Chapter 17: A mob that fantasized about a self-made hero.

Translator: Soafp

TL: Update on the survey Link

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I knew immediately that I was an ordinary person. I had always longed to be a hero, a heroic person, or a heroic being, but those dreams are gone.

When I was really young, I used to make up my own heroes and act them out all the time, but such things are just fantasies. For some reason, I still remember that hero that I worked so hard to create, thinking up settings like an idiot. But it was just a fantasy. It means nothing.

In elementary school, I spent my time just going through the motions. Because I knew that I was an ordinary person, I could not devote myself to anything. I thought it was pointless to try.

Something changed when I was in junior high school. One day, I found a book. The book was a heroic tale about a group of young girls who go straight ahead, even though they are hurt.

When I was reading that book, I could naturally dream. I was an ordinary person, but I enjoyed it because I felt like I was doing something special.

But that dream and those happy times came to an end when I was in high school. The story was complete. I graduated from high school and went to college. From there, life was to begin as normal as before, graduating from high school and attending college.

Then, one day. I heard that a work I used to love had been released again…….

I was curious, so I read all three previously published books. As a result, I was in a bad mood. The work, which was nothing but disgusting, was cancelled. Well, of course. I felt better.

Then one day, some time later, I was walking down the street to the university when a kid ran out into the street chasing a ball. And there was a car there. …… If I don’t do this, the kid might die.

For some reason, my body moved on instinct. In that moment, my family’s faces flashed through my mind. And then, afterwards, the faces of those girls…

Just like that… Ah, in the end, their faces are the ones that come to mind.

—After all, to them I…..

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen this. I dreamt that I was run over by a car and died. I guess I had this strange dream because I read a novel called “Hero in the Shadow”. I guess some strange thoughts were still in my head.

I get out of bed and start getting ready for school. Today is a pretty important day, one could say.

Today should be the start of it. It’s the bad end of Hihara Karen and the contents of the second volume of “if story” The joint sports festival event…….

I honestly wouldn’t say this event is easier than the last one, but the two bad endings don’t overlap as they did last time. In the case of Gindou Kohaku, she was stalked by a number of delinquents, but this time there is only one and therefore I can focus on a single point of action.

The bad end is involved in the joint meeting held by the committee members of the joint sports festival. In the “if story,” Hihara Karen was destined to be a member of the executive committee. But that doesn’t mean that if I don’t become a member of the executive committee, there is a possibility that I won’t be able to do something about it.

Either way, I’m going to be a committee member. I am sure that Hihara Karen will lose in the rock-paper-scissors-scissors competition and become a member of the executive committee.

To act based on the possibility that it might happen… That’s all I need to do.

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When I arrived at school in the morning, people were already talking about the sports festival. Many students in the classrooms were filled with anticipation.

“I’ll show the girls here something impressive…”

“Should we spike the drinks of students from other schools?”

“I see, it’s unlikely that our athletic abilities suddenly improve. So, what does that mean?”

“That’s right! Instead of us rising, it means bringing others down!!”

“Genius…”

The boys are thinking up some pretty outrageous things to show their good side. Sasamoto is in the mix, too, and they’re making some insidious plans, but I’m pleased to see this kind of slightly fun atmosphere.

The “if story,” the bad ending, is connected. In this timeline, Gindou Kohaku has been killed, so the atmosphere was more about the sport festival. There are boys who are quite willing to kill, but it is kind of comforting to be able to make a farce of this kind of thing. I’m really glad I did my best.

“Should we spike Kimchika Motoji?”

“No, he’ll see right through it.”

“Damn it, can’t we somehow trap him…”

“You seem to be having an interesting conversation, gentlemen.”

Oh, Kimchika has arrived. The boys’ murderous intent reaches its peak. Sasamoto stands as their representative and confronts Kimchika, exchanging harsh words. However, due to the significant height difference, Sasamoto ends up looking up at Kimchika while he looks down at him.

“Oh?　What are you looking down at?　Do you think you’re better than me?”

“I have never looked down on others. Because I always strive for higher ground and look upward. However, if you feel that way, it’s because you are simply looking up to me on your own accord.”

“”””Kyaa, so cool”””””

“Guahhaha!!”

I can picture Sasamoto completely defeated and vomiting blood as the girls cheer for Kimchika. There is no way Sasamoto can win in a fight with Kimchika. He is handsome, rich, tall, clean-cut, and has something cool to say.

Sasamoto, on the other hand, is handsome, average height, and a lover of erotic books.

There’s nothing to beat him.

“Sasamotooooooooo”

“Damn it! So this is the difference in facial attractiveness…”

“He stepped on him without a second thought…”

I’m glad to see the class having fun in the morning. By the way, Kimchika’s seat is behind Noguchi Natsuko. In other words, he’s pretty smart. Damn it!

Well, I get a call from Rikudou-sensei during homeroom. It’s probably about the committee members. I’ll have to do it.

“As you probably know, we are going to have a joint sports festival with Isshiki High School in two weeks, and we are going to elect one committee member from each class. Does anyone want to do that?”

“Sensei, what exactly are you going to do?”

Noguchi Natsuko raised her hand and asked Rikudou-sensei. I think the contents were quite troublesome.

“You will have a meeting with the executive committee members of Isshiki High School to discuss the plan of the sports festival, explain the individual and team competitions within the class, decide on the competitions, and also organize the actual sports festival.”

“Uwa, what a hassle.”

“Who’d want that?”

“Why the Kansai dialect?”

Who would want to be in such a troublesome position?　I don’t think so. They are all saying it’s too much trouble.

“Uhm, I’ll do it.”

I raise my hand and announce that I will be a committee member. Everyone looks at me in surprise. They don’t think I’m a dirty boy, do they?

“Hoo, Kuroda-kun. You’ll do it?”

