Chapter 33: The First Pretender Part 1
You may be wondering if the one following us is Lala's suitor? If you're wondering that then the answer is no... The one following us is someone with some horrendous stealth techniques, in fact I can see his head peeking out from behind that dumpster.
Yeah, that's definitely Rito....
This fucking abnormal, it was so hard for him to just say he wanted to join us, instead he hides and watches us like some kind of stalker.
Haruna: "This is the chemistry club."
Lala: "I see~"
We already walked through most of the school while Sairenji was showing Lala around, for the time being I just watched and commented from time to time.
While we were walking Sairenji would always stare at Lala's tail swaying from side to side, he must be questioning if it's real or not.
Lala: "Hey~ Hey~ Haruna!"
Haruna: "AH! Y-Yes!"
Lala: "School is pretty fun~ Everyone hangs out here and has a good time together, I'm pretty glad I came!"
Haruna: "?"
Kenichi: "That's because Lala never went to school, she always had tutors at home, so other than her younger sisters and parents she hasn't been able to interact with many people"
Haruna: "I-I see.... I'm sorry if I made you remember something uncomfortable Lala-san."
Lala: "Hmm~ Don't worry, I'm having a great time right now, especially if Kenichi is by my side."
This is one of Lala's strong points, even though she may be sad she always gets up with that smile full of encouragement, she is not the type of woman that will let what others think or do affect her, she is very strong.
Lala: "By the way Haruna, is there anyone you like?"
Haruna: "H-Huh? W-Why are you asking that!?"
I think I can even see how Rito's ear got bigger after hearing that question, seriously, this guy's presence is starting to become quite annoying, he recently climbed on a tree branch and now he even hid behind those bushes, I'm a bit surprised how they haven't been able to see him yet, maybe this is part of his privilege as a protagonist.
Lala: "I just fell in love, it's the first time in my life that I feel this feeling, it's quite strange, I can feel how my heart beats very fast when Kenichi touches me, especially when he kisses me."
Haruna: "Lala-san..."
Damn, that was so cute, how he likes to tempt me like this. I was about to speak until I noticed how a baseball plummeted on Rito's head knocking him instantly unconscious.
Lala: "Hmm~ What is this!"
Haruna: "Ah... That's from the baseball club!"
Kenichi: "Remember I had already mentioned to you about some sports, that's a ball that is used to play a game called baseball, do you want to try playing it Lala?"
Lala: "Hmm~ Yeah, I want to try~ Hey let me play with you guys!"
After shouting that to the baseball club members, Lala started running in a lively manner while approaching from them.
Haruna: "Saruyama-kun.... Lala-san is going to be fine."
Kenichi: "Hmm, there's no problem, even though it doesn't look like much on the outside, Lala's physical condition is amazing, she can perform all sports without any problem."
And I'm not lying, maybe it's because of the Deviluke blood, but I remember that Lala is incredibly strong, she might even be stronger than me, that's why I said that she never needed Rito's help when she was running away from her bodyguards, the only problem is that she is much more focused on creating inventions and playing than fighting, if she was serious about fighting on her own she could have taken care of all her suitors without much trouble.
Boy #1: "Hey! That girl is not..."
Boy #2: "She's the cute transfer student everyone's been talking about!"
Boy #3: "She said she wants to play with us! That means she's interested in joining the baseball club!"
So those are the members of the baseball club, apparently they're still the same background characters that appeared in To Love-Ru, good thing they weren't characters from some anime that dealt with baseball, otherwise their dreams would have been completely destroyed by Lala.
Momemitsu: "Interesting!"
Boy #4: "Boss."
Momemitsu: "This is a very good opportunity. I'll be the star pitcher of the baseball club, I'll be your rival, and I'll show you how great I am."
This if I'm not mistaken is Momemitsu Taizou, a background character who appeared regularly in To Love-Ru, despite having a rather attractive appearance he has a very bad reputation in school. He's known for having notes on all the girls in school, he's also been known to propose to any cute girl the moment he sees her and because of that he always gets rejected.
Lala: "So~ I just have to hit the ball with this stick, right~?"
Momemitsu: "Heh.... Wow this girl is totally my type.... I'm going to go easy on her."
In the end it was just as it happened in the story, Lala hit the ball without any trouble and sent it flying to the point that only a glow was seen in the distance, I think the ball even drew fire when she hit it. All the members of the baseball club were standing around with stupid expressions.
Momemitsu: "..."
Lala: "Ooh.... It's going farther and farther away~!"
Peke: "This isn't good, Lala-sama, don't you remember that Kenichi-sama told you that you had to regulate your strength so that you wouldn't mistakenly hurt the other earthlings?"
