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<b>I COMMAND YOU TO CELEBRATE HAZAWA TSUGUMI'S BIRTHDAY (SINCE IT'S JANUARY 7TH JST) BEFORE YOU READ THE REST</b>
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Sorry to keep you guys waiting. I know a lot of you already looking forward for the second volume and I determined to fulfill my masters' wish. Joke aside, Watanare's second volume is my favorite one (not a good comparison since it's currently only has two volume though). Hope you enjoy the ride!
<b>\n</b><b>*****</b>
I was tricked, I was tricked, she totally tricked me

Amaori Renako—a completely normal high-school freshman, lacking any distinctive features, is currently shaking.
Right now, I'm in the middle of a grand party, a place where a commoner won't ever dare to enter. No matter which direction I look, it's filled with gentlemen wearing neat suits and ladies with their gorgeous dresses

Meanwhile, I surely look like I'm cosplaying, with this black dress that feels completely out of place. This is really disheartening.
The sounds that are flowing inside this room feel so far away as I look around with a frown on my face. I feel like throwing up. This is the worst, much worse than any other situation I can think of.
Those nobles sitting around the tables must be talking about complicated stuff like stocks or currencies. I don't get what they're saying at all.
Suddenly, I hear someone's squeal coming from another direction. 
The venue gets rowdy very quickly, and I can feel the source of that clamor coming closer.
\n
Like splitting a sea of people, she walks out from the middle of the crowd, straight in my direction.
Clad in a scarlet dress, her elegance is truly on another level compared to all the women in this place.
A well-shaped nose, succulent lips, and eyes that shine brighter than the sun—people are enraptured by every part of her, unable to look away.
I can feel a lot of gazes from every direction on me, because right now, that woman—Oozuka Mai—stopped right in front of me.
\n
“What do you think? Did you have fun?”
With an enticing smile, she asks me with a soothing voice. While on the other hand, I feel my emotions going numb.
“Just kill me, please just kill me
”\n“As usual, you sure have a unique personality.”
Mai covered her lips with her palm and let out a graceful smile. Is it that interesting for you to look at this embarrassing commoner?
“...Why did you bring me, to this kind of place
?”
Even I was surprised with how small my voice sounded.
“Because I got invited to this party, of course. Besides, you already agreed to come, right?”\n“Really? Are you sure your memory hasn't been tampered with?”
My brain, that is no longer able to work at full potential, desperately tries to remember.
It all started with Mai speaking to me with an apologetic face, “I troubled you a lot, that's why, how about a dinner as an apology?”
Since it's only dinner, I didn't really need to give it much thought and instantly agreed
 Huh, wait.
I'm pretty sure I asked her not to take me to any weird places, and she said that she won't. Since we became Rema friends, I thought we could understand each other better.
Ah, Rema friends is our new relationship. Basically, we should decide what kind of relationship we want to have until our graduation. \n(<b>TL Notes</b>: For you who confused what Rema friends is please go back to the first volume's epilogue)
\n
Anyway, Mai told me that she would only bring me to a hotel buffet.
Also, since it's a luxurious one, she asked me to wear a dress. It was a bit embarrassing, but I accepted her request. I bet it's just for her own entertainment. It can't be helped. 
And this is the outcome!
\n
I was stupid for believing her words as it is...I really never learn

