"I… uh, what—?"
"What's the matter? Do you think your fame lets you ignore a senior from your own school? Or do you simply lack the basic manners? Tsk, has the nobility of the British Empire fallen so low?"
"…"
Kagura glanced at Mai Sakurajima, hoping for an explanation.
Instead, Mai offered no clarification, smiling faintly with a hint of amusement as she extended a hand toward him. "It's fine. As your senpai, I'm magnanimous enough to overlook it."
"My deepest apologies for our member's discourtesy. As club president, I bear undeniable responsibility."
Yukino bowed slightly from her seat, shooting Kagura a disapproving glare.
"…"
Kagura was at a loss for words, silently seething.
He hadn't anticipated Mai setting him up like this. Now it clicked—Yukino could see Mai because she'd temporarily disabled her ability to be automatically ignored.
What is this nonsense—?!
"Oh, don't worry, I said I don't mind."
Mai waved a hand dismissively, exuding graciousness.
"Zeamura-kun, I'm awaiting your apology."
Yukino sat upright, her cold tone pressing him.
"I…" Kagura started, stifling a wry laugh. Turning to Mai, he began to apologize, but she cut him off, patting his shoulder with an air of magnanimity. "No worries. Boys have their pride. As your senpai, I've already forgiven you."
With that, Mai crossed her legs with a flourish of elegance.
"That's unacceptable. Zeamura-kun, apologize properly."
Yukino's "please apologize" carried a heavier bite than usual.
"Alright, alright, I'm truly sorry, Sakurajima-senpai!"
"Hm… it's fine, but my surname's a bit long. Try something else."
"Then… Mai?"
"Calling a girl by her first name so suddenly? Zeamura-kun, your etiquette needs serious work."
"Uh… Mai-senpai, then?"
"Pass. A mere actress like me can't claim to be a 'senpai' to a piano prodigy like you~" Kagura sensed Mai was toying with him, but he had no choice but to press on. "How about… Mai-san?"
"That sounds decent. What should I call you?"
"Uh… Zeamura?"
"You're using my first name, but I should stick to your surname? That's hardly fair."
"Cough, then 'Kagura'? I prefer people calling me that."
"Asking a girl to use your first name so boldly? Is Zeamura-kun craving senpai's affection?"
Yukino's sharp sarcasm cut in again.
"Oh, I get it. How about you call me 'Spencer,' Mai-san?"
"That's rather novel. Deal."
Mai finally nodded, satisfied, her foot swaying lightly. Kagura exhaled in relief, clutching his chest.
"Now, Sakurajima-senpai, what brings you to the Service Club today?"
Seeing the awkwardness resolved, Yukino turned to Mai, getting to the point.
"I'm here for two reasons," Mai said, pointing at Kagura. "First, to drag this perpetually indecent-minded Spencer away…"
"Indecent-minded…? My apologies for interrupting, Sakurajima-senpai, but enabling criminal behavior is unacceptable. If Zeamura-kun has done anything improper, please report it to the authorities immediately."
Yukino's eyes lit up, sensing a clue to Kagura's "curse" on her.
She hadn't caught him casting any spell, but if he were arrested, wouldn't he confess everything? Why else would her body react so strangely, growing… damp whenever he was near?
"Rest assured, I'm still observing. If anything seems amiss, I'll report it."
"Please do. I implore you!"
Yukino clasped Mai's hands, nodding earnestly.
Mai, startled by her intensity, replied with a dry voice, "Uh… sure."
"Mai-san, how am I 'perpetually indecent-minded'?"
Kagura lounged on the sofa armrest, propping his cheek with an unrefined slouch.
Yukino frowned at his posture, but Mai pointed at him firmly. "If I hadn't pulled you away, Spencer, wouldn't you have gone straight to that Yumiko Miura girl?"
"Huh??"
Kagura was headed to the Service Club to see his "future wife," not Miura!
"Don't play dumb. Even I can see that girl's legs are nearly as stunning as mine."
"What? What's going on?"
Kagura pressed, confused.
"What exactly happened?"
Yukino leaned in, alert, eager to seize any chance to get Kagura in trouble.
She'd uphold their "agreement" until he was caught—or until she became his wife, though she was unaware of his intentions, just as he was oblivious to her desire to see him behind bars.
At Yukino's question, Mai shot Kagura a helpless glance before recounting the "Window Call" incident, omitting the crucial detail of Kagura stealing Miura's first kiss—likely to spare him some dignity.
