This is a guide/walkthrough on how to clear every Bachelor Level 1 Barricade Board
❈Remember to view every RABI, they sometimes have CGs in them. Also, they are RANDOM so you might get different ones than me. But all you have to do is Ctrl+F and search for the “correct” one.
❈SAVE 1 & 2 was made so that you don’t have to play the common route again and again if you want to get the different “common bad endings”.
One recommended route order is: (Common Route) ➔ Nayuta ➔ Shion ➔ Taiga ➔ Ichiya ➔ True End.
A Sudden Proposal
SAVE 1 (Save for getting a “different” bad ending for each LI)
DISCLAIMER: This is my opinion, and this review is going to based on my experiences and biases. You may disagree or agree with me, and you do not have to interact with this post if you feel it wastes your time. In the words of the man himself in Chapter 4: Just because our perspectives are incompatible doesn't mean one is wrong and one is right.
Also this review will contain spoilers. If you want to see a non-spoiler version of what I think, read the review made by @vanilaamoursucrethings. https://vanillaamoursucrethings.tumblr.com/post/665836643377414144/lemme-just-take-something-out-of-the-way-before
TLDR: If you don't mind the insults that Chevalier will throw at you its honestly a great route. If you tend to be someone who calculates every move they make whether it would be in life, profession, social life, gaming life, etc (just like me), then I think you'll have more appreciation for this route than those who aren't as calculating especially when it comes to making difficult choices.
Alternatively if you suffer from verbal abusive experiences or you aren't comfortable with it, I'm not sure if this is the route for you. This also applies to those who aren't comfortable with potentially being harmed by said suitor. This is also more on the slow burn side so if you're not a fan of that then you have been forewarned.
I think a reasonable test is if you can handle Kenshin from Ikemen Sengoku. But imagine him with Nobunaga's perspective and vision. In Ikemen Vampire if you can handle Mozart with some of the "I'm going to make you/assure you by belittling you/disciplining you" of Theodorus (Theo calling Ikevamp MC "Hondje" is similar to Chev calling Emma/MC "A simpleton") then you can probably handle this route.
Before I go on further here are 10 things you need to know about my biases that may influence this review:
In Ikemen Sengoku my bias is Nobunaga and my bias wreckers (in no particular order) are: Kenshin, Hideyoshi, Sasuke, and Mitsuhide. And iIn Ikemen Vampire my bias is Arthur, my tentative bias wrecker is Comte de Saint Germain (we'll see by the end/after a few months if he will usurp Arthur), and Shakespeare (I just finished his route before starting on Comte's route. I love him but my real test is if I still care for him after at least 2 months) and my bias wreckers (in no particular order) are: Mozart, Isaac and Jean;
I am highly aware of the huge translation differences between the original Japanese story and what was presented in the English localization and that according to some tumblr users, it has made Emma/MC more cringey and less nuanced than her original Japanese counterpart. Having said that I didn't have any problems with her as a protagonist, but I am a bit upset that the love scenes were toned down;
I come from a previously colonized country and to this day we still struggle with the issues brought by colonization and current issues on imperialism by former colonizers that are still in power in the global stage;
I haven't played Midnight Cinderella since I only discovered Cybird's otome games because of Ikemen Sengoku. I also haven't played Ikemen Revolution because I only recently discovered it after Ikemen Vampire and I'm not the biggest Alice in Wonderland fan;
When I started playing Ikemen Prince, based on the prologue and the trailers that was released I was only really attracted to Leon and Chev, I still don't feel as much attraction with the other suitors. But this can still change later on and is not a major factor to whom I would end up loving. I was attracted to Napoleon and Leonardo and while their routes are okay I ended up forgetting about them after a few months. Meanwhile I didn't feel attraction to any of my Ikevamp biaswreckers and now I would eagerly buy their epilogues if I have farmed enough diamonds. Speaking of diamonds;
I am a free player, and I have not placed any money on any digital game (not just this series). Since I'm in law school I have to save money. So with the exception of the Premium scene in the Romantic/canon route I didn't spend any diamonds on him;
Like Emma/MC I am a book worm, I also have a preference for Romance Novels. Having said that there is also a distinct difference between reading for pleasure and reading for work or reading things that may be more technical or is outside the story or general literature genre (I may be a bookworm but textbooks and cases are another story);
Chevalier's route is the only route that I have played (and finished) so far. If I get anything wrong about Leon or Yves please don't be hard on me since I haven't played their routes yet (I abandoned Leon in Chapter 6 of his route because Nokto's route was released and I'm trying to get the freebies to the best of my abilities);
I have a strict matriarchal family background wherein my mother would say the meanest things behind my back while forgetting that the walls are thin and its the act of talking behind my back that really hurts. And its only when I am doing so poorly academically that she will confront me about it. If I'm lucky she would be consider some of the things I've said and consider my side of the story, but that's only in rare cases. What I really appreciate about Chev is that he is the reverse, he is upfront about his feelings and opinions towards anyone and as the story goes he becomes open to other opinions that differ from his own; and lastly
As previously mentioned in no. 6, I am in law school and there are some professors who are terrors who make it feel like they don't care what happens to their students (maybe they do care but it feels like they don't). Frequently students may have to choose between a professor who has a higher passing rate but said professor won't really teach and will even shout at the student or with a professor who has a lower passing rate but you are guaranteed to learn and is simply just strict so that they can control the quality of future lawyers. It's a tough environment, but we are being trained to be in a profession that could drastically change people's lives like whether or not they go to jail or whether or not they could receive money by suing damages. So I tend to be more understanding of some things when the consequences of your actions tend to be what affects your entire state.