Good grief, why did it become like this...Where did I go wrong, I wonder

Middle-school? Elementary? Or could it be, since pre-school...? 
\n
I silently stare at the lantern in the party venue while Mai continues receiving greetings from other people.
From a lady that looks like a celebrity with a sexy figure to gentlemen, everyone is taking their turns speaking out to her. Mai gracefully addresses everyone and bows her head numerous times as a sign of respect.
It's all happening right in front of my eyes, not something that's happening on the other side of a television.
Since people keep coming, she misunderstands my sullen face as me brooding from a lack of attention. She looks at me with a gentle smile.
“Forgive me, but I'm with someone.”
No, stop, don't look at me. Please just ignore me for all eternity.
“Oh my, Oozuka-san's acquaintance? I'd be delighted if you could introduce us.”
I can feel the pressure when I look at this beauty with scarlet lips in front of me.
Mai casually puts her palm on my back. Let's see, after she introduces me as her classmate, the probability of me being able to say, “Nice to meet you” calmly is only around 2%. Even though the probability is that low, what Mai chooses to say in this situation is,
\n
“Her name is Amaori Renako, she's my fiancĂ©.”
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That's wrong!
\n
That was way too controversial! I let out a silent scream.
\n
The beautiful lady in front of me answers with an elegant, “Oh my” while covering her lips with her hand. She's able to act gracefully even though she is clearly shaken.
“Well then, I wish you a good time, Amaori-san.”\n“Thank you.”
While I'm still recovering from the bombshell of an introduction dropped by Mai, everyone who was here before is long gone. It seems like the greetings have come to an end as Mai lets out a sigh.
“Finally we can be alone, Renako.”
Her straight hair is flowing around and it shines like stars in the sky.
“Want to eat something? Let me pick something up for you.”\n“Nothing I eat would pass my throat right now.”\n“Really? Do you feel sick? You should tell me if you are. I really did something horrible to you.”\n“I truly felt hungry until around thirty minutes ago!”
I accidentally let out a loud voice and every gaze turned in my direction. Those gazes hurt.
“Who is this countryside girl?”\n“How vulgar.”\n“Who brought that lowly commoner here.”\n“She looks so out of place.”
I can feel the accusations floating in the air.
I've reached my limit. I would get paralyzed if I stay here any longer.
I'm a girl that needs to retreat to the school rooftop after getting overwhelmed by the pressure of talking to my friends in class.
And you expect me to endure this harsh situation?
\n
I grabbed Mai's arm forcefully.
“Yes? Is there something wrong?”\n“Just come here.”
Mai puts her orange juice on the table and shrugs her shoulders. She's acting like she's dealing with her selfish girlfriend. So annoying.
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Since I was desperately looking for a place without any people, we ended up in a bathroom. 
Right now, we are inside a toilet stall. It's quiet, cramped, and dingy. Haa, so calming

Huh, it's not the time to calm down. I take a deep breath and yell at her.
“Oozuka Mai!"\n"What were you thinking, bringing me to this kind of place hm, Renako?”
Don't you dare blush right now!
“You...so you really don't understand me after all...Do you truly have no idea why I'm angry!?”
Mai rests her hand on her cheek and thinks for a moment.
“They prepared a lot of Italian dishes today. I thought you like Italian since we had pasta before, but am I wrong?”\n“Who cares about that!? Also, I love Italian! Pizza, pasta, vongole, I love them!”\n“Hoo, I see. It means I understand you well, right?”\n“That's not the problem!”
I desperately try to show her my displeasure.
“I thought! It was only a normal dinner! But why on earth did you bring me to a party!?”\n“I also intended to have a normal dinner, though?”\n“We aren't speaking the same Japanese, are we!?”
I covered my face with my palms. I just want to hide myself in a blanket and cry my heart out.
Mai changes her expression and looks serious.
“It seems like I did something wrong again.”\n“...Mai.”
At that moment, my anger suddenly died down.
“No, umm...well, yes.”\n“This hotel has a chef who's famous for their skills. I only wanted to enjoy their food together with you
 I see. So I was wrong after all. It's meaningless if you didn't enjoy it.”\n“...I'm very grateful for your thoughtfulness.”
Mai's smile looks very lonesome, I can feel a pang in my chest.
I feel bad, but Amaori Renako is a totally shabby character who will completely crumble if subjected to that kind of flowery environment.
The problem lies with me...it's not like Mai should feel bad about it.
It's true that Mai isn't able to understand me completely...but it's also true that she only wants to make me happy...and this is the outcome.
“...What kind of party is this?”\n“This party is held by one of my mother's company's investors. It's the event to celebrate the change of season or so. It's not like it has any special meaning.”\n“So a party like that does exist
”
It's like they celebrate nothing then