Lala: "Oh, yes... I had completely forgotten about it, but I don't feel comfortable holding back."
Kenichi: "Don't worry, now it's my turn to throw the ball to you, with me doing it I don't think you'll have to hold back."
Lala: "Ah~ Kenichi~"
After saying that I took a glove and one of the baseballs and calmly approached the pitching mound.
Kenichi: "I'm sorry, but from here on you better go back to the stands, I'm going to take care of pitching now."
Momemitsu: "Y-Yes."
Momemitsu was still in shock to see how a frail looking girl was able to hit her pitch like it was nothing, I guess she had a lot of confidence in her abilities.
Kenichi: "So, are you ready Lala?"
Lala: "Yes~ Throw whenever you want~"
I threw the ball just with my regular strength, in the end it was just as I expected, the bat couldn't resist the impact and broke into a thousand pieces, also the catcher went flying after trying to catch the ball.
Boy #1: "W-But what the fuck".
Boy #2: "Th-Those two are even human."
Boy #3: "I get what you mean, just look at the ever arrogant and confident Momemitsu, just a moment ago he was behaving like a mysterious character, but now he just stood stiffly in place as if trying to escape reality."
Lala: "Hmm~ This bat is too fragile.... A I know what I'm going to do!"
After saying that Lala took out her D-Dial which is a kind of foldable cell phone in which she has all her different inventions stored and from it she took out a seemingly normal looking bat, the only difference is that it had a red spiral shaped mark on it.
Lala: "Good~ Now I'm completely ready~ This is the Bum Bum Bat-kun, I'm sure this bat will be able to withstand Kenichi's powerful throws."
Kenichi: "Hooo~ That sounded like a challenge to me miss, what do you say we bet? If you manage to hit my pitch I'll do whatever you ask me to do for a day, but if you don't manage to hit it you're going to do whatever I want for a day~"
Lala: "Hahahaha~ That sounds fun, let's do it."
Haruna: "..."
All: "..."
This time I didn't hold back, I applied a great amount of force to my arm, especially to my fingertips and unlike last time I did get into a pitching position like a pitcher would.
Momemitsu: "I-Is it just my imagination or did the air just change? N-No, actually, W-Why is the ground around where that guy is stepping on starting to crack? And what the fuck is up with those muscles!"
Haruna: "Saruyama-kun!"
Completely ignoring the third party's comments I simply threw the ball with such devastating force that a large gust of wind formed that sent all the members of the baseball club flying.
Lala still maintained her characteristic smile and waved the bat happily, but unlike the previous time, this new bat had three thrusters, the moment the ball and the bat made contact there was a devastating impact that blew all the trees and objects around, I did not worry much about the damage, with Root of Origin I could leave the whole place like new in a matter of seconds.
The fight only lasted a few seconds... The victory went to Lala, she managed to send my shot flying but at the same time she couldn't keep the momentum of the bat and also ended up flying away at high speed because of the thrusters.
Kenichi: "!"
I could only watch in amazement as the bat hit Rito directly after he finally regained consciousness and took him flying off somewhere unknown.
Kenichi: (Come to think of it.... Leaving aside his perverted luck, Rito's overall luck is complete crap.... Usually luck is there to favor the protagonists but in Rito's case, it seems that aside from ending up in perverted accidents he's completely useless at other things, at least I don't have to worry about anything happening to him)
Lala: "Yay~ I beat Kenichi~ That means for a whole day we're going to do whatever I want right?"
Kenichi: "Yes, a promise is a promise, I am yours to do whatever you want with me".
Lala threw herself into my arms and started hugging me while laughing happily, I for my part looked around curiously, just as I expected we left the baseball field completely destroyed and all the club members were lying on the ground unconscious, luckily it seems that everything followed the usual logic of an anime and no one was hurt, the only person who was standing normally but with a blank stare was Sairenji.
Haruna: "S-Saruyama-kun.... W-what just happened?"
Kenichi: "We were just playing baseball normally, who would have thought that just when I threw the ball that such a strong tornado would come through here?"
Haruna: "..."
Yes, it's a stupid explanation, but that's how To Love-Ru is, they believe any story they make up ignoring any kind of logic. I wonder where Rito went, he flew off pretty far.
*Narrator's POV*
After that Haruna continued showing the surroundings to Lala while Kenichi took the opportunity to fix the surroundings with Root of Origin, the members of the baseball club woke up thinking it was all a dream and luckily for Kenichi no one besides Haruna realized what happened.
As for Rito, he found himself flying through the air while desperately clinging to the bat that kept propelling himself through the air.
Rito: "UWOOOOOOOHHHHHH!!! SOMEBODY!!! PLEASE!!! STOP IT!!!"
