Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume10.5 Me and the Future and Summoned Beasts

Me and the Future and Summoned Beasts

Me and the Future and Summoned Beasts

“““Uunn…”””

“? What’s with you guys? Why are you looking so troubled?”

“It’s rare to see you look so serious.”

“What happened?”

On a day after school, Yuuji, Muttsurini and I were bothered over something, and Minami, Hideyoshi and Himeji-san came over to us.

“Well, about this, we’re wondering what to do…”

I handed over the one responsible for my troubles over to Himeji-san.

“Ah, it’s the Career Aspiration Questionnaire?”

“Yeah.”

The Career Aspiration Questionnaire is about what we want to do after we graduate from High School, and it is something important that will affect our lives, and also something bothering me.

“What do you mean by you’re wondering? You’re not going to further your studies?”

Minami asked with disbelief.

Fumitzuki Gakuen is a prep school after all, and as Minami said, most of us will write that we’re continuing our studies.

“I’d thought you would write that you’ll continue your studies, Yuuji.”

“Well, that’s what I thought too. But if I write that I’m going to further my studies, I should at least write the school’s name?”

“Of course. If you’re going to further your studies, you have to write the school you wish to enter and the subjects, or so I heard.”

“I’m really wondering how I’m going to write this here…”

Yuuji sighed softly.

Besides furthering our studies, we also have to choose what jobs we want. It feels really difficult for me.

“I’m not the only one bothered about this. Akihisa too is troubled over which seaside tree to choose.”

“Wait, Yuuji, don’t just add an option ‘hanged in the forest’ in my progress options there!”

I guess Ironman will be shocked if he receives this piece from me that has the words “Choice of University: Sakaeou University, Place you wish to work at: Haseda Trading, Place you wish to be hung at: Fuji Forest.”

I suppose we should leave aside such useless talk for now.

“We’re troubled because of this.”

“Hmm…if you really don’t know what to write, how about you write down what you want first before changing it later?”

“I think you can write until your 3rd wish, right?”

“No, we’re hoping that we can write until the 15th wish.”

“Isn’t that too much?”

In other words, 3 wishes alone won’t be able to include our wishes completely. That Ironman…! He should die ten thousand deaths for lumping me together with Yuuji and Muttsurini…!

“If you have to write 15 wishes, it’s no wonder that it’s hard.”

“Yeah.”

And we have to hand it over to that Ironman. If we are to write something weird, we’ll be punished by the iron fist and forced to rewrite. It’s going to be an endless suffering for us. Good grief…

“Speaking of which, have you finished writing, Hideyoshi?”

I decided to ask Hideyoshi for reference.

From what they said, I guess that Himeji-san and Minami are going to continue their studies, but what about Hideyoshi?

“Hm? I haven’t written anything yet, but I do know what I want to do in the future. That’s why I’m not lost about anything.”

“Is that so? That’s good.”

If we’re talking about Hideyoshi, it has to be acting. He’s definitely going to put that as his career path. At this point, I really envy those who won’t be lost because they have a clear goal.

As she sees me looking this troubled, Minami claps her hands together and says,

“In that case, how about you choose something you want to do as your career path, Aki?”

“What I want to do?”

“Yeah. Isn’t it good to consider whether you want to further your studies or to work first?”

“What interests do you have, Akihisa-kun?”

Once the girls said this, I start to think for a while.

Interests, interests…as for what I like, I’ll say,

“Something like manga and games.”

I like playing games a lot, but if I am to say what I really like most.

“Fm…a mangaka or something similar?”

“Or a game designer. That can work.”

“It has nothing to do with manga and games, but you can be quite the chef, you know, Aki?”

Himeji-san and the rest listed out the options. Fm fm, I see.

“In other words, in the future, I’ll become—”

“…An ero-mangaka, an ero gamer designer, an ero-chef.”

“—One of those…wait, why are they all related to ero!? Aren’t these all you wishes, Muttsurini!?”

“…!!(Shakes head wildly)”

And what’s with that ero-chef especially? Is that a chef that will use an erotic-looking radish with the shape of feet to cook?

Yuuji looks like he’s lecturing Muttsurini as he says,

“Oi oi, Muttsurini, this can be considered something that will affect your life, you know? You have to treat it seriously.”

