Chapter 730 - Full of Aspiration
"Whoa, everyone's so fired up."
"Except for one person?"
"I don't know about that. Compared to previous years, Mei-chan seems to have a bit more motivation, don't you think?"
And so, while watching the inhuman war on the screen, the girls exchanged remarks in an extremely peaceful, casual chat. Even though Ui-san and Iris had lit a fire under them, I could still feel the difference in their composure and attitude in moments like these.
You three are way too calm. I'm trembling just watching my two friends go at it in a super-serious battle. As for the other two, I have no idea what they're even doing—
"They're amazing, those guys…"
The words slipped out, an unintentional mutter tinged with my true feelings. The sharp-eared redhead caught it, tilting her head. "Huh?"
"Says the guy who caught up to them in just a few months?"
Well, she had a point. In terms of my position or pure combat ability, perhaps I could be conceited enough to say I'm 'on their level'... but that's not what I meant.
"It's not about that, it's more like... the aura they give off is different."
"The aura they give off?"
"Like their presence, or their gravitas."
"What are you talking about?"
Judging by the tilted heads from both red and blue, it might be something difficult to convey to others. Or perhaps, this kind of sentiment is unique to boys.
It wasn't just Irori and Uni that made me feel it. It was the same for [Thread-Weaver] and [Screen] who fought earlier, and in fact, it was something I felt equally for all the senior rankers in every match so far, regardless of victory or defeat.
Every single one of them is just so cool. They have a depth that I lack.
Irori, seriously, what's his deal? I know he held a real sword even in real life, but how did he acquire the skills of an invincible master swordsman in just a few years? And the way he perfectly understands and proudly boasts about his own abilities is so refreshing it's irritatingly handsome. That perfect superhuman Blonde Samurai.
And Uni's the same. Seriously, what's his deal? How did a man who was just a nice young chef before his debut manage to keep the rank of #2, the pinnacle of pinnacles, ever since the ranking system was established? He must have had talent, of course, but what's more astounding is the sheer density of his self-training. I read an interview with him the other day, and his training menu was beyond stoic.
They're both fundamentally different types of people than me. At the very least, I couldn't do what they do—push myself to the limit to reach greater heights without a second thought. Our mentalities are on completely different levels.
Maybe it's just a case of the grass being greener on the other side, but—
"Those stoic aliens. They have no idea what it's like for the junior who's desperately chasing after them."
Every time I watch my great seniors on stage, I'm forcibly reminded of my respect and admiration for them. It's exhausting. They praise me to no end, but they truly 'have no idea.'
And then…
"Eh? So you had the mentality of someone chasing after them, big brother? Huh."
"Of course I do. I've never once looked down on my seniors."
"I just thought you were flying around without a care in the world."
"If my mentality were that invincible, my daily life would be a lot more peaceful, you know."
"At the very least, I didn't think I was the one being chased anymore."
"What are you talking about? You're the one who takes two-tenths of my health in a fair 'ready, set, go' fight. To be honest, I get genuinely depressed every time you beat me down from a super-advantageous position."
They're all like this, so from my position of wanting to meet their expectations, it's honestly quite stressful. Which is why I don't have the leisure to watch the stage as casually as my seniors.
I have to watch, learn, and apply it to myself. I can't afford to miss my studies—and then,
"Hmph. So that's why you were watching with such a serious face. Makes sense, makes sense. Good boy, good boy."
"So serious. Admirable."
"Hmm… If you showed that side of yourself more often, I think you'd be more popular, Haru-kun."
"I'd rather not… Hey, you little brats, stop messing with me in weird ways, don't pat my head—when did you even sneak over here!?"
"Fufun! Don't underestimate your great senpais! Baka baka!"
"Are you a grade schooler…?!"
Because every single one of them is like this, I find myself wanting to meet their expectations, even while thinking it's impossible and exhausting… Which means, one more time.
"Now then… I wonder who will win."
I'll be sure to burn the heroic figures of my great seniors into my 'memory.'
A protagonist who easily admires others, fundamentally possessing a junior's disposition.
On another note, I have a fever and I'm dying. The headache and chills are insane. Updates might have a lower word count for a few days, please bear with me.