Strategist Witch Shizuku – Vol 0 Chapter 2

Translator: DC    Editors: Monk Preston, Ozlarus    Proofreader: DC    TLC: Kui

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Vol. 0 – Chapter 2

 

What exactly are clubrooms? They are castles for their members. Wherein they spend time with trusted colleagues to the fullest.

However, quite regrettably, the school only had a finite number of classrooms and there was no full guarantee that a club room would be arranged. If the number of clubs surpasses the number of classrooms available to go around, tears will be shed by some of the clubs. Often, it is the clubs who are lacking in members and have no notable achievements that are on the receiving end of the stick.

It’s the very same at my high school, East Miyaminami. Some weak clubs lamented their situation as they were unable to secure their own clubroom.

Meanwhile, despite being an association, not even a minor club, I had set up a castle of my own. It was called the “Historical Research Association”. Though it’s somewhat difficult to say, it was a gathering for those fond of history. And, to be frank, it’s also the association that I’m a part of.

The other person standing in front of me is also a member. This girl with glasses stood glaring, almost as if the very picture of grumpiness. To be exact, she was the president of the association, as well as the brave woman who accomplished the grand achievement of wrestling this club room which was also known as the meeting room; Saegusa Fuuka-senpai.

 

“You’re late, comrade Hasegawa. I’ve grown tired of waiting.”(Saegusa)

Saegusa-senpai complained to me right away as soon as I opened the clubroom door. She somewhat cutely puffed her cheeks with a *Puuu*. Though it might be imprudent when I was being reprimanded, I still had such thoughts.

“I’m sorry, senpai. I was doing something in the library…”(Hasegawa)

“Hm? The library?”(Saegusa)

At my excuse, Saegusa-senpai’s complaining expression did a complete one-eighty, changing into a quizzical look.

“Why the library? If you need materials, the clubroom should suffice.”(Saegusa)

Saying that, Saegusa-senpai surveyed the clubroom’s interior. Exactly as Saegusa-senpai had said, the inside of the clubroom was cramped, teeming with historical records from all eras and countries. All of this particularly tremendous vast array of material was personally brought by Saegusa-senpai.

…Though, the majority of the contents were largely technical and were considered difficult to approach. I often sneak off to the library to borrow books in search of easier material. Yeah, this is a secret from Saegusa-senpai.

“No, I borrowed different books different from history books.”(Hasegawa)

That being said, I retrieved the three books from my bag.

I can’t show them to my friends in class since I would be made fun of or thought of as peculiar… If it’s Saegusa-senpai who doesn’t particularly care about anything other than history, I could show it to her without worry.

“Hmm? …“Kokoro”, “The Dancing Girl”, “No Longer Human”? What, comrade Hasegawa? No way, are you planning to return this room back to the literature clubroom?”(Saegusa)

Saegusa-senpai made such a remark as she squinted at the books’ titles.

Seemingly, the room had been the literature clubroom before. Although I’m unaware of the specifics, last year, when Saegusa-senpai was a first-year, she snatched the Literature Club… *cough*, inherited the Literature Club.

“No way, I haven’t the sort of ambitions; overthrowing my superiors isn’t a pastime of mine.”(Hasegawa)

“Hmm, is that so? I happen to like topics like revolutions.”(Saegusa)

Saegusa-senpai had a truculent smile on her face reminiscent of a carnivorous beast.

I wryly smiled at Saegusa-senpai’s unsettling words as I returned the books to my bag. Then, as I approached the table at the center of the clubroom, I sat in a pipe-chair at the table across from Saegusa-senpai.  

“However, did you change your beliefs of being a (female) history buff to a woman of literature? It’d be a problem if we lost a member with similar tastes, excluding me.”(Saegusa)

I hadn’t expected for such a candid opinion to come out. There’s no doubt that Saegusa has absolutely no interest in what books I read. Her primary concern was for the problem of the association’s survival.