\n
“You see, we accept that kind of invitation every other day, all year round; that's why I'd never expected this kind of thing to overwhelm you.”\n“As usual, you're amazing, Oozuka Mai
”
I can't say anything other than praising her.
Once again, I'm reminded of the difference between the two of us. We live in completely different worlds with different standards.
That's why, it would be unfair if I keep being angry at her

I bowed my head slightly.
“I'm sorry, but I'll go home for now. It seems like you have a lot of acquaintances here, so enjoy your time
”
This time, she grabbed my wrist.
“What did you say? I can't let you go alone.”\n“T-that's not it...I'm not being considerate, I just want you to fix their misunderstanding about the whole fiancĂ© thing
”
Mai stares at me with a stern look plastered on her face.
“We are lovers, so it's a given that you are my fiancĂ©, right? I thought I already told you that I intended to marry my first lover.”
As Mai flicks her hair, I can't help but admit that she does look gorgeous. No matter how many times I see it, I feel a bit nervous when I look at her. Ugh, Mai's party appearance really has a huge battle prowess

That match between me and her is still going after all.
At first, I thought that we did not need the condition of being lovers with her hair down and friends with her hair tied up, but Mai insisted on still using that rule.
Even though I retorted that we are friends and not lovers, Mai simply brushed it off as usual

And so, right now, she has totally let her hair down.
\n
“Even so, if you introduce me like that...it feels so wrong
”
I balled my hands into fists.
“...Because
”
I feel attacked by Mai's sudden melodious voice. Just by that, my heart beats faster...ugh...her voice is very alluring

“If I don't say it like that, some weird bugs might latch on you.”
Mai brings her beguiling face closer onto mine, I avert my gaze out of reflex.
“T-that's...as if that would happen. I'm just a countryside girl, a lowly commoner after all”
Without minding my words, Mai snuggled and caressed my nape using her nose. Hiiee!
“For me, you are my Cinderella.”
Chu. She kissed the area around my collarbone directly. Uuuh.
“You look lovely today.”\n“It's just the dress, not me...”\n“It suits you.”
Hearing something like that from Mai

Since Mai is wearing a mermaid-style dress, it perfectly emphasizes her beautiful curves. Even though she already looks gorgeous all the time, that dress makes her more dazzling than usual. It's like Mai and her dress are complementing each other, the exact opposite of me who is simply wearing her dress.
If we stay together like this, it's not odd if I end up falling into her trap; that's just how gorgeous she looks right now, and currently, that gorgeous lady has buried her face into my chest.
“W-wait...Mai
”\n“When I touch you like this, I really feel it, that you are my destined person.\n“As if, that's...it's merely the fact that I happened to be the one to be there when you were feeling down...that's why even if it's not meăƒŒâ€\n“I already told you, right? That was not a simple coincidence. It's fate. A what-if situation is meaningless, because at that moment, the one who appeared before me was you.”
I can smell a very pleasant scent from her hair.
People often say that you can feel pheromones through one's scent. In a situation where you are pleased with your partner's scent, it means that you're yearning for them on a genetic level. If that's really true, it means that my DNA is yearning for Oozuka Mai. That's troubling.
In the first place, what are you doing, DNA?! Both of us are girls, you know!
“I, I get it, I already understand. I completely understand your feelings!”\n“If that's the case, then you also understand why you can't leave me and go home by yourself, right?”\n“B-but, that's because you introduced me as your fiancé !”
At some point, somehow, Mai had managed to trap me between her arms and my back was touching the wall. I can't move. I no longer have any means of escape, I'm only able to feel my increasing heart rate.
While we were stuck in that situation, suddenly someone opened the bathroom's door.
“Hey, did you see? It seems like Oozuka-senpai is coming today!”\n“Yep! That's rare, huh. It's been a while since I looked at her directly, but her beauty is really on another level. That small face and long legs really scream world-class!”
Judging from their conversation, it seems like these girls are Mai's junior in her model work.
“Ah, did you hear? They said that she came with her fiancĂ©!”\n“Eeeeh!? Really!? What kind of person?”\n“I don't know, but they must be someone like Chris Hemsworth or Brad Pitt, right?”\n“Uwaaa, they suit each other~~~!”
I apologized from the deepest part of my heart.
I am Amaori Renako, I have average looks, a perfectly average grade, and bottom average in sports
.
“...Now you understand, right? Like what they said, someone like me is
”
Completely ignoring their words, Mai places her palm on my cheek and slowly brings her lips closer to mine as she eliminates the space between us.
Nn, nnnn!
And that was, not a simple kiss. She inserts her tongue inside my mouth and moves it around as she pleases. A kiss that was packed with her feelings.
 