While Rito was screaming for help in tears Zastin could be seen at a police station talking to Aiba Migisuke the captain of the first riot police squad of Sainan City.
Zastin: "Excuse me... I think I got lost again, could you tell me again in which direction Sainan High School is located..."
Aiba: "You again! I told you we don't have time for your cosplayer nonsense! We're too busy because of those Yakuzas and Gangsters!"
Zastin: "E-Eh.... But I have to talk to Princess Lala urgently!"
Aiba: "And what do I care about your fantasy princess! Go play your stupid role-playing games somewhere else!"
Zastin: "You bastard you dare to insult Princess Lala in my presence! You're going to pay dearly earthling!"
Just as Zastin was ready to draw his laser sword and Aiba his pistol sensing the danger in Zastin's actions, like a cannon Rito descended at high speed accidentally hitting Zastin and Aiba with the bat by accident.
Zastin: "UGH!!!"
Aiba: "HAAAAA!!!"
The impact was so powerful that all three fell to the ground unconscious.
Police #1: "CAPITAN!!!"
Police #2: "What the fuck just happened here! Was this an attack by those damn Yakuzas!!!?"
Police #3: "It might as well have been those Gangsters!!! For the time being put that guy with the weird costume and that kid in jail, we're going to ask them several questions! Also hurry up and get the captain to the hospital!"
Police #1: "This boy is wearing the same uniform of the school that Marika Ojou-sama is transferring to!"
Police #3: "These bastards have gone to the point of even using children to attack us! THIS IS UNFORGIVABLE!!!"
Back to when Lala and Haruna were walking around the school.
Haruna: "Next is the tennis club, I am a member of this club".
Lala: "Seriously~ That's awesome Haruna."
Haruna decided it was best not to dig into what happened earlier with Kenichi, although she was curious, ever since Kenichi told her about his past with his family, she knew that eventually he was going to tell her everything that was going on with Lala at some point. Since she was saved by him and they often met to study together, a great trust in Kenichi had been born in her.
While Haruna was talking to Lala in an animated manner, a man in sports clothes started to slowly approach them with a confident smile.
Sasuga: "But if it isn't Sairenji, good morning."
Sairenji: "Ah, good morning Sasuga-sensei.... I'm showing the surroundings to a student who just transferred to our class.
The man who greeted Haruna in an animated manner was named Sasuga, just like Hazakura Hikari he was also a physical education teacher and at the same time he was also in charge of the tennis club, he was a rather handsome man, with shoulder-length blond hair and light brown eyes, he usually had a kind and caring personality, that's why he was one of the few men who was popular with the girls.
Sasuga: "Ah, I see, then you must be the girl who just transferred that everyone is talking about, welcome to the tennis club."
Lala: "..."
Lala felt something strange when she saw Sasuga, she was quite ignorant about several things, besides lacking common sense, but since she started living with Kenichi he made sure to teach her several things besides history and several languages, among them one of the most important was how to read people, although she still lacked to be able to do that well, she could feel that this teacher was not normal, on the outside he looked like a kind and nice teacher, but his eyes never stopped looking at her body.
Haruna: "Lala-san, this is Sasuga-sensei, when he was a student, he was always well valued in the university tennis team, plus he is very good at teaching us."
Lala: "I see."
Sasuga: "Hahaha, no big deal, that was just the result of my effort".
While Sasuga was talking to Lala and Haruna, several girls from the tennis club couldn't help but scream out of excitement at the sight of their idol.
Girl #1: "Kyaaa~ It's Sasuga-sensei~ Just look at him he's so handsome and amazing!"
Girl #2: "Kyaaa~ He just looked back at me."
Girl #3: "Hmm... I don't know what's so special about him, he's just a pretty face, he doesn't even come close to Kenichi-sama's heels, Ah~ You don't know how I want to be subdued and punished while he insults me like the disgusting pig I am and looks down on me."
Girl #1: "..."
Girl #2: "..."
Ignoring the words of the girls in the background and the one who said that disturbing comment, Haruna kept walking after saying goodbye to Sasuga, but what she ignored, was how Sasuga started to lick her lip in a disgusting way while watching them leave, it was a complete contrast compared to her attractive face.
*Kenichi's POV*
After returning all the damage to the starting point, I walked straight to the warehouse where the sports equipment was kept, since a while ago I felt a presence in that place that didn't move at all.
Upon entering and inspecting a little, I approached a locker that was padlocked, I simply crushed it with my hand and opened the locker without any problem, and inside I could see Sasuga-sensei, the physical education teacher, he was completely gagged from head to toe apparently unconscious, at the end everything was unfolding like in the To Love-Ru manga.