“…I’m already serious here.”

That’s very problematic too.

I ignore Muttsurini and turn towards Yuuji,

“Then, Akihisa.”

“Hm?”

“Honestly, which middle school do you want to enter?”

“YOU WANT A FIGHT, DON’T YOU!? I’LL GIVE YOU AN ALL-OUT FIGHT IF YOU WANT, YOU DAMNED BASTARD!”

“Aki and Hazuki in the same grade…as a sister, I’m really thankful for that.”

“Before that, you should pity me as a friend here, Minami!”

They are really friends who aren’t worth making.

“Ahaha…well, leaving aside Akihisa-kun…what do you want to do in the future, Tsuchiya-san?”

“…Nu—photographer.”

(He wanted to say nude cameraman there.)

(He wanted to say nude cameraman there, right?)

(He wanted to say nude cameraman there, didn’t he.)

Our thoughts were in sync.

“Well, Tsuchiya-kun…I suppose you should write something to explain if you want to hand this questionnaire over to the teacher.”

“…! (Shakes head violently)”

It’s just like what Himeji-san said. Muttsurini has to maintain a good image.

“What you want to do is a problem itself, Muttsurini.”

“But I do feel that it’s good that you have a clear idea of what you want to do.”

Yuuji looked over at Muttsurini and me as he said this.

“Speaking of which, don’t you have any interests, Sakamoto-kun?”

“Un? I see, as for me.”

“…Like this.”

We receive the paper that was handed over, and start to read.

“First wish: groom. Second wish: husband. Third wish: loving couple. Fourth wish: Newly weds. Fifth wish: Kirishima Yuuji. Sixth wish: Belongs to Shouko forever. Etc.”

“What about that, Sakamoto? Didn’t you decide on your career path already?”

“Really there. Why are you saying that you’re envious of others?”

“…I really envy you.”

“ARE YOU ALL SERIOUS HERE!?”

Yuuji’s career aspiration questionnaire was already filled up by Kirishima-san neatly without us knowing. She’s really a nice girl who pays attention to details.

“Ah, Shouko-chan, you’re here.”

“…Un.”

Kirishima-san appeared without warning, and we completely accepted that. To me, this is a common part of my daily life, so there’s nothing strange about that at all.

“What are you doing here, Shouko?”

Yuuji continued to keep his guard as he asked unhappily.

Kirishima-san did not care about Yuuji’s attitude as she said adamantly,

“…To check on my career progress.”

It’s really amazing that she can say that while holding Yuuji’s career aspiration questionnaire.

“Seriously, you’ve been quick at this kind of things ever since the past…!”

“…Because it is something important.”

As we stare at them, Minami suddenly narrows her eyes.

“Hm…I see. So Sakamoto’s not worrying about ‘what to choose for the career path’, but ‘how to keep it a secret’, huh?”

“Ah, so that’s why Sakamoto-kun is troubled over ‘how to write this’.”

Speaking of which, he hasn't been worrying about ‘what schools he will write’, but ‘what to write’. So that’s why.

“What? So you’ve been worrying about that kind of thing, Yuuji?”

“Shut up. I’m worrying about my future too.”

“…It’s useless. Mother-in-law will inform everyone about it.”

“You even thought about a countermeasure for that!?”

It’s impossible for Yuuji to hide his career progression from his parents and Kirishima-san, but he’s still trying his best to think for his own freedom in life.

“Anyway, I can’t possibly tell you my career path, so just give up and go back.”

Yuuji said this coldly, and Kirishima-san looked really sad as she leaned over to him.

“…Yuuji, why must you say such hurting things to me…? …Do you hate being with me in the same school?”

Kirishima-san asked with a quiet tone. Anyone who doesn’t have a blackened iron heart will definitely be touched by these words.

In response to Kirishima-san’s question, Yuuji answers with a serious tone,

“No, Shouko, I want you to have your own freedom to choose. You’re going to miss out on what you really want if you keep getting restrained by me, and there’s nothing worse than that.”

I better note and remember how his face looked like a bean there.

“…But I want to put you first and foremost in my thoughts, Yuuji. That’s the happiest thing for me.”

“No way, I want you to look for your own happiness.”

“…No, Yuuji, I hope you don’t mind about me when you choose your own path.”

