291話 令嬢たちの戦いに銀光を添えて
蝉
緊張で高ぶる感情を落ち着かせるために、紅茶の入ったカップをゆっくりと口へ傾ける。
頭に入れるべき知識は全て叩き込んだ。何も問題ないはずだ。
そう自分を納得させようとしても、やはりエリートばかりが集うという学校への転入に不安は隠せない。
様、失礼します」
セバス爺が俺の部屋へと入る。
既に朝食は済ませ、父さんや母さん、姉、ミィとの会話を終えている。
「あぁ......知ってはいたけど、おっきいな......」
だいぶ立派な門の前で俺は数瞬だけ立ち尽くした。
生徒送迎用の駐車場から徒歩30秒ほどの距離にある、『学校の顔』と言える正門は荘厳かつ厳格な空気をびしびしと放っている。
生徒が車に乗ったまま、学園敷地内に入れないのには理由がある。
『自らが学びに来ている』との自覚を強めるため、生徒は緊急時でない限り徒歩で校門をくぐるといった校則があるのだ。
そういった細やかな部分から意識の高さを窺えるのは、日本最高峰と噂されるだけの事はある。
門から校舎へと自らの足で入る生徒たちは、誰もが洗練された所作ですまし顔だ。
そして何より、俺の方へチラリと目を向ける生徒はいても......前の学校での登校日みたく、ジーッと眺めてくる者はいなかった。あくまでさりげなく、サッと自然に視線を外す。
お、お上品だ。
「琴ちゃんが一緒に登校しようって言ってくれなかったら......緊張でガチガチだったかも」
「そんなそんな......訊太郎くんにとってあまり喜ばしくはない状況ですけど、私は訊太郎くんと同じ学校に通えてとっても嬉しいのです」
にぱっと笑顔を咲かす琴ちゃんを見て、俺の緊張がちょっとほぐれる。
ポジティブな方向に持っていってくれる琴ちゃんに感謝しかない。
「しかし、広いな......そして、綺麗だなぁ......」
門をくぐり、いざ校舎の敷地内へと入れば、和景観と中華式、洋文化が融合した校舎のデザインに感銘を受ける。
赤レンガが積み立てられた校舎群がいくつもそびえ、どこか明治時代を彷彿させる風景。
しかし必ずしも均一化されていない。
が屋根に幾重にも流れているのに、教会じみたデザインのお洒落な窓がズラッと並んでいる校舎もあれば......古典的な木造建築群、灯篭がいくつも並び立ち、一見して神社のようなエリアかと思えば、中は豪華絢爛な赤を基調とした吹き抜け回廊になっていたり......。
そのどれもが絶妙なバランスで保たれ、まるで世界の観光名所を融合したかのような絶景。
世界の中心と言われてもおかしくない優美さを誇っていた。
「すぐ慣れますよ。校舎は広いですが、移動に便利な設備がたくさんありますから」
完全に田舎から上京してきたおのぼりさんの気分で、物珍しい風景に圧倒されてしまう。
そんな俺達に声を伸ばす者がいた。
学び舎を見回していらっしゃるのは――」
「『珍しげに』見回していらっしゃる、でしょう?
