☆ Igor Dragovich was his former surname — he's now called Igor Kurogane
– Igor Kurogane? Wasn't his surname Dragovich?
☆ It was in the past, but after getting married, he took his wife's surname, Liza Kurogane
– That explains a lot… I forgot that even though it's uncommon, it's possible to take the wife's surname after marriage
☆ That's right, Igor Kurogane once said that during a walk through Japan's rural areas, he fell in love at first sight with a beautiful Japanese woman with clear eyes, silky hair, and a radiant aura that overwhelmed all his senses. One of his friends once recounted how Igor had told him about how hard it was to win her over, saying it had been harder than defeating a lion barehanded. To summarize what his friend told, Igor approached her and said she looked as perfect as the northern lights he once saw as a child; after that, Liza Kurogane laughed at his comment, saying there was no need to be so nervous for someone so tall and strong, and that he should have more confidence in himself. Apparently, while Igor was confessing his feelings, his legs were shaking and his heart was pounding at full speed. They stayed in touch until eventually, they married and had a daughter
– By any chance… is their daughter's name Sena?
☆ That's right
– I see...
That explains her unexplainable strength and technique in combat. Even though she's a girl, she's the daughter of the strongest man in the world — a man capable of defeating lions.
She has the best genetics on the planet and the greatest fighter of all as her father. Now I understand the reason for her strength.
☆ Onii-chan, if you want to know about Sena so you can beat her, I can help you
– Me? Beat her? Why do you think I'd do that, Emy?
There's no way she knows I called her to get information about Sena… was I that obvious?
☆ Kurogane Sena was born from a delivery that ended with her mother's death — Kurogane Liza. A tragedy of preeclampsia that escalated into eclampsia, ending with the mother's death during childbirth. Kurogane Sena grew up only with her father, a man who only knows how to train. I'd bet the only thing he's taught her is how to get stronger. And if by any chance she ends up in your high school, Onii-chan, I'm sure she'll cause you problems at some point — that's why you called me, right? To get information about her and maybe even face her if she starts causing too many problems, isn't that so?
How is she so smart? She read me like an open book. My sister is truly a genius.
– You're right, I wanted to know about her so I could stop her if she became a problem. But with what you've told me, that's more than enough
☆ I'm glad I could help, Onii-chan. I'd wish you luck, but you don't need it, so I'll just say — see you
– See you, Emy. Good night
After that, I started training just in case the time came to face her. I practiced shadow fighting and sword techniques... I hope I never have to use them.
The next day, I decided to follow her discreetly and see what she did during the day. After classes, during lunch break, she went to eat on the rooftop. She did nothing remarkable until the end of classes.
Then, during club activities, Sena-san went to the karate club, where Rei Akira — the student who attacked her first yesterday and ended up with a dislocated nose — was.
"S-Sena-sama?! What brings your eminence here?!"
As if she were a mafia boss, Rei-senpai couldn't hide his deep fear. I don't blame him — after all, he didn't even have the slightest chance to fight back in their match.
♤ You're the one from yesterday, right? That means you're my pet. This is convenient. I want to fight someone strong
After she said that, Rei-senpai encouraged the others to have a training match with Sena-san, who went on to defeat all the strongest members of the karate club under their own rules.
Each match showed me the overwhelming power of Sena-san. I thought maybe she was invincible — that no matter what I tried, defeating her would be impossible.
After that, she went to the judo club and challenged all its members to a fight.
Sena-san didn't feel even a shred of fear. She was wrapped in pure confidence, and from the very first match, she proved to be untouchable. Her strength sent heavier guys flying like children; she was so fast that whenever they tried to grab her, she'd lift them over her hip and slam them hard against the tatami.
Her last match was against the club's captain, a first-dan black belt. Sena-san displayed brutal strength. When the captain finally managed to grab her and was about to slam her mercilessly into the ground with all his might, Sena-san looked him in the eyes and said aloud that his grip was weak — then performed the most explosive Ura Nage[1] I've ever seen in my life.
None of them even came close to scoring a single point. Is this how the strongest human fights? I'm not a hundred percent sure, but I'd bet it is…
But something worries me — during each fight, Sena-san looks more and more bored. I wonder what's going through her mind.
