by Torako
“I don’t know why she was on good terms with you, but for some reason, she had the highest respect for you, you know? When I heard those stories and saw what a happy face she had, I couldn’t help but enjoy them and memorize them. But it turns out you weren’t like those stories after all, weren’t you?”
Shichimiya had respect for me? But it was I who longed after her.
“Ah, those were some good times.” And after that somewhat cold remark, Nibutani faced Rikka and began to address her.
“Takanashi-san, will you be like him some day? One day, will you be suffering in agony due to stories like these?”
“?”
While it looked like Rikka didn’t capture what Nibutani was trying to say, I was immediately concerned for her. I wasn’t pleased with what she had already said, but Nibutani spit out something even more vile.
“Shouldn’t you make a quick recovery from chuunibyou already?”
As if responding to her challenge, Rikka stood up and fired back. “I do not understand your words. What are you trying to say?”
“This girl…she’s the real deal.” Nibutani was surprised by Rikka’s Evil Eye chuunibyou but in a different way than I was. This left a deep impression. Rikka was talking about something to someone other than me. I’m a bit prone to over-worrying about things, so I was concerned if Rikka would speak to someone else (like I would’ve told her not to talk to Nibutani at all), but it seems I shouldn’t have worried. Whether or not they come to an understanding, I don’t know.
“That’s the one thing I can’t stand…get rid of your chuunibyou and become normal…”
Suddenly Nibutani changed by lowering her voice. Just my intuition here, but it looks like she might have a grudge against chuunibyou patients. Was something done to her or maybe…
Or maybe, she was also once a patient?
“Nibutani, were you once infected with chuunibyou?”
If I break up that confrontation with my question, surely she’ll focus on me alone.
“It’s not like that. Well…even if I was, that doesn’t matter. While I didn’t think you were a patient currently, I had no idea what Takanashi-san really was.”
She replied honestly to a tough question. I couldn’t think of anything else but admiration…wait. I don’t appear to be an ordinary person, but I don’t think I’m that bad. In the past I may have been infected with chuunibyou, but it’s not something that spreads like measles. At least I think it doesn’t.
While I couldn’t say this to Isshiki, I could ask Nibutani about it.
“Do you think I’m a bad person?”
“Hmm… Daizana Geruzoniansasu”
“Agh……”
That phrase is seriously a death spell. While I may be the one taking the damage, my anger is transmitting to my contract holder. Rikka stood up beside me, showing an expression that I had never seen before: anger
Usually she seems emotionless, but now her face was full of anger. I didn’t think she was capable of emotions like this, but that face was surely red.
“Damage to my contractee, Yuuta, is not allowed. I shall release the power of the Devilish Truth Stare!”
The moment Rikka unveiled her eyepatch, her right eye’s power seemed to be in effect. Nibutani’s body began to shake. Guess this was a recent addition to her imaginary powers. Whatever it is, I’m sure she’ll graciously accept it.
“Devilish Truth Stare Squadron!”
As Rikka said her phrase, Nibutani had a distasteful look on her face.
“What is that?”
Silence engulfed the room. The question of what kind of power did she invoke covered the room. Not one noise was heard until…
“Mori-sama.”
I thought Nibutani said something, but this time it was Rikka who cast a spell towards Nibutani.
“………….”
…………
“Do-Don’t call me Mori-sama!” It’s super effective. “Hu, humph! I just wanted to interrupt the mood, so that’s good enough for today. You’ll make a full recovery! Remember that!”
After giving some lines that sounded like an old villain, Nibutani left the room. Well, after all she did to insult me, I’d say she really felt like a villain.
But is being called “Mori-sama” her weak point? Mori-sama… Mori-samar… Mori-summer…Shinka[5]. Ah, I understand now. Looks like that nickname has some bad history for her.
“I…dislike that person.”
“Huh!?”
For her to say something like that unexpectedly, I could only give that kind of reaction.
