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Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!? (Light Novel) - Volume 4, Chapter 2: Matsudaira Kenji is troubled
Volume 4, Chapter 2: Matsudaira Kenji is troubled
This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml
Part 1
Thursday, September 10th
Matsudaira Kenji was troubled.
And it wasn't because of his less intelligent best friend.
He was worried about the upcoming culture festival 2 months from now.
“Alright, I guess I'll put it up around here...”
The drama club he was in had a tradition of always putting on a play during the culture festival.
They would of course do the same this year, but they hadn't decided on what to do.
That was because the stage manager couldn't find a scenario they liked.
“If only the president would compromise a little...”
The club president was the one who served as the stage manager.
But the current club president and stage manager wasn't satisfied with student level stories.
Because of that, the president had rejected all of the scenarios presented.
And that was why the drama club was now putting up posters requesting help.
Being the lowest on the hierarchy, Kenji was using his lunch break to post recruitment posters around the school.
“Is there even anyone capable of writing a decent story in this school? Even if there were... would they even apply?”
As Kenji absent-mindedly put up the posters, a familiar face passed by.
“Oh? What are you up to, Mackenzie?”
“Kou.”
The passerby was none other than Koutarou, holding bread and juice in his hands.
He was on his way back after buying his lunch at the cafeteria.
“I'm doing this.”
“What's this? Scenarios wanted?”
“Yeah. The drama club can't pick what they want to do. So they're looking for scenarios outside of the club.”
“I see... Still though, if you're in trouble, just say so, Mackenzie. There's no need to hold back.”
“Nothing would come from asking you anyway. Do you even know someone capable of writing something proper?”
Kenji had excluded Koutarou from the list of possibilities right away.
“You just said something you shouldn't have, Mackenzie-kun. The previous years might have been something, but this year I am different. Do you think you can get away by saying that to me now?”
“I do, obviously. Where do I have to look to find anything worthy of being called an author in you?”
However, in the end, Kenji didn't trust Koutarou.
“You’re a fool, Mackenzie. This year, I have a powerful ally by the name of Sakuraba Harumi.”
“T-That's right! There was Sakuraba-senpai!”
The moment Sakuraba Harumi's name was mentioned, Kenji's expression changed.
Kenji knew Harumi loved reading books.
If he asked her, he might find a worthy piece.
Although he had been making fun of Koutarou, a good idea came out of it.
“I'll ask her if she has any ideas.”
“Please do! Right now we need increase the possibilities of finding a good play as much as possible.”
“...Still, you're rude, you know.”
Kenji's quick change of attitude left Koutarou astounded.
“Don't sweat the small stuff. It's your own fault for acting the way you do. Anyway, I'm counting on you, Kou!”
Seeing Kenji laughing his complaints away, anger began welling up inside of him.
“Yes, yes, I got it.”
You bastard, Mackenzie, I'll show you...
Koutarou nodded at Kenji while scheming on the inside.
Part 2
Later that day, Koutarou spoke out to the residents in room 106 after they had finished eating dinner.
“Everyone, may I, Satomi Koutarou, have a moment of your time?”
Koutarou speaking formally shocked everyone.
“W-What's wrong, pleb!? Did you eat something strange!? Should we take you to a medical bed onboard the Blue Knight?”
“Your highness, that's too much!”
“Satomi-san, you can't eat things you pick up from the ground!”
“Karama, Korama, bring some stomach medicine.”
“Understood Ho-!”
“Koutarou, just wait one moment Ho-!”
The only one who didn't seem to find it strange was Sanae.
“It's nothing like that.”
Sanae sighed and began explaining in Koutarou's place.
She was always next to him so she had heard the entire exchange between Koutarou and Kenji.
“You see, Koutarou's friend, glasses-kun... Mackenzie, was it? Well, the drama club he's in are looking for plays.”
“Ah, so that's why Satomi-san is being so dramatic.”
“That's right everybody! I, Satomi Koutarou, would like to help my best friend, Matsudaira Kenji, in his time of need!”
Koutarou continued in an over dramatic tone of voice and excessive gesturing.
“...So Sanae, what is this horrible actor trying to say?”
Kiriha could tell from a glance than Koutarou was after something else.
Sanae dropped her shoulders and smiled bitterly.
