CH 73

Posted on April 10, 2022by Soafp

Translator: Soafp

It seems that giant pandas and red pandas are not closely related. I learned this shocking fact last night from Animal Illustrated, but a further surprise awaited me.

It turns out that the red panda, which was discovered earlier, was originally called a panda!　If that is the case, the black-and-white one that eats bamboo grass, known as the panda, has succeeded in stealing the name of the red panda.

And yet, they are not even related. How sad it must be for the red panda to be named “Lesser” and to have its name replaced by a fake. The red panda must be spending its days asking itself who it is, now that its name has been snatched away from it, even though it is a pioneer, and even its species is different from its own.

There was once a municipality that was told, ” Give us a panda and we’ll give you our glasses technology,” and as a result, the red panda was given to the municipality. It is hard to believe that this is the result of inflicting serious damage on local economy.

Although the red panda was stripped of its identity, humans often lose sight of themselves and go astray. A journey of self-discovery is the best example of this.

After all, you never know anything about yourself. Even if I shout”Status Open!” the status will not open.

If a person has a lot of magic power, he or she has the aptitude to be a wizard, if a person has swordsmanship skills, he or she has the aptitude to be a warrior, etc. There is no way for us to objectively judge our aptitude.

Or relationships are also full of such invisible things. There is no way to see the feelings of others. I, who live in the real world, have no way to visualize such internal values.

Therefore, it may be words and actions that convey the proof. If that is the case, how should I face those who have conveyed it to me? I wonder if there is anything I can know, as I am still in a state of confusion.

But the answer has already been given.

Solitude is my friend, and solitude is easy. I was so immersed in the comfort of it that I turned away from it.

But now that I know the feelings communicated to me.

I have to move on.

—–I can’t remain a loner forever.

“Uhm…what what. Maid cafe?” (Kouki)

“Ah, that’s the one I wrote!” (Kana)

“Hehe. I did the same thing. Right, Kana?” (Mineta)

LHR, long homeroom. In the classroom, where the students were sleepy after lunch, a survey was being conducted regarding the cultural festival program to be held after the gymnastic festival. The students voted and tallied up the papers on which they wrote what they wanted to do.

“A maid café. ……?　Rejected, denied. I hear that’s what the other class is going to do.” (Sensei)

“Eeh!　It’s okay to do it as well!” (???)

The merciless Sayuri-sensei’s words were booed by some of the girls and boys. Apparently, it was Elizabeth’s idea, and it seems that Mineta had the same idea. Elizabeth, however, is now a class committee member, writing out the results of the vote on the blackboard in front of the podium with a fresh, handsome man.

“I don’t approve of the conventionality. Somehow this class has weird—–cough. The staff room is talking about it because they think we’re going to do something strange. Somehow. I really, seriously, I don’t know why!　They don’t even know what I’m going through. …… Damn you, Principal F*CK!” (Sensei)

Ignoring the dark-attribute Sayuri-sensei who mutters American curses, the light-attribute man proceeds. You’ve a strong mentality, huh?

“A haunted house?　It’s a classic. Nice, but I think they’re doing this one too.”(???)

“Let’s see, then. …… is next. Bu!　G-Gāruzubā!” (Kouki) [TL: small shot bar with an all-female staff]

“YOU IDIOT!　You are minors and students. Take it seriously.” (Sensei)

“Oi oi, stop these shenanigans.” (Kouki)

“I don’t like what I’m hearing.” (Yuki)

“Hmm, what’s the matter, Yukito?” (Kouki)

I stand up with a swing.

“Don’t worry, sensei.” (Yuki)

“Hoo, about what?”(Sensei)

“I choose you because you’re my teacher.” (Yuki)

“Not until after graduation.” (Sensei)

“With after-party, please.” (Yuki)

“I’ll give you the option.”(Sensei)

“Alright” (Yuki)

Sayuri Sensei is coming out of the darkness for a bit. I hope you live each day in good health. Stress is the great enemy of beauty!

“So why are you so good friends with Sensei?” (???)

“More importantly, did you write this!” (kouki)

The bickering and arguing continues without any cohesion, and then the chime rings.

