Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: 3.2 Shinoshino's Apology
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The next day.
As expected, the academy was in an uproar.
Over ten students had died overnight. It'd be weirder if things stayed quiet.
If this were Korea, the whole country would've erupted. But this was a fictional Japan.
In this world, Rune Holders were nothing more than cannon fodder against monsters—treated like latent criminals. It wasn't even major news.
Hell, a Rune Holder robbing civilians would've stirred up more buzz.
That was the national level. Inside the academy, though, it was a massive issue.
Fortunately, the student council had seized all the evidence of the crimes and handled the cleanup flawlessly. No backlash over the President's Guard (executioner: yours truly) overreacting.
"──Which is why Naibusu could kick back and relax today too. Right?"
-Clack.
The president set her pen down on the desk as she finished writing on the A4 paper.
"And yet here you are, loafing around in the president's office. Why?"
"Ah~."
I scratched the back of my head.
Just as the president said, I was slacking off in the student council president's office.
"Naiad Winzer-sensei keeps dragging me in for lectures."
With the cleanup from this incident, our class homeroom teacher—my big sis Naiad—was swamped.
Akane, Lieutenant Shuji (lol), and even Extra A who'd tried to pounce on Yuuki. Three from our class alone, executed for sex crimes.
No way she'd let me—a nominal Guard member who'd acted all shady yesterday—off the hook.
"So I bailed with the excuse that I had a report for you, President."
Sis had hauled me straight to the staff room.
I had no idea if she planned to grill me or just preach, but my annoyance radar went off, so I ditched using the president as cover.
"Naibusu! Don't sully the sacred president's office with such a lame excuse!"
"Ease up, Shino. I told him he could drop by anytime."
"But..."
"'Or are you saying you're better than me, the president? Ohoho.'"
"Kuh... you punk...!"
I mimicked the president's voice, and Shinoshino's clenched fist started trembling.
Ooh, scary.
"'Shino, you fixin' to get smacked?'"
"Naibusu!? That's beyond insolence...!"
"Insolence? What're you gonna do about it?"
"Guh...!"
I grinned and poked at her, and Shinoshino gripped then released her sword hilt, shaking with rage.
"Shino. That's enough."
"...Yes, ma'am."
At the president's command, Shinoshino finally backed down.
Good thing she gets it.
Hope she doesn't charge in a fit of anger.
"I get that Naibusu is shaken from cutting down his own friend, but know your limits. Shino's your senior, after all."
Sting.
"President, you think this guy has a heart that could be shaken by losing someone...?"
"Shinoshino! What do you take me for?!"
"A blond delinquent demon spawn?"
"That's too harsh! At least stick to 'blond delinquent'!"
I buried my face in the table, pretending to sob.
That fired up Shinoshino for a follow-up blow.
"Hmph. 'Friend' or not, you'd have killed him giggling anyway. Just like always—one clean stroke to the neck."
Twitch.
"Shino."
The president called her again, and Shinoshino relented.
Over the top.
If I weren't such a magnanimous pure love fan, I might've snapped for real.
"One of yesterday's victims died without a struggle. No other wounds—just a stab to the heart. Looked like they were sleeping. That was your friend, right?"
"...Yeah, pretty much."
"What kind of friend?"
"...My first love."
-Rattle.
Shinoshino flinched, her hand rattling on the sword hilt.
Even Mind Rune thinks it's too much.
Should I tease her more?
"Honestly, yesterday I even thought about killing Akane and then offing myself."
"Naibusu..."
The president gave me a pitying look.
"Next time you face someone you know, leave it to the Guard. Shino's there, and the other members too."
"No. This is my duty. I'll get my hands dirty alone. Shinoshino, you protect the president in the light."
I turned to Shinoshino with misty eyes and a wistful smile.
"...Naibusu..."
Heh heh.
How's that? My guilt trip attack!
Shoving the dirty jobs on me while sucking honey in the sunshine and sniping me? Squirm in guilt!
"Shino. With what happened last time, how about properly apologizing to Naibusu?"
"...If that's what you say, President."
Already fidgeting, Shinoshino bowed her head to me like she had no choice.
"Naibusu. Sorry. For that reckless attack last time, and my reckless words this time."
Shinoshino bowed sharply, at perfect attention.
