25 Villagers Lead the Brave

Time passed very quickly, and it was almost 6 p.m when Ogata stopped writing.

　　"Wait a minute, I still have a part-time job, so I should head back first."

　　Shinichi thought for a while, and felt that his time was running out, so he put a messy piece of paper on the table, filled with numbers and words, and said to the two.

　　"Since now it has been like this. The self-study room gathers after school and disbands at 5:45 p.m. Go back and review today's homework and what I taught, it's best to write notes. We should have done the same in class…"

　　Babbling like a real teacher, Shinichi said attentively, and they also smiled and listened carefully.

　　After sorting things out, they turned off the light in the study room, confirmed that the light on the black box was on, and the three of them walked towards the school gate together.

　　On the way, Ogata asked worriedly.

　　"Studying like this, after a week, can we really pass Kirisu Sensei's test?"

　　Under the dark red light from the sky, her pretty doll-like face slightly tensed and her petite figure lowered her head slightly at this moment.

　　Shinichi knew what she was worried about.

　　Looking at Furuhashi's hesitant expression, one could understand that the two of them had the same worries after this study session.

　　Because they haven't developed at all.

　　Even if Furuhashi was given the relatively easy formula interpretation skill, she was always at a loss, unable to find the key points to use the skill, and could only sigh at the stiff numbers.

　　Even if Ogata was given a methodical and orderly interpretation method, she still couldn't understand the trick in the face of a slightly obscure article, and kept asking the topic "Why?".

　　If it wasn't for Shinichi, maybe they wouldn't be able to finish their homework now.

　　Shinichi couldn't imagine, how did they finish their homework and exam before? How long had they been confused and in pain before they managed to reach the present?

　　This kind of talent is like a curse, it's entwined with them, and won't stop until they graduate or choose to go to college, trying to kill the possibility of them choosing life.

　　But even so, they had no intention of giving up, thinking with all their brains if they didn't understand. It doesn't matter even if the textbooks are crumpled and torn, they try more ways to improve than anyone else.

　　Even just now, they didn't foolishly insist on solving the problem on their own.

　　It was an unprecedented and extremely dazzling move. In just two hours, Shinichi didn't know how many times his heart beat faster because of this.

　　It was not love, but reverence for that powerful majesty, reverence for that simple longing.

　　So what if they don't move forward? Their light has illuminated the path ahead.

　　Just missing a leader.

　　Mafuyu didn't want to lead them down that path, right?

　　Just to see the end where the hard worker could get his way was enough for him to try his best to help out.

　　No matter how clumsy Shinichi is, when faced with a study problem, he will never hesitate!

　　If he has to stand up, and if he has to make sacrifices, he will make sacrifices. Apart from not being able to have children, he doesn't believe that there is anything he can't do.

　　Learning is everything in the end, so it is concluded that learning is only a means.

　　The goal is something else.

　　Once upon a time, Shinichi knew that he was different from them, and he lived without any purpose, just studying.

　　Now, Shinichi knows that he is just like them, has the same goal to help them, and is studying hard for this goal.

　　And this feeling really makes his heart jump, and it is very exciting!

　　"Relax."

　　Shinichi walked in front of the two of them, in the last twilight of the day, his back was pulled into a tall figure.

　　"It's only a one-time failure, aren't you guys used to it?"

　　Such evil words made the two of them slightly dumbfounded, but they couldn't help but laugh.

　　"Yes, I'm used to it."

　　"If I don't get used to it, I won't be able to maintain it."

　　That is getting used to the wound and developing the strength to ignore the wound and move on.

　　"Yes, you two are very strong. I can say this for sure since you have failed so many times, no one is stronger than the two of you."

　　Facing the gloomy sky in the distance, Shinichi raised his head and said so.

　　"You guys who are so strong and dazzling are just like full level heroes born in the Rookie Village, but you can't find the Demon King's Hideout."

　　Unbelievable, even if he said such a thing, he would not feel the least bit embarrassed.

　　"What you need is courage and perseverance to go into the abyss. When you lack both, what you lack is Villager A who will lead the way."

　　As if amused, he smiled even more.

　　Turning his head, Shinichi pointed himself at those who had stopped at some point, at those who were staring at him in amazement, with indistinguishable emotions surfacing in their wide open eyes.

　　"I have to add Villager A to my identity, so it shouldn't be a problem, right?"

　　Shinichi said jokingly.

　　"Please look forward to tomorrow. At that time, the adventures of the two will officially begin!"

　　After he finished speaking, he turned around neatly, faced the vast and endless sky with a smile on his lips, and slowly lowered his head.

　　After three seconds, confirm that he has calmed down.

　　Then, the smile on his face gradually disappeared, and his expression changed.

　　Red waves covered his face in an instant, embarrassing cold sweat spread all over his body, and he quickened his pace and pretended not to hear the screams behind him.

　　"Asada-san?! Wait, why suddenly…"

　　"Asada-san, why are you in such a hurry to go home?"

　　Shinichi walked faster and faster, and finally ran with his head buried in his head, leaving the two girls behind, and ran with his head in his arms, screaming like a dying mouse.

　　"What did I say ahhhhhhhh—"

　　"Bastard! I can't see anyone anymore——"

　　"Ahhhhh—"

　　Shinichi ran.

　　...

　　If there really was a so-called protagonist in this world, what kind of character should he be?

　　Like to say nice things? Can't walk in front of girls? As long as a girl is in trouble, he will do everything to help?

　　Shinichi hates this kind of template setting, because this kind of protagonist has no shame at all, and it seems like he doesn't need to study at all. He jumps around all day on trivia, and exaggerates shows to gain support from the girls

　　Just looking at it made him feel embarrassed. He had always thought that this kind of protagonist must be very thick-skinned.

　　And now?

　　Shinichi could only console himself with one fact.

　　"At least I still feel embarrassed, and I hate this feeling."