Chapter 55: After that, the fried horse mackerel

Translator: Soafp

---

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

A man collapses to the ground, clutching his heart.

As if his heart were being consumed by a great darkness.

As if he were afflicted by a painfully debilitating illness.

He writhes in agony and screams relentlessly.

No matter how much he screams, the pain doesn’t cease. On the contrary, it only grows stronger…

“T-That was embarrassing!!!”

After about an hour of continuous screaming, he finally returns to normal.

---

I recall the battle from earlier.

…Embarrassing!!!!!!!! It’s so embarrassing!!! What’s up with an attack power multiplied by a hundred trillion?! That’s insane!! And the final ultimate technique is embarrassing too!

The name of the technique is way too long!!! I lie on the ground, spinning around. Then, I shout at the top of my lungs.

“Aaaaaaaaaah, it’s embarrassingggggggggggggggggg!!!!”

I’m completely a chuunibyou now!!! Hopelessly hopeless chuunibyou!!!! Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

My body trembles. It’s just plainly embarrassing. I thought this plan would work. But when I actually did it, it turned out ridiculously embarrassing!!!

Waving an umbrella around?! Practicing mid-air levitation in water?! I actually remembered that I was doing pool wall kicks and stuff like that in preparation for aerial combat underwater!

Embarrassing…

B-But no one saw me, so it’s safe, right?! Y-Yeah, thank goodness. It was all in the dream world after all!!

I check the time on my smartphone. It’s around ten o’clock. Not much time seems to have passed. Just to be sure, I call the fortune teller. After a few rings, she answered. I feel sorry for disturbing her while she is probably tired.

“Hello?”

“Oh, did you win?”

“Yes, but please check on me just to be safe.”

“Understood… You have safely avoided it. The dirt has disappeared. Now, please let me sleep.”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

“Umu…”

The call ends abruptly. She is really nice. I hope she has a good sleep. And thank you, fortune teller. Congratulations to me. I’ve managed to avoid all the bad endings.

Today, I’ll treat myself extravagantly!! There’s an inn, so I’ll stay there, eat delicious food, and finally become just a background character. Well, being a main character is tough for someone like me after all!! From now on, I’ll be an observer!! Gwahahaha!!

Feeling good, I return to the fortune teller’s car and indulge in another round of sleep.

---

“Faaaaa…”

I yawned and woke up. It’s almost three p.m. I must have overslept while thinking of going back to sleep…

“Are you awake?”

“Yes! Wide awake!”

“I-I see… Aren’t you a bit too energetic?”

“No no, not at all! Anyway, let’s stay at the inn today and go all out! I’ll cover the travel and food expenses!”

“I see. In that case, I’ll leave it to the Black Knight.”

“What did you say just now?”

“I said leave it to the Black Knight…”

“Oooooohhhhhhhh!!!”

“No, I’m basing my assessment on you, so you should’ve expected to be seen. By the way, that boss battle went smoothly. It was pitiful to watch that elephant. He defeated one of your clones but you intentionally let the army appear afterwards to break his spirit, right?”

“Aaaaghhhhh!!!”

“Don’t scream. It’s a path anyone would take. And since you managed to avoid the worst outcome, consider it a success. Well, I’ll be frank about this to my beloved… Pfffftt, the technique name is so long, it’s hilarious.”

“Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!”

After that, I spent about an hour with my face in my hands.

“Come on, let’s go already. Don’t you have a sightseeing guide? I already informed the inn.”

“It shouldn’t have turned out like this… It shouldn’t have… It shouldn’t have…”

“Well then, I’ll be checking in. The technique’s name is hilarious.”

“Oooooooooooooohhhhhhhhh!!!”

She started the car and headed towards the inn. As for me, I’m waiting in front of her house because I made a promise that Kataumi Aoi would give me a guided tour after school. While waiting for her, I recall the events from earlier.

Haa, it’s a dark past. I remember everything from the past… It surprises me that I’m actually happily talking about it. I’ve kept it sealed away for so long… and now it’s been unleashed. Who uses such technique names, seriously?

Lost in my dark past, Kataumi Aoi returns home.

“Oh, Kataumi-san.”

“…… Don’t you have to go to school?　I was wondering since you’ve been here all week.”

