Beginner Pack ch 13

Is It True That You Win Your Life with the “Beginner Pack”?

 

TLN: No sex this time, but it's a nice chapter nonetheless. We get to see how Akira unintentionally captures Iroha without ever using his sexual techniques. Honestly, I enjoy translating a chapter like this more than one with a sex scene. Sex scenes are easier to translate, but they get kind of monotonous and repetitive after a while.

Chapter 13: My Master (Part 1)

Iroha’s side:


I am Kazami Iroha.


I’m a second year student in Hakuou Academy, and I’m tentatively aiming to become a lawyer in the future. I was invited by a senpai during my first year, so now I’m in the public morals committee. It seems they liked my serious and inflexible personality. I wonder if it’s really a good thing, though.


My mom got divorced when I was in elementary school. It seems my dad had an affair. I don’t know the details. Mom changed after the divorce.


Study well.


Be serious.


Don’t be like dad.


Don’t lose to a man.


Aim to become a lawyer.


Focus on your career.


Men are useless.


You can do it.


I listened to mom’s repeated advice and persevered to meet her expectations. I studied hard every day. As a little girl, I didn’t know any fun other than studying.


When was it…? It must’ve been when I was in middle school…


I was visiting a library, as usual, when I came across a book. To begin with, I didn’t dislike reading. The book I casually picked up changed my sense of values.


I encountered a light novel.


I found fun within the pages of that book. I was quickly absorbed in reading. It was a world I knew nothing about. The story was about a hero, his servant and friends, and their journey to defeat a demon king. Now I know that it’s a generic story. But for the me of that time, who didn’t know anything about having fun, it was a new and vibrant world.


I admired the hero’s servant in that story. Normally a girl would identify with a princess or something, right? However… serving the hero, calling him “master”, devoting one’s everything, I found joy in that. That servant’s noble figure… I thought it was wonderful. In the book’s illustrations, the servant had beautiful, long, black hair, just like me. I strongly identified with that figure.


Before I noticed, I found myself yearning for a wonderful master to serve. You could call it a wish. To submit myself to someone who would accept my everything. Such a master…


But of course, such a wish couldn’t come true.


I couldn’t betray my mom’s expectations.


That’s why I found stress relief in masturbation. I knew it was bad, but I couldn’t help it. Playing with my clitoris, I fantasised about the novel’s scene where the servant seduces the hero. I was too scared to insert my finger, so I never did that.


In truth, rather than a lawyer, I wanted to be a novelist. I wanted to try writing a story like the one that changed my values. I came to wish for such a thing.


But it’s impossible. Mom would definitely oppose it.


Even such a stiff and serious person as me has a boy she’s interested in.


Yano Akira.


He’s a mysterious boy. Recently, he’s always waited upon by cute girls. Although his face is ordinary, he’s adored by girls, just like the hero from that story.


I can’t get those words he said to me out of my head.


‘Want me to become your master?’


I remember how my face turned completely red.


How? How does he know my wish? Will he save me, like the hero from that story?


No, that’s fiction. I know that it’s impossible. And yet… I can’t get those words out of my head.




Akira’s side:


Damn, yesterday’s Aya was awesome. I totally lost my rationality.


A cat-eared maid is the best…!


That said, even if she seduced me, I really am kind of scum… Gotta think about this seriously.


“Aaakira-san!❤︎”


A pair of slender arms hug me from behind.


“Huh!? Oh, Miyuki. Morning.”


Even though there’s no one else around, it’s still quite bold of her. Her soft boobs pressing against my back feel good, though.


“They’re touching my back, you know.”


“Yep, they are.❤︎”


“Thanks for letting me experience this rom com trope.”


“By the way, isn’t Sakura with you today?”


“Yeah. She has morning training today, so she went earlier.”


I usually go to school with Sakura. We did that even during her tsundere period. She was cute even when being all tsun tsun.


“Ara.❤︎ Then I have Akira-san all to myself this morning.❤︎ Ufufu.❤︎”


So saying, Miyuki grabs my arm.


