Volume 1 Chapter 80 Self, Part First Easygoing Protagonist
"Oh? You watched the press conference? How about that, all your problems are solved. Good for you!"
"Is that really common?"
"Why is that?"
"Why is that? ...It's not! Who's the 'Chūnibyō patient,' huh!"
I immediately protested against the false statement made by this guy at the press conference, claiming 'Omega is a Chūnibyō patient,' upon returning to the guild master's room with Sakurako.
Then,
"...(staring)"
"Huh?!"
Sakurako-chan stared at my face with a piercing gaze.
"You... you're a genuine Chūnibyō, aren't you?"
"Wha?! N-no, that's not true...!"
"Huh? But that 'death mask' and 'black outfit & cloak' of Omega clearly scream Chūnibyō patient."
"N-no, that's not true!? It's, it's a mode thing, a mode thing!"
"Oh really? A mode thing, huh? ...So that 'death mask' is also a mode thing?"
"O-of course! ...It's vanguard-like, right!"
"...Ah, yes."
"~~!"
Silence.
A brief pause.
"...Noja Loli (mutter)"
Twitch!
"You... you heard from my followers that 'our Noja Loli guild master Sakurako-chan' and 'Noja Loli is beneficial for humanity,' and you were quite pleased about it, weren't you?"
"Huh?"
Eh?
W-why... why does Sakurako-chan know about that...?
Huh?
Followers?
Oh, now that you mention it... there were some!
"That old man who talked about 'dungeon Noja Loli followers'...!"
"I don't quite understand what you're saying... but, that's how it is. That day... the guy who was eagerly talking to you at the F-Class Seeker registration card awarding ceremony is my 'hopeless (genuine) fan.' When I said something to that guy... he started babbling about things I didn't even ask."
"Wha!? Y-you coward...!"
Sakurako grinned with a lewd smile.
Damn it, Noja Loli, what a despicable grin you have... Thank you!!
However, considering that 'Noja Loli' is a 'trap for old men,' it's entirely expected for old men to become loquacious...
How wicked is that?!
Noja Loli, truly fearsome!
"So, it's been exposed that you're a 'severe Chūnibyō patient!' Give it up! "
Bam!
...and Sakurako points her index finger at me.
"I've... lost."
Q.E.D... proof complete.
* * *
"Now, let's leave the skits behind... this is good for you too, Takeru?"
"Huh?"
After that playful exchange, Sakurako-chan began to explain.
"You see? In this press conference, it's been completely recognized by the public that Omega is a 'severe Chūnibyō patient,' right?"
"O-oh..."
I feel a bit complicated, but for now, I'll listen to Sakurako-chan.
"By doing this, in your future activities as D streamer Omega, if you happen to say something careless or accidentally unleash magic, you can just say 'that was magic,' and everyone will think, 'Oh, I see. That was skill for him (smile)'... and with a smile too! After all, everyone will see Omega as a Chūnibyō patient!"
"Ugh, I see..."
"What's wrong? Are you dissatisfied?"
"Of course! Who would be happy to be called 'Chūnibyō'?!"
"...Really?"
"Huh?"
"Is it really that you dislike being called 'Chūnibyō'? Why?"
"W-well... it feels like I'm being mocked..."
"Really? Do you genuinely think so, Takeru?"
"Huh?"
"That's not right, is it? No matter how others see you, you're a person who 'walks your own path,' right?"
"! Th-that's..."
"Seeing your behavior until now, I initially thought you were 'just a fool not thinking at all' but..."
"Hey."
"But after a while, I understood. You wish to wield the incredible power you acquired in that other world to carve your path in this unreasonable modern era, don't you?"
"Huh?!"
"Those without 'power' cannot do such a thing. 'Power' in this world refers to 'physical strength' or 'authority', and nowadays, 'skill' could also be added to that."
"Noja Loli..."
"However, you are different! Once you ventured to the other world and obtained that 'incredible power,' now that you've returned to the modern era, wouldn't it be possible for you to firmly pursue such 'selfish desire'... that is, 'self-first'? ... No, rather, do you not already believe within yourself that you can live in this world prioritizing 'self-first'?"
"!"
"...Hehe. It seems I've hit a nerve. In fact, I've seen your power on the 49th floor, and with such strength, it's no wonder you think that way. But... this world is not so forgiving."
"Is that so?"
"Indeed. Even as the chieftain of the elf tribe in the other world, equipped with original magic, here, I am merely 'third'... that's the reality."
"!"
Y-Yes, indeed...
Elves are particularly famous for their ability to absorb mana from their surroundings and convert it into magic power, known as 'magic power control.'
And amongst them, the one most skilled in 'magic power control' is the chieftain of the elf tribe... meaning our dear Sakurako-chan.
Furthermore, this world has a considerably higher mana density compared to the other world.
Thus, if the chieftain of the elves possesses proficiency in 'magic power control,' they should be able to adeptly absorb this dense mana to wield powerful magic.
Yet, the fact remains that she is not the strongest in the world as Seeker...
"There are always those stronger above... I learned that reality in this world."
"R-Really...? By the way, are you referring to the first and second place in the Seeker World Ranking?"
"Yes, that's right."
No way...
A human who even Sakurako-chan, with her powerful magic and her original magic called 'Jumper', can't defeat...?
I'm a bit curious.
"That said, I don't know your 'true strength' either. After all, you defeated that Demon King Vega... I assume you're quite strong."
"! Ah, ah..."
"? So, I don't think you can't win against those 2 at all. Rather, if you give it your all, you might have a chance."
"Sakurako-chan..."
"Also, I don't dislike 'self-first protagonists' like you, you know? In fact, I might even want to support you!"
"Huh?"
"Compared to 20 years ago when I came to this modern world, it's filled with absurdities now."
"Sakurako-chan?"
"In such absurdity... well, while going too far isn't good, I think it's fine if there's at least one person living 'self-first'!"
"Sakurako-chan..."
"Letting you join my direct clan is also a measure to help you move more freely as a self-first person."
"W-wait, you think that much about me...?"
"Well, if you mess up where I can't see, the aftermath will be a hassle!"
Saying that, Sakurako-chan smiled sweetly.
How adorable.
"Ah, thank you... Sakurako-chan. I didn't know you were acting with me in mind..."
"Don't worry about it. You're the only junior who came from another world... that's why!"
"Sakurako-chan..."
Thus, I learned of Sakurako-chan's feelings.
From now on, I will be a bit more aware of potential dangers so as not to trouble Sakurako-chan, but I will still stick to my usual... 'self-first' way of living!
Huh?
By the way, what was I even talking about with Sakurako-chan?
Well, whatever.
...After Takeru left
"Hmm... somehow, I managed to make Takeru's 'Chūnibyō patient character push strategy' vague, and it seems my 'I'm on your side strategy' was also successful."
Saying that, Sakurako-chan, filled with the 'satisfaction of a job well done', munched on 'hina-arare' while pouring whiskey into it... uttered a single word.
"So naive!"
Ah... it's unreasonable.
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