“He's frustrated because he was told that he and acting are worlds apart and he was of no use.”
“I see, I'm starting to understand.”
Kiriha nodded and took a sip from her tea.
“So everybody! Please lend your strength to me, Satomi Koutarou! Let us save the drama club from their crisis together!”
“He really is an idiot...”
“Satomi-san is stubborn after all...”
“So, what do you want from us, Koutarou?”
“I would like you to write a play together with me! If we were to write one piece per person, the possibilities of one us being chosen would increase dramatically!”
Koutarou appealed to them in a mighty voice and slammed a poster he got from Kenji onto the table.
“... Stories are limited to one per person.”
“And the deadline is the end of the month...”
“Finishing a scenario by the end of the month might be a bit hard.”
“It's impossible for me~”
“Why? Isn't fantasy your specialty?”
“That's not my specialty! Besides, there's not enough time!”
However, unlike what Koutarou had wanted, nobody was showing any interest.
The deadline being short, and the unfamiliar media was holding them back.
Of course, Koutarou didn't expect the residents of room 106 would accept so easily.
He had prepared a suitable reward.
“Of course, I understand the situation everybody is in. That is why I won't ask you to help for nothing. First off, if you decide to participate you will receive five of my tatami points. And that is not all, if your play is chosen, I will reward you with an additional 20 points.”
“I'll do it! I'll participate!”
Yurika jumped on Koutarou's offer.
Just participating would give her five points, and winning would give her an additional 20.
This might be the chance Yurika was looking for in order to turn things around.
“In the worst case, you would lose 20 points if all four of us were to participate, and an additional 20 if one of us is chosen. You could lose a total of 40 points in an instant. That's a big bet, Koutarou.”
Kiriha lowered her tea cup and smiled.
It was difficult to tell whether she was smiling because she was astounded or if she was happy.
“I only need to come out victorious, and my expenses would be limited to 20 points.”
“You really are an idiot... Is it really worth using that many points for something like that?”
Compared to Kiriha, Theia's emotions were easy to read.
She was obviously astounded and she let out a big sigh.
However, even she didn't realize her own feelings of worry.
“Princess Theiamillis, there are some things that men cannot back down from.”
“Y-Yeah...”
Theia froze for a moment due to Koutarou saying her name.
P-Princess Theiamillis...
This was the first time Theia had heard Koutarou call her Theiamillis.
She didn't dislike it, but something felt different.
Her feelings were complicated.
“Koutarou wants to show up Glasses-kun using only his own network, instead of using Sakuraba-Harumi.”
Theia's expression changed the moment Harumi's name was mentioned.
“Sakuraba Harumi... I see, so if we don't do it...”
Her hesitant expression changed into one of determination.
“So please, everybody, lend your power to this Satomi Koutarou! With everybody's help, we will be able to deal a fatal blow to our enemy, Mackenzie!”
In the end, Koutarou sounded less like an actor and more like a politician.
And of course, Yurika was the first one to respond to his call.
“I'll do it! Please let me help! I'll get 25 points if I'm chosen! 25! Even if I don't make it, it's still five! I'll do anything if I can get back some points!”
In Yurika's case, points were the most important thing.
If all went well she would get 25 points, and even in the worst case she would still get five.
That alone was enough to encourage Yurika.
She was planning on earning some points here to stage her comeback.�
“V-Very well, pleb. I owe you for working for me for the past few days. It is only obvious that I lend you a hand. I don't want you to think that Forthorthe would forget a debt.”
Theia quickly agreed as well.
However, Theia's reasons were different from Yurika's.
Points didn't really matter to her.
Just like when Koutarou had worked onboard the Blue Knight, Koutarou and Theia trading points didn't have any real meaning to her.
Instead, Theia would find it unforgivable for her own vassal to run to Harumi for help.
The pleb is my vassal. As if I would let Sakuraba Harumi do as she pleases!
However, what was moving Theia right now wasn't the bond between a master and its servant.
Swimming in the swimsuit Koutarou had bought her at the beach, running together at the sports festival and playing together in room 106.
Eventful days spent with Koutarou.
Theia hadn't really noticed it yet, but what she truly desired was that.
“Hmm, so Yurika and Theia are doing it too?”
“So are you going to participate too, Sanae?”