Going to school arm in arm with this school idol will surely send more ripples across the student body. Well, let them make all the noise they want. It’s not like I had any friends among the male students to begin with.


As we walk towards the school, there’s another encounter:


“Akira! Morning!❤︎” It’s Mika.


“Ah! Miyumiyu, that’s unfair! My turn, my turn!”


“Good morning, Mika-senpai.❤︎ Isn’t the other side free?”


“Yay!❤︎ Got the other side.❤︎”


“You girls… You’re gonna get me stabbed one of these days, you know that?”


So I go to school with the two girls. I feel resentment from all directions. It’s not my fault, but saying that would be meaningless, so whatever.


We’re approaching the school gate.


“Huh? There seems to be something going on over there?”


“That… seems to be an inspection by the public morals committee.”


“Geh!? I hate those…”


There are several members of the committee standing in front of the school gate.


Oh? Kazami is among them.


“Next!”


It’s our turn. Mika and Miyuki go first. Looks like it’s Kazami who’s checking them over.


“Yoshinaga-san is fine. Shirokawa-san’s skirt is too short, please correct it.”


“Eeh? Isn’t this much fine? It’s not that short, right?”


I’m being checked over by a male committee member.


“Yano! You’re guilty! You’ll be arrested!”


“What are you going on about? You haven’t even looked properly yet.”


“Shut up! You’re hogging too many school beauties all to yourself! Absolutely unforgivable!”


“That’s a bit heavy on personal grudge, isn’t it?”


“Silence! You’ve displeased us! You’re interfering with our duties!”


“I demand a retrial.”


“Kukuku… We are the law here. You have no right to demand retrial. Obediently let yourself be arrested…”


“Hold it right there!”


Kazami interrupts the “arrest”.


“We’re inspecting personal belongings and uniforms today. Don’t just arbitrarily add unrelated matters to your inspection.”


“Ka- Kazami-san! But…”


“Don’t make excuses. Return to your post.”


“U- understood.”


Oh. He’s running away. He’s still glaring at me, though.


“Sorry to bother you, Kazami.”


“No big deal. This isn’t even enough to pay back for yesterday’s help. Don’t mind it.”


“No, let me thank you. Lately, I’ve had a lot of trouble from guys like that. You really helped me out this time.”


“Aren’t you just reaping what you’ve sown?”


“It’s not like I’m doing it on purpose…”


“You’re not doing it on purpose, yet you’re still so adored?”


“Haha, don’t ask me. I have no idea how it came to this. Well, see ya.”




Iroha’s side:


Yano-kun is really strange. Yesterday he helped me when I got entangled with those guys. Even though he had no obligation to help. He doesn’t seem to even count it as a favour.


To be honest, even I think that I went too far yesterday. And yet… I couldn’t help lashing out at that trio trying to pick up girls.


What would have happened if Yano-kun hadn’t come? It might well have come to violence. Yet I just couldn’t suppress my impulse. Seeing them calling out to girls so lightly just awakens an instinctive feeling of disgust in me. They remind me of my cheating dad.


But what does “relax your mindset” mean? Cutting corners? I just don’t understand…


I can’t understand him… Why am I even thinking about this?


Do I really want to understand him? I don’t know…




After school, I’m returning home with my public morals committee work done. By chance, I hear a meow from a vacant lot.


Meow, meow, meow.


Hm? Is it a kitten? I find a kitten in a cardboard box within the vacant lot.


“Fufu, it’s cute.”


An abandoned kitten. It’s kind of like me.


“Are you looking for a master, too?”


Of course, the kitten just meows. I hope a good master picks it up soon.


As I stand up and leave the empty lot, I hear a voice calling me out.


“Oh! What a cute nee-chan. Wanna play with us for a while?”


“Hyuu♪ How about it, nee-chan? We’ll give you some pocket money. We’ll make you feel good, too.”


They look like yakuzas. The kind of people one should never get involved with.


“Oi! Don’t bother respectable people. Sorry about that, nee-chan. Don’t mind us.”


I should run right now… but once again, that dark impulse arises from within me.


