Arc 1 chapter 2: star of hope

I was in top form from the day I finished the entrance ceremony.

　

　Filled with the relief that Hoshino had enrolled and the happiness of seeing her in person, I had become the strongest being in Kivotos. I could probably destroy Kaiser PMC by myself now. Of course, that was a lie, but it was undoubtedly the happiest time of my life at Kivotos.

　

　With Hoshino by my side, I could do anything and go anywhere. That was the conviction I had.

　

　But after a week...

　

"Now that I think about it, Hoshino wasn't in the student council from the beginning...?"

　

　I realized a terrifying truth. Depending on my actions from now on, there's a chance that Hoshino might not join the Abydos Student Council. If that were to happen, my life would be over.

　

"Oh no... I need to check my notes..."

It had already been 17 years since I was reincarnated into Kivotos, and perhaps because I had lived a very intense life, My knowledge of the original work, or rather My memories of My previous life, had started to fade. As expected, I remembered the general flow of the main story and the major events, but he was beginning to forget the details like this one.

　

"If I collect signatures to improve the environment in Abydos and hand out handouts for the briefing session on strengthening security in Abydos, I might be able to meet Hoshino..."

　

　I didn't understand the meaning. How could I meet Hoshino like this? I don't really see the need for it, since we're always patrolling to maintain public order, and I don't think anyone other than me will cooperate.

　

"But if I don't meet Hoshino this time, it'll be the end, so I guess I have no choice but to do it."

　

　That's right, I'll do my best and think of it as a way to meet Hoshino.

---

"Please! Please sign it!"

　

　The next day I was collecting signatures in the still-populated parts of town.

　

"We are collecting signatures to improve the environment in Abydos! We need your help!"

　

　However, the citizens passing by don't seem interested at all. Is there really any point in doing this?

　

"What's the point of doing something now..."

　

"Um, excuse me, could you please sign this..."

　

"What good is a signature when we're finally leaving the Nephthys Autonomous Region?"

　

　Sorry, to be honest I think the same, but I have no choice if I want to meet Hoshino. Speaking of which, Nephthys is Nonomi's hometown, right?

　

　As I was thinking about this, I saw a wave of pink hair and a cowlick at the edge of my vision. I really did meet Hoshino...but she was about to go somewhere! I had to call out to her!

"Wait, wait a minute!"

　

"?"

　

"Thank goodness... You're the one who enrolled recently, right? I think your name is..."

　

"Hoshino-chan! Right?"

　

"..."

　

"Eh, what? Was it different?"

　

　Eh, it's Hoshino, right? Am I mistaken? Maybe Hoshino has a twin? And she's trying to go somewhere again!

"Wait, Hoshino-chan!"

　

　Hmm... I could chase her, but I don't have the courage to stalk her on our first meeting, and she might have something to do, so I'll leave it at that. I'm sure we'll have another chance to meet.

　

　The next day, I was again handing out handouts for an explanatory meeting on the policy to strengthen public safety.

　

"We will be holding a briefing on the policy to strengthen public order in Abydos! Everyone please attend!"

　

"Here's a printout from the information session! Please just take a look at it..."

　

　However, it seems that no one is interested in strengthening public order, as not a single printout was removed...

"Ah, Hoshino-chan!!"

　

　Yes, I had met Hoshino. Should I continue this after all? While I was thinking about this, Hoshino ran off somewhere. Eh, wasn't she walking too fast? Is this the greatest mystery of Kivotos?　

　

"hang on!"

　

　I quickly tried to follow her, but...

　

"Wabu?!"

　

　I fell over because I started running in a weird position. I can't catch up now. I guess I'll just have to stop here for today...

　

"Ah..."

　

　I was thinking about that when Hoshino came back with a sigh and went out of her way to wake me up. "You're so kind. I like you, I love you, please marry me."

"Th-Thanks Hoshino-chan."

　

　Huh, I mean...

　

"We shook hands..."