“It’s fine. I told them I’m sick.”

“That’s so obvious, isn’t it?”

“It’s fine. Just a little. Anyway, please give me a guided tour… I want to change the mood.”

“…I see. Something must have happened. I’ll do the tour for you. Wait a moment.”

“Sure…”

Seemingly understanding my inner thoughts, she silently enters her house. After a few minutes, she comes out wearing a black hoodie and shorts. Her legs are quite appealing.

“So, shall we go for the fourth round?”

“Yes, please.”

Alright, let’s refresh and forget about the chuunibyou stuff. It will be a dream-like moment with her…

I’ve seen fish markets and the sea many times before, but this time it feels completely different.

“It’s really tough for me that I haven’t been able to visit that shrine. It’s my favorite, you know?”

“…We can go now.”

“Eh? Seriously? What about the occult stuff?”

“It seems like someone has taken care of it…”

“I see, then let’s go. It’s a really good place.”

“Yeah, right…”

“You don’t want?”

“Well… It’s okay.”

I don’t really want to go there that much. It’s the place where my new dark history was born… But I can’t refuse to visit the place that is important to her.

Once again, I visit the place where the new dark history was created. When we arrive, she ignores the shrine and leads me to a high place where we can overlook the town.

Looking out, I see the town of Unabara Cho bathed in the light of the setting sun. The orange-colored sea has a charming atmosphere, and the wind rushes past the two of us.

“I love the wind that blows from here.”

“Yeah, the wind that runs through this town, free from stagnation… Ah.”

“What’s wrong? Suddenly?”

Crap! My habit of talking like in a dream came out… I have to cover it up somehow.

“A certain poet said these lines!”

“Hmm, it felt like your own words, though.”

“No way, hahaha.”

“Your smile looks forced, though.”

“No, it’s nothing.”

“I can tell you’re trying to cover it up. But I won’t push further.”

“No, I’m really talking about the poet.”

Phew, I managed to cover it up somehow. Well, it’s not like I’m a chuunibyou or anything. After that, we went our separate ways. As I head towards the inn where I’ll be staying overnight…

“Truly impressive.”

“It seems to be a recent trend.”

Two high school girls pass by. They’re wearing the same uniform as Kataumi Aoi, so they must attend the same girls’ high school. I’ve been keeping an eye on them lately, and I’ve noticed that all the students in this girls’ school have a princess-like vibe.

The girls were chatting and laughing happily as they left. I think it’s better to have friends after all…… she can make friends after coming to Mina no Iro High School, but she doesn’t have any right now……I’d like to do something to make it happen…I’ll think about it for now.

---

“Dragon Stream, the Absolute Overdrive, Spiritual Hecatoncheires, Dynamic Overlay, Featuring Chaos Infinity, Cosmostatics of Excalibur, Beef or Chicken, Elementary School, Junior High School, Alternative Strike… No, you just have no sense.”

“…”

“Kukuku, I can’t help but laugh.”

“Can you just drop it?”

“No, no, I’m not foolish enough to let go of a joke like this.”

“Haa… I’ve had enough.”

While staying at the inn, I dine with the fortune-teller, enjoying dishes like shrimp and tuna sashimi, chawanmushi, and sukiyaki. Due to the typhoon and the desire to experience the festival, we decided to stay for three days, including today. I’ve received a lot of help, so I decided to cover all the expenses, but… I don’t feel like paying at this rate.

As a fortune-teller, she seems to have seen everything and teases me every chance she gets. It’s starting to diminish my gratitude.

“Now then, let’s put the teasing aside for a moment…”

“Please put it aside forever.”

“That’s impossible, you know~”

“You’re really good at provoking, huh?”

“Well then! Since it seems there will be a typhoon tomorrow, we’ll stay here all day and then attend the festival three days from now, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. Let’s rest well tomorrow. And on the day of the festival…”

“Umu?”

I subtly consulted her about something.

---

“Aaaaah, what a great bath!”

After washing my hair and body, I immersed myself in the hot spring bath. Since it was an open-air bath, I could enjoy the view outside while soaking. This bath is dangerously good…

I reflect on everything that has happened up until now. It all started with Gindou Kohaku, then Hihara Karen, Kikawa Moegi, and finally Kataumi Aoi.