“Oh no. I don’t think this is going to be decided in this time.” (Sensei)

“If Sensei hadn’t raised the bar, it wouldn’t have been a problem.” (Kouki)

“An?　Don’t say that, Miho. It is you guys. You’re not going to end up with something out of the ordinary, so put out something well thought out and well conceived. There’s an award for the festival, too. Then we’re finished.”(Sensei)

Sayuri-sensei is about to leave the classroom when she stops dead in her tracks.

“Just checking, am I really that attractive?” (Sensei)

“You have a very nice smile!” (Yuki)

“I-I see? Yes, smiling is important. They say smiling like a Buddhist, you’ll get wrinkles……” (Sensei)

Sayuri-sensei lifts her finger up to her twitching mouth and smiles as she rubs and relaxes her facial muscles.

“Scary!　Ah, my honesty is leaking” (Yuki)

“YOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!” (Sensei)

Cackle.

“Uhm you two ……” (Kana)

“Don’t say any more. It’s futile.” (Kouki)

The next day was a complete change.

“Kokonoe-chan, you know, you know. We want to win afterall!” (Mineta)

“Yesterday, we all talked about it in the group chat. We decided that we wanted to do something memorable, since it’s not often we get an opportunity like this. We’ll all do our best, so why don’t you join us, Kokonoe?” (Kana)

“Déjà vu, you guys!” (Yuki)

Didn’t we do this pattern last time?

It’s good that you are greedy, but you are too forward.

In the end, the discussion was continued without deciding what to do. They said that they discussed it among themselves, but as someone who does not look into the group chat, I feel as if things are going on by themselves in a different world.

“How does one win the festival?” (Yuki)

“They’re going to decide it with excellence award. They also give points for stage presentation.”(Kana)

“I heard there’s a beauty contest too!　In our class, …… why don’t Shiori and Hinagi-chan enter?” (Mineta)

Mineta asks Shiori and Hinagi to participate. The two of them would be a perfect contender.

“M-me?!　I can’t do it. Impossible, impossible, impossible!” (Shiori)

“I-I think I’d prefer not to do that either. ……” (Hinagi)

Next to Hinagi, who declined with a wry smile, Shiori’s ponytail was swaying as she denied it with a buzz. Yes, just like kitty. Plop, plop, plop.

“Tei!” (Yuki)

“W-What’s wrong, Yuki?!” (Shiori)

With a snap, my hand came out unintentionally.

“I’m sorry, I just…” (Yuki)

“Eh, what in the world?!　What’s the matter with you?!” (Shiori)

“Calm down. It’s about the beauty contest” (Yuki)

Nowadays, Shiori is the only one who is willing to be disciplined with me in such situations. She is so responsive.

“The two of you would definitely create a lot of excitement. …… Right, Kokonoe?” (Mineta)

“Yes, I suppose so. Because they’re both beautiful and cute.” (Yuki)

“C-cute?!” (Shiori)

“Y-You’ve always been like that.” (Hinagi)

Shiori turns bright red and freezes, while Hinagi looks stunned and embarrassed with red cheeks.

I, whose motto is “honesty”, felt indignant at such a state of Hinagi. I’m not joking, I’m being serious!

“Ha?　What is it, Hinagi? Do you have a problem with the fact that you’re cute?　Ah?　You have no room to question the fact that I think you’re beautiful and cute!　What do you think, eeh!?　I’ll say it again and again if that’s what you want. You’re so damn cute!” (Yuki)

“Why are you being so agressive!?　You’re embarrassing me!” (Hinagi)

“Is this guy the best you’ve got?” (Yuki)

“Kokonoe-chan, if you don’t moderate yourself, I don’t know if you’ll get stabbed sooner or later.” (Mineta)

Mineta told me something scary. It is hard for honest people to live in this world.

“I see. Eliza–Sakurai and the others really want to do a maid cafe ……huh” (Yuki)

“It’s Elizabeth!　—–huh?　Wait, there is something different about me now. ……” (Kana)

Ignore Elizabeth, who has lost sight of her self, and think.　

