Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume10 The Third Question

The Third Question

Please answer the following question.

In a world-renowned musical, what is the character called ‘Hideous looking, woe befall those who see him’? Also, here’s a line said by that character in the drama.

A hideous face I may have, yet my heart is clear. I watch from the shadows, dreaming of beautiful things.

Himeji Mizuki’s answer:

‘The Phantom of the Opera’

Teacher’s Comment:

That is right. It’s impressive that you are familiar with musicals, Himeji-san.

Tsuchiya Kouta’s answer:

‘A scary looking demon’.

Teacher’s Comment:

Can you not try to think of any other answers?

Yoshii Akihisa’s Answer:

‘Ugly’

Teacher’s Comment:

Such an unrestrained way of putting things.

The bell rings just when I return back to the classroom. Based on the time now, it’s lunch break.

“So Kubo’s that powerful now…”

“That breakthrough ability’s definitely not normal…”

“…A berserker.”

“Un un. That’s the kind of feeling I get. I can’t imagine the cool-looking yet kind and gentle Kubo-kun will use such a scary tactic.”

Hideyoshi and Muttsurini are gathered at my table as we have lunch and discuss about the battle just now. Well, Kubo-kun just now was really scary.

“Looks like the idea of sending Akihisa to let Kubo relax won’t work.”

“…Our intentions were exposed.”

The opponent already knows of Himeji-san’s ability, Muttsurini’s health education marks and my platinum bracelet. Thus, it can’t be helped that they’ll strategize on us. Even so, we had a hard battle.

“If we want to beat Kubo, we have to have some points like Himeji.”

Hideyoshi says as he looks behind.

“Well…can I join you for lunch?”

Standing over there is Himeji-san with her bento.

“Since when do we not welcome you?”

“…Just like usual.”

Hideyoshi and Muttsurini welcome her. Of course, I can’t possibly object here.

“Thanks everyone.”

After thanking us, Himeji-san sits down at a chair nearby.

“What’s with Shimada?”

Hideyoshi looks at Himeji-san as he asks,

“Eh, Minami-chan doesn’t look like she wants to leave that seat…”

Himeji-san gives a troubled look as she stares at a corner of the classroom and answers. Minami will normally come and have lunch with us, but she’s now occupying the seat at the corridor, staring outside.

“…That transfer student will most likely come and find Aki at this time…

I definitely mustn’t miss him!”

Minami stares at the corridor with a gaze that’s enough to kill as she mutters. It’s really hard for us to approach her like this.

“Oh yes, what were you talking about?”

“Nm? Kubo got Akihisa into a tough fight before lunch break, so we’d discussing a counterstrategy here.”

“…Powerful enemy.”

“Powerful enemy…in that case, I have to focus!”

Himeji-san clenches her fist in front of her chest. Even during lunch break, she doesn’t look distracted at all. Himeji-san must be focusing on this war will all she has, so I have to learn from her!

“Alright, now I have fill my stomach properly to achieve this aim.”

I open my bento package and open the lid. As nee-san’s watching, my lunch today is a countryside-styled beef stew comprises of leftover beef and vegetables and demi glaze sauce, coupled with omelet and potato salad, decent bento dishes. Once I finish my lunch properly, I’ll do my best in the afternoon.

“I’m tucking in.”

I graciously tuck in as I put the omelet into my mouth.

Maybe I put in too much sugar—I continue to chew as I wonder about this. At this moment, I feel a strange strong stare looking over. Hm? What’s going on?

“…”

Seems like Himeji-san’s the one staring over.

She’s staring at…the chopsticks tips in my mouth. What?

“Himeji-san?”

“Eek!”

Once I called her, Himeji-san shrieks back frantically with a high-pitched voice.

“Eh, erm, that…we, well…!”

Himeji-san is blushing so much and waving her hands wildly as it seems that she finds it embarrassing that I discovered her looking over at me. Ah, don’t tell me?

“Do you want to have some?”

I pick up a slice of omelet and hand it over, but Himeji-san doesn’t notice my action as she continues to wave her hand.

“I, I’m not thinking about that when I look at you! I just can’t help but look at your lips when I see you enjoying yourself!”