“Yes, I’ll do it.”

“Eh, Kuroda-kun?”

“Heeh. You’re good at it.”

“Doing something that everyone hates to do.”

Ah, the reputation of the girls has gone up a little.

“Izayoi. Do you want a bounty on your head?”

“Damn, you’re a real schemer, aren’t you?”

“Well, he’s a handsome guy, so there’s still room for extenuating circumstances, right?”

“Izayoi. Are you a person who aims as high as I do?”

The boys’ evaluations went down. I’m not happy to see one person’s rating go up slightly.

“I’ll be counting on you, Kuroda-kun. Don’t forget the first meeting of the executive committee after school.”

“Yes, I understand.”

I believe that Hihara Karen, too, is supposed to be a member of the planning committee. During lunch break, I confirm it… While being exposed to the jealousy of the boys and receiving subtle admiration from some girls, I contemplate the future.

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“Eh?! Izayoi, you’re a member of the executive committee too?”

“Yes, I am. What a coincidence that Senpai is also a member of the executive committee.”

It’s only natural that this would happen in an “if story” with a bad ending, and of course I know this, but I blatantly lied about the coincidence. This one seems to have gone along to fit in, but there’s no point in telling the truth.

“I lost in a game of rock-paper-scissors …….”

“I ran for office myself.”

“You are lying?!　You volunteered for such a troublesome position!?”

She looked at me as if she could not believe what she saw. Well, it’s a lot of work, so not many people are going to do it on their own.

“I thought it might improve my internal report. ……”

“Ah, that’s what it’s about. It’s certainly not all bad.”

She made a convinced expression. It’s easy to lie this much. My adaptability is improving.

“But it’s a pain in the *ss. A pain in the *ss!”

Ah, you don’t want to do it that badly ……. I can feel it. You even said it twice.

“It can’t be helped. Please give up.”

“I know. Really, it’s so annoying that there’s nothing I can do about it, but it’s my fault for losing the rock-paper-scissors. ………………… …I’m convinced.”

Is she really convinced?　Her words don’t match her facial expressions at all. I know she’s not convinced, but she has a strong sense of responsibility and will do a good job as a committee member.

For now, it’s an after-school meeting.

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And after school. Nine students, one from each class, gather for the meeting. The place is a multipurpose room. Desks and chairs are prepared, and the teacher is not present. The meeting is held with just us, allowing the students to be autonomous.

I was a little happy to see her. A little happy …….

Oops. Focus on the meeting.

“We will now begin the meeting with the planning committee members. Today, we will provide a brief explanation, confirm the events, and provide job descriptions for the committee members. Please listen carefully as the sports festival will undergo significant changes starting this year, and you will need to explain them within your respective classes. Thank you.”

A third-year student, who looked like a leader, began to explain. He is a male and wears glasses. This person only appears in the “if story”. Moreover, he is not very memorable …….

In the original “Story,” there was also a joint sports festival, but it ended quite uneventfully. The joint sports festival was not a significant event; it quickly concluded, and things moved on one after another. It’s surprising how it turned out differently in the “if” story.

“The Sports Festival is a joint event with Isshiki High School. At the same time, it is a competition between the high schools. We are planning it from 8:30 a.m. to about 6:00 p.m. Lunch break will be an hour, from 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.”

I listened to the explanation as I looked over the materials handed out to me. At the same time, I compare it with my own knowledge as far as I can remember. It’s almost the same as what I know.

“The competition is a team event in which each class competes. There are individual competitions in which only a limited number of people in the school compete. Each class has its own team competition, so please check with your own class for details.”

My class’s team event is tug of war? I know that.

“After all the competitions are finished, there is also a scheduled folk dance. In this event, you can choose a partner and dance together. It can be a male-female pair or any other combination.”

I’m sure the boys in my class would cry if they heard that. They can legally hold a girl’s hand. If they can form a pair, that is.

“For the individual competitions, please select two people, one male and one female, in each class. There will be a scavenger hunt, a bread-eating contest, and a three legged race in which two people compete together.”

In my class, it would be Kimchika and Noguchi or Gindou. These guys are popular because of their athleticism and good looks, and everyone would agree. But if there’s a tripod, there’s going to be a lot of guys who’ll want to be in it.

“Tomorrow’s sixth period is allotted for the preparation of the sports festival, so please give an explanation of the festival and select the athletes.”

I wonder if the class will be able to moderate the event well. I’ve got to make sure I don’t mess up. But there are more important things to do.

“And the day after tomorrow, we’ll have a joint meeting with Isshiki High School.……”

–It is this. This is the problem.

This is the most difficult part. However, in my mind, I have already developed a plan to firmly threaten and direct the hatred towards me, and to throw them into a pit of despair.

After school, all the committee members will head to Isshiki High School for the event.

“During the event, the committee members will also work as administrators. The teachers will also be helping us with the score counting, dealing with the injured and sick, and so on.”

“Now that I’ve explained most of what we’ll be doing, if you have any questions, please ask.”

No one raised his hand. Glasses Senpai looked around to make sure that no one had any questions.

“Then, this is the end of the session, although it is a short one. Please read over the material carefully so that you can explain and select a member of your class for tomorrow’s session.”

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The meeting ended not long after that. Hihara and I left the room together and headed home.

“Tomorrow is going to be a pain in the *ss.”

“I guess so.”

She told me with a sullen smile as we walked down the street. How many times has she said that today?

“I’m not very good at being in front of people.”

“You will be fine”

“Mou, it’s a real pain in the *ss. ……”

“Let’s work hard together.”

Tomorrow should be fine, but the problem lies in the joint meeting the day after tomorrow. If possible, I’d like to avoid the bad ending as quickly as possible, like speedrunning an RTA (Real-Time Attack).

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