(Chapter4)

(Scene with the original 5 characters at the Occult club room)

“Shiori-senpai please hand me over the bag on the table. I got a few materials there.” -Ryuuji

“Okay okay… Also please address to me as senpai, you newbie!”

“I did!!”

CHIERI CHALLENGES MAE!! THE CLUB CAMPAIGN ARC STARTS NOW!!

(They occult club are preparing for club campaigning. It is the usual manga events where the members promotes their club and their activities at the school grounds to scout members.)

“Ozzy senpai, let me be clear… I’ll be doing this just once. It is only to recruit club members to avoid the club disbandment.”

“Yes, yes… Give me a feedback after this okay?”

“Hmp! Don’t get too excited. This service isn’t free. Ryuuji’s talents are high-tier. If this works out well you know what will happen right?”

“I know… I just don’t know what to decide yet. But for now, I really just want to protect the club and my daily peaceful life.”

“That’s right. Mae doesn’t need to ride on with this farce. All she needs is me, and her daily peaceful life”

(pov shift to Shiori)

Yes, I should only be the only one for Mae, and Mae should be only the one for me.

>>>

“HEY HEY HEY!! Stop!” –Ara interrupts.

The team looked at Ara.

“This series doesn’t need yuri*, I think.”

The team looked at Fred but now it’s filled with suspicion.

“Hey I’m telling you it’s not what it looks like. Shiori-chan has a character background that explains why she clings like that to Mae-chan!”

>>>

Yes, I should only be the only one for Mae, and Mae should be only the one for me.

Mae should only live peaceful life with me and the occult club.

(Shori look towards Ryuuji and Mae with worried expression. Before silence fully envelops the club room, Chieri decided to break the silence.)

“So… Ozzy-senpai, could you explain to us why are we dressing up this witch with a Yuki-onna getup?”

“It seems this cute little kitten here haven’t done a folklore check yet. Do you girls really needed to be explained with the very last of details until you get satisfied?”

“I’m not asking what is a Yuki-onna nor asking for our country’s folklores. I just wanted to know why you have chosen that one. It’s not even winter. Do you even know how hot it is just wearing thick makeup?”

“Tsk”-Ryuuji

“Besides, why are we trying to put up a mascot?”

“I really think you don’t understand the situation little Chieri-chan. If you really understand Ryuuji you should only trust in him and him only. You are underestimating your partner a little.”

“Chieri-chan…” –Ryuuji

(Chieri pov)

What’s with the atmosphere? All of a sudden Ryuuji seems like a different person.

No I’ve seen this before.

Yes it was at that time.

(A quick flashback of when they were still young, both Chieri and Ryuuji. They were at Chieri’s room and Ryuuji is styling Chieri’s hair as she sits on a low chair.)

“Tadaa!! It’s finished!! You can look at the mirror now Chieri-chan!”

It was the same back then.

This serious look on his eyes.

It looks serious, but at the same time you can see Ryuuji’s enjoying himself.

(Chieri looked at the mirror. The normally cute little girl looked like a princess. Soft cherry lips, mild foundation, porcelain skin, silk-like hair. It’s like someone you pulled out of a fairytale. Astonished as much, Chieri looked at Ryuuji and begins to wonder.)

“Ryuuji… This is me, right?”

“Yes Chieri-chan, this is you.”

“Uwuuuu…”

“W-wait! If you didn’t liked it you could’ve said so.”

(Chieri hugged Ryuuji.)

“Idiot, dummy, airhead. How could I dislike this.”

“Thought so..”

“I really like you Ryuuji. I will marry you once we grow up.”

“Isn’t it too early saying those words Chieri-chan?”

“No I’m sure I will love you forever.”

It was back then the only one instance that Ryuuji have used his styling talent on me… never again.

(Ends flashback)

(Chieri approaches Ozyy)

“Though I’m still trying to deny the fact, It really hurts to admit: Ryuuji’s skill really is genuine. Ozzy-senpai, how did you know?”

“I didn’t know, I just gave Ryuuji a chance to prove himself. Also, seeing you look like that, your situation’s pretty easy to read.”

“For a top-ranker like you, your mysterious personality really doesn’t match. You are quite a scheming guy.”

“Oh no, please don’t put it like that…”

(They continued talking as the scene shifts to Ryuuji, Mae and Shiori, quarrelling.)

“I was tasked by the previous club president.”

“This is really unfair… After all the things I’ve said yesterday…”

“You see now. I’ve been housing both of them for over a year. I kind of knew their potentials already.”

“It… It really feels like a cheat. How did she managed to stay low an entire year?”

“It was not forced. It was her decision. I’ve tried to tell her and she answered me that she didn’t want to. I respect her decision.”

“You’re a good person…”

“…”

“Though I will never approve of her with my Ryuuji.”

(The two approached Mae.)

“Hmp! don’t get too cocky just because Ryuuji styled you up.”

“Little Mae-chan, you can look at the mirror now.”

(Mae pov, generic back view first before makeover self being released at full-pager.)

“Ozzy-senpai, quit teasing already and put away that picture in front of me.”

“What are you saying Mae-chan, that’s a mirror in front of you.”

“That’s right, little zambie-chan, what you are looking into right now, is you, yourself.”

(Mae pov)

Eh? This..

Is me?

“Yes Mae-senpai, this will only be the beginning.”

This...

This isn’t supposed to be happening.

This isn’t me...

This is so not me...

(Full page)

(Mesmerizing herself, Mae disregarded the background noise coming from other members of the occult club.

At that moment, the world revolved around herself.

This was a scene wherein the femMC can only ask a typical line:

"Will it be okay to look and stay as it is a little longer?" - or so they would say without any care.

Long, silky-black hair.

A snow white face.

Pink foundations forming a blush.

Exquisite.

A beauty.

With deep blue contact lenses, a piercing gaze, able to freeze over any heat, it was Mae.

Her subtle pink lips compliments her skin color and overall makeup, accentuated by her pure white kimono that don light blue petal prints secured by a silver obi.)

This is the real me?

“Mae-senpai it’s showing on your face.” -Ryuuji cuts her fantasy.

“Somehow I feel light. I expected wearing this makeup and costume will make me feel uncomfortable, but I really feel fine.”

“The materials for the kimono was handpicked by me. I’ve also used light makeup while keeping up the tone of your skin within the picture of a yuki-ona. As I’ve told you before, I won’t go boasting my talent around if it’s not real deal! Hehe!”

“Now, that’s too arrogant. You have dragged Mae into this... You better take responsibility.” -Shiori

“Hmp! After all the proof in front of you you still can’t approve of my Ryuuji’s talents! How insolent!” –Chieri.

I feel different.

NO!!

I can’t waver now. I’m only doing this to protect the club.

Just this one time.

But this...

(A quick flashback of her childhood memories. There’s a person’s back, a lady’s back. The kid Mae is staring at that person.)

“Mama...”

I don’t want the same fate to happen as me...

“Okay little zambies, don’t forget to carry every material we need.” –Ozzy

“Okaaay senpai~~” Shiori and Chieri.

(Ryuuji extender his hand to Mae, reaching out to her as she’s about to stand.)

“Don’t worry. Don’t be afraid, I’ll escort you Mae-senpai. I’ll make people won’t swarm you once we’re out there. Things are going to get busy and hectic...”

“...”

“...but I’ll try to protect your peace as much too while campaigning you to the top rankings.”

How can Ryuuji keep Mae’s peace for a while? A determined Ryuuji will accompany Mae towards ‘Takane no Hana’!!