My Taboo Academy

Somehow that tiny detail on Yuna’s panties this morning felt like a lucky charm, giving me the strength to keep playing the protagonist of Lustbound.

’Clothes for sure do make the man.’

I stepped out of the house wearing the uniform Yuna had carefully mended and ironed for me.

"Ah, it’s the senior!"

"Is it true you collect Fleshlights?!"

The crowd of female students waiting in front of the academy gates had grown noticeably since yesterday.

Normally, being known as a "Fleshlight Collector" would make someone a complete outcast.

But when the collector in question is as handsome as Ren Asahi, it somehow got rebranded as "that handsome guy’s cute little quirk." Looks really did carry unfair advantages.

"Alright, line up. Form a proper line."

"I’m first! Hug me!"

Arms wrapped around me from every direction.

Random girls I didn’t even know were clinging on, begging for hugs. None of them were heroines, but they were pretty enough that I didn’t particularly mind... still, this level of enthusiasm felt abnormal.

"Ren Asahi!!!"

Just as I was calculating how many photos I could take before class, the crowd parted like the Red Sea.

A heroine stepped through, Liliana, Student Council President

This was the first time we’d faced each other in front of so many witnesses. The surrounding girls screamed like they were watching a romance drama unfold, but I knew better. Whatever she wanted, it wouldn’t be pleasant.

’Still...’

She had never approached me with good intentions, yet I couldn’t deny she was beautiful. White pants that hugged her long legs perfectly, a fitted black jacket, the whole equestrian-inspired look making her look like a young queen. Her silver hair caught the morning light and seemed to glow.

Those blue eyes fixed on me with clear disapproval. Lips pressed into a thin line. Even the shape of her forehead somehow looked elegant while she singled me out.

"Unnecessary contact between male and female students is prohibited. Doing it right in front of the academy gates? Bold of you."

Her gaze treated me like a walking future criminal. And yet she was still so damn attractive I couldn’t bring myself to hate her.

’So this is what those regular girls were feeling a second ago...’

"My apologies, President."

"What are the rest of you staring at? Disperse. Gather like this again and you’ll all receive penalty points."

"Eek... yes!"

One sharp order from the Student Council President and the entire flock scattered.

Impressive. Exactly what you’d expect from a main heroine.

She crossed her arms and continued studying me with open displeasure, scanning me from head to toe with that particular brand of female authority.

"You’re wearing your uniform properly today."

I couldn’t help wondering what kind of scathing remark the original unattractive version of me would have received.

Apparently even the Student Council President’s critical eyes found the current me acceptable.

"My sister fixed it for me."

"You didn’t do anything to those girls, did you?"

The level of suspicion in her voice caught me off guard.

"I thought the misunderstandings were already cleared up."

"I’m grateful you saved the teacher. That doesn’t change the fact that it’s my job to make sure nothing like that happens again on academy grounds."

"And if I promise it won’t?"

"The promise of a D-class student carries exactly zero weight."

...Fair.

At this point I had zero credibility to my name.

"By protocol, simply possessing a dangerous ability is enough grounds for quarantine or worse. The only reason we’re even having this conversation is because the teacher specifically requested your protection."

They take it that far?

I wasn’t completely surprised. When I’d revealed my ability to Aria and Elle during the demon merchant incident, I’d already felt that this particular power needed to stay between people I could trust.

"So what happens to me now?"

"Follow me."

Where exactly were we going?

I assumed it would be the student council room again.

Instead we walked farther and farther from the classroom buildings. Clearly there would be no morning classes for me today.

’Am I actually getting detained?’

After a couple minutes of walking, we entered a building I had never seen before.

The hallway was completely empty.

Just me and Student Council President Liliana.

"This is the Chairman’s office. He’ll decide your disposition."

"Disposition!!?"

This was getting serious.

"May I go in?"

"Wait. On second thought, you look messy."

"Huh?"

Liliana stepped in close and reached for my tie.

"Hold still."

A light floral scent drifted up.

The height difference was perfect. I could look straight down at the Student Council President’s face. Ideal composition for a tragic romance... or a sudden death.

I couldn’t keep my expression steady.

’She’s ridiculously beautiful up close...’

If I said that out loud she would probably kill me on the spot.

"There. Done. Remember you’re still an academy student no matter where you go. Maintain basic dignity."