Dislike…? For Nibutani to get Rikka to say she dislikes her… Quite the terrifying person.
“What do you mean, you don’t like her?”
“That person is composed of light. We are composed of darkness, the opposite structure.”
“Light? The opposition to dark power!?” I get it now. In the past, I was a user of the flames of darkness, so it’s the worst match-up for me!
“Putting that aside, are you alright Yuuta? If our contract does not exist, there is a possibility that one of us will die.”
“Ah, well, this time I thought I would die. But, how did you know Nibutani’s weak point? Was it really your power?”
“Different. This was eavesdropping.”
“Your powers were fading too, weren’t they? Hey!”
Whether or not I was saved today by her powers or if I wasn’t, it doesn’t matter.
“For my powers to be sealed mysteriously before I could use them shows I have more to learn.” Rikka gave a sigh as she continued her frustrated monologue. Hmm? Ah, I see. Was this Rikka holding back in her own way?
For her to use Nibutani’s weakness against her when she had no experience dealing with her was the ultimate last resort for Rikka. Was it for my sake? I feel somehow delighted by that.
“Well, the way doesn’t really matter you know. I wasn’t able to use any death spells, but you truly used your abilities! Thank you.”
And those words made her truly happy. Smiling broadly she added,
“Yuuta gained 5 experience points. The weakness of the light monster, ‘Mori-sama,’ was discovered!”
So we’re now in a RPG.
Oh well, we’ll have to take care around Nibutani. I’d like for my existence to mean something of course.
Chapter 6: A Custom High School Tradition
“A good morning to everyone in our fine school today! As always this is your loveable principal. I know this is a surprise (and an absolute surprise too!) but next Monday, all grades (YES, all grades!) will go on a trip! Your darling principal could never tell you all to go somewhere specifically, so you get to decide where to go during homeroom this morning! I myself will be deciding where to go at the same time! This has been your favorite principal signing off!”
With that reckless broadcast, Saturday classes had began. Our principal must have Saturday morning fever. I know that was a bad pun, but someone somewhere must’ve found it funny.
This type of event is a common occurrence around here. After the entrance ceremony ended, I thought that relaxed atmosphere would be gone as well, but Isshiki heard from an upperclassman that it’s some kind of tradition for our school. We have a freewheeling principal, and tons of freedom for school events. I doubt this could occur at a public school. Someone in the PTA would hear about it and complain, but I kinda like this style.
As you would expect, the classroom was rowdy after that announcement. Even if our notice just came, it’s still a trip, so we should have some fun wherever we go.
“Wow, this morning is already amazing. The principal here loves to surprise you!”
The one speaking is Tsukumo-sensei (also known as Nana-chan). Today’s first period is math, though I doubt anyone will listen to her lecture this morning.
“Yes, sorry to spoil your fun, but the trip date had already been decided. The surprise broadcast by the principal was definitely exciting though!”
As Nana-c
han earnestly expressed her feelings, everyone in the class nodded along with her. Since we’ve only been here for two months, we’re not yet used to this type of atmosphere. Nana-chan is a new teacher as well, so she’s likely in the same boat. Maybe next year I’ll think it’s horrible to break up our patterns, but for now it’s pretty amazing that it could happen.
“Now that we’ve got that out of the way, good morning everyone! Today’s first period is math, but since we’re on track for the next test, let’s decide where we’ll go on our trip first!”
The classroom over-boiled with enthusiasm. It was even louder than the previous outburst. I have to give Nana-chan some props. She knew any lesson after that announcement would be useless!
“Alright, it’s a bit of trouble, but we should rely on our class reps to help us choose where to go! So, would Nibutani-san and Sakada-kun please come up here?”
As soon as she finished speaking, both Nibutani and Sakada-kun went up to the platform. Since Nibutani is a good speaker, she was the voice of the two while the fast writing Sakada-kun was the scribe. Right people for the right jobs.
