Chapter 6
Chapter 6
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Is This School Full of Perverts?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
While eating the snacks Catherine had prepared, a sudden question popped into my head.
Could it be that we'll have classes here from now on too?
"Catherine, do we have to come here every day when we get to school from now on?"
"Not exactly... but you could say you'll end up here more often than anywhere else."
Hmm, so it's kind of like the student council at other schools? The number of members seems about right.
"Shorty, did you really join Stella without even knowing that?"
My stomach was starting to fill up, and I was mulling over a chocolate macaron when a sharp voice cut in.
Flat-chested... She's been unnecessarily hostile toward me since this morning. Started right off calling me stupid!
"Josephine, mind your words. Yujin is a lamb who just arrived at Paradise... It's only natural she doesn't know these things."
"...What the hell. You've been babying that shorty all morning."
After Catherine's rebuke, Josephine grumbled a few words and shut her mouth again.
She's definitely annoying, but seeing her get ignored by her sister like this makes me feel a little sorry for her... I should hold back from now on.
"Yujin. We have a little time before heading to the auditorium, so let me explain."
"Thanks, but... do you have to explain while hugging me?"
"I do."
For some reason, Catherine—who had said she'd explain—lifted me up from my seat, hugged me tightly, and sat back down.
Airi does this, Catherine does this... Why do people here love hugging so much? Try being the one getting hugged. It's so uncomfortable!
"Heh..."
Airi and Josephine's piercing stares, Karin’s intrigued gaze. Seo-ah staring at the sky like she couldn't care less.
No matter how I think about it, I don't belong among these quirky members... Sigh.
"Stella is a gathering of stars that light the way so lost lambs don't wander."
Tickle, tickle.
"Each uniquely shining star must use their abilities to develop Paradise or serve as role models to guide the lambs' growth."
Squeeze, squeeze.
"Eek... Yeah..."
"That's why every star possesses at least one ability that forbids others from following them."
Rub, rub.
"Th-that's too muuuch!!!"
"Yujin. The explanation isn't over yet. Are you alright?"
"Y-you crazy pervert! Why are you tickling and groping my side?!"
I must be crazy for letting her hug me so nicely. She's a neck-biting pervert who jumps straight to that—I was the fool for thinking she'd behave!
"Yu... Little Yujin sis... Such a lewd face..."
"Catherine likes the newbie type, huh? That's new."
And now everyone else saw it. Ugh, I'm so embarrassed I could die. For real...
"Well, isn't it fine? It was good practice for Yujin, who has to stand in front of over 300 people in five minutes."
"Shut up! Put me down now!"
I thrashed around in Catherine's arms, but she showed no sign of letting go—not even a twitch.
She's so slender, but how is she this strong? Does she chug protein shakes before bed or something?
"Since it's a rare chance, shall I carry you all the way to the auditorium? You're so light, it's no trouble for me."
"Nooo! Airi, help!"
"C-Catherine! Let her go, please!"
My loyal pervert Airi stepped in, but even she couldn't overpower Catherine. No matter how hard she pulled, the arms locked around my waist wouldn't budge.
Aah, am I really going out in front of 300 people like this? For real? This has to be a lie.
"Catherine."
I'd half-given up on escaping and was pondering painless suicide methods when a cold voice rang out.
"It's about time to go."
"...Is it? I got carried away with the joke."
Surprisingly, Catherine obediently released me the moment Choi Seo-ah spoke.
I thought Catherine was the top dog here, but apparently not. If I get on good terms with this Seo-ah girl, can I neutralize Catherine!?
"Your tension must have eased up by now, Yujin. Shall we go? Right, Yujin?"
"...It has eased, yeah."
What? So the hugging was to loosen me up? No way.
She groped me all sticky and slimy, even sneaking toward my belly button. I don't buy it.
"...Thanks, Catherine."
Still, I should say thanks. Even if it was a lie, it helped.
"You're welcome."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The fateful moment had finally arrived.
Following Catherine and the other three, every step I took felt like a condemned prisoner marching to the gallows.
Ugh, I was fine in that Cherum room... Now my stomach's stinging.
"Little Yujin sis... You okay?"
Airi matched my pace and walked beside me, gently taking my hand, worried about my state.
Her hand was much larger than mine but so soft and warm, melting the tension that had frozen my fingers.
"A little better now."
"...Don't worry too much. Everyone at our school is kind and sweet—they'll definitely welcome you warmly. Especially someone as lovable as you, Little Yujin sis."