For this review I will be referring to the MC by her canon name "Emma". Also I will sometimes abbreviate his name to "Chev".
General Route (Ch. 1-20)
"Are you wasting yourself?"
Is probably one of the most central questions that is asked in Chev's route. This is evident in both the dialogue and how the route is structured.
At the start of his route, you are immediately shown why he is a beast. It's even the context of his first CG in Chapter 1 wherein Emma runs away scared after Chev kills assassins who attempted to kill him in the rose garden. This follows the basic structure of the Beauty and the Beast storyline wherein the love interest is either scary, or intimidating to the "Belle" figure.
In the first few early chapters we interact a little bit more with Clavis rather than Chev himself since only Clavis knows Chev enough to know how he thinks and acts. He's a genius even as a kid, to the point wherein nearly everyone questions if he is human or if he is capable of feeling love. He is so intellectually talented that he has photographic memory and doesn't even need to read a book twice to recall its contents. He doesn't want to waste his time over things or people that aren't worth the trouble. His position bears too much responsibility for him to be as carefree as the other princes. Why waste precious time when you can do it by improving yourself especially for your own country. And one of the easiest ways to do that is through books, the storage of knowledge from people dead or alive. And because he is more than aware of how he views things (specifically through a bird's eye view of the state's problems), and how not everyone is comfortable with his decisions, he dislikes being with people who simply gets in the way.
If it isn't obvious already he is an introvert. And is calculating on nearly everything that is within his control. He does this so that he can be as highly prepared for things that are beyond his control. He becomes one of the best fighters and military commanders so that he and his troops can both defend and fight offensively for the state. He commands those in his faction which handles foreign affairs to gather enough evidence and research to convince Leon's faction of why going to war with Obsidian is the best option to take. We see that in the first proposal of going to war, Leon completely rejects the idea and no one was able to make an agreement on it. It's tempting to think that he is bloodthirsty for only the sake of violence. This is fueled by a minor rebel skirmish lead by someone who was a noble in his faction. Emma becomes traumatized by how he could brush off the death of a knight in the battlefield. But later we all learn how he visits their graves and memorizes their names so that their sacrifices will not be in vain.
To Chevalier, sacrifices are inevitable in the pursuit of a goal. Even if it means no one will thank you for it and you will be seen as the bloodthirsty villain rather than the storybook hero. Under ordinary circumstances (i.e. if there is no Belle system) he would be the sole heir to the throne as the only legitimate child of the King and Queen. And from early on he has understood that sometimes keeping Rhodolite safe means doing the things that requires great sacrifice that will make you unpopular. Towards the end of the general route he and Emma goes to an anti-war faction meeting lead by the same noble who has long betrayed him when Chevalier confirms that he's pushing for war. Initially he was going to "purge" them but at around this time, he and Emma have gotten close and she has enough influence over him to persuade him to hear the anti-war faction's side of the story. And it is here that it is revealed that the consequence of peacefully surrendering to Obsidian instead of going to war will lead to Rhodolite becoming colonized by Obsidian and Rhodolite citizens becoming slaves. It is here that Chevalier convinces many in the anti-war faction that while he cannot guarantee that all of their troops will survive, he can guarantee that their sacrifice will not be in vain and that they will have a chance to pursuit happiness free from Obsidian's enslavement.
As someone who lives from a previously colonized state, I could not express how this reminded me of some of my state's historical figures who have sacrificed so much for their country to be free from colonizers. And yet at the same time its ironically some of the businessmen who have sold out. It makes me wonder if there would be a difference if everybody would just put their egos aside and really listen to the other's perspectives. On the surface level, there was no massive bloodshed. But deep down there was unspoken bloodshed disguised in propaganda. And it only deepened the dehumanizing perspective that the former colonizer has on the colonized state. And even though on paper the former colonizer has left, the reality is that it still has influence over the former colony by the things it left behind, and by the things that it will support.
