“Impressive… hey. I like you even more now!”
“Sorry, but I’m not into guys.”
I’m only into Hoshina-san.
Without any time for such banter, Dojima Tadashi attacked again.
His fist came at me once more. A left hook that seemed easy to dodge.
The power was “relatively” weak, and even if I took it, the damage would be minimal…
“Alright.”
I muttered a single word. As I dodged his punch.
At a speed faster than his fist’s return, I dove into Dojima Tadashi’s chest.
The length of his arms and legs—essentially his reach—is his weapon.
But once the distance is closed, that reach becomes a disadvantage.
—Normally, that’s what would happen.
Now, how will the strongest in close combat respond?
Throwing myself into curiosity, I met Dojima’s gaze—he smiled.
Dojima’s body floated further back.
“Understood, that’s the best option. Naturally, I’ve planned for this.”
With him retreating faster than I advanced, I found myself within his reach again.
I see, a perfect response. As I praised him, an alarm rang in my head.
A right kick, as strong as an axe, was coming at me. Dodging instantly was… difficult.
I moved to deflect it again, but this time the force behind it was different.
Undoubtedly, Dojima Tadashi’s full power.
“Haah!!”
I blocked the kick with both arms.
—My bones screamed in pain.
“Guh…!”
The sheer force knocked me off balance mid-air, and I crashed into the ground.
Bouncing several times to dissipate the momentum, I steadied my breathing, placed my hands on my knees, and stood up. …When I looked back, Dojima was smiling happily.
Well, after that light sparring I know his level, all that’s left is to satisfy him–
“Can’t you beat me with that?! When I was a first-year, I weren’t nearly this strong! At this rate, when you become a third-year, you’ll be far above my current level! I’m so happy I could burst!”
I’m happy. But his words fill me with an ominous premonition.
“What do you mean, so–“
“Aren’t you happy?! You can surpass me! Then it must be fate! You, and only you, can inherit my justice. You can continue protecting the peace of the academy in my place!”
Dojima Tadashi was smiling.
…To be honest, I was stunned.
A selfish upperclassman spouting his opinion without listening to others.
Looking at this childish person, I was stunned that such a human existed.
“…I’d rather not.”
“Ah, that’s too bad. I wanted you to join the Vigilante Corps.”
I’ve already refused. And my refusal should have reached him too.
Because I heard Kurotsuki [explained it] to him.
So I was about to say–
“But I won’t give up even if you refuse! That’s just how I am, don’t give up!”
His unreasonableness was so refreshing that I couldn’t help but laugh through my nose.
What is this guy? He’s strong, but also an idiot, a reckless battle maniac.
And yet, strangely, I don’t doubt his words.
…I see, so this is what’s called a 【champion of justice】.
Looking perfectly right to everyone, perfectly righteous no matter which way you slice it.
The complete opposite of me. …Well, it’s only natural for a champion of justice.
“Hah…I’m losing the will to fight.”
“That’s no good! Let’s fight, Amamori!”
He says that, but…I’d rather not. Even though it’s been a while since I was discharged from the hospital, the doctor told me to “absolutely rest for a while.”
Moreover, from fighting him, I’ve realized there’s nothing for me to learn.
My curiosity has already faded. So I judge that any further fighting would just [draw attention].
Money is tight, but…more than that, I wanted to get away from Dojima Tadashi.
I look to Sakuma and the others for help.
“Damn…Amamori! Your life is the top priority! No one wants you beaten to a pulp just for a win!…Karasuma!”
“Dammit Dojima-senpai, I swear I’ll get you back for this!”
Sakuma makes the decision, and Karasuma moves his hand towards his balloon.
I let out a breath, my shoulders relaxing.
With this…we’ll likely forfeit the seventh event.
The eighth event after that is [arm wrestling].
Nishikimachi, our most physically powerful member, is scheduled to participate.
Certainly, with some luck, Nishikimachi could place.
But he’ll surely be no match for this man.
“What?! Could this really be the end…”
Dojima-senpai sounds disappointed.
His eyes betray a feeling of [not having had enough fun].
“Well, whatever. Amamori! I’ll never give up on getting you to join the Vigilantes! You can count on that! Gahahahaha!”
His laughter fills me with a sense of despair.
I have the illusion of the ground crumbling beneath me, of falling endlessly.
