Episode 7: Flesh Wall
A few days had passed since I enrolled in the school that focused on enhancing special abilities, but so far, there was nothing particularly special about it. Essentially, we were studying regular subjects.
However, occasionally during school life, I would see my classmates using their special abilities.
Honestly, manipulating supernatural powers was something I couldn’t quite grasp. It was eerie.
“You can use them too, you know? I have a very gentle power.”
“Gentle…?”
“Well, everyone in this school, including me, can use special abilities. But the thing about special abilities is that they are still under research, and we don’t fully understand them. Who has what kind of ability is completely random. It’s believed that intentionally acquiring them is impossible.”
Urazumi spoke with a truly annoyed tone.
Why did she become a teacher…?
The content of the lesson was about special abilities themselves. I didn’t know anything about it either, as I had never considered that I might have one.
Basically, why bother trying to develop powers that we don’t even understand yet? Can’t they be held responsible for this?
“But there’s a theory that special abilities are the manifestation of one’s desires. It seems that the ability to realize what someone strongly wishes for in their subconscious mind becomes their special ability. Well, it sounds suspicious. Don’t worry about it.”
Hmm, the manifestation of one’s desires, huh?
I listened to Urazumi’s lesson with just as much apathy as she seemed to have. It’s not like I wanted to acquire such a power.
By the way, Kirako’s ability was a spear with incredible destructive power.
I glanced briefly at Kirako sitting next to me.
She was looking at me too.
In other words…
“Do you want to destroy everything?”
No, she didn’t have the courage for that.
[But she does think about it.]
She probably does.
Even now, she’s likely thinking about it.
She probably wants to get rid of anyone in her way.
Such an unpleasant girl.
“But your ability cancels out the attacks of others. Could that be the manifestation of your desire to reject others?”
I don’t want to.
But I am.
“It’s worse than ever, isn’t it!?”
“Alright, class is over. Okay, scram. I won’t take any questions.”
As soon as the bell rang, Urazumi quickly ended the class.
One of her few merits.
“Oh, right. It’s still early since you just enrolled, but there’s a recreation activity to help you get used to the school, make friends, and learn how to use your special abilities. Just form groups as you like.”
With these parting words, Urazumi left the classroom.
Hmm, a recreation activity…
Seriously, what a waste of time.
I have no intention of becoming buddy-buddy with anyone.
Besides, doing things together with others is incredibly stressful.
This sense of… grouping up feels really unsettling.
“A two-person group…? Ugh, my head…”
“Why? Aren’t you alone too?”
Are you kidding me?
I’m a lone wolf, or rather, a lone genius.
Or perhaps, a glorious isolation.
“Like the British Empire, maybe?”
Hey, I’m handsome and has a good personality, you know?
I’m in high demand.
In fact, it’s almost overwhelming.
With a slight smile of confidence, I looked around…
And to my surprise, I realized that most groups had already formed.
“(W-Why isn’t anyone coming near me…!?)”
[Overconfidence aside, you’re indeed quite unusual. Weren’t you quite popular back in middle school?]
Yeah, it’s true that I’ve never had any trouble forming groups for events like this before.
If I just waited, I’d naturally receive a deluge of invitations.
Well, being handsome and having a good personality does have its drawbacks.
But why is it that this time, there’s none of that?
I thought about it for a while, and the answer came surprisingly easily.
Oh, right.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
It’s because I’m shining too brightly, making it hard for them to approach.
Well, I do stand out from the crowd.
And that’s not something I can help.
[Your steel mentality is enviable. But what are you going to do? You can’t participate alone, can you? Are you going to team up with the teacher?]
I furrowed my brows at Parasite’s words.
“Don’t mess around.”
I couldn’t stand being with the violent, downer, and busty girl.
I glanced over, and Kirako was also alone.
Haha, this is lame.
“You too?”
Kirako also looked at me with a disappointed expression.
Why, though?
Slightly annoyed, I extended a merciful hand to her.
“It can’t be helped. I’ll team up with you, so be grateful.”
“Well, it can’t be helped. I’ll team up with you too, so be thankful.”
Almost simultaneously, Kirako and I said the same thing.
…What is this!?
“You too?”
“Well, it’s not a problem for the two of us. There’s no need to put on an act, and it’s easier this way.”
“Yeah.”
That’s probably true.
Kirako and I both wear masks in front of others.
In a world where people only care about themselves, it’s better to be seen as selfless rather than selfish.
There aren’t many two-person groups when I look at the other groups, but that’s okay.
And then…
“Uh, sorry for interrupting your lovey-dovey moment, but can I join in?”
Someone spoke to us, but I couldn’t see anyone.
Well, if I squinted, I could faintly make out a human shape…
Another ghost, huh?
But wait, what did this woman just say?
“Lovey-dovey…?”
“…You two seemed incredibly close, you know?”
Kirako and I exchanged glances.
…She looks good, at least.
Well, she’s not wrong about us being close.
We keep our faces close to each other.
…Yeah, it’s normal, right?
“Let’s stop the unintentional lovey-dovey stuff. That’s probably why other people are avoiding us.”
What is this Kirako talking about?
“So, what’s up?”
I really didn’t want to talk to a ghost if I could help it.
“Well, you see, I couldn’t find a partner either. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to join.”
What an absurd thing for a ghost to say.
Who puts an unidentified object close to them?
Kirako also looked quite displeased for a moment.
…If I get to see her look displeased, maybe I’ll accept it.
“Oh, I’m Enmi Kakushigi. The Kakushigi family is famous, but don’t worry about it. I’d be happy if we could get along. Nice to meet you.”
I won’t be happy, though?
But she’s a curious ghost.
[Why not let her join? You two are probably one of the few groups, right?]
Hey, wait a minute.
I need to carefully weigh the pros and cons of accepting her into the group.
[Why are you so serious about a school group formation?]
“By the way, do you know what we’re going to do for this recreation activity?”
Enmi was chatting cheerfully, but let’s put that on hold for now.
Who invited this ghost in the first place?
“Actually, I heard some rumors… We’re going to explore inside a dungeon.”
Upon hearing that, Kirako and I exchanged glances.
Our thoughts were the same.
“Alright, let’s do our best together, Enmi.”
“Yes. Let’s all cooperate.”
“Yay! I’m so excited!”
Enmi was in high spirits.
I did something good.
[Why did you suddenly change your mind?]
Flesh Wall.
[…Huh?]
Well, technically, Kirako is the flesh wall here, but you can never have too many.
Two human shields, acquired!
[You’re the scummiest of the scum in this bunch!]
Kirako seems to think of me as a flesh wall too.
Kindly click on the green button above and contribute to filling the green bar if you’re interested in having another LN from the request page translated.
Also, every donation is being used to purchase the source material and to fund more English translations.
Please consider joining my Ko-Fi membership. By becoming a member, you’ll also gain access to 3-10+ additional chapters of all of the novels from this site translated into English. Last but not least your support will also assist me in upholding the translation quality and speed. For more information, please follow the link.
Donation for faster release is always welcome
Additionally, I am now accepting translation requests.