言いなおしてもなお、貶めるような言葉をすべりこましてくる。
「キョロキョロと、まるで野猿のように滑稽ですわね?」
白鳳と呼ばれた女子に続き、他の面々も俺に口撃を加えてくる、か......。
嫌味な問い掛けに俺は内心で渋面しつつ、ニコリと笑みを保つ。
相手がどのような立場にある人物か判断するまでは下手な対応はできない。
という名を脳内で検索にかける。
たしか、医療分野の中枢を担う
それなら開口一番に嫌味の一つや二つ飛ばし、牽制してくるのにも頷ける。
そうとわかった俺はさらに笑みを深めて彼女たちと相対する。
「はじめまして。私は仏神宮訊太郎と申します」
1人1人に目を合わせ、そして言い放つ。
「みなさまの認識は概ね合っているかと存じます。ただ一つ、過ちがありますのでこの場で訂正させていただきます」
俺が刺のある口上を述べれば、彼女たちの表情にわずかな陰りが浮かぶ。
「俺は性転化病を患って、今はこのような身体になっている。だから正確には『ご令嬢』ではない」
一言一句、力を全力で込めて吐き出す。
自分には劣っている箇所など何もないと、自分のアイデンティティを誰にも否定はさせない。
俺が口調をがらりと切り替え、『性転化病』と伝えれば、九城派閥の女子たちにざわめきが広がる。
だが構わない。俺は、俺なのだ。
そして俺は、この煩わしいご令嬢方の領域に合わせるつもりは毛頭ない。
言葉を重ねてぶつけ合い、どちらが優位かつ権威ある立場かを証明し続けるゲームに興じる趣味はないし、時間の無駄だ。
「なので――麗しのご令嬢方がさえずる、美しい花園に俺は相応しくない。なにぶん、ご令嬢などと呼ばれる性分ではないからな」
姉のように殺意をのせて彼女たちを睥睨する。
「それでも俺にうるさく鳴き喚くのであれば――俺なりのやり方で可憐な花々を手折ってやろう」
姉のモデル歩きを意識し、颯爽と彼女たちの横を通り過ぎる。
「理解できたなら――――俺に構うな」
これだけ圧倒すれば当然素通りできるかと思ったが、ここは腐っても権力者の子供たちが通う学校。
この程度の意表を突いた口撃ではビクともしない輩はごまんといるってわけか。
彼女は和やかな笑みをぶつけてくる。
「私たちの自己紹介がまだですわ。名乗ったのでしたら、せめて相手方が名乗るまでは待つべきものです。末席に名を連ねるとはいえ、名家の者であるなら当然の行いです。仏神宮家の身でありながら、まさかこのような基本的な礼節もご存じならない?」
当然、彼女が誰であるかを俺は認知している。
父さんから渡された名家の家系図(写真付き)に、記されていた人物だ。
「まさか、仏神宮家はそのような態度を取るのが代々の家訓であるのでしょうか?」
彼女は俺を試すような目付きで、不気味な笑みを張り付けている。
「俺は無礼な輩に相応の態度で対応したまで。先に礼節を欠くような発言をしたのは
九城九重が取り巻き連中の手綱をしっかり握れていれば、こんな事態にはならなかったと攻めてみる。
そして作り笑いを浮かべるだけの九城令嬢に、冷たい視線を返す。
「同じ日本名家に名を連ねる古都塚家の者としても、先程の態度はいささか疑問に思います。申し遅れましたが、私は古都塚神宮琴音と申します」
ここぞとばかりに隣で静観していた琴ちゃんも加勢してくれる。
現在は特異な体質で、金色に輝く髪をなびかせる美幼女である琴ちゃん。彼女が一歩前に出れば、九城の取り巻きは一歩後ずさった。
古都塚神宮家は昨今の情勢的に衰退気味とはいえ、日本十名家の古参。
古くから炎皇家を支えて来た柱の一つとして、古都塚神宮現当主は天皇陛下からの信も厚い。
琴ちゃんの批判のこもった発言をないがしろにはできないだろう。
仏神宮家と古都塚神宮家、さすがに名家の二柱、しかも直系の血族相手に九城家だけで事を構えるのは悪手だと理解できているはず。
これまた豪奢な金髪をなびかせる美少女が介入してくる。
太陽の光を燦然と反射させ、その煌めきと美貌、そして地位までも兼ね備えた完璧な血筋の存在。
背後には特別に許可されたお付きの護衛2人を連れながら、堂々たる振舞いで九城たちに険呑な視線を飛ばしている。
イギリス王室の、しかも王位継承権第三位の彼女にそんな態度を取られてしまえば、もう成す術も絡む理由も消し飛ばされる。なにせ事を荒立てれば国際問題に繋がりかねない。
実はさっきから視界の端でリリィさんの姿を捉えてはいた。すぐに会話に介入してこなかったのは、きっと彼女なりに機を窺ってベストタイミングを見計らっていたのだろう。
俺は琴ちゃんとリリィさんに心からの笑みを浮かべた後、九城一派に向き直る。
「家訓がどうのと、咎めるのなら――敢えて答えてやろう」
俺は両脇にいる友人たちをチラリと見てから言葉にする。
そう暗に伝わるように、にっこりと微笑んであげる。
「九城神宮家もそう言われてないのか?」
改めて俺に失礼な態度で絡んできた九城の取り巻きに視線を飛ばしてから、九城九重を見つめてやる。
これで『友人は選べよ。そんな失礼な輩を友達にするのが九城家の家訓なのか?』という裏の意味も十分に伝わっただろう。
「行こっか、琴ちゃん、リリィさん」
今度こそ九城派閥の横を素通りする。
「えぇ、本日は訊太郎さんの転入記念ですもの。たくさんお喋りしましょう。同じ
後半はピシャリとした声音で、リリィさんが琴ちゃんを見ながら言った。
「......私は訊太郎くんに校舎案内をしますので。リリィ殿下こそ、ご多忙な王室の身でありますから、お気づかいしてもらってまで一緒にいる必要はありませんです」
「あらあら、琴音さんは中等部に編入する訊太郎さんに、初等部のご案内なさるおつもりで?