　

　Yes, Hoshino pulled me up by the hand, so it ended up being more of a handshake. I won't be able to wash my hands today.

　

"How do you know about me?"

　

　I was thinking something strange, but Hoshino spoke to me.

　

"Of course I know! There were rumors that there was a really strong new student."

　

　Of course, I know this for a different reason, but it's not a lie. I heard some other first-year students talking about it the other day.

"It was Hoshino-chan who stopped the gang fight the other day, right?"

　

　I was actually going to stop them, but by the time I got there the fight was already over. Hoshino was probably the only one in Abydos who could do something like that.

　

"Thank you for everything you did for Abydos. As the student council president, I wanted to thank you!"

　

　This is also my honest opinion. I usually do this alone, so it was a great encouragement to know that there are other people besides me who are also working hard.

　

"You'd better hurry back, President Kuchinashi Yume. It's dangerous here after dark."

　

　It's practically the first time we've met, yet you're worrying about me? Isn't that too kind?

"But there's still more to do..."

　

　I feel like if I keep going I might see Hoshino again, so I'll keep going until night. While I was thinking about that, Hoshino sighed and went off somewhere. Hmm? Come to think of it...

　

"Did I tell Hoshino-chan my name?"

　

　Maybe they already knew about it. If so, I was very happy. Feeling very happy, I continued handing out the handouts until the evening.

---

"It's already this late..."

　

　I was surprisingly engrossed in it, and it was already completely dark outside. I knew it was time to head home.

　

"In the end, we didn't get any signatures and we ended up with a lot of extra prints..."

　

　But I was able to talk to Hoshino and even shake her hand, so that's good! I'm very satisfied with the result. Hoshino had told me to go home early, so I was about to go home, but...

　

"What is this thing?"

　

　I got into trouble with some thugs.

　

"Information session, huh? You're a student from Abydos, by any chance?"

　

"Hey, do you understand? Because you didn't pay your money, you got the blame from above!"

　

　And she's saying things that I don't really understand.

"How do you intend to take responsibility for this?! Ahh?!"

　

　Is it really my fault? Ah, the signature form...

　

"What is this, this annoying piece of trash?"

　

　Garbage...garbage!? This paper is the best document that allowed me to meet Hoshino...so don't tear it up! It took quite a while to prepare it!　

　

"S-Stop it!"

　

"Who cares!"

　

"Oh no, I feel bad. Let me see your face for a bit."

　

　Hmm, what a coincidence. I feel the same way. Can I just go ahead and do it?

　

　Just as I was about to aim my gun, someone appeared from behind the thugs, mowing them down with a bang.

"H-Hoshino-chan...?"

　

　Wow, that's so cool... I'm in love.

　

"I told you not to! Please go home quickly!"

　

"Why didn't you go home? Are you stupid?!"

　

"S-s-s-s-sorry."

　

　I couldn't give a silly reason like "I thought I'd meet Hoshino," so I apologized sincerely.

　

"Abydos is a lawless place right now!"

　

　Yes, that's true. Why is the security situation in Abydos so bad? I was talking to Hoshino.

　

"Ah, are you planning to defy us?"

"I remember that face!"

　

　The delinquents left with words that sounded like an example of third-rate villainy. Up until now, I'd thought of them as the worst kind of people, especially since they'd torn up my signature form, but now they've acted as cupids to help me meet Hoshino, so my opinion of them has skyrocketed. Thank you, you nameless thugs.

　

"Are you hurt? President Kuchinashi Yume."

　

"Uh, yeah. Thank you, Hoshino-chan."

　

"Why didn't you fight?"

　

　I was holding back a bit, but I was fully prepared to fight, so it's hard to answer. I'll borrow a line from Yume-senpai in the original works that I saw in my notes this morning:

"If we start solving everything with force, I think we'll lose sight of ourselves one day."

　

　I borrowed these words, but they are also my true feelings. My conscience as a Japanese person tells me that it is not good to solve everything with force. If we think about everything based on the assumption of using force, we will miss out on those who truly need help and those who are willing to lend a hand, and we will end up making too many enemies unnecessarily. If that happens, we may become trapped in distrust and lose allies.

