A Rider Doesn't Need a Youth Romantic Comedy [3]

Paying serious attention in class made time stretch endlessly.

Ding-ling-ling-ling~

The delightful sound of the bell rang out, instantly revitalizing the students who had been dozing facedown on their desks.

The middle-aged teacher, still writing notes on the blackboard, shot a sideways glance at the students and straightforwardly declared:

“Class dismissed.”

Are you kidding? I’m not about to waste my precious break time here.

As a seasoned, middle-aged teacher, he’d long since transcended the vulgar stage of "just five more minutes" or "let me finish this last question."

Nowadays, he was an expert at disappearing faster than anyone else once class ended.

“Finally, class is over.”

Makoto Rōma slumped face-first onto his desk, going utterly limp.

Who the heck said that class was fun?

It wasn’t enjoyable at all, okay?

Of course, part of that was Rōma’s own problem.

A second-year student might feel superior sitting through a first-year lecture.

But a college freshman sitting through first-grade classes would only feel intellectually insulted.

Of course, that's just an analogy; reality wasn’t quite that extreme.

“So, how’s it going? Getting used to it?”

Sakamoto, seated in front of Rōma, turned around to ask casually.

The early-morning sunlight filtered through the window and fell upon him, accentuating Sakamoto’s already handsome features with an inexplicable air of refinement.

“Wow, he’s so handsome.”

“Yeah, that's the guy from yesterday, right?”

“Totally! Heard he’s super cool.”

Overhearing the whispers from the nearby girls, Rōma disdainfully curled his lips.

Heh, women.

“It’s alright, I guess. Feels pretty relaxing so far.”

Though he secretly considered attending classes to be a total waste of time, Rōma lied without hesitation.

He had no choice, after all. Who asked him to offend a certain Judas missile launcher?

He’d been doing fine at headquarters, then suddenly got transferred to Chiba.

Not only that, he was forcibly enrolled in this school. He wasn't even allowed to skip class unless on a mission.

Thinking of this, Rōma’s resentment towards that certain white-haired missile launcher deepened.

So what if I called you a little shorty a couple of times and gestured above your head?

Besides, at that time I was pretty desperate myself!

“Really? That’s good then.”

Sakamoto clearly knew that Rōma didn’t really mean it, but seeing his friend wasn’t outright resistant to attending class was enough.

Having been friends with Rōma for so many years, Sakamoto genuinely cared about him.

Indeed, these two had known each other for a very long time.

Their history roughly began in kindergarten when they were classmates.

Apart from two years when Rōma was away from school, and another year in middle school when they were in neighboring classes, the two had always been in the same class, often even sitting near each other.

Incidentally, both were now second-years in high school.

Their bond was already beyond mere ill-fated connections.

“Um...sorry to interrupt.”

Suddenly, a shy female voice came from behind them.

Both turned around to see a girl with green hair timidly speaking up from the seat behind Rōma.

“Could we exchange contact information?”

?

Question marks simultaneously popped up over Rōma’s and Sakamoto’s heads.

Getting asked for contact info on just the second day of school?

Your admirer?

Rōma cast a questioning look toward Sakamoto, simultaneously reaching for his phone in his bag.

No, probably just trying to build confidence.

Sakamoto immediately discerned the girl's mental state.

Very shy, yet mustering up courage to ask for their contacts.
Probably encouraged by friends, wasn’t she?

Ah, so that's how it is.

Nodding thoughtfully, Rōma and Sakamoto generously exchanged contacts with the girl.

Thankfully, there was no embarrassing scene of refusing friendship or anything idiotic like that.

After all, they were just ordinary students (lol).

“Your name is Kawachi Sakura-san, right? I remember from yesterday's introductions.”

“Um, actually it’s Kouno.”

“Oh, got it, Kouno Sakura-san.”

After correctly noting down her name, the three casually chatted for a bit longer.

However, neither side was particularly invested in continuing, and the conversation soon faded out.

Rōma resumed idle chatter with Sakamoto, while Kouno Sakura quietly slipped out of the classroom.

Outside, a pink-haired girl threw her arms around Kouno Sakura, cheerfully exclaiming:

“Remi knew you could do it, Sakura-chan!”

“Okay, okay, Remi! Let go already!”

Of course, none of this had anything to do with Rōma and Sakamoto.

Happy moments were always fleeting, and soon the bell for the next class rang.

Everyone unwillingly returned to their seats.

Time trickled by slowly, filled with the teacher’s explanations and chalk scraping against the blackboard.

Eventually, it was time for the final class of the morning—

“Alright, that’s about it for this morning.”

Clapping her hands together, a dignified woman wearing a white coat declared loudly.

Thanks to yesterday's introductions, everyone already knew her name.

Hiratsuka Shizuka, their Japanese language teacher and homeroom teacher—nicknamed the Iron-Fisted Instructor.

Naturally, no one dared say that nickname to her face.

“There are still quite a few of you who haven't joined any clubs yet. It's best if you decide early.”

“My suggestion is to find a club that matches your interests. If nothing else works, joining a smaller club as a ghost member is acceptable.”

Hiratsuka Shizuka took this matter very seriously.

From her perspective, students should have at least some youthful energy.

What kind of nonsense was heading straight home to play games every day?

“Sensei! I wanna start a game club!”

After recovering his energy during the morning classes, Aki Tomoya suddenly jumped to his feet, loudly declaring his plan.

“Um... Aki-kun, I think you should discuss that with the Student Council's club management department first.”

A drop of cold sweat rolled silently down her forehead as Hiratsuka avoided his gaze.

She'd long since heard about this problematic student.

Playing anime songs in the school’s broadcasting room, setting up figure displays at the sports festival—he’d done it all.

The level of Schadenfreude she'd felt when she first heard those stories was matched by her despair at this very moment.

Why did this student end up in my class?

“Got it!”

Believing he’d received the teacher's blessing, Tomoya returned to his seat invigorated.

Immediately after sitting, he eagerly pulled out several sheets of paper, beginning to scribble and sketch furiously.

Looks like this guy didn't understand at all, huh.

Sighing, Hiratsuka Shizuka decided to temporarily ignore this student.

Whatever. Let him be.

“Well then, class dismissed.”

Perfectly timed, the bell rang again. Hiratsuka waved her hand weakly.

The classroom instantly erupted into chaos.

A mob of boys with eyes glowing red surged out of both classroom doors simultaneously.

It was time for the fierce battle known as "Buying Lunch!"

Rōma and Sakamoto, however, remained completely calm.

The two had already bought lunch on their way to school.

“Sakamoto, do you have a club?”

Tearing open the wrapper of his onigiri, Sakamoto replied,

“Sort of, I guess.”

“I see.”

Taking a bite of his lunch, Rōma began thinking about the club situation.

But before that, he had something else to deal with first.

Glancing at the text message he just received from someone labeled "Troublesome Princess," Rōma felt exhaustion seep into his bones.

—[That fallen angel appeared again? Bring me some feathers, and make sure it's enough.]

Judging from past experience, what she meant by "enough" probably meant stripping both wings bare wouldn't even suffice.

I’ll have to think of something…

---

T/N: OKAY ANIEMS THAT SHOWN UP SO FAR

HORIMIYA
SAKMOTO SCHOOL DAYS
SAEKENO
OREIGARU
HONKAI IMPACT 3
FGO
UHHHHHHHH HIGHSCHOOL DXD

This is a fan translation of 骑士不需要青春恋爱物语 by 青琮 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!