Even though it looks like they’re saying that they’re thinking for each other’s sake on the surface, there shouldn’t be this kind of selfishness both sides are showing for their own sakes.

Well, let’s leave aside Yuuji. I have my own career path to settle.

“U—n…how troubling…”

Just thinking about it alone really makes me want to sigh.

KARAK. At this moment, the F class homeroom teacher Ironman opened the door as he walked into the classroom.

“What, you’re still here? If you have nothing to do, hurry up and go back.”

Ironman looked in through the classroom windows, and it seems like he’s checking if the doors and windows are closed properly.

“Sorry, Nishimura-sensei. Everyone’s still asking about their career aspirations.”

Himeji-san said as she lowered her head.

“Oh, the career aspirations.”

Ironman muses as he looks at me, Yuuji and Muttsurini in turn.

“It’ll be great if it can be solved within this century…”

Why is this teacher so rude?

“Well, I won’t make any jokes now. How about you come over to the career counseling room if you’re out of ideas?”

“““…???”””

“Oi, why are you all giving such surprised looks?”

Go to the career counseling room to talk about career aspirations…?

“Ah, I see, so that room is used for that purpose.”

“I never thought you could give career counseling indirectly by interrogation and remedials…”

“…That’s an unexpected use.”

“What did you think of after hearing that room’s name?”

No. The reason why we thought of it this way is because of the remedial you usually give.

“Erm, Nishimura-sensei, what will the career talk touch on?”

“Well, I’ll give you detailed suggestions on the aspirations you raise, like for example, if you want to be a doctor, I’ll introduce a few schools based on the student’s academic ability and the courses the student need to study.”

Ironman said what the main use of the career counseling room was, at least.

He then looks away from Himeji-san and the rest to stare at us and ask,

“And so, have you at least gotten an idea of what you wish for?”

“I do, but I’m unwilling to say it.”

“…Nu—cameraman.”

“Anything other than a forest.”

“Alright, everyone, line up and clench your teeth.”

Why is he being so angry? We're being serious here.

“In other words, you haven’t decided on the path you want to take?”

“That’s right.”

I answer Ironman’s words definitely. The description of ‘haven’t decided on the path you want’ Ironman said of does fit me here at least.

“Is that so? In that case, discuss it with everyone. If there’s anything you don’t know, come over to the career counseling room.”

Ironman said that and left the classroom.

Hm…enter the counseling room…

“(KARAK) I heard about everything here.”

“Ah, principal-sen—”

“(SLAM) Bye!”

“Nice response there, Akihisa.”

“…Good job.”

“(KARAK) Really, there has to be a limit to your rudeness, you people.”

The one who swapped places with Ironman and appeared at the classroom is the old granny and principal we’re all very familiar with.

“Is there anything for us now, principal-sensei?”

Minami asks the principal while being on her guard. Considering the actions this old granny would do up till now, it’s natural for us to be on our guard.

“Actually, I just installed some new settings on the summoned beasts.”

“Such a coincidence.” (Minami)

“Another favor for us again.” (Hideyoshi)

“…Go back” (Muttsurini)

“Blow yourself back.” (Yuuji)

“Turn yourself bald.” (Me)

“What’s with such reactions? And the last two people are just chiding me here!”

That’s not all we have here.

“Erm, principal sensei, what’re the new settings of the summoned beasts about…?”

Himeji-san asks respectfully. She’s really someone very serious, even if it’s this kind of person she’s listening to.

The principal seems rather satisfied by Himeji-san’s question as she says proudly.

“We used the summoned beasts to read the user’s mental processing and use the personality data to simulate children before, haven’t we? This time, we’re using this idea to make a simple simulation of the summoner’s future.”

“Simulate the summoner’s future…is it?”

“Well, I would say that it’s closer to divination than prediction. I’ll input the data for personalities, athleticism, grades, social relationships and sorts, and from there, we’ll be able to obtain the most likely future.”

Is it like the kind of divination where we enter the birthdays and blood type?

“Then, what kind of future can we see?”

“Most likely, it’s around the time when you’re 23-25 years old. Your personalities, preferences and your thoughts when choosing your career paths will also be considered. The reflected age will also consider your physical and mental growth.”

In other words, it’ll tell me what my future is like based on what I feel when I choose my career path?