The class performances vary widely. Some of the classes are said to put on plays, for example. In addition, there is a stage program in which students participate in bands, present their special skills, and hold events such as a beauty contest. It is said that the class selected for the Excellence Award is decided based on a comprehensive consideration of these events.

Incidentally, there are also presentations by the cultural clubs, but they are usually rather quiet. Mikumo-senpai, who is a member of the student council and also belongs to the literature and art club, was smiling bitterly, but I will go and read her work when I have a chance.

Speaking of our class, the group that proposed the haunted house was not particularly concerned with a haunted house, but they wanted to build something tangible. It certainly has the feel of something that would be presented at a cultural festival. It is a perfect page of youth to work together to create something together.

On the other hand, Elizabeth and the others could not give up the romance of a maid cafe. It is difficult to wear such costumes unless it is a special occasion like this. Many of the girls look forward to it. The boys, if anything, were also looking forward to it, and it had a strong following.

When asked what they were going to do about the costumes, he said they would make them themselves. He looked really uncomfortable, but apparently his fresh-looking sister knows a lot about that kind of thing. It is rare to see the face of a man in full bloom all year round, but I put it aside for now.

“What should we do, Kokonoe-chan? I want everyone’s opinions. ……” (Mineta)

“What’s easy, just do it all.” (Yuki)

“What did you come up with, Yukito?” (Kouki)

The solution is simple. I am the unshakable Yukito Kokonoe. Let’s answer the Sensei’s expectations!

“As long as we are aiming for the Excellence Award, let’s do everything, including the built-up things, the maid café, and the Miss Contest. If the problem is the coverage, we have no choice but to seek another form.” (Yuki)

“Another form?” (Kouki)

“Kouki, you said you’re going to start practicing for the sport festival.” (Yuki)

“Yeah, what about it?” (Kouki)

“One is information, two is espionage, three and four are training, and five is the real thing.” (Yuki)

“I think I heard some disturbing words. ……” (Kouki)

After sorting out what we have to do, it’s obvious that we don’t have enough time to get to the main event. We needed to get started now.

“If you get hurt in practice, it’s a complete disaster. I want you to learn everybody how to take care of their body while you’re at it.” (Yuki)

“That’s useful.” (Kouki)

“Yes. And once they have learned it, there’s no reason not to take advantage of it.” (Yuki)

“What do you mean, Kokonoe-chan?” (Mineta)

Before I knew it, all eyes were on me.

“The class put on the ultimate healing space, completed with food service. This make the maid café and the built-ins perfect!” (Yuki)

“Ooh!　That sounds kind of awesome!” (Mineta)

I went to a certain person who was looking at me with a reserved look.

“Natsume. Are you aware that there is such a genre for webnovels?” (Yuki)

“Eh, eh, Ko-Kokonoe-san, what’s wrong?　I-Is there something you need from me…?” (Natsume)

“It was all the rage a while back, and it’s all about the ‘too late’ stories of people who look back at those around them who made fun of them.” (Yuki)

“Oh, I kind of know what you mean. Is it something like a broken engagement or a villain’s daughter?” (Natsume)

“Yes, yes, there is such a thing as overcoming unjustified unreasonableness, right?” (Yuki)

“Y-Yes. But what about it….?” (Natsume)

Natsume is a quintessential Japanese woman. I thought she might have a deep knowledge of such things, since she often reads in the classroom, and it seems I was right.

“Let’s go Miss Japan!” (Yuki)

” ………………Eh?　Uhm, it kinda makes no sense ……” (Natsume)

“I’m going to make you even prettier than you are now, and turn around and see this rotten world for what it is!” (Yuki)

“Yes?　Uhm… me, Miss Japan? 　That is a funy joke–” (Natsume)

“I see. You’ll get it!” (Yuki)

“Y-You got it wrong!　The answer I just gave you was not–!” (Natsume)

With this, it was decided that Chika Natsume, a chubby girl with glasses, would participate in the beauty contest.

“We have the winner of the beauty contest.” (Yuki)

“Uhm, are you listening, Kokonoe-san?　Hey, what do you mean?　Kokonoe-san?　Hey come on, Kokonoe-saaaaaaaaaaaan!?” (Natsume)