A Close Call and the Yandere Deskmate
Hmm, that was close.
After a moment's deliberation, I flashed a kind smile and extended my hand. "Ahaha, my name is Ichimaru Shiki. Looking forward to a great year ahead."
"Yeah, same here!"
Kitagawa Kenichi grabbed my hand with an equally friendly face. The grip came through solid—strong bones by nature. In game terms, probably the protagonist buff.
Still, I could take him down easily right now.
No matter how much of a protagonist he was, at the start of the episode, he was just a fit civilian. Meanwhile, I had a superhuman body and time manipulation powers to boot. Killing him would take an instant, and snatching the necklace without a scratch would be just as quick. Right now, I could steal the necklace and awaken it as my demon sword instead of the protagonist's.
A demon sword that nullifies all abilities. Having seen hundreds of bad ends, I knew its power well. Whether it was a grand mage's high-level spell or a yokai's unique trick, the moment it touched anything, it nullified it all.
At first glance, it seemed like that was it... and yeah, that was it. That's why, even after hundreds of playthroughs, I never got past half the episodes.
Usually, there's some way around it with passion or overwhelming protagonist buffs...
This botched game, Doomsday Loop, failed at difficulty balancing. The further you got, the more absurd the enemies' physical specs and abilities became. Some just steamrolled with raw stats regardless of powers, while others spammed omnidirectional abilities impossible to counter. The protagonist's demon sword wasn't bad, but relying on it alone wasn't enough to save the world. Just that one power alone.
But as a sub-weapon? That's different.
Total ability nullification. Not as a main weapon against enemies, but as a support tool to block variables—it'd be highly effective. Plus, right now it was just a simple cross necklace, but once awakened, it turned into a sleek, stylish demon sword.
"...That's why it was so hard to give up."
"Huh? What'd you say?"
"Nothing at all."
Shaking off the brief regret, I chuckled softly again and shook Kenichi's hand. Stealing the protagonist's demon sword would be thrillingly immoral, but I didn't dual-wield, and honestly, it was inefficient. I could handle normal enemies with my own powers anyway.
Blocking variables and the design were important, but if I rarely used it, the point faded. Besides, in this trash game's protagonist, Kitagawa Kenichi, couldn't even awaken without the sword. Just a strong civilian otherwise. In any other game, he'd be an overwhelming alpha male, but born as the lead in this shitty visual novel? Pitiful.
...After hundreds of runs using him, I've grown fond. Kinda feel bad now.
If the effect was the same whether I used it or he did, might as well let him keep it. Later on, there'd be situations needing simultaneous solves with allies anyway. Better to raise him as an ability-nullification shuttle than discard him entirely.
You're my sword shuttle number one from now on.
With that conclusion, I nodded generously, like a philanthropist. "I have a feeling we'll be great friends."
"Yeah, let's get along!"
Kenichi, who already seemed thrilled to meet me despite it being our first time, and Hotaru shrinking awkwardly beside him. I spent some time chatting with them in the back seats. It was a temporary assignment, but getting close early couldn't hurt.
Soon after, our homeroom teacher—who looked like a yakuza—strode in. His already fierce face scowled as he boomed in a thick voice, "Good to meet you all. I'm Yamamoto Baki, your Class 1-A homeroom teacher for the year. I also handle grade affairs, so come to the staff room if there's any issues."
A school where monsters pop out later, and even the teachers look like killing machines.
After the teacher's brief intro, the class's first event began. "Come up one by one and draw a lot."
Official seat assignments. They could change later based on students and teacher preferences, but we'd stick to this for now.
I debated rigging it but decided to draw fairly. "Hmm, number 25."
Seats filled from the front by number—luckily, I got a back-row window seat. Not sure about the desk mate yet, but a decent draw.
Lucky break.
But that thought didn't last.
"Oh, Shiki! Seats switched up this time! Looking forward to it again!"
"Same here... yeah, let's get along."
"Ohoho, pleased to be neighbors."
Right in front: pitiful protagonist Kitagawa Kenichi and the Fire Shrine Maiden Ichinose Hotaru. What an astonishingly perfect arrangement—I greeted them warmly despite my inner surprise. Not desk mates, but neighbors meant plenty of chats.
Up to here, I could call it great luck. But then came the problem.
