This Is Really Troublesome?

“First, I want to thank everyone for your hard work in yesterday’s mock occupation war. Each of you doing your best in your assigned roles….”

The day after the mock occupation war, all students of Ruin Academy gathered in the main hall.

And I was listening attentively to the principal’s words with a very bright expression, having successfully completed the mock occupation war.

[You have successfully defended the territory]

[3000 points have been awarded]

[Amazing achievement! You have defended the territory alone at 1-star level]

[3000 points have been awarded]

I’m absolutely not smiling because the points are so sweet.

Just then, Sheena, who was sitting next to me, tapped my shoulder and asked.

“Sion, you seem in a particularly good mood today.”

“Oh? Do I? Haha, I feel especially confident today since I completed the mock occupation war more successfully than I expected.”

“Does that mean… Sion, did you block all the teams by yourself?”

“Hehe, let’s save that for later enjoyment. How about you, Miss Sheena?”

Sheena made a blank expression, then slightly pouted her lips before looking forward again and saying.

“Hmph, let’s save it for later enjoyment. I won’t tell you either.”

“Oh dear… I really wanted to hear about Miss Sheena’s achievements, how unfortunate.”

After I responded that way and slightly shifted my eyes to observe Sheena, I could see her eyes darting back and forth.

She seems to be debating whether to tell me or not, and how can even her contemplative look be so cute?

“Hahaha, it’s alright. Even if I don’t hear about Miss Sheena’s achievements directly from her, I think I’ll find out soon anyway.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The principal over there~ will tell us.”

I pointed at the principal who was continuing his speech on the stage.

“Now, I will present certificates of achievement and prepared prizes to the four students who showed the most outstanding performances in the mock occupation war. The student with the fourth most outstanding performance, Luna Vermillion. Please come forward.”

Following the principal’s call, a silver-haired student rose from her seat and headed toward the stage.

Ah, Luna Vermillion. A familiar name. She was an incredibly useful dealer in the game.

Surely her passive was Berserker or something? She had a characteristic that made her stronger as her HP got lower.

“Luna Vermillion. Although all your allies were eliminated, you are awarded this certificate for your achievement of never giving up and singlehandedly defeating 8 enemies to defend your territory.”

When Luna Vermillion received the certificate, many students did not spare their applause for her.

Since they directly participated in the mock occupation war, they knew how remarkable Luna Vermillion’s achievement was and couldn’t dismiss it lightly.

“Luna? Do you have any words to share?”

The principal handed over an artifact enchanted with amplification magic, and Luna Vermillion who received it opened her mouth.

“I believe I was able to achieve this because of my teammates.”

Students once again applauded her humble demeanor.

And after some time passed, when it became quiet again, the principal began to speak once more.

“The student with the third most outstanding performance, Sheena Astorius. Please come to the stage.”

As I expected, Sheena’s name was called.

“So that’s what you meant by ‘I’ll find out soon.’ Sion, I’ll be right back.”

“Go comfortably. I’ll be taking in every single one of your actions.”

“Y-you don’t have to watch that carefully.”

Sheena, her face slightly flushed, ran up to the stage as if escaping.

“Sheena Astorius, you showed the most outstanding performance among teammates composed of higher-grade students, and made a significant contribution to winning 6 engagements that took place after occupying the territory, so you are awarded this certificate.”

The principal recited Sheena’s achievements, but I couldn’t hear properly.

“Wow… how can a girl be so beautiful?”

“Are there many beauties like her in the Kirinus Empire?”

“…Should I try approaching her?”

“Wake up. Even senior Marin, who they say chases after those women, got completely rejected when he approached her.”

The murmuring of students praising Sheena’s appearance makes it difficult to hear the principal’s words.

When Sheena returns later, if I tell her about this, how will she react? Will she scold the chattering students or blush and feel embarrassed? I’m curious.

That would be fun. I’ll try it later.

“Sheena? Do you have any words to share?”

“Yes, I do.”

Sheena, who received the certificate, looked straight ahead and began to speak.

“I believe I’m able to stand here today because of the seniors who fought alongside me. I first dedicate this honor to them. Thank you.”

Voices from around, especially male students, murmured loudly.

“Wow… even her speech is beautiful.”

“They say there’s never a bad person among beautiful people.”

“I’m becoming Sheena’s fan from today.”