Even so, when Yukino heard Kagura say to Miura, "I want to touch your legs," her face frosted over.
"Though you ultimately refrained, that alone constitutes sexual harassment, Zeamura-kun. Are you reflecting on it?"
"Absolutely, I'm deeply remorseful."
"And knowing the 'Mai-senpai' ghost stories are mere psychological rumors, you acted deliberately. That's intentional misconduct—no leniency for you."
"Hey, you're sentencing me already? What kind of kangaroo court is this? Where's judicial fairness? I demand a lawyer!"
"Rest easy. Miura-san hasn't filed a complaint, or you'd be meeting a lawyer today. Congratulations."
Yukino clapped silently, mockingly.
"But it's not entirely 'baseless rumor.' Perhaps 'Mai-senpai' does exist."
Mai stood, approaching the bookcase by the clubroom's large window.
"Eh…? Sakurajima-senpai, ghosts and such…"
"The evidence? Thirty years ago, a boy did fall to his death from the rooftop. And something did drag Spencer to the roof, throwing him off—if the new lab building hadn't been there, he'd be dead."
Mai spun her ghost story with a straight face.
"But… is that even possible…?" Yukino, incredulous, turned to Kagura. "Zeamura-kun, what did you see?"
"I… I…"
Kagura's eyes darted to Mai.
What else could he have seen but her?
"Likely some indescribable, eerie entity… binding him, pulling him, forcing him to the roof's edge…"
Mai pulled No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai from the shelf, flipping through it casually.
Kagura marveled inwardly. Bravo, Mai! Top-tier actress, spinning ghost tales like she's reading a script.
Was her goal just to spook Yukino?
"Sorry, this sounds… far-fetched."
Yukino faltered, nearly calling it nonsense.
It was nonsense, but Kagura opted to watch Mai's play unfold, curious about her intentions.
"I get it's hard to believe, which is why I'm here to show you the evidence—specifically for Spencer. It's in this clubroom, so I brought him along."
Mai flipped to a page in No Longer Human, pressing it firmly.
"Evidence?"
Kagura scanned the clubroom. With his system-enhanced, mantra-powered vision, he saw no notable spirits—not in the clubroom, not even the school. A bound spirit lingered at the bike shed, immobile, but most souls ascended or dissipated.
What was her "evidence"?
"Please, let me see it."
Yukino sat upright, staring intently.
Mai turned, revealing an old, yellowed envelope pinched between her fingers—no stamp, its seal already broken.
"I have reason to believe this school may harbor a malevolent spirit… but it's unrelated to the 'Mai-senpai' legend."
Mai handed the envelope to Yukino.
"Wait, Mai-san, why her and not me?"
"First, Spencer, your slouched posture kills any urge to hand it to you personally. I'm not your maid…"
Mai crossed her arms, pouting out the window.
"Fair point…"
Kagura sat up, scooting closer, as Yukino deftly extracted the letter, unfolding it.
Anyone with a modicum of experience could tell the paper and envelope were aged, not something Mai could've faked. But proving a spirit with paper? Shouldn't magic prove magic?
"I see…"
Yukino scanned the letter swiftly, refolded it, and passed it to Kagura with both hands.
"Taking a letter from a girl feels like getting a love note…" Kagura mused, only for Yukino to pull the envelope back, brow raised. "What was that, Zeamura-kun? Care to repeat?"
"Just a high school boy's overactive imagination. A beauty like you should be used to it by now, no?"
Mai snatched the envelope from Yukino, thrusting it at Kagura.
"I simply don't tolerate harassment…"
Yukino explained as Kagura examined the envelope. The stamp area bore "Please open it" in black ink. Unfolding the letter, he understood.
It was a suicide note, likely from the boy who jumped thirty years ago. He detailed his reasons—unbearable bullying and family abuse—not "Mai-senpai." His final words: I'll linger in this school forever, watching you cold-hearted people. One day, someone else will jump like me.
"I see…"
Kagura exhaled, glancing at Mai, still puzzled.
He and Mai both knew there was no "Mai-senpai" ghost. His rooftop fall was their staged act. Why this charade?
Mai, however, watched Yukino, awaiting her reaction.
"When did you find this note, Sakurajima-senpai?"
"When you were in middle school."
"Did you inform the school?"
