After learning about Tsubaki and Kaede, the last remaining member of the Inner Discipline club, who also happens to serve as its vice president, left me with little hope.
"Next, let me introduce you to our vice president, Mimori-senpai! She's the very picture of a perfect lady, no matter who you ask!"
So, as we approached the Inner Discipline club's activity room, I already had a fixed impression of the club in my mind. Listening to Kaede's enthusiastic description of this Mimori-senpai, I kept my skepticism and responded half-heartedly.
But the moment I saw Mimori in person, my whole attitude changed in an instant. I straightened up without even realizing it, my posture becoming unusually proper.
Just from her appearance and presence alone, Mimori was exactly as Kaede described and without question, the very image of a refined lady.
Her soft, sakura-pink hair flowed down to her knees, tied on the left side into a neatly styled bun that was clearly the result of careful attention.
Her eyes were a clear light blue, gentle and transparent as if they could see straight through to your heart. There was a quiet kindness about her expression, a tender warmth between her brows, and on her flawless, delicate face rested a graceful smile that perfectly matched her demeanor. It was impossible not to feel drawn to her.
Her clothes were impeccable, every detail neat and polished. The fit subtly traced her elegant figure, while the way she draped her jacket like a cape over her shoulders added a youthful, lively charm.
"Ah my, Kaede, and who might this be beside you?"
"Mimori-senpai! This is Sensei from Schale! He accepted my request to help me become a refined lady and defeat the Yin-Yang Club in the competition!"
"I'm not sure I follow completely… but, hehe. A good day to you, Sensei. I'm Mimori of the Inner Discipline club. Thank you for taking care of our dear Kaede. I look forward to your continued guidance."
Even her voice was beautiful... soft, melodious, almost heavenly. And so polite, too!
"No, not at all. The pleasure is mine. I look forward to working with you as well."
After the polite exchange, I turned to the goofy Kaede beside me, and couldn't help but look at her with newfound affection.
I'm sorry. I shouldn't have doubted you earlier.
Under Mimori's guidance, I entered the club's activity room, which was decorated in the distinct Hyakkiyako style. The three of us sat around a low table.
Mimori poured me tea and asked gently, "Now then, is there anything I can help you with? I still have a little time before I start my lunchtime training in cooking."
Even their training sounds so proper!
For a brief moment, I thought maybe this club wasn't as hopeless as I had assumed. Perhaps this request wasn't beyond saving after all.
Kaede, full of energy, explained, "Ah! Sensei said that before helping us shoot our club promotional video, he needs to understand what our club is all about!"
"Oh? I see. Then, Sensei, what would you like to know?"
I'd like to know your contact information.
Of course, I couldn't say that yet. The mood wasn't quite right, and besides, there was actual business to discuss.
"Mimori, I'd like to ask... what's your goal for joining the Inner Discipline club?"
For some reason, Mimori's cheeks flushed faintly as her eyes flickered. "Hmm… you want to know that? It's been my dream since I was little, so saying it out loud feels a little embarrassing…"
Kaede eagerly raised her hand. "I know! I know! Let me answer that one!"
"Hehe, thank you, but I'll handle this myself."
After gently declining Kaede, Mimori looked at me. Her expression remained bright with a smile, but her eyes no longer carried that playfulness, they were serious now.
"Ever since I was a child, my dream has been to become a beautiful bride, like the ones in manga and novels. To make that dream come true, I joined the Inner Discipline club and began my bridal training to become a true Yamato Nadeshiko."
A dream like that might sound simple, even old-fashioned. Some might think it's silly to shape one's life around an ideal taken from fictional stories read as a child.
But personally, I think it's a wonderful dream.
I have my own dreams too, not for any grand or special reason, and not all that ambitious. They've changed a little over time, but at their core, I just want to enjoy peaceful, ordinary days with the girls I care about.
So I can completely understand Mimori. Even Tsubaki and Kaede, whose goals may seem eccentric to others at most, I might grumble inwardly about it, but in the end, I'll still support them with everything I have.