“Yeah. Me and Koutarou have a truce so that would be the best option. Besides, I feel like helping Koutarou.”
Sanae nodded and smiled brightly while fiddling with the charm hanging off her neck.
Unlike Theia, she was more honest with her feelings.
She followed her heart and planned on helping Koutarou.
“In that case, I can't not participate.”
Finally, Kiriha was the last one to agree.
“Kiriha, are you participating too?”
“Yes.”
She smiled as she put her cup down onto the tea table.
“If I don't participate, Theia-dono would automatically take first place. I'm not kind enough to just let that happen.”
Kiriha was the current leader in terms of tatami points.
However, since there was a mere three point difference between her and Theia, her not participating would mean she would lose her lead.
“A wise choice.”
“However, to be honest, participating sounds like fun.”
“That might be true in your case.”
Like always, Kiriha looked like she was enjoying the current situation.
“I am grateful for your assistance. I am greatly pleased that you have given this Satomi Koutarou, a chance.”
Koutarou was in high spirits after all the invaders had decided to participate.
Normally, he was very strict with them, but right now he gave them a friendly smile.
“Kukuku, just you wait, Mackenzie, I'll show you a thing or two!”
Koutarou revealed a sharp expression as he muttered Kenji's name.
“By chance, this fall has become a literature competition.”
Ruth had watched as the situation developed.
Since she disliked fighting, she was very satisfied that everyone was working towards a common goal.
“Fufufu, give it your all, everybody.”
Ruth smiled as she poured tea into the empty cups on the table.
Part 3
As the clock reach 9PM all of the invaders had retreated to their respective lairs.
Normally they would remain in room 106 a little more, but from now on they would get to writing their scenarios starting at 9.
Because of that, the only ones left in room 106 were Koutarou, Sanae and Yurika.
Since Yurika had jumped into the wardrobe, only Koutarou and Sanae were left in the inner room.
“What are you going to write, Koutarou?”
“I'm thinking about it. It will probably be something about hot blooded clubs.”
Koutarou had been crossing his arms for a while now while thinking of what to write. He still had no real ideas.
Because of that, the paper in front of him was still pure white.
“Hmm, that's just like you.”
“So, what are you going to write about?”
Koutarou asked Sanae a question as a change of pace.
“Me? I'm going to write about mama and papa's eloping and how it happened.”�
Sanae already knew what she was going to write.
And unlike Koutarou, her expression was bright.
“Hmm, so non-fiction... Wait, your parents eloped!?”
“Yeah.”
Sanae casually mentioned something very surprising.
“Apparently, mama was the lone daughter of a really rich family, and before she became a tool in politics, she ran away with my papa, her childhood friend.”
“I see... So that's why you're so obsessed with this room.”
“Yeah. Mama and papa would be troubled if I wasn't here when they got back.”
“...I see...”
This was the first time Sanae had explained her situation to Koutarou.
The reason she felt like talking about that with Koutarou was thanks to the charm hanging off her neck.
So Sanae had circumstances like that... In that case maybe I should let her stay for as long as she likes..
Koutarou accepted Sanae's words as truth, even though just half a year ago he wouldn't even listen to her.
The reason for that was the same as Sanae's.
It was just as Harumi had said that during the summer vacation. During this half year, their feelings had changed greatly.
“Koutarou, if you still haven't gotten a grasp of your idea, can I start writing first?”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
Sanae was a ghost, but she had the power to move a pen.
So Koutarou didn't understand why Sanae was asking him for permission.
“I can move the pen like this but...”
Sanae floated the pen into the air.
The pen floated in front of Koutarou and started rotating.
“Poltergeist, right?”
“Yeah. But it's really hard to make complicated motions like this. The writing would look terrible and it would exhaust me.”
Sanae stopped the pen’s movement for a moment and began writing letters in the air.
The movements of the pen were clumsy.
As Sanae said, her ability was too rough.
That was obvious since ghosts usually cause a ruckus.
“So instead, I thought it would be easier if I possess you.”
“Ah, I got it, I've heard of this before. It's ghostwriting, right?”
“Yeah. I think it was something like that.”
Sanae was talking about automatic writing, also known as psychography, not ghostwriting.
However, only Koutarou and Sanae was in room 106 right now, so no one was around to correct them.