Nn, nnn...fu

Even though her normal kisses are bad enough, this time I completely lose control over my body and it slowly goes limp. It feels good...I guess. The only thing I understand is how everything inside my head has been buried by her persistent feelings.
After a while, after I no longer feel anyone's presence inside the bathroom, she casually pulls her lips from mine.
“...Uuhh
”
What were we doing inside a place with thin walls like this

I quickly move my hand to wipe my mouth and fix my make-up. Then I awkwardly put my hands, due to the lack of a place to put them, in front of my legs hesitantly. My lips feel like they are burning.
“Aah, how cute.”
Mai pats my head while making sure she didn't make a mess out of my hair while I could only manage to hide my embarrassment.
See, I end up not able to say anything in this awkward situation.
My breath hitches, my chest feels like it's suffocating.
What I feel is not a simple enjoyment.
As I thought, to feel something like this, being lovers is...definitely impossible!
\n
\n
After that, Mai chose to ditch the party and brought me home. It was the first time in my life that I rode a limousine.
She dropped me off right in front of my house and then waved her hand, still in her party dress.
“Well then, see you tomorrow at school.”\n“Yeah yeah, see you...just properly tie your hair up.”
She casually laughed and left. Oi, where's your answer.
\n
Good grief...with a lingering annoyance, I opened the door to my house. The one who greeted me is my little sister walking around with just a towel on her body.
“Not you too. Stop walking around with that appearance, won't you.”
It's been awhile since the last time I saw her half-naked state, as expected from members of sports clubs, she has an ideal body. She really exudes an aura of a normie after all. But still, after spending my time with Mai, she looks like a normal member from the Amaori family

Meanwhile, my little sister kept staring at me with her mouth hanging open.
“I don't want to hear that from you, big sis. What's with that dress?”\n“Eh?”
I finally came to a realization

That I was still wearing this expensive-looking dress.
“Ah, no, this is
”
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I was so desperate to go back home that I forgot to change into my casual clothes...How careless of me!
So I frantically looked for an answer.
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“Uhh, Mai invited me, to a party.”\n“A party!?”
Her eyes were sparkling like she's looking at her favorite cake.
Aah, t-this is

\n
This happened before, those eyes, this feeling...a gaze full of respect
!
\n
My soul was supposed to be worn out from the previous incident, but my mouth kept moving as it pleased.
“U-umm, well...that kind of place, you see? There was a party held by Mai's company sponsor, and then she asked me to come, and so I wore this dress.”\n“Whoaa, amazing
”\n“They had this buffet style with a lot of Italian dishes made by a popular chef. Well, it was quite an awesome place
”\n“Heeee!”
I didn't get to eat anything, though!
\n
I still felt like throwing up but I tried to put up a brave front and walked towards the dining room.
“What's for today's dinner?”\n“Eeh, you just ate at the hotel, right?”
At the end, the taste of home is the best!
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<b>***</b>
\n
Ashigaya High-School is a private school placed along Keio-Line, its grade is a bit above average compared to other schools.
Both the teachers and students are pretty carefree. If I sugarcoat it, they are people with good manners. Frankly speaking, they just don't care enough about their surroundings. This might be our school's special trait...is it okay having something like that as a special trait, I wonder