“There’s no need to worry about it. Just passing thoughts…”(Hasegawa)

“You’ve gone and borrowed quite the amount for just a passing thought though..”(Saegusa)

“Ah, that’s…”(Hasegawa)

I unintentionally hesitated to speak. The face of the classmate who went and pushed two of the books into my face crossed my mind.

“What is it? That’s an unusually worried face.”(Saegusa)

It was rare to see Saegusa-senpai make such popping eyes. Do I ordinarily have a carefree look, senpai?

“No, to be honest…”(Hasegawa)

I began to tell Saegusa-senpai of all of the events which transpired in the library.

 

 

“I see. However, that Ms. Todo… That’s also rather unusual. To think she did it voluntarily, uninfluenced by no-one else.”(Saegusa)

Saegusa senpai jokes, saying ‘so this is the so-called riot of demons’. Todo-san seemed to be terribly spoken of just by talking to other classmates.

“Senpai, as one would expect, it would seem like that way you speak of Todo-san is bad. Plus, your usage of the phrase is incorrect.”(Hasegawa)

The correct analogy would be for when a person who is normally healthy becoming sick. Saegusa-senpai shrugged at my words.

“Well, no need to talk about the small stuff. As for those words, there’s no need to be worried about the nuances.”(Saegusa)

No, I mind them enough. They were ridiculously irrational. I was astonished by Saegusa-senpai’s manner of speaking.

“Well, that doesn’t matter. The real question is why Todo-san bore interest in you.”(Saegusa)

“Interest?”(Hasegawa)

“Well, that’s an understatement. Perhaps you’ve gained her favor in some way.”(Saegusa)

Todo-san being interested in me? No way…

“Hmm, a hint… comrade Hasegawa, take a look at the book which you borrowed. These are all literary works that get to the heart of the profound inner-workings of humans…? A person’s personality, egoism, glossing over how to mask a persona and yet continue on normally…”(Saegusa)

I wonder why, listening to senpai’s words, I feel…

“… Senpai is also knowledgeable of literary works. How surprising.”(Hasegawa)

“Yeah? … You could say that to a degree I’m fond of being generally educated. That doesn’t mean I read history books all year-round.”(Saegusa)

I’m relieved that I somehow managed to change the subject. … Relieved? Why am I relieved? … It’s no good thinking about it!

“Senpai, leaving the literature material here, let’s return to our duties of the ‘Historical Research Association’. What’s on today’s agenda?”(Hasegawa)

A cheery voice left my mouth. As though to portray my boundless enthusiasm for the upcoming activity.

“That’s right. Hmm, for today’s agenda……. Well, how about who’s the best warrior? Let’s do that.”(Saegusa)

Saegusa senpai presented this as today’s discussion. I tilted my head to the side while putting my hand to my chin.

“The best…? Well, right away Just from the tops of my head I’m reminded of a few considerable people… What to do, I’m stumped. Who’s number one? Well…”(Hasegawa)

“Reasonable, then let’s filter out some of the candidates. We’ll limit it to Oriental warriors; soldiers.”(Saegusa)

At my wit’s end, Saegusa senpai makes me a proposal.

“Limited to Oriental? If so—”(Hasegawa)

In one beat, me and Saegusa senpai’s voices overlap.

“Demon Shimazu!”(Hasegawa)
“War Hero Li Jing!”(Saegusa)

However, the contents did not overlap. Saegusa Senpai snorted. “This is unexpected!” she said; I feel like I heard the voice of her heart.

Very well then, war it is. Now unfolds a war without any physical violence. It’s a war of words.

Please be prepared Senpai. Allow me to teach you of the Demon Shimazu’s awesomeness. My heart burns with fighting spirit.

From until school ended, the big controversy and clamor of voices in the “Historical Research Association” club room unfolded. Occasionally, I clenched my fists, let spit fly and spoke passionately, and continued to talk passionately.

Avert your eyes from what lies at the bottom of my heart, and pretend not to notice.