This was just childish horseplay—maybe a bit cringey, but nothing more. So please, don’t get any weird ideas.

&&&&&&&&&&&&

Clattering in my geta sandals, I sprinted through the sweltering town streets. I’d shaken off those little girls for now.

But years of experience told me this safety was temporary. Danger still loomed.

My destination? The nearest convenience store.

—Just to buy a popsicle. Was that too much to ask?!

The blinding sun forced my eyes shut as I took a sharp ninety-degree turn and burst into a snack shop.

In a flash, I snatched a popsicle from the freezer, tossed a few coins onto the counter, and dashed back outside.

Mission accomplished. Time to retreat.

I tore open the wrapper and clamped the icy treat between my teeth.

As a reincarnator, I should’ve scoffed at cheap popsicles.

*This is kid stuff*, I’d always thought.

But after Nishi treated me once—maybe because this young body craved it—I’d fallen headfirst into a world of frozen delights.

“Found him!! Don’t run!!!”

Their shrieks pierced the air behind me as I licked my popsicle.

…*Like I’d actually stop just ‘cause you said so. Do I look brain-dead?*

*Or did you kids binge too many cop shows? Thinking you’re the law now?*

I shot them a dead-fish glare over my shoulder.

Cops who said stuff like that always jinxed themselves.

*You rookies couldn’t catch me if you tried. Go drink your mama’s milk for another two years!*

I sneered inwardly. They couldn’t match me in brains or brawn.

Besides, I wasn’t some overpowered protagonist blessed with a “Ladies’ Man” aura or a “Child Magnet” trait.

All I had was an “Opposite-Sex Repulsion Aura.” Period.

If this town held a “Top 10 Most Unpopular Brats” contest? I’d crown myself champion without debate.

Such was my fate.

I sighed around the popsicle stick.

“So this is the boys’ general? He looks… pathetic!”

A new squad of girls blocked my path ahead. Leading them was a tiny girl in a petal-print sundress, a flower crown perched on her blonde hair.

One of the Great Demon King’s Four Heavenly Kings—the “Flower King.” I didn’t know her strength, but Nishi mentioned she adored flowers.

I skidded to a halt, trapped between two fronts.

No panic. I whipped out my water gun, aiming left and right.

Jets of water sprayed toward their faces—

*sputter… sputter…*

The gun died empty.

—*Damn it. Next time, I’m getting bigger tanks!*

“You’re out of tricks now!” The Wind King wiped water from her face.

“Just water!”

The Flower King twirled her frilly, rainbow parasol with elegant (read: cringey) grace.

Deadpan, I stuffed the guns away and pulled my ace from my pocket.

The Wind King’s side was armed. My only escape route? Straight through the Flower King.

Eyes sharpening, I charged at the parasol-wielding girl.

“Capture him! I’ll present him to the boss myself!”

The Flower King stood firm, shielding herself from the sun, and waved her squad forward.

“You’ll catch me?! Not in a hundred years!!!”

I roared, hurling a handful of snap pops at the ground as I closed in.

*Pop! Pop! Pop!*

The explosions jolted every girl. Some covered their ears, trembling.

—*Now!*

Dead serious, I plowed through them like a one-man army.

Ducking and weaving, I slipped past the startled girls. Then—claws out—I lunged for the Flower King at the rear.

Her parasol swung up to block me.

Pathetic defense.

—**[ULTIMATE TECHNIQUE] BEGONE, FOUL FIEND! I SHALL STRIP THEE!**

Zigzagging like lightning, I dodged her parasol, grabbed her dress hem, and yanked savagely.

“Ahhh!!!”

She crashed to the ground, her dress ripped clean off.

Victorious, I snatched the flimsy dress and her parasol, then bolted past the line.

Glancing back, I saw the Flower King scrambling up, tears welling in her eyes.

*Tch. Even her panties had colorful floral patterns. How obsessed are you with flowers?!*

I didn’t look back.

Sure, she stood there in nothing but panties.

But I wasn’t some lolicon. A flat-chested kid held zero appeal.

Maybe to certain “gentlemen,” a sobbing girl in cute undies was peak beauty.

To me? Her shapeless body meant nothing.

Besides, girls this age never listened to reason.

With my Opposite-Sex Repulsion Aura and their united front, winning them over was as elusive as a mirage.

If I couldn’t win them… I’d wage war.

The girls didn’t chase me—probably stunned by their fallen commander.

But what to do with this dress?

I frowned at the delicate fabric and folded parasol in my hands.

It looked expensive. Throwing it away felt wasteful.

—*Return it?*

No way. I wasn’t suicidal enough to hand back war spoils.

This was war.

Others might call it kids’ play. To me? A silent battlefield.

This trophy wouldn’t be returned. It’d be preserved.

Lost in thought while running, I froze.

Ahead, a black-haired girl in jeans and a plain tee strolled toward me, nose buried in a manga.

She was taller—definitely a middle-schooler.

My heart lurched.

A girl appearing now… an upperclassman… could she be… the Great Demon King?!

Panic surged. Against her age and strength, I stood no chance.

She hadn’t spotted me yet. I ducked into a yard beside a house, peering through the fence.

But her path… it led straight here.

*Hold on!! She’s heading for this yard!*

I squinted at the nameplate on the gate: “Takanashi.”

*Wait—the Great Demon King’s name was Takanashi?! Is this her house?!*

—*Screwed!!*

That single thought screamed in my skull.

I had to hide. Now.

Frantically scanning my hands, I stared at the parasol and dress.

Then I remembered a quirk of my Opposite-Sex Repulsion Aura: it only activated when girls recognized *me*—my face, my identity.

Like Schrödinger’s cat, if my identity stayed unobserved, the aura stayed dormant.

A mask would work. Or…

My gaze dropped to the dress and parasol.

Silence settled over me.