“Well, fine, if that's all.”
“Really!? Then, then, after I'm done I'll help with your stiff shoulders!”
“I see. Then it's a deal, Sanae.”
“Yes!”
Sanae nodded and circled around to Koutarou's back with a cheerful look.
“What? So it's just like always?”
“Yeah!”
Sanae jumped onto Koutarou's back with a cheerful cheer.
“Oh?”
“Hehehe.”
Sanae put her arms around Koutarou's neck and put her head on Koutarou's right shoulder.
Her expression was brighter than before.
Koutarou wasn't sure if this was already fun for her or if the fun was still yet to come.
“W-Woah, my right hand is moving on its own!?”
“This is the power of ghostwriting!”
Koutarou wasn't doing anything, but his arm began moving.
His right arm picked up the pen lying on the tea table and began writing on the paper in front of him.
“...It feels kind of weird having your right arm move on its own.”
“Fufu, it's cool isn't it.”
Letters filled the paper as Koutarou puzzled over this.
“It's cool but, the letters are more beautiful than normal, so it's a bit unnerving.”
“Then why don't you remember how your hand is moving now?”
“I guess I will.”
As Koutarou nodded, his right hand stopped moving.
And Sanae just looked at Koutarou's profile without doing anything.
What?
Confused, Koutarou looked at the paper in front of him, it had a short sentence written on it.
“I got it, geez...”
After reading it, Koutarou let out a small sigh and put his left hand on top of Sanae's hand.
“Very good.”
He began petting Sanae's head with his left hand.
“Ehehehe~”
The written sentence was simple.
'Compliment me more, you bastard!”
Since Sanae was possessing Koutarou, he was uncertain whether he was petting her, or if she was petting herself.
“Koutarou, it won't hurt if you do it more gently.”
However, at this point Koutarou didn't care either way.
At that moment, the sliding door behind Koutarou opened.
“S-Satomi-san!”
As Koutarou and Sanae turned around, they could see Yurika jumping out from the wardrobe.
For some reason, tears were streaming down her face and in her hand was the plastic breeding case.
“Fueeeeeeh! Please help me, Satomi-san!”
As she landed on the floor, she broke down crying.
“W-What happened, Yurika?”
“What are you crying for?”
After looking at each other, Sanae and Koutarou asked Yurika what was wrong.
When they did, Yurika crawled closer to Koutarou while embracing the breeding case.
“A-Actually, I was trying to sleep, but Hercules-chan won't stop making noises!”
“Who cares about that!?”
“... You really do worry about the dumbest of things...”
Convinced that it was a serious matter, Koutarou got angry at her while Sanae was just amazed.
Despite that, Yurika continued to plead.
“I-It's not dumb! If Hercules-chan moves even a little bit it makes the same sound as the time when a cockroach got into the wardrobe!”
Although Koutarou and Sanae didn't care, it was important to Yurika.
She was unable to sleep because of the sound Hercules made ever since a horrible incident with a cockroach.
“I'm too scared to sleep with Hercules-chan!”
“Then just put that box on the outside.”
“But if Ruth-san found it that would be the end!”
“I think it would be crushed by Koutarou in his sleep before then.”
“Sanae, I'm letting you use me for your ghostwriting, so can't you believe in me a little bit?”
“Ahh... then I'm fine with Ruth finding it.”
“Both of those are no good!”
Yurika came closer to Koutarou and Sanae, and as she approached with her crying face, both of them instinctively flinched.
“Please do something, Satomi-san!”
“Even if you tell me to do something...”
“You should give up and just set Hercules-chan free.”
“I can't do that! The vice-president's little brother will cry!”
Perhaps sensing danger from Yurika, the Hercules beetle shook its large horn.
And as its horn collided with the wood chips inside of the box, it made a sound similar to a cockroach.
“Please help me, Satomi-san!”
“I got it, I got it. Just calm down, okay?”
“Really? You won't bully me like always?”
“I won’t.”
Koutarou was really going to help Yurika.
He didn't want to risk Ruth losing her temper by doing things half-assed.
That was because he knew how scary Ruth could be ever since the beetle incident during the summer vacation.
“But what are you going to do, Koutarou? If Yurika and Hercules-chan can't be together there's no room.