After all, I'm still their Sensei.
With that thought, I said sincerely, "Mimori, that's a wonderful dream. As your Sensei, I'll be cheering you on."
And also, as your future husband, the only rightful candidate for the position!
Yes, I'd say I have a clear sense of self-awareness.
"Eh? Ah… um…"
Mimori's face grew even redder as she lowered her head shyly, murmuring softly in response. It seemed my words had stirred her heart in some way.
Maybe no one before me that was charming, gentle, understanding adult had ever acknowledged her dream so earnestly.
Ah, this is bad. Now Mimori's going to have to change her goal to become my beautiful bride instead. What a sinful man I am…
I noticed Mimori glancing at me, so I gave her a warm smile.
"Thank you… I'll do my best…"
Pressing her lips together, Mimori soon regained her calm composure. "Then, Sensei, do you have any other questions?"
"Hmm… your training focuses on learning the skills of a Yamato Nadeshiko, right?"
Mimori nodded. "Yes, things like cooking and cleaning. If you don't mind, would you like to stay later and try my cooking?"
"Of course. I'd love to."
A meal cooked by my future wife, I can hardly wait.
Then I returned to the earlier topic. "So, the club president, Tsubaki, trains to achieve deeper, more perfect sleep, and Kaede..."
"—trains to become a refined lady, learning from our senpai as role models through all kinds of practice!" Kaede cut in, eager and proud.
"I see. I understand perfectly now," I said, closing my eyes and making the confident face Aru often does, full of self-assurance.
And just as confident deep down about the fact that they probably have no chance of beating the Yin-Yang Club.
I said that while closing my eyes, wearing the same confident expression Aru often shows. Confidence that, deep down, was just as strong.
Confidence, that is, in the fact that there was almost no chance of them beating the Yin-Yang Club.
"Wow, amazing!" Kaede's eyes widened in admiration, completely unaware of my inner thoughts. "As expected of an adult's wisdom! Wahaha! And with me, the super cute genius girl, on the team, we're totally going to redeem ourselves this time!"
I nodded approvingly. "Don't worry!"
And silently added in my mind: You're definitely going to mess this up.
Mimori smiled brightly and encouraged, "My, my, do your best~"
Kaede nodded with determination, then looked up at me with sparkling eyes, brimming with excitement.
"So then, Sensei! How are we going to make our video all sparkly and amazing?"
I paused, thinking for a moment before testing the waters. "Would either of you be interested in wearing cheerleader outfits?"
Even if this project was destined to fail, I might as well use this opportunity to fulfill a little personal fantasy, just a bit of harmless eye candy.
"Or something similar works too," I added quickly, then looked at the two girls with anticipation.
Kaede blinked, tilting her head with a puzzled look. "...Eh?"
As for Mimori, her face remained gentle and graceful, and her answer was short and decisive. "Rejected."
And with that, my secret ambitions were crushed to dust.
I regrouped quickly, though a bit flustered, and began to think seriously. Nothing particularly good came to mind. Remembering the self-shot introduction video Kaede had shown me earlier, I decided we should at least switch to something safer and more practical.
"Then, instead of just a basic introduction of your club, how about showing your actual activities in the video? What do you think?"
Kaede furrowed her brow in thought, then her face brightened as she interpreted my idea in her own words. "So you mean, show the audience what our club activities are usually like? Like a club trial-experience video?"
"Exactly."
Kaede's eyes lit up. "Adopted! That's a flawless idea! As expected of Sensei, you came up with something that completely won me over in seconds! You're not just a regular adult, you're a super super adult!"
To be honest, I wasn't entirely used to being complimented in that way.
Not that I disliked it, it just sounded… kind of embarrassing.
"Hehe, looks like you've already come up with a wonderful plan," Mimori said with a soft laugh behind her hand. Then she stood up gracefully. "It's about time to prepare lunch. Please excuse me for a while."
