Chapter 91: The Kiss That Launched a Thousand Ship-names

This is my execution.

I am walking to school. I am wearing sunglasses. And a medical mask.

It does not work.

"IT'S HER! IT'S BLOODY TWILIGHT!"

"NO! IT'S THE PRINCESS-BRIDE!"

A group of first-year girls literally stop, drop their bags, and bow.

"Isuzu-senpai! Congratulations on your conquest!"

"I did not conquer him!" I growl, but my voice is muffled by the mask.

"She is so humble!" one of them whispers, and they all start crying.

This is a nightmare.

My phone has not stopped buzzing. The "Penguin Apron Brigade" has merged with my own small "Bloody Twilight Fan Club" to form a new, terrifying super-group: "The Twilight-Prince Alliance."

They have already created a logo. It is a penguin holding a bloody katana.

I get to the school gates.

Our janitor, old man Tanaka, is sweeping the leaves. He sees me.

He stops sweeping. He lowers his head. He gives me a slow, respectful nod.

"Isuzu-san," he says, his voice rough with emotion. "That was a fine display of guts. A truly Imperial kiss. You have inspired this old man."

Even the janitor?

I just nod back. I cannot speak.

I walk into the classroom.

The entire class is silent.

They are all staring at me.

Then... they erupt.

"AOI-CHAN!"

"IT'S HER!"

"SHE'S THE QUEEN!"

Even the nerds in the front row are high-fiving.

My teacher, Mr. Sato, walks in. He drops his attendance book.

"Ah... Isuzu-san," he stammers, his face bright red. "I... ah... I... I must say... your courage... at the Invitational... it was a lesson in itself!"

HE IS BLUSHING. MY TEACHER IS BLUSHING.

"He is not wrong!" Toujo shouts from the back of the room, standing on his desk. "Let us all applaud our warrior goddess, the woman who kissed a Prince and lived!"

The entire class... applauds.

They are clapping for me.

Because I kissed a boy.

"I rate this a 10/10!" Toujo is yelling. "The plot twist! The public display of affection!"

"Toujo," I snarl, my Bloody Twilight voice back. "I am going to throw you out that window again."

"She is threatening me!" Toujo swoons to the class. "It is just like the legends say!"

"I'm so inspired!" a girl in the front row whispers. "If Bloody Twilight can find true love, so can I!"

This is... out of control.

My reputation is gone. I am not a terrifying loner anymore.

I am a stupid shoujo manga protagonist.

I am going to be sick.

Rika pats my back, her face a mixture of pity and pride.

"Just breathe, Aoi-chan."

"I cannot breathe," I mutter. "The stupid Penguin Apron Brigade has already sent me fan art. I look like a Disney princess."

I am an inspiration. I am a legend.

This is hell. This is so much worse than being feared.