"Of course. I made copies for the school archives, and the director told me to return the original. Opening it was improper, but with 'Please open it' written, I figured it wasn't against the writer's wishes."
"That makes sense… You handled it well," Yukino said, suppressing discomfort, rubbing her temple. "Still, I can't fully believe in ghostly interference…"
It can't be real, can it? A boy's soul from thirty years ago haunting the school? Then… has he seen everything of me?
Yukino shivered, goosebumps rising.
This was Mai's true aim.
Having witnessed Yukino's private moments in the clubroom, Mai, ever the refined lady, found such behavior unbecoming. Unable to confront her directly—too awkward—she concocted this ghost story to deter Yukino from indulging at school.
Do it at home! After dinner, a bath, and a cozy bed—twice, and you'll sleep like a dream! Why seek thrills at school?
Without buildup, Yukino would find the warning bizarre, so Mai needed Kagura present, dragging him to the clubroom. Keeping him from Miura was a mere excuse—they were classmates; how could she isolate them?
As a club member, Kagura might one day catch Yukino in the act…
This was for their own good, absolutely!
Mai nodded to herself.
She'd never admit to feeling a twinge of jealousy seeing Yukino use Kagura's belongings, hoping she'd stop.
"Yukino, your legs are trembling. Ghost story got to you?"
Kagura tucked the letter back, placing the envelope on the old tea table.
"I'm fine… Could you refrain from staring so blatantly at my legs?"
"Like I want to lick them all over?"
"You've got some nerve…" Yukino began, but Mai patted her shoulder, smiling and shaking her head. "Attracting a junior's gaze just proves your charm, doesn't it?"
"Sakurajima-senpai, my charm doesn't need such stares. They only make me uncomfortable."
"Fair enough. I'll ogle Mai-san's legs instead~"
"Ugh—"
Mai flinched, and Yukino turned, her gaze saying, See, senpai? You're no different.
But Mai hummed, posing with her right hand behind her head, left on her hip, lifting a leg for Kagura. "I'm your senior. A junior's brazen stares don't faze me."
Go on, Spencer, look! My legs rival Yukino's and Miura's!
"I think such indulgence might lead to worse issues later…" Yukino said softly, back straight, eyes half-closed. "What if Zeamura-kun mistakes your tolerance for affection and falls for you?"
"Falls for…?!"
Kagura and Mai exclaimed in unison.
They locked eyes, then turned questioning gazes on Yukino.
Kagura: Fall for her? No way! Ai's my favorite! Did my plan to marry Yukino leak?
Mai: What?! He's already dating someone?
"Is something wrong?" Yukino remained calm, faintly annoyed, staring at Kagura. "Are you denying your relationship, Zeamura-kun? Let's see… Yui Yuigahama, right? You said you wanted to date and marry her…"
"Date?! Marry—?!"
Mai felt the room collapse.
She whipped toward Kagura, who looked baffled, spreading his hands. "I… never said that."
"Don't play dumb. I clearly saw you and Yuigahama-san on a date after school through the window."
Yukino's troubled expression suggested she was dealing with a child denying honey on their lips.
"Wait, Spencer, wasn't that day…?"
Mai's gaze turned subtle.
"Hold on, both of you," Kagura stood, waving. "I am planning to date and marry a girl soon, but it's definitely not Yuigahama-san."
"…?"
Yukino's turn to sprout question marks.
"Spencer, that sounds awfully vague. Is this 'girl' just any girl?"
Mai stepped forward, lightly tugging his tie.
"No, no, I have one specific target, but it's not Yuigahama-san."
Kagura thought: Favorite girl? Ai. Marriage target? Yukino. Licked Yui's 'mango.' Love most? Eriri and Sayuri. Am I too much of a playboy?
Of course, he loved his family—familial love was universal.
"Is that so…?"
Mai released his tie, sounding bored.
Then who?
"By the way, he joined the Service Club to have me train him in charming his crush," Yukino said with a strained smile, her tone mocking. "Despite my best efforts, the results on certain individuals are… lackluster."
"Oh… that's why."
Mai murmured.
"No bad students, only teachers who haven't found the right method. Ever heard that, Yukino?"
"Of course, but I've also heard, 'You can't carve rotten wood.' Your actions today only deepen that impression."
"You…"
"Call me by name. I'm not 'you.'"
"Fine…"
As Kagura bickered with Yukino, Mai stood awkwardly, but before she could speak, a knock interrupted.