My assigned desk mate approached with a beautiful smile and greeted me. She had long pink hair and ample breasts. Her ominously flickering red eyes locked onto mine.
"Hi, I'm Sawamura Cento. Let's get along as desk mates?"
"Hoo."
I eyed the pink-haired woman sitting beside me and realized what happened. She rigged it.
The ancient weapon, Sawamura Cento. A shamanic aggregate governing human 'wishes.' A major heroine who could become an episode boss depending on branches.
Her smile was perfect beauty to anyone else, but I instinctively saw through it. A fake, contrived grin without sincerity. Maybe my superhuman senses, or recognizing a kindred spirit. Either way, she'd intentionally approached me first.
Just one glance exchanged—why? Masking as always with my sly chuckle, I replied, "Ahaha, looking forward to it, my fate-chosen desk mate."
An unintended yandere pink-head latched on... But I like it.
I was a man who loved obsession.
Being the first day, after homeroom, classes from Japanese (country language) to math, science, and history proceeded leisurely. Teacher and student intros, plus course overviews—an orientation. A break disguised as first-day classes.
For someone not here to study, it was very welcome. Wish it was like this every day.
Overly ambitious, sure, but a guy could dream.
Finishing morning classes in high spirits, I ate lunch with Kenichi and Hotaru up front. True to a game Japan high school, no cafeteria—everyone brought bentos.
Sawamura Cento, who'd approached like she had schemes, focused on class all morning and vanished at lunch.
"Kenichi, I brought your fave special tamagoyaki and umeboshi onigiri."
"Ooh, thanks. Your mom's cooking is always killer."
Protagonist Kitagawa Kenichi and Fire Shrine Maiden Ichinose Hotaru swapped food like the childhood friends they were. Kenichi's meat-dango overload vs. Hotaru's balanced meal—she seemed to lose out, but she shared casually.
"...Um, Ichimaru-kun, want some?"
Pitying me with nothing on my desk, she even offered me some. And the straightforward Hotaru acting this hesitant! How pitiful did I seem?
"Share...? Sounds great!"
Stubbed pride stinging, I shrugged and pulled my secret weapon from my bag.
Bam!─A lacquered black, mother-of-pearl inlaid—top-tier—three-tier bento box.
First tier: onigiri and sides. Second: meats. Third: fruit snacks.
"...Whoa."
"...I-is that a bento?"
First time seeing such luxury? Kenichi and Hotaru eyed the bento and me with envy.
Pulling out the soup flask too, I offered casually, "Haha, my landlady packed it—super generous. Too much for one..., care to join?"
"For real?!"
"Yay! Itadakimasu!"
Growing teens dove into the deluxe feast happily.
Everything going to plan.
If food could win them over, I'd bring it all year. Yeah, stuff 'em till they're pigs.
Heartwarmingly eating together, I stepped out for digestion. "Scouting before the hunt is essential, after all."
Murmuring that, strolling leisurely, I spotted a group tumbling down the stairs ahead.
"Lady Eris! I found a great spot!"
"I brewed some perfect black tea!"
"I got cookies from that cafe...!"
Blonde loli and her lackeys. Eris Betelgeuse leading down the stairs, followers trailing.
She was doll-like pretty, sure, but why such fanaticism? Tastes vary.
Shrugging, passing the hall, I spotted trouble. One girl, fixated on Eris's back, missed a step.
Balance lost, she pitched forward. "...Huh?"
Stunned expression mid-fall. By the time Eris and crew turned—too late. Eris kept a barrier on herself but was slow to others' plights.
The girl was doomed to tumble.
"No choice."
Not wanting post-meal blood, I drew the hidden tanto from my sleeve. Could dash, but it'd be too flashy.
The moment the concealed blade saw light—
─Time's flow slowed.
The falling girl on the stairs, Eris turning her head—all in slow motion. Even floating dust nearly halted.
Strolling casually to the stairs, I gently caught the tumbling girl.
Time resumed.
Whoosh!─Wind followed my path. Snapping back, the girl in my arms blinked up confused, then flushed red understanding.
"Hmm, that was close."
I smiled gentlemanly as always. "You alright?"
"...Y-yeah."
No injuries, good. Gently setting her down, I looked up.
"...You."
Eris Betelgeuse stared at me, face shocked.