You’re Right, They’ll Expel Me if I Run into the Store with a Weapon!! - Chapter 55: Why Do All the Ranked Fighters…

“Please, Shiori-san!”

“Please team up with us!”

The location is the rooftop of the Combat School’s high division.

Shiori could see two whirlwinds in their eyes.

“I was planning to team up with a student prepared by the principal, but is it okay? If you team up with me and participate…”

“We want to participate with Shiori-san! It would be a learning experience to see Shiori-san up close!”

“We’re okay with throwing away our ratings for that!”

The two expressed their intentions with a loud voice, and Shiori let out a sigh with an indescribable expression. However, their words felt sincere.

“…Understood.”

With a timid voice, after a silence, Shiori responded to the two with a bright voice. At this, the two raised voices of joy, and Shiori also smiled.

The two were men and women who temporarily teamed up during a previous bank security mission, possessing “Clairvoyance” and “Gravity Control” abilities, respectively. They are from the same school year.

“But is it okay? Promotions are also considered for ranking by showcasing your appeal.”

Promotions had their roles.

First, to show the skill levels of current students to new students, providing them with a model to learn from.

Second, to earn evaluations by showcasing one’s abilities during the event.

In other words, the possibility of entering the ranks is included in this event. And if there is a team with a ranked fighter, it’s natural that the focus would be on who performs well and who attracts attention. Naturally, there’s only one.

“Don’t you want to aim for the rankings?”

“To say that, Shiori-san…”

The two showed somber faces as if remembering something.

“…Sorry.”

With a wry smile, Shiori murmured.

She had rampaged. She had destroyed. She had been unmatched.

That was Shiori’s first promotion after accepting her rank.

The result was she had been the winner of the previous time.

“After seeing that battle, no students aim for the rankings anymore. Even at the lowest rank, that was it. Most people participate in the event just for a trial of strength.”

“I’m really sorry. There were various reasons at that time… Anyway, sorry.”

“With that in mind, we’ll learn a lot this time!”

In front of the enthusiastic girl and the boy with serious eyes, Shiori said, “Understood,” and vowed to show the best fight in this event.

◆

“Entering, Principal.”

“Huh? It’s rare for you to come to visit.”

The location is the principal’s office.

The man who showed up with a bright voice had hair of mixed, changing colors. He was dressed in a long-sleeved white shirt and black jeans, with a sword in a black sheath at his waist.

“I came to ask about the preparations for the upcoming promotion. I heard you were having a tough time.”

“It’s not going smoothly. We’ve made quite a few changes to the rules this time.”

“That sounds like it’ll only add more gray hairs.”

The man smiled at the principal, who showed a troubled face. He approached and peered into the open laptop screen.

“What’s the trouble?”

“The safety of the students, dealing with ‘Over-Attacks’ and ‘accidental incidents.'”

The principal mentioned these issues with a strained voice, problems he had been wrestling with for the past few days. Though the event is publicly announced as such, it’s a training exercise. Naturally, accidents must be considered.

“That’s tough… What about the measures against life-threatening situations caused by bullets?”

“We’ve completed those. However, they don’t guarantee the safety of the students completely…”

“It’s supposed to be a training session, after all. You don’t need to be so certain.”

“…Hmm.”

There’s some truth to what he said. Indeed, training that guarantees safety lacks something. The sense of security that comes from safety can reduce fear, which in turn can diminish the mental strength needed to face challenges.

With a determined look, the principal started typing on the keyboard.

Seeing this, the man smirked.

“About the two problems you mentioned first.”

“Hm?”

“Shall I solve them for you?”

The man spoke lightly, offering to resolve the principal’s issues easily.

“I want to participate in this promotion too, as a staff member.”

“That’s fine, but how will you solve it… Ah.”

“I think you know, but if I do it, I can act immediately. If a participant gets seriously injured, I’ll rescue them, and if there’s a dangerous fight, I can stop it immediately.”

“Indeed, that would…”

Seeing the principal’s slightly brighter expression, the man muttered with a thin smile.

“In exchange, I have a request. Could I be the commentator as a condition? I’ll help with other tasks too.”

“A commentator… Are you planning something?”

“…”

“You are planning something.”

The principal, the top authority at the combat school, knew well what kind of thoughts the man in front of him harbored. Thus, he deduced that there was some scheme.

“What are you planning this time?”

“I just want to spice up the grim training, that’s all. Our interests align, don’t they?”

