Chapter: 15. The Follow-up of the Protagonist’s Plan
“…Eh?”
When that unexpected name was mentioned, Nagi’s mind was momentarily blank.
She had indeed thought about seeing him again.
But she never anticipated that she would hear that name in this context.
“What’s wrong?”
Nagi’s astonishment made the professor feel a twinge of confusion, prompting him to ask further.
Hearing this, Nagi pulled her drifting thoughts back to reality.
—Oh no, I let my guard down.
—Is this a test for me?
—Or is it just a simple coincidence?
Nagi’s brain began to race.
She hesitated, turning around to buy herself some thinking time—
Nagi was sorting through the information she had as “Kamishiro Amane.” She clearly reacted to the professor’s mention of the “S rank” just now, but theoretically, “Kamishiro Amane” was merely a freshman who had just enrolled. Perhaps she was aware that aside from “Seiza Academy,” there were also “Hizuki Academy” and “Tsuki Academy,” and she might have heard about the classification of superpowered individuals from other students.
However, the “S rank” was a hidden level.
Ordinary students shouldn’t know about it—
“Could it be that Amane-san… cares a lot?” The professor’s next words sent Nagi back into a whirl of confusion.
Unexpectedly, the professor seemed unaware of how strange her reaction had been.
Until the voice of Shūen Nagakage drifted from her earpiece.
[The times have changed, Master. The current “S rank” is no longer as rare as before, and their identities are now public.]
“?”
Shūen Nagakage’s words left Nagi even more puzzled.
However, the professor’s next statement provided an answer: “Or is it that it’s a shame we don’t have an S rank in our academy?”
S rank… more than one?
Nagi blinked, managing to control her expression this time, but internally, she was incredibly surprised by this information.
[In today’s era, there are three humans bestowed with the S rank, and your fiancé who attempted to kill his wife is just one of them.] Shūen Nagakage explained, [However, the good news is that he is currently ahead of the other two S rank superpowered individuals.]
—Ahead?
But at that moment, Nagi couldn’t afford to dwell on such a concerning statement and chose to handle the immediate situation.
“Well, I just didn’t expect… someone like me, a freshman, to actually attend a banquet with an S rank…” Nagi spoke with a hint of shyness and panic.
She tried to present herself as an ordinary girl who had suddenly been called upon, subconsciously wanting to push away this “overwhelmingly dazzling” possibility.
If the so-called S rank is likened to a prince in a fairy tale, then Nagi was trying her best to act like Cinderella who had not yet received her magic.
“N-No, that’s not possible… S-S rank senior, how could I possibly disturb him…”
Nagi lowered her head slightly, fidgeting with the hem of her uniform skirt, subtly revealing the complex emotions of “infatuation” and “timidity.”
This scene made the professor let out a gentle sigh, a warm smile appearing on his face.
“It’s alright. As I said, he is surely looking forward to attending the banquet with such a beautiful junior as Amane-san.” After comforting her with a smile, the professor freed Nagi from the data entry task before her.
“Let’s call it a day for today, Amane-san, and you should prepare to enjoy tonight’s freshman banquet, okay?”
The unexpected development left Nagi unable to focus on her plans to improve her likability for the day.
She slightly bowed to say goodbye to the professor and left the main teaching building.
As soon as she stepped out the door.
Nagi could no longer contain her curiosity and, with lips moving ever so slightly, whispered a question only Shūen Nagakage could hear:
“What does it mean to be ahead of the other two S ranks? Is there something you haven’t told me?”
[Because I felt it was unrelated to you, Master—however, if you wish to know, I can tell you everything, okay?] Shūen Nagakage’s voice was unusually calm, a stark contrast to her usual teasing tone.
[Simply put—]
[Are you unfamiliar with presidential elections?]
……
……
The three remaining S rank superpowered individuals are an extension, or rather a new form, of the “Protagonist Candidate” plan by Special Circumstances SEMA and the three major academies.
After the death of “Seigaku Nagi,” the protagonist recorded in the “Book of the Future.”
The position of the “protagonist” has been completely vacated.
There is no longer a need to follow what the “Book of the Future” or any other information states.
The meaning of the “protagonist” gradually changed, from a target for fantasy monsters to a “leader,” a savior who can lead humanity in this era to combat fantasy monsters.
This position represents unimaginable power and resources—
Thus, whether it’s Special Circumstances SEMA or the three major academies, they disclose their internal protagonist candidates publicly, deciding through various methods or data similar to “approval ratings” who will ultimately become that singular savior.
Since Special Circumstances SEMA has now established a close collaboration with Tsuki Academy, there are currently only three protagonist candidates, the three current S rank superpowered individuals.
As Shūen Nagakage mentioned.
This is an “election,” or perhaps a “cultivation of spirit.”
And as of now, Kanade Tsukimi is the most favored within Special Circumstances SEMA and the three major academies, with many considering her the “true protagonist,” especially since another strong competitor for S rank, “Ningkou,” has never taken public action.
In contrast.
Kanade’s nationwide pursuit of Shūen has made his image even more prominent and reliable in the eyes of the superpowered individuals.
So the professor’s reaction to Nagi earlier was not surprising—Kanade Tsukimi is now the brightest hero in the eyes of superpowered individuals. Which young girl wouldn’t be amazed to find herself attending a banquet with an unreachable hero?
[Simply put, I am being overshadowed by your fiancé’s astonishing achievements, and I now strongly request to apply for occupational injury compensation.]
Shūen Nagakage summarized.
Even through the earpiece, one could almost visualize her raising her arms to complain.
Nagi ignored Shūen Nagakage’s antics and felt an uneasy apprehension regarding the news she had just learned, though she didn’t know where this feeling was coming from.
Until Shūen Nagakage regained her calm tone—
[This world is about to face an unbeatable existence, while Special Circumstances SEMA and the three major academies are still engaged in power struggles, Master, is this the world you hope to save?]
[Even your fiancé, he may have already forgotten you, and now only sees power and status—]
“…?” At these words, Nagi stopped in her tracks, a feeling within her that she herself could not identify flooded her heart.
She seemed to vaguely understand why Shūen Nagakage had not told her this.
Because after realizing this, she felt an unwarranted sharp pain within her soul.
—Is this… the feeling of being forgotten by the one you love most?
She stood by the railing at the end of the plaza.
Ahead, there was an endless expanse of azure sea.
The shimmering waves looked like billions of scattered stars in the water, shining almost unreal under the sunlight.
At that moment—Nagi decided to accept the professor’s suggestion.
She wished to see him again, even if he no longer remembered her—