Anyway back to Chevalier, what I like is that even after he opens up and becomes influenced by Emma to talk things out first, he hasn't really changed or suddenly become human. Rather he was always human who didn't mind parading as the beast. What Emma did was to enable his human side to open up. Does he have different values than she does? Yes, as a matter of fact some of his values and beliefs are still taboo to some people today. I disagree with his belief that a worth of a person is what makes a person valuable. But given that at any point he could be backstabbed, assassinated, or could be doing something that was worth more of his time, then I could hardly blame him. Even Clavis the brother whom he is both the closest with and with whom he is a rival to, actively finds ways to kill him off or to be better at anything (which Chevalier ends up winning consistently). Its why he refrains from using Emma's name as long as she is Belle. She is a stranger arbitrarily picked to choose the next King, but as he explains to her later on, he views the position as useless because she will have no responsibility for how the Kingdom is run. The responsibility is still with the royal family and even if she chooses wrong, the princes are still beasts and are not simply going to follow the commands of someone inept. So even if he doesn't become a king through the Belle system, he knows that he could still be king behind the scenes (or this is my theory at least since I don't know enough about any alternative process of selecting the king). I think that he understands that no matter how much Emma as Belle studies in one month, she's not going to get everything and there are definitely going to be some things that she will miss. But nevertheless when Chev tell her to prove her worth to him after she first stands up to him, is what drives her to be the counterbalance in his route.
Emma, from what I've seen in tumblr in relation to Chev's route doesn't seem to be popular because of how she was written and how it seems she is inadequate to be either his queen or his lover. As a matter of fact vanilaamoursucrethings seems to be the only one who gets why she is a counterpoint to Chev in his route. To add to what vanilaamoursucrethings Emma after being given enough persuasion on how to best approach Chevalier again, stands up to him and he is obviously impressed. Once she gets over the shock of what he has done, she has little to no problem speaking to him about her perspective. But she does it in a way that's not forceful, but more of as a matter of fact. She thinks love is valuable because she has read many stories of how it can bind people together. She knows that compared to him she needs to catch up and doesn't mind asking for his advice on who is the best person to be her escort to get an impartial perspective. She keeps believing his human side even though it seems that he is only truly a beast. She even goads him to kill her after he gets her away from Clavis who almost kisses her (and just like Emma, he does it to goad him to act). If she wasn't the person she was by influencing him to talk things out and to prove to him that love does have value, he wouldn't trust her enough to open up to her on his own. You can't make people open up if they don't want to, otherwise they will just resent you even more.
Now some people wonder why she didn't just engage with him through their common love of books and engage in philosophical aspects of love. To this I counter, with a question from my own philosophy teacher in my undergrad years. "Is reading how to swim, the same as actually swimming?" There is only so much that you can discuss intellectually on something that you haven't experienced before. Chevalier doesn't know about love or if he has even felt it, romance novels and books discussing and philosophizing love are his research. And he is surrounded by people with whom he cannot completely trust because to do so would mean death through assassination, backstabbing, etc. Emma has not experienced romantic love before and like Chevalier can only read about it. She is more exposed to it than Chev, which is how she knows it has value, but convincing Chev who has probably read all arguments for and against the value of love, means having to explain why it is so valuable from the best teacher of all, experience. As an analogy, being a mother is not easy. You don't need to be a mother to know this. But no matter how much you read philosophically, medically, or no matter how many stories of being a mother you have read, any mom can tell you it is nothing compared to what its like actually being a mom.
People say how it seems so stupid that she forgets that Chevalier is a beast despite what happens in the first chapter and Chev himself consistently tells her that he is a beast. But Emma is a person who has not had to deal with people dying before she became Belle. And also no matter how much you think you know a person, if you're not used to that person killing a person right on front of you, I would honestly be more concerned if you didn't panic or react negatively. I highly doubt that many people wouldn't react the same way. Or maybe its because people forget that Emma is not desensitized to violence, its one thing to spar and train but to actually do it is another story. And also this is her first time seeing Chevalier in the battlefield. Many people would be acting differently when they are in a place where they could live or die compared to how they would be acting during times of peace.
It is a slow burn, but in my opinion it is a more grounded and realistic slow burn. How in real life, a lot of times it is the little things and the cumulation of all those little things that steers your life, even if there are some huge things like a war or being selected to choose the new ruler, that shakes up your world.
do you like another story the best or deep/casual story the best? which is your preferred version of saeran, se saeran or ge saeran?
i personally like another story more because the choices for mc feel more fleshed out and mature. and i like how if you go v route, saeran gets reunited with his brother and everyone is happy. and if you go in saeran's route, he made his choice to leave mint eye on his own and seems happier then his secret end self.
You’re gonna ask the Saeran Simp what she prefers? Really? Okay. I love the game in all its timelines. A lot of time and energy went into building the world of Another Story, and I love it so much. I will never forget Common/Deep Routes because I played those first and it let me discover the story slowly piece by piece. I have to say that I love Another Story because of Saeran, but also due to the character growth.
Not everyone gets a happily ever after in each ending, but it feels like we can go in that direction finally with Saeran’s Route. Unless something horribly goes in the wrong direction with V, and I can only pray that Cheritz doesn’t let you know who get away with her crimes and that V leaves her so she can actually get the help he needs for his own health and growth.
I think there are merits to Saeran no matter which one that you prefer! If we’re going to talk about how I feel about how his character journey is handled, then I hands-down prefer GE Saeran compared to SE Saeran because there is a shift that is drastic in his mental health journey that I prefer to see. I’ve talked about this before in a sense where I explain how crucial Choice is to Saeran. While SE Saeran had no choice in his recovery starting point, GE Saeran has that choice and he makes it on his own.