“I, I hate vulgar people like you! You’re such a nuisance! Why don’t you cut it out already!?”


When the expression on those men’s faces changes, I understand.


This is bad… I immediately regret it, but it’s too late already.


“Oi oi… Nee-chan. What did you say? Care to repeat that?”


“What’s with those scary eyes? Well? Aniki? What should we do?”


“Come to think of it, I heard something about needing more AV actresses. Should we have her make an appearance?”


Ah… Wha- what should I do!? What…!? I’m scared… Somebody…! Help me…!


I’m scared and can’t stop trembling. In this desperate situation, only regret remains. Just as I’m about to give up hope…


“Say… Can I make an appearance in that AV, too?”


“Ah? Who are you, nii-chan?”


“Ya- Yano-kun!?”


“You know each other? Nii-chan… Sorry, but you know? We have a bit of a dispute to settle with the nee-chan here. So can you step back?”


Even against these threatening yakuzas, Yano-kun has the same easy-going attitude as usual.


“Ah, are you the leader in your group?”


“Hm? If so, what about it?”


“Are you the kind of yakuza who cares about profit and loss? Or the kind that doesn’t?”


“Huh!? What are you talking about…!?”


I have no idea what Yano-kun is talking about. But, facing these scary men, Yano-kun suddenly emits such pressure that it blocks my breath.


The pressure is so heavy that it could be called bloodlust or killing intent. Its force is something unthinkable for a high school student.


“The amount of money you could earn with this girl, or the cost of your medical treatment, which one do you think is higher?”


Silence reigns for a while, until…


“...Tsk. Oi! Let’s go!”


“A- aniki! Wait!”


“Wha- what about the settlement?”


“Shut up and come!”


The yakuzas leave hurriedly.


I’m completely stupefied by this development…




“Tha- thank you…”


I’m… saved? Thank goodness…


I let out a sigh of relief. But, Yano-kun seems a bit strange…


“Ya- Yano-kun?”


Slap!


“Eh…?”


He… slapped my cheek?


I fall on my backside. Looking down at me, Yano-kun says:


“...Oi. Are you an idiot?”


“...Ah… N- no…”


“Do you not understand what kind of people you can and can’t pick quarrels with?”


“...!?”


“Do you understand? It was by chance! I just happened to pass by here by chance! If not for the fortunate timing, do you understand what kind of lifelong scars you might have incurred?”


I can’t say anything.


“Do you understand or not, answer me!”


“Ye- yes!!”


“Sheesh. Don’t make me so worried. If you don’t learn from this…”


“I, I’m sorryyy…! Waaah!”


I start crying like a child.


“O- oi!? Don’t cry, please! Uh… Now I look like the bad guy…”


I keep crying for a while. Yano-kun stays by my side silently.


“Sniff…! Sniff…! I’m sorry…!”


“Have you calmed down a little? I’ll escort you home, so stand up.”


“Um… I don’t think… I can stand up yet.”


“...Haa. It can’t be helped, then… Here.”


Yano-kun turns his back to me and kneels down.


“Eh…?”


“Hurry up, get on my back. You can’t walk, right?”


“O- okay.”


Taking advantage of Yano-kun’s offer, I get on his back.


I’m not too heavy, right?


Yano-kun stands up and starts walking like it’s nothing.


Ah… His back is pretty wide… I don’t have any memories of being piggybacked by my dad. It’s really… warm.


“Um… I’m not heavy, right?”


“You’re heavy. Really heavy.”


“Eh? I’ll get off!”


“Haha, I’m joking! Rather, you’re too light. Are you eating properly?”


“Mo- mou! It’s taboo to call a girl heavy!”


“Then don’t listen! Anyway, which direction?”


“Ah, that direction.”


“Got it.”




He carries me in silence after that. This silence… Time spent without any words… It’s not uncomfortable.


It’s a strange feeling. For some reason, I feel at peace.


His presence… relieves me.




After walking for a while, we arrive in front of my house.


“Ah… It’s here.”


“Oh. Okay. I’ll drop you off here, then.”


