Chapter 47: More and More Ridiculous
In the special class’s classroom.
“Good morning, Uemon…” The greeting came from behind Uemon, sounding weak and listless.
“Tsukimi! Are you alright? I heard you were caught up in that campus attack yesterday—” Uemon turned around anxiously, and what met his gaze was Tsukimi, whose head was bandaged.
Seeing this “injured” person who looked like they had stepped out of a comedic manga, Uemon was momentarily stunned, then he solemnly patted Tsukimi’s shoulder.
“It seems unnecessary to doubt the truth now; Tsukimi, the injuries on your face… you’ve been through a lot.”
Tears shimmered in Uemon’s eyes.
Tsukimi didn’t know how to explain to Uemon that this was all a misunderstanding.
Additionally, if he were to explain the injuries, it would require starting from the beginning, like mentioning “because he spent the night sharing a bed with his beautiful childhood friend and even had her act like his father”…
No way would he ever say that out loud.
Let this matter accompany me into the grave.
Thus, Tsukimi could only force a faint smile, hoping to convey to Uemon not to worry about him.
Considering his current bruised and battered appearance, the smile lacked convincing power.
“I can’t believe Fuko was involved… what a despicable guy! Attacking students at Ark Academy; it’s thanks to you, Tsukimi, that Fuko and Hoshimiya were saved, or they could have been in real danger!”
Uemon angrily cursed.
From this, Tsukimi learned that the attack had become common knowledge throughout the school.
Though he didn’t understand why the truth had morphed into him saving Fuko and Nagi, since it was really Fuko who had used all her magic to successfully protect Nagi before collapsing.
Now, Ark Academy had entered a state of high alert.
After-school club activities were temporarily canceled, and every student was required to return to their dormitories immediately after school; unless they had special reasons, all outings were prohibited.
Even the shopping streets and other entertainment facilities on the artificial school island were closed.
Until the perpetrator was found, Ark Academy planned to ensure student safety by restricting their movements.
“I heard that every floor and dormitory has teachers and some specially-ranked students on guard…” Uemon lowered his voice and leaned closer to Tsukimi’s ear to speak softly.
“…Really?” Tsukimi did not feel reassured.
Because according to Teacher Kitano, the criminal had been hiding in the academy, which meant they could be either a student or a teacher.
—We must… find that hidden perpetrator as soon as possible.
—But what should we do…
While Tsukimi was pondering the next course of action, a voice from behind interrupted his thoughts.
“Hey, isn’t this Tsukimi?”
It was Shishido, whose blonde hair stood out prominently among the students.
As yesterday, the moment he stepped into the classroom, he walked straight toward Tsukimi with a fixed gaze.
The only difference today was that Shishido did not have his usual followers with him.
Just when Tsukimi thought Shishido was going to pick on him as usual.
The first to notice something strange was Uemon, who stood in front of Tsukimi.
“Tsukimi…?” Uemon’s face displayed an expression of amazement, as if he were witnessing an unbelievable phenomenon.
Prompted by Uemon, Tsukimi quickly realized.
The person who always referred to him as “fool” and “waste” was now addressing him as “Tsukimi”?
Tsukimi displayed a noticeably “rude” wary expression in front of Shishido.
However, Shishido seemed unfazed by Tsukimi’s rudeness, instead, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a somewhat arrogant smile.
“I didn’t expect that I have been underestimating you all along… Tsukimi, you’re really good at hiding yourself…”
“What?” Tsukimi’s head was full of question marks.
He didn’t know what Shishido was talking about, but he was sure that he had misunderstood something.
“Now, your previous attitude of not taking me seriously… and that indifferent look… I finally understand what’s going on.”
“…”
Wha—what’s going on? Tsukimi’s mouth twitched.
“Tsukimi, pretending to be clueless won’t help.” Shishido said confidently: “I’ve heard that you were at the scene yesterday, not only protecting the attacked students but also holding your own against the attacker, right!”
“N-no, no… where did you hear that…”
How did it get more and more ridiculous? I protected Nagi and Fuko? And had a draw against the attacker?
“Hmph, I assume you’d never admit it, considering your usual style.” Shishido ignored Tsukimi’s denial and continued on his own—
“I’ve been to the scene; that kind of giant pit, coupled with the commotion yesterday, along with the attacker’s ability level… at least A-class, right? And from an A-class esper’s attack, you managed to protect those two—”
Shishido pointed his finger at Tsukimi with a “I’ve seen through you completely” expression.
“Tsukimi, I didn’t expect you’ve been hiding your true power and abilities all along; surely you didn’t awaken without abilities. It must be some means that even Ark Academy can’t detect, disguising yourself as an ordinary person… even I was fooled—!”
No, no, no, why does it sound like you’re harder to fool than Ark Academy? Tsukimi silently complained.
But to his surprise, apart from Shishido, the rest of the classmates in the class seemed to agree with Shishido’s remarks after hearing him speak, casting half-admiring and half-adoring glances at Tsukimi.
Only Uemon, who had remained by Tsukimi’s side, vaguely sensed something was off.
“…As expected, Tsukimi only reveals his true strength in front of the girl he likes.”
A person who had concealed his true power, when his beautiful childhood friend he grew up with was in danger, decisively abandoned his long-standing facade and stepped up to protect her.
This was the conclusion Shishido drew based on the information he had gathered.
Just as he thought the guy in front of him who had been hiding his ability would continue to play dumb—
“What are you talking about.” Tsukimi suddenly stepped forward, seizing Shishido’s collar forcefully and fixing a stern gaze on his eyes.
“What do you mean by that? Why mention Nagi?” Tsukimi said, increasing the grip on Shishido’s collar.
At this moment, his light yellow eyes sparkled with an imperceptible light due to his agitation.
Tsukimi’s response completely took Shishido by surprise, making him lose momentum under Tsukimi’s incredibly sharp gaze.
The normally indifferent guy who would accept any of Shishido’s taunts now looked like a volcano about to erupt.
After a brief standoff, Uemon quickly stepped in to separate them.
“Tsukimi, you finally showed your true colors…” After the two were pulled apart, Shishido managed a smile: “I look forward to the practical simulation class in a few days—”
“Let me see what abilities you’ve been hiding, Tsukimi Kazu!”