I managed to avoid all the bad endings. Looking back, it feels like it’s been a long journey… There were various difficulties along the way, but I accomplished it. From now on, I’ll be a mob.

Just an ordinary “background character.” It’s not like I particularly like being a mob, but somehow… It feels like I was trying too hard. It’s like I was acting as a main character even though I was just a mob. The “story” begins during summer vacation. From there on, I’ll watch over them with a grin, feeling nervous and excited.

—Well, the fate of this world rests not with me, but with them.

“Goodbye, me who acted like the main character. Hello, me who’s just a mob.”

Having immersed myself in the bath up to my shoulders, thoroughly warming both my body and soul, I left the outdoor bath before getting chilled.

---

On the fifth day since arriving in this town, I spent the whole day lazily lounging in my room, dozing off multiple times. Despite the heavy downpour and thunderstorm, I didn’t feel scared at all. Perhaps it was because of the sense of liberation I had experienced, the storm only seemed like a gentle breeze.

The sixth day was another lazy day. The typhoon had disappeared as if it never existed. The sun was shining, and the temperature was gradually rising. I could sense that summer was slowly approaching. I bought souvenirs and replied to the emails I received from Gindou Kohaku, Hihara Karen, and Kikawa Moegi.

And now, the seventh day arrived—the day of the festival, and also the day we would leave this town.

“Well then, let’s proceed as planned.”

“Yes, understood. I’ve always wanted to try something like this.”

At the very end, we embarked on a certain operation… along our usual route back home.

---

There were two delicate and fragile high school girls walking together on their way home, resembling young ladies.

“Shall we go to the festival later?”

“Yes, that sounds lovely. Let’s go.”

They smiled gracefully and matched their steps as they walked. However, two shadows approached the innocent girls. It was a blond man wearing sunglasses, giving off a distinctly shady vibe. The high school girls tried to avoid him and veered off the path, but the rough-looking man intentionally bumped into them.

“Ouch! What the… Hey, look at this! It’s broken!”

“Are you okay?”

“No, it’s broken. You owe me compensation, seriously.”

“But… it was you who…”

“Yes, it was you! We were walking away…”

The high school girls seemed frightened by the man’s demeanor and couldn’t muster a strong response. The rough man claimed that they should pay compensation for the broken item and made a suggestion.

“What?! Are you saying I walked into you on purpose? You broke it yourself! Give me a million yen!”

“Well, I can pay that, but…”

“…Five billion, give me five billion!”

“What?! That’s impossible!”

“Yes, it is! It’s beyond unreasonable!”

The man, who spoke with a peculiar subordinate-like manner, quickly raised the amount in a state of panic, saying that a million yen was payable. Seeing the high school girls in distress and not wanting to get involved any further…

A savior appeared on the scene. It was Kataumi Aoi. She noticed the commotion and came here. It happened to be on her way home, and she quickly realized that an incident involving a young-looking woman was unfolding here, arriving earlier than anyone else.

“What are you doing?”

“Who the hell are you?”

“I’ve given you many sightseeing tours…”

“I’ll break your nose, pretending to be a hero!”

Before Kataumi Aoi could finish her words, the man suddenly attacked, striking slowly… as if he was asking to be caught.

As expected, he was caught by her.

“What the hell, you’re so strong!”

“No, I didn’t put much strength into it…”

“Guaaa, I feel dizzy!”

Aoi Kataumi swung the man around, making him spin around her like a pawn. After spinning about five times, she let go of him, and he was sent flying, crashing into the wall of a residential house.

“Graaaaah! Who am I, to be defeated like this!”

“Eeh? You spun around by yourself and…”

“D-Damn it, I will remember this!”

“…Eeh?”

The rough man quickly fled the scene. In the process of escaping, he stumbled three times, showcasing his thug-like qualities.

“That was amazing, Kataumi-san.”

“So cool…”

“Well… that was…”

“May I call you ‘Onee-sama’?”

“Me too!”

“Sure, I don’t mind…”

“Kataumi-san, you’re so kind. I had misunderstood you.”

“And you’re so cool. It’s incredible.”

“It wasn’t that big of a deal…”

“Well, it’s not like I’m trying to be condescending!”

“What a wonderful woman you are!”