–I don’t like this. A thought suddenly surfaces in my mind.
The more I talk to him, the more I understand Dojima Tadashi’s way of [justice].
Always right, always equal to all, using justice as a shield to spout nonsense.
He’d forcibly drag even those living in the dark mud out into the light.
Completely disregarding their will, laughing off anything not bright and cheery.
Ah, I see. That’s right.
…That man lived the same way.
Because that man’s justice overlaps with his.
That’s why I’m irritated by his demeanor.
It’s not that I dislike Asahina, or that I dislike Dojima.
I just can’t stand their way of living.
Fundamentally, justice and evil are just words describing [ways of being].
But if you turn them into [professions] like “champion of justice” or “agent of evil,”
Then they just become self-indulgent.
That man couldn’t abandon being a champion of justice until the very end.
He was self-indulgent to the last.
–That’s why he died.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
That man was the one who should have lived.
I’m the one who shouldn’t have been born.
Humans aren’t equal.
We can never be united under the same symbol.
When compared, superiority and inferiority always emerge.
And yet, he considered lifting up those inferior to himself virtuous self-sacrifice,
Never realizing how much that self-sacrifice would hurt others.
[–Please, take care of the rest]
The words I once heard resurface, and blood seeps from my clenched fist.
…Ah, I was right after all.
I can’t accept this man. Because I accept his justice, I can’t accept him.
If I affirm this man, then I’ll be admitting that that man [died righteously].
That’s something I could never accept, even if this life is extinguished.
“……..Hah”
Well then, what should I do? I take a deep breath and try to think positively.
If I start overthinking, I’ll definitely get fired up. I’m already starting to get irritated.
If this continues, I might end up killing Dojima.
That would be bad, undesirable, I need to calm down–I know that much.
…But Dojima Tadashi is still smiling.
It’s nothing to worry about.
No matter how he acts, I’m not so fragile as to be hindered by it.
That’s what my reason concludes.
However, just a tiny fragment.
Amamori Yūto’s true nature slipped through the cracks of his stony poker face.
–I kind of want to wipe that smile right off his face.
Before I knew it, Dojima’s laughter had stopped.
He’s staring at me with wide eyes.
I let out a big breath and looked Dojima Tadashi straight in the eye.
“–“
Sensing something, he shuddered.
I posed a question to him.
“That’s a harsh joke. Do you want me to crush you, Dojima Tadashi?”
A casual question.
///
Scene transition
///
In response, cold sweat poured from Dojima’s entire body.
“Hah, hahah–beyond my expectations.”
As his words reached my ears, I smile kindly at my senpai with a proposition.
“Say, Dojima-senpai. Don’t you want to fight the 【serious Amamori Yūto】?”
I’m already not that interested in this man.
But that’s Dojima Tadashi without using his special abilities. Not an all-out fight against the strongest.
Then confirming that could be entertaining. –I tell myself.
To be honest, this is Amamori Yūto going off the rails.
I want to deny it, to crush it. Well…it’s completely separate from reason.
Looking at myself, it’s [uncharacteristic], but if I back down now, I’ll regret it.
So I’ll press on. So I won’t have regrets.
“Well, you asked for it.”
I nod at his words and start walking back to my side.
“Tonight at 7 PM, this place.”
Just saying that should get the message across.
My mentality of not wanting a rematch here. The reason I chose a deserted place.
If he can’t pick up on those nuances, then he’s not worth fighting seriously.
I glance back one last time.
We’re already the losers. The only thing losers can say to winners is some consolation about it being a close match.
Something like, “If I went all out, you wouldn’t have beaten me,” right?
I offer my best excuse.
“–I’ll thoroughly destroy you.”
No matter how much I’m underestimated or looked down upon, I don’t care about others’ evaluations.
You feel the same way, don’t you? Hero of justice, Dojima Tadashi.
Reaching that level with just your bare hands is commendable.
Therefore, I extend my utmost respect for your efforts.
Acknowledging your past and the efforts you’ve accumulated.
Recognizing your existence—and because I’ve recognized it—
I want to deny you… deny the hero of justice.
The poll is open again, please vote!!!
Also check out my friend Localizermeerkat for more LN translations!
BUY THE SOURCE MATERIAL TO SUPPORT THE AUTHOR !!!
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 2-10 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.
Update please
Soon™
Also please vote in the poll for volume 3 translation