V3Ch22: Clash of the Gods

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Translator: Soafp

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“Ho. So that’s how this situation came about?”

That day, I was feeling a little on edge.

Ever since the sports festival, Tenka Academy had been in turmoil.

The fact that Umi Aoyama withdrew from the Tenka Contest became a huge topic. Even after the week started, the talk was all about Aoyama, and the storm of excitement was still raging.

With an important contender withdrawing and things already unsettled, more fuel was added to the fire at the worst possible time.

“They’re saying the gods are going to clash again during the midterms! What the hell is that supposed to mean?!”

The midterm exams were fast approaching, but rumors spread that the gods would once again collide during them.

In the final exams of the previous semester, the god and goddess had a showdown, but now it seemed there would be another battle. The difference this time is that I have absolutely nothing to do with it.

“Calm down.”

“Take it easy.”

“Relax.”

All three of them tried to soothe me in their own way.

To explain the current situation, this was after school one day.

In front of me sat Renji. Next to him was a bewildered Shirase, and further behind, a smiling Aoyama.

“Don’t say it in unison. I’m calm. I just want to know what’s going on. Explain to me why there’s going to be another showdown.”

As I spoke with a sharp gaze, both goddesses turned their eyes to Renji.

“Uh, well, it was Inuyama-san…”

“Yeah, yeah, it’s all Inuyama’s fault.”

I looked at my friend sitting across from me.

“Got it. Now, explain from the beginning.”

“—But before that, may I ask one question?”

Shirase stopped Renji from starting his explanation and directed her gaze toward the back.

“Why is Aoyama-san here?”

It seemed Shirase had been puzzled by Aoyama’s presence the whole time.

Now that she mentioned it, I hadn’t told her. From Shirase’s perspective, it must have seemed strange for Aoyama to be here.

I gave her a brief explanation.

I told her that Aoyama and I had made up and were rebuilding our relationship. For now, we were still less than friends, but we had become able to talk normally again. And this time, since it involved the gods, I invited her to hear about it.

“Oh, I see.”

“If your doubts are resolved, let’s move on to the main topic. Go ahead, Renji.”

Returning to the conversation, I looked back at Renji.

“No need to rush. The issue started yesterday. That stupid meeting was the cause of everything.”

Renji began his explanation.

Apparently, yesterday after school, the monthly “God Meeting” was held. Although he didn’t want to, Renji attended the meeting as usual.

“There were no events scheduled this month. So I thought it would end without anything happening. I personally think meetings in months without events are completely meaningless, but the teachers insisted, so I had no choice but to attend.”

“I see.”

“That’s when Kuromine made a proposal.”

“…What was it?”

“She suggested we have a showdown during the midterms.”

In the first semester’s showdown, Renji had been the winner.

Kuromine came in second during that test, and Shirase, who was sitting here, came in third. I remember being impressed by how the top spots were dominated by those who carried the title of gods.

“She was frustrated by her loss. She wanted a rematch.”

“So it’s a revenge match.”

“Of course, I refused. There’s no point to it.”

“…Is that so?”

“Last time, we were betting on the speech at the closing ceremony. I joined because I didn't want them representing the students. But there's no such event during the midterms. Frankly, there's no reason for me to participate.”

For Renji, there was no point in accepting the challenge.

If there's no benefit, it's natural not to take part. I understood that much. But—

“Still, you accepted the challenge, didn't you?”

I gave Renji a skeptical look.

Instead of him, I turned to Aoyama for the next part.

“Akazawa provoked him.”

“Provoked?”

“Yeah, after Renji turned down Kuromine's challenge, Akazawa laughed and said something like, ‘Oh? You're usually so confident, but now you're running away? By the way, you lost big time to Nijitani in the anchor race at the sports festival, right? Guess it can't be helped.' Hearing that, Inuyama got irritated, and that's how the challenge was accepted.”

Provoked over something like that?

I shot Renji another skeptical look, but he had a conflicted expression on his face.

“Think about it calmly. I wouldn’t care if it were anyone else, but it was Yuuhi who did it, and that pissed me off. I know I'm being childish, but I couldn't hold back.”

“So, you accepted?”

“…Yeah.”

Completely childish.

But maybe it couldn't be helped. Renji, who was perfect in both sports and studies (and also had a great face), always had a weakness for provocations.

Due to his competitive nature, even light teasing easily got under his skin.

Anyone who had known Renji for a long time would be aware of this. And of course, their childhood friend Akazawa must have known as well.

“But the real motive is still unclear.”

Shirase responded to my comment.

“They're probably trying to build a reputation.”

“A reputation?”

“It's likely Akazawa and Kuromine's goal. They're trying to appeal to Shota-san by showing off their achievements.”

Oh, I'd completely forgotten with all the recent events.

“Winning against Inuyama when he’s serious would be the ultimate appeal.”

“…I see.”

Her explanation made sense to me.

I won against Renji in the sports festival, but when it comes to academics, I can’t win no matter how hard I try. This is something that’s built up over time, and I just haven’t spent enough time studying.

If I managed to beat Renji when he’s serious, I’d be seriously surprised.

That said, it means he’s confident. After all, Akazawa is the well-rounded type who’s good at both sports and studying, and Kuromine is one of the top in academics. So, maybe their chances of winning aren’t entirely zero.

“I get the situation. But it’s not really a big deal, is it? There’s nothing at stake this time, right?”

“…No.”

“Eh?”

Renji looked uncomfortable as he spoke.

“Actually, after I accepted the challenge, Kuromine privately proposed a one-on-one showdown. The loser has to listen to one thing the winner says.”

“…Did you accept?”

Renji nodded, avoiding eye contact with me.

I see, he probably got provoked again.

It wasn’t just me who was surprised by this revelation.

“This is the first I’m hearing of this.”

“Same here.”

So Kuromine secretly proposed a one-on-one duel.

“What does Kuromine plan to do?”

“Who knows. I have no clue either. Honestly, I barely remember talking to Kuromine at all. Even though we went to the same middle school, we went to different elementary schools. The only memory I have of us talking is when I yelled at her during an argument.”

“Is it really okay for you to take on that challenge?”

“Yeah, it’ll be fine. I’ve won every time up until now.”

I hope that’s not a jinx.

That said, this upcoming challenge has nothing to do with me. Renji made the decision to take on the challenge, so it wouldn’t be right for someone uninvolved like me to say anything about it.

“As long as you’re sure. I’ll be rooting for you.”

“Thanks, leave it to me!”

That’s reassuring.

“By the way, how are things on your end, Shota?”

“I’m doing okay. But Shion’s grades have been slipping a lot. I’ll have to buckle down and help her study. I’ll probably be sticking with her for a while.”

As expected, Shion’s grades are dropping, and if things don’t change, her test results are going to be a disaster.

“Good luck with that. After the tests are over, let’s hang out again.”

“Definitely. Shirase, Aoyama, you two do your best as well.”

Shirase gave a big nod.

“Of course, I’ll do my best. I’m aiming for the top as well!”

“I’ll take it easy. I’m not interested in the whole ‘goddess’ thing, and I’ve pretty much given up on this competition. I’ll just try my best.”

Though their reactions were completely opposite, I hope they both give it their all.

As exciting as this clash of gods might be, this is one event that really has nothing to do with me. I’ve got my own things to focus on.

With that, I straightened my resolve and headed home.