妙に『同じ中等部』という箇所で語気を強めたリリィさん。
そんな彼女に対し、琴ちゃんがキッと睨むようにしてリリィさんを見上げる。
訊太郎くんのお世話は、私が致しますのでご心配なく」
今度は琴ちゃんが『幼馴染』という単語を妙に強調している。
一難去ってまた一難。
今度はとても頼もしい2人がケンカを始めてしまった......。
先程、九城派閥にあんな態度を取った俺が言える言葉ではないけれど一応はそう言ってみる。
我ながらなんて説得力のない言葉だ。
そう思っていたけれど――
「訊太郎くんがそう言うなら......リリィ殿下、ご一緒するです」
も少々むきになってましたわ。みなさんで校舎内を散策するのも楽しいのでしょうね」
予想外にも、2人は聞き分け良く静かになってくれた。
なんて2人はイイ子なんだ。
俺も2人の度量の広さを見習わなければ。
294 291 Words: Bring Silver Light To The Battle Of The Ladies.
In the morning the sound of the cicadas echoes from afar.
Slowly lean a cup of tea into your mouth to calm your nervous, high emotions.
I tapped into all the knowledge I needed to bear in mind. Nothing should go wrong.
Even if I try to convince myself yes, I still can't hide my anxiety about moving to school where all the elites get together.
"Excuse me, Mr. Shintaro."
Grandpa Sebastian enters my room.
I have already finished breakfast and have finished my conversation with my father, mother, sister and mi.
"Oh... I knew it, but it's a big one..."
I stood only for a few moments in front of a much more splendid gate.
At a distance of about 30 seconds' walk from the parking lot for student transfers, the main entrance, which can be described as the 'face of the school', releases a majestic and harsh air.
There's a reason why students can't stay in the school building while they're in the car.
Students have school rules like walking through school gates unless it's an emergency to strengthen their awareness that they're coming to learn.
Sometimes it is just rumored to be the highest peak in Japan to see the height of consciousness from such detailed parts.
Students entering the school building on their own feet from the gate are all sophisticated.
And most importantly, even if some students look at me with chills... I wanted to see the day of school at the previous school, and no one came to see me jeez. Only insignificant, sassy and naturally out of sight.
Oh, classy.
"If Harp hadn't told me to go to school with you... I might have been nervous and beefy"
"I'm not very happy with Shintaro, but I'm very happy to go to the same school as Shintaro."
Seeing Qin smile all the time on, my nervousness relieves me a bit.
I can only thank Harp for taking it in a positive direction.
"But it's huge... and it's beautiful..."
Once you knock through the gates and enter the premises of the various school buildings, you will be impressed by the design of a school building that blends Japanese landscape with Chinese style and Western culture.
A landscape reminiscent of the Meiji period, with a large group of school buildings stacked with red bricks.
But not necessarily uniform.
