Volume 4 Chapter 20 Mid-Semester Sub-Event – The Cultural Festival
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Today is the high school cultural festival.
The gates of National High School, usually kept tightly closed, are thrown wide open for this one day. There are no ticket checks. From elementary school kids to the local neighborhood uncles, the school is flooded with all kinds of people wandering in and out.
Everyone has their own reason for coming to the festival.
More than half are insiders—friends, family, and alumni of the students. My own relatives are here, too.
”Big brother! Yoo-hoo!” Kotoha chirped, waving her arms.
”Oh, you made it.” I replied, giving a casual nod.
I’m currently hanging out by the pool. I was watching the swimming club’s booth when my younger sister, Kotoha, arrived with her friends. And by “friends,” I mean the group she belongs to, including the Strong-Male and the Strong-Females from Shoji’s group.
”Good to see you too, Shoma.” I said, greeting him.
”Minoru-san, hello.” Shoma replied, adjusting his glasses with a studious air.
I greeted my future brother-in-law. He looks like a classic bookish type with glasses, even as an elementary schooler. He’s very calm for his age—a really capable kid.
”Where’s Big Brother Chii?” Kotoha asked, tilting her head.
”Riku? He got here a while ago.” I answered.
”Did he say anything?” she asked.
”Nah, not really. Just the usual. Well, he did get a few angry looks from the girls around him.” I muttered.
”Marin-chan? Sounds like she was mad at him for looking down on Big Brother earlier. I guess it can’t be helped~” Kotoha sighed with a shrug.
The way Kotoha talks is so much like Chifumi that I find it funny… no, wait. It isn’t funny at all. I’d be in trouble if she started picking up on the weird stuff. One Chifumi is quite enough for the world.
The person who was mentioned—the one among my brother’s circle who particularly hated me—is a supporter of Manaka. Apparently, something happened after our relationship with Manaka got better over the summer. Since the start of the second semester, I haven’t faced any direct criticism. I’m grateful for that.
”Anyway, never mind that. You’re planning to do this, right?” I asked.
”Of course!” she beamed.
With that, she handed me a 50-yen coin.
The swimming club’s booth is a super-ball scooping game. You use a thick paper poi1 to scoop balls floating in a plastic pool.
Honestly, super balls are toys you’d normally just bounce on the floor, and you don’t really need them. But surprisingly, they sell well. When the experience is new and the price is low, people are happy to open their wallets.
I made sure it’s fun as an attraction, not just about the ball itself.
To make it tricky, I use magic to create random water currents, setting the difficulty to be about the same as goldfish scooping. If you get a sparkly ball, I’d say it’s something you can really brag about.
Also, when a boy and girl try it together, I change the currents so only the boy can get one. The guy looks good and feels satisfied—exactly the Yui-ka (result) I want to aim for. The difficulty is all up to me, the booth attendant. I like to think I’m good at reading the room.
This time, too, Shoma got the ball that Kotoha missed, and she was thrilled. Mission done.
As Kotoha and her friends waved goodbye, the club president arrived.
”Good work. It’s time. Let’s swap out.” the president directed.
”Understood. I’ll leave it to you.” I responded, stepping away.
Free from my shift, I decided to wander around and see how everyone else was doing.
Asari’s handicrafts club had an art display, Risa’s shooting club had a target range, and Mitsuki’s Sumo club was holding paper-sumo matches against members. Yurina’s Kendo club was running a crepe stall. Chifumi’s brass band was putting on a performance. Only the performance had a set time. Now, where should I head first?
I chose the Kendo club first.
I figured I’d start by filling my stomach with a crepe.
”Minoru-sama, we’ve been waiting for you.” Yurina greeted, bowing gracefully.
Standing in front of the stall holding a sign was Yurina, dressed in a traditional Japanese cooking apron. With cat-ear headbands and fluffy mittens on both hands, she looked like an adorable kemono (animal-like) friend.
”Please wait a moment.” she requested politely.
When it was my turn, the senior who had been at the crepe maker swapped places with Yurina. It seemed they had already been told. As promised, today I would be eating a crepe made by Yurina.
She dipped the ladle into the batter with a serious look, letting it drip onto the pan before spreading it thin and round with her tool. Her hand movements were smooth.
”……”
She piped in the cream, topped it with banana slices and chocolate chips, and rolled it up. She placed it in a paper sleeve and finished it.
I handed over 100 yen and took it. Feeling her gaze—a mix of hope and worry—I took a bite.
”It’s delicious.” I stated.