Another Story allows for Saeran to make the choice for himself what he wants to do with his life. He stands up to Rika, he says no more, and he leaves. There’s a lot that I can say but seeing Saeran being able to decide for himself what he had wanted to do with his life was important. He’s never had a choice. All the time he was a child and even till now, everyone decided for him. Saeyoung decided, V decided, and Rika decided.
When did Saeran decide?
Never, unless this is Saeran’s Route.
Ray doesn’t get the choice either, but you know that he has more time to come to terms with what happened to him and grow on his own more or less with Jihyun during the events of the AE for V, but we all know how I feel about that AE. He does get to heal for a longer time on his own, but that journey is going to really start when he’s near his brother again and he has to face it. Growing alone is one thing, facing the person is another story.
Anyways, I will prefer GE Saeran to SE Saeran, simply because I know the weight on SE Saeran’s shoulders and how badly he’s still hurting because he lacked choice. Yes, he was able to decide he would grow by the end of SE, but it took a long time and he’s so worn out. There’s blood on his hands, and he’s got a long way to go. This isn’t even pointing out that Saeyoung and Saeran aren’t actually free from hiding.
Their father is still out there and he could hurt them. They still have to hide and I hate that. They’re free in GE Saeran’s timeline, and they will still have to deal with that fact in V’s AE as well. I don’t want the boys to live in the shadows with fear in their hearts. I love that the RFA came together for Saeran and Saeyoung and I hope they never let go. That final night on Saeran’s route makes me cry every time because they’re facing the biggest demon and they’re winning together and it’s just.
actually sorry i forgot something. it’s a masterpiece now, i’m done for real.
dramatical murder is a bl visual novel about destroying your limitations, destroying your old traumas, and destroying your boyfriend’s furniture because there’s no better way to make a lasting first impression. go figure.
Hello! Here is the translation for the SSL prologue. Primary translation is by yuugs, with proof reading done by shizuumi, kuririn, and dei-hime. Translation begins below the cut!
― May ―
Chizuru Yukimura: "The door and windows are locked..."
~ding dong~
Chizuru Yukimura: "Heisuke-kun, are you awake? It's almost time for school..."
Heisuke Toudou: "Sorry, Chizuru! Gimme five more minutes!!"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh... Heisuke-kun!? Geez..."
‘Five more minutes, huh...? There's still some time left, so I guess it should be fine...’
Chizuru Yukimura: "... It's already been five minutes...Is he still not ready? ...What now? Should I ring the intercom one more time...?"
Heisuke Toudou: "Morning! Also, sorry!"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, Heisuke-kun! Morning!"
This is Heisuke Toudou-kun, my next-door neighbor. We attended the same high school, and walked there together when we can.
Despite being a junior, a grade above me, he hated me calling him ‘senpai,’ since we were childhood friends.
I'd counted on him since we were little, but he sometimes overslept or played video games all night, which could be a problem.
Heisuke Toudou: "We good for time? How bad's it look?
Chizuru Yukimura: "I think we might not make it...!"
Heisuke Toudou: "Seriously...? Okay, let's book it!"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yeah!"
It was shaping up to be a bit of a busy morning, but we had to hurry―!!
Heisuke Toudou: "Dammit, if my alarm just rang properly, we'd have definitely made it on time!"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Heisuke-kun, you said that last time as well."
Heisuke Toudou: "M-My alarm's busted! I'll buy a new one next time!!"
???: "Sure is noisy this morning, huh?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Ah..."
Souji Okita: "Morning, you two."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Good morning, Okita-senpai!"
This is Souji Okita-senpai, a junior. He was in the same class as Heisuke-kun, and we were pretty good friends. He could be a bit mischievous, and like to take pictures with his smartphone. Occasionally, he'd email me and I wouldn't know how to respond.That did bother me a bit.
Heisuke Toudou: "If Souji's here… then we're seriously late!"
Souji Okita: "Maybe... But it's not that bad. Not like the school's going anywhere anytime soon."
Heisuke Toudou: "It’s absolutely that bad! The gatekeeper of hell's waiting for us!"
Souji Okita: "Haha, you're exaggerating. No need to be so scared."
Chizuru Yukimura: "L-Let's hurry anyway! Okita-senpai, you should try and run!"
Souji Okita: "...Looks like I'll have to play along."
After that, we began running for our lives. Of course, tardiness was against the rules, but even with that, there was another reason we didn’t want to be lateー
Heisuke Toudou: "All right, and he's saaaaaaafe!!"
???: "Unfortunately, he's out."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Huh..."
Hajime Saitou: "Sorry, but as a part of the disciplinary committee, I can't make any exceptions. Not even for five seconds."
Kaoru Nagumo: "What he said. A shame, really. You ran so desperately just to make an own goal."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Kaoru...and Saitou-senpai...!"