“That’s rather useful for Aki now.”

“That’s true. Sure came in handy here.”

Minami and Hideyoshi look like they’re rather interested in this. This is really interesting, and both of them have somewhat stated that they don’t have to take part in this since they have already thought of career paths, but in that sense, it means that I have to take part in this…

“But if something goes wrong again…”

On hearing me say this, the principal says,

“If you want to stop, just shout ‘out’ and it will disappear. Do that if anything goes wrong.”

I see, so we can let it disappear as and when we want it. Since she has already planned some safety (?) measures, it seems that she has already reflected upon it.

“Doesn’t sound like there’s any major problem here.”

“Un…even if you say so…”

This is the doing of that principal after all. She’s not very trustworthy.

“Never mind, you can use it whenever you want to. Don’t force yourself.”

The field is expanded such that we can use it however we want to. Leaving these words behind, the principal walks off. From the way she walks out, it looks like she’s really providing this for us out of well intentions. Un, I don’t think there’ll be any special tricks here.

“Then, what do you plan to do, Akihisa?”

Hideyoshi’s asking me as I ponder over whether to use it…alright!

“It’s a rare chance, so let’s try it.”

“Oh, how decisive.”

“That’s good.”

It’s not my style to keep worrying over such things. Since I have something I can do, let’s just try it out first.

“Then, I’m going to summon. Everyone, stand back just in case…let’s go.”

“—SUMMON!”

In response to that familiar call, a familiar pattern appears.

And then, right in the middle of it is my summoned beast, based on my avatar.

“Ohh, it’s a big one this time.”

“…Ever since the test of courage tournament.”

It’s just like what Yuuji and Muttsurini said. The summoned beast that appears isn’t 3 heads tall, but as large as a real human.

“Fm, it’s not a uniform this time, but a suit.”

“So that means he managed to make it into society?”

It’s impossible for me to be wearing my high school uniform in the future. The principal must have changed the clothing to an ordinary suit based on this thinking.

“Huh? It’s taller than me?”

“In other words, the prediction is that you’ll grow even taller.”

“Heh~ that’s really great.”

The future me says to us,

“Ah! How nostalgic! It’s everyone in high school!”

The summoned beast is talking normally. This happened before, so I can’t say that I’m not used to it. Also, I won’t be able to ask anything if it can’t talk.

“I see I see. So this is how I was like when I was in high school.”

The summoned beast who looks like an ordinary person looks at me as he says it. Speaking of which, is my voice like this? It just doesn’t feel right to me.

“But I feel that I should be looking wiser here…”

Why must he say such rude things?

“Let’s hear from you. You’re the future form of Akihisa, right?”

“That’s right. Oh, is this Yuuji? Hideyoshi, Muttsurini and Kirishima-san really look young here.”

The future me says this happily. The way I see it, this summoned beast is really showing my future self.

“I never thought that I could meet everyone in high school like this.”

In fact, you didn’t come from the future, but you’re set up to have such thoughts here, right? mY summoned beast starts to nod as he looks over at everyone.

“And over there are Himeji-san and Minami, right? Hello there.”

“Ah, yes! He-he-he-he-hello!”

“Eh, erm, nice to meet you for the first—no! It’s been a whi—not that too! Th-that, that…!”

“? Why are you panicking so much?”

Himeji-san and Minami are shaken up once they started talking to the future me. Are they not used to talking with older people?

“…Mizuki and Minami’s reactions are really cute.”

“Ah…it’s true that he looks much more decent than he is now.”

“Fm, he has really become a good man.”

“…I can see the suffering in the future.”

I don’t really know the reason, but I really feel a little unhappy over how those two are blushing in front of this future me.

“Well, never mind. Anyway, I have to ask the future me something.”

“Hm? What is it?”

The future me looks over at my side. Looks are secondary, there’s something more important I have to talk about.

“I’ll go straight to the point. What will happen to me 2 years later?”

Since I’m in my second year, I really want to know what happens to me 2 years later.

The future me smiles and answers,

“Ah, it’s fine.”

“? It’s fine? What do you mean?”

“You’ll still have a nice happy high school life 2 years later.”

“WAIT A SECOND! IT’S NOT A HAPPY THING FOR ME IF I’M STILL HAVING A HIGH SCHOOL LIFE TWO YEARS LATER!!”