"Weren’t you about to arrest me?"

"I wish I could."

"But not yet."

*Knock. Knock.*

She turned and knocked politely twice.

"It’s Liliana. I’ve brought the student."

"Come in."

This was my first time meeting the Academy Chairman.

The office was enormous, one entire wall made of glass overlooking the whole campus. A large man with pomade-slicked hair sat behind the desk. Broad-shoulders, with a scar running across the left side of his face that made him look like a retired soldier.

"Ren Asahi?"

"Yes sir."

"Sit."

I sank into the plush guest sofa.

"Relax. I didn’t call you here to lecture you."

Easier said than done.

"I’ve received the report on your ability. Every year we get at least ten students who awaken something similarly dangerous."

"Ten?"

"Yes. From where I sit, I’ve seen plenty of those ten, roughly half end up in quarantine. Three are eliminated. One becomes a hunter or hero who actually contributes to society."

"...And the last one?"

"They disappear somewhere beyond society’s reach."

I could already guess why I was sitting here.

"I want to become a Hunter."

"Haha. Is that so? But can the academy really continue to nurture someone with an ability as dangerous as yours?"

"Probably not..."

"The most important factor in our judgment is character. Are we dealing with a dangerous ability given to an ordinary person... or a dangerous person who happened to receive an ability?"

"..."

Character.

Looking at the original Ren’s track record, a favorable evaluation felt impossible.

Was this the end of the road for me?

"Regina seems quite intent on protecting you."

"Haha..."

*Whew.*

Connections really did matter.

Without an SS-class Hunter vouching for me, I never would have made it this far.

"Do you wish to remain at the academy?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I want to become a brother my sisters can be proud of."

That had been my very first goal after waking up in Lustbound.

"Looking at your current demerit points, it’s been rather difficult to call you a ’proud brother’ so far."

"..."

I had nothing to say to that.

This was basically a repeat of the conversation I’d already had in the student council room.

"Do you want the chance to erase that record and do something worthwhile here?"

"Yes I would, sir"

I was in no position to be selective.

"Then for the time being, you will act as a hero."

"Excuse me?"

The conclusion was so unexpected I couldn’t help questioning it.

"Liliana."

"Yes."

"Starting today, Ren Asahi will serve as your assistant."

"...Understood."

*Gasp.*

Becoming a hero had never been part of the plan.

And my direct superior was the Student Council President herself?!

’Is this the hero route?’

"I’ve been thinking about it, but I don’t think my aptitude really matches the hero path..."

"Heroes save people. The pay is poor, and at the lower ranks it’s essentially volunteer work."

"..."

In other words, a position that demanded constant hard work and sacrifice.

"That’s why applicants are scarce. We’re always short-handed."

No...

"Wouldn’t it be an even bigger problem if a hero committed a crime?"

"Hah. The person standing beside you happens to be one of the strongest heroes."

*Gulp.*

Liliana moved behind the sofa and rested a hand on my shoulder.

*Squeeze.*

The pressure steadily increased.

"Don’t worry. If you start harboring any dangerous intentions, I’ll dispose of you as painlessly as possible."

Where exactly was she planning to send me?!

"Liliana has already witnessed your ability firsthand. There’s no one more suitable to supervise you. So? Will you accept?"

Was this the real reason she had come to collect me so early in the morning?

A heroic career I had never once considered.

I had zero desire to suffer through the hardships that came with it, but...

"Choose carefully, Ren Asahi."

Liliana’s voice brushed against my ear.

"...I believe you can change."

I had already been caught using my true nature on an SS-class Hunter. There was no walking away from this without consequences.

’I can still keep my academy life.’

Regina had said she would try.

She must have spoken directly to the Chairman to protect me.

"I’ll do it."

"Good. From this point forward, most matters concerning you will be left to Liliana. Acceptable, Liliana?"

"Yes."

She answered with a small, sharp smile.

"I’ve never had a protégé who required quite this much attention before, but I’ll do my best to guide you properly."

I had been marked from day one.

But now it was official, I was her protégé.

"Do you accept the academy’s management process, Ren?"

"I accept."

By agreeing, I was handing Liliana the authority to interfere in every corner of my daily life.

[You have received the Student of Interest assignment from Chairman Williams]

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