It sounded like a good reason, but knowing the man who proposed it, the principal gazed at him with an unwavering eye.

With little time left until the event and the man’s cooperation promising a solution to the problems, the principal was forced to decide.

“Alright. I’ll recommend you as the commentator. As for the other tasks…”

As the principal seemed to ponder, the man offered both hands.

“You don’t have to push yourself. It’s a token of my gratitude for letting me be the commentator… Oh, by the way, I have a question. Is he participating in this promotion? You know who I’m talking about.”

He was referring to a person of interest.

Naturally, the principal had an idea who that was.

“Hiroki-kun won’t be participating. He said he’d be observing this time, perhaps tired from his mission.”

The principal mixed some lies into his response due to concerns about the man before him. Many, including staff and students, were interested in Hiroki’s abilities. And the man asking the question was among them.

In his case, he had an obsessive interest and wouldn’t hesitate to employ any means necessary.

Hence, a lie was needed to dissuade him.

“Then I’ll give up this time. If he’s tired, it can’t be helped.”

Pleased with the response, the principal relaxed his expression and leaned back in his chair.

“So, Shiori-kun is the only ranked fighter participating this time, but do you think anyone else might join?”

“You’re asking me? I’m a ranked fighter, too.”

“I thought you might be able to persuade them since you’re in the same position.”

“I can’t. Ranked fighters aren’t interested in anything besides what interests them. Shiori-chan is participating because you ordered her to, right?”

“If I ordered you, would you participate?”

“I’d refuse. Commentating seems more fun than fighting.”

The principal’s expression said he had expected this response.

“I see…”

The principal thought of the girl he had ordered to participate in this event.

“As expected, ‘beep beep beep’ is in.”

“Principal. It’s Shiori.”

The phone call that interrupted the conversation was from the girl he had in mind.

“I’m part of a team participating in an event. May I choose the members?”

“Hmm, did someone ask you to?”

“It’s the two who joined the previous bank security mission.”

Hearing this, the principal remembered the past mission and recalled what kind of people those two were.

“If it’s those two, there should be no problem. But you understand what our top priority is, right?”

There was a job that Shiori had to accomplish for this promotion.

Of course, Shiori hadn’t forgotten about it.

“I’ll accomplish it.”

The principal felt relieved at her response and conveyed his approval through the device, “Then, that’s fine.”

“That’s all. Please register them.”

“Alright, do your best.”

With that, the conversation ended.

The principal placed the device on his desk and looked at the man before him.

“Let’s get to work immediately. Prepare Shiori-kun’s team documents and deliver them to the department.”

“You’ve made work flow smoothly, haven’t you?”

“Just right, isn’t it?”

“I’m not just a handyman, though…”

The principal sighed while looking at his head as he puffed his cheeks.

“I’ve been wondering, what happened to your hair? It looks like a failed attempt to dye it blonde.”

Indeed, his hair showed a completely failed color, and he frowned.

“I failed.”

“I thought so.”

“I messed up with a cheap hair color. I wanted to dye it blonde, but look at it now, just a few days later.”

“Thinking of redyeing?”

“I’ll see when I can.”

He touched his hair, still puffed up, as he talked about his past mistake.

“Why did you dye it blonde, though? Your beautiful black hair is wasted.”

“Well, it was out of admiration.”

Facing his bashful look, the principal had an indescribable look in his eyes.

“Admiration for what?”

“My hero.”

His face quickly turned bright, but the principal was more interested in what he had just said.

“A hero? Must be a historic figure to make you say that.”

Upon hearing the principal’s question, he flaunted a disc case from his pocket. The case, commonly known as a DVD case, had anime characters printed on its front and back.

“…Anime?”

“My admiration lies within this.”

As the man passionately spoke, the principal massaged his temples.

“Just recently, you made a commendable proposal to incorporate agriculture into combat studies, and now, where did you revert to being an oddball?”

Indeed, the man before the principal had proposed using the authority of the rankers to create an agricultural facility on the combat studies’ premises.

“Your proposal was perfect. The director approved it without any complaints, and yet you…”

“Ah, sorry, that was also influenced by an anime.”

“…Anime?”

“I got inspired by a school anime about agriculture and thought I’d suggest doing it, too.”

Hearing his explanation, the principal felt dizzy, regretting having approved a proposal written on such a whim.

“I’m a bit angry.”

