Class was over, but a single student remained seated. There had been a myriad of people who wanted to wait for him, but the boy waved them all away. He sat patiently in the empty classroom, waiting for the one who called him out to arrive.

“Hey, thanks for sticking around.” A cold voice greeted him. Its owner closed the door behind her.

“It’s no problem. What do you need, Belle?”

“I need you to drop the act, David.”

David cocked his head. “What act? And I’d rather you call me Senpai. Most people do.”

“David, it’s not working.” Belle smirked.

The pink-haired girl raised one hand. Trapped between her middle and index fingers was a glowing slip of paper. David raised an eyebrow and a wary smile appeared on his face.

“I don’t really get it. Why are you showing me that thing?”

“I’m serious. Stop talking like that.”

“Like what? I’m sorry, but I really don’t…” David trailed off as his eyelids fluttered. He leaned forward, as if he was about to fall asleep, but then his body stiffened.

“So, you think a little talisman like that is going to work?” A deeper voice crept out from his throat.

David raised his head and glared at Belle. The pink-haired girl stepped back as she noticed his gleaming red eyes.

“Are you a demon or something?”

“Heh, heh, heh. Let’s just say there’s a greater being controlling this body.” David burst into a wide grin. “Now, I believe I asked you to call me Senpai.”

“Senpai, I told you that wouldn’t work.”

Belle quickly clamped a hand over her mouth.

“Well, you wanted a showdown, didn’t you?” David cackled. “Then let’s begin.”

- - -

32 Hours Until Showdown

“So…” Daniel laced his fingers. “Your goal is to make a compelling argument to answer the following question…”

Remira, Lin and Allie leaned forward. Daniel paused, silently enjoying his brief time in the spotlight.

“Why should you be the main heroine?”

“Main heroine?” Allie repeated while tilting her head. “What’s that? I thought we were trying to convince Kazama to marry one of us?”

“That’s naïve, Allie.” Daniel dramatically adjusted his glasses. “It’s Kazama’s fate to be caught up in tropes from anime and novels. What you need to be accepted by isn’t Kazama, but fate itself!”

“I feel like I still have some say over this…” Kazama grumbled.

“Then just say that you’ll marry me and leave this planet.” Allie replied eagerly.

“Your offer is very flattering, but I have to decline.” Kazama’s flat tone and deadpan stare left Allie no room for doubt.

“Then just say that you’ll make me your slave!” Remira cut in enthusiastically.

“Your offer is very shameless, but I have to decline.”

Kazama and the others turned towards Lin, expecting another selfish demand. However, the raven-haired girl did not deliver. She stood with a hand on her chin and her eyes to the floor, pondering. It didn’t seem like Lin would join the conversation any time soon.

“A-Anyways…” Allie folded her arms. “I don’t really know what’s going to happen if my race’s legend marries someone else. I can’t just back down.”

“I’m still in high school, so I don’t plan on marrying anyone. Plus, I can’t just drop my current life and travel to another world.” Kazama’s gaze suddenly fell. “Although it does happen pretty frequently.”

Allie shuffled through her stack of prepared documents until she found a worn scroll. The dark tan parchment gave off a sinister aura which seemed to multiply as she unrolled it. Below a wall of unrecognizable characters was space for two signatures. He couldn’t be sure, but Kazama was ready to bet anything that the signature had to be written in blood.

“My grandfather told me to have you sign this.” Allie held it at arm’s length, clearly bothered by its aura. “It doesn’t have to be now, but if you promise to marry me sometime in the future, then the legend will still be fulfilled.”

“Is your society high-tech or low-tech…?” Kazama asked, and then shook his head. “No, never mind. The point is, I can’t make that promise right now.”

Allie looked into Kazama’s eyes, but he turned away. She opened her mouth and then closed it, placing the scroll on her desk.

“Fine, then I just have to convince fate, right?”

A wave of pressure engulfed the room, just like it had in The Nood. This time, however, Allie’s hair was not shining.

“I would like to call my first witness to the stand.”

Everyone held their breath as Allie swung her finger towards…

“Kazama.”

Daniel sighed. “I don’t know what I was expecting.”

In a room with five chairs and four desks, there was no stand. Kazama turned towards Allie and opened his palms, gesturing that he was ready to listen.

“Back in middle school, when I c-confessed to you…” Allie looked down. Her pupils swam nervously as she collected her thoughts.

