Tensei Shoujo no Rirekisho - Volume 3 - Chapter 79

79. Student Activities 7 – Preparation for Real Ball Throwing

The next day off, Miss Salome came to the dorm where I lived.

“I’d be a little embarrassed if we were found talking here. Would you let me in?”

“…I guess so.”

She spoke while fiddling with the scarf covering her, so for some reason, I brought her into my room and had her sit down for the time being. I wonder what’s going on. The other day I told them about real ball-throwing, so I wonder if Miss Katerina’s faction sent one person over as a lone spy…

“Your room is very messy, did something happen?”

Miss Salome frowned, looking down at the things scattered all over the floor. Cotton, beast leather, and a sewing set are strewn around. No, it’s not always this messy! Today I’m preparing, I’m preparing!

“Today is special! If I’d known in advance that you were coming, Miss Salome, I would have tidied up. Today I was preparing for… the thing with Miss Katerina.”

When I mentioned Miss Katerina’s name, Salome instantly turned from gazing at the dirty room to look at me.

“Yes, I needed to ask you about that! What in the world happened?”

“What in the world… Didn’t you hear?”

Miss Salome, aren’t you one of Miss Katerina’s followers? Furthermore, she gives the impression of being in the inner circle of followers, always together with them.

“No, I only heard a summary. Something about throwing balls on the day off? Did you promise to do that? Miss Katerina was talking about it to some girls we know.”

“Yes, that’s right. They seemed to like throwing things, so I thought I should teach them how to throw a ball for real…”

“I don’t understand what you mean!”

With wide eyes, Miss Salome broke in vigorously.

‘Oh, yeah,’ I thought, ‘thinking rationally, what I said doesn’t make sense, does it?’ Because, you know, I’d gotten some eggs, so I was a little excited… yeah. But if this strategy goes well, it should be able to open all kinds of doors…!

“Setting that aside, approximately how many girls was Miss Katerina talking to?”

I asked a question thinking since I’d sent information her way, she’d send a little information my way. Miss Salome put her finger to her chin and thought a bit. Somehow everything Miss Salome does is adult-, I mean mature. Yeah.

“Let me think, how many…. Um, as I recall… about fifteen people. Miss Katerina is always surrounded by girls so it’s only natural she’d invite them, right?”

Fifteen people… That’s not too many. Just in case, I think I’ll call on Alan and Ritz and have them invite some people… Ritz is so good-natured that he has a lot of friends.

“Hey, wait! Setting that aside! Would you tell me how things turned out like this?!”

Since Miss Salome was so frantic, I figured I’d better explain the situation right away. After all, Miss Salome wasn’t in the basket-holding group back then. Apparently some of the girls, including Miss Salome, had been doing something like stalling Alan’s group so they were late meeting me.

When I finished explaining, Miss Salome had a strange expression.

“Hey, did Miss Katerina… really say that? ‘Only looking at position, aren’t you guys only seeing me as a magician!'”

“Yes, I’m sure that’s what she said.”

I have confidence in my memory.

“So that’s how it is, Miss Katerina…”

Miss Salome put her hand to her mouth with a troubled look.

I don’t get it, this girl should be about the same age as me, so why is she so weirdly erotic! Isn’t she only eleven or so? This sexy pouting is dangerous. That curly hair is natural, right? How nice…

If they ever hold a beauty pageant at this school, she could be a powerful rival for me. I’ll have to see if I can make some kind of sexy one-piece for myself… No, rather I should see if I can borrow a little of her sexy mannerisms…

“Well then, I’ve heard all I wanted to hear. I’ll see myself out. In the end… I didn’t understand that it wasn’t you doing it…”

Before I knew it, while I was thinking about how to become more beautiful, Miss Salome started getting ready to leave. She put the scarf over her head; I think it was meant to be a disguise.

“Ah, yes. Be careful not to let anyone see you.”

“Of course.”

She said, winked, and left the room. But I mean, a scarf… I wonder if that disguise will actually work. It seems like it would just stand out more.

“Hey, I just heard, Ryou! You’re finally going up against the Katerina sect?!”

When I got to school, Alan was sitting in his usual seat with a wide smile.

“Yes, you’re well informed.”

“Ritz told me! Ryou, you’re so reserved! If you’re going to do this, take the time to tell me, too.”

Next to Alan, who was going a little wild, Ritz raised his hand in greeting. Ah, Ritz has a lot of acquaintances, so I suppose he heard it through them.

“Oh, I’m sorry. It was only recently decided.”

Also, it seemed to be some kind of important contentious battle to Alan.

“Really, Ritz, you are quick to hear. Did you hear it from someone?”

“Yes, I did! I think most of the second years have heard about it by now. There’s a big rumor that the mysterious Countess is moving at last.”

There’s actually a rumor?! I mean, the mysterious Countess… Is that supposed to be me? But there’s nothing mysterious about me… Well, whatever. If they already know, it’ll make this conversation quick.

“So, I need a little favor from you, Ritz…”

“Why are you asking Ritz?! I’m right here!”

As I was talking to Ritz, Alan snorted and broke in. Perhaps because he misunderstood it as a battle breaking out, Alan got excited and stood up to run somewhere.

“Well, Alan, if you’re up to it… I’d like to gather a few more people, hopefully around ten, after school.”

“Ten people… I got it. Ritz, don’t you know quite a few? Why don’t you choose some people.”

Alan gave Ritz his instructions with an awkward face.

You just asked Ritz after all!

And after giving Ritz his instructions, Alan sat there with an attitude of having somehow finished his work. Sorry, Ritz, this boy really-… I’m sorry. I apologize, so please continue being a good friend.

“Ten people? That’s fine… but won’t this be dangerous?”

Ritz gave me a worried look. It’s okay, it’s not dangerous… I think. Probably.

“I don’t think it’ll be dangerous. It will be a little tiring, but fun.”

M-Miss Ryou, me too! I’ll come, too!”

Charlotte spoke timidly but raised her hand with a declaration. Maybe she still thinks the thing with Miss Katerina is her fault. That’s actually not the case. But I appreciate that she’d join us.

“Thank you, Miss Charlotte! Then come to the vacant lot near the library after school.”

As I spoke, Alan listened eagerly, Charlotte looked scared, Ritz seemed curious, and they all nodded.