The Former Swordmaster Who Pretends to Be the Worst, and the School’s Top-Ranked Chairman’s Daughter Who’s Way Too Sweet in Public, It’s a Real Problem
“…………So, how did it come to this?”
—After school, the four of us had headed out into town.
With three strikingly handsome and beautiful people and one ordinary guy, all eyes naturally turned to us. They stood out enough as it was, so I really wished they’d cut me some slack.
However, perhaps I was partly to blame.
“Decide who’s number one among the three of you!!”
Even when they pressed me like that, I should have snapped at them to stop fighting.
But I guess I had no choice. With all that attention on us, it would have taken a lot of guts to scold three people who were furious like that. Plus, if I’d done something like that, the peace I so desperately craved would never come back.
“Haa… I don’t know, really.”
I’m tagging along because I’m aware that part of this is my own doing.
I watched the three of them walking ahead, arguing, and let out a sigh, trying not to be noticed.
At that moment—
“…Hm?”
—What is it?
Just a little bit, but I sensed an atmosphere different from the usual Tokyo.
Perhaps I could describe it as something that pricked my skin; that ominous sensation seemed to brush faintly against my cheek. Still, it was nothing more than a vague premonition.
If anything, the most prickly atmosphere was coming from the three people ahead of us…
“That’s why! I spoke with him in person!”
“So what? You’ve only been with him for a few days!”
“Oh, you’re all talk. I’ve been with Saito-kun since we were kids, you know?”
Forgetting they were in public, they were shouting their arguments at the top of their lungs.
Or perhaps I’d just been swept up in their energy. Thinking that, I started walking again after having stopped.
And for some reason, I caught up to the three of them arguing over me,
“You guys, why don’t you just calm down for a second…?”
Sagging my shoulders in defeat, I stepped in to mediate.
◆
“Alright then, let’s start with this!”
“I see. I don’t have much experience, but I won’t lose.”
“Hmph, I’ll accept the challenge in the name of the Lyhumburg family!”
“Don’t stake your family’s proud name on something as trivial as bowling, okay…?”
And so, the three of us decided on our first event: bowling at the entertainment facility.
It was quite different from the bowling I’d known back in the day—it had some ridiculous rules, like allowing magical manipulation of the balls. Naturally, that put Rika and Edward, who were skilled in magic, at an advantage—but—
“—Is that really okay with you, Takanashi?”
“Hmph! Don’t you dare underestimate me!!”
Just to be sure, I asked her, and Takanashi puffed out her tiny frame as much as she could.
“Even back when I was little, they used to call me ‘Azu-chan the Ball Roller’!!”
“What kind of nickname is that…!?”
It sounded completely implausible, but I found myself unintentionally intimidated by her confidence.
As we chatted, me making these kinds of snide remarks, it seemed the two ahead of us were ready. Rika and Edward had each prepared a ball of the appropriate weight.
And the first to go was,
“Well then, let me show you the true power of a noble family!”
“…Through bowling?”
It was Edward, the “Red Boy.”
He wound up the ball with a beautiful form and released it with a fluid, efficient step. Then, in a move so textbook-perfect it was breathtaking, he knocked down every single pin.
It was a strike so flawless.
Rika and I couldn’t help but clap as we greeted him.
“Well, what do you think, Saito? I’ve become a bit more of a worthy rival, haven’t I?”
“…No, I mean, bowling?”
While teasing Edward, who was wearing a smug look, I glanced over at Rika, who was waiting for her turn.
My childhood friend took a deep breath before setting up for a light throw.
Then, with an awkward form, she released the ball—
“—Huh!”
She used telekinesis to correct the ball’s trajectory, which had veered off to the side.
The ball, now with increased momentum, hit the pins right on target. As someone familiar with traditional bowling, it felt a bit underhanded, but this was the reality of the modern world where magic existed.
As I clapped to welcome her back, just as I had before, Rika—
“—Hmm!”
“Oh, oh…?”
She muttered something briefly, pressed her body against mine, and lightly nuzzled my head.
As I stood there bewildered, she puffed out her cheeks in a slight pout and said,
“…You’re going to praise me, right?”
“Seriously… I guess I have no choice.”
I let out a sigh and stroked her head with a wry smile. Paying me no mind, Takanashi stood up eagerly, determined that it was her turn next.
Looking at her, I saw she was holding a ball that was clearly disproportionately heavy.
Just as I was wondering if she’d be okay, I watched as—
“Heh, hehehe… You can’t underestimate me!”
—Though she wobbled slightly, she threw it with a surprisingly elegant form.
Without even watching where the ball went, she turned back to us with a smug look on her face. The way she strolled back with such composure was that of a true champion, and Rika, Edward, and I all gasped involuntarily.
Then, after Takanashi gave a small laugh,
“Hmph, this is what true skill looks like!”
She raised her arm to the sky and snapped her fingers.
Then, at that very moment—
[—Thud!]
The ball, which had been rolling slowly as if swimming, fell into the right-hand groove.
An indescribable silence hung between us.
Amidst it all, Takanashi looked smug—
“—What do you think?!”
“‘What do you think’… not that!! That was a total gutter ball, wasn’t it?!”
Hearing her blurt that out, I shouted back at the top of my lungs.
Maiban