　

"...I don't understand what you're talking about. So how do you solve this?"

　

　Well, that's true. It's understandable that someone who has grown up in Abydos, or rather Kivotos, wouldn't be able to think like this, and I have no intention of forcing this way of thinking on them.

"I'm not saying we shouldn't fight at all. In fact, that would be impossible in Abydos right now."

　

　Although it's true that fighting is necessary for self-defense in Kivotos, I've decided that I won't fight unless the enemy attacks me. I almost did that earlier because I was angry.

　

"Fighting is one way to solve problems, and I wanted people to know that there are other options. There are some things that can't be solved by fighting alone."

　

"..."

　

"Plus, if you get attacked by the other person, you'll have a just cause and can feel good about shooting them!"

　

"What?"

"Oh, sorry, forget the last one."

　

　This is bad. I was trying to say something like Yume-senpai, but I blurted it out at the last moment.

　

"Uh, yeah. Anyway... please hurry back. They might bring their friends."

　

"Oh, wait up, Hoshino-chan!"

　

　Hmm... I ended up sounding a bit preachy and saying some weird things. I'm a little worried about whether I can soften Hoshino's attitude. But I think kindness is just her natural personality, so I don't think it will be a problem.

---

    Residents, please sign this petition!

　

　The next day, I continued collecting signatures, undeterred. Hoshino came again today, so the effect was tremendous.

　

"Hey Hoshino, what's up today?"

　

"I thought that those guys from yesterday might come for revenge."

　

　Well, maybe that's

　

"You came to protect me?"

　

"No, I thought it would be easier to just defeat everyone who was lured by the president."

　

"You mean bait?!"

　

　No. I was a decoy.

"...There are many people targeting the Abydos Student Council."

　

　Hmm?...Could this possibly be the case?　

　

"I see. I see."

　

"?"

　

"Hoshino-chan, you're not so honest! You're actually worried about me, aren't you?"

　

"Who's worried about that..."

　

　she looks a little embarrassed, but she frowns as if to hide it. I know Hoshino well, so I won't be fooled by that.

　

"Hoshino-chan, you always have that frown on your face... but it's a shame because you're so cute, isn't it?"

"Huh?! Wh, what are you talking about?! If you keep saying unnecessary things, I won't care anymore!"

　

　Is she a tsundere? Is she a tsundere? She was worried about me after all. Hoshino is so kind. Also, I've been alone all my second year, so it's really fun to be able to talk to someone. It's been a while since I've had such a fun conversation with someone other than Shiba Taisho.

　

"Thank you, Hoshino-chan. It's reassuring to have such a reliable and cute junior helping me out!"

　

"It's fine, please concentrate, President Kuchinashi Yume. Also, this is the first and last time I'll be helping out with student council work."

　

　Even though I say this, I'm sure the kind Hoshino can't abandon me...

　

"Hehe, thank you Hoshino-chan. But I think I'd be even happier if you called me Yume-senpai instead of Kuchinashi Yume, ok?"

It's fine if she doesn't call me Yume-senpai, but I feel like there's a distance between them and President Kuchinashi Yume, and I don't like it.

　

"Were you listening to me?"

　

　It seems she was a little annoyed because I'd said it on the assumption that she would continue to help me. But she's such a kind girl that she went out of her way to help out with student council work even though I hadn't said anything today, so I'm sure she'll continue to help me out in one way or another. I won't say this because I know it might be annoying to her, but even so, I feel great.

　

"Hey! What are you smiling about?!"

　

"Hehe, it's nothing~"

　

　That day, I collected signatures while talking with Hoshino. At one point, just as Hoshino had feared, the delinquents from the previous day came and attacked us with their friends, but Hoshino fought them all off, so I didn't get a chance to do anything. I think I'm pretty strong, but if I were to fight Hoshino, I don't think I could win. I guess it's just a difference in talent.

