NOVEL NEXT Chapter 18
Chapter 18. An Uneasy Selection and an Ominous Declaration
“What?”
Did I mishear that? I could’ve sworn I just heard a name that absolutely shouldn’t be called.
Looks like I’m really worn out. I need to watch some fluffy animal videos when I get home.
The lively festival atmosphere from earlier vanishes, replaced by silence in the gymnasium.
I dared to hope, even just a little, that there might be another student with the same name as me.
But it turns out there’s only one Hayato Yanagi. Just my luck. Why me?
“This is absurd! Why would they pick someone with a power level of 0?”
“In that case, we should be the ones to go!”
“Sending him out would be an embarrassment to the school!”
Yeah, exactly! Keep saying it!
Why should I have to deal with such a hassle? Let someone who actually wants to go handle it.
As I secretly cheer on the voices criticizing me, a student steps out from behind the stage curtain.
That student beams a radiant smile, while my own face grows increasingly pale.
“Alrighty, let me explain everything!”
Why are you there, Hattori-san?
She takes the mic from Professor Nikaido and starts explaining her ridiculous reasoning for choosing me.
“Well, to cut to the chase: it’s because of his skill!”
The gymnasium goes quiet again.
It’s not that they didn’t hear her; they simply couldn’t understand her words.
They were just told they were inferior to someone with a power level of 0.
To them, it was like being told, “You’re weaker than a baby.”
It’s no wonder their minds went blank.
After a few heavy seconds, comprehension dawns, and veins pop on everyone’s foreheads.
“That’s impossible! What are you thinking?”
“You don’t even have the authority to decide this!”
“Stop spouting nonsense!”
The room fills with jeers, but Hattori-san’s smile doesn’t waver for a second.
“No, no. None of you could even scratch Yanagi-kun. He has that much power.”
She declares this boldly, without a hint of hesitation.
Stop! If you keep saying weird things, I’m going to get killed!
The stares I’m getting are unbearable. I hope this doesn’t lead to me getting ambushed later.
“Besides, I’m part of the Special Task Force. Assigning participants is a piece of cake for me.”
Hattori-san strikes a triumphant pose, puffing out her modest chest.
This is a blatant abuse of authority.
Still, no one seems to believe her, judging by the skeptical looks on their faces.
Noticing this, Hattori-san tilts her head in confusion.
“Hmm, you don’t believe me? Guess I’ve got no choice then.”
She rummages through her pocket, pulls out her smartphone, and says:
“Honestly, numbers don’t mean much, but here you go.”
She approaches the projector and displays her phone screen on it.
The numbers shown leave everyone but me utterly shocked.
Power Level: 243,019
“No way… Two hundred forty thousand?”
Someone murmurs in a trembling voice.
No, idiot! If you’re going to be dramatic, at least get the digits right!
Even if it were “only” two hundred forty thousand, she’d be the strongest in this school.
But a weakling like that couldn’t possibly be part of the Special Task Force.
Her actual number exceeds two hundred forty thousand.
It’s so far beyond comprehension that they must’ve misread it.
“Well, the world’s top rankers aren’t anywhere near this level, but I hope this proves I’m the real deal.”
A few people nod numbly, still in shock.
Seeing this, Hattori-san gives a satisfied nod and picks up the mic again.
“Now, since I’ve been asked by the teachers to guide the selected members—especially those on the team for this match—I’ll be in charge of your practical training until the competition ends!”
“Whoa!!!”
The insults from earlier vanish like smoke, replaced by excited cheers.
The moment they realized Hattori-san was absurdly powerful, their faces lit up.
The reversal is so complete that their enthusiasm could twist arms.
They’ve probably already forgotten about me.
“Alright then, all selected members should gather in the training hall after school tomorrow!”
With that declaration, the school day finally ends.
◇
I head home cautiously, keeping an eye out for any potential ambushes.
“I’m home.”
Thankfully, the excitement over Hattori-san seems to have spared me, and I make it back safely.
“Welcome back, onii-chan! Hmm? You look exhausted. What happened?”
Ao pokes her head out from the living room to greet me.
She’s holding chocolate in her hand—always snacking, as usual.
“For some reason, I ended up being chosen for the inter-school match.”
“What?! No way! You, onii-chan?!”
“This is the worst.”
“So, are you going to use your power?”
Ao is one of the few people who knows I’m not actually powerless.
She also knows how strong I am, so she must be worried about the consequences if I use my abilities.
“Of course not. I’ll probably get wiped out in no time.”
“Hmm.”
Ao pouts, clearly dissatisfied.
“What? You seem upset.”
“Well, wouldn’t it be fine to use your power already? It annoys me seeing you constantly underestimated when you’re not really powerless.”
“Absolutely not. I’m living as an ordinary person, for life.
If I use my abilities, it’ll turn my life into hard mode.”
“Isn’t your life already in hard mode?”
It seems Ao can’t stand seeing me belittled.
As her brother, I’m happy about her concern, but personally, I just want to avoid trouble.
If possible, I’d prefer never to use my abilities again.
Ding!
My phone chimes with an incoming email.
Only my family knows my address.
Since Ao is right here, it must be from Dad—or maybe a gushy message from Mom.
I open the email:
[From: Suzuna Hattori]
Sorry for deciding this without asking, but I’m serious about having you use your abilities and join our team! By the way, there’s someone in my unit with the ability to predict the future, and regarding this match—oops, can’t say more. Hehe, I’ll keep it a secret for now. Looking forward to the match!
What kind of bizarre warning is this?
How does she even know my email address? And she types with “～ssu” even in emails?
But what’s really unsettling is the last part of her message.
“Alright! I’m just going to pretend I didn’t see this!”
I activate my ultimate strategy: leave it to future me.
There’s no way I can handle this right now—I’ll stress myself to death.
I toss my phone aside, retreat to my room, and spend the rest of the night watching fluffy animal videos.