Chapter 101 Memories Of Distant Days
There's a famous saying from the head coach of a well-known sports university.
'No matter how great an athlete is, there's no one who hasn't lost.
But among them, the top athletes strive to quickly get back up, wanting to honor their efforts up to that point.
Average players take a bit longer to stand up.
But losers? They just lie on the field forever.'
So, if I apply this saying to myself right now,
no matter how much I'm crushed by that nasty actress's words,
no matter how humiliated I feel,
if I can ultimately bounce back, that means
I win.
"I'm sayin' it again, ya hear me?
I'm Hiiro. A knight of Asgardam, Hiiro Merifar."
"Y-yes."
"Uh-huh."
"Sure, I might be a nobody in this flashy showbiz scene. Looks like a insignificant rock to everyone.
But hell, this unrelenting drive inside me! This all-consuming hunger!
I'll own up to it: it's burning bright even in the darkest depths!"
"Hiiro, that's the spirit!"
"Go, Hiiro! Let's do this!"
"Aight, yeah, I'm straight fire. And ain't nobody gonna disrespect me to that foul-mouthed chick! Y'all better agree, or you're on the wrong side, cat sisters!"
"Y-yes! We think so!"
"o, I'm hyped now! Give me more props, fam! More!"
"Uh, y-yes! U-um... Hiiro is amazing!"
"Hiiro is super awesome!"
"Keep shoutin' it out, don't hold back!"
"Hiiro is cool!"
"Hiiro is looking great!"
"Moreso, moreso! Hiiro's on top!"
"Hiiro is splendid! Hiiro for the win!"
"Hiiro is the best! Power!!"
"Alright, alright, I'm feelin' it loud and clear, cat sisters!"
"Yay!!! I don't really get it, but this is fun! Yay!!!"
"...Ugh, th-this is a bit embarrassing..."
"──Hey. What's that all about?"
"Don't ask me, Ms. Shura. I'm busy pretending to be someone else right now."
"...Damn those idiots..."
Thanks to the passionate encouragement from the Neshana Sisters' "Hiiro Support Squad," I managed to bounce back.
However, this squad was disbanded the same day, along with Captain Shidou's furious fist.
I was mainly the one who got the brunt of it.
* * *
"Alright, everyone, listen up. I'm going to present the information and actions for this escort mission. Make sure you don't miss anything."
Now, we moved from the theater to the square.
Maybe waiting for my dramatic comeback, Captain Shidou surveyed the standing team members with his usual serious vibe.
"First of all, you all understand that this escort mission is not just for protecting a VIP, but for the security of the entire town. The request came from the theater group, but they aren't facing any specific threats. The expected enemies are mainly beasts and bandits coming from outside. For now, our tasks are... Batigan, go ahead and explain."
"...Basically, it's patrolling the neighborhood. We'll be securing the town's entrances. According to Mayor Haboch, this town has small gates to the north and south, and the rest is blocked by walls."
"Right. We also need to patrol the surrounding areas. It's crucial to prevent any sneaky beasts from getting close to the town. As for the gate security, we can rely a bit on the guards from Joosa."
"Yeah, so it's not like we're leaving it all to them."
"Still, the town village, being far from the capital, has a strong sense of self-defense."
"So, cap'n, we're lettin' civvies handle gate duty?"
"Not entirely. We'll also take on some of the gate duties ourselves."
"Ugh. I'm not good at just standing around."
"..."
Honestly, I wouldn't say I'm good at it either. I don't want to get glared at by Captain Shidou. But the main points of the escort mission are clearer than I thought. Basically, it's mainly about patrolling inside and outside the town.
"Anyway. According to what I heard from Director Drodo, the performance date is set for the day after tomorrow in the afternoon. All team members, make sure you don't mess up."
"Hmm. Guard duty, huh? Sounds kinda boring. I mean, regular monster-hunting missions are way more exciting."
"S-sister?"
Yeah. Sham. Honestly, I thought the same thing. But I won't say it.
Because, you know, Captain Shidou's one eye is looking at us like it's ready to pop out.
"Hmm, excitement, huh? Then Sham Neshana, you'll mainly be working with me on this mission. If you let your guard down even a little during the mission... I'll make sure you get the excitement you're wishing for."
"Ugh!?"
Oh man, I told you so.
Sham drops to her knees at the captain's ruthless announcement. Poor girl. Maybe later, Lyam and I should form a "Cheer Up Sham Squad" for her.
(An play, huh. I wonder what kind of performance they're doing.)
Glancing away, I see the theater tent covered in a black curtain.
They're probably rehearsing inside to get rid of any distractions before the big day.
(I wonder if that person is all fired up too.)
The first person that comes to mind is the actress Rose.
She got told off pretty harshly, but maybe that was her pride as a top-tier actress not allowing her to take it lightly. Thinking about it that way makes the frustration of being outdone fade a bit.
"Sure, guard duty is a bit more passive compared to monster-hunting missions. But since it's still a mission, you can't let your guard down. Everyone, keep that in mind. Especially... Hiiro."
"Huh? Me?"
"Of course, it's you. Listen up. Even if Director Drodo invites you again, you know what to do, right?"
"...Nah, I ain't gonna bother. Tell him to buzz off, that's it."
"Good. Then we're all set."
He thinks he's being serious. Captain's intense glare doesn't seem to ease up at all, despite his words.
But honestly, Captain Shidou's worries are probably unfounded.
Even if the director invites me again──no way.
(...I never gave a damn 'bout takin' that theater gig in the first place.)
(Hmm. So you were planning to turn down that theater director's invitation from the start? That's surprising.)
(Yeah, what's the surprise? You think I'd wanna deal with some pompous dude?)
(Of course! When you say "Master," it's like he's a total show-off. Or is it just a boy trying to act tough?)
(...Nah, I'm cool wit' it. Don't gotta kiss up to nobody.)
I can't deny that I like to stand out.
But it was my true feelings, no lies.
It's not like I'm just making excuses like Rose said.
In fact, maybe that would have been better.
(Ruthless... Just so you know,
playing someone else isn't as easy as it sounds.)
(...Huh?)
...
...
...
'Here, birthday present.
Haha, surprised? Go on, open it.
What do you think? It's the game you wanted, right?
Grandma remembered it perfectly.
Hey, that's right, isn't it?
It's right, isn't it?
[xxx]?'
Clunk.
Like pulling the string of an old ceiling light.
The nerves in my eyes are etched with rusty memories.
A slowly festering pain is still smoldering inside me.
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