...Yes, the reason we ran so frantically is because of the disciplinary committee.
This is Hajime Saitou-senpai , a junior. A serious and deeply earnest person, he was a feared member of the disciplinary committee. Heisuke-kun often called him 'inflexible', but he's tougher on himself than anyone else. I think he's a good person. Although he might not be the best with words, he was a good senior in my eyes.
This is Nagumo Kaoru, a sophomore, like me. He's actually my twin brother. Why our last names differed was a long story, but basically, we grew up separately when we were young. Initially, I was happy that we were going to the same school. But... Kaoru wasn’t the politest person ever. He would even disrespect our seniors without a second thought, and he always made me nervous…
Heisuke Toudou: "It was only five seconds! The gate isn't closed yet ―just let it slide!"
Kaoru Nagumo: "No. How would letting you go benefit us?"
Heisuke Toudou: "Maybe it wouldn't, but it's not like it'd hurt you either!"
Hajime Saitou: "Heisuke, this isn't open for discussion. The rules exist for a reason."
Souji Okita: "You heard him, Heisuke. Too bad."
Heisuke Toudou: "Souji, whose side are you on?!"
Chizuru Yukimura: "U-Um... Heisuke-kun. It's a fact we were late. We can't do much about that."
Heisuke Toudou: "But...!"
???: "Pipe down! What are you up to there!?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh...!"
Toshizou Hijikata: "Saitou, Nagumo! It's time. Close the gate."
Hajime Saitou: "Yes, sir."
Kaoru Nagumo: "Hmph, that's a shame."
Toshizou Hijikata: "Heisuke, Souji, Yukimura! You three hurry up and head inside....Don't be any later than you already are."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Y-Yes, sir!"
This is Toshizou Hijikata. He was Heisuke's and Okita's homeroom teacher, and also taught classical literature. He was very harsh, but passionate about education. As well being the vice principal, it was said that he was a childhood friend of the principal, Kondou-sensei. He always looked tense. He had this prickly aura about him that kept people away.
Toshizou Hijikata: "I swear... You never learn. You're late every single day..."
(A flash lit up his face and a camera shutter noise sounded.)
Toshizou Hijikata: "W-What was that?"
Souji Okita: "Haha. The wrinkles in your face are even deeper than yesterday's."
Toshizou Hijikata: "Souji! You punk!!"
Souji Okita: "Would you like to compare yesterday's pic with today's? Here, take a look."
Toshizou Hijikata: "I don't need to! And don't take photos of people without their permission!"
...Seeing as everyone else was afraid of the vice principal, Okita might have be the only one who could banter with him like that... With that thought, we headed past the school gates.
――The private school, Hakuou Academy.
This school was an all-boys school up until this year. Thanks to the principal Isami Kondou-sensei and his efforts, the school became co-ed recently.
Somehow, I became the first female student at Hakuou Academy...
...And the only female student.
Of course, I was a little nervous when I learned that there were no other girls... But the people here were really nice, and I had always been good at getting along with others, so I was doing pretty well.
Chizuru Yukimura:"...Oh no! I have to get to class soon...!"
__
"Thank god, I made it in time..."
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "Hm? It's not like you to show up at the last minute, Yukimura."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, Ibuki-kun. Morning. This morning's been a bit much..."
This is Ryuunosuke Ibuki-kun, my classmate. He could be a bit blunt at times, but he was a kind person. He always had milk and red bean buns for lunch. When I asked him if he was eating enough, he would say that it couldn’t be helped, since he had no money… He complained about someone called Serizawa-san being rough and tyrannical to him. I wondered what his relation was to Ibuki-kun, exactly.
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "The teacher's about to arrive. We ought to take our seats now."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yeah, thanks, Ibuki-kun."
???: "Take your seats, you lot. Homeroom's about to start."
Chizuru Yukimura: "!"
While I hurried to sit down, Harada-sensei smiled at me from the front of the room.
Sanosuke Harada: "What's wrong, Yukimura? It's rare for you to be late."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Y-Yes... I'm sorry..."
This is Sanosuke Harada-sensei. He was my homeroom teacher, as well as the P.E. teacher. Friendly and open-hearted, all the students looked up to him as if he were their big brother. He used to go to the same Kendo dojo as Heisuke-kun and Nagakura-sensei, the math teacher. Even now, they all still seemed to be close.
Sanosuke Harada: "Well, I can imagine the reason why. You know, you can just ditch Heisuke if you think you'll be late."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Um, that's… I'll see what I can do about that..."
Sanosuke Harada: "Yeah, please do. Well, let's wrap this up quickly. Today's announcements are--"
I didn’t want to just leave Heisuke-kun behind... ‘I’ll try to figure out a way so I can pick him up earlier…’
Classmate A: "Phew, it's finally time for lunch."
Classmate B: "Yeah, I'm starving. Hey, Ibuki, you eating at the cafeteria?"
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "If you treat me, I’ll go."
Classmate B: "No way!"
Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "Then don't ask. You know full well I'm low on money."