Some school buildings have sloppy lines of fashionable windows with churchy designs, even though there are many deep Japanese tiles (straw) flowing on the roof... classic wooden architectural groups, a number of lights lined up, at first glance an area like a shrine, inside it has become a blow-out corridor based on a luxurious magnificent red....
All of which are preserved in perfect balance, with a stunning view as if they were a blend of the world's tourist attractions.
It boasted a grace that was not strange to be said to be the heart of the world.
"I'll get used to it soon. The school building is huge, but there are plenty of convenient facilities to get around."
I feel overwhelmed by a rare landscape, in the mood of an ascendant who has come to Tokyo entirely from the countryside.
There were those who spoke to us like that.
"Oh? What if you're looking around the (...) study hall -"
"You're looking around 'uncommonly', aren't you? Hakuho."
Even if I say it again, it slips through derogatory words.
"Kyolo Kyolo and it's funny as a wild monkey, isn't it?
Following the girl she called White Phoenix, other faces will also give me mouth shots, or...
I'm reluctant to ask a disgusting question, while keeping a grin on my heart.
You can't handle them badly until you decide who they're in.
Immediately search the brain for the name Hakuho.
However, it is the family name of a branch of the Jiujo (Lottery) Shrine Family (Jinguuku), which is the center of the medical field. It's one of those forces I'm not comfortable with because the Buddhist Shrine family recently reached out to pharmaceutical-related parties.
Then I can skip one or two of my dislikes at the apertures, and nod at them to restrain me.
Turns out I am. I grin even deeper and relate to them.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Taro Buddha Jingu"
Eyes on each and every one, and say it out loud.
"I know that your perception generally fits. There's only one mistake, and I'm here to correct it."
If I state my prickly mouth, there will be a slight shade in their expression.
"I have sexually transmitted diseases and now I have this kind of body. So it's not exactly a 'warrant lady'."
Spit out every word, with all your strength.
If there's nothing inferior to me, I won't let anyone deny my identity.
If I switch my tone to "Sexually Transmitted Disease," my temper will spread to the women of the Kyushu faction.
But I don't mind. I'm me.
And I'm not going to fit this annoying lady's realm.
I don't have a hobby for overlapping words and bumping into each other and continuing to prove which one is the superior and authoritative position, and it's a waste of time.
"So - Reishi's lady chirps, I don't deserve a beautiful garden. I don't think it's the kind of girl you call a warrant for."
Like my sister, I kill them and stare at them.
"Still, if you're going to shout loud at me - I'll break the poor flowers my way"
Aware of my sister's model walking, she passes beside them with a refreshment.
"If you understand - don't worry about me."
I naturally thought if I was so overwhelmed, I could do it, but this is a school attended by children of power, even if it rots.
Are you saying that there are people who are not even freaked out by mouth shots that poke at this level?
She hits a soothing grin.
"We haven't introduced ourselves yet. If you named it, you should at least wait until the other party named it. Though you take your name to the last seat, if you are a celebrity, it is natural. Being a Buddhist shrine family member, don't you know this kind of basic courtesy?
Naturally, I know who she is.
This is the person in the family chart (with photographs) of the famous house that my father gave me.
"Is it no way that the Buddha Shrine family is a generational home lesson to adopt such an attitude?
She's got a creepy grin on her eyes like she's gonna try me.
"Until I dealt with the disrespectful man with the right attitude. It was White Phoenix (there) who made the speech without courtesy first. Isn't the Kyushu Jingu family impolite enough to flatter the surrounding people? If you don't name it, it will end without any recognition that anyone in any house has committed a crude crime."
If Kyushu Kyoue had held onto the reins of the people surrounding him, I would attack him that this would not have happened.
And return a cold gaze to Miss Kyushu, who just floats a makeover laugh.
"As an ancient Tsukazuka named after the same famous Japanese family, I doubt the attitude of the previous one. I'm late, but my name is Furutsuka Jingu Qin Tone."
Harp, who was just here and watching next door, adds up.
Currently in a peculiar physique, Qin is a beautiful young lady with golden glowing hair. If she left one step ahead, the surroundings of the Nine Castles were one step behind.
