Chapter 101
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Azure Dragon Festival (6)
"You're ordinary. You."
That was my diagnosis.
Masato's eyes widened round.
He asked as if he couldn't comprehend my words.
"What?"
"Ordinary, considering how much people hype you up. You."
I shrugged.
To be honest, it felt a bit harsh to say it outright.
But the boy named Hiiragi Masato, as I saw him, was just that kind of person.
Masato kept talking.
He hadn't known his Hiiragi family might resort to卑鄙 acts.
He hadn't expected they wouldn't expose it.
He hadn't anticipated entering the finals despite his injury.
Even Hiiragi Masato himself hadn't realized all his achievements so far were backed by his family's shadows.
He truly hadn't known any of it.
And that wasn't Masato's sin. Blaming him for not knowing, for not investigating, is pointless.
However.
There's one trait that permeates all his words.
"You keep saying, 'What should I do?'"
Why. How come.
And how.
Masato's life lacks decisiveness.
No, not decisiveness—boldness. Or perhaps shamelessness.
He cares too much about too many things.
Honor. Pride. Self-respect. Family. Justice. Fairness.
Obsessing over each one drowns out his own convictions.
That's no good.
The textbook case of a teen swayed by family.
"You can't live like that."
I listed them out one by one.
"Do what you want, Masato. Sitting there parroting 'why' like a mimic bird changes nothing."
"What do you know about me? I have to prove myself. I must live up to my family's expectations...!"
"That clichéd dream of becoming a hero, right?"
I clicked my tongue.
What a foolish family.
Heroes aren't made by trying to make them.
They just become heroes.
No hero ever paved by their family exists, at least.
"The very fact you're agonizing over it means you're no hero."
Being crushed by the weight of worries is all too human.
That's why I called Masato ordinary.
He has talent, but his capacity hasn't grown to match.
"Speak your true feelings, Masato."
So I kindly prompted him.
Forget the family scandals. Forget the opponent's handicap.
Tell me what you really want to do.
"...I."
Masato glanced sideways.
At the end of his gaze was a young boy.
A boy who looked just like Masato.
Probably the Hiiragi family's youngest.
-Big bro! You got this!
The boy was excitedly shouting something loud.
Anyone could see he was cheering for Masato.
But Masato seemed afraid to even take it in, quickly turning back to me.
"I think this final match should be declared invalid."
It was out of left field.
But if that's his true heart, I should hear him out.
I nodded for him to continue.
"What's the point of winning against an injured opponent? It's not right. To truly make this tournament shine, we should at least cancel today's final and reschedule."
"... ."
"I don't want to do it like this."
Masato closed his eyes after that.
It took real courage for him to say it.
To honor his family's wishes, he shouldn't delay the final.
Exploiting the opponent's handicap to boost his win chances would be logical.
Yet Masato rejected it and spoke honestly.
He didn't want this final.
It tarnishes his pride.
'Hmm.'
I thought he was a peculiar one.
Swayed by worries. Unable to push his beliefs.
That makes him a total everyman.
But pursuing pride. Taking the right action when it counts.
That screams future hero.
'Alright then.'
What can I do for this future hero?
Give him a chance to postpone the final?
Eh.
Not bad, but not the best.
Second-best at most.
I want today's final to be a good experience for Masato.
I hope that young hero lives bolder, more confidently.
'Of course.'
Mostly because who knows how things might twist if we delay.
Mother's condition could worsen anytime.
The Hiiragi family might pull something else.
Considering all that, the final must happen today.
So I offered two reasons Masato could accept.
"Masato, you're too kind. Considering your opponent's situation."
"... ."
"But—that's kind, but not the right consideration."
"What?"
Masato looked flustered.
Harsh to say it himself, but his words just now were clearly considering me.
Wait for a better time later.
Yet the man himself denies it.
No wonder he's rattled.
"Masato, why do you think I bothered showing up for the finals?"