“Huh?”

After a moment of silence, the principal exploded in anger.

“Are you one of those kids who acts immediately upon thinking? Is that why you wrote that proposal?!”

His outburst was due to frustration from dealing with the man’s actions. The principal believed these incidents partly caused his grey hairs.

“Wait, let’s calm down. You’ll only get more white hair if you keep being angry.”

“Whose fault do you think that is?!”

The principal, who spoke in a way that transcended his age, faced the man, putting forward a “calm down” gesture with both hands.

“There’s a serious reason behind it.”

Even with a serious face, he couldn’t hide the truth. The principal’s trust in him was almost non-existent.

“I’ve thought about it. How can I aim for a new me? Five years ago, a lot of adults lost their combat abilities, right? I think the remaining generation has to do properly.”

“And so?”

“I have the second-highest rank, but I thought it wasn’t enough!”

“Meaning you aim for the top rank?”

“No. To create a new hope.”

“Hope?”

“Anime.”

“…”

The principal, speechless, stared at the oddball before him, looking to have given up on everything.

“First, I thought about enhancing my abilities. But in this academy, no one has the same ability as mine, right?”

“…”

“If there’s no role model or reference, enhancement is difficult. So, I searched and finally found it. In anime.”

“…”

“And I tried to recreate it. Then, a new world appeared before me—Wha?!”

Before he could finish, the principal’s enhanced human punch landed on his face, silencing him.

“I’m tired of your excuses.”

Before he knew it, the principal had moved in front of the man, separated by the desk, and released a right straight punch enhanced by his power.

Naturally, the man was blown away, bouncing twice before falling flat.

“Wait, stop! I’m a student, and you’re the principal! Violence isn’t the answer!”

“Your strength matches mine, so it’s not a problem.”

“The head of the Japan branch says it’s not a problem?! What if the director finds out? Let’s end this here, I’ll keep quiet!”

“If my actions are a problem, then the director is also a problem. That person is a homosexual and has a thing for underage girls.”

“What kind of fact is that?!”

As they spoke, the principal steadily activated his human enhancement, his physique becoming stronger.

“That was a hard hit on the cheek. Did you enhance reflexively right before the hit?”

“Wait, it’s swelling! It’s past red, turning purple! And enhancing in less than a second has limited effects!”

“Without looking in the mirror, you say that. Then, another two hits are—”

“Bad idea.”

His face lost all color. As the principal slowly closed the distance, he looked at him with a thin gaze.

Then, as he was about to deliver another blow,

“Wait a moment—Eeeek!”

“Huh?”

The principal was puzzled because the man was suddenly blown against the wall.

Then, an idea crossed his mind.

“Touka-chan?”

“Did you notice?”

A girl’s voice spread through the space. There was no figure in sight. However, the principal realized there was a third party present.

“No, I didn’t realize until just now. Uh, here?”

The principal reached out to a space.

However, his palm touched something solid.

Gradually, color appeared in the space, and a girl wearing a combat school uniform became visible.

The principal had his hand on the head of a young girl.

“I still have much to learn, being pinpointed like this.”

“You’re impressive enough.”

“Had there been killing intent, you would have noticed.”

A warm atmosphere filled the room as the adult stroked the girl’s head and smiled back.

Yet, one person was being ignored.

“Touka-chan? Hey, Touka-chan. What are you doing? Throwing me is dangerous. You’re failing as my attendant.”

The girl addressed the man who had collapsed against the wall indifferently.

“Is that so? Then I’ll resign immediately. I’m free now.”

“It’s a joke! Don’t take it seriously!”

The girl with short black hair had serious eyes. Hearing her words, the principal also joined in.

“Being his attendant must be hard. Why don’t you come with me?”

“Wait, principal?!”

“Really?”

“Wait! Don’t take him up on his offer! Please don’t abandon me—Owww!?”

The second-ranked man, crawling on all fours towards them, was seriously stepped on by Touka.

“Wait! It’s a bit of a reward! Those black tights are very appealing, but let’s not hold me down here—Ahhh!”

“Thank you, Touka-chan. Keep him there, don’t let him escape.”

“I threw him just now because I couldn’t hold back, so next, it’s your turn, principal.”

“Principal, remember when the receptionist at the front gate of the combat school was found collapsed? It was this person who did it.”

“Ah, so it was you. Then, let’s include that in your punishment as well. Right, Kozaki Amano-kun?”