At my words, Yurina’s face lit up. Well, naturally. The crepe wasn’t burnt, and there wasn’t anything in the provided ingredients that would change the flavor. There was no way for it to taste bad.
If you aren’t confident in adjusting flavors with seasonings—like Mitsuki is—then you shouldn’t push yourself; just use the materials as written and rely on pre-made sauces. I was quietly moved that Yurina was now able to put that into practice.
”To think you’d be happy enough to bring me to tears… I’m honored.” Yurina murmured, clearly touched.
”No, you did a great job.” I encouraged.
Thinking back to the taste of the miso soup she made at my house that first time, I almost wanted to cry at how much she’d grown. I tried inviting her along.
”Want to go around together after this?” I asked.
”Um… I’m still on duty, so… I’ll join you later.” she replied, hesitating.
When she tried to say no, the senior who had been making the crepes earlier called out to her.
”It’s fine, really. It’s almost time anyway, and the replacement member is already here. Go and have some fun.” the senior insisted.
”I’m sorry, thank you so much!” Yurina exclaimed, beaming.
And just like that, I got a companion.
With a two-person party, we headed to our next destination.
Next up: the Sumo club.
They were holding an event where you could get a prize if you beat a club member at paper sumo. Mitsuki, who had been folding paper to make wrestlers with the little kids, spotted us immediately.
”Oh, they’re here!” Mitsuki shouted, waving.
”Sorry to keep you waiting. Mitsuki, it’s a showdown!” I challenged.
”I welcome the challenge!” she grinned.
Challengers get to choose which club member to face. Naturally, I picked Mitsuki.
We folded the provided paper to make our wrestlers and placed them on the box. Once we were ready, Koki-senpai, acting as the referee, arrived.
”Then, let us begin. Both wrestlers, face each other… Ready… Go!” Koki-senpai commanded.
The two of us—Mitsuki and I—started tapping the edges of the box to make vibrations. Our paper wrestlers moved in sync with our fingers and bumped in the center. I don’t know any fancy paper-sumo tricks, so I just tapped wildly and fast.
Mitsuki changed her tapping pace ever so slightly, and the shape of her wrestler was different from the one I’d made. She seemed to have thought carefully about the center of gravity and how to transfer force when hitting an opponent. Yui-ka—my wrestler was easily knocked over by Mitsuki’s.
”Yay!” she cheered.
”Ugh… I lost… One more time!” I groaned.
”You get a prize if you win two out of three. Can you handle it, Minoru~?” she teased, smirking.
I felt a little annoyed by the smug look on Mitsuki’s face. I couldn’t possibly win with my spirit in such a mess, and in the end, I lost all three rounds. Seriously, I lost because of the huge gap in knowledge. Mitsuki was too high a hurdle to face empty-handed.
Yurina, whom I’d asked for a rematch, lost three in a row as well.
The delighted Mitsuki handed us some consolation candies. Well, they were delicious, so that’s okay.
”Minoru, where are you going after this?” Mitsuki asked, popping a candy into her mouth.
”I’m going to visit Risa and Asari, then listen to Chifumi’s performance in the Auditorium.” I listed.
”In that case, I’ll come along too.” she decided.
”Are you sure about the booth?” I checked.
”It’s fine! Right, boss?” she called out to Koki-san.
Koki-san was in the middle of another match. While tapping away against a small boy, he gave us a thumbs-up with his free hand. If Koki-san says it’s okay, then I guess it’s fine.
And just like that, I got a second companion. The three of us headed toward the shooting range.
The shooting range is a bit away from the main school building.
The Shooting club, in collaboration with the Archery club, was running a target-shooting game.
It involved hitting targets using a magic pistol or a magic bow.
The power was set to the minimum for safety. With the Mana (magic energy) in the bullets and arrows, even a Plain-folk (a person without magic) could fire a shot. For those Plain-folk who can’t use magic, this is one of the few chances to “use” it themselves. Due to the newness, a lot of Plain-folk boys were lined up.
”Minoru, welcome. Oh, Yurina and Mitsuki came along too?” Risa greeted us.
”Yo. You’re really doing it.” I said.
Risa, who was in charge of handing out the magic pistols, noticed us.
Hm? Is the person Risa is dealing with right now Momono-san?
”Minoru-kun, everyone, hello.” Momono-san waved.
”Hello.” we echoed.
Beside Momono-san, who greeted us in a friendly way, was a girl with long hair and glasses.