Once I got home after gathering my information, I played the minigames from Eliza's route to clear my head until I beat them.
– That was tough, I can't believe I had to use all my focus to finish this… but I think the route's finally ending, so… let's go for that ending!
While picking what I thought were the best options, just like I did with the Idol route, I slowly reached the end until I hit the critical moment of the story where I had to wisely choose between "Kiss" or "Hug". The decision was obvious… "Kiss"
The game ended with a bitter conclusion where the heroine never learned the meaning of love — she only obeyed what the protagonist told her throughout the story. At first, I didn't realize it, but my choices never made Eliza-chan smile. Her affection points increased, but her expression never looked happy.
I should have realized it earlier, knowing her personality type wasn't that of a serious person, but of someone bold.
The ending was the "Good" one, but not the "True" one — the equivalent of a perfect ending. At least I didn't get the bad ending, but I'm not sure I can be satisfied with this.
When someone is that strong, they don't seek fights — they seek someone to have fun with. They seek a friend.
The next day, Thursday, Sena-san didn't take any notes during class and only listened. When it was over, she ordered the class representative to make hers for her. None of those who heard her imperious tone said anything, not even the representative — she just nodded and started writing.
At this point, the rumor of a student who had defeated every martial arts club was spreading rapidly, and the first to learn who she was were her own classmates. That's why opposing her orders felt unnatural.
After that, she ordered Mashiba to buy her three melonpans with his own money, and Mashiba immediately rushed to bring them without a word.
It was strange — no one said anything, no one seemed bothered by the situation. Everyone lived in harmony except for me… It was as if the entire class wore invisible collars, completely tamed.
At first, they were afraid, but now they could smile and talk as on any normal day, with the only difference being that she ruled the class — as naturally as a lion taking over a pride by defeating its former leader.
She sat next to me, calm and beautiful as a carnation, seemingly a bit hungry.
– Sena-san, you're hungry, right? –I tried to start a friendly interaction.
♤ I am… *sigh*
– You seem bored, Sena-san. If you don't mind, may I ask why?
♤ This school only has weaklings. You probably got bored too and decided to live like the rest of the crowd, didn't you? I was thinking of doing the same, but maybe I'll just live doing the bare minimum, using them for my convenience
Thinking that everyone is weak is an arrogant and foolish thought — people are infinite. You can't define them with a single word, "weak".
I'm sure she would never do evil, but if she keeps going like this, she'll miss out on the things others can offer — things you can't order someone to do, because a command can't compare to a voluntary act.
I don't know what this feeling inside me is, but I can't let her comment slide.
– If you think that way, then you still have a long way to go, Sena-chan. I thought you were strong, but now I think you're weak –Like a strict father disappointed in his child, I showed her my condescension.
When I started training to become stronger, one of the things I focused on most was why I wanted to be strong. Was it a selfish, childish dream — or something more? Strength doesn't exist to be superior to others. One becomes strong to protect others — and to protect oneself. That is the essence of strength.
The caveman fought to survive, not out of ego or pride, but to protect himself and live another day — that's where true strength is born.
After thinking that, reflexively, I found myself standing — I'd called Sena-san weak, inconsistently, and even used the honorific "chan" in an insulting way.
I think this might end badly for me...
It was also the moment when Mashiba came back from the cafeteria and saw me acting so arrogantly.
♤ Y-you think I'm weak... Shido-san, don't push your luck. I assure you, I'm far more dangerous than you think. So… don't you dare underestimate me –At first confused, but ending defiant, she finished her point with a glare that could make a silverback gorilla run away.
As if trying to forget the topic, Sena-san stood up, picked up her melonpans, and went out to eat in the hallway.
I think this is going to end badly for me. If I want to stay alive tomorrow, I have to apologize to her somehow, although…
I'd like to teach her a way to realize that she can actually be friends with "weak" people, and I think I know the perfect person for that.
If there's anyone capable of such a feat, it's definitely Hikari Hasegawa.
She's the student council president and the most beloved girl in the entire school.
Besides, Hikari-chan is my childhood friend, and we were both part of the student council at our previous school, where I served as secretary.
