Ch.296Academy Festival (1)

After finishing the temple stay, we returned home. Our daily lives had resumed as before.

“Okay. Let’s keep it this way.”

I checked the rankings of the novel I was writing. It was fluctuating between 3rd and 4th place, somehow managing to hold its position.

‘Even I find it entertaining….’

Since it was a work filled with all my preferences and simultaneously an autobiographical story, I didn’t feel any resistance to writing it.

Plus… there were special benefits related to novel writing. It was thanks to my talent as a reincarnated hero writer. My writing skills didn’t dramatically improve, but whenever I tried to write something absurdly unrealistic, warning signals would go off in my brain. Thanks to that, I avoided the inevitable mental breakdowns that come with long-term serialization. That’s how I was able to defend my ranking.

The contest would close in a week anyway. At this rate, winning a prize was guaranteed.

“Wow. After all that’s happened, you’ve written over 100 chapters. That’s amazing.”

Mika said, resting her chin on my shoulder.

“Heh. I wrote whenever I had time.”

I replied with a smile.

“Shota is surprisingly diligent, isn’t he?”

Eri said with a smile.

“Well… when I look at all of you, I can’t help but work hard.”

That’s what I said.

I had many family members to support. I had to do my best somehow.

“Yes, yes. Our Shota is doing great.”

Eri opened her arms.

“Hueeeeng… Eri mama…”

I immediately nuzzled my face against Eri’s chocolate-flavored bosom. Ah… all my fatigue melted away.

“Really… when Shota is with Eri, he strangely reverts to being a child.”

Umi said.

“Eri. Don’t indulge him too much.”

Kana said sharply.

“Why not? He’s cute.”

Eri smiled and gently stroked my head. Hehehe… so healing.

———

Afterward, I headed to the kendo dojo as usual. After sparring with Kana and Thumbs-up Man, I entered a match with Gonzaemon.

“My disciple!! I heard you’ve been neglecting your training because you’re obsessed with women… I’ll train you properly.”

Gonzaemon spoke with a slightly disapproving tone. He seemed displeased that I was spending so much time with women other than Umi.

Hmm… I can understand that. But then again, Umi is satisfied with the situation, so he can’t really say anything.

“By the way, Master. Belated congratulations on having a daughter.”

I said to Gonzaemon.

Umi’s little sister was born successfully. Gonzaemon’s complexion had improved significantly because of it. Umi also kept photos of her little sister on her phone. She must be cute.

“Shota. Don’t you dare touch my little sister in the future, okay?”

Umi, sitting in the spectator seats, smiled at me as she spoke.

“Come on. What do you take me for?”

I joked.

“I heard from Eri… that you charmed Eri’s little sisters with your demonic appeal.”

Umi said with an expression that showed she wasn’t convinced at all.

“Besides… there’s Madoka too. Shota… don’t you have a thing for shorter girls?”

Umi said.

“Aish!! What do you mean shorter girls?!”

I immediately corrected the misunderstanding.

Anyway.

“Master. Congratulations on your daughter, and I hope you walk a path of flowers from now on.”

I smiled at Gonzaemon as I spoke.

“Ahhh!!! Don’t suddenly say such kind words!! You’re weakening my resolve to beat you under the guise of training!!”

Gonzaemon immediately got angry.

“But thank you!!”

Gonzaemon expressed his gratitude. Yes, the fact that he can immediately show gratitude proves he’s a straightforward person.

“Anyway!! Come at me!! My disciple!!”

Gonzaemon immediately took his stance.

“Best of three, right?”

I also took the same stance as Gonzaemon. Being in a master-disciple relationship, I had no choice.

“Uhahaha!! What does it matter if it’s best of three? You won’t even win one round against me anyway.”

Gonzaemon laughed heartily. He’s so confident, this guy.

“Ufufu. My husband is excited. He really likes Shota.”

Asuna-san, displaying beauty that one would never think possible for a woman who had given birth to two children, chuckled. Somehow… our mother-in-law seemed to be growing more beautiful by the day. She looked filled with the satisfaction of a woman loved by a man.

“Here I come!!!”

Gonzaemon, strengthening his body with the Incandescent Stance, immediately closed the distance toward me.

“Uryaaah!!!”

I couldn’t lose in spirit either. I also strengthened my body with the Incandescent Stance.

Chaeng-! Chaeng-!! Chaeng-!

My sword and Gonzaemon’s clashed with tremendous force.

Kwagagagagaang-!!!

The sword wind from our blades scattered in all directions.

“Kugh…!! Such overwhelming pressure…!”

The other disciples staggered back from the aura.

The only ones who could withstand it were Kana, Thumbs-up Man… and Asuna-san. What exactly is Asuna-san?

“You’re strong!! But that’s all!!”

Chaeng-!!

Gonzaemon deflected my sword greatly and swung his sword widely.

However, I had significantly improved my specs in the dream dungeon. Moreover… I had crossed swords with Gonzaemon countless times. Being human, Gonzaemon couldn’t help but have patterns or routines.

I knew that Gonzaemon habitually delivered a strong head strike after a five-hit combo. I had been waiting for the moment he would launch that strong head strike.

Chaeng-!

I perfectly deflected the bamboo sword. Sparks flew as the swords collided.

“Wait… do bamboo swords normally create sparks when they collide?”

Umi casually raised an objection.

“What are you talking about? It’s common sense in our field.”

Kana looked at me with eyes that seemed to be looking at an ignorant being.

