 (Sanshokuin Sumireko), and he changes it to 三色菫 (Sanshikisumire) which refers to the heartsease flower, aka a wild pansy.
10. It’s a pun, Jouro asks Pansy if she knows where the documents (資料/Shiryou) are, and Pansy says that she can see a ghost (死霊/Shiryou). Same reading, different kanji.
11. wikipedia search
12. I don’t know what this references – バ◯ルドーム！ボールを相手のゴールにシュート！超 •エキサイティング！