Extra 3: Black Determination

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Translator: Soafp

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“…It’s finally time.”

That day, I was walking toward a certain place.

As I walked, I thought about the days that had passed since the start of the second semester.

Right after summer vacation ended, I heard that Nijitani-kun had joined the White faction, and I panicked. I really panicked. I had no idea why.

Was he being threatened?

It made no sense for him to join the faction of someone who had treated him so horribly. The only reason I could think of was that he was being blackmailed. I had no choice but to ask him directly.

I followed Nijitani-kun after he left the classroom and called out to him just before he reached the school gate. The timing was purely out of courage—I wouldn’t have been able to ask if I hadn’t been at school.

When I asked him, he said he wasn't being threatened.

However, he didn't explain the situation either. He said the reason had something to do with Shirase's younger brother, but I was sure that was a lie. Yet, he had no intention of changing his mind.

I pressed on.

“I didn't want to say this, but… if you’re going to choose them, then choose me instead!”

Looking back now, it’s embarrassing. It sounded like I was confessing.

“If Kuromine’s charm surpasses Shirase’s, then I’ll consider it.”

In other words, he was telling me to appeal to him if I wanted him to switch from that white demon. It was such a bold statement, I couldn't believe it came from him.

The only thing I'm good at is studying. I threw myself into my studies, determined to do something in the midterm exams.

As I focused on studying, the dreaded event of the sports festival arrived.

I hate sports festivals.

I’ve never been good at sports, and I didn't want to play the role of the goddess who cheers people on. I'm not good at standing in front of a crowd and raising my voice. No matter how hard I try or how bold I act, I just can't do that. It doesn't suit my personality.

“Alright, let's get pumped up!”

Next to me, Shion-chan was cheering on the purple team.

Shion, who is also the step-sister of my savior, handled her role perfectly. She raised the morale of the purple team and even performed well herself. It seemed she wasn’t bad at sports. She had once declared herself as plain and hopeless, but she was definitely better than me.

That girl is suited to be a goddess.

Her smile is radiant, and it makes everyone around her smile too. She shines like the sun, and she's incredibly cute.

I don't deserve the title of goddess. None of the current goddesses do. If I could nominate someone, I'd choose Shion-chan without hesitation.

In fact, when she asked for my advice, I told her she was perfect for the role.

After somehow surviving the sports festival, a major event shook the academy. Aoyama, who had performed brilliantly in the sports festival, announced that she would be withdrawing from the next Tenka Contest. After such a stellar performance, she had a strong chance of being chosen as the goddess.

…Why?

I couldn't understand why Nijitani-kun had joined Shirase's faction or why Aoyama had withdrawn.

But soon, those worries faded.

I had realized something.

From just before the sports festival, Nijitani-kun's energy had clearly changed. He was much more cheerful and smiling more often. It wasn't my imagination—he had definitely become more lively.

The reason, of course, was his best friend, Renji Inuyama.

One day, I happened to run into Inuyama-kun, and his demeanor was completely different. Normally, he would glare at me when he saw me, but that was gone.

There could only be one reason.

“…I see, they've reunited.”

As long as Inuyama-kun is around, everything will be fine. Even the issue with the White faction shouldn't go in a bad direction. If Inuyama is the type to get angry for his friend, I can trust him.

But this meant that my initial theory was wrong.

When Nijitani-kun first returned here, I thought he had abandoned his past self, Shota Mukawa. I assumed he was trying to walk a new path with his new name and wanted nothing to do with his past.

But I was wrong.

He hadn't let go of Shota Mukawa. The fact that he had met with Inuyama-kun proved it.

I needed to change my plan.

“I'll tell him properly. The words of thanks I couldn't say back then, and the apology for not correcting things sooner.”

I want to apologize, but most of all, I want to express my gratitude. I'll tell him directly, thank you for saving me back then.

However, there was one major problem.

If I contacted him normally and other goddesses found out, it would be a hassle. Those girls haven't noticed who Nijitani-kun really is. If I make a wrong move, they might figure it out. I need to talk to him somewhere private where no one will interfere.