As far as I remember the first season of the anime had almost nothing to do with the manga, only the second and third season was similar to the manga.
I picked up Sasuga-sensei and took him to the infirmary, to my luck the doctor in charge was Mikado-sensei who was reading a magazine quietly.
Mikado: "Ara~ Saruyama-kun~ What can I get you around here?"
Kenichi: "Good morning, Mikado-sensei, could you please check how Sasuga-sensei is doing? From what I could see, it seems that they made him ingest something that put him to sleep, but I was hoping that you could take a better look at him, to check if it's not something dangerous to his health."
Mikado: "Haa~ But what a disappointment, I thought you were coming for me to examine your body, you don't know how much I've been waiting for it for several days now."
While saying that Mikado-sensei approached me and started touching me with her finger while moving it in circles in a provocative way, she even started rubbing her breasts against my arm, I have to admit that if it wasn't because I know that she is only interested in inspecting a rare specimen, anyone would think that she is trying to seduce me.
Kenichi: "Don't worry Mikado-sensei, I'm also interested in knowing how my body works, that's why I was planning to visit her one of these days so she can examine me thoroughly."
Mikado: "Then I'm really looking forward to it~"
After saying that Mikado-sensei set about examining Sasuga-sensei rather disinterestedly.
Mikado: "There's nothing to worry about, he was just given a relaxant, he'll wake up again after a good days rest."
After hearing that he was fine I said goodbye to Mikado-sensei with a promise to visit his office on a future day. Honestly with Root of Origin I could have easily woken up Sasuga-sensei right away, but seeing that it was nothing dangerous, it suited me to have him stay unconscious while I dealt with the one who drugged him.
I walked to the back of the courtyard as I sensed another presence.
Kenichi: "I came here after I felt your presence.... But what the hell happened to you, did you get run over by a train again, I told you that you had to be more careful where you step Zastin."
Who was in front of me with his clothes and armor in a mess, besides having a big bump on his head, along with some broken handcuffs in his hands, was none other than Zastin.
Zastin: "Thank God it's you Kenichi, I have to admit that the police force of this planet is worthy of praise, even though I was stronger than them they didn't hesitate to confront me, luckily I was able to escape."
I already have an idea of what happened, so I'm not going to dig too much.
Zastin: "The reason I came here is because I bring you a message from Princess Lala's father, the King of Deviluke".
Kenichi: "I see, so you already informed Lala's father about what happened."
Zastin: "That's right, at the moment his highness is very busy, that's why he left me this transmitter with a message for you."
After saying that, Zastin activated a strange object in the shape of a skull, at the moment he did so a rather intimidating voice could be heard.
Gid: [ You must be... Saruyama Kenichi... Right? ]
Gid: [ Zastin already told me everything that happened, therefore I the King of Deviluke approve you as one of Lala's fiancées ]
Gid: [ I heard that earthlings are one of the weakest species in the universe, but apparently you are someone especially promising on that little planet, plus you are the first man who has won Lala's affection ]
Gid: [ For the time being I'm going to let Lala live with you..... I'm anxious to see your capabilities. Listen, in the near future I will decide when your wedding ceremony will take place, but until that day arrives you will have to give your best to protect Lala ]
Gid: [ The whole galaxy is already aware of your existence as the closest candidate to marry Lala, so sooner or later all the other fiancé candidates will appear before you.... ]
Gid: [ And they'll try to take Lala away by force...! ]
Gid: [ If you manage to protect Lala and complete the wedding ceremony without any harm, then you will become my successor.... But if you allow Lala to be taken, and fail to live up to my expectations...]
Gid: [ When that happens! ]
Gid: [ I WILL CRUSH YOU TOGETHER WITH THAT LITTLE PLANET...!!! ]
Gid: [ Remember that well ]
The message finally stopped at that threat, though it took me quite a while to take it seriously as I watched Zastin being chased by a stray dog, the guy who briefly earned my respect during our fight was nowhere to be seen.
Kenichi: (Lala's father definitely just wants to have fun with all this, Lala doesn't even need my protection to begin with, she's strong enough to take care of any of those pathetic suitors).
Zastin: "This is serious Kenichi, his highness is very serious about these matters, there was a time when a man behaved discourteously in front of him.... His highness was so furious that he ended up eliminating him along with his planet, so never take his threats lightly."
Kenichi: "Although I understand your loyalty to him, after hearing what Lala told me it's hard to take him too seriously.... Besides this message came rather late don't you think?"
Zastin: "Hmm, what do you mean?"
Kenichi: "I bet one of Lala's suitors has already infiltrated the school."
Zastin: "Huh?"
Honestly, I don't care about Lala's father's words, we are going to get married when we want to, he can't change that.