Yukino, still rattled by ghost talk, jolted, dark tremors seeming to ripple around her shoulders.
"Cough… P-Please, come in."
Her voice quavered.
The old wooden door creaked open slowly, hinges shrieking, making Yukino clamp her legs tighter.
Seeing the visitor, she exhaled in relief.
"Yukino-san… Zeamura-san, and third-year Sakurajima-san, good afternoon… huff… huff…"
Mafuyu Kirisu, knees pressed together, gripped the doorknob, panting.
She was clearly spooked—hardly surprising in the eerie old school building, inexplicably left standing by the administration.
"Hello, Sensei." Kagura, the only male, stood, offering his left hand. "You alright? Need help to a seat?"
"Uh… sure, thank you."
Mafuyu glanced back nervously, clutching his hand like a lifeline.
"Good afternoon, Sensei."
Yukino and Mai greeted in unison as she sat.
Kagura closed the door. Mafuyu wiped her brow, hands clasped tightly, pressing her small fists into her teal skirt, knees tilted left. Clearing her throat, she said, "I have a request for Yukino-san."
"Please, go ahead."
Yukino sat attentively, nodding.
Mai glanced around, feeling out of place but too awkward to leave, so she stayed to listen.
"As Zeamura-san likely knows, it's about Saki Kawasaki from our class. She's been late, leaving early, never doing homework, and reportedly stays out late. I'm deeply concerned. We argued today, and I may have mishandled it. I'd like to entrust you with helping her get back on track."
Now composed, Mafuyu spoke with measured authority, every bit the teacher.
Naturally, she was one.
"About homework…"
Kagura muttered, unheard by Mafuyu.
He didn't do homework either, but his future was secure, so Mafuyu let it slide.
"I understand. The Service Club accepts this request."
Yukino pondered briefly, nodding.
"Then it's in your hands… Will Sakurajima-san assist as well?"
"Me…?" Mai glanced at Yukino, then at Kagura's expectant look, nodding shyly. "Well… I'll help too. As a third-year, I have a duty to guide my juniors."
"Wow, Mai-san's so responsible."
Kagura clapped lightly, impressed.
"Of course. And the same applies to you."
Mai's tone hardened mid-sentence.
"Yes, yes."
Kagura stretched casually, unfazed.
"Kawasaki-san's still in the classroom. Shall we go now?"
Mafuyu eyed the door, palms sweating.
"Sensei, are you scared of the old building's halls?"
Mai teased.
"Nonsense! I just… didn't expect a ceiling light to flicker and nearly trip me. I'm a teacher—I'm not afraid of ghost stories…"
Mafuyu sat straighter, eyes half-closed, insistent.
"Uh…"
All three struggled to keep straight faces.
Who knew Mafuyu had such a cute side? Kagura found her strict at school, always calling him out for missing homework, unlike other teachers who skipped him.
Still, as a young female teacher, they held back laughter, standing to open the door. "Let's head to the classroom together."
Over twenty minutes past dismissal, the classroom door was open, but only Saki Kawasaki remained, asleep at her window seat, hands pillowing her head.
Her stunning teal hair, tied high in a ponytail, cascaded over her graceful back, fanning out like a relaxed hedgehog's spines, rising and falling with her breaths.
"Regrettable. I failed once already. Zeamura-san, why don't you try?"
Mafuyu glared at Saki's sleeping form, fists clenched, veins bulging.
"Me?"
Kagura pointed at himself. Mafuyu nodded firmly. "Yes. It's a bit underhanded, but special circumstances call for special measures."
"Since Kawasaki-san's a girl, why not use your 'princely charm' to win her over, Spencer?"
"A honey trap, huh…" Yukino scanned Kagura, turning away. "Barely passable. If you could rein in that carefree attitude, it'd help, but we'll have to make do."
"Yukino, you…"
Kagura bit back a retort.
"As expected of Yukino-san—high standards." Mai's words carried a barb, and Yukino smiled back, countering, "Surely national actress Sakurajima-senpai's standards are higher."
"I value character over looks."
"But we're discussing a honey trap, so character can wait."
"Fair point… Your stage, Spencer."
Mai grinned, shoving Kagura's shoulders, pushing him inside.
The classroom held only the sleeping Saki. Kagura glanced back—three heads peeked through the back door, stacked vertically.
