Volume 13 Chapter 391 Shirogane Aqua, the Volunteer Squad
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I’d heard that big-name celebrities overseas are incredibly passionate about charity work. Taking a page out of their book, I’d been donating my surplus income to various causes. But I couldn’t help but wonder-is that really enough? I felt like there was something more I could do with the tools I was given. Then, one day, I found a volunteer opening that could put my “Abilities”¹ to the ultimate test.
[NOTICE: SNOW REMOVAL VOLUNTEERS WANTED]
This… this is it! It’s not just money I have an excess of. No, I have this incredible power I’m so proud of!
”So, I’m gonna tackle some volunteer work on my day off,” I said.
”Oh, uh, okay. Give it your best shot,” one of the girls replied.
After telling everyone my plans, I got my gear in order. You always see those dangerously naive people heading into the heart of snow country on standard tires, but you can’t disrespect the winter. Out there, you’re always walking hand-in-hand with death.
On the day of the trip, I finished my preparations and headed to the front door, only to find Morikawa Kaede and Kato Iria standing there, armed to the teeth in heavy winter gear.
”Shirogane Aqua-kun! If you need raw power, leave it to me!” Kaede shouted.
”I heard from Kaede-chan that Beryl was starting a Power Volunteer club,” Iria added with a smile.
Talk about a reassuring backup. Through this volunteer work, the top three “apostles” of the Church of Power² had finally assembled.
”By the way, Kaede… what about Satsuki?” I asked.
”Oh, about that…”
I followed Kaede’s gaze. There stood Announcer Onizuka, cradling little Satsuki in her arms.
”Mmm~, Satsuki-chan is just the cutest little thing~. Today, you’re gonna play with Auntie Kyoko, okay?” Onizuka cooed.
Wh-Announcer Onizuka?! She had a doting, melt-in-your-mouth expression on her face that was absolutely unimaginable given the cool, professional persona she maintained on the nightly news.
”It’s like, ever since Satsuki was born, she’s started fussing over the baby way more than me,” Kaede sighed. “Even today, she basically snatched the baby away and told me, ‘Since it’s my day off, I’ll handle the childcare. You go volunteering with Aqua-kun!’”
”Ah… I see…”
Does Announcer Onizuka just really love kids nano?
I gave Kaede’s head a sympathetic pat as she looked on sadly. Then, from behind us, I heard a familiar, heavy thud-thud-thud of footsteps.
”Sorry to keep you waiting. Alright, let’s move out!” a voice boomed.
”Eh?” we all stammered.
Kaede, Iria, and I all froze at the sight of a fully geared-up Kohina-senpai.
”Kohina-senpai… you’re not seriously… coming with us!?” I asked.
”Hah!? Of course I am!” she snapped. “If I let you three out of my sight without a leash, there’s no telling what kind of chaos you’ll cause! Someone has to supervise so you don’t bother the locals! And for the record, Akocchi and Kanon-san specifically asked me to do this! Besides, you might act like a big shot, but you’re still a minor!!”
Ah, true. When she put it like that, I realized we probably did need a guardian. Wait… minor? Guardian? I glanced back at Kaede and Iria. Both of them looked utterly heartbroken.
”Even though we’re legal adults, we don’t even count as guardians…” Kaede muttered.
”I don’t get it…” Iria added, her shoulders slumping.
Yeah, I didn’t either. As a mere minor, I didn’t quite know how to comfort these two “grown-ups” who had just been branded as incompetent chaperones.
”Come on, Tenga-kun is already waiting for us downstairs, so let’s get going!” Kohina-senpai ordered.
”Wait, Tenga-senpai is here too?”
When the four of us reached the parking lot, Tenga-senpai was indeed waiting in his car. 4WD and studless winter tires-standard procedure. As expected of Tenga-senpai!
”Listen, kid… don’t you dare go making light of the snow,” Tenga-senpai warned, his voice low and serious.
”Right, sir,” I replied.
That’s right, Senpai was originally from the Tohoku region. We piled into the car and let Tenga-senpai drive us toward the volunteer assembly point. Phew, I was genuinely relieved it wasn’t Kohina-senpai behind the wheel. With Tenga-senpai driving, we were in safe hands.
”Looks like that’s the check-in desk over there,” Tenga-senpai noted.