Judging by her uniform, maybe a friend from Momono-san’s school? She was as short as Momono-san. If anything, she was the size of a tall elementary schooler. That senior shrank away, hiding behind Momono-san.
”Come now, Shiho, don’t hide.” Momono-san coaxed.
”Ugh…” Shiho whimpered.
She was a shy girl who came out from behind Momono-san. Her eyes were darting everywhere.
”This is Shiho Aikawa. She’s my friend.” Momono-san introduced.
”I’m Tatemiya Minoru. Nice to meet you.” I said, bowing.
”I’m… Aikawa Shiho. Nice to meet you…” she murmured, looking at the floor.
After exchanging greetings with Mitsuki and the others, she immediately lowered her face.
”Sorry about that. She’s not really used to boys.” Momono-san explained.
”No, it’s quite alright.” I reassured her.
I was thinking it might be better if I didn’t get too close, but Risa immediately called out to Aikawa-san.
”Shiho-san, try this. I recommend this one.” Risa offered, holding out a pistol.
”Ah… amazing! An ARC! The legendary gun that changed how magic engines work! The way it loads Mana efficiently and the small design that made it possible—the ancestor of the line that leads to the current ARX! This shape isn’t just industrial design, it’s an artist’s self-expression.” Aikawa-san gushed, eyes lighting up.
Shiho-san’s eyes widened behind her glasses, and she moved quickly toward Risa while talking a mile a minute. She snatched the magic pistol away and looked at it with pure love.
”…Sorry about that. She just has a weakness for magic technology.” Momono-san apologized.
”No, it’s quite alright.” I repeated for the second time.
”There’s also this one, you know.” Risa said, getting another item.
”What about this? I’ve never seen a magic pistol like this. The part for loading Mana is huge… the muzzle doesn’t look like it fires a standard Magic Bullet, either. A design that breaks away from all previous ideas. It’s wonderful.” Aikawa-san admired.
”Hehe. It’s a custom piece kept secret by one of our members. I got special permission for a test-fire.” Risa chuckled.
Behind Risa was the girl I’d talked to at the dungeon management building the other day—Inamori-san from Shoji-kun’s group. She was smiling while watching the two of them talk. Shoji-kun was nearby, too. I gave him a quick greeting.
Aikawa-san realized Inamori-san was the owner and bowed deeply.
”May I touch this magic pistol?” Aikawa-san asked respectfully.
”Go ahead.” Inamori-san permitted.
Aikawa-san was talking normally now. So this short senior only has a problem with boys?
Since they were busy getting excited over there, the four of us—including Momono-san—decided to enjoy the game. We had a competition, and the winner this time was me. While exploring the dungeon, I often borrow and use a handgun-type magic pistol from Risa. The difference in experience showed in our accuracy.
Even after our match ended, the magic pistol debate between Risa and the others continued.
I made eye contact with Risa, but she gave me an apologetic look and gesture, saying sorry, she couldn’t come. I sent back a sign telling her not to worry. Momono-san, who had been watching the exchange, gave a wry smile and spoke up.
”Sorry about that. I’ll stick around here until Shiho is satisfied.” Momono-san decided.
”Understood. Then, see you later.” I said.
”Bye-bye.” she waved.
I gave up on adding Risa to our party and parted ways with Momono-san. Next up is Asari’s handicrafts club.
In the handicrafts club room, they were selling small items made by the members. Asari noticed us enter, stood up from a folding chair in the back, and came over to us.
”Minoru-san, welcome.” Asari greeted.
”Yeah. Sorry I’m late.” I said.
”No, it’s quite alright.” she replied with a smile.
Asari began showing the small items on a long table set up along the wall.
”This section here is the zone for the things I made.” she explained.
”Oh, I see.” I nodded.
Palm-sized felt dolls were lined up—the kind that would look cute as an accent on a school bag.
”Hm?” I grunted.
I spotted a familiar shape among the dolls.
Is that a shrimp? And a clam? Even though they were made cute and round, this feeling is…
”A centipede?” I asked.
”Yes. I used Hinoki-chan and the others as a model.” Asari confirmed.
It was Hinoki, Tempura, and Clam, turned into round, charming shapes.
’Oh… not bad.’ I thought.
’……’
’……!’
The three subjects of the dolls were happy inside my shadow.
”I tried especially hard on the Clam-chan one!” Asari beamed.
Asari picked up the Clam doll, which was a little bigger than the others, and opened the zipper.
Like a bivalve, inside the open shell was a tiny doll. It could even match Clam’s young girl form? It was definitely detailed.
