(Author’s Note: First off, my apologies…
I goofed off in the second half.) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– [side: Suzune Horikita] At the end of July, the final exams came to an end.
Just like last time, failing even a single subject meant immediate expulsion.
Naturally, unlike the previous test where we could rely on old exam questions, there were no loopholes this time.
Still, we somehow managed to pull through without anyone getting expelled.
…Well, a few students barely made the cut as usual.
Especially Sudo-kun…
After causing so much trouble for the class recently, I don’t know what I would have done to him if he had carelessly failed.
Ayanokoji-kun, whom Chabashira-sensei seems to pay a lot of attention to, continues to slack off—his grades remain completely unremarkable as ever.
All in all, Class D’s fighting strength is still far too unreliable.
At this rate, defeating that Class A is nothing more than a pipe dream.
Class A…
Yes, Class A is the one and only goal I aim for.
It isn’t that I want the exclusive perks, such as higher education or career support, that only Class A receives.
All I desire is to be acknowledged by my brother and to become an outstanding person like him…
For that to happen, I must reach Class A no matter what.
I am certain that the school made a mistake by placing someone like me in Class D, a collection of defective goods.
It’s true that I am vastly inferior compared to my brother, but from the perspective of those around me, there is no doubt that I am superior.
Even on this final exam, my scores should place me at the very top of the year.
I just came to check the grade sheet posted outside the faculty room, and the results show I ranked 5th overall in our school year.
In other words, I am indisputably more competent than the vast majority of Class A’s students.
Unblushingly, the school refuses to admit its mistake, but if that’s how it is, I have no choice…
I will absolutely push this class up to Class A myself.
…However, it would be a lie to say I have no anxieties.
Naturally, I have no intention of showing weakness to anyone, but I am well aware that the path ahead will undoubtedly be treacherous.
I am certainly capable, but I am not exceptionally prominent like my brother.
…Even in academic ability alone, there are people above me.
Self-deprecating in my heart, I look once more at the very top of the grade sheet—at the four students who scored higher than me…
particularly at a certain individual’s name.
1st Place – Class A: Arisu Sakayanagi – 500 points 1st Place – Class A: Kiriha Honjo – 500 points 3rd Place – Class A: Kohei Katsuragi – 486 points 4th Place – Class B: Honami Ichinose – 484 points 5th Place – Class D: Suzune Horikita – 483 points 6th Place – Class A: Miki Yamamura – 481 points 7th Place – Class D: Teruhiko Yukimura – 480 points 7th Place – Class D: Rokusuke Koenji – 480 points 9th Place – Class C: Hiyori Shiina – 478 points 10th Place – Class A: Ryoko Nishikawa – 475 points I feel my face stiffen involuntarily.
Against my will, his patronizing attitude and nonchalant smirk float into my mind, and I can’t suppress my irritation.
How on earth does a man who fools around like that…
Kiriha Honjo He is, without a doubt, the greatest obstacle in our path as Class D aims to overthrow Class A.
The reason is exceedingly simple: his absurd, extraordinary ability.
His academic talent is self-evident just looking at these test results.
While there isn’t a massive gap between 10th and 3rd place among the top scorers, the top two are in a completely different dimension…
If those two continue to score perfect marks from here on out, the absolute best I can do—no matter how hard I study—is settle for a tie.
Furthermore, looking at the points he holds and the methods he used to acquire them—which were disclosed during that recent incident—he challenged and beat the Karate Club at karate, the Swimming Club at swimming, and the Tennis Club at tennis.
From that alone, it’s clear his physical capabilities are equally extraordinary.
It is deeply frustrating to admit based on this information alone, but I have no choice but to acknowledge that he is superior to me.
Yet most dangerous of all is the total volume of Private Points he possesses.
The sight of his phone screen from the other day is still burned into my memory, refusing to fade.
Kiriha Honjo—the amount of Private Points he currently holds is…
8,276,002 points It makes me want to scream at how absurd it is.
I know it’s unreasonable to complain since he didn’t obtain those points through illicit means, but I still want to protest that it’s utterly ridiculous no matter how you look at it.
While Class Points are what truly matter for advancing a class, that volume of Private Points could easily become a terrifyingly potent weapon depending on how it’s used.
…Judging by his point total, it seems reaching Class A on an individual basis really is impossible.
If the person who has saved up the most points in school history is Honjo-kun, that means even my brother hasn’t managed to accumulate 10 million points.
Let alone 20 million points—the cost of buying the right to transfer to Class A individually—which is practically a fantasy.
…To be honest, it makes me want to bury my face in my hands.
I have to stand against that mighty “individual” alongside these utterly unreliable classmates of mine.
To make matters worse, Class A has someone who gives him orders…
someone equal to or even greater than him.
That would be Arisu Sakayanagi-san, who tied for 1st place overall.
…According to Ichinose-san, she is currently vying for the position of class leader against 3rd-place Katsuragi-kun.
But if what Honjo-kun says is true, there is no doubt that Sakayanagi-san will eventually lead Class A.
We are overwhelmingly outmatched in total class capacity, and I still haven’t the faintest idea how to deal with Honjo-kun—yet there is someone even above him.
It’s almost more than I can bear.
If I don’t pull myself together, my spirit feels like it might break.
…However, looking at it another way, this is also an opportunity.
To my immense frustration, my brother pays special attention to Honjo-kun, and for some reason, to Ayanokoji-kun as well.
…Far more than he does to me, his incompetent little sister whom he has cast aside.
While Ayanokoji-kun remains an enigma, the reason my brother keeps an eye on Honjo-kun is undoubtedly his exceptional ability.
Otherwise, there’s no way he would lend someone an amount like 1 million points.
In other words, if our class ascends to Class A…
if I can prove that I am more capable than Honjo-kun, my brother will definitely look at me once again.
In that case, I will do just as my brother told me…
I will cross over Honjo-kun, even if it takes everything I have.
[side: Akane Tachibana] “Why, Momotaro?!
Why…?!” “Isn’t it obvious, Wanko?
The main character is always me.
A moment this sweet…
as if I’d hand it off to the likes of you.” Caught off guard and locked inside the escape pod, Inukai let out a scream laced with a mixture of rage, confusion, and sorrow.
But Momotaro paid him no mind, operating the panel to initiate the launch sequence.
Watching Momotaro, Inukai slammed his hands against the glass door, completely unbothered even as blood welled up from his knuckles.
“Don’t screw around, Momotaro…!
You have people waiting for your return, don’t you?!
If you croak here, do you have any idea how heartbroken the old man and old woman will be?!
The one who should be sacrificed is obviously me—I used to be nothing more than a beast!” It wasn’t that Inukai wanted to die.
However, since the escape pod was a single-seater, he had no objections to the fact