CH 74

The opening ceremony was over and the Four Great Festivals started.

The tournament would take place over ten days, from the first round to the finals.

It is a pretty hard schedule, as the participants will have to fight five times if they want to reach the finals.

The participants have to take into account their next game as well.

The games started with the elementary students, and there was nothing special to do on the first day except for the opening ceremony.

I’m walking around by myself, wandering around.

My opponent for the first match seemed to be from Haramatta Academy.

They said they weren’t a tough opponent, but they were going to be participating in the Four Great Festivals.

I can’t let my guard down in all the battles to come.

That’s when I was thinking.

Just as I was thinking that, a girl with light blue hair passed in front of me.

“Monet-san!”

“Huh? That’s Owen-kun. Long time no see!”

Monet with her usual cheerful smile.

“Umm…”

“Hmm, what’s wrong?”

“Monet-san’s name was missing.”

I tell her that Monet’s name was not on the tournament list for the Four Great Festivals.

I don’t think there’s a student in Central Academy who can surpass Monet.

“Ahh… That. I lost in the preliminary round.”

“Who did you lose to?”

“Julian.”

The name of the unexpected person made me open my eyes.

“—‘Julian’ as in… that Julian? But I heard he was a student at Waltz Academy.”

“That Julian. He transferred to Central Academy this year. I was unlucky enough to meet Julian in the preliminary round. I lost and didn’t qualify.”

Monet said it was nothing, but if it were me, I would be very shocked.

This year will be Monet’s last four festivals.

“That’s…”

It would be a shock.

In such a situation, there is a magic word.

“Monet-san, Don’mai! (Don’t worry)”

“Don’mai?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Ehh~ what’s that?”

Monet chuckles.

“I don’t mind at all. Besides, now I can support my brother without hesitation. That’s enough for me!”

Monet seemed to think so from the bottom of her heart.

◼️ ◼️ ◼️

After parting ways with Monet, I started walking again and found a group of girls.

Hmm?

I took a closer look and found Berg among them.

He looks like he’s having a hard time being surrounded by girls.

There were more pro-Berg people than ever today.

Maybe because of the Four Great Festivals, some of them are students from other schools.

Berg is so popular.

I’m not jealous of you at all.

No, I don’t think that you know.

Glancing at him (Chira chira~).

I was about to walk past Berg, looking at him sideways, when I caught his sight.

“Owen! Hold on.”

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

Berg called out to me.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m sorry, but Owen and I have some business to attend to. Then, excuse me.”

Berg smiled at the girls behind him.

They’re staring at me.

It’s a little scary, but…

“…no, I don’t have anything to do with this…”

“Come on, let’s go. Owen.”

Berg grabbed my arm and walked away.

“Hey, Berg. What do you mean?”

“Haha. I’m sorry.”

Berg’s expression was not apologetic at all.

“Did you perhaps, run away from the girls?

Hey, man.

I won’t forgive you if you’re running away from such an enviable situation.

“Oh, yes, I did. Oh, yeah, that’s right. It’s really hard when you’re surrounded by that many people.”

I’d like to punch him in the face.

I stared at Berg in silence.

I’m not jealous of you in any way!

What’s the difference ……?

Face?

Status?

Is it your personality?

Or maybe all of it?

Damn!

All my life I wanted to be born into royalty, with a handsome face and personality.

“I guess I’ll be facing Owen in the finals.”

“Eh, yeah, I guess so.”

I thought back to the tournament schedule.

Where I was on the opposite side of the block from Berg.

If we both win, we’ll fight in the final.

“I don’t know if we’ll make it to the finals, though.”

But I’m not sure if I can make it to the finals, because I’ll be facing Julian in the semifinals.

I’ve heard a lot about him recently.

“I want to fight you, I never told you why I left the team in the third year.”

“Didn’t we break up because of differences in direction?”

I thought it was due to a difference in musical style, as is often the case with bands.

“Huh?　What do you mean?”

“No, it’s nothing. Please continue.”

“At that time, I wanted to fight Owen.”

After two consecutive victories, Natalie and I, Berg, was the strongest team in the elementary school.

We thought we would be on the same team for the third year of the tournament, but suddenly Berg wanted to leave.

“That was the reason. ……”

I’ve fought with Berg in mock battles, but I’ve never fought him for real.

“I want to fight Berg too. You’re not going to lose until the finals, are you?”

“Sure.”