Although the Furutsuka Jingu family is in a receding mood yesterday, the Ancient Ginseng of the Ten Japanese Family.
As one of the pillars that has long supported the Flaming Royal Family, the present emperor of the Kodutsuka Shrine also has a thick letter from His Majesty the Emperor.
You won't be able to whisper Harp's critical remarks.
You must understand that it is a bad idea to do things alone with the Buddhist Jingu family and the Furutsuka Jingu family, just two pillars of the famous family, and the Kyushu family to their immediate lineage counterparts.
This is another luxurious blonde girl intervening.
The presence of perfect blood muscles that brilliantly reflect the light of the sun, combining its brilliance with its beauty and even its status.
Behind him, he is taking two specially authorized escorts, while behaving in a grand manner, skipping a dangerous gaze at the Nine Castles.
If she takes such an attitude towards the British royal family, and third in the right to inherit the throne, both the technique of making it and the reasons for involving it will be erased. If you do anything rough, it can lead to international problems.
In fact, I had just captured Mr. Lily at the edge of my sight. What didn't intervene in the conversation immediately must have been her peeking at the opportunity and anticipating the best timing.
I put a heartfelt grin on Harp and Lily before turning to the Nine Castles faction.
"If you're going to blame me for your homework, I dare you to answer."
I see my friends on both sides as chilli before I put them into words.
I'll smile at you so it's so dark.
"Isn't that what the Jiujo Jingu family said?
Once again, I'll skip my gaze around the Nine Castles that have been tangled up with me in a rude manner, and then I'll stare at the Nine Castles Nine Doubles.
Now I'm like, 'Choose a friend. Is it the Kyushu family's homework to make such rude students friends?' The meaning behind it would also have been well conveyed.
"Come on, Harp, Mr. Lily"
Now it's time to go bare beside the Nine Castles faction.
"Yes, today is Shintaro's transfer. Let's talk a lot. Between the same grades (...), let's deepen our rapport, shall we? Ah, Mr. Qin Yan is going to the elementary school, right?
The second half was a picturesque voice, Lily said as she looked at Harp.
"... I will show Shintaro the school building. Her Royal Highness Lily is a busy royal being, so you don't have to be with her until you realize it."
"Oh, Mr. Qin Yan intends to introduce you to Shintaro, who will be integrated into the middle section? I (I), the same middle department (...), would be better suited to guide Mr. Shintaro?
Ms Lilly, who strangely reinforced her narrative in a place called 'the same middle section'.
In response to her like that, Qin looks up to Mr. Lily so that she can stare kickingly.
"Don't worry, I will take care of Shintaro, who is a child tamer."
Now Qin weirdly emphasises the word 'childhood taming'.
Difficult to leave and another difficulty.
Now two very reliable people have started a fight......
Earlier, I took such an attitude towards the Kyushu faction. Although it is not a word I can say, I will say so for once.
What an unconvincing word for me.
Though I thought so.
"If Shintaro says so... Your Highness Lily, I will be with you"
"I was a little upset, too. Guess you guys enjoy walking around the school building."
Unexpectedly, the two of them listened well and quieted down.
What a good-looking couple.
I have to apprentice the breadth of the two metrics, too.
I Became a Beautiful Girl, but I’m still an MMO Junkie
美少女になったけど、ネトゲ廃人やってます。
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/i-became-a-beautiful-girl-but-im-still-an-mmo-junkie/
Adventure Comedy Fantasy Gender Bender Mystery Psychological Shoujo Ai
Accelerated Growth Adapted to Manga Age Regression Alchemy Appearance Changes Appearance Different from Actual Age Beautiful Female Lead Chuunibyou Curious Protagonist Cute Protagonist Demi-Humans Disabilities Doting Older Siblings Fairies Famous Protagonist Fast Learner Friendship Loli Male to Female Misunderstandings MMORPG Multiple POV Mysterious Illness Older Love Interests Overprotective Siblings Past Plays a Big Role Past Trauma Pill Concocting Popular Love Interests Race Change Sword And Magic Virtual Reality Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n0170db/
星屑ぽんぽん