A hero who wants to help others wants to live a normal life - Chapter 26

Chapter 26   Doji of the Hoshiguma

Monday, about a week after the day of my first club activity and the attack.

“Hey, Sei.”

Life had mostly returned to normal, and the commotion from that day was no longer a big topic of conversation. As I was walking down the hallway alone, Toko—no, Hoshiguma—called out to me.

“Hm? Oh, Hoshiguma. What’s up?”

Though we’re classmates, we weren’t particularly close. During breaks like lunchtime, she’d usually hang out with Kujou and the others, and for the past week, Hoshiguma hadn’t spoken to me at all. At most, we’d exchange greetings if we ran into each other.

So, why was she talking to me now?

I wasn’t upset about it or anything. After all, we have different personalities, and it’s natural for each of us to hang out with our own friends. I was just genuinely curious—why now?

“Well, it’s not like there’s any special reason. We haven’t really talked since then, and you looked like you were alone, so I thought I’d chat for a bit.”

“Is that so… Sorry about that.”

Remembering what happened that day, I decided to take the opportunity to apologize.

“Huh? Wh-what for?”

“For what happened that day. You were having fun at first, right? But then it ended the way it did, so I feel bad.”

“Oh, that? You don’t need to apologize for that. It’s not your fault those weirdos attacked us.”

“Sure, the attack wasn’t my fault, but after that, things with the Saint got a bit… awkward, didn’t they?”

Getting attacked was out of my control, and I wasn’t planning to apologize for that. But because of the argument with the Saint afterward, the atmosphere was horrible. We couldn’t even celebrate defeating the enemies properly. That part was definitely on me. If I hadn’t gotten into that argument, we might’ve been able to laugh it off and say, “Wow, that was tough, but we did well.”

“Oh, right… But if you realized that, why’d you act the way you did? You could’ve just handled it normally, right? Even if you thought whatever you were thinking, you could’ve kept it to yourself.”

“Well, I’ve got some issues with that kind of skill. That’s why I got a bit emotional.”

I don’t mind the fact that the Saint was using a healing skill. It’s just that that particular skill… it stirred something inside me. It made me uneasy, and I couldn’t help but speak up.

Looking back on it now, I realize I said something unnecessary. But at that moment, I couldn’t hold back. That’s why I ended up saying something thoughtless.

“Anyway, I’m sorry. And while we’re at it, you should probably stay away from me. I appreciate you talking to me, but if you’re seen with me, you’ll probably get on the Saint’s bad side, or her friends’ too. Considering your family, it’s smarter to side with them than with me, right?”

Right now, I’m someone the Saint doesn’t like. In class, she avoids eye contact, and even when our eyes do meet, she quickly looks away. Sometimes, I feel a cold gaze from her direction.

Hoshiguma comes from the ‘Hoshiguma family,’ and it’s not a good look to be hanging around with someone who’s on the bad side of a foreign princess. For people like Kujou, who are on the same level as her, or those who interact with my sister, Inori, it’s different. But Hoshiguma isn’t in that position.

“That’s… wait, why are you calling me ‘Hoshiguma’ all of a sudden? You weren’t doing that before.”

“I told you, if we’re too friendly, people will notice.”

“But we’re already friends, right? They know that too, don’t they? No way they’re gonna start giving me a hard time just because we’re hanging out. And seriously, switching up how you act toward me now is super awkward.”

Well, she had a point. Even if the Saint doesn’t like me, I doubt she’d take it out on the people around me. But her friends or followers might take matters into their own hands and act on her behalf, even without her saying anything.

“I appreciate you calling us friends, but we’ve only hung out twice.”

“Does that really matter? Whether it’s the first time or the second time, if we get along and have fun, that’s enough, right?”

I could feel my lips curling into a smile. It was a relief to hear her call me a friend, even knowing that I was on the Saint’s bad side. I was grateful that my first club partner had been Hoshiguma.