“I don’t think we could easily decide right now where to go by simple discussion, right? So how about we pass out some paper, you write where you want to go on it, we’ll copy those places on the blackboard, and then everyone can vote on where to go? Sound good?”
I have to hand it to her. She was able to think of a plan to handle things quite easily. That fearful light monster which resides inside Nibutani was nowhere to be seen. Right now, she had to be the cutest girl in the class.
“Well done Class King!”, “We believe in you Class king!”, and other comments came from the male faction behind me. Of course, Nibutani returned their comments with a pleasant smile. With no other ideas, the Nibutani plan moved onwards. There were no hitches for her decision.
I pondered over the paper in front of me. Hmm, where to go? It’s a day trip, so something like an amusement park seems a bit foolish. While I’d like to go to Universal Studios Japan, I doubt we have the budget. So I decided to put “Ninja Town.” It’s the place to go if you like ninjas.
Once all the ballots were collected, Sakada-kun began transcribing the places on the blackboard. Of course the first option was USJ. Who the hell wrote that?! Next was a barbeque at a public park. Oh, that would be fun. Movie Village, ooh, that’s like Ninja Town. The list continued on until we had quite the variety of places to go. Naturally, my ninja vote was up there. The final choice was… Devil World.
……I think you know who voted for that. The two decided to interfere with that choice. I suppose you can hear your body crumbling after Fir〇brand swoops down as you visit.
“Hmm, is this all of them? So now we’ll vote on where to go. Once again, pass back the papers please!”
And after Nibutani handed everything smoothly, our class decided that our first trip would be to…”Cycle SportsCenter.” Not exactly the place I’d choose, but it is the class’s will. I’m just glad we didn’t decide to go to Devil World. Thankfully it only got two votes. …….two votes?
“Thank you both! That was quite a quick decision! I enjoyed it as well. Since we decided so quickly, let’s begin math class!”
Now there was a storm of boos. Our class thanked Nana-chan, Nibutani, and Sakada-kun very noisily.
◆ ◆ ◆
It was after school. Or to be more precise, it was after noon. We only go until noon for our Saturday classes. After that, you can enjoy the rest of your Saturday either at clubs, homes, or however you please.
As for Rikka and myself, we were in the process of after school study time day four. Today was a little bit different than the previous three. Instead of studying in our classroom, we were using the classroom for social studies. Since it was only used to store supplies that weren’t being used and no one was using it for a clubroom, it was definitely a good place to become quiet and study. We put two desks facing each other, like in our classroom, and got to work.
Well, if I have to be honest, we’re using this room to throw Nibutani off. In order for her not to interfere with our studying, we’re studying in a secret location. Alright, that’s enough with this. Let’s begin studying!
“If Nibutani comes in here, we’re gonna run for it.”
“Understood. I also dislike her.” Rikka began to shake a bit. That’s certainly showing your dislike of someone. I also shake whenever I’ve had a bad experience.
In return, Nibutani dislikes those suffering from chuunibyou. I’m sure there’s a reason behind it, but I’ve not heard why. I think the idea that she maybe once suffered from it would be a valid reason; but perhaps there’s something else driving her. Regardless, there’s no love lost between her and Rikka.
I can’t help Nibutani in her goals. As I once had the disease, I don’t have a reason to hate it, so I don’t understand why it’s so bad in her opinion.
“Yuuta, I have a countermeasure for light monsters for you to use.”
I was in my delusion mode when Rikka’s voice brought me back to the real world.
“Huh, a countermeasure? You mean something that could be used against Nibutani?”
“Yes. Equip yourself with this.”
What she handed over to me was a cute black and white polka dotted scrunchie. I get the impression this was handmade rather than purchased.
In addition to being a chuunibyou patient, Rikka is also a high school girl. Of course she would have good taste in picking something like this out. Unfortunately, others might not think it’s as cool as I do though.
“This is Mufaasa. Formal name: Agrichemical Mufaasa. This has many ingredients in it to counteract against hostile forces. Therefore, Yuuta should be safe while equipped with this.”
