Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume6 The Fifth Question
The Fifth Question
Yoshii Akihisa and Sakamoto Yuuji’s real horror story introduction.
“Alright, I’m going to read the next mail then. This is from a person with the handle name ‘A troubled little brother’.”
“Really there, let’s hope it’s a scary one…”
“’Hello to both hosts for the first time. I want to let everyone hear about the horror experience I have.’”
“Oh, that’s still a normal start. Hello there.”
“‘Actually, I have an older brother.’”
“Fm fm.”
“‘My brother is very serious, good at studies, and I feel very proud to have such a brother.’”
“Looks like that guy is a very good brother.”
“‘However, my brother suddenly changed completely once he came back from the school study camp.’”
“Changed? Is he possessed or something?”
“‘He’s always showing a happy expression, always talking excitedly and passionately about a certain male friend called the <Biggest Idiot in the School>.’”
“……………Huh?”
“‘My brother was so passionate it was weird, so I worriedly snuck into his room to check…’”
“Ah…”
“‘In the end, I found a photo of a boy who should be of the same age as my brother in his drawer’”
“……”
“‘Ever since then, I've been terrified of staring at my brother’s face directly.’”
“……”
“‘I guess my brother accidentally stepped into a horrific world during the school study camp. Both of you, please be extra careful.’”
“……”
“The letter above is submitted by a person with the handle name 'Kubo Yoshimitsu’-san—no, from ‘a troubled little brother’.”
“I’m sorry…Kubo’s little brother…”
Kubo-kun and Shimizu-san (or whatever that is) make quick work of the two 3rd years sempai girls who’re absolutely terrified, and C classroom is cleared safely, so A classroom is the only one left.
“Then, we’ll win if Yuuji and Kirishima-san can safely break through A classroom.”
“Yeah. They don’t have many people with them, do they? A classroom doesn’t look like it has some frightening traps. I’d say, Yuuji and Kirishima should be able to win easily.”
Maybe it’s because A classroom is so big (it’s 6 times the size of D classroom) that there aren’t many scary decorations around. There’s only a maze made from the ample space and a few simple traps of summoned beasts appearing out of a sudden.
The effort the 3rd years put on A classroom is basically to build a maze that anyone will get lost in. It lacks the chilling feeling, and we do know what to expect through the tracking cameras images, but it’s not like it’s not scary at all. Thus, the groups that went in after Kubo-kun and Shimizu-san are all disqualified.
(UWWAAHH!)
(KYAAAHHHH!!!!)
“…3 and 5, fail.”
The screams can be heard from the monitors. They’re all shocked by the monsters that pop out. However, this is just an ordinary situation that will happen in a test of courage tournament. Those students who were scared by the traps just now are now enjoying the fun that comes with it.
(I can’t find it…where did those two go two? If we don’t hurry up and find them, the bond between those two may be…ku…!)
(Where are you…onee-sama…where exactly are you…?)
Kubo-kun and Shimizu-san are at the intersection of the maze, widening their eyes as they seem to be looking for something. Right now, they look like shinigamis who are trying to find more people to drag along to hell.
“Yare yare, leaving aside Shimizu there, I didn’t expect Kubo to lose his normal composed decision making…they broke through the checkpoint. It’s about time for them to notice that there’s no one around in that classroom.”
“They’re probably panicking because they lost sight of Akihisa’s group.”
“…Love is blind.”
“Eh? I know Shimizu-san is looking for Minami, but why is Kubo-kun panicking?”
“““……”””
Uu…Shimizu-san does look anxious, so Kubo-kun’s accompanying her to look around? In that case, Kubo-kun’s really so kind.
“Ah! Or is it that Kubo-kun likes Shimizu-san.”
In that case, Muttsurini’s ‘love is blind’ explains things.
“Ahh…well, it’s true that they can’t remain calm because it involves people they like.”
“I’d say…why are you so slow…?”
That’s weird. Did everyone find out about it a long time ago? I did realize it today, so it can’t be helped if Hideyoshi’s scolding me for being slow.