Her form was impeccable; it made for a striking sight.
Shinoshino's looks were solid, after all.
With her sturdy build and Guard Captain title, she was more popular with girls than most guys here.
Not that there were many decent guys left at the academy.
Anyway, for Shinoshino to bow to me? That was a huge concession.
Nothing more humiliating than bowing to someone you hate.
"Hold up."
So I was all set to graciously accept it.
But the president cut in midway.
"Wrong, Shino. That's not how you apologize."
Shinoshino tilted her head slightly.
Not defiant, but clearly lost on what else to do.
Makes sense. Even I had no clue.
"When you apologize to someone, you flash your panties. Isn't that the president's office common sense?"
O? The president's office has that kind of awesome custom?
"...Naibusu, you scum! What do you say to the president!"
"Wait! I didn't say anything!"
Shinoshino erupted in fury.
I hurriedly backed away from her as she seriously reached for her sword.
The president and I had flashed panties at each other before—and done even wilder stuff.
But calling panty-flashing "common sense"? I never said crap like that! This ain't some Novelpia 19+ smut!
"Shino. Don't blame Naibusu. I just made this the rule."
Not happening?!
"Kuh..."
Shinoshino wasn't flashing jack—she was glaring daggers, debating whether to draw her sword.
If she thought she could take me, she'd have unsheathed already.
"Sigh. Looks like you don't wanna apologize, Shino. Fine. I'll flash mine instead."
The president stood with a resigned air.
Ooh. Mizuki's secret panties? Can't miss that.
"President!"
Shinoshino grabbed the president's wrist as she reached for her skirt.
"Shino. A subordinate's failing is my own shortcoming. As the responsible one, I have to show sincerity."
"Eugh..."
Shinoshino's face looked like a samurai steeling for seppuku.
"If... that's how it is... I'll do it, President..."
"Good thinking. Show Naibusu your sincerity."
The president sat back down at Shinoshino's words.
Has the president developed some weird kink...?
A bit worrying.
...Not my fault, right?
She showed 'em all on her own.
I never even asked for panties once.
"Nai...busu... Sorry... Accept... my apology."
Grinding her teeth, trembling all over.
Shinoshino apologized with the face of someone forcing down bitter medicine.
And then.
"Ho ho?"
Shinoshino slowly lifted her knee-length skirt.
Sometime while I wasn't looking, the president had scooted right next to me.
Thrilling.
The president and I stared intently at Shinoshino's legs and rising skirt.
Well-toned muscles—healthy, long legs.
"Shino, not high enough. Apologies need sincerity. Don't embarrass me."
Frustrated by Shinoshino's teasing pace, the president spoke up.
Shinoshino bit her lip.
Then, as if resolved, she yanked the skirt up in one go.
"Ooh!"
The skirt fluttered up.
And beneath: plain white panties revealed.
I let out an involuntary gasp.
It wasn't just that the panties were sexy, or that I wanted to see them that badly.
If Shinoshino had flashed them casually, without shame, it'd just be panties.
But her humiliated expression, her agonizing hesitation—it created its own aesthetic.
Those panties were worth more than just fabric.
Yikes, scary.
These panties might cost me my life.
Burn the image into my brain so I'm satisfied even in death.
Clean white panties nestled between firm thighs.
Up close, a dark shadow showed through the pure fabric.
Shinoshino might be surprisingly bushy.
The plump mound in the center was enticing.
Looks soft. Can't touch, though, right?
"So, Naibusu? Feeling better?"
"Eh, need to see a bit more to tell."
"Grr...!"
Her fuming face made me wanna tease more.
She'd done plenty to me, so a little mischief was fair.
"Oh. Is that a yellow stain there?"
"What?!"
Shinoshino jolted and pressed down her skirt.
A shame, but time to quit while ahead.
Push too far, and no encore next time.
"Shino. Naibusu still—"
"No. That's enough. Saw plenty, Shinoshino. Apology accepted, loud and clear."
"Grit."
Shinoshino looked ready to cry from rage.
Seeing that face lightened my mood more than the panties.
Can't thank the president and Shinoshino enough.
Loyalty forever, President!
"What? Not satisfied? Want mine too?"
"No need!"
My offer got shot down flat.
Aw, pity.