“…”

Kataumi Aoi thought it was a ridiculous exaggeration but couldn’t say anything when faced with the sparkling eyes of the two high school girls.

“If it’s alright with you, could we exchange contact information?”

“Me too!”

“Yeah, sure.”

After exchanging contact information with them, she bid them farewell.

“She’s so cool.”

“Why didn’t we notice her charm before? The way she appeared in a flash and effortlessly defeated that thug, it’s amazing.”

As she walked back home, Kataumi Aoi could hear the girls’ voices from behind. She couldn’t make sense of what was happening and felt a mixture of confusion and delight at having acquired the contact information of two girls her age. For now, she continued walking home.

---

“Well, it went smoothly. Thank you for contacting Kataumi-san.”

“Well, I don’t mind. It’s fun, you know.”

Kukuku, it was a perfect disguise, but that blonde-haired man was actually me. Dealing with young ladies like them, who are weak in such situations, is sure to make their hearts flutter when a hero-like figure appears in the nick of time. My perfectly flawless plan of establishing a relationship with her worked like a charm. I thought I had been recognized when I wore that disguise all the way to school, so I took on the disguise as a means. And everything went well as planned, even playing the role of a thug who was easily defeated.

As expected, those two admired Kataumi Aoi.

However, I was slightly surprised that Kataumi Aoi saw through my disguise. It was because of that, I ended up performing a solo act on my own accord. I threw a punch a little late, intentionally let her grab me, and then ran around her like a pawn before being thrown away. Changing the plan on the spot to create this kind of scenario was the right choice. Kukuku.

Now, I’ve parked the car in a parking lot near the festival and I’m talking to a fortune teller there. I’ve done everything I needed to, so the plan now is to enjoy the festival.

It’s still bright outside, but there are already quite a few people at the festival. We plan to have fun early and leave early tonight. I’ve taken quite a long break… I’ve had her do various things for me, but I wonder if she’s okay with her work?

“Well then, let’s enjoy the festival.”

“Umu.”

I put aside the wig and sunglasses, and just to be safe, I changed my outfit as well. I had been wearing a black jacket until a while ago, but now I’m wearing a black hoodie. I put my belongings in the car, and we head towards the festival.

“Ah!”

“What’s wrong?”

“I forgot to return this marble.”

“I see. Then, shall I go get the car…”

“No, I’ll go by myself. Please go and enjoy yourself.”

“I see, be careful then.”

I walk towards the town hall to return the marble. Although I had been running around earlier, I now leisurely stroll while enjoying the scenery.

And then, as I turn the corner on my way to the town hall…

“”Ah…””

I come face to face with her, who has changed from her school uniform to a blue hoodie. Such coincidences do happen…

“I found you.”

“Hello.”

“What’s that back then?”

“Eh? What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb. I recognized your voice right away.”

“In this world, there are people with the same voice…”

“There aren’t.”

She approaches me closely, as if interrogating.

“You know, there’s something strange about you. It feels like you know something about me, and your actions are a bit odd.”

“Well, there are people like that in the world. It’s a big place.”

“I see. So, who are you? What do you want?”

“If I were to say… I’m just a mob who temporarily carried the fate of the world… And my goal has already been accomplished…”

“…Are you joking?”

“I-I’m sorry.”

I tried to deceive her smoothly, but it seems I couldn’t pull it off. Well, I can’t exactly tell her that I’m a reincarnated individual. Even if I did, she would just think I’m joking. It seems she’s getting quite impatient as well…

“I’m just a mob and my goal is a secret.”

“…I want you to tell me.”

“That’s impossible. Besides, I have something important to attend to.”

“Oh, really? What important thing?”

“I have to return this marble.”

“That… is said to react to evil spirits…”

“It’s borrowed, you see. So, I have to return it.”

“Hmm, in that case, I’ll come too. I have some free time.”

“Understood.”

Hah, I managed to deceive her smoothly… Change the topic and divert the conversation. That’s the skill of an adult.

“Where do you go to school?”

“Mina no Iro High School.”

“Really? What’s it like?”

“There are a lot of good people.”

I head towards the town hall together with her, engaging in casual small talk. After walking for a while, we arrived at the location of the town hall… and I was shocked. At the same time, a chill ran down my spine.

