Episode 3: Preparing for the Special Course!

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Little by little, Aoi was growing used to life at the school, and things went smoothly until one particular day.

Female Teacher
Do you have a moment, Aoi?

Aoi
Y-Yes!? Have I dome something wrong!?

Female Teacher
No, not at all. On the contrary, I wanted to ask you about your progress.

Aoi
Progress...?

Female Teacher
Surely you haven't forgotten about the special course that is set to begin a few days from now, have you, Aoi?

Aoi
Special... course...

Female Teacher
Everyone is looking forward to it very much. Well then, good day, Aoi.

Aoi
... AHHHHHH!

Later.

Chelle
So, why did you have us all meet up today?

Chloe
And after school, of all times. I mean, it's fine -- I have a day off from work today.

Aoi
I-I'm sorry! I-I-I forgot! The course, the special one...!

Yuni
Hmm. Special course... Ah, you mean that one. The research presentation that you were asked to give as a transfer student.

Aoi
Um, the child I was planning to use for the course has disappeared, too! I asked Yuuki, and he said to ask all of you for help...

Yuuki
1. "It's a job for the BFFs Club."

Chelle
Wait, don't just say that. What do you think the BFFs Club is, some kind of handyman? It's not like I'm your personal attendant or anything...

Chelle
Sigh... I wanted to help from the start, but now that I've been specifically told to, I feel my motivation decreasing.

Chloe
I mean, we did say that we'd work together with Aoi. But, like, a course? Scholarly things like that aren't really my forte, you know? Right?

Yuni
I see, this is truly a job for Yunichan's.

Chelle
She actually wants to do it!

Chloe
And she's still obsessed with that dead guild name. She's like a ghost out for revenge. Hurry and pass on to the afterlife.

Aoi
I-I'm sorry, everyone! I know this is a lot to ask, but, um...!

Yuni
Ah, there is no need for concern, Aoi. For Yunichan's is a guild whose name will one day be renowned throughout the world.

Yuni
We would never turn a blind eye to juniors who are in need.

Aoi
Y-Yuni...!

Chelle
I feel like she's really trying to play up that warm, sisterly angle.

Chloe
Who knows... Maybe she's at the age when she wants to show off her maturity, or something.

Yuni
Then! Let's move out, ladies and gentleman of Yunichan's!

Aoi
Thank you so much! Members of Yunichan's!

Chelle & Chloe
It's not Yunichan's.

Yuni
Um, then. Let's begin by taking stock of the items you'll be presenting.

Yuni
You said that the guild you're a member of is called Forestier. I've heard that the guild is composed of elves, but what type of work do you do?

Aoi
Um... I do things like guide people through the forest...?

Yuni
I see. Then, because this school's students are primarily well-off young ladies who grew up in closed environments, perhaps you could discuss some of the sights and dangers of the forest. Discussing matters like environmental protection could also win you the approval of the teachers.

Yuni
Further... Ah, yes. You could discuss some of the potions and such that elves typically use, or even produce some in a live demonstration. That may make it an even more interesting experience.

Chelle
That sure is detailed... I mean, I knew she was smart, but not this smart, you know?

Chloe
I mean, she's always like this.

Yuni
Chloe, with your knowledge as a fellow elf, perhaps you could also offer Aoi some advice.

Chloe
I might also be an elf, but I grew up in the city... Ah, whatever. Okay, coming right up.

Chelle
Okay, Yuni, what about me?

Yuni
Chelle, perhaps you can stand in the corner and... No, if you have any suggestions, then feel free to offer them up. We have need of your inspiration.

Chelle
Were you just about to sideline me? You were, right? Have you already forgotten about my great success in negotiating for those scholarships?

Yuuki
1. "I want to help, too."

Yuni
You, too, Yuuki? Ah, well, your eager spirit is quite admirable. Um, yes, you can... You can...

Chelle
Yuni, don't push yourself.

Chloe
He's an amnesiac, so he can't really help. Like, his qualifications are around those of a 5-year-old.

Aoi
Yuuki, it's okay! I feel more motivation just by knowing you're there!

Chloe
You're so kind, Aoi. But fate sure is cruel.

Chelle
Even I wouldn't be able to handle it.

Aoi
H-Huh!?

Yuni
No, um... Then, Yuuki, yes... Come and massage my shoulders.

Chloe
She finally found a position for him. That's corporate restructuring if I've ever seen it. You really want a shoulder rub, though? Sounds annoying.

Yuuki
1. "I'll do my best."
2. "I'll do my very best."

Option 1.

Yuni
Mm, oh... So this is what it feels like to receive a shoulder rub from a young man... Mm... It's not bad...! This is the first time I've ever felt this way...!

Chelle
Huh, is it really that good? Okay, Yuuki, do me next, please! I'll take the 60-minute full-body course!

Option 2.

Yuni
Ow, ow! It's not the worst, though! This immense pressure... It feels like it's removing all of the stiffness from my body...!