There’s no need to hide it to such an extent, you know. It’s not like I feel that you’re gluttonous.

As I’m thinking about this, a familiar voice enters my ears.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Akihisa! That book just now—”

“Found you—! You kept me waiting, foreign student!”

“Eh!? What what? Onee-san, are you looking for me?”

“We’ll talk later! Anyway, hand over the diary in your hands!”

“WAAA! WAIT WAIT! I HAVE TO HAND THIS OVER TO AKIHISAAA!!!”

“““……”””

This sudden turn of events cause us to be speechless for quite a while.

Looks like after Linne-kun walked into the classroom, he was taken away by Minami…

“Was that the transfer student this morning?”

“U, un, I guess. It seems like he’s bringing something over to me…”

Linne-kun disappeared before I can even talk to him.

I look over at where Linne-kun was standing on, and then, a piece of printed paper appears in my eyes. Ah, is he bringing what he translated from the English book to me?

I walk to the door, pick up the paper, and walk back.

“Erm, it’s written…‘test summoning system induction and use’? Eh, what’s this?”

“Hm? Let me have a look.”

Hideyoshi pokes his head in from the side.

“Do you know what’s going on, Hideyoshi?”

“Muu…I’m not really certain, but it’s probably about things a sister school should take note of when implementing this summoning system.”

“I see…”

This so-called sister school, is it the foreign school Linne-kun was from? He said that he was going to prepare for the gathering, so is he referring to this? But it doesn’t feel like something he will be explaining at the third years’ meeting…un~I don’t really understand.

“Anyway, this isn’t the translation of that book.”

Based on what Linne-kun said, my name appeared in that book, so this paper should be something else.

Once I make this conclusion, I turn back to face the bento on the table. Hideyoshi and the rest reach out for the bento as we ignore that piece of paper.

“Speaking of which, Akihisa, that foreign student seems rather close to you.”

“Hm? Really?”

“Yeah. If he’s not close to you, he won’t be coming over from another level just to find you.”

On hearing Hideyoshi say this, this might be the case. I knew Linne-kun earlier than anyone else, and he came running over to me to show me how he looks in uniform, and will even hug me. But the reason why he’s so close to me is—

“Maybe he feels lonely having to leave his group of friends over there.”

“Mu…that’s true. He and his friends probably feels lonely.”

He definitely feels lonely since he has to say farewell when he goes overseas to study, and the people around him are people he don’t know.

“…I don’t know if anyone overseas tried to stop Linne-kun?”

Himeji-san gives a depressed look as she says this. She must be thinking about how Linne-kun and his friends may be feeling.

How Linne-kun and his friends may be feeling…

“Well…I think they want to keep Linne-kun, but more importantly, they’ll feel that it’s good for him and should cheer him on as friends.”

“Um. He’s doing his country proud after all.”

“…Not a dying farewell.”

We answered, and I thought Himeji-san will feel motivated. For some reason, she looks even more depressed. Eh? She seems weird…

“Himeji-san.”

“…”

“Himeji-san?”

“…Heh? Ah, yes! Is there something? Akihisa-kun?”

Himeji-san is acting weird here. What’s causing her to lose concentration?

“Himeji-san, is there anything bothering you—”

“Eh, erm! I’ll go buy drinks! Everyone wants the usual, right?”

Himeji-san stands up and leaves the classroom before I can even finish. Uu…very suspicious…

“Hideyoshi, Muttsurini. What do you think about Himeji-san’s actions just now?”

I ask the other two left at the scene.

“She definitely feels that you have feelings Became a shotaconfor the foreign student, so she’s probably worried, Akihisa.”

“…She must be really thirsty.”

I got very reliable answers.

Can’t be helped. Looks like I have to think this through on my own. Hm…

“She can’t helped but cry because she thought of Linne-kun’s predicament, is it?”

The reason why Himeji-san’s doing this is definitely not because she wants to let me see her cry. It’s definitely not that she doesn’t want to continue talking with me.

“Nn? What? Pervert, did Himeji run away because you’re wearing underwear on your head again?”

“DON’T DO THIS, YUUJI! DON’T SAY OUT A FACT I DIDN’T THINK THROUGH!”