Yano-kun lets me off his back. Separating from his warmth… I feel a sense of loss.


“Well then, see ya.”


Ah! D- don’t go!


I open my mouth unconsciously.


“Wa- wait! Um, why don’t you come in for some tea?”


“Hm? You don’t need to treat me, it was nothing.”


“...Please. Won’t you… let me thank you?”


My heart is pounding. After a moment of silence, Yano-kun says:


“Well, I’ll come in for a bit, then.”


“Yes!”




Thank goodness… I invited a man inside my home for the first time.


“Please, come inside.”


“Sure. It’s a lovely apartment.”


“Fufu, don’t look around too much. It’s embarrassing.”


It feels strange to have a man in my home… But it’s not a bad feeling.


“Is black tea fine? We have coffee, too.”


“Mm, coffee then, please.”


“Okay. Black?”


“Yeah. I like it black.”


I go to the kitchen to prepare the drinks. I’m a bit nervous, but at the same time, I seem to be in a good mood.


‘Why don’t you come in for some tea?’


Why did I say that? I know the reason. I wanted to spend more time with him.


I’ve come to like him. I’m aware of that feeling.


When I think about that, I recall those words of his that never left my head.


‘Want me to become your master?’


Would he… really? Would he… do it?


Whyever he knows of my wish, I don’t care anymore.


The important thing is that… If, by any chance… He were to become my master… I would serve him with my everything…




I’ve made my resolve to ask him.


“Here you go.”


“Thanks.”


I’m nervous. My heart is pounding like crazy.


“Hey…?”


“Hm? What’s the matter?”


“Would you… really become my master?”


“...!? Wha…!? You…”


“If! If you really become my master, I’ll serve you with my everything! Whatever you say! As long as I can, I’ll do anything! If you ask me to strip, I’ll strip! If you ask to hold me, I’ll offer myself up! I’ll devote myself fully to serving you! I’m serious! So…”


Knock!


“Ah, that hurts!”


He flicked me on my forehead with a finger. Confused, I stare at him in a daze.


“I told you, didn’t I? You think too much. Relax a little. You know the English saying, ‘Take it easy.’”


“Eh…?”


“Like I said! Don’t always think about difficult matters. If you’re always stressed, you can’t compose yourself. That state is no good, you know? You need to have a wider field of view. Right now you’re like a string stretched taut.”


“Is… Is that so?”


“What do you want to become?”


“Eh? Well, tentatively, a lawyer…”


“Not that. What do you really want to become? ‘Tentatively’ sounds so half-hearted, you must have a real dream, right?”


“No- novelist…”


“So you do have one.”


“Bu- but my mom is against it…”


“Did your mom say so?”


“No… But, I’m certain she’d oppose it…”


“Even if she does, so what? Don’t give up so easily. We’re still young. We have limitless potential, limitless options. What’s wrong with doing as we like, aiming for whatever we want? I’m just saying. You can be more selfish.”


“Can I… really be selfish?”


“Of course you can. It’s your life. It’s your choice. So relax and do what you want.”


I feel like the fog in my mind is lifting. My heart feels fulfilled.


Spontaneously, I say it.


“Please become my master.”




During a certain lunch break:


Sakura: “Miyuki! I heard rumours that Miyuki came to school in the morning arm in arm with onii-chan. What’s that about?”


Miyuki: “Ara ara. Why do you look so angry?“


Sakura: “Don’t evade the question! I want an explanation! Miyuki!”


Miyuki: “In the morning? Ah. It’s about that, huh? Akira-san wanted to hear some embarrassing stories about Sakura. I couldn’t speak out loud, so I had to whisper close to his ear. That’s probably the cause for the rumour.”


Sakura: “Onii-chan… wanted to hear embarrassing stories about me?❤︎”


Miyuki: “Yes, that’s right. You’re quite loved, Sakura.❤︎”


Sakura: “E- ehehe…❤︎”


Miyuki: (I’m sorry, Sakura. Wait for your turn a little while longer. When the preparations are complete, I’ll definitely help you become happy, too. So wait just a little longer.❤︎)

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