I had already prepared myself mentally many times, but I can’t even get through the checkpoint before that!?

“Huh? You don’t understand? It means that you can’t graduate ne—”

“I KNOW THAT WITHOUT YOU EXPLAINING THAT TO ME, IDIOT! THE QUESTION IS WHY CAN’T I GRADUATE! ATTENDANCE!? OR RED MARKS!?”

“No, you had enough attendance and points.”

“Then why is it then!?”

“But you can’t graduate in your second year…”

“I CAN’T EVEN GET UP TO MY THIRD YEAR, LET ALONE GRADUATE NOW!?”

THAT’S IT! I HAD ENOUGH!

“Un~, I see. My reactions are really interesting. It’s no wonder everyone always made fun of me.”

“Ha!?”

What is this idiot saying now? Don’t tell me…he’s bluffing me?

“Don’t worry, you studied till near death, knelt down to the teachers every day and managed to graduate with tender feelings”

“This line alone is enough to scare me here!”

I can’t graduate if this keeps up!? How severe is my current situation now!?

“Anything else you want to ask?”

“I want to ask a lot of things, but I don’t want to know the answer…”

I really don’t dare to ask anything about the future.

And then, right after I spoke up,

“Then, may I ask something?”

“I want to ask something too…”

“Nn? What is it?”

Himeji-san and Minami step forward with intensity.

“Erm…are you dating anyone now?”

“Th-that’s right. Or rather, are you married yet?”

In response to these two’s questions, as they seemed really agitated for some reason—

“Nn~>…”

After a short moment of thinking—

“I won’t tell you.”

The future me smiles as he says.

“Wh-why aren’t you telling us anything at all!”

“That’s right, Aki! It’s not like you to hide stuff like this!”

“Ahaha. Speaking of which, Himeji-san and Minami were being like this as high school as well.”

“Are you not telling us because it’s related to us!?”

“Please tell us! Akihisa-kun!”

The future me has his sleeves tugged by them as he says happily,

“Nope. I have to keep a secret.”

““Uuu—…””

While those two were pressing on, the future me proceeds to tease them easily. I really can’t imagine myself being like that—and for some reason, I really got infuriated as I look at them.

“Then then, please at least tell us your type, Akihisa-kun!”

“I see. But that’s a little—”

“Out.”

The future me vanishes once I says this. Phew, I sure feel a lot better here.

“Ah, Akihisa-kun! Why must you be so mean!?”

“I want to ask him regarding some other things too!”

“That’s fine. You won’t be able to get back any decent answer even if you ask that kind of stupid idiot.”

“? Why are you angry?”

“I’m not.”

”“???””

Really, that guy’s not decent at all. I won’t become like that in the future.

“Anyway, we don’t know whether it will work, but we can tell that there’s no major problem with it.”

“Um. How about it, Muttsurini? If you don’t know what career path to choose, you can summon.”

“…Let me try.”

Muttsurini nods “…summon” and says this. And like before, a summoned beast about as tall as me appears.

The adult Muttsurini is wearing a suit with a necktie, and he really looks very cool to us.

“Heh, this is really unexpected. It looks like Muttsurini still hasn’t grown up enough.”

“It’s even taller than mine. That’s good, huh?”

“…That kind of thing doesn’t really matter.”

Muttsurini does not have any interest in his future appearance, and he immediately asks this question,

“…There’s something I want to ask.”

“…What is it?”

“…Did I become a nude cameraman?”

His desires have been fully released, and he looks like a kid who just met his hero as he asks this.

“…In other words, you want to know my current profession?”

“…(Gulps)”

“…I am a news reporter.”

“…”

“…What’s the matter?”

“…Pardon?”

Why English?

“…I am a news reporter.”

After he was asked again, the future Muttsurini repeats his words again.

A news reporter? I see. With his information gathering abilities, agility and other unique talents, Muttsurini is really suited to be a news reporter.

On hearing those words, Muttsurini’s body starts to tremble with rage.

“…You.”

“…Nn?”

“…What…are you doing…!”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“…Why can you forgive yourself for not being a nude cameraman…!”

Actually, I would say that we’re curious about why you can’t forgive yourself for not becoming a nude cameraman.