I think if I ask her to help distract Sena-san, I could set up a little trap.
First, I'll try calling her to see if she can help me — after all, Hikari-chan is very popular and always busy.
*Calling*… 25 seconds later
♧ Yes, Shido-kun!? To what do I owe this lovely call of yours?
– Eh? Hikari-chan, I didn't think you'd answer. I hope I'm not bothering you
♧ Not at all, Shido-kun! So, if you've got something to say, I'm listening
– Actually, I wanted to ask you a favor. Do you know the new student, Kurogane Sena? I wanted you to help me with a plan I have to show her how good it can feel to have friends
♧ You mean the problem child who defeated all the martial arts clubs?
– Yeah, that one – I replied, sounding hopeless.
♧ Everyone's talking about how terrifying her eyes are...
But don't worry, leave it to me. Just tell me what you need me to do!
– Are you serious?! Thank you so much! You just need to take the kendo club's inventory to the storage room in the gym. I'll help carry things casually, and when Sena-san passes by, I'll teach her a lesson about teamwork — built on unity and mutual respect
Although I doubt this is going to work… I just hope I don't end up too beaten tomorrow when I show her my point of view.
♧ That's a splendid idea, Shido-kun! Then I'll do it
I can't believe Hikari-chan actually trusts me — she's a goddess!
– Thank you so much, Hikari! I really appreciate it!
♧ …
– Hikari-chan?
♧ Ah!? Y-Yes!? What is it?!
– You suddenly went quiet
♧ It's nothing, I just got distracted, that's all, hehe... –Her tone sounded suspicious, as if she were hiding something.
– Then I'll see you tomorrow
♧ Yes! See you, Shido-kun!
Tomorrow is Friday, the last day I'll see her this week. If I don't fix this now, I might never get the chance.
When I got home, I played High School Love: Total Disaster from where I left off, and this time, I tried to complete the route being conscious of my actions.
Before, I finished the route without considering what really mattered, but now I'm different. I'm not looking for the "best" answer anymore — I want to find the one that makes Eliza, the heroine, truly happy.
After two hours of gameplay and difficult decisions that didn't raise her affection meter, I began to doubt my judgment — but I still pressed on.
Then came the key choice: "Hug""Kiss""Do nothing"
Three options appeared. The scene takes place after school, on the street, as we walk her home.
She's visibly happy, but her love meter is only at 66.5%. In the route I played last time, I managed to raise it to 80%.
I think this will be a failure, but still — for some reason I don't understand, she looks genuinely happy. I've never seen her this happy throughout the whole game.
That's why I'll stay true to my ideals. The option I'll choose is "Do nothing"
In this route, I've focused entirely on making her as happy as possible, always choosing what I think will be the most exciting options for her. That's why I thought I wouldn't get the True Ending — after all, I wasn't exactly "romancing" her.
But I think I was wrong...
After choosing that option, she said something I didn't expect.
"You know, all this time I've thought you were really strong and fun. That's why I was wondering if... you'd like to be my friend! Not just any friend — my best friend! And if you accept, you have to be one forever! Got it?!"
What is this innocence flavored like victory?
Only one option appeared: "Reject". But a second later, another one popped up with an animation — a previously locked choice now unlocked.
"Accept"
"Thank you! I swear I'll never let you down! I'll stay with you until the end of the world!"
After that, Eliza hugged the protagonist with a visibly blushing face, and her affection meter instantly shot up to 100%.
That's when I understood everything. She didn't know what love was — she was just someone who wanted to have fun, and while doing so, she accidentally fell in love with the protagonist. But she never realized it until the very end. With doubt in her heart, she made the most embarrassing yet honest proposal of her life.
That's why, in the end, her love meter maxed out — I'm sure this is the True Ending.
When the credits rolled, it was confirmed that I was right — the ending clearly hinted, through some cliché romantic scenes and Eliza's bashful reactions, that they ended up together forever.
I think I understand Sena-san now.
I used to be afraid, but now that I see things differently, I'm ready to teach her that she's not superior to anyone. I can't let her light fade away — so I'll do it, even if it costs me my life.
[1] Judo technique where the opponent is thrown backward.