I need to meet Nijitani-kun somehow.

I could text him, but asking to meet alone in a secluded place might make him suspicious.

That's when I came up with an idea: I could ask Inuyama-kun to be there. If he's present, Nijitani-kun won't be on guard as much as he would be if we were alone.

Still, I didn't think he'd agree if I approached him out of nowhere. Even if he was in a good mood from reuniting with his friend, Inuyama dislikes me. That's understandable, and it's not like I expect him to like me either.

Then, an idea popped into my head.

During a divine meeting, I spoke to Inuyama-kun.

“…Let's settle this with the midterms.”

“A contest?”

“A rematch from last time.”

I wasn't particularly upset about losing the last time, but this was the best way to frame it. The other goddesses would accept it too.

Inuyama-kun hesitated for a moment, but then I got some unexpected support.

“Ara? Always so confident, but now you're running away? Then again, you did lose badly in the sports festival relay race to Nijitani-kun, didn't you? Guess that can't be helped.”

…Nijitani-kun at the sports festival, huh?

Now that I think about it, Nijitani-kun was really amazing then. He had even beaten Inuyama-kun. I'd heard he was good at sports, but I didn't expect him to be that good. The Nijitani-kun I knew was always injured, so I had never seen him so lively.

Akazawa's strange provocation worked better than I expected.

“Don't be ridiculous. There's no way I'm running away!”

Inuyama, who had always seemed capable of anything, took the bait surprisingly easily.

“Ara, in that case, I shall participate as well.”

Shirase joined the fray. It seemed she wasn't happy about losing last time either.

“I'm going to pass. I'm not interested at all, so do whatever you want.”

Aoyama, who looked completely uninterested, passed without hesitation.

After the meeting, I approached Inuyama-kun privately.

“…Let's have a one-on-one match.”

“A one-on-one match?”

“The loser has to grant the winner one request.”

He laughed with a bewildered expression.

“You've got to be kidding me. There's nothing in it for me.”

It pained me, but I decided to provoke him.

“Oh? So you're running away?”

I said with a faint smile, and he immediately took the bait.

“The word ‘retreat’ doesn't exist in my dictionary. Fine, I'll take you on.”

The midterm exams came.

All my hard studying paid off, and I won against Inuyama-kun. I wasn't surprised to get a perfect score — I had studied that much. This was a battle I absolutely couldn't afford to lose.

After my victory, I contacted Inuyama-kun and made my request.

“That promise.”

“I know. Go ahead, say it.”

“I want to meet Nijitani-kun.”

I said it directly.

He seemed to grasp the meaning and his expression changed.

“I want you to be there too, Inuyama-kun. There's something important I need to discuss.”

“You…”

“My command is to propose this meeting to Nijitani-kun. If he refuses, let's consider the deal fulfilled. You don't have to do anything more.”

“…Fine. I'll tell him.”

I then informed the teacher that I was withdrawing from the Tenka Contest. The teacher was surprised, but accepted it when I said I wanted to focus on my studies.

I didn't care about the title of goddess.

However, I couldn't stand the thought of the current goddesses continuing. From now on, I'll do everything in my power to push Shion-chan as the new goddess.

But then something surprising happened again.

For some reason, news spread that Inuyama-kun had withdrawn from the Tenka Contest as well. That made no sense.

Was it because of me?

Did he feel humiliated after losing?

If that was the case, I felt guilty. But I hoped he would forgive me. After all, I was serious about this test too.

I soon received a response from Nijitani-kun.

“Shota agreed to meet with Kuromine.”

“…Got it. Thanks.”

“I'm only listening because I lost the bet. Don't mention it.”

I was relieved. At the very least, Nijitani-kun was willing to talk to me.

After adjusting the schedule, I was about to meet him now.

“I couldn't say it back then. That's why I'm determined to say it this time.”

With strong resolve, I arrived at my destination.

After several years, I was about to reunite with my benefactor, Shota Mukawa.