“Hmm...”
“Please, I'm counting on you, Satomi-san!”
“Stop your crying and help think of something, Yurika!”
“Fueeeeeh! Satomi-san got angry! It's all over!! Not Hercules-chan! How could you be so cold, Satomi-san!”
Yurika faced the breeding case placed on top of the tea table as tears streamed down her face.
“This is too cruel, too cold! I knew you were a bad person from before, but I couldn't imagine you were this bad!”
“Calm down, Yurika!”
“It's all oveeeeer!! Hercules-chan!!”
“Aaaaahhh, geez!”
“N-Now that it's come down to this I have no choice but to leave this room! B-But if I leave I can't protect the room! Ahhh... Hercules-chan, what should I do!?”
An idea popped into Koutarou's head as he listened to Yurika's complaints.
“Leaving the room...? That's it! Hey, Yurika!”
“Uuuuuuhh... w-what is it? How more are you planning on bullying me?”
As Koutarou shook Yurika's shoulder, she turned around to look at him.
Tears were still flooding out of her eyes.
“You're way off. I got a good idea on how to protect Hercules.”
“Eh!? Really!?”
But as she heard Koutarou saying he had a good idea, her tears stopped and she smiled.
“Satomi-san, I knew you were a good person!”
“I've been thinking but, that selfishness and quick change of emotions... Yurika, you're quite impressive...”
Despite Sanae being astounded, Yurika looked up at Koutarou with eyes filled with hope.
If she wasn't carrying the breeding case she probably would have shook his hand.
Yurika... are you fine with your life being like that...?
Koutarou and Sanae had similar opinions, but they held it in and continued talking.
“To begin with, we put Hercules in the wardrobe.”
“Okay, and then what do I do?”
“You leave without any hesitation.”
“Nooooooo! Tell me you're kidding!!”
“Don't make it any worse, Sanae.”
“B-But, Koutarou...”
“I know how you feel though.”
Koutarou also wanted to throw Yurika out, but she was Harumi's best friend.
So he couldn't simply do that.
He also had one more reason to not throw her out.
“But hold it in for now, Sanae.”
“O-Okay...”
Sanae held herself back when Koutarou asked her too, since she didn't want to trouble him.
“Well done, Sanae.”
“Ah...”
Koutarou smiled at her and patted her head.
Koutarou is...
Koutarou shortly thereafter turned his back on Sanae but she remained motionless.
Instead, she put her hand on top of her recently patted head and looked at Koutarou's back.
Ehehehe, well done...
Sanae was filled with warm, pleasant emotions.
They were very similar to when Koutarou had come to her rescue when she had been captured by the ghost hunters.
She then used her other hand to grab her charm, while looking at Koutarou's back with a smile.
“Yurika, put Hercules in the wardrobe and after that, you'll live in this room for a while.”
“...Eh?”
After Yurika heard those words, she froze and timidly looked up at Koutarou.
“W-Would that really be alright!?”
“Well, yes. Even if you have half the points of anyone else, you still have the right to some of this room.”
“T-Thank youuu!!”
Yurika bowed and thanked Koutarou before turning towards the breeding case.
“Isn't that great, Hercules-chan! Neither of us needs to leave!”
She then cheerfully talked to Hercules inside of the box.
Koutarou had one more reason for not throwing out Yurika.
And that was this Hercules beetle.
“Now you can safely return to the vice-president's little brother, Hercules-chan!”
The magical girl of love and courage, huh... Just like when Sanae was caught, it's not like she doesn't have any love or courage...
It was because of Hercules, and for the young boy who was the original owner of Hercules.
Koutarou felt like helping Yurika out because she didn't give up on the weak beetle.
And after that small commotion, the time until the deadline at the end of the month passed by without any major problems.
Koutarou, Sanae and Yurika wrote their scenarios in room 106, while Theia wrote hers onboard the Blue Knight, and Kiriha wrote hers in her secret underground lair.
The stories were handed over to the drama club via Kenji.
Since Sanae was a ghost, Shizuka put her name down on Sanae's story instead.
At the time, Yurika who specialized in fantasy and Kiriha who could do anything well were favorites for having their scenarios chosen amongst the residents of room 106.
However, the chosen piece was written by the hand of someone who nobody expected to win.