”Alright, I’ll go sign us in!”
I hopped out of the car and headed for the reception.
”Excuse me, we’re here to volunteer.”
”A-A-Aqua-sama!?”
The woman at the desk froze, her mouth hanging wide open. Looking around, the other volunteers who realized I was there all had equally shocked expressions.
”Um, I’d like to register…”
”Oh! Yes! Sorry! How many in your party?”
I tell the reception lady that we came with 5 people.
”Morikawa is here too!?”
”I heard Kato Iria is with them…”
”Pack it up, boys. We’ve already won.”
”The ‘Church of Power’ executives are out in full force today.”
”I swear, even the snowbanks are shivering at the thought of being shoveled by them.”
”Hey, if they’re shivering, that means they’re about to collapse! Watch out!”
To minimize idle chatter and maximize efficiency, the volunteers were split into different groups even if they checked in together. As expected, the five of us were scattered across different teams. I took the opportunity to ask the lady at the desk to put me in the area where the shoveling was most difficult.
”Alright, see you guys later!” I called out.
”Right! Leave this side to me, junior!” Tenga-senpai shouted back.
”And you! Don’t go causing trouble for the people around you. Especially not like those two over there!” Kohina-senpai added, pointing her thumb.
”UOOHHHHHHHHHHH!”
”HYAH! HYAH! HYAH! HYAH!”
Kaede and Iria were shoveling at an insane speed. Seriously, you two, look around! Use some situational awareness! You’ve got the momentum, but shoveling like that without looking is dangerous!
”You two! What are you doing!? Watch your surroundings while you shovel!!” Kohina-senpai screamed.
”Ah…”
”Oof…”
Realizing they’d been tunnel-visioned, they both bowed frantically in apology. Well then, I’d better work hard enough not to lose to them! I met up with the rest of my group.
”Looking forward to working with you all!”
”Oh, Aqua-kun! Good to have you.”
”Likewise.”
”Let’s work hard and stay safe, okay?”
After some light greetings, we headed toward our assigned area. Our group was heading into a mountainous region with a high elderly population, where we were tasked with clearing snow from the roofs.
”Alright, starting with the first house-make sure to ask if they need help before you start working,” our team leader instructed.
”””””Understood!”””””
Okay, let’s start with this one. I pressed the doorbell.
’Yes? Who is it?’
”Good morning! We’re here with the snow removal volunteer squad!” I announced.
Wait. I could hear a frantic shuffling sound coming from the other side of the intercom.
”Um… is everything okay?” I asked.
…
……
………
No response. Should I force my way in to check on the resident? Just as I was debating whether to call an ambulance or kick the door down, the front door rattled open with a heavy thud.
”A-A-Aqua-sama!?”
”Ah, yes. I’m Shirogane Aqua, here for the snow removal.”
The grandmother staring at me froze, not even blinking. Um… is she okay?
”Oh, heavens, forgive me. For a moment, I wasn’t sure if I was still among the living or if the Reaper had finally come for me,” she whispered.
”Haha! Grandma, you seem plenty full of life to me. I think the Reaper’s got a long wait ahead of him.”
I asked again if she needed help with the snow. She practically begged us to clear the roof.
”Alright, I’m gonna be dropping the snow over there, so please stay clear for a bit!”
I threw on my helmet, hooked up my safety line, and climbed onto the roof. I dug my shovel into the pack. Safety check-clear! Alright, let’s knock this out! Harnessing my raw power, I began clearing the roof at an explosive speed. This is it. Power. Power truly solves everything.
”He’s… so fast…”
”Wait, was Aqua-sama raised in snow country or something?”
”I think I might need to join the Church of Power…”
”When did a crowd of spectators even get here?”
”That’s the countryside for you. Word travels fast…”
When I climbed down from the roof, I was greeted by a literal round of applause.
”There you go, Grandma. How’s that look? All good?”
”Oh, thank you, thank you!” She started bowing as if she were praying to a deity.
I wonder why grandmas always start worshiping people so quickly. I told her to watch her step and moved on to the next house. One house, two houses, three-I kept clearing roofs as long as time allowed.
”Phew… hits the lower back harder than I expected.”
