TL/N: Etiquette Training Club or Inner Discipline club in Global.
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The [Inner Discipline club], as the name suggests, is a group of girls dedicated to improving themselves through personal training. Judging by that purpose alone, it actually sounds like a fairly proper club.
At least, that was my impression so far.
Though Kaede was certainly a bit too carefree and innocent, she was still young, so it wasn't hard to understand.
"Sensei, this is where the Inner Discipline club often practices at Hyakkiyako's Little Panda River!"
She led me to a peaceful riverside spot. The scenery was beautiful, the air carried the faint scent of flowers, and birdsong blended with the calm breeze. Just standing there filled me with serenity.
Kaede gestured proudly. "The reason I brought you here is to introduce you to our club president, Tsubaki-senpai! She often trains here... Ah, there she is!"
Following the direction of Kaede's finger, I saw a girl lying on the grass not far away, her back to us, resting on her side. She seemed to be taking a nap.
I assumed she must be resting after an intense training session.
Kaede trotted toward her in those ridiculously impractical wooden clogs, and I followed behind. As we approached, the sound of steady, peaceful breathing reached my ears.
The first thing that caught my eye was her adorable, defenseless sleeping face, and then, well, the kind of figure that made me wonder if Hyakkiyako's nutrition program was unusually effective.
She had short black hair topped with a pair of round animal ears. Her outfit mixed red, white, and yellow tones:
a bright yellow tassel at her chest, a red shimenawa tied around her waist like a belt, and long red gloves connected to white sleeves with crimson armor plates. The hem of her clothes flared like folded grass.
It looked like a partial set of ceremonial armor in the Hyakkiyako style, though the exposed soft, fair skin suggested the design was more decorative than defensive.
"Let me introduce her properly! This is Kasuga Tsubaki-senpai! She's a second-year at Hyakkiyako Alliance Academy, the president of the Inner Discipline club, and everyone calls her Sleeping Beauty!"
Judging by her calm, lovely face and how not even Kaede's shouting could wake her, that nickname was well earned.
"Good morning, Tsubaki-senpai! Sensei, you should say hello too!"
Invited by Kaede, I thought for a moment. I had no intention of disturbing her nap, but since she seemed sound asleep, a polite greeting couldn't hurt.
So I said softly, "Good morning, Tsubaki."
To my surprise, the animal ears atop her head twitched, and she slowly stirred. Despite ignoring Kaede's yelling earlier, she let out a faint "Mmm…" and opened her sleepy eyes, sitting up groggily to look at me.
"Uu… and you are…?"
Before I could answer, Kaede jumped in, all excitement.
"Tsubaki-senpai! Let me introduce you! This is Sensei from Schale, who accepted our request to help us film the video for the Club Introduction Contest!"
"Yaaawn… A contest, huh? I see… Nice to meet you, Sensei. Please take care of me."
Still half-asleep, Tsubaki stood up, gave me a drowsy smile, and shook my hand.
"Would you like to sleep with me?"
…What?
Did she just invite a grown man she just met to sleep with her? Is this how hospitable people from Hyakkiyako are?!
My eyes drifted from her youthful face downwards, and I swallowed involuntarily. Even my conscience was starting to protest.
As a Sensei, it's my duty to meet the needs of my students… but surely, THIS wasn't one of them!
Still, this kind of thing should be taken slowly... understanding each other first, building trust, then...
No, no, that way lies disaster. I couldn't possibly accept such an offer.
Lately, I'd been realizing just how dangerous my "charm" was to innocent girls. I was already bracing myself for this kind of situation.
But still, I believe in pure love.
Besides, I noticed my "adult card" hadn't reacted. That brought me back to my senses immediately.
I glanced at Kaede, who was standing awkwardly to the side, and began considering how to decline Tsubaki's… invitation tactfully, in a way that wouldn't hurt her feelings.
Before I could speak, though, Tsubaki had already lain back down.
"Ahh… right, you still have work to do… sorry, I'm still so sleepy. I'll just nap a little longer by myself… zzz…"
The instant her head touched the grass, her eyes closed again. Within seconds, her breathing slowed into a steady rhythm, and she was fast asleep.
Oh. That's the kind of "sleeping together" she meant.
Of course that's what she meant. What else could it possibly have been?
Still, I couldn't help but be impressed. Even Arona couldn't fall asleep that quickly. Was this some kind of advanced skill? I almost wanted to learn it.
As I stood there trying to hide my awkwardness, Kaede's eyes sparkled as she began praising her senior.
"As expected of Tsubaki-senpai! To be so unshaken by the outside world, able to fall asleep anywhere, anytime, while maintaining such a beautiful sleeping posture! This is the fruit of her relentless training as our club president! I might not fully understand it yet, but if I want to become a refined lady, I have to learn from Tsubaki-senpai!"
…That's what her training leads to?
I glanced between the peacefully sleeping Tsubaki and Kaede, who was now circling around trying to find a good spot to lie down next to her. A sense of foreboding settled in my chest.
I asked as gently as I could, "Kaede, may I ask something? What exactly is Tsubaki's training goal?"
"As you can see! Tsubaki-senpai is training hard every day to achieve the perfect, most peaceful sleep possible!"
And there it was. My bad feeling confirmed.
I stood there speechless for a while, then slowly lifted my head to the clear blue sky, my mind going blank and calm.
Well, that's that. This request is doomed.
Seriously, what kind of things does the Inner Discipline club even practice?! With a president like this, it's a miracle people only call them a group of weirdos!
I shouted the words in my heart but held them back before they could escape my mouth.
Finally, Kaede seemed to remember there was still work to do. Reluctantly abandoning her plan to "train" by sleeping, she bounced back to me with renewed energy.
"Then, Sensei! Please follow me to the next spot!"