In the place where the town hall should have been… there was nothing… only ruins.

“Hey, is this the place you had something to do?”

“…Uhm, well, this place used to be the location of the town hall…”

“Oh, I see. Apparently, they moved it to a different location when it became old and needed reconstruction.”

“…Is that so…”

“What’s wrong? You look pale.”

“No, for now, I’ll just leave this marble around here.”

“Huh? Is that okay?”

“Yes, but more importantly, shall we race?”

“Huh? Sure, but why?”

“Let’s make it a competition to see who can reach the festival location first…”

“Um, okay…”

“Then, let’s start!”

We ran. We ran away from that place… In other words, the town mayor… and the onmyoji practitioner were introduced to me by that person…

Compensation… manju dumplings and simmered mackerel. I did indeed pay the price. Who would have thought that most of the people I talked to in this town were actually ghosts… The truth is, I’m actually afraid of ghosts…

I was able to do my best for the sake of those girls, but now it’s impossible. It’s scary, so scary. Seriously? Is this the kind of outcome we’re facing?

---

“Haa haa haa…”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah… I’m fine.”

We were catching our breaths at the festival venue, panting heavily from our escape. Well, to be honest, it was mostly me. She doesn’t look tired at all, though.

“Oh, what’s the matter? You’re sweating so much.”

I turned towards the source of the voice and saw the fortune teller wearing a mask on her head, holding takoyaki, yakisoba, and okonomiyaki in both hands. She seemed to be enjoying herself.

“Oh, it’s you from earlier.”

Kataumi Aoi looks at the fortune teller and gives her a look that says, “I knew it”. I whistle as I look away.

“I see, it seems I’m being a nuisance. You two should enjoy yourselves.”

The fortune teller then disappeared into the crowd of festival-goers. She seems to have misunderstood something…

“…What should we do?”

“Well, since we’re already here… why don’t we stick together instead of taking turns paying?”

We started strolling around together. There were so many people, couples enjoying themselves in yukatas. It’s annoying to watch… No, it’s nothing. I’m lucky to be able to enjoy the festival with Kataumi Aoi.

“Would you like to eat something? I’ll be your wallet.”

“Mou, no more teasing… I might want to try some takoyaki, though.”

Then let’s go eat takoyaki. As we looked for a shop, we walked side by side. Cotton candy, okonomiyaki, shooting games, goldfish scooping… There were so many appealing stalls.

The crowd grew as we walked, and the excitement filled the air.

There were many takoyaki stands, but we lined up at one of them, waiting for our turn.

“Hey, welcome. Are you a couple? So lovely.”

“We’re not a couple, actually.”

“Oh, sorry about that. Don’t be so angry with me.”

The old man behind the counter seemed to be teasing us a bit, but she politely denied it and he misunderstood, thinking he had angered her.

“Well, it’s not a big deal…”

“She’s not angry. So you don’t have to worry. Anyway, we’ll have two packs of takoyaki, please.”

“Oh, I see. In that case, it’s 800 yen for two.”

“Here you go.”

I handed him a 500 yen coin and three 100 yen coins, exact change. I received the takoyaki and looked for a nearby bench to sit on. Luckily, there was one empty. It’s fortunate to find a seat among the crowd of people.

“Let’s sit here and eat.”

“Yeah…”

I handed her the takoyaki.

“I should give you the money back.”

“No, it’s fine. You’ve given me three rounds of sightseeing tours. I’ll cover it today.”

“No, but…”

“Besides, it’s more generous and cool for me to treat you. Please, go ahead and enjoy.”

“Thank you…”

She broke her chopsticks and started eating eagerly. Her face while enjoying the delicious food seemed somewhat distant. Was she thinking about the shopkeeper from earlier?

“Is something wrong?”

“Nothing, really…”

She still undervalues herself. Even though I praised her so much before, it doesn’t seem to have made a difference… People don’t change that easily…

“I’ve said it many times, but I really like the way you look at things. You have your own charm…”

“Thanks… But, I still can’t have confidence in myself. It made me happy when you complimented me the other day, and earlier when those two girls of the same age looked at me with respect… But, there are still so many people who say they’re scared of me…”

“I see…”

“Yeah…”

I see… I guess I can’t do something grand like that after all. It’s only natural. But I’ll keep saying it until the end.