“W-What about it?” Kazama stammered, mirroring Allie’s embarrassed expression.

“It seemed like you were going to give a positive response…before we realized our misunderstanding.”

“…”

“A-Assuming that was the case, then I have a question.” Allie closed her eyes and exhaled. After a brief pause, she opened her eyes to reveal a resolute expression. “What about the other girls? Who are they to you? If they’re just chasing after you one-sidedly then I don’t see how this is even a competition.”

Allie’s gaze pierced Kazama as he struggled to come up with an answer. Her brow raised as she noticed a strange emotion flash across his face.

“It’s not that simple.” He muttered.

Daniel blinked. In the brief time that he’d known Kazama, the blue-haired boy had never shown any sign of it before. This was only natural, as Kazama was usually playing the role of the victim. That is why the portly boy doubted his eyes when he saw an expression of guilt flash across his friend’s face.

*Slam*

“I’m right here, you know.” Remira announced as she raised a reddened fist off of her desk. “I don’t need anyone else to explain why I’m in this trial. That’s what we’ve prepared for, isn’t it?”

Lin nodded, although her mind still seemed far away.

“You’ve been underestimating me.” Remira continued. “If we’re talking about tropes, you’re just an old flame. Meanwhile, Kazama and I are connected by one of the strongest and most resilient relationships there is.”

“Reincarnation…?” Daniel muttered, tilting his head. “I don’t think…Wait! You can’t possibly mean…”

“We’re childhood friends.”

The courtroom erupted in a sea of murmurs. Everyone seemed to have something to say about this surprising development. Though, ‘surprising development’ was a relative term, since more than half of the people in court already knew about it. Of the two who did not, one of them seemed to be mildly confused by the phrase, while the other was busy playing a soundbite from Space Attorney on their phone.

“Daniel!” Kazama barked.

Daniel quickly pocketed his phone. The ‘crowd’ quieted down.

“…As I was saying.” Remira continued. “Our parents have known each other since they were kids. We grew up together like siblings. Plus, there’s my memories of living with Kazama in another time. I fully agree with you. If fate is the deciding factor, then this really isn’t a competition.”

“Memories, huh?” Allie said, bringing a hand to her chin. “You told me about it last night, but it’s hard to believe. You two really have such a supernatural connection?”

“That’s right~” A smug smile blossomed on Remira’s face. “So, you may as well give up now. Both Kazama and fate don’t seem very interested in you.”

“B-But I have a prophecy that’s been around for centuries. If that isn’t fate, then what is?”

“What kind of ass-pull is that? This random prophecy means that you can appear out of nowhere and suddenly steal Kazama away? A twist like that isn’t even worthy of being called a trope!”

“I don’t want to hear that from someone who makes dirty jokes with every other line! Is it supposed to be funny to just reference S&M? I don’t feel like such a half-assed character could ever be a main heroine!”

“How dare you!? And don’t even get me started on your…”

The two girls continued to relentlessly assassinate each other’s characters. Kazama and Daniel sat restlessly, waiting for a chance to break them up. Ultimately, no chance came, and the girls eventually ran out of steam. For a moment, the courtroom was completely silent.

“Well, it took you a while, but I think we’re all finally on the same page.” Lin said, raising her head.

“What are you talking about?” Allie hissed. “We haven’t agreed on anything.”

“Even if the other hasn’t acknowledged it, your arguments prove something important. Neither of you is worthy of being the main heroine.”

The pair glared at Lin, but she didn’t falter. The raven-haired girl narrowed her eyes in a gaze that showed neither condescension nor elation. Her clinical expression made them hesitate to refute her.

“Of course, I’m not saying that I deserve the role either. I think we’ve been trying to answer the wrong question.”

“Who is the main heroine…?” Daniel muttered, tilting his head in a familiar manner. “I don’t think…Wait! You can’t possibly mean…”

“I’d like to advocate for a harem ending.”

Once again, a cacophony of murmurs filled the courtroom. However, this time it wasn’t just Daniel’s phone.

“Wait, wait, wait. That’s illegal, isn’t it?” Kazama stammered.

“Not on my planet.”

“Not in the future.”

“I don’t really want to share, but…If you satisfy all of us, then I can’t really complain~”

“You should definitely complain.” Desperation began to creep into Kazama’s voice.

Everyone turned towards the desk furthest from the door. Daniel was out of his seat and breathing heavily after his outburst.