“I see. In that case, I have to check with the person himself the next time. Actually, I really want to help him out.”
“Akihisa…how can you be so cruel…”
“Better give it up, Akihisa. You’ll make Kubo cry.”
“…That’s too much.”
“???”
Not good. I don’t understand what the three of them are saying at all.
(Where…where are they…hm? There seems to be light in front…)
(O, onee-sama…where…?)
“Hm? Looks like Kubo and Shimizu reached the checkpoint.”
“Ah, really.”
The monitor shows them walking out of the maze and appearing in front of a wide space. They deliberately set up light to decide the winner, and it does look like this is the checkpoint of A classroom.
(Ohh, looks like you guys are here. You kept us waiting!)
(You’re the first pair to reach us. I’ll show you our abilities as 3rd years, so grit your teeth and die!)
The ones standing at the checkpoint are the two sempais, the familiar Mohawk and the crewcut, the Toko-Natsu pair. We can see a teacher from a corner of the monitor. This checkpoint is manned by Kimura-sensei, so it looks like they’re going to fight using physics.
(I’m sorry, but have Yoshii-kun and Shimada-san passed by here?)
(Hm? You are the first pair here.)
(Eh? Why did this…those two should be earlier than us…)
(It seems that Yoshii’s group snuck out midway through. I remember seeing it on the monitor.)
(How, how can that be…then aren’t we just wasting our time here…?_
(Hm? I don’t know what are you talking about, but if you want to see them, you have to beat us before you can return back to your classroom—summon!)
(That’s how it is, hurry up. Summon!)
(Is that so…then, summon…)
(…Summon…)
Kubo-kun, who looks like he lost a little motivation to fight, and Shimizu-san, who doesn’t look human anymore, are facing the Toko-Natsu pair as they summon their monsters.
“Can Kubo-kun’s group win?”
“Maybe not. Shimizu and Kubo should be stronger in humanities, so if they’re going to fight using physics…it’ll be rather hard.”
Yuuji probably investigated on the grades of the other classes’ important members during the past few summoning wars, so that’s why he’ll give this remark. Those who chose the sciences will be more interested in subjects like physics and chemistry, while most of those who are into humanities are more into biology [1] and geology. This is because there are different methods of studying them, to calculate or to memorize the content. Basically however, every subject for the 2nd years are necessary, so I think it’s not like Kubo-kun and Shimizu-san don’t have a complete chance of winning.
“The 3rd years are studying based on the exam format. That Toko-Natsu pair must be somewhat confident if they’ll choose physics as a deciding subject.
“Speaking of which…this might be a tough battle for Kubo-kun’s group.”
On a side note, unlike our 2nd year students’ learning format, the 3rd years can choose certain subjects (like physics, chemistry, biology, geology, geography, Japanese History, World History), so the rulings of carrying out summoning wars for them seems to be a little different from us. They can change their subjects, like ‘physics for biology’ or ‘chemistry for geology’. Basically, these are the summoning rules designed for the central exams, and our overall points are roughly calculated through this set of rules…well, we don’t have to understand about this level of technology too deeply.
“In other words, the reason why the subject used is Physics is because the Toko-Natsu pair are science based. Am I’d right?”
“That’s how it is. But of course, the opponent will choose a subject beneficial to them, just like who we would choose health education.”
Because of the principal’s teaching directive, health education is a necessary subject all students need to study. However, many people will give up on that subject if it’s not tested during the central exams, let alone the 3rd years who are preparing for these central exams. However, the 2nd years do have super experts on health education, so this was actually beneficial to us.
On the other hand, the 3rd years have an advantage in chosen subjects like physics and geology. Unlike us, who have to study all the subjects, the 3rd years just need to focus on the subjects they’re specializing in. Even if they are humanities students, there’s no comparison between the 2nd years who have to study every subject and the 3rd years who can focus on a select few. Of course, the teachers may vary the difficulty level in response to this, but there are still differences in points. This is why the summoning wars carried out by each year has different rules, and thus, the subject for this abnormal matchup will be much more important.