"That's... just the momentum of the atmosphere, right?"
"No."
I smirked and denied it.
As if.
I didn't join on some half-baked whim.
"I want to win. I chose to come here on my own will. If you're the one denying that, you're disrespecting me."
"How...! I have no such intention. I wouldn't do something so dishonorable—"
"Then proceed with the final. Respect that your opponent is giving it his all. And you do the same."
"Wha... ."
Masato's mouth gaped open.
To him, my condition clearly isn't normal.
A duel far from fair.
Yet the opponent says:
'Let's proceed with the final.'
Respect him by not backing down.
"...I don't get it. Why go that far? What's so important about the Azure Dragon Festival championship?"
"Nothing special. I just have to win."
"... ."
Masato still hesitated.
Not fully convinced.
So I hit him with the strongest, surefire blow.
"And—you're the big brother, right?"
"Huh?"
"That kid cheering over there. Your little brother?"
"... ."
Masato's gaze flicked that way again.
There was his brother, eyes sparkling, cheering wildly.
Masato confirmed it and bit his lip.
"Masato, you know it too. A big brother has to be a role model for his little brother."
Little brothers look up to their big brothers.
Family like parents, yet closer, more grown-up siblings.
To a little brother, big bro is an idol.
So big bro must be an example.
Even if the kid doesn't know the full story yet.
"Canceling the final here and postponing? ...Won't leave a good memory for your brother."
"Then what should I do?"
"Give it your all right here. Even if the outcome's uncertain, show him you charging full throttle toward it. That's how little brothers learn."
"... ."
That was the clincher.
Masato's lips curved faintly.
He smiled dimly, gripped his sword tighter.
"...You talk well."
"I hear that a lot."
"Do you have a little sister? The way you talk, it'd be weird if you didn't."
"Yeah—one. The most precious little sister in the world, wouldn't trade her for anything."
"I see."
Masato nodded and assumed his stance.
Then he dispelled his aura.
An odd move.
Anyone could see using aura would give him the edge, yet he drops it himself.
"My apologies. For not going all out until now."
"Don't sweat it. ...You sure? No aura?"
"It's fine. Winning by exploiting my opponent's weakness won't make me a good big brother to Yuuto."
"Got it. Then."
I was about to take my stance too.
When Masato suddenly pointed at my Oni mask.
"One last request. ...Could you take off that mask?"
"Why?"
"The man who awakened my shortcomings hiding his identity bothers me. If we meet again someday, I want to know your face to thank you properly."
'Hmm.'
One wake-up call, and suddenly he's eloquent. This guy.
I placed my hand on the Oni mask, pondering.
What to do.
Reveal it and invite trouble?
'No. Wait.'
This was exactly what I just told Masato.
Freaking out over petty worries is amateur hour.
The truly bold do what they want.
Click—
I removed the mask.
My hair shifted from black to blonde simultaneously.
"!"
Masato's eyes flew wide, staring at me.
His dark eyes met my blue ones.
"My name is Kline Leonhart. Ariel Leonhart's big brother."
I straightened my stance with a grin.
Masato instantly got it and fully assumed his form.
"...My name is Hiiragi Masato."
And.
Before his final words finished, we kicked off and clashed.
"Hiiragi Yuuto's big brother...!"
When I came to, I was sprawled on the final match stage floor.
"Guh, hack!"
The clash was so fierce my mind was hazy.
But I snapped out of it.
Supporting myself on my knee with my hand, I staggered up late, and the surroundings came into view.
Waaah— Waaaaah—
The crowd roaring in cheers.
Among them, familiar faces gazing at me with sparkling eyes.
I locked eyes with my most precious little sister, then looked at Masato.
"... ."
He was unconscious.
The guy who dropped his aura to match my handicap couldn't beat me in the end.
But even in sleep, Masato was smiling.
Truly relieved, like a weight lifted from his shoulders.
Now it was time to treat Mother.