Classmate A: "U-Um, Yukimura-san, what about you? We can go together if that's cool―"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Me? Well...."
While it made me happy when my classmates invited me to have lunch with them…
Chizuru Yukimura: "I'm sorry… I already have plans. Maybe another time?"
Classmate A: "I-I see..."
I apologized once again and then headed to the cafeteria. At lunchtime, the cafeteria got so crowded, it was like a battlefield. It seems like things are ramping up with everyone on an empty stomach…
Heisuke Toudou: "Oh, hey, Chizuru! Over here, over here!"
Heisuke and Okita are waving at me.
‘I can't keep them waiting, I have to hurry...!’
Chizuru Yukimura: "Hm.... Should I get set meal A?”
I bought a ticket for set meal 'A' from the vending machine, and then joined the line.
Genzaburou Inoue: "Oh, Yukimura-kun. You came to the cafeteria today."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Inoue-san, hello!"
This is Genzaburou Inoue-san. He was in charge of cooking the meals for the cafeteria, and his food was always delicious. He was very kind and warm, and students affectionately called him the “Mother of Hakuou Academy”. In fact, rumor has it that he was quite a big-wig as well. But was it true, I wondered.
Genzaburou Inoue: "I’ll keep your portion on the smaller side. The boys’ portion could be a bit too much for you."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Thank you so much!"
His effortless consideration for others was one of his best traits, to me. I would have liked to take some cooking lessons from him one of these days, too...
Souji Okita: "You kept us waiting. Oh. You don't have much on your plate, as usual."
Chizuru Yukimura: "You think so?"
Heisuke Toudou: "Chizuru's a girl, so of course she'll have less, right? You don’t eat that much either, Souji."
Souji Okita: "And you eat a lot. For your size."
Heisuke Toudou: "That wasn't necessary!"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Hehe."
After a fun lunch, I parted ways with Heisuke-kun and Okita-senpai, and headed back for the classroom.
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Yo, Chizuru-chan!” Working hard today?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Hello, Nagakura-sensei!"
This is Shinpachi Nagakura-sensei. He was a math teacher and a close friend of Harada-sensei's. Much to his dismay, he was often mistaken for a P.E. teacher, which was no surprise, since he always wore a jersey. He was hopeless with money management and often got in trouble with Hijikata-sensei because of that. But otherwise, he was a great teacher.
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Are you done with lunch already? If you wouldn't mind, I've a small favor to ask of you.”
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, yes! That's fine. What is it?"
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Sorry for the trouble. I just wanted you to deliver this to Sannan-san for me."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Sannan-sensei... So the infirmary?"
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Yeah. I've, uh...got some other things to take care of. Yeah."
Chizuru Yukimura: "I understand. I'll head there now!"
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Great. Thanks for the help!"
I headed off to the infirmary with the manila folder Nagakura-sensei gave me.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Excuse me."
Keisuke Sannan: "Oh...Yukimura-kun. Are you unwell?"
This is Sannan Keisuke-sensei, the school nurse. He was always calm, kind, and willing to lend a hand. Knowing that, it was strange how most students tried to avoid ever going to the infirmary...
Chizuru Yukimura: "No, I'm fine. Nagakura-sensei told me to hand this to you."
Keisuke Sannan: "Nagakura-sensei...?"
Keisuke Sannan: "Ahh...I see now. He didn't want to deliver it himself, so he used you instead."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Huh?"
Keisuke Sannan: "Heh... He actually missed the deadline for the submission of his documents, you see? I suppose he didn't want me getting angry with him. I'll have to have a word with him later… To think he sent you on a fool's errand when he could've done it himself."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, no, it's really no trouble."
Susumu Yamazaki: "Excuse me. ...Oh."
Keisuke Sannan: "Oh? I see that I've got many visitors today. You're here too, Yamazaki-kun."
This is Yamazaki Susumu-senpai, a junior. He was in the same class as Saitou-senpai, and his homeroom teacher was Nagakura-sensei. As part of the Health Committee, he frequented the infirmary to help Sannan-sensei out with his work. Yamazaki-senpai was a very strait-laced person, who'd never slack off on any of his committee work.
Susumu Yamazaki: "Pardon me! I didn't mean to interrupt your conversation..."
Keisuke Sannan: "How cold of you. Are you implying that you've no business talking to me now that you've wrapped up here?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Huh, wait― What!? N-No! That's not what I meant..."
Susumu Yamazaki: "...Sannan-sensei."
Keisuke Sannan: "I know, I know, Yamazaki-kun. I was only teasing."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Really...?"
Keisuke Sannan: "Heh. It was only a joke. Feel free to come by anytime, now. Of course you should visit when you're feeling ill, but do stop by if you have other concerns as well. I have some good medicine."
Susumu Yamazaki: "Sannan-sensei? But that's...!"
Keisuke Sannan: "Yamazaki-kun. Is there something you'd like to say...?"
Susumu Yamazaki: "...Nothing."
Chizuru Yukimura: "???"
The bell for afternoon classes rang just after I left the infirmary.