But starting this year, this school has another special trait.
Yeah, I'm talking about Ashigaya High-School's Goddess of the Sun, Oozuka Mai.
\n
Ever since she enrolled, she became this school's specialty.
I wouldn't be surprised if the flyers and catalogues for next year's school promotion has a huge “<b>Currently attended by Oozuka Mai</b>” written on it.
She has a gorgeous appearance, is wealthy, treats people well, and is a very refined person—that's Oozuka Mai.
\n
Under normal circumstances, no one would dare to call out to her and casually ask her to become their friend, but someone did it on the first day we attended this school! 
That's me, Amaori Renako!
Everything happened because I didn't want to repeat the same mistakes I made during middle-school; that's why I really did my best to graduate from being a shabby character. And so, my grand plan went smoothly, if only my mental fortitude wasn't so pathetic!
Therefore I was bound to pay a hefty price for my careless action, and that is getting exhausted in both mind and body by interacting with these normies from the upper caste every day. And so, Amaori Renako will keep facing her battles (<b>Fin</b>).
\n
Ah, it's supposed to be (To be continued) since I'm a different person from the previous me.
\n
“Haah, school is so relaxing...”
Since it's still early, no one has arrived yet. I lazily rest my head on my desk in the middle of an empty classroom.
\n
What makes me different is, I managed to safely get out of that party (you didn't). It's the birth of a new Amaori Renako. As the Neo-ori Renako, a place like school with people you know and friends from the same age are just a walk in the park. It's like they are my own family.
Something like getting cold feet in school, it's impossible.
\n
I'm in the middle of enjoying my new self after I went through a successful evolution when someone opens the door and walks in.
A woman with long, black hair and graceful mannerisms, Koto Satsuki, appeared from behind the door.
\n
Her beauty, combined with that air of mystery surrounding her, makes her look like an actress from a horror movie rather than your normal high-schooler. Her height is more or less the same as Mai and her prim and proper attitude makes her always look sharp.
“You sure come early, Amaori.”\n“Eh? Y-yup, well, sometimes!”
Actually, it's for the purpose of returning Mai's dress that I came early, putting it inside her locker without anyone noticing. Well, it's true that I came early though.
Talking about Mai with the current Satsuki-san is like stepping on a landmine, so I'm getting lost on what kind of attitude I should pick here.
“I see.”\n“Eh, ah, yup.”
Satsuki-san's eyes are glistening just like a police officer determined to chase after a car violating the speed limit.
Even though I didn't do anything wrong, I can't stop my body from breaking out in a cold sweat
If I'm a koala, without a doubt, Satsuki-san would be a python looking at her prey. Since that last event, I feel like we've gotten closer, but I'm still not brave enough to talk to her like this.
\n
Usually, Satsuki-san would sit on her desk and do some self-study or read a book after greeting us in the morning.
But today, she won't budge from my desk and keeps standing in front of it while staring at me

Huh, I thought school is like my own family
?
If so, why do I feel like I am trapped right before a ferocious monster
?
\n
I accept my fate and peek at her through the corner of my eyes.
“I-is there something I can help you with
?”\n“What a great timing. Hey, Amaori.”
Without any care, Satsuki-san points in a direction outside the classroom.
“Stick with me for a bit.”
Ah, is this déjà vu?
\n
\n
\n
We arrive at the rooftop.
Both me and Satsuki-san stand at the water tower's shade that covers us from the sun. I nonchalantly look at the skies above.
“...It's hot today, eh.”\n“...It is.”
Since we entered July, the temperature has steadily increased along with the cries of cicadas filling the air.
Even though our classroom has a cooler, I wonder why she would go out of her way and invite me here

In stark contrast to my discomfort, Satsuki-san looks calm like she's not bothered by the scorching heat at all. I wonder if this is what they mean when they say that beauties don't perspire