“Why would you think this is fashionable for me? And how does it have abilities? I’m not even relieved it’s called Agrichemical but…if it does have lots of ingredients, then maybe. Mufaasa?”
“Yes. Mufaasa.”
Hmm. I feel a scream coming on. It seems I’m quite picky about fashion accessories. I’d like to wear it to enjoy the effects it’d have but I’m not sure it’s intents would be communicated to others.
……In short, people would get the wrong idea about me when I was wearing it! I can sympathize with Rikka and I even sympathize with what she’s trying to do. I’m somewhat moved and happy, but...
“……I’m incredibly grateful for your thoughtfulness Rikka, but I can’t accept this.”
Rikka looked at me in confusion and slightly tilted her head.
“Mufaasa would… look really nice on a girl!”
“You talk in a masculine manner, but your face is cute.”
“Don’t you dare start thinking of me as a boy in woman’s clothing!”
I don’t know what my face really looks like, but my intention was to go for a somewhat wild look. Damn it, Isshiki treats me like a girl too. This is so annoying!
“Initiate Devilish Truth Stare. Invoking contractee equipment.”
“Aren’t you recklessly awakening your powers?! It’s supposed to be sealed, so don’t use it so haphazardly!”
As usual, that eye was gold and it hadn’t changed in sparklingness. While I’m glad that it hadn’t changed, there is no way I’m giving into this matter.
There is absolutely no way a guy could wear Mufaasa and people would understand what it meant! If Isshiki saw it, he’d certainly comment that my feminine charms were leveled up. Besides, Nibutani would just look at me with her sadistic smile. Isn’t that defeating the purpose of it?! There’s no way I’m losing this argument. Alright…
“Listen to me. What would you say if, for example, I decided to wear a skirt?”
Rikka thought about it for a bit before an inappropriate reply left her lips,
“It wouldn’t match.” Combined with a broad smile, you could feel the idiocy radiating from her. But I feel a bit relieved by that idiotic statement. At least I know for sure she couldn’t match my argument. I win
this round. After motivating myself, I began my return volley.
“Since a skirt wouldn’t match what a boy wears, this Mufaasa has to be a girl’s accessory. Only girls will be able to utilize the effects it provides! Thus the real beneficiary of Agrichemical Mufaasa is Rikka! Yes, I deem it so!”
“Oh!” Rikka looked up mysteriously and began clapping her hands for some reason. Guess it was for my victory. Oh, this matches the applause I’ve heard in my head before. I’m posing in victory. Yes, I’ve been saved!
“So I’m sorry, but I can’t accept it.”
“Oh well. It’s attached to your bag now.”
………
As one would expect, it didn’t appear my victory at all. Any comparison I could think of would sound cruddy….. Let’s just move on and study.
“I…I got it. Well, now that I have a countermeasure against Nibutani, let’s study. Since Ms. Nibutani interfered with us, we weren’t able to study yesterday.”
As I was talking, I noticed that Mufaasa was indeed attached to my bag. That’s fast! Well, I could just say that my little sister did it I guess.
“Alright! Today we tackle factorization! Let’s go!”
“For the time being, that topic is rejected!
“What’s with the ‘for the time being’? Aren’t you going to study?!”
“Factoring will be ……done tomorrow. Tomorrow I’ll be ready for it.”
So that means you’re not ready now. I breathed a deep sigh.
“So that’s how it is…… You sure we’ll do it tomorrow?”
“Absolutely. It is understood by both to be done tomorrow.”
“Alright, then I guess we’ll do a review of probability today.”
I had already prepared a set of questions to work on today and went to pull them from my bag. Alas, my zipper was broken and the questions were caught in the zipper. I pulled as hard as I could, but they spread all over the floor when they came out.
“Ah!”
All of my sheets fell between us. I squatted and began to pick them up. Rikka also squatted and picked them up by stretching out to get them.
As we stretched out to get them, our hands overlapped on one…