It was a good kind of tired. I gave my lower back a few taps. For someone like me who enjoys silent, repetitive labor, snow shoveling offered a sense of accomplishment that really suited me.
”Aqua-kun! The sun’s starting to go down! They said to wrap it up!” someone called out.
”Got it!”
I did a final tool check and loaded everything into the group’s van. Man, if I weren’t so busy, I’d love to stay the night and keep going. But it is what it is. I hopped into the car driven by one of the ladies from my group and headed back to the assembly point.
”Shirogane Aqua, checking back in from my assignment.”
”Ah, welcome back. Is everyone uninjured?”
Once the final check-out was done, I thanked the ladies from my team and parted ways. Now then… I wonder if the others are back? When I reached our meeting spot, I found Kohina-senpai slumped in a chair, looking completely drained.
”Kohina-senpai, what’s wrong? You look wiped out.”
”Hah!? Anyone would be wiped out after all that!” she panted. “Seriously, what are you even made of!?”
I mean, personally, I felt like I could go for another round. But snow becomes even more dangerous after dark. No matter how much energy you have, you have to stick to the daylight hours.
”It’s because you’ve just been lounging around since New Year’s, Senpai. Tell you what-to help build up your stamina, why don’t you start going for morning runs with me?”
”Hah!? Why on earth would I go running outside in this freezing cold!?”
Kohina-senpai puffed out her cheeks and jerked her thumb toward the crowd.
”Look around! You’re the only one who still has that kind of energy!”
Ah… she was right. Everyone else was packing up to go home with exhausted faces. But then, I spotted two people running toward us who looked suspiciously energetic.
”We’re baaaaack!” Kaede yelled.
”We have returned now,” Iria added.
Kaede and Iria ran up to us with the same high-voltage smiles they had when we started. See? I’m not the only one with energy to spare!
”Look, I’m telling you, you’re both in the same league!” Kohina-senpai barked. “Don’t you dare lump us normal humans in with you freaks of nature!!”
Is that so? I thought, watching her. Besides, Kohina-senpai, if you’ve got enough breath to complain like that, aren’t you doing just fine? You’re clearly overflowing with energy.
”By the way, did any bears show up where Aqua-kun was?” Kaede asked.
”Wait, bears?” Aqua replied, blinking. “At this time of year? Shouldn’t they be hibernating!?”
Apparently, some bears lately don’t hibernate even in the dead of January. When Kaede explained the details, it turned out a bear had actually wandered into the area while her group was out shoveling snow.
”Wait, were you okay? Did you hold up alright?” I asked.
”Well, it started heading our way,” Kaede said. “But I just grabbed my shovel and stood my ground like a titan³. It literally turned on its heel and bolted back into the mountains. Ahaha, I guess I just got lucky!”
I breathed a sigh of relief. No, seriously, I was just glad nothing happened. Even I might end up with a few scratches if I had to go one-on-one with a bear. I was genuinely relieved that a “fragile” girl like Kaede was safe.
”That wasn’t luck!” Kohina-senpai snapped. “That bear only ran away because it realized you’re the apex predator! ‘Being lucky’ is what you call it when a bear just walks past you like a normal person – which is exactly what happened to me!”
”Wait, Kohina-senpai, a bear showed up for you too!?” I asked.
According to Kohina-senpai, a bear appeared while she was working. For some reason, it dropped a fish it was carrying in its mouth right in front of her before heading back to the woods.
Typical “Koguma-senpai.” She was on a completely different level. As I listened to a story that defied all common sense, my face went completely deadpan.
”Maybe the bear just thought Yukari was one of its own…” Kaede whispered.
”Kaede, shhh! Even if it’s true, you can’t say that!!” I hissed, pressing my hand over her mouth.
I glanced over at the exhausted Kohina-senpai – or rather, “Koguma-senpai.”
Safe. It seemed even Kohina-senpai, who usually had ears like a hawk, was truly wiped out today.
”Heeey!! You juniors doing okay!?” a voice boomed.
”Ah, Tenga-senpai! Welcome back!!” I called out.
As expected of Tenga-senpai. Unlike a certain Koguma-senpai, he wasn’t looking ragged at all.
”Tenga-senpai, did you hold up okay on your end?” I asked.
”Yeah, of course!” Tenga-senpai laughed. “I just finished shoveling snow back at my parents’ place the other day, too!”