But at the same time, I didn’t want to cause trouble for someone as kind as her. So, I decided to offer a compromise.

“Okay, I get it. But try not to interact with me too much during normal times.”

“Huh? I just said I don’t want to––––”

“But if you ever need to fight, call me.”

“Huh?”

Hoshiguma tilted her head, confused by what I said.

“Our skills worked pretty well together during that fight, right? If we team up, we can take on anyone. Even your parents.”

“Th-that’s… w-wait, you heard about my family?”

Her eyes widened in confusion, clearly surprised by my comment. And that was natural—Hoshiguma hadn’t told me anything about her family.

I figured hanging around me might cause trouble for her, so I asked Kiriya about what kind of family Hoshiguma came from.

Looking back, I realized that it wasn’t something I should’ve dug into behind her back. I regretted it afterward, but hearing about her family situation only reinforced my belief that it was better for her not to get involved with me.

“Well, yeah, more or less. Sorry about that.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s not like I was trying to hide it. Everyone knows, so you could’ve easily found out just by asking. After all, I’m the ‘Doji of the Hoshiguma.’”

The “Doji of the Hoshiguma”—that’s the nickname associated with Toko. It’s not exactly a compliment.

The Hoshiguma family has a tradition of inheriting the same skill as the person who first gained a blessing in the earliest days of the blessings’ appearance. The entire family is subjected to an almost brainwashing-level education to ensure they all manifest the same skill. If anyone develops a different skill, even if they’re from the main bloodline, they’re sent off to a branch family.

Toko Hoshiguma did manifest the skill, but it was incomplete. When she uses her skill, the “golden eyes” that are supposed to appear don’t show up. Because of this, she’s considered incomplete, a half-measure. That’s why she’s mocked with the nickname based on the legendary oni ‘Shuten Dōji,’ twisting her family name and her abilities.

Because of all this, Hoshiguma’s relationship with her family seemed strained.

“Even so, who cares? So what if your skill’s incomplete? You’re still stronger than me.”

I’m a ‘Blessed,’ but my ability is a long-range type, so my physical abilities aren’t that great. If we got into a fistfight, she’d beat me in no time.

“You don’t have to fight alone. I’ll help you out, as a friend.”

Fighting is all about surviving. There’s no rule that says you have to win alone. As long as you win, it doesn’t matter if you get help. Having friends to back you up is a kind of strength too, right?

“…Thanks.”

Hoshiguma muttered shyly, looking away. Seeing her like that, I couldn’t help but feel warm inside, and a smile crept onto my face.

Noticing my reaction, Hoshiguma shot me a glare and, as if to cover her embarrassment, yelled out.

“Ugh, this is so embarrassing! This isn’t even the kind of thing I usually say!”

“Hey, don’t say that. You’re not the only one embarrassed here. I feel pretty awkward too.”

Sure, she’s embarrassed, but so am I. What joy is there in saying something so straightforward like, “I’ll help you as a friend”?

“But you’ll still help me as a friend, right?”

“Yeah, I’ll help out the little ‘dōji’ who’s still just a kid.”

“Then, I’ll count on you when the time comes. Oh, and can you go back to how you used to call me? I get it about the Saint, but just when it’s the two of us, okay? We’re friends, after all, right?”

“…Yeah, I guess that much is fine. We are friends, after all.”

Saying “friends” over and over made it seem funny, and I guess Toko—no, Hoshiguma—felt the same way. We looked at each other and burst into laughter.

As long as we didn’t act too friendly in front of others, it should be fine, I thought, and agreed casually. Well, whatever happens, happens.

“Besides, doesn’t it feel kinda like we’re dating or something? Changing how we call each other when we’re alone?”

“Toko, you could easily get yourself a boyfriend, with or without me.”

“Maybe, but the way you say that makes me sound like I’m easy or something!”

Laughing again, we kept exchanging lighthearted banter.