Chloe
No, no, I think that means your body is breaking. You're going to have a more compact form factor after this, assuming you can even move.

End of branches.

Later.

Aoi
Everyone, thank you so much...! I never thought we'd be able to get the materials for the special course together this soon...!

Yuni
No, no, there's no need for thanks. It's the duty of an upperclassman to help those beneath them. You can count on me whenever you're in need.

Chloe
Chelle, why are you fanning your arms like that?

Chelle
Because we're putting on airs right now. Feel that breeze.^[1]

Yuni
Soon, you'll be presenting the materials we prepared today at the special course. Do your best, Aoi.

Aoi
Yes! ... Huh? ... Presenting...? In front of people...?

Chloe
Ah, there it is.

Chelle
The real thing is still to come, you know?

Aoi
There's no way I can give a presentation in front of people! What do I do, Yuni!?

Yuni
Oh, dear. It looks like my junior is still troubled. But fret not, for your upperclassman Yuni will handle it!

The next day...

Aoi
Ooh, presenting in front of people... There's no way I can...

Aoi
But Yuni said that she'd handle it... If I went through some intensive training, then maybe I could...?

Female Student
Um, Aoi? Do you have a moment?

Aoi
Eek!? W-W-What is it!?

Female Student
Sorry for approaching so suddenly. I was just curious -- you seem to run off right after school, and I was wondering where you go.

Aoi
Ah... Um, well, Yuni and the others have been helping me with preparations for the special course, so that's where I've been...

Female Student
Yuni...!? You mean the foremost genius of our school, Dr. Yuni!?

Aoi
Doctor? Um, I know she's a very knowledgeable person, but beyond that...

Female Student
A-Aoi. Dr. Yuni is one of the most admired individuals at our school, someone blessed with incredible natural talent. She lives in a complete different world than the rest of us...

Aoi
B-But Yuni and the others have been very kind to me...

Female Student
The others? If I recall, the other people whom Dr. Yuni is usually seen with are Chloe and Chelle...

Female Student
But, my goodness, Chloe is quite the unsavory type!

Female Student
I've heard quite the rumors about Chelle as well. She seems to cause teachers great trouble.

Female Student
Aoi, are you okay? Spending time with such people...

Yuni
Do you have a moment? Pardon me, by the way.

Female Student
D-Dr. Yuni!? And the other upperclassmen...! G-Good day...!!

Yuni
Good day. My apologies, I overheard your conversation from the hallway. And I felt that it was my duty as an upperclassman to clear up any misunderstandings you may have.

Yuni
She... Aoi is in truth a very kind girl.

Chloe
Yeah, totally. She's even kind to delinquents like us.

Yuni
Indeed. And her impressions of us were not colored by any biases or predispositions. Her doors are always open to all. It is a part of her gentle yearning for the world, born of solitary days.

Yuni
And so, out of that same spirit of benevolence, I would ask that we honor those ideals. I would ask that you not allow these trifling details to mislead you, and that you maintain a most pure friendship with this kind girl.

Chelle
In layman's terms, I hope we can get along too. Chelluun!

Later.

Yuni
Aoi. I apologize. I'm sure that your involvement with individuals such as us has colored your classmates' perception of you.

Aoi
N-No, not at all... On the contrary, I want to thank you. Yuni.

Aoi
Ehehe, it honestly made me pretty happy. Hearing you say those kinds of things about me...

Yuni
Mm. I was only improvising, but my acting and lines were pretty good, don't you think? Heh heh, perhaps I have some talent in me as an actress.

Aoi
Huh? ... Huh!?

Yuni
Hmm? It shouldn't be a surprise. Ever since my childhood in the village, I've been reading stories in school settings concerning youthful themes like friendship and love.

Yuni
In one such story, there was a moving scene with a situation very similar to the one that was at hand. I realized that I had the rare opportunity to recreate that very emotional scene. In layman's terms, I want to experience youth.

Yuni
The most important thing is that the audience... that is to say, Aoi, was pleased by the performance. Not to mention, this has lit a fire beneath the actor's soul within me. In any case, let us dispense with the chit-chat and discuss the special course...

Aoi
......

Yuni
Aoi? You seem quite stiff for some reason...

Chloe
It's nothing. Don't worry about it, Yuni.

Chelle
So, the loner doesn't understand the other loner's feelings. I see, Yuni!

Yuni
Hmm? What do you mean?

Aoi
W-Waaaaah! That was mean, Yuni!!!!

Yuni
H-Huh? Wait, Aoi! Why are you reacting so!? It's a misunderstanding... Or maybe it isn't, but that's my excuse!!

Yuni
Wait! Those words may have been derivative of prior work, but they reflected my latent thoughts, I promise...! A-Aoiiii!!

That night...

???
......

Female Teacher
... Oh? Is someone there?

Mandragora
Roaaaaar!

Female Teacher
Eeek!? What is... this...!?

Female Teacher
Oh...