---

About a month has passed since then. Hoshino still hasn't joined the student council, but as expected, she always finds an excuse to help out. The tsundere role in Abydos is Serika, not Hoshino.

　

　As I was spending time with Hoshino, I suddenly remembered that they went on a treasure hunt in the original work. I don't think there will be any treasure, but I want to do a lot of things together, and I remember Hoshino enjoying treasure hunting, so I decided to go treasure hunting. But when I say treasure hunt, I want to suggest digging up fireworks containing rare minerals in the desert, like in the original work, after Hoshino joins the student council. Also, I don't think she'll wear a school swimsuit until we become a little closer. I couldn't miss the opportunity to see Hoshino in a school swimsuit. In times like these, I'll look at my notes.

　

"Go around to different stations and search for treasure?"

　

　This is what was written in the memo. Well, there might be some valuable exhibits there, so I'll suggest it to Hoshino.

"Hoshino-chan! Are you interested in treasure hunting?"

　

"Why?"

　

"The Abydos Student Council used to be rich! I think they had expensive exhibits at the various stations in Abydos. So we're going to go look for them!"

　

　It's a little late to say this, but I wonder if the serious Hoshino of today will go along with an invitation like this. Maybe I should have thought of something a little more clever. It would be terrible if we couldn't go on a treasure hunting date after this.

　

"Yume-senpai..."

　

"?"

　

　By the way, thanks to my persistent request, she started calling me Yume-senpai. The first time she called me that, I was so happy that she was a little annoyed.

"If there is such a thing, please tell me quickly! I'll be there right now!"

　

　Her eyes are sparkling and she seems excited. I knew she liked it, but I didn't think it was this much. So cute.

　

"Okay, let's go now!!"

---

We continued searching for treasure and it was already night...

　

"Yume-senpai, we can't find anything."

　

"Hmm, looks like this one's a miss too."

　

　As expected, We didn't find any treasure. But it didn't matter because we had a blast. This time was the real treasure.

　

"Let's go home now, Yume-senpai. Treasure hunting is a waste of time."

　

"Huh!? Hoshino-chan was really into it at first too!"

　

"Th-that's..."

　

　Hoshino also said something like this, but perhaps she had fun after all.Her expression seems softer than usual.

　

"Hey, senpai, you dropped your notebook."

"Huh?! Where?!"

　

　This is bad, I was a bit too careless. And it's not a diary, it's just a note from someone writing about their knowledge of the original work. If I let it go in a place like this, it'll be really bad in a lot of ways.

　

"It's right at Yume-senpai's feet. Or rather, is the notebook really that important to you that you're in such a hurry?"

　

"It's not just important! If I lose this notebook, I might die..."

　

　...I think I said something unnecessary because I was too anxious.

　

"Huh? If it's that important, then please take good care of it."

　

"Yeah, I'm sorry. And thank you, Hoshino-chan! You saved my life!"

"Well, isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?"

　

　From my perspective, it was a lifesaver, no joke. It would have been bad enough if I had just lost it, but it would have been really bad if Kaiser or Gematria had found it.

　

　

　After that, We searched around a lot, but We couldn't find any treasure.

---

   One day, Hoshino-chan and I were out shopping together.

　

"Oh, maybe this is..."

　

　A backpack-shaped water bottle. This is probably the thing that caused Hoshino to become a Terror. I'd better break this flag.

　

"What are you looking at, Yume-senpai?"

　

"Hmm? This is a backpack-style water bottle."

　

"Wouldn't it get in the way when you move around? And it seems like the quality is questionable considering how expensive it is..."

　

　This is it. I think this line was one of the reasons for the trauma, so I'll agree with it and try not to think that Hoshino was the reason I didn't buy it

"It's a rare item, so I'm just looking at it, but I don't feel like buying it. It's also too expensive, so I think it would be better to replenish my ammunition instead of buying this."

　

"That's true. You can buy quite a few for the price of one."