Chizuru Yukimura: "I'm already so sleepy..."
With my full stomach and the warm weather, I began to feel a bit drowsy. Thinking that, I returned to my classroom.
Then, as usual, I finished my afternoon classes...
It was time for homeroom again.
Sanosuke Harada: "...and that's all for today. Those in clubs ― give it all you’ve got. Those going home ― take care not to wander about too much."
Whole class: "Yeeessir."
Sanosuke Harada: "...Oh, right, Yukimura."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes?"
Sanosuke Harada: "I also told Heisuke. Don't be late tomorrow."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Y-Yes, sir...!"
Sanosuke Harada: "Hahaha, don't give me that face. I'm not really angry with you. Well then, see you tomorrow."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Right! Have a nice day."
I smiled and left the classroom.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Hm? What's going on.... What's all this commotion about?"
???: "Hey, hey, move it, bastards!"
???: "I'm so sorry, but if you could make way,please."
Chizuru Yukimura: "...That voice is..."
Chikage Kazama: "Hmph. For these nobodies to block my path... unforgivable. Those who dare defy yours truly, the eminent student council president, Chikage Kazama, must prepare to face the consequences."
Kyuuju Amagiri: "...Please understand this is to avoid further trouble, from what you can see here."
Kyou Shiranui: "It’d be less dull if some guys here had the guts to throw down with him though."
Chizuru Yukimura: "......!"
When I saw those three cut through the surging crowd, I thought to myself, 'Oh, no.' I really didn’t want to get caught, if I could avoid it. But as that crossed my mind...
Chikage Kazama: "Oh... You came to meet me yourself. What a praiseworthy sentiment, my betrothed."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Ack! It was a coincidence...!"
Kyuuju Amagiri: "Greetings, Yukimura-kun. ...You have my sympathies."
Chikage Kazama: "Amagiri. What do you mean by that?"
Kyou Shiranui: "The man said what he said. Ain't that right, Chizuru?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Um......"
I was at a loss. I could only stand there in silence.
This is Chikage Kazama-senpai. He was a senior, and the student council president of Hakuou Academy. He was always accompanied by his attendants, Kyuuju Amagiri-senpai and Kyou Shiranui-senpai, and acted as if the whole world belongs to him.
And why, really, why did he want me to be his bride? He decided that completely on his own...
This is Kyuuju Amagiri-senpai, another senior who acted like Kazama-senpai's watchman of sorts. ...He didn’t look anything like a high school student. There’s really no other way to put it. But I'd decided not to worry about that. He was probably the only person able to put up with Kazama-senpai's recklessness with any amount of success.
And lastly, this is Kyou Shiranui-senpai. He was also a senior, like Amagiri-senpai, and always with Kazama-senpai. However, unlike Amagiri, he didn’t seem to really respect Kazama. He could be violent sometimes and a bit scary, but occasionally he could be quite kind too, according to his whim.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Um... Kazama-senpai. I've repeatedly asked you to not call me your wife, so please stop..."
Chikage Kazama: "Why?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "W-Why....? Because it's not true!!"
Chikage Kazama: "...I can't hear you. Amagiri, what is the girl saying?"
Kyuuju Amagiri: "......She said that she is currently undeserving of the honour of marrying you."
Chizuru Yukimura: "What?!"
Chikage Kazama: "Is that so. Such a commendable attitude; such humility is a virtue."
Chizuru Yukimura:: “But, th-that's not...!"
Kyou Shiranui: "Give it up. He doesn’t wanna hear it."
Chizuru Yukimura: "No way!"
Chikage Kazama: "Hm... Fine. I'll overlook this for today. But know this, Chizuru. Once I set my eyes on my prey, I never let it escape. I suggest you ready yourself by coming to a decision.”
Chizuru Yukimura: "Kazama-senpai! Wait...!”
Without listening to a word I said, he turned and left, along with Amagiri-senpai and Shiranui-senpai.
...As they were leaving, Amagiri-senpai bowed deeply to me.
Chizuru Yukimura: “I would rather that he deny it along with me, though...”
"Phew..."
Somehow, after that, a wave of exhaustion came over me, and I let out a sigh. At that moment…
Isami Kondou: "Hm? If it isn't Yukimura-kun. Are you heading home now?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Kondou-sensei!"
This is Isami Kondou, the founder of Hakuouki Academy. He was always full of enthusiasm. Just watching him and his energy inspired me to do my best, too. His topknot hairstyle surprised me at first. But it seemed that he sports one as his own policy of sorts.
Isami Kondou: "Glad to see you're doing well. Have you had any issues lately?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Thank you very much. Everyone's very kind and polite, so I'm doing well!"
Isami Kondou: "I see, I see, that's great! To think that you're the only girl among a sorry lot of guys."
Isami Kondou: "Even now, I think the admission interview was a bit crazy. I'm sorry about that."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Ahaha..."
As I remembered the Hakuou Academy entrance exam, a wry smile came to my face.
That was back in the winter of this year. I was at a loss for which school I should attend.
