Chapter: 112. The First Lesson to Become the Protagonist (3k)
“Kanade-kun, you’re so slow…”
At the exit of the training ground in Area 10 of Ark Academy.
Nagisa stood in the corridor directly facing the gate, leaning against the hard metal wall. The cold gray surface of the wall glimmered with a detached sheen under the dim light.
Having changed back into her school uniform, she was playing with a few strands of hair that fell beside her ear, boredly waiting for Kanade to come out.
It was the first day back after the new semester began, and today’s classes had ended right after the physical examinations. Students were free to leave, and Yukino was invited by other classmates to participate in club visits, but Nagisa had declined the invitation, citing that she wanted to wait for Kanade.
She noticed through observation that today’s attack by the fantasy monsters had a significant impact on Kanade.
The sudden appearance of fantasy monsters in what should have been the safest area could easily shatter people’s psychological defenses.
“Speaking of which, this is also the first time Kanade-kun is facing ‘real’ fantasy monsters…” Nagisa looked up at the ceiling of the corridor, the bright lights reflecting in her dark eyes like shining stars.
Even though Kanade and the others had experienced numerous extraordinary battles before, facing beings almost at the pinnacle of the fantasy monster hierarchy like the “Pseudo-God Sui Ling,” “The End,” and “Omega,” none of these counted as “real” fantasy monsters.
The Pseudo-God Sui Ling was a creature born from an out-of-control esper, The End was an incomplete fragment that descended onto a vessel, and even Omega was merely a “contract beast candidate” that had once been sheltered by the Moon Academy. Reflecting on the battles she had participated in, whether in Kawano City or Minase Island, Kanade and the others had always faced “artificial fantasy monsters,” and the disaster that occurred at Ark Academy involved espers and contract beasts as opponents.
This time, the invasion of the “Fantasy Monster – Infinite” was Kanade’s first true contact with pure-bred fantasy monsters.
The first meeting between the protagonist and the antagonist.
It is often regarded as “the beginning of all stories.”
“Has this day finally arrived?” Nagisa gently swayed her body, as if lightly rocking a serene pendulum, her movements slow and graceful.
Although she had imagined many times about Kanade taking over the position of the “protagonist” and assuming the responsibility of saving the world, when this day finally came, Nagisa realized that Kanade didn’t seem quite ready.
The fantasy monsters’ visit was clearly to investigate the powerful magical wave that had erupted at Ark Academy. Since both the “Star-Eclipsing Beast” and “The End” had descended here, it was only natural that they would take action.
As for why it was today, it was probably because most of the ACE-level espers stationed on the island had retreated.
“Ah, Kanade-kun~”
At that moment, a figure walking towards the exit blocked the light shining in from inside, catching Nagisa’s attention.
She revealed a sunny smile and turned to face the newcomer.
“S-Small Nagisa? Why are you still here…” Kanade was momentarily taken aback upon seeing someone unexpected.
His current expression was clearly reflected in Nagisa’s eyes—
—He really looks… so dejected…
Nagisa let out a quiet sigh in her heart.
With a cheerful demeanor, she ran towards Kanade and jumped into his embrace.
“Because I want to go home with Kanade-kun~” Nagisa said in a playful tone.
A face like Kanade’s, Nagisa had seen countless times in her past life. Every esper would inevitably exhibit such expressions when they first stepped onto the battlefield between “humans and fantasy monsters.”
It was just like Kanade’s expression after stepping down from the competition arena, a look filled with distraction and heavy thoughts.
“Ah um… I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, Small Nagisa.” Kanade seemed to regain a bit of spirit, offering a faint smile while stroking Nagisa’s head.
Although Nagisa had grown a bit due to the fading of Hydra’s power, she still resembled either an older daughter or a younger sister in front of high school student Kanade.
According to social comparison theory, when people interact with someone who appears significantly weaker, they unconsciously gain confidence through comparison, which can bolster their will when facing difficulties.
Thus, Nagisa deliberately adopted a vulnerable posture to help Kanade regain some confidence.
“Where did you go just now, Kanade-kun?” Nagisa asked the question she should be asking at this moment, though she had already learned the answer through her powers—Kanade seemed to have had some dealings with an esper named Kurokawa.
“Ah no… I just had to find a teacher to ask about something…” Kanade clearly hadn’t thought of a solid excuse, so he made up a story on the spot.
This gave Nagisa the opportunity to seize him.
Hearing this, she puffed up her cheeks and pretended to be angry: “Puh-puh, Kanade-kun, you heartbreaker!”
“Huh? What?” Kanade was momentarily confused as to why Nagisa would suddenly be angry.