　

　Okay, I don't know if this is for the best, but at least it won't be Hoshino's fault. That's a relief.

　

"There's one thing that bothered me..."

　

"what happened?"

　

"How did you become student council president, senpai? I've never heard of a student council with only one member."

　

　It was a natural question. Even without thinking too much about it, a student council with only one member would be strange and cause for concern.

"Ah, it's still bothering you, isn't it? The truth is, there wasn't a proper election held."

　

"Oh, is that so?"

　

"They elected me as president by a show of hands, and all the other officers and seniors left."

　

"T-They did it that way...?!"

　

"Abydos was no longer in a good state at the time, so I think they just pushed it onto me, since I was the one who was most motivated."

　

"Yume-senpai, you've been forced to take on a lot of trouble..."

　

　I'm so happy that she's angry for me. I'm happy, but I think I'll deny it.

　

"That's not true, Hoshino-chan."

　

"?"

"I accepted it willingly."

　

"Why?"

　

"I thought that if I had the authority of student council president, it would be easier to protect Abydos. And I didn't want to give up on Abydos, even if I was left alone."

　

"..."

　

"Well, actually, there were times when that alone wasn't enough..."

　

　It was really tough at the time, and I can say this because Hoshino came and made the future look a little brighter, and because Shiba Taisho was there. Speaking of which, I haven't been to Shibaseki Ramen recently, so maybe I should go with Hoshino next time.

　

"But now I have Hoshino-chan... and this, so everything's okay!"

　

"...What is this?"

"Ta-da! It's the student council president's notebook!"

　

　She looks at me as if she is pitiful.   She probably doesn't think I am writing properly in a notebook with such a design.

　

"Don't look at me like that! I still write it down every day!"

　

"Isn't that just a study book that's sold everywhere?"

　

"It's not a study notebook, it's the student council president's notebook! Well, most of the contents are my diary..."

　

"Besides, one day Hoshino-chan will inherit it!"

　

"That future will never come."

"Huh? Oh, I see. Hoshino-chan isn't in the student council... I've been turned down so many times, but you're always with me, so I misunderstood..."

　

　Come to think of it, that's true. I'd be happy if you could join me someday... Hoshino-chan seems a little flustered, probably because she saw me looking a little downcast.

　

"N-no, that's not it!"

　

"...It's a bit too uncool."

　

"Hmm, I guess so? Isn't it kind of cute?"

　

"What do you mean?!"

　

　I think it's pretty cute. No, maybe not...

　

"I see. Hoshino-chan likes fish."

"Wh-what do you mean?"

　

　It probably didn't sting Hoshino because she loves fish. She's surprised but tries to hide it, but it's a futile resistance. In the first place, I know that she likes fish from My past life, and more than anything,

　

"The other day when we went shopping together, you were staring at the whale notebook, right? Your eyes were really sparkling then, Hoshino-chan."

　

"You're just imagining things! And whales aren't fish!"

　

"Hehe, you've dug your own grave, Hoshino-chan. I guess you really do love it."

　

　Oh, Hoshino's face is really red.

　

"Hehehe, I've prepared a present for you, Hoshino-chan, who loves fish so much!"

"P-is it a present?"

　

"That's right, tada!"

　

"What?! Is this an admission ticket to the aquarium?"

　

　Yes, it was an admission ticket to the aquarium. I knew Hoshino loved fish and aquariums, and I wanted to repay her for all the help she'd given me. I also wanted to go on an aquarium date before sensei.

　

"That's right! I'm a little busy right now, so I booked tickets for two on the later dates!"

　

　Just a moment ago, Hoshino's face was bright red and she was trembling, but now she had forgotten all about her embarrassment and was smiling with sparkling eyes.

"That's amazing! Let's definitely go together next time!"

　

　I knew she liked it, but I didn't realize she was this happy. It was worth all the preparations. Plus, it meant we were guaranteed a date to the aquarium. I couldn't be happier.

　

"Yeah, let's definitely go!"

　

　

　That day, the two of them went home feeling happy.