Yuuji walks over and hurts my heart. Such a cruel guy!

“Or rather, IT’S BECAUSE OF YOU THAT I DID THAT, YUUJI!”

“Oi, hold on. When did I make you wear a pair of panties on your head during the holiday in a shopping center and run into a girls’ changing room?”

“That trap was really elaborate…”

“What kind of trap must I make to make you do such a perverted act! Oi, Muttsurini, don’t give such a ‘so this reason can be used as well’ look, alright!? Your actions are really your interest!”

“…Your tactics are really scary, Yuuji.”

You should be saying that the ability of the one who used to be called a genius lives up to billing.

“Really, and you’re now giving such a baseless excuse because you’re a pervert…”

“I’d say, you’re already amazing for calling other people out for being baseless when you led the entire year to go peeping…”

“Come on, let’s eat, eat!”

Yuuji pretends not to hear Hideyoshi’s snark. Such a despicable guy.

“Oh yeah, where did Himeji go?”

“…She went to buy drinks.”

“What? Janken already?”

“Nope, we didn’t.”

“She went out before we’d even stopped her.”

“Really? If she wants to buy a drink, I want to have her buy mine too.”

“If it’s Himeji-san, I think she’ll buy back for you, right?”

We continue to chat as we have lunch.

At this moment. Kok kok, a light knocking sound enters our ears.

“Sorry to intrude on everyone’s lunch, I’ll like to meet with a student called Himeji0 Mizuki.”

An unfamiliar voice and a polite tone—who is that?

It seems that Yuuji and the rest have no idea as well as everyone looks confused.

“Excuse me.”

As we search our memories, the door opens, and a person we never met before enters the classroom.

That person is really tall and lanky, someone with a delicate looking face and long narrow eyes, a cool looking student. Waa…isn’t he too handsome already…

“OI! WHO ALLOW YOU TO COME IN!?”

“WE’LL KILL YOU!”

“WHAT!? YOU WANT TO BE SENT TO THE HOSPITAL!?”

Once they knew that it was a pretty boy, our classmates immediately started swearing out with hatred. This thoroughly despicable look really shocks me, or rather, moves me.

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t intend on making everyone unhappy.”

The pretty boy gives an elegant bow as he apologizes. WOW! That’s the first time I’m seeing someone give a bow like what I see on television.

“GO HOME, YOU PRETTY BOY!”

“YEAH! SOMEONE LIKE YOU WILL ONLY MAKE OUR UGLINESS MORE OBVIOUS!”

“I’M THE ONLY PRETTY BOY NEEDED IN THIS CLASSROOM!”

Perhaps everyone was agitated by this elegance as they’re all enraged. In this case, nobody will even believe that this is an integrated school.

The pretty boy tries to calm everyone’s anxiety as he says,

“No…I feel that everyone has cute animal-like faces.”

“““OI!! LET’S GO OUTSIDE AND FIGHT!!!”””

Does that person really think that he can comfort people with these words?

“Takashiro-kun, you haven’t made any progress in what you want to do.”

Another person walks out from behind that person called Takashiro. This time, it’s a person everyone’s familiar with. That person has a nice figure under her uniform and bewitching limb movements. She’s the one who helped come up with the idea for C class’ rep Koyama before—

“Kogure, sempai…”

“Hello, everyone in F class.”

Kogure-sempai lifts her skirt slightly and gives a bow, seemingly imitating that person called Takashiro. No no no, normally speaking, this is done with long skirts. If you’re doing this with short skirts…

“Please call us dogs, ojou-sama.”

“Welcome to the zoo, Kogure-sama.”

“Which animal do you wish to have a happy experience with?”

See, everyone’s all confused now. Really.

“No, Kogure-sempai and I aren’t here to look for happy animals.”

“WHO TOLD YOU TO TALK, HAR!?”

“WE’LL WRAP YOU IN A BAMBOO MAT AND THROW YOU OUT, YOU KNOW!”

“WE’RE TALKING WITH KOGURE-SAMA HERE, YOU IDIOT!!”

Eh, this ruckus is really quite the scenery.

☆