“Sorry…huff…I don’t have anything…huff…to add.” The portly boy scratched his head. “I was just worried that the trial would end before anyone said that.”

“Well, then let’s just end it now.” Lin offered. “I think we’ve determined what fate has in store for Kazama.”

All eyes fell on Kazama. A heavy pressure that dwarfed even Allie’s filled the room. The blue-haired boy rose from his seat and met them with a smoldering gaze.

“No one gets to decide my future. Especially not fate.”

It was a line that would normally be said by Kazama’s father, along with a manga title and volume number. But not a single person in that room who could laugh it off as a joke.

“Y-You’re right.” Daniel admitted. “Ultimately, this is about you. We can’t…um…”

Daniel trailed off as he looked around the room. The girls were also standing, despite the immense amount of pressure.

“I’m trying to live a normal life here.” Kazama continued. “A harem with a slug, a reincarnator and a time-traveler? There’s no way I’m going to accept that.”

Despite Kazama’s harsh words, the girls continued to glare at him. Daniel stepped back, suddenly wishing to be forgotten again. What followed was a two-sided argument where neither side backed down. The original setting and goal were forgotten. Their trial devolved into a mudslinging match. Eventually, two sides became four, as the trio reconfirmed their differences. Daniel managed to sneak out in the confusion, giving an excuse about heading to class. In reality, class had already started hours ago, but the remaining four were too stubborn to abandon their argument. By the time the final bell rang, Remira and Allie were at each other’s throats. Kazama and Lin tried to pull them apart, but ended up stumbling. The four of them collapsed on the ground, tired, frustrated and no closer to resolving their issues.

“Is everything ok? I heard a…” A voice that could only be described as handsome called out from the doorway.

The quartet raised their heads to see a blonde boy gazing down on them. Handsome was certainly not the only word that could describe him, but it was the first one that popped into each of their heads.

The boy stepped back, disgusted by the sight before him.

“Look.” Kazama hastily whispered. “I promise this isn’t what it looks like. So, can you just turn around and forget you saw us?”

The perfect specimen nodded slightly and then shut the door.

After breathing a sigh of relief, Allie rolled off of Lin and the pile quickly disbanded.

“Christ!” Lin hissed at Allie. “Why are you so sweaty!?”

“Sorry, but that’s not sweat…” The blue-haired girl wheezed. “I need to change back to my original form soon.”

“Can it wait until you get home?” Kazama asked.

“Yea, it’s just been a long day.”

“Then let’s get out of here…” Kazama paused as he glanced around the room that had weathered their argument. “…After I clean things up.”

- - -

23 Hours Until Showdown

“Ok.” Kazama announced with a sigh. “Everything’s back where it should be. For the most part.”

The blue-haired boy surveyed the empty room once more and then moved towards the door.

“No thanks to those three.” He grumbled under his breath.

As he crossed the threshold, Kazama noticed the girls struggling over something. They didn’t seem to be angry, though. A slight smile appeared on Kazama’s face as he realized that the three of them had bonded over this experience. That smile immediately vanished once he saw what they were fighting over.

“Why the hell do you have my phone!?”

The trio suddenly froze. After a few seconds, Allie stepped forward.

“Lin took it when we all fell.” She reported while returning it.

“Why would you even…” Kazama glared disparagingly at Lin.

Lin’s only response was a high shrug.

“Anyways, if you guys are finished cleaning yourselves up, then let’s go.”

Kazama lead the way out with the trio following close behind.

“By the way, who was that guy?” Allie asked. “The one who walked in on us.”

“No idea.” Kazama shook his head. “Never seen him before.”

“He sure was handsome, though.” Remira muttered. “I hope we run into him again.”

Kazama nearly stopped in his tracks. Ever since he’d known Remira, she had never shown even the slightest interest in another male. Kazama strongly suspected that she didn’t even know Daniel’s name. He looked to Lin, expecting her to have a similar reaction.

“I know, right?”

But she seemed to be in sync with Remira rather than him.

“Thinking back on it, he was pretty attractive…” Allie agreed. “Yea, the more I picture him, the more I want to see him again.”

“Personally, he looked pretty average to me.” Kazama cut in. “I guess I just don’t know what makes guys attractive.”

The three girls stopped walking.

“I would have to agree.” Lin replied coldly. “If you’re saying that the man we just saw was anything less than enthralling.”