Quiet down, you guys. I can’t hear Sheena.

“And I would like to express my gratitude to those who usually support me….”

Sheena, who was trailing her words, soon blushed, then closed her eyes tightly and said.

“In particular, I want to thank Sion. Th-that’s all!”

With those final words, Sheena bowed her head and quickly walked down from the stage.

A shower of applause rained down, but among them were some sounds that were quite troublesome for me to hear.

“….Who is this Sion?”

“Did Lady Sheena have a boyfriend?!”

“I’ll kill him. Whoever he is, I will definitely kill him.”

Amid those passionate reactions, I deliberately looked at distant mountains and waited for time to pass.

And soon Sheena returned.

I gave a light compliment to Sheena who returned with a grin.

“Hey, Miss Sheena. You’re amazing, aren’t you? Showing the most outstanding performance on a battlefield crowded with higher-grade students. I wonder if I could even follow behind Miss Sheena after a lifetime of effort.”

“Thank you for the compliment. And don’t say things like that. Sion has more potential than anyone I’ve ever seen.”

Oh, there seems to be an opportunity for a joke here.

“Hmm… with your hand on your heart? Can you say that even betting on our friendship?”

At my persistent question, Sheena hesitated for a moment, then avoided my gaze and muttered.

“W-well, thinking about it again, maybe not.”

“….So in the end, you said something you didn’t really mean just for my sake. I appreciate Miss Sheena’s consideration, but this subtle feeling of misery seems unavoidable.”

“What? No, I mean… that’s not what I meant…!”

Sheena seemed flustered and floundered, then broke down completely.

I must really be a pervert. It’s so thrilling to see people get flustered.

Forcing my facial muscles to hold back laughter, I shrugged and said.

“Of course, I’m just joking.”

“….Really. I don’t know whether to be angry at falling for the joke or relieved that it was just a joke.”

“That’s right. Well, it depends on how you think about it, doesn’t it?”

“The person who caused the confusion shouldn’t be saying such carefree things!”

Sheena’s excited voice echoed loudly.

“Sheena, it’s fine to chat but keep it down a bit.”

“I’m sorry….”

Sheena, who was reprimanded by our homeroom teacher, looked forward glumly.

That sight was so pitiful and cute that I struggled quite a bit to hold back my laughter.

“Khup.”

Ah, I couldn’t hold it in.

“The student with the second most outstanding performance. Charlotte Cervantes, please come to the stage.”

Just as I was trying hard to hold back my laughter, Charlotte’s name was called.

She walked steadily to the front of the stage without showing any sign of emotion, as if it were only natural.

“Why are there so many pretty girls in this year’s freshman class?”

“Damn, I should have enrolled a year later…!”

It was only natural that many male students lavished praise, as Charlotte possessed beauty no less than Sheena’s.

“Charlotte Cervantes. You are awarded this certificate for making an enormous contribution to successfully occupying a total of 2 territories by cooperating effectively with team members to succeed in occupation, and then successfully occupying another territory through rapid movement using your unique magic.”

Charlotte, who had managed to occupy 2 territories using the dimensional gap while others were struggling to occupy even one.

“….She occupied 2 territories? And she’s a freshman?”

“Charlotte, my light. Just a beautiful light.”

“She has a reverse charm different from her cute appearance. Phew, from today, I’m becoming Charlotte’s fan.”

Wait, how many people’s fan is that senior trying to become?

“Charlotte? Do you have any words to share?”

“Yes.”

Charlotte looked at the students and opened her mouth.

“I want to thank the team members who followed my strategy well. I’d like to fight together again in the future.”

Charlotte, true to herself, spoke her thoughts briefly.

Many male students who saw this did not spare their praise, saying she was cool, stylish, and that they might fall for her.

“Ah, right. I forgot what I was going to say.”

Charlotte, who was about to hand the amplification artifact back to the principal, suddenly stopped and looked around.

“Ah, there you are. Sion, I used the key well.”

Then, looking directly at me, she added a few more words before walking down from the stage.

No, hey. If you say it like that…

“….Who the hell is this Sion!!!”

“What kind of guy steals two of our goddesses!!!”

The resentful voices of many male students echoed loudly.

[You have become the common enemy of many of the same gender]

[You have acquired the title (Demonic Casanova)]

[You have received 1000 points as a reward]

Um…..

Should I be happy about this or not?