"Hehe, what’s that... Saying that makes it sound like my face just lit up."
"..."
"...For real?"
Why stop talking there? It totally hits the nail on the head!
Should I have realized when all four Stella members turned out to be stunning beauties? Even at a girls' school, the students can't all be airheads...
"My illusions about this place keep shattering."
"B-but they really are all kind and sweet!"
"Yeah, yeah. I can tell just from Airi."
"L-Little Yujin sis...!"
She's been a pervert trying to smother me in her chest since we met, but I know Airi's a good person.
"Yujin, we're here. I'll give you the signal—just time your entrance with it."
The moment the auditorium entrance came into view, Catherine's words made my heart pound like mad.
They'd helped ease my nerves on the way, but I'm just a regular person.
I don't have the steel nerves for self-intros in front of 300 total strangers...
"Newbie, don't tense up too much. It's just a simple greeting."
Karin turned back from ahead and lightly patted my shoulder.
I thought she was just a girl-crazy perv, but she might have some depth after all.
"Or want a deep kiss from me? Other girls say it relaxes them."
"Pass."
Nope, scratch that. Total girl-crazy perv.
"Catherine, we'll head in first."
Choi Seo-ah, who had been leading, exchanged a glance with Catherine and entered the auditorium.
KyaAAAAH!!
A wave of cheers that sounded like screams from countless girls erupted at the same time.
"Guess I'll go in too."
"...Sis, I'm heading in first."
The deafening roar grew louder with each one—Karin, then Josephine entering in turn.
They're all so popular. And have nerves of steel.
"Little Yujin sis... See you later."
Finally, even Airi went inside, leaving only me and Catherine at the rear entrance.
"Yujin."
"Yes..."
"You'll be fine."
Once more, Catherine pulled me into a tight hug.
Unlike in Cherum, it was a gentle embrace sharing warmth and kindness.
"You'll become the number one star, shining brighter than anyone."
"...Me?"
"Yes."
Catherine stopped there, stroked my head, and walked toward the front of the auditorium.
With that, an earth-shattering cheer exploded—louder than any before, shaking my chest.
"Hello, lambs of Paradise."
Catherine's voice, calm and composed over the mic, filled the auditorium, silencing the rowdy crowd.
"We've gathered today to share important news with you all."
A quiet but powerful voice.
"The final star of Stella, long vacant, rises today."
Murmurs rippled through the students, too excited to hold back, but they quickly settled.
"Still a fragile fifth-magnitude star that might flicker out... but I guarantee she'll become the brightest first-magnitude star."
My throat tightened; I couldn't even swallow.
My heart ached, my face burned, and standing was a struggle—yet my mind strangely calmed.
"Allow me to introduce her. Joining Stella today: 'Shin Yujin'."
The moment Catherine called my name, my feet naturally moved toward the auditorium.
As I walked from the dark rear toward the brightening door, Catherine's back figure stood out vividly beyond it.
Stepping out, my eyes met hundreds of female students filling the hall.
Thump, thump—.
Glancing sideways, there stood Karin, Josephine, Airi, and Choi Seo-ah in proud poses. Catherine at the mic.
Confirming my entrance, Catherine quietly stepped aside, took my hand, and led me to the mic.
Standing at the center mic, I acutely felt hundreds of eyes on me—but strangely, I wasn't that nervous.
"Um, hello, everyone."
My heart raced wildly, but my head was unusually clear. The thought of burdening Airi or Catherine if I messed up gripped my near-bursting heart.
"I'm Shin Yujin, somehow joining Stella starting today—for reasons I don't understand."
Gulp—.
In the deathly silent auditorium—where I could hear someone swallowing—my voice alone echoed, an odd sensation.
"I still don't get why I'm up here, but since I'm in, I'll work hard to set an example for you all."
Sorry, Catherine. This is my best.
"Please take care of me from now on."
Bow.
After ducking my head, the ensuing silence made it impossible to look up.
Should I have said more? I thought this was my all... Ugh... I wanna die...
Clap, clap, clap—.
Someone started applauding.
Clap, clap, clap, clap—.
The small ripple from one grew into massive waves, flooding the auditorium.
She's so cute—!
I want to eat her up, she's that adorable!
Aah, but I'm Karin's fan...
Amid weird noises. Did I hear that wrong?
"Good job, Yujin. Leave the rest to me and rest easy."
My first greeting before the whole school ended just like that.