“Really, Kazama, he was incredible.” Remira added passionately. “How can you not see it?”

“I couldn’t see his power level, and yet I don’t even care.” Allie muttered. “That’s how powerful his looks were.”

“Oookay then?”

Until they parted ways, the girls continued to sing David’s praises. Kazama was thoroughly confused by their change in attitude, but it wasn’t entirely unwelcome. After a stressful day, he was just glad to not be the center of attention.

- - -

22 Hours Until Showdown

“Mind control?” Kazama repeated skeptically.

“I don’t know how he’s doing it, but yes, it’s definitely mind control.”

After Kazama returned home, Belle had pulled him into her room. She gave him a brief rundown on the new transfer student and his effect on the school. Despite her urgent tone, Kazama was far too tired to listen properly. His eyes wandered to Belle’s desk, where he noticed a pile of games with questionable covers.

“Hey Belle, I don’t want to tell you what games to play...But those ones might be dangerous for people like us.”

Belle glanced at the myriad of yandere dating sims by her computer.

“Don’t worry about those. That’s plan B.”

Kazama blinked.

“Ok. If you’re really that worried, I’ll give you something useful.”

After a brief trip to his room, Kazama returned with a slip of paper.

“This is a talisman that protects its user from magical effects. I filled it with my energy, so all you have to do is hold onto it.”

“So, his mind control won’t work on me?”

“Not if it’s magically-based.”

Belle’s lips parted in a toothy grin. “Thanks. I’ll make good use of it.”

- - -

7 Hours Until Showdown

Kazama noticed a distinct lack of eyes on him as he walked to school. His gaze drifted over all their usual hiding spots and found nothing. It seemed that Lin and Remira were busy with something else. Allie hadn’t contacted him either. Kazama released a short sigh.

“What a relief. After yesterday, I’m sick of those three.” He muttered to no one in particular.

Just like his morning walk, Kazama’s classes finished without incident. There was no one hiding in the hedges, and no one waiting for him at the gates. In fact, with David drawing everyone’s eye, it was one of the least eventful days Kazama had ever experienced.

Belle told him that she’d stay after school, and so Kazama began to walk home alone. He didn’t even make it one block, though, before noticing a trio of girls hiding behind a telephone pole.

“What are you three doing?”

Allie, Lin and Remira jumped in unison. They apparently hadn’t noticed him pass by.

“He hasn’t left yet, right?” Allie asked.

“Who?”

“The guy we saw yesterday.”

“I heard someone call him David Senpai.” Lin added.

“Yea, him!” Allie nodded.

“Um, I wouldn’t know.”

“He’s in your grade, right? Can you introduce us sometime?”

“You probably shouldn’t-”

“Pleeease?” The three of them begged, pressing into Kazama’s personal space.

Kazama paused, realizing that this might be a once-in-a-lifetime chance. “…Fine. I’ll talk to him tomorrow.”

The girls stepped back, satisfied, and Kazama began to walk away. A sharp tug on his sleeve stopped him in his tracks. Kazama’s eyes followed the slender white arm until he was gazing into Remira’s eyes. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. The blonde girl suddenly turned away and scratched her head.

“Huh? Sorry, I’m not really sure why I did that.” Remira spoke stiffly. She didn’t turn around, keeping her back to Kazama. “Just forget it.”

This time, Remira was the one to walk away, only to be stopped by Kazama’s hand.

“Wait right here.” Kazama’s voice fell one octave as it passed through gritted teeth. “I’m going to go have a chat with Senpai.”

- - -

0 Hours Until Showdown

“Well, that was quick.” David observed.

Belle fell to her knees. Her body broke out in a cold sweat. Despite her monstrous strength, she couldn’t manage to stand.

“As expected, even with a talisman and your high natural resistance, it was only a matter of time. I have to say though, you’re quite interesting. I’ve never met someone who manifested my control in such an…entertaining way.”

Belle grunted as she made another attempt to rise, only to fail again.

“I can manipulate most people with just my appearance, so I’m actually happy to find a challenge.”

David sprung up from his seat. He sauntered over to Belle, grinning like a madman.

“Now, I’d like to make you forget about this incident and become a little more obedient…How does that sound?”

“F-Fuck you, Senpai.”

“Aw, that’s the spirit~”

David knelt down and lifted his hand over Belle’s face. In the same instant, the classroom door swung open. Belle looked up and glowered at her visitor.

