Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume9 The Third Question
The Third Question
Question: Please fill in the correct answer in the following blank.
Michelangelo is famous as a sculptor who created the David, and a ‘painter’ who’s famous as the artist who painted the arched mural on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Also, he’s an outstanding _____. He’s a multi talented man.
Himeji Mizuki’s answer:
“Architect”.
Teacher’s comment:
Correct, Michelangelo’s most famed works are the St. Peter’s Basilica and the Basilica of San Lorenzo. It’ll be better if you can memorize them as much as you can.
Tsuchiya Kouta’s answer:
“A father to his family.”
Teacher’s comment:
You’re saying that he often makes sweets and toys for children, right? A famous sculptor and painter, and also a kind father to his children; that’s really a perfect person.”
Yoshii Akihisa’s answer:
“The one who assassinated John F. Kennedy.”
Teacher’s comment:
Return me the father to his family.
“Yuuji, did the enemy realize our aim and have some countermeasure?”
Hideyoshi, who just came back from the replenishing tests, reported to me,
“Yeah, that should be the case.”
From what I observed till now, it seemed that the enemy’s trying to avoid battle with Himeji and attack those that were retreating to replenish. Himeji will then use all her strength to protect them, and it looks like she was worn out.
“What’s Himeji doing now?”
“She went to replenish about 20 minutes ago.”
So it’s still early before she comes back…it’ll be the best chance for the enemy to attack us now.
“We got news from the frontlines! Saying ‘we’re at our limits here, please send in reinforcements’!”
As I thought about this, a request for backup came from the other side of the entrance. We’re trapped.
“What now, Yuuji?”
“Ah, yeah…”
Himeji’s still replenishing, so we can’t assist like before, so she can’t assist like before. However, we don’t have sufficient fighting power.
……In that case, it can’t be helped. Let’s use that move.
“Report back to the frontlines.”
The report back here is to pass the message back to them.
“Don’t give up until dea—the end.”
“Did you just think of saying ‘death’?”
“You’re thinking too much.”
Of course, we’ll still send in reinforcements to prevent the entrance from being broken through, but I can’t send in people to assist in the retreating. Our numbers will decrease, and it hurts me here, but I have to endure my tears and let them sacrifice themselves honorably.”
“Please state the specific name of the strategy for this order!”
The one in charge of passing the message pleaded. Name of strategy…let’s use that then.
“Tell them that we’re using the ‘disposable human armor’ strategy’.”
“THAT’S THE WORST NAME FOR A STRATEGY HERE!”
“Report! A lot of our allies went to surrender to the enemy after reporting the name of the strategy!”
“WHAT DID YOU SAY!?”
“Well, that’s not something worth being shocked about, right!?”
“Can’t be helped. Report to everyone that those who execute this plan will have Aki-chan and Hideyoshi in maid outfits serving them tea!”
“YOU DIDN’T EVEN DISCUSS WITH US AND GET OUR AGREEMENTS IN THE FIRST PLACE!!”
“Report! They said ‘not enough’!”
“Ugh! Add in Muttsurini too!”
“…!? I didn’t even…!?”
“Report! Everyone gave up on surrendering!”
“Alright. We can still maintain this for a while.”
“Yuuji…you bastard, making such a promise…”
“…Why even me too…”
“It’s fine. There’s no binding power in a promise on a battlefield. We’ll just say that those are emergency measures later.”
“You’re a demon…the demon’s over here…”
Even though he said so, the reason behind this tough situation is because of some stupid infighting. We’re tit for tat here.
As we’re saying this.
“Summon!”
“Na? What is it?”
C Class, Yokoo Tomoe, Maths, 92 points.
Vs
F class, Himeji Mizuki, Maths, 201 points
A sharp summoning sound can be heard, and the points of a summoned beast can be seen from afar.
“Ha? Isn’t that Himeji? What’s going on?”
I remember that she shouldn’t be taking part in the battle now…?
“That’s weird. Himeji should be off to take the replenishing tests just a while back.”
Just when Hideyoshi and I tiled our heads in bewilderment, this battle ended without any thrill as the points indicated.
As we looked over at where the summoned beast was summoned, Himeji, who left the defense to the rest because of the change in subjects, noticed my stare and scampered over.
“Oi, Himeji. That was?”
“It seemed dangerous there, so I took part in the battle…”
“Is that so? You’ve been a great help there. Many thanks.”
“It’s thanks to her that our few fighting strength left didn’t decrease any further.”
“But didn’t you go to replenish your points?”
“Ah, yes. It seemed that I didn’t have time to relax, so I hurriedly answered those questions I could answer and came back.”
Himeji casually said.
Though she came back midway through, oi oi…she said it so easily, but it’s not easy getting so many points in 20 minutes. What kind of brain does this person have…
“I’ll go continue with my replenishing then.”
And then, Himeji intended to go back and replenish her points without any delay.
“Ah, hold on, Himeji.”
“Yes?”
I called her first. It’s good that she’s willing to continue working hard, but…
“Is your body alright?”
I’m more worried about Himeji’s body.
Replenishing here will often give the impression of rest, but in fact, these are tests we’re talking about here. It’s both physically and mentally draining. Also, Himeji has to gather her concentration in such a short time, answer, come back to do summoning battles, and go back for more replenishing tests. This has to be tiring somewhat.
“Yes, it’s alright. I’m not running around away.”
Even so, Himeji continued to smile.
“That’s right, but…”
“And I’m happy. Being relied on like this and being able to help everyone. It’s like we’re ‘friends for life’ and not ‘ordinary friends’.”
Himeji really looked happy as she said that. For some reason, it seems that we’re being helped here instead of helping each other…
“Before this, I was occasionally thinking that ‘it’s great if I could be born as a boy’, and then, if possible…I can fight alongside you, Sakamoto-kun.”
We’ve discussed this many times before, and it seemed to be something Himeji has an inferiority complex about. It seems weird, but Himeji seemed to envy the relationship between me, Akihisa, Muttsurini and Hideyoshi.
“But I don’t think of it now.”
“Nn?”
“That’s because—I can’t become a love if I’m a guy.”
Himeji seemed to be joking as she teased me somewhat.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“In other words, I may have caught up to Minami-chan, that’s all.”
It’s really a weird conversation that seemed and yet didn’t seem to link. However, I could feel a huge change in Himeji’s heart from this conversation.
“Erm, I seemed to have said something strange here. I shouldn’t be doing this now. I have to go replenish my points.”
Himeji turned around and ran over to the teacher in charge of the replenishing tests. Really…what happened in Akihisa’s house…
“Oh well, that’s not something I need to be worrying about.” I laid the scoresheet on the table and started to record the updated marks. Alright, time to consider when I’m going to use my next move.
“I’m a guy here, but it seem that I’d been treated more like a lover nowadays…”
I’ll just pretend that I didn’t hear Hideyoshi muttering to himself. Even if I want to try and deny it, I have nothing to prove it.