Yukino, you're peeking too…
Kagura grumbled inwardly, approaching Saki.
Before he could call out, she stirred. A familiar paper card slipped from her bag's seam, falling. He bent to pick it up, but as he rose, Saki's right fist—stretching lazily—slammed his jaw.
"Ow—!"
The card flew, landing farther back. Kagura clutched his jaw.
The three at the door gasped, Mafuyu covering her eyes.
"Uh… s-sorry, did I hit you?"
Saki, realizing her fist connected, turned, face flushing.
"Hiss… It's fine, just a graze. A punch like that hurts the hand more than the jaw."
Kagura rubbed his chin, shaking his hand.
It wasn't a full punch, just a stretch, the initial sting fading quickly.
Now he got a good look at her face. Beyond the charming mole, her features blended softness with a hint of sharpness. Her clear green eyes, lighter than Ai's, were soothing, and her shy blush amplified her appeal. Her beauty was just a shade below Yumiko's, but her chest was strikingly ample.
"Good… You're okay," Saki sighed, glancing sidelong, muttering, "Just don't make me pay. You're too delicate for me to afford."
Her barbed tone made Kagura frown. Glancing back, the trio signaled encouragement, so he plastered on a gentle smile. "Kawasaki-san, you seem exhausted lately… late mornings, napping in class. Are you pushing yourself too hard?"
Saki eyed him, her expression souring into disdain. Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she snapped, "Mind your own gilded fingers and stay out of my business."
"Uh…" Kagura faltered but kept smiling. "I heard you're staying out late. That's worrying for your family, no?"
"My family isn't some carefree, wealthy clan like yours. Spare me the 'why eat bread when you can have cake' grin. It's gross."
Saki slung her bag back, striding out on long legs.
Kagura noted she was taller than Yumiko, likely around 1.7 meters.
"Ugh… Service Club work's thankless."
Kagura sighed, retrieving the fallen card.
Yukino and Mai stifled laughs, while Mafuyu, genuinely hoping for a "seduction" success, rubbed her temple.
As Saki left, Yukino and Mai entered.
"Zeamura-kun, what's so fascinating about that card? That embarrassed from being rejected?"
"Tch…" Kagura flicked the silver-edged black card, grinning. "I know where Kawasaki's working late."
"Where?"
Mai blinked curiously.
"Here—"
Kagura held up the card.
The black surface bore silver text: アンジェラ·ラダー Angle·Ladder (katakana above, English below, roughly "Angel Ladder"). The back listed a phone number and address—one Kagura knew well: the top floor of the Royal Okura Hotel.
Clearly, a hotel bar's "calling card."
"So that's the place… I've been there," Mai said. "Where'd you find it, Spencer?"
"Fell from her bag. I picked it up, got punched, and it scattered. Found it again later."
"You should return it next time…" Yukino rubbed her forehead.
"So, what now? If she's working there late, she's likely lying about her age."
Kagura knew Japanese law barred minors under 18 from working past 10 PM.
"We follow her. Sensei entrusted this to us—it's Service Club duty. As a member, Zeamura-kun, you follow my orders," Yukino said, glancing at Mai. "Will you continue assisting, Sakurajima-senpai?"
"No harm in it. I'm not filming now, so I'm free to tag along."
"Then we'll all change into formal attire first. Kawasaki-san probably needs dinner. Let's meet near the hotel at 8:30 PM. Sound good?"
Yukino's logical plan earned Kagura's nod, but one issue—
"Uh… do I need to change?"
Kagura flipped the card, stifling a laugh.
"Even with your status, formal attire's expected there. Staff checking dress codes might not know you. Explaining would be mortifying. Want me and Sakurajima-senpai to share your embarrassment? And as a male escort for a national actress like her, you'd wear a school uniform?"
"She's right, Spencer. Change."
"No… I really don't need to."
"Why are you so stubborn? As president, I order you to change. If you can't manage this, further training is pointless. Understood?"
Yukino's expression was unusually stern. Kagura sighed, "Fine, I'll change."
The Chiba Royal Okura Hotel—one of Sayuri's properties, part of her dowry's fifty-odd hotels nationwide, managed by Ai's father. Kagura recognized it instantly from the card.
Change for his own hotel? Fine, if Yukino insisted, he'd wear formal attire to match their evening gowns.
"Just in case, let's exchange contact info to avoid any meetup mishaps."
Kagura waved his phone.