Interview with the Yokai

Chapter 11

" I think one of the most unique things about Sasayama Academy is how close to nature the academy is. I think every one of our classmates has an appreciation for that aspect of the academy and that's why I want to have a class trip to Fuji-san," Noriko said.

Fuiji-san or Mount Fuji was the tallest mountain in Japan and was surrounded by many cultural sites, the forest at its western base was also said to be haunted by yokai. " Are you sure Noriko-san that everyone would like such a rugged location for the class trip?"

" I don't plan to climb the mountain, it would be enough to be in Fuji-san's presence and to walk around the shrines and other historical sites," Noriko said. Shoji thought not as many students would be as excited to go to Mount Fuji as Noriko was, but couldn't bring himself to press the issue.

" I have a question that is actually interesting," Mari said a mischievous look in her eyes and a sly smile on her face. All the girls turned to look at her, all seeming to know that Mari was planning to start some chaos. " Which one of us are you going to be voting for? You know us better than any of our other classmates, who will you vote for?"

Shoji was taken aback by Mari's question. He knew that she loved to turn everything into a state of chaos, but this was taking things a step too far. Answering Mari's question wasn't only inappropriate, but could easily lead to hurting some of the girls' feelings if he wasn't careful.

" That is highly inappropriate of you to ask Mari-san. You should be smart enough to know that," Benihime said her voice calm, but stern.

" Is it really Benihime-san? Maybe you're the one who should do more thinking, Shoji is a voter who is well informed and can give us an honest opinion. We can not only learn who he thinks has made the most appealing pitch, but we can learn what the others could do to win him over. Don't the rest of you want to know that?," Mari said confident in her own logic.

" No," The three other girls all said.

" Fine, then how about we get down to the really important question, which girl do you like Shoji-san, oh not like a friend, I hear you like us all in that way," Mari said looking to light a powder keg. Shoji looked at Noriko, she wouldn't meet his eyes.

" Right now I wouldn't say I like you all as friends," Shoji mumbled looking at Mari.

" Oh how will my heart ever go on, Shoji-san doesn't like me. Well that's one down are we going to do this by process of elimination," Mari said her smile only widening.

" What is your problem today cat? What does that question have to do with the election?," Yayaka asked deciding she wasn't going to sit back and just let Mari say whatever she wanted.

" Maybe I'm getting bored with this unimaginative harem. How hard can it be to decide? You have Benihime-san, trying to win Shoji-san with bentos. We have you Yayaka-chan and it's obvious what you're offering, you've done everything short of lifting up your skirt and showing him. While Noriko-chan you've been playing the best friend white knight. It's obvious you're all rivals so why not cut to the chase," Mari once again trying to sound like the most logical person in the room.

" Because no girl wants to be confessed to like this. You're being really dense Mari-chan, we're all friends and we all realize the situation, we're just handling it with tact," Noriko said sounding a little angry at Mari. It was the first time Shoji had ever seen Noriko get angry at Mari, let alone actually argue with her.

" I'm just trying to help Noriko-chan, all of you really can't just be happy to sit back and wait?," Mari asked her voice apologetic.

" I've told you to let things be," Noriko said in a softer voice.