“…Because, clearly after we started dating…” Nagisa intentionally lowered her voice, her tone tinged with a hint of a cry, while gently pulling down on Kanade’s shirt: “But Kanade-kun completely doesn’t want to go to school or come home with me, you left me behind early this morning…”
“No, that’s not the case…” Kanade hurriedly replied, silently scolding himself.
After becoming lovers with Nagisa, he had been overwhelmed by the various information that came pouring in, and for a time, his mind was filled with these issues; now, upon reflection, he realized that he had indeed neglected Nagisa.
“I’m sorry—” Just as Kanade was about to apologize, he was interrupted by Nagisa’s soft sobbing.
“I heard that some boys grow bored of the girls they are interested in after dating… I don’t want to be bored by you, Kanade-kun…” Nagisa lowered her head, allowing her long bangs to cover her eyes.
This detail allowed Kanade to focus his attention on this point, wholly concentrating on the soft sound of her sobs, picturing in his mind the sadness she was portraying—
Nagisa was unaware of what expressions a girl should show during such a moment of pouting, so leaving it entirely to the other party’s imagination was a perfect strategy.
“…Is it because of me?” Nagisa gently leaned her head against Kanade’s chest.
“Ever since you started dating me, you’ve always seemed so unhappy… Is there something I’m doing wrong as your girlfriend?”
She integrated guiding words into her outpouring of feelings.
“Whenever I see you looking gloomy, I worry that it’s because of my fault…”
—This way, Kanade-kun, you won’t be frowning all day, right?
—As the protagonist, it’s really important to adjust your mindset appropriately~
Nagisa spoke with the thought of giving Kanade a lesson.
In the next moment.
Nagisa felt a heartfelt embrace from Kanade; even though there was clothing between them, she could still feel the warmth and heartbeat of the other person through their closely pressed bodies.
This was the distance where they could mutually feel each other’s presence, making Nagisa’s heart inexplicably feel full, a sense of safety washing over her.
“I’m sorry, it’s all my fault, and this has nothing to do with Small Nagisa… and I will absolutely never grow bored with you, that much is certain—”
“Mm, me too, I will never grow bored of you, Kanade-kun.” Nagisa hugged him back tightly, using the guilt she had stirred in Kanade while bringing her lips close to his earlobe.
It’s said that whispering sweetly can have a more touching effect on the other person—
“By the way, Kanade-kun, this is truly your first time dating a girl… you’re so thoughtless in so many ways…”
“S-Sorry—”
“But actually, I’m the same way… So if there’s anything I’m not doing well, you must tell me, okay?” Nagisa said softly while gently stroking Kanade’s nape.
…..
Nearby the exit, Mana suddenly shivered involuntarily.
Worried that Nagisa was alone, Mana had chosen to stealthily stay here to protect her.
“…Could it be that the interactions between couples are just that mushy?” Mana crossed her arms, unable to help but shiver again.
But soon, she revealed a faint smile.
The two revealing their hearts and taking a step forward gave Mana a sense of comfort.
It felt just like witnessing the moment when her childhood friend, whom she had watched over for years, finally found happiness.
The girl she had always worried about had finally found her place—
“If only such days could continue forever…”
————————————-
On a starry night.
At the headquarters of Special Ring SEMA.
One of the board members, Adam, received a report from the Moon Academy.
A suspected threat level 11 or higher fantasy monster had attacked Ark Academy today, engaging directly with Tsukimi Kanade without the remaining ACEs being aware of it.
The good news was that there were no casualties, and this time the fantasy monster’s actions seemed to be just reconnaissance.
“After his initial encounter with Tsukimi Kanade, it decisively left the scene, but its further plans remain unknown.” Kurokawa compiled the information collected from Kanade into the most reasonable report and submitted it to the Moon Academy, which then forwarded it to Special Ring SEMA.
The moment Adam received this report, he couldn’t help but recall what happened in today’s quadrilateral meeting.
The “prophecy” he heard from the “Elemental Sovereign” seemed to be truly unfolding.
The speed of the fantasy monster’s actions exceeded his expectations.
There were no fewer than a thousand special science students at Ark Academy, and the fantasy monster was able to quickly identify the “protagonist” and evade the ACEs stationed on site—
“It’s almost as if there’s… a mole.” Adam didn’t voice this thought, seemingly concerned that someone might be listening.
He silently stood up and set the report and the white envelope in his hand on fire.
—Perhaps now is not the time to wait leisurely.
—Tsukimi Kanade must be transferred immediately.
In the flickering flames, Adam’s eyes reflected a few lines from the report— “Tsukimi Kanade is willing to participate in the upcoming academy league.”
“The conditions for the protagonist’s awakening…” he murmured to himself.