A class, Kubo Toshimitsu, Physics 213 points
And
D class, what was originally Shimizu Miharu, Physics 71 points.
First, the 2nd years’ scores are shown.
As expected of Kubo-kun. He specializes in humanities, but is still able to get points that are above average for class 2-A. Even if it’s not at the extremely high level of 400 or something, this level of battle ability is rather amazing. As for Shimizu-san…she doesn’t seem to be particularly good in physics, and her points are comparable to mine.
“With their points, it’ll be dangerous if our opponents here have more than 200 points.”
“There should be no problems, right? Our opponents are the Toko-Natsu pair after all.”
“Yeah. Yuuji really helped us out by taunting them.”
“…Good foresight.”
“Our opponents are 3rd years. It will be tough.”
I hope Kubo-kun’s group can try to wear out their fighting strength and let Yuuji and Kirishima-san finish them off.
During the previous battles, we fought using Japanese history during the summoning tournament, and there was the battle using world history before. The Toko-Natsu pair have points of around 200. In that case, even if physics is their best subject, I guess it will be around 250 points. In contrast, Yuuji and Kirishima-san will be—
A class, Tsunemura Yuusaku, Physics 412 points
And
A class, Natsukawa Junpei, Physics 408 points.
“““WHAT!??”””
We’re all so shocked that our exclamations are all in unison.
“Wai, wait a second! What’s with those scores? Are the Toko-Natsu’s scores that good?”
“Looking at such scores, they’re basically elite students in A class itself.”
“…Unbelievable.”
Even if these are the subjects they’re good at, these marks are way too high! The scores are really much different compared to their other subjects!
“I didn’t expect this…it’s no wonder they accepted my taunt so easily. Those two already saw through my intention!”
The Toko-Natsu pair aren’t tense at all probably because they will expect our side to send Yuuji and Kirishima-san to deal with them. So that’s what they were planning. It’s really our mistake to underestimate our opponents…
(Alright then, try your best, kouhais.)
(You kept us waiting for long. Don’t get beaten in just a few hits.)
The Toko-Natsu pair’s summoned beasts are demons that aren’t any different from the controllers themselves, wielding metal rods. These summoned beasts give off an evil antagonistic presence, and this really fits them.
However, Kubo-kun and Shimizu-san have to find a way to fight them! I believe those two will give their all ((We admit defeat)) that’s too fast! The winner’s decided like this!?
“Kubo and Shimizu are unwilling to battle because of that conversation just now, is it? That must be the Toko-Natsu pair’s sure-fire move.”
“Well, that’s how it is. They were aiming for something else right from the beginning anyway.”
The monitor shows the opponents’ metal rods slam down viciously at Kubo-kun and Shimizu-san’s summoned beast. Un. This difference in battle ability is really too great.
“What do you think, Yuuji? Do we have a chance of winning?”
“Un…in the best case scenario, I’ll say a 40% chance.”
“That’s really tough.”
We don’t even have a 50% chance of winning.
“Leaving aside Shouko, I have only 150 points for physics. Also, our opponents here have one more year of summoned beast control experience compared to us. They have the advantage both in terms of scores and experience.”
“In that case, shall we send some other team to wear down their strength?”
“…That’s tough as well. Including those who went in, we have only 4 pairs of fighting forces left.”
Muttsurini looks over at the namelist as he answers my question.
Only 4 pairs left, 8 people altogether? If we don’t include Yuuji and Kirishima-sa, there are 3 groups left. We don’t even know whether any group can hold themselves from screaming and get to the final checkpoint in the first place either.
“…Just to mention it. One of the 4 groups is your group, Akihisa.”
“Eh? Me? Ah, that’s right. I’m not disqualified anyway, now that you mention it.”
I forgot all about it. We’re still not considered to be disqualified because Minami fainted out of fear, and didn’t scream out.
