I FOUND A DOOR TO TENSURA AND BECAME BROKEN IN THE REAL WORLD TOO-Chapter 16: The Invitation

I couldn't immediately understand what she said. Her words left me dumbfounded. My brain struggled to process the absurdity of what I had just heard.

"Ousei Gakuen? Me? What?"

I blinked in confusion, staring at the elegant girl in front of me. Her gentle, sincere eyes held my gaze as she smiled softly.

"I'm sorry for saying this so late," she said with a graceful bow, "but my name is Kaori Houjou. I'm a member of the student council at Ousei Gakuen."

Her introduction was flawless—polite, refined, and sincere. She bowed with a grace that reminded me of the noble women you'd see in period dramas, her silky black hair falling gently over her shoulder.

Still stunned, I managed to stammer out a question.

"U-um... what do you mean by asking me to come to Ousei Gakuen?"

I half expected her to laugh and say she was joking, but instead, the woman in butler attire beside her responded instead. Her sharp, composed voice cut through the tension.

"Tenjou-sama," the woman said respectfully, "Kaori-sama's father is the board chairman of Ousei Gakuen. After hearing about how you protected Kaori-sama from the scoundrels before, he instructed us to invite you to our school, without fail."

I blinked several times, my brain scrambling to catch up.

"...That kind of thing...?"

I couldn't help but feel bewildered.

"They're making it sound like I did something heroic... but I was just getting beaten up."

I clenched my fists slightly. I didn't protect her—I was the one who got beaten to a pulp. I was powerless back then. But as though reading my thoughts, Kaori stepped closer and smiled softly.

"Yuuya-san," she said warmly, her voice gentle yet firm, "you were the only one who moved to help me, even when everyone else pretended not to see. That takes true courage. You protected me."

Her words were sincere and unwavering, piercing through my self-doubt. I felt a warmth in my chest, though it was mixed with embarrassment. I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly, my eyes darting away from hers.

"Ah... I-I see..." I mumbled.

Before I could say more, Youta, who had been silent until now, suddenly cut in.

"Err, wait a minute!" he called out, raising his hand. His voice was filled with disbelief.

Kaori turned to him with a gentle smile.

"Yes?" she asked politely.

Youta's expression twisted into a smug grin as he gestured toward himself.

"Will you let us enroll too?"

My eyes widened slightly.

"...What?"

Youta spoke confidently, puffing out his chest.

"Yeah! We're far better than that guy over there," he said with a sneer, tilting his chin toward me. "If you're gonna let someone like him in, then it only makes sense that you should let us in too."

Sora stepped forward, backing him up with a condescending smile.

"That's right! We're at the top of our current school in academics and sports," she bragged. "We practically carry the whole school when it comes to club activities! Letting us enroll is a no-brainer."

Youta nodded in agreement.

"Next year, we'll definitely—"

"I refuse."

Youta's voice died mid-sentence.

"...Huh?"

Kaori's sharp, unwavering voice cut through the air, turning the atmosphere ice-cold.

"Eh, no, um... what did you just say?" Youta stammered, his confident expression faltering.

Kaori's eyes were calm but firm.

"I said, I refuse," she repeated plainly.

Her voice, which had been so gentle before, was now like steel—composed and unwavering.

Youta and Sora were stunned into silence. Their faces paled, clearly not expecting such a blunt rejection. I was also taken aback by her sudden firmness.

"W-why?" Youta asked, his voice losing its arrogant edge. "We're obviously better than—"

Kaori's expression hardened.

"I won't entertain this conversation any further."

Her words were firm and final, making it clear she wouldn't argue.

Her eyes, which had been so warm when speaking to me, were now cold and unyielding.

Sora, clearly frustrated, scowled and stepped forward.

"W-wait a minute! That's not fair! Why should we be denied? We have the grades! The talent! And we're better than—"

"I said no," Kaori cut her off sharply.

Sora's eyes widened at the curt dismissal. She was clearly not used to being denied so bluntly.

Kaori's gaze sharpened.

"I consider Yuuya-san my benefactor. Why would I let those who insult him into my school?"

Her words were clear and absolute. Youta and Sora's faces twisted with disbelief and growing frustration.

"T-that's...!" Youta stammered.

But Kaori didn't stop. Her expression turned icier.

"Besides," she added coolly, "we've already investigated your behavior."

"What?!" Youta and Sora both exclaimed, their eyes wide with shock.

Kaori glanced at the butler beside her. With a graceful nod, the woman stepped forward and spoke in a composed, almost dispassionate voice.

"When we considered inviting Tenjou-sama to Ousei Gakuen, we conducted a thorough investigation of his surroundings—of course, including human relationships," she explained smoothly. "As a result, we discovered that you two have repeatedly tormented and bullied Tenjou-sama, as well as several other students. Your cruelty and misconduct were thoroughly documented."

"Wha—" Youta's voice caught in his throat.

"That's a lie!" Sora snapped, her face contorted with panic.

The butler remained expressionless.

The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.

"There is no lie," she said coldly. "Your actions have been well recorded. We also uncovered that certain teachers conspired with you and encouraged the oppression. Rest assured, they have been promptly dismissed."

My eyes widened in shock.

"The teachers were dismissed...?"

Youta's face twisted with disbelief.

"B-but you have no proof! You can't just—"

The butler's cold, emotionless voice cut him off.

"We do have evidence. However, from our perspective, it's irrelevant."

Sora's eyes narrowed.

"...What do you mean irrelevant?"

The butler's sharp eyes met hers without a hint of warmth.

"We simply do not want you at Ousei Gakuen. Whether you're guilty or not is meaningless. You are not welcome."

Her calm, merciless tone left them speechless. Youta and Sora were trembling with frustration, their faces red with anger and humiliation.

Kaori, turning back to me, smiled once more, her warm, gentle expression returning.

"I'm sorry the conversation veered off track," she said softly, as though the earlier exchange had never happened. "But as I mentioned before, Yuuya-san, there is no problem with you transferring to Ousei Gakuen. My father will gladly accept you."

I was still processing everything, my mind reeling from the whirlwind of revelations.

"R-really...?" I asked hesitantly.

Kaori's eyes softened further.

"Yes," she said warmly. "Why don't we visit the school now? You can meet my father, and if you're comfortable, you can decide after that."

The butler, already anticipating her request, opened the limousine door with a graceful bow.

Kaori turned back to Youta and Sora one last time, her expression unreadable.

"Farewell," she said simply, offering them a final, dismissive glance before stepping into the limousine.

As I hesitated, Kaori reached out her hand toward me.

"Shall we, Yuuya-san?" she asked softly.

Without a word, I took her hand and followed her into the limousine, leaving Youta and Sora behind, their faces twisted in rage and humiliation.

As the limousine pulled away, I could hear Youta's bitter voice behind me.

"...I'll make you regret this," he muttered darkly.

But I didn't look back. For the first time in a long while, I felt a glimmer of hope for my future.