Spoken like a true native of the snow country. Seeing as his back wasn’t even bothering him, he was probably way better with a shovel than I was.
Damn, I thought. Tenga-senpai really is the man. I want to be a senior like him someday.
I turned my gaze back to the slumped-over Kohina-senpai.
”Wait…” Kohina-senpai muttered, her voice weak. “I just realized… if Tenga-kun was here, I didn’t even need to come along, did I? Ugh!! You should have told me that sooner!!”
Classic Kohina-senpai. Getting pissed off at her past self from three hours ago was a talent only she possesses. Meanwhile, Kaede and Iria-san both looked like they’d just lost all hope again.
”I knew it… we aren’t even counted as chaperones,” Kaede sighed.
”And here we are, supposedly ‘Grown-Ups’ and everything…” Iria-san added.
Ah, well… I don’t know if I should be the one to say this since I’m younger, but… there, there, I thought.
They all piled into Tenga-senpai’s car and spent the drive home chatting to keep him alert. It was my first time volunteering for snow removal. It was a massive pain and I was exhausted, but I felt like I’d want to do it again.
”Tenga-senpai, thanks for the ride!” I said.
”Right! See ya later, junior!!” Tenga-senpai replied.
After dropping them off at Shirogane Kingdom⁴, Tenga-senpai drove off toward home where Haruka-san was waiting.
Tenga-senpai really is the coolest, I mused. If I were a girl, I’d definitely marry the guy.
”Come on, Kohina-senpai, let’s get you back to your room,” I said.
”I can’t move…” she groaned. “My muscles hurt so much I can’t even walk…”
”Yeah, yeah, I’m carrying you,” I sighed.
I took the limp Kohina-senpai onto my back and headed for her quarters.
”Kohina-senpai, we’re here. Wait, are you actually asleep…?”
Hearing her soft breathing, I gently laid her down on the bed, making sure not to wake her. Despite all her complaining, she really had come along today just because she was worried about me.
”Kohina-senpai, thanks for today. Get some rest,” I whispered.
I pulled the comforter over her and quietly closed the door.
===
And that’s how the Beryl Power Volunteer Club was formed⁵.
—
Summary:
Aqua decides to use his physical strength for snow removal volunteering. He is joined by Kaede and Iria, under the strict supervision of Kohina-senpai. Aqua’s sheer power and celebrity status cause a stir among the locals as he clears roofs with explosive speed.
After a grueling day of snow shoveling, the group shares harrowing and humorous stories about bear encounters. Tenga-senpai arrives to drive the exhausted team home, showcasing his superior stamina and experience. Aqua ends the day by tenderly carrying an incapacitated Kohina-senpai to her bed.
—
Trivia:
- Aqua is still legally a minor, which is why Kohina-senpai acts as the group’s guardian.
- Tenga-senpai is from Tohoku, explaining his expertise and seriousness regarding snow safety.
- Announcer Onizuka has a surprising ‘dere’ side for babies.
- The ‘Church of Power’ is a recognized local ‘meme’ or sect referring to Aqua’s physical feats.
- The bear did not attack Kohina but gave her a gift (a fish).
- Kaede is physically much stronger than she appears, enough to intimidate a wild animal.
- Tenga-senpai is the only one who isn’t physically destroyed by the work.
- Iria and Kaede are technically the ‘adults’ but are treated as less capable than the juniors.
- The term ‘Koguma-senpai’ is a new nickname born from this chapter
—
Character Insight:
Aqua shows a grounded desire to contribute physically rather than just financially, highlighting his earnest personality. Kaede and Iria demonstrate their unwavering loyalty by joining a strenuous labor activity just to be with him.
Aqua’s admiration for Tenga-senpai shows his desire for a masculine role model, while his treatment of Kohina reveals a deep-seated affection beneath their usual bickering. Kohina’s exhaustion highlights her willingness to push herself physically just to stay by Aqua’s side.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The author uses snow shoveling to emphasize the physical ‘cheat’ levels of the protagonist in a mundane setting.
The author uses ‘Dai’ (Big) puns throughout the Japanese text to play with words like Dai-joubu (Alright) and Dai-jin (Adult), emphasizing the characters’ immature nature.
—
TL Notes:
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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