\n
Let's leave it at that for now since being cornered by her like this is an exhausting situation already. If by any chance I forgot my daily water intake, it would be certain that I'll pass out from this situation.
Just listen to what she has to say, and go back to the refreshing classroom
!
“U-um, I wonder why you called me out here.”\n“...”
Satsuki-san doesn't respond to my question.
Even though you are the one who called me out!?
“U-umm, is it about Mai?”
It was short, but I can see that her cheeks are twitching.
“I'm sorry.”
I feel like the atmosphere pushes me to apologize so I bow my head.
“Don't mind it, since you are right.”
\n
Right now, Satsuki-san is in the middle of a cold war with Mai.
Because of that, she distanced herself from our group as of late while Mai never bothered to mention anything about that and that awkward situation continues to be a foreboding presence in our class.
I think it's been around one week since Mai's romance activity party, so they've been at it for a while

As a reminder, the reason for Satsuki-san's anger is because of Mai's careless blabbering and her lack of tact for what she said before.
Mai, weighed down with guilt, asked Satsuki-san to sleep with her in order to punish herself. Of course Mai asked her with a brimming confidence, “Because, you like me, right?”
It triggered Satsuki-san's wrath. Since then, Satsuki-san decided to cut off that evil super darling for her own peace.
Even though I don't want to speculate anything, I can't help but think about it since the atmosphere is pretty bizarre.
I don't know if Satsuki-san really has feelings for Mai or not, but whatever the truth is, Mai's words were too impudent. It's the usual for her though.
Deep down, I really wish that Mai would quickly solve this problem through an apology...but that girl doesn't even realize that she's wrong. 
\n
“Ah, could it be that since you want to make up with her, and it would be too embarrassing to apologize, you want my help!?”
If Satsuki-san is the one who takes the initiative, it would be better for me. These two are the most influential figures in this school; if I get caught up in between their fight, it would spell the end for me!
But then.
\n
“Who would apologize to whom?”
\n
I feel like Satsuki-san's black hair is swaying around while she stares at me. I hurriedly close the forbidden door I had accidentally opened by fixing my mistake.
\n
“...Mai, to you, right
?”\n“You're right. But that idiot hasn't even realized what she did.”
Satsuki-san lets out a huge sigh.
“That's why, Amaori.”
Satsuki-san slowly brings her face closer to mine. I feel captivated by those almond-shaped eyes before me.
“I want to take revenge, or else, I would never be able to get over this displeasure. It's not my hobby to get led around by people.”\n“R-revenge is a bit too much
”
Satsuki-san's eyes look serious, just like a hitman deadset on eliminating their target. My hunch is telling me that she will get me wrapped up in another bizarre situation that will surely lead to my demise.
Let's run away!
\n
“Ah, I'm sorry Satsuki-san, I suddenly remember that I have something to do!”
\n
Slam! Satsuki-san puts her hands on the wall and stops me from escaping. So this is that legendary wall-slam! I see, so this is how it feels. Huh, rather than sweet, this is plain scary, though!?
\n
“But on second thought, I might not be so keen on taking revenge against her.”
After saying that, Satsuki-san lets out an enticing but dangerous smile like a beautiful but poisonous flower.
What did she mean

\n
“Hey, Amaori.”
She whispers my name right against my ear and lightly blows into it. I feel like a mouse who has gotten cornered by a cat.
\n
“Will you go out with me?”
\n
Rather than a confession, her words sound like the snake who told Eve to bite into the forbidden fruit

It takes around five seconds for me to process her words.
And the only answer that I could utter was,
\n
“Huh!?”
\n
<b>*****</b>
<b>\n</b>
Translator's Note</u>\nI cringed so hard during their Cinderella bathroom scene lmao. Anyway I'll try my best to not take a lot of time for the next release, and thank you for your support.
For more detailed info about the novel, click here
<b>Credit:\nTL and everything else: Meatbun\nProofread: Neil</b>
<< Epilogue (V1) || Chapter 1 Part 1 >>
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