”Alright, I’ll buy all three.” I decided.
”Oh, these are actually not for sale… I, um, was planning to take them home and put them on display.” she shyly admitted.
”Is that so?” I checked.
Still, this was a sales venue. To make sure Asari had a record of helping the handicrafts club, I’d buy them with my own cash on hand.
”Well, come on, Minoru wants to buy them, so it’s fine, right?” Mitsuki interjected.
With Mitsuki backing me up, it was decided I’d buy them.
The total for the three came to 1,000 yen.
I handed the items to Nagase-san, who was sitting at the checkout desk, and finished the purchase. I turned to Asari.
”Are you finished, Asari?” I asked.
”Yes. My shift is over. Are you all heading to the Auditorium now?” she asked.
”Yeah. It’s almost time for the performance, so we’re going early to get seats.” I confirmed.
”In that case, I’ll come too.” she agreed.
Our party of four headed off toward the Auditorium.
Next up is Chifumi’s brass band.
—
Summary:
Minoru navigates the school’s Cultural Festival, successfully completing his shift at a super-ball scooping booth. He spends the day reconnecting with various friends and club members, including Yurina at her crepe stall, Mitsuki at the Sumo club, and Risa at the shooting range. Minoru gradually builds a party as he moves from stall to stall, heading toward Chifumi’s brass band performance.
—
Trivia:
- The super-ball scooping booth uses sorcery to create currents, allowing Minoru to control the game’s difficulty.
- Yurina has shown growth in her cooking abilities, specifically in following recipes and utilizing pre-made ingredients.
- The magic pistol booth features historical and advanced magic technology, which Shiho Aikawa finds artistically and technically fascinating.
- The handicrafts club displays dolls themed after Hinoki, Tempura, and Clam, which have been magically “deformed” into cute shapes.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• N – A student from East Middle with an eccentric personality who entered National High School due to complex family circumstances and used herself as leverage to negotiate a protective agreement for K.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• M – A first-year student at District 13 High School and the childhood friend of Anonymous Student 0006, described as an atavistic strong-female who looks plain but possesses significant power.
• Kotoha – Minoru’s younger sister is a high-spirited, long-haired elementary school student. Inquisitive and highly protective of her brother’s social life, she frequently interjects into his conversations and belongs to a friend group that includes Shoma.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• K – A student from East Middle who followed N to National High School out of care, successfully remaining pure through N’s protection until a misunderstanding involving Anonymous Student 0008 led to her capitulation.
• Shoji – A conspicuous male transfer student in a distinctive white uniform, this top-ranked Tower Dungeon conquest student leads an independent exploration group and treats diving as a change of pace. Entering the dungeon first, he is encountered by Minoru, works as an associate of Kotoha’s group, and maintains links to several other students within the same curriculum.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• Shoma – A young elementary school student with a studious, bespectacled appearance. He is a member of the group including Kotoha and possesses composed maturity.
• Minoru – A lean, black-haired student sorcerer with adult memories leads an all-female dungeon squad in a reversed-beauty world. Clad in uniform, this pragmatic, danger-sensing tactician commands Aberrations using Tatemiya magic, shadow/space sorcery, and an iron whip. Balancing academic pressure and festival booths, he risks his life to protect his sister Mai, partner Risa, and recruit Mitsuki.
• Riku – The younger brother of Minoru, who is frequently the subject of gossip.
• R – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has successfully built a squad and added multiple girls, including M and A, into his group.
• Marin – A daughter of the Kuga branch family and a follower of Minoru’s younger brother. Characterized as a strong female who was fond of Manaka, she holds a deep resentment toward those she believes look down on others.
• Mari – A former member of the Free Girls and childhood friend of Asari. She possesses an impressive physical build and resides in a typical suburban home.
• Chifumi – Minoru’s childhood friend and central harem member, this scrawny, long-haired first-year Lead Majo plays the clarinet in the brass band. An intellectual strategist, she masks a sharp demeanor with bubbly idol poses. She coordinates the team’s combat timing, gathers intel on Aberrations, and wields water/ice attributes to unleash destructive torrents, intercept magic, and restrain enemies.
• Manaka – An aristocratic, intelligent beauty from Shisei High, this resilient Kuga family sorcerer manipulates space and sound in tough dungeons. Leading the Initial Strong-Females with a calm, tactical voice, she is an exceptionally competent manager formerly in Mitsuki’s group. She acts as an advisor to her childhood friend Minoru, following a complicated relationship that improved over the summer.
