I gave in.
I mean, I couldn't escape.
From the outside, it must have looked like I had a girl on each arm.
In reality, both of my arms, neck, and spine were completely held down.
After all, Izuna's strength is rated A.
It's stupid strong.
If Amachi was going to escape, he had no choice but to resort to violence.
But I was reluctant to do that.
I'm smart. I have a sharp mind.
I have common sense and knowledge from my days as a former working adult.
I didn't want to do anything like that.
Because, you know, I don't like to stand out.
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The school had become completely dark after the first day of the mock battle ended, and the students seemed to have let loose and were making a ruckus all over the place. Observing this scene, the beautiful girl, the pretty girl, and I were facing each other in the shared deck area. I put both my hands on the table and crossed my arms, assuming a final interview-style intimidation and emotionlessness as I threw a question at Homura.
"Well then. First, Homura-san. What is your requirement?"
I spoke in a tone of voice similar to that of a final interviewer.
"Um, well...," Komachi stuttered slightly.
This is it!
Checkmate!
"You're not hired!"
"Huh?! I haven't said anything yet!"
"Those who cannot answer the question immediately are not welcome in our company. Please leave. The exit is over there," I said, pointing my finger towards the group making a racket.
"What is this?! Is this really an interview?!" Komachi protested.
"Yes, it is. You don't even submit a resume, and you can't answer the question. Do you think you can get away with that? I didn't see a future for you working in our company. Well then, goodbye. Good luck with everything," I said, extending my hand towards the group making a ruckus.
"What?! What is this?! Stop kidding around! Tom!" Komachi shouted.
"Tom? I wonder what you're talking about. You'd better not make me angry," I said, exuding an intimidating presence from behind.
"I'm so annoyed! At this point, I don't even care about Tom anymore! Because you are Tom!" Komachi exploded in anger.
"I'm Tom."
"Correct."
"Technically, I'm Phantom."
"I'll give you 90 points for that."
"Well, I'm not Tom here, though."
After taking a deep breath, Komachi spoke quietly, "I came to ask you a favor."
"What kind of favor?"
"Please let me call you sensei! And make me your disciple, Amachi-senpai. Please train me."
"Why?"
"Sensei... I watched your match, Amachi-senpai. It was amazing. I've never seen a swordsman like you before. And... I owe you for something..."
I interrupted Komachi's voice, "No, no, you're flattering me too much. You have terrible judgment."
I'm really just a weakling.
"Komachi, you have more talent than I do."
"Fufu! You..."
Komachi hung her head in disappointment. She shook her lips and spoke again.
"But... I want to learn under you, sensei. I'll do anything! Please be my teacher!"
"Hmm? You said you'll do anything now?"
"Eh, yes..."
I licked my lips.
"Sensei, huh. Hmm... not a bad ring to it. You have some potential, huh?"
I mimed reading a non-existent resume.
Komachi's perplexed face gradually turned pale.
"Um, about the way you talk... That..."
Komachi's voice became more and more muffled.
"Hey! So-called disciple. Buy me a yakisoba bread! Of course, with your own money!"
I crossed my legs and ordered arrogantly.
"Eh!?" exclaimed Komachi, surprised by the request.
"And you call yourself my disciple. My shoulders are stiff. If you bring me a yakisoba pan, I'll ask for a massage," he said, piling on even more.
"What the heck!" Komachi protested.
"You want to be my disciple, don't you?" he asked with a wicked grin, waiting for Komachi's response.
"Well, that's not really-" Komachi began, but was interrupted.
"Can't hear you very well. Well, then let's just forget about it. Farewell and good luck," he said, dismissing her.
"Fine! You're the worst!" Komachi muttered as she obediently ran towards the food stall.
The Komachi route had come to an end. Thanks to me.
Hm, now that I think about it, maybe I've found a good lackey.
Komachi was a junior student, after all.
Until I graduate, she could work as my hands and feet like a draft horse, and that wouldn't be a bad thing.
After all, her debt was in the tens of billions.
Yes, you read that right. Tens of billions of yen.
I'm a self-righteous man.
"Hey, what about me? Are you forgetting about me?" Izuna interjected, unable to contain herself any longer.
"Wait a moment, I need to finish this conversation first," I replied.
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But on second thought, maybe this is an opportunity.
I'll have to form a party eventually.
Either way, I'll need to recruit someone.
Preferably a named character.
The capacity for a single party that can register at the academy is five people.
On the game, a party can have a maximum of five members as well.
Party formation is essential for events and mission clearing.
Of course, I would take up one of those slots, leaving four remaining.
Honestly, I hadn't even considered adding Komachi to the party.
It just seemed impossible.
After all, there was only a fifty-fifty chance that she would even come to this academy.
The main heroines were all powerful characters, so I assumed that if she did come to this academy, she would naturally join Kazane's party.
At the moment, it seems like she just wants to become my disciple, so incorporating her into the party is a separate issue.
But...
"Hmm, to be honest, she's strong," Komachi said.
With proper training and handling, she could be a valuable asset.
That's the dilemma.
"What's the matter? You look troubled, Amachi," Izuna glared at me.
"Oh, it's nothing," I said, using my patented "48 ways to survive in the world" catchphrase.
It could be interpreted positively or negatively.
Anyway...
If she's my disciple, she might listen to what I say to some extent.
It might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Honestly, I don't think I'll be able to recruit any other powerful characters in the future.
I'm thinking of asking her anyway, but it's probably going to be difficult.
I closed my eyes and faced an extremely troublesome problem.
"What's wrong? Amachi. You look so troubled," Izuna said.
Oh, right.
I still need to think about Masaka Izuna next...
"Hey! Are you listening?"
"Calm down, senpai. Did you say you wanted to fight me?"
"Ah, yes! That's right."
He gives me a dog-like smile.
Cute.
Hmm, but I'm tired today. I plan to sleep tomorrow.
I'm the type of person who can only take one turn a day on my days off.
"So, how about we meet the day after tomorrow instead? I'm pretty tired today," suggested the speaker.
"Great! Tomorrow it is!" replied the other person enthusiastically.
At that moment, Komachi returned panting, carrying a yakisoba bread in hand. "I went and bought it for you," she said.
She seemed to have rushed back in a hurry.
"Hey, so-called disciple. You didn't bring any drinks? You're not very thoughtful. Here's some money, go buy some iced tea quickly! What will you do if it gets stuck in your throat?" scolded the speaker, taking out some coins from his pocket and placing them on the table.
"Damn it! I never thought you were such a terrible man!" Komachi glared at him, her forehead bulging with veins.
The speaker responded, "Consider it a part of your training, disciple. Taking care of your master is also a part of your training. Don't you understand that? I'm testing you."
"Let him say whatever he wants," Komachi muttered. "That's just his tricky way of talking."
"Go quickly now, and make sure to get something very cold," the speaker commanded.
"Damn it," muttered Komachi under her breath, as she grabbed the coins and ran off towards the food stall.