“Fuck you too, Kazama!” She spat. “This talisman thing didn’t do shit.”

“Sorry. I was tired, and I half-assed it.” Came his unapologetic reply.

David blinked. “Oh, you’re that pervert who was having a foursome after school.”

Belle’s glower quickly evolved into a look of pure disgust.

“-Once again, that wasn’t what it looked like.” Kazama hastily replied.

David rolled his eyes as Kazama stepped forward. When there was less than an arm’s length between them, David took his hand away from Belle and stood up. The blonde boy could feel an intense pressure, but Kazama had yet to make a move.

“Ok?” David shrugged. “I guess I haven’t introduced myself to you. My name is David Senpai. Most people call me Senpai.”

“I know who you are, David.”

“-Senpai.”

“-David.” The blue-haired boy shot back. “And my name is Kazama.”

The pressure surrounding Kazama suddenly tripled. David fell to his knees and clutched his head. His entire body was shaking, but one part seemed to be having a particularly rough time.

“So, is that a wig? Or…?”

David’s hair had begun writhing madly. The blonde mass changed to a sickly green as it detached from his head. Kazama scooped it up and it cowered under his grip. As he inspected it, there was really only one creature that came to mind. With two tiny eyestalks and a slimy formless body, it was undoubtedly a brain slug.

“T-Then the legends were true.” A deep and sinister voice stammered.

Kazama looked around, but it obviously belonged to the slug.

“A blue-haired boy with an unimaginable aura…I must warn my people.”

The green blob sprung out of Kazama’s hand and slithered over to the windows.

*Sschlorp*

With a sickening sound, the creature managed to squeeze through a tiny opening and escape.

“G-Get back here!” Belle yelled as she stumbled towards the window. “I was going to squash you!”

“It was a bad matchup.” Kazama said, patting her on the shoulder. “I think you need to wash up. I’ll be waiting at the gates.”

- - -

0 Hours After Showdown

“Kazama!”

“Kazama!”

“Kazama!”

Three girls pounced on him the instant he left the building.

“We saw the whole thing from the window!” Lin reported with a smile.

“You looked so cool!” Remira added. “I fell in love all over again.”

“As expected of the legendary warrior.” Allie nodded proudly. “Oh, and don’t worry about that guy…”

The blue-haired girl produced a small glass jar with a high-tech lid. Inside, furiously undulating, was the brain slug.

“I’ll take it home with me in a few days.”

“You’re leaving, then?” Kazama asked cautiously.

“I-I’m going to come back as soon as I can!” Allie retorted. “Even if I don’t want to marry you at all, I still need to complete the legend.”

“I’m not really happy about it…But my dad said that you can stay as long as you like.” Remira said, stepping between them. “So, we’ll keep your room open.”

“Whatever.” Kazama sighed. “I’ve said all I can to stop you. Do whatever you want.”

“If you insist~”

Allie jumped forward to hug Kazama but Lin and Remira blocked her way. Kazama retreated to a safe distance and let them fight it out. He sat down by the gate and closed his eyes. Resisting that mind control had been more exhausting than he’d expected. After a few minutes, a slightly battered Remira joined him. She leaned in, pushing against his shoulder.

“Kazama…I know you still feel guilty about it.” She whispered, her voice barely reaching his ears. “You think that Lin and I would be more normal if we hadn’t met you.”

Kazama stiffened, but Remira continued.

“But we chose to be like this. You don’t have to take responsibility. If you really want us to leave you alone, then we’ll accept that.”

“It’s like I said with Allie, you can do whatever you want. A-And it’s hard for me to say it, but I…I don’t hate-” Kazama quickly closed his mouth as he noticed Belle staring at the two of them.

“Hey, brother who skipped school to have a foursome, are you ready to go?”

“We didn’t have a foursome!” Kazama and Remira replied together. Though, one of them sounded very disappointed about it.

“Whatever. Are you coming or not?”

“Yea.” Kazama said. He stood up and dusted himself off. “I feel like we’re forgetting something…But it probably isn’t important.”

- - -

8 Hours After Showdown

David awoke in a dark classroom. The sun had already set, and the silence was deafening.

“H-Hello?” He called out.

There was no answer.

As David felt around, his hand gradually made its way to his head. He patted it, paused, and then clutched it with both hands.

“Huh?” David felt himself breaking into a cold sweat. “Where’s my hair?”