Chapter 18: Mob to serve as presenter

Translator: Soafp

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The time is just before the start of the sixth period. The fifth period is over and everyone is relaxing as it is recess time. However, I was a little nervous because I had to be the presenter for the next period. I had read yesterday’s materials at home and had done my homework to make sure everything would go smoothly.

Will the teacher help me?　No, he’ll probably leave it all to the first-year A class to develop independence and let the students solve problems together. Will this class listen to me?

“Take your seats.”

　At the teacher’s command, everyone takes their seats and the mood for the start of class begins to build. However, Rikudou-sensei didn’t stand up in front of the class and sat down on his chair. I guess I’m the teacher today, huh?

“Kuroda-kun is in charge today. Kuroda-kun, I’ll leave it to you.”

“Yes.”

“Then, I’ll start explaining about the sports festival.”

The explanation will be brief. Let me start with an explanation of the tug of war, which is a joint event, but it’s not that much of an explanation. In a nutshell, it is a contest in which everyone competes against each other, and even children know the rules.

“So, that’s it. For the individual competitions, one male and one female will be selected. The individual competitions include a scavenger hunt, a bread-eating contest, and a three-legged race.”

　The room begins to buzz. The boys were particularly responsive. Sasamoto raises his hand and questions me.

“Sensei!　Does that mean that men and women will do the three-legged race?　Can we have hand-to-body contact?”

　I’m not a Sensei. I might be a little taken back by the fact that he’s really straightforward about his desires, but he’s an adolescent, so I guess you could say he can’t help it but be curious. Besides, if someone told me I could do a three-legged race with a woman, it would be impossible for me not to be conscious of it.

“I’m not a Sensei, but Sasamoto, that’s a way put it. But if you don’t like it, you can choose not to participate in the three-legged race.”

　This is not to say that there isn’t a procedure for this. It is a natural decision that this cannot be forced while there is a possibility that some students do not want to be quite too close to the opposite sex.

“Ah! I see!”

“Participation is optional, huh…”

“I’ll definitely be rejected. ……”

　The boys were instantly discouraged. I guess they decided that they would be rejected even if they participated.

“Now, is there anyone who wants to compete in the individual events?　If so, could you please raise your hand?”

　Who would like to do that? People who don’t want to stand out or who are not good at sports will not run themselves, but there are surprisingly few people who don’t fall into both of these categories, so it may take some time before a decision is made.

　Everyone looked at each other and seemed to be wondering what to do, but then suddenly an unexpected person raised his hand.

“Uhm, I’ll do it.”

　Gindou Kohaku raised her hand. It was quite unexpected, but no student would have any complaints. In fact, those around her were convinced that she would be a good choice.

And if the beautiful Kohaku were to run for the position, there would be a possibility of a three-legged race, and it is the nature of men to want to bet on that, even if the chances are low.

“Yes!! I’ll do it too!”

“Idiot!　I will do it”

“Rock, paper, scissors!”

Everyone except Kimchika is running for a seat. Gindou Kohaku is staring at me. I quickly looked away. Then Noguchi Natsuko started talking to me.

“Kuroda-kun, why don’t you participate?”

“Eh?　I’m a committee member and I’m busy on the day of the event.”

“No, it has nothing to do with that.”

“No, it does”

“No, it doesn’t”

“Everyone, Kuroda said he also wants to participate!!”

Natsuko announced my candidacy loudly to the boys who were playing rock-paper-scissors-paper.

“Come now, go”

“Oh, yes.”

　I got in between the boys playing rock-paper-scissors-scissors. The air there was heavy and bitter at the same time.

“I’ll play scissors.”

“Oh, then I’ll play paper.”

“I’ll play rock.”

　Some kind of psychological warfare has started. You guys don’t know much about that kind of thing, do you?

“Well then, rock-paper…….”

I initiate the rock-paper-scissors game with a shout. Everyone seems to have put quite a bit of strength into their fists, but in rock-paper-scissors, that kind of thing doesn’t really matter, right?

“””””Scissors”””””

All the boys unexpectedly chose rock, while I chose paper. With my victory, the selection of the boys came to an end.

“Uhm, am I the winner?”

“Fine”

“I’m fine with it.”

“It’s not bad, right?”

“To be honest, it’s safe and he doesn’t stand out. It’s neither good nor bad.”

　What the last person said is pretty hurtful. ……

“There are no objections♪ Well, if it’s rock-paper-scissors, then there’s no choice♪”

“I see… Then let’s wrap it up here and move on to the next explanation.”

Gindou Kohaku smiled happily. Can I interpret that as her being happy because she’s with me? No, but… crap, recently I’ve been conscious of her.

Let’s focus on presenting for now. Because I have to get this done.

“Um, after all the events are finished, there will also be a folk dance. It’s free participation, and you need to find your own dance partner.”