“Nevertheless, I’ll keep telling you that you’re wonderful. Your eyes are charming, and you’re kinder and more determined than anyone else.”

“…”

“I don’t think I can make you confident. But I truly believe that you’re the most attractive person in the world.”

“How can you know …… when we’ve only just met ……?”

“Well, yes… Even though we’ve just met, I know.”

“I see… The most attractive, huh…”

“Oh, sorry. I meant the most attractive in the universe… No, in all dimensions, in all time, maybe?”

“Pupu, ahahaha!”

Suddenly, she burst into laughter, clutching her stomach like a child. Tears welled up in her eyes from laughing so much.

“Hahaha! My stomach hurts! It hurts! You say such ridiculous things with a serious face!”

“Haha! I’m being completely honest. I’m not joking or anything.”

“I know. I know. That’s why it’s funny. Kukuku, ahahaha!”

She’s usually a cool character, so she rarely laughs like this… Did I hit a nerve somewhere?

After a couple of minutes, she regained her usual coolness.

“If someone showers you with compliments for about an hour and calls you the best in the universe and all dimensions, it’s natural to gain some confidence. Well said. Most people would feel embarrassed and wouldn’t be able to say such things.”

“Well, it just came out. My emotions got stirred up, and I couldn’t control myself.”

“Hmm, well, I guess I can start liking myself a little bit. Thank you.”

“No, no, I only spoke the truth. It’s not a big deal.”

Saying that, she smiled again and lightly brushed her hair back. Her hidden right eye became visible. It was gray. The left one was blue. It really adds to her charm.

Our eyes met. She opened her mouth with a faint smile.

“Even if it’s the truth… You praised me too much… Could it be… that you–“

And with a slightly embarrassed blush on her cheeks, she asked me. She tilted her head slightly.

—That you are trying to charm me?

It’s still not dark around us. There’s no particular atmosphere. People going to the festival pass by in the corner of my vision. But I couldn’t see them.

I could only see her.

“No, I’m not trying to charm you just because I spoke the truth…”

“I know, it’s a joke.”

“I see.”

“Anyway, let’s go to another shop. I still owe you for the sightseeing tours.”

“Yes, let’s go.”

We stood up from the bench and walked towards the festival to enjoy ourselves. I treated her to many things, like shaved ice, shooting games, etc. But despite her fussing and offering to split the bill, I paid for everything. If I can be her wallet, I’m more than happy to do so.

And then, the time for us to part ways a little earlier came.

“Thank you, I had fun.”

“No, thank you. I had a great time too.”

“Are you sure about the money?”

“It’s fine. I’m actually happy to be your wallet.”

“I see…”

She took out her phone from the pocket of her hoodie and directed it towards me.

“Contact information…”

“Oh, yes, let’s exchange numbers since we’ve come this far.”

“It would have been better if you had asked first… No, it’s nothing. Okay, let’s quickly exchange.”

“Ah, sure.”

We exchanged contact information… So that means I have the contact information of all four “Masou Shoujo”… This is quite something…

“Well then, I’ll take my leave here.”

“I see…”

“Uhm, excuse me? Can I talk to you for a moment?”

As we were about to say our goodbyes, someone approached us. It was a woman holding a microphone. Behind her were people carrying cameras and such, perhaps from a TV station?

“We’re currently interviewing people at the festival, and we came across a lovely couple, so we wanted to hear your story. Do you have a moment? It’ll only take about two minutes.”

“Uhm, well, we’re not actually a couple. We’re more like friends, I guess?”

“Is that so? Then, would you say you’re more than just friends but less than lovers?”

“It’s not that complicated…”

“How long have you known each other?”

The reporter continued to interview Kataumi Aoi. I understand that this kind of story is popular, but it’s a bit bothersome…

“We just met a week ago…”

“Well, it’s a speedy relationship then, if not a speedy marriage.”

“I told you, we’re not a couple…”

I got caught up with these annoying people. Well, it ended up being only two or three minutes, so it’s fine, but this was the last thing…

“Thank you for the sightseeing guidance. Goodbye.”

“See you…”

“Yeah.”

We parted ways there. The ending wasn’t the best, but all things considered, this was the most enjoyable festival I’ve ever experienced.