“What exactly… is kendo?”

Umi muttered in disbelief.

Having perfectly deflected the attack, a gap appeared in Gonzaemon’s stance.

“Uryaaah!”

If not now, there would be no other chance. Convinced of this, I immediately thrust my sword.

Paang-!!!!

The head strike cleanly hit Gonzaemon’s head.

“Point!!!”

Asuna-san shouted excitedly.

“Hey!! Referee!!!”

Unable to accept that he had lost a point to his disciple, Gonzaemon waved his hands noisily and shouted.

Wait… even if it’s a kendo match, you can’t talk like it’s soccer…

However, Gonzaemon knew. It was clear that I had scored a point.

“Alright!! Next round!!!”

It seemed that Gonzaemon’s competitive spirit had been ignited. He didn’t like the idea of losing a point to his disciple.

“Master!! You should praise your disciple who has grown!!”

I shouted loudly.

“Ah!! I’ll thank you later!!!”

Gonzaemon shouted as he charged at me.

As expected, beating Gonzaemon was still beyond me. I lost the next two rounds in a row.

———-

Anyway, daily life continued in that manner.

With final exams over and the semester coming to an end, everyone was in a somewhat relaxed mood.

“Now, we have the school festival coming up soon. In other words, it’s like a cultural festival at other schools. A festival, a festival.”

Our homeroom teacher announced, radiating a happy aura all around.

It’s nice that our teacher is happy, but… I kind of miss the spicy flavor of our old homeroom teacher. The teacher was really fun back then.

But if they’re happy, that’s okay.

“It’s an event where outside guests come too. It’s an important event that determines the image of our school. Let’s all put in our best effort.”

Our teacher made a truly god-tier statement.

“Teacher… you’re too dazzling…!!”

I couldn’t help but squint my eyes.

“Shota, this bastard is acting up again…”

Kana looked at me in disbelief. Originally, Kana’s seat was far from mine, but for some reason, she was sitting near me. Her friends had given up their seats for her.

Thumbs up!

Kana’s friends behind us gave a thumbs up. Kana… you have good friends.

“Teacher, are you going to bring your girlfriend too?”

One student asked.

“Yes. I thought a workplace date would be nice.”

Our teacher smiled as they spoke. They’ve really improved a lot, our teacher.

“Besides… she’s not just my girlfriend anymore… we’re planning to get married. My wife is pregnant.”

Our teacher scratched their cheek shyly.

“Wow!! Speed violation!!!”

“Congratulations!!”

All the students in the class congratulated our teacher.

“Hehehe. Thank you.”

Our teacher smiled brightly.

“Kugh… Teacher. I’m so happy for you…!”

Having witnessed our teacher’s growth, I couldn’t help but shed tears. Is this really the same nerdy teacher from before… my heart felt truly grand.

It was almost like watching Leicester City’s success story. Jamie Vardy scoring in 11 consecutive games, Leicester City winning the championship… that emotion was revived.

“Anyway, each class needs to put on an exhibition, but what should we do? Students who prioritize club exhibitions can skip, but I’d like those in the go-home club to put in some effort.”

Our teacher said.

“Maid cafe!!”

“Hehehe! That’s it!!”

The boys immediately tried to control public opinion.

Maid cafe… it sounds good, but… something doesn’t feel right.

“I’m jealous.”

I said just one sentence. I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of my girlfriends wearing maid outfits and flirting with other men.

“Kyaa! Our boyfriend is jealous!!”

Umi giggled and threw herself into my arms.

“Don’t worry. I’ll wear the maid outfit for you at home.”

Eri smiled and kissed my cheek.

“Maid outfits… men are the worst.”

“Yeah. Not doing it.”

The opinions filled with obvious desires were immediately rejected by the girls.

“A maid cafe is… a bit much. Isn’t there something else?”

Our teacher guided us toward a more wholesome exhibition. Right. There are annoying laws like student regulations. Japan is often called a sexually advanced country, but there are surprisingly strict rules in that area.

“How about a pro wrestling cafe? We make a ring in the classroom and have people fight each other!!”

Tina raised her hand and expressed her extremely personal preference.

This… might be fun? That’s what I thought.

“No violence!! Please!! Something wholesome! The student dean will scold me…”

Our teacher shouted loudly.

What should we do… while pondering this, I immediately came up with a brilliant idea.

“Ah! I know! How about an augmented reality game cafe? We borrow a few of the new game consoles, Kunacon, made by Kunami Company, and demonstrate them!”

I shouted loudly. I figured I could probably persuade Madoka if I tried.

“But… isn’t that expensive? I can’t cover the costs.”

Our teacher frowned.

“Oh! It’s fine! I happen to have connections with Kunami.”

I said with a smile.

“Shota… what exactly are you?”

Our teacher looked at me in disbelief.

“I’ll call right now.”

I immediately made a phone call.

“Madoka. About the Kunacon… Yeah. Yeah. Can I borrow a few? Got it.”

Madoka immediately gave the okay sign.

“She says it’s fine.”

I immediately reported back.

“……..”

All the students in the class looked at me with expressions of disbelief.

Then, everyone praised me.

“Sho-wang!!! Sho-wang!!! Sho-wang!!!”

“Shota is the best!!”

Everyone cheered. Yes. They must want to play augmented reality games too. It’s quite expensive to buy the full set. Although it sells well, not many people actually own one.

And so, the exhibition item was immediately decided.

————