The boys get excited again, while the girls look at them with wary eyes. It seems like no one will be able to find a dance partner. By the way, do you even know how to do the folk dance? I have no idea. Well, I’m not even motivated to do it.

As the excitement lingers, the end of the class time approaches, and somehow I manage to get through the work.

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The chime for the end of class rings, and I stand tall in front of the blackboard, letting out a breath. All at once the tension is released, and I feel a rush of exhaustion wash over me. I could never be a teacher even if I wanted to die. As I slump my shoulders, someone taps me on the shoulder.

“You did well. You are clumsy, but I could see how hard you are working. Maybe you’re more suited to be a teacher than I thought.”

Rikudou-sensei patted me on the shoulder and walked out of the classroom. Rikudou-sensei is really awesome!

　I silently bowed my head.

“Izayoi-kun.”

Gindou Kohaku called me this time, so I lifted my head to meet her face. She looked at me with a bit of embarrassment.

“Uhm, well…….thanks for all your hard work.”

　She walked out of the classroom as it was. Eeeeh!? You are trying to make me overthink! Oi!

　Oh, I’m tired. Let’s go back to our seats and take a breather.

　I’m quite tired today. I met Hihara Karen on the way home, who also seemed to be very tired because she is not good at going out in front of people. We were both tired, so we went home immediately. Needless to say, I went to sleep right away.

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　What does “The Masou Shoujo” mean to me?　Just a character in a story?　That’s different. Then what kind of feelings do I have for them?　It’s ……. Why do I try to save them?　For the world and somewhat hypocritical. Really?　

–That’s not true. The truth is …….

　I had a weird dream again. I’ve been having a lot of these lately, so maybe it’s not just because of the novels, but there’s something inside me that’s stuck with me.

　I’m still a little tired from yesterday, so I’m a little sluggish. However, I whip myself into shape and get out of bed. Then I got ready for school and left the house.

Today is quite important. The level of significance is completely different from yesterday. I have to finish everything at the joint meeting and put an end to this bad ending involving Hihara Karen.

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　At once, the day came to an end after school. We gathered together as a group of committee members and took the train on foot to Isshiki High School. As we were riding the train, I saw a parent and child with a small child in the seat in front of us.

“Mama!　The train is shaking!”

“Yes, it is. But you should sit down. It’s dangerous to stand, so let’s sit down.”

　Gently, the mother made the child sit down. Then she patted his head.

“I want to ride with papa next time!”

“He has to work today, so maybe next Saturday?”

“Yay!”

　What a heartwarming scene. Even the committee members are smiling. Only she is different.

“……”

Only Hihara Karen seems to have something on her mind, but there’s nothing I can do about this, and it has nothing to do with the bad ending, so I guess I don’t have to think too much about it. ……

　…… Is that okay with me?　Really?

　No, let’s focus on the bad end of the ‘if story’ for now. I shook my head lightly and switched my thoughts.

After arriving at the nearest station by train, I walk towards Isshiki High School. Leading the way is Glasses-senpai, the chairperson of the organizing committee.

After about five minutes, I arrived at Isshiki High School. It’s bigger and more beautiful than Mina no High School.

　In front of the school gate, I was greeted by a female student wearing a blue-colored uniform. I think she is the head of the athletic festival committee at Isshiki High School, right?

“Thank you for coming all the way here, everyone from Isshiki High School. I will show you to the multi-purpose room where we will be having our meeting, so please make your greetings there.”

　A formal lady leads us to the meeting room. We entered the school and changed into slippers. When we arrived at the multipurpose room, she opened the door and went inside. We followed her, said a few words of greeting, and went in. After the formal female students were admitted, there were already nine students just like us waiting for us.

　And one male teacher was smiling at us …….

　The female student who led us here seems to be the chairperson of the executive committee, and she turns to us and bows her head lightly while greeting us.

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with us, everyone at Isshiki High School. I am Fukumoto Narumi, the head of the Sports Festival Executive Committee. I look forward to working with you today.”

　The students behind her, who seemed to be members of the executive committee, also bowed their heads. As if in response, the students behind her bowed.

“I am Kaneko Taichi , chairman of the Isshiki High School executive committee. I look forward to working with you.”

　The students behind her bowed their heads as well. After the committee chairs lightly shake hands with each other, the students here take their seats and the joint meeting begins.

“Then, let’s start with self-introductions.”

“Right. We are in a position to cooperate with you in the event.”

“Would you mind if I start here?”

“Please do.”

　Self-introductions began at Isshiki High School. They introduced themselves one after another with applause.

　After their self-introductions were over, it was our turn. I also greeted them with applause.

“I am Hihara Karen, a second-year student. I look forward to working with you.”

　And then it’s my turn. I’m going to introduce myself to the students…….

“I’m Kuroda Izayoi, a first-year student. I look forward to working with you.”

　The joint meeting is about to start. I took a deep breath once.