kscans

Chapter 557 - The Point of No Return

For all students, attending school is fundamentally a voluntary act.

Some may be prompted by parents, friends, or even teachers due to various circumstances. But in the end, they go 'for their own sake'.

So, this, for example, must be an incredibly rare experience, even on a global scale.

"Thank you for taking the time to come."

"No, no, not at all…"

Being summoned to school by the very top of the institution—the university president herself—is a completely bewildering situation.

Incidentally, today is Monday. A day I should be coming to school whether I'm told to or not.

Therefore, I had already prepared to come to school without being contacted, and normally, I would be in a lecture hall right now, diligently deepening my knowledge, not in the president's office…

"I'm so sorry to take up your precious time. Something urgent came up that required your immediate attention… Oh, snacks. Please, help yourself."

Why am I currently being offered some unknown brand of sweets by a royal madam?

"Ah, um, well, yes. Thank you…"

As I went through a familiar exchange, the ever-smiling President Kunori glanced to the side.

Following her gaze, I saw the dean, who, just like before, was also beaming—and, well, it's like this.

As a young man who has seen a fair share of different people, I flatter myself that I've honed my skills in distinguishing the 'types' of smiles people have.

So, I feel like I can vaguely discern the 'inner workings' of these two's smiles… but no, I really can't sense any malice or ulterior motives at all.

It feels like they're genuinely praising me, or rather, there's an atmosphere of almost unconditional affirmation. In other words, I can't help but feel that they truly see me as 'superior'…

Frankly, at this point, it's just scary.

I'm aware that I'm steadily drifting away from the framework of an ordinary person, but at my core, I'm just an introverted eighteen-year-old boy who has lived over ninety percent of his life thinking he was average.

I wish they would hold back a little. I'm so intimidated that I feel like I'm about to lose my ability to speak.

This is on a whole other level than being a 'ranker' in a virtual world. These are the 'top brass of the university I attend'. The reality of it is too strong, and there's no escaping the tension—

—and so, while my thoughts wandered aimlessly in an attempt to escape reality,

President Kunori nodded to the dean, who then gently placed a small 'box' on the table. It was made of what looked like high-quality material, a slightly thick rectangle.

"Um…?"

"A gift for you, from an anonymous person."

"…"

Here we go again, another incomprehensibly scary development—I barely managed to stop myself from sighing and looking up at the ceiling.

"An anonymous person."

Who could that be?

I swallowed the question that was about to reflexively escape my lips, for a certain reason.

It wasn't that I was giving in to the two pairs of eyes urging me on. I simply resigned myself to the fact that 'there is no escape', took the proffered box, and opened it with a blank mind.

For the past two months or so, I've been using a case of a similar size quite often. So, for some reason, even before opening it, I had a vague idea of the 'contents'—ah, there it is.

It looks just like the glasses my friends picked out for my disguise.

Swallowing a myriad of emotions for the umpteenth time, I put it on and said one thing.

"—Do they suit me?"

"Yes, they do—you look like a completely different person."

President Kunori smiled, looking satisfied and somewhat relieved. The dean, nodding vigorously, seemed to share her opinion… so, well, that's what it is.

I just heard something similar somewhere recently, after all.

"…I saw the video that was uploaded at midnight this morning."

"Is that so…"

Quick on the draw, or rather, quick on the watch. I wonder if they ended up pulling an all-nighter gathering information because of that.

If so, their stamina rivals that of my friends, who worked non-stop to finish the 'video' in a single day. I hope they take care of themselves.

Incidentally, I've already disconnected from the internet.

So I'm out of the loop regarding the public's reaction and all that, but judging from her expression… and from the fact that this was sent to me by someone,

"Considering the level of attention from the public, and from the world… I suppose such 'magic' will become necessary from now on."

"…Haha."

It seems that this 'step' has reached far and wide, like the stride of a heavenly storm.

"On this occasion, I will state it plainly. It is an honor for us to be involved with you—of course, on the premise that you, Kasuga-san, are willing."

"…"

"If you need anything, please rely on us. We promise our even more unstinting cooperation."

"…I'll be in your care, then."

It seems that I have truly crossed the point of no return.

…Is it too late for that?

Well, yeah—it is, isn't it?