My friend, Osen-chan, suggested Shimabara Girls' High, which she was attending... It was an upper-class all-girls school, and I was worried about the formalities and expensive tuition fees.
Many other schools also interested me, and I just couldn't make up my mind.
Then, as I was trying to decide…
Heisuke Toudou: "Hey, Chizuru! Come to my school! Starting next year, they'll accept girls as well!"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh... Really?"
Heisuke Toudou: "Really! Go to the same school as me!"
At Heisuke-kun's suggestion, I began researching Hakuou Academy.
The tuition was pretty cheap, but more importantly, their educational ideals resonated deeply with me.
And so, I decided to take the entrance exam for Hakuou Academy.
It was difficult, but thanks to the work I put into revising, I managed to pass somehow. What I was most nervous about was actually the interview afterwards. What would they ask me? As my heart began to pound thinking that, the person I faced in the interview was…
Toshizou Hijikata: "...Chizuru Yukimura. Our academy will begin to admit girls for the first time next year. Depending on the situation, the number of girls may be considerably low. Could you focus on your studies in such an environment?"
Chizuru Yukimura: “...I may have fewer female friends, which might be lonely. But studying is bound to be the main priority for school, so I'll be fine."
Toshizou Hijikata: "...Why did you choose our school?"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Though this is embarrassing to admit… For one, the tuition is cheap. I don't want to burden my father,” I said. “Beyond that, a childhood friend of mine attends this school, and he told me this was a good place... And after looking into it, it seemed to me that this academy creates an environment that puts their students first... So now, I want to study here. That's what I truly think."
Toshizou Hijikata "...I see."
For some reason, Hijikata-sensei had kept silent for a while after that.
With his most serious expression yet, he had finally opened his mouth again, and asked me this:
Toshizou Hijikata: "...Last question. Can you recite our school's educational philosophy?"
Of course, I had responded immediately.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes! It's 'Sincerity'!"
Toshizou Hijikata: "......"
After that, I made it. I was able to pass the admissions process.
At the time, I would never have guessed I'd be the only girl in the school. That had me fairly worried at first.
Isami Kondou: "I can tell you now that Toshi was against accepting female students until the very last minute.” He continued, "Ah... How do I put it? Um, we're a school with a short history, even if we have noble ideals and whatnot... So, when the proposal to accept girls was raised, Toshi insisted it'd distract the current students and disrupt their discipline."
Chizuru Yukimura: "S-So that's what happened..."
Isami Kondou: "The compromise was that Toshi would interview candidates himself. And here you are ― the only girl who passed! But I am really sorry. You must have felt out of place. I wouldn't blame you for feeling nervous..."
Chizuru Yukimura: "Kondou-sensei... It's true that I did at first, but I'm alright now. And besides... Now that I'm enrolled here, I think it was one of the best decisions I've ever made!"
Isami Kondou: "R-Really...! Thank you!! There may be hard times along with the good ones… But I want you to be proud that you're a student Toshi himself accepted, and enjoy your time here. As the principal of this school, I'll be watching over you!"
Chizuru Yukimura: "Thank you so much!"
Mr. Kondou waved me off with a smile and, after waving back at him, I left the school.
Chizuru Yukimura: "I'm home...! ...Haah... It feels kind of lonely when nobody's home..."
My father, a doctor, was on a business trip to some remote island, and wouldn’t be coming home for a while.
Our family clinic was also closed. While I was used to it by then, I think I took it for granted that someone would welcome me home before.
Chizuru Yukimura: "Hm?"
‘I should probably reply as soon as I can.’
-----
Sub: About emails
Since we're in the same class and we're pretty much friends, I'll tell you something.
At the entrance ceremony, the school admins announced that they would contact us via email. Have you registered an address?
You're going to start receiving emails, but apparently you can only reply to them right on the spot when you receive them.
You'll be able to check your email history later, but you can't reply.
If you want to reply to a message, reply on the spot.
Well, even if the school contacts you, I'm sure it'll just be chatter from teachers and students anyway.
That's all I wanted to tell you.
-----
Chizuru Yukimura: "Huh?"
"It's Ibuki-kun again."
-----
Sub: Ryuunosuke Shop Grand Opening
My bad, I forgot I needed to tell you one more thing.
As you spend time at Hakuo Academy, you'll accumulate points from doing things like replying to emails or playing mini-games.
Now that my shop has opened, you can exchange those points for various goods at the shop.
There is a limit to the number of points you can have, so use them quickly.
There are also certain things that cannot be obtained until a certain time has passed, so come and look often.
I mean.
The operation of this shop is a matter of life or death for me.
I'm begging you!
Please exchange points!
-----
"Alright, I guess I'll take a look next time."
After I checked the email from Ibuki-kun, I put my phone on my desk and looked out the window.
Chizuru Yukimura: "...I have my friends and teachers. It'll be okay."
‘Tomorrow's gonna be a busy day. I'm sure I won't have time to feel lonely then.’
A place dear to my heart, where I could enjoy my everyday life.
My days at Private Hakuo Academy had only just begun――