“But if Minami fainted, our group will not be able to provide any battle support.”
Even if I carry the unconscious Minami back into the battlefield, my physics alone can’t do anything. I can’t help but grimace at this.
“…(Shakes head)”
But Muttsurini actually shakes his head to answer my self-pity. Eh? Am I wrong?
“Akihisa, Muttsurini isn’t talking about your pairing with Shimada.”
“Eh? But isn’t Muttsurini talking about me…”
“Um, besides you, Yuuji and Kirishima, ain’t there someone else? There’s another great talent[2] who hasn’t been disqualified.”
Now that Hideyoshi mentions it, I look around at everyone present. Muttsurini is disqualified, Hideyoshi too, Yuuji’s a pair with Kirishima-san, and the one left is…”
“Are, are you talking about me…?”
Oh yeah! There’s still Himeji-san! Looks like she thought that she’s disqualified too because she’s too scared.
But even if she’s not disqualified, can Himeji-san really take part in this test of courage tournament? It’ll be too much if we force her to take part. Since Minami is so terrified despite taking the initiative, it’ll be too pitiful for Himeji-san here.
“Ah, ahh…I, I really can’t handle that kind of thing…”
Himeji-san mutters with utmost apology from the bottom of her heart. She must be troubled thinking that she can’t contribute to the team. Such a kind girl.
“So, well…I will end up causing Akihisa-kun lots of troubles…”
“Don’t worry about such things, Himeji-san. The punishment of losing isn’t anything great!”
“If possible…I, I want to take part in this with you too, Akihisa-kun…”
“You really don’t have to force yourself to take part—wait, ehh? Himeji-san, you’re really willing to go?”
“Ah, yes. If it doesn’t bother you, Akihisa-kun…”
“Why would I? I won’t feel bothered at all! I’ll be really welcoming of it too!”
I’m really happy here! Not because we got extra firepower, but because Himeji-san is willing to take part in this test of courage tournament.
It’s rare for everyone to experience this kind of activity. It’ll really be a pity if one only has the memory of ‘being terrified to death just by watching the monitor image in the classroom’. It doesn’t matter if we get disqualified by screaming the moment we step into the haunted house; the most important thing is that everyone can take part in this and laugh about it, saying things like ‘it’s really scary’ once everything’s over, and making wonderful memories of it. Thus, I’m really happy that Himeji-san is finally willing to take part in this.
“Is that so? So you finally decide to join, Himeji…yeah, you definitely won’t have a chance of winning after seeing Shimada and Akihisa like that. Now’s the time to summon your courage.”
“Sa, Sakamoto-kun! I’ll get angry if you continue!”
“Okay okay okay. I won’t say anything. I’ll just shut up, alright?”
Yuuji gives a sinister grin on his face.
I see. Minami’s passion in taking part despite being scared brought lots of courage to Himeji-san. It’s true that Minami’s hard work is really making my heart race. If I think about it this way, I can understand why Himeji-san would nod her head and agree.
“Le, let’s go, Akihisa-kun.”
“Un, you’re right. Let’s hurry up then!”
I better hurry before everyone realizes that Himeji-san and I are paired up and comes for my throat.
“Right, I better get ready.”
“…Yuuji, you can hug onto me tightly if you’re scared.”
“I refuse. Also, please do whatever you want if you’re scared.”
“…Impossible. Those kinds of scary things scare me the most. I’ll definitely stick to you, Yuuji.”
“I’ll show you the expressions when you attack me the next time. That’s a real demon.”
“…Kyaa, it’s so scary.”
“Uggooh!! My, my joints!?”
“…Cough, cough. Kyahh, kya…? Iya…?”
“You’re practicing your cries now? Damn it! I definitely won’t be tricked by you—GYAAAHHHH!!!”
“…I see. Gyaahhh, that…”
I can hear Yuuji and Kirishima-san’s conversation while I leave the classroom with Himeji-san. That Yuuji…I hope he won’t scream out in pain once his joints are restrained.