• Yui – One of the Futami twins, Yuu’s sister, Minoru’s childhood friend, and a supportive member of Manaka’s circle. This private school student has short hair with a white lock and pink/black attire. A blunt, low-tension Onibara disciple in the Shisei group, she uses knives and curse arts to manifest Clams. Usually observant, she is bubbly during exploration. She was eaten by the Phantom.
• Mitsuki – Tall and dark-skinned with an imposing, athletic hourglass figure, this blunt transfer student and Sumo club member is Minoru’s devoted, clingy childhood friend, rival, and ally. A top assassin candidate and Witch, she leads a vanguard party with Manaka and Koki. Shrouding her strong body in black, she uses recovery sorcery and a shoulder-carried Kanabo to finish defeated Aberrations.
• Yurina – A black-haired, refined Plain-folk Kendo vanguard and front-line offensive specialist in Minoru’s squad, wearing a traditional apron and cat-ear headband. Stoic, polite, and Chifumi’s childhood protector, she trusts Minoru’s support but dislikes the Komoda group. This decisive dungeon explorer wields a swift katana with Severing Sorcery to cleave enemies, and despite academic struggles, her cooking has vastly improved.
• Asari – A serious, intelligent Kasakura first-year, this tall (170cm+), long-haired, curvy (E-cup) dungeon explorer and Dojo trainee is close to Mari and Nagase, and Minoru’s devoted partner before being devoured by a Phantom. A defensive vanguard, she uses durable crystal barrier sorcery with delicate settings to block boss strikes, though she expresses deep shame for failing her role.
• Risa – A tall, well-endowed Plain-folk Naruse merchant student and disciplined Onibara practitioner. As Minoru’s protective childhood friend and servant, she defers to Chifumi, knows Yurina, and suspects Komoda. Lacking innate sorcery, this reliable, tactically minded Shooting club member uses a rifle with a grenade unit and magic pistols to flexibly damage Unique Variants and harvest loot.
• Yuri – A cheerful and energetic first-year student at Higashi High who is a classmate of Shibuya and an acquaintance of Kibe Yurina from their middle school days. A girl known for being aggressive toward Hayato and displaying overt favoritism.
• Koki – Nearly two meters tall, muscular, and handsome, this Onigahara-style second-year sorcerer and “Gold Oni” user is a trusted senior, referee, and mentor in the Sumo club. As a cautious analyst and informant, he dotes on his siblings, Minoru and Mitsuki, and provides the team with close-quarters training and critical data on dungeon structures, boss details, and cockroach-type Aberration behavior.
• Momono – A petite, chubby high school senior with gentle, drooping eyes, Risa’s older sister is a friendly girl who acts as a tutor and supportive companion. Refined yet mischievous, she is also a friend of Aikawa and displays a welcoming curiosity rather than hostility toward Risa’s partner.
• Shiho – A shy, bespectacled girl who is deeply knowledgeable about magic technology and becomes animated when discussing hardware.
• Tatemiya – The prestigious Tatemiya family plays a central role in the group’s social dynamics. Their name references the household where the protagonist Minoru, Kotoha, and his witches return to live, bond, and interact.
• Inamori – A student from Shoji’s group who is the owner of a special magic pistol.
• Hinoki – Bound to Minoru, this they/them Oni-fied centipede Phantom speaks from his shadow in a regional dialect. Sharing a deep bond, they act as a protective mount, navigator, and tactical advisor. Though apologetic for the group’s troubles, they are a powerful combatant with a metallic-sounding shell, massive reptilian forms, and sharp combat eyes, wielding dungeon sorcery, venom, and chains.
• Tempura – A crayfish-sized, shrimp-like Phantom and subjugated spirit deployed alongside others in combat. Captured a decade ago, this sharp-tongued, comedic oddity is Minoru’s loyal subordinate and offensive partner, channeling destructive shockwaves via shock sorcery known to the protagonist. Now an instructor, they train Clams and mentor newcomers while fighting as a team.
• Clam – A newborn Phantom who evolved from a common clam after absorbing a stone, this entity takes the human form of a toddler with limited communication skills. Currently being educated by Tempura, she has also formed a particular attachment to Asari.
• Nagase – A gentle, obedient female student with a large, soft physique, she oversees the accounting desk for the Handicrafts club. Best friends with Asari, she relies deeply on her for guidance. Meanwhile, her mother supports her involvement with a group of Strong-Males and acts as a judge for games played in their home.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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