"Wait, Mimori-senpai! While you're making lunch, can I film it for the video?"
"Of course, Kaede. If it'll help with your training, go right ahead."
"Yay!"
Watching the exchange between the senior and her energetic junior, I found myself smiling. Even if this club might seem strange from the outside, its members each had their own goals, supporting and encouraging one another along the way.
The Inner Discipline club... honestly, it's a pretty admirable group.
While Mimori busied herself with cooking, Kaede and I filmed her from different angles, capturing the essence of her "bride training."
Judging from Mimori's practiced, graceful movements, her bridal training had already reached a rather high level of refinement.
I had no doubt that Mimori was bound to make an excellent wife one day.
I couldn't help but look forward to it.
A while later, just as lunch was nearly ready, Tsubaki returned, swaying sleepily with half-closed eyes, clearly not quite awake.
We all sat together at the table and shared the lunch Mimori had lovingly prepared. It tasted exactly as delicious as I'd imagined.
Mid-meal, I noticed something incredible, Tsubaki was eating while sleeping.
Shocked at first, I then found myself genuinely impressed. To be able to sleep to that degree… that's practically a talent in itself.
If I ever develop insomnia, maybe I should ask Tsubaki for lessons.
Sigh. Poor Arona, she can't even compete when it comes to sleeping now.
As the afternoon rolled on, Kaede and I filmed more scenes: Tsubaki dozing off in various spots, Mimori cleaning both the activity room and the surrounding hallways, and Kaede imitating her two senpai in her own training.
We worked tirelessly until around three or four in the afternoon, at which point the day's filming was finally done. I prepared to take my leave.
"I'll edit the footage and send the finished video to you by email later," I said at the clubroom door, turning to the three girls who had come to see me off.
I had volunteered to handle the editing, not because I was particularly skilled at it, but because, after some reflection, I had happily decided to give Arona something new to do.
She's a super AI, after all. Surely she can manage this kind of small task, right?
Of course, another important reason was that Kaede's editing skills worried me. Since I'd accepted this request, I might as well do it properly.
"Sensei, won't you stay a little longer? If possible, we'd love for you to join us for dinner before you go," Mimori said, her tone polite but filled with genuine warmth.
Her invitation was tempting, very tempting, but I had to regretfully decline.
"Sorry, there's still a lot of work waiting for me back at Schale."
It was the truth. I'd spent more time outside yesterday than I'd planned, and as a result, some of the tasks I was supposed to finish had piled up for today. I couldn't afford to ignore them.
If something unexpected came up and I ran out of time to get everything done, Rin's approval rating toward me would definitely take a hit.
Kaede bowed her head gratefully. "Thank you, Sensei! Thanks to you, I managed to make an amazing video! Next time you visit Hyakkiyako, I'll treat you to something delicious at Black Tortoise Promenade!"
Somehow, she already looked completely convinced of her victory, even though the video wasn't even edited yet.
It's a little early to be celebrating, don't you think?
Still, after putting in so much effort and feeling proud of her own work, I doubted she'd be too upset even if her team ended up losing.
From my point of view, what matters most in things like this isn't the result, it's the process.
Then Mimori suddenly asked, "Sensei, will you be attending the upcoming Cherry Blossom Festival?"
The Cherry Blossom Festival, huh...
"To be honest, I haven't decided yet," I said after a moment of thought. "But unless something comes up, I'll probably stop by."
So far, aside from Wakamo, the only students from Hyakkiyako I'd interacted with were these three from the Inner Discipline club, and they'd all left a good impression.
"I see. Then we'll be sure to welcome you properly, Sensei." Mimori said this casually as she took out her phone, her expression calm and composed. "Let's exchange contact information first."
Tsubaki, her eyes half-open and her voice soft and drowsy, murmured, "Mmm… count me in too~"
Perfect. A few new contacts successfully added to my phone, this request was officially worth it.
On the way to the train station, Sensei passed by a girl with fox ears and a matching tail. They brushed past each other without either of them taking notice.