“…Have you given up on your dreams—the meaning of living…!?”

“…My mission is to reveal the dark side in politics.”

“…No…! My real mission is to reveal the secrets hidden under the clothes…!”

“…This is really bad…the old me…”

“…I don’t accept this…! I definitely won’t accept this me…!”

The future has gone on a separate path from his dreams. Muttsurini can’t accept that way of life as he glares back at this future him.

“Speaking of which, I never thought that I would hear Muttsurini say ‘My mission is to reveal the dark side in politics’.”

“I never thought that he would become a news reporter and get involved in politics.”

“If he continues to head down the path of Ero, he might be able to walk down the proper path after some time.”

I see. So there’s that kind of possibility too.

As we continue to look,

—Pipi. Pasha

An electronic sound rang. Is that the sound of a cellphone shutter?

“…Thank you Mizuki.”

“It’s fine. It’s just a small thing.”

Himeji-san and Kirishima-san were the ones who spoke up. It seems that Himeji-san used the cellphone to take a photo of future Muttsurini.

“Himeji-san, why did you take a photo of Muttsurini?”

“Ah, it’s not me. Shouko-chan asked me for help. She doesn’t know how to take a photo.”

“…I’m bad with cellphones.”

“You’re already well-versed at deleting the visual data on my cellphone memory…”

“…I’m not good with any cellphone other than Yuuji’s.”

It seems that machines are one of the rare things Kirishima-san isn’t good at. However, there seems to be some exceptions.

“So what did you do with Muttsurini’s photo, Kirishima-san?”

“…I sent it to Aiko.”

She sent the photo of future Muttsurini to Kudou-san?

“Ah, I see. Make her laugh at Muttsurini for having his dreams ruined.”

“That’s really a good idea. Muttsurini’s dream will only receive a tragic end. It’s so funny that my toes are tingling here.”

“Sometimes, I really feel that you people can’t be considered friends.”

“How rude. Our friendship lasts for a lifetime.”

“Seriously. We swore that we will remain as friends forever.”

((—Until the moment where he is of no use to us.”

“Why is it that I’m hearing your hearts’ voices here?”

“It’s a friendship that’s thinner than a metal leaf…”

The friendship between men is a beautiful thing. We, who are bonded firmly while we’re not even relatives or acquaintances, can be considered true friends.

“—I sent it to Aiko-chan.”

“…Thank you, Mizuki.”

“No no, this little thing is nothing—wah. She replied back.”

Just a moment after she sent the mail, Himeji-san’s cellphone rings, indicating that she received a message.

Once she checked her mail, Himeji-san laughs happily.

“Fufufu. Really there, Aiko-chan.”

“Here here, I want to see too.”

“…Me too.”

Minami and Kirishima-san head over to look at Himeji-san’s cellphone.

“Ahaha. That’s quite a nice reaction.”

“…Aiko’s really cute.”

Both of them show grins on their faces after that.

“What? Is the reply really funny?”

“What kind of reaction is that?”

Yuuji and I want to head over to look too.

“Un…it’s a secret. We can’t let you see that, Akihisa-kun, everyone.”

Himeji-san closes her phone. She can’t let us see it? What is that? What kind of reaction does Kudou-san have? I’m really curious.

“…What you have aren’t dreams, but desires.”

“…What is the man who betrayed his own code of beliefs saying…!”

“…Then show me, show me fully, what kind of beliefs you have.”

“…I don’t need you to tell me that. My beliefs will never be twisted…!”

“…Dreams will change. You must remember me.”

“…I have nothing to say to you…!”

“…Out” Muttsurini says, and the summoned beast vanishes.

Speaking of which, that conversation just now really sounded very cool…on the surface.

“Then, it’s Sakamoto’s turn next.”

Once Muttsurini’s turn finishes, Minami turns towards Yuuji.

“No. I really don’t want to know about my future.”

“…Yuuji (grabs)”

“Alright, resistance is useless, right? I know that, damn it!”

Yuuji calls out his summoned beast reluctantly.

The future Yuuji slowly appears from the patterns on the floor.

The future Yuuji hasn’t changed as compared to now, and his face is still full of wildness, but he seems to be gentler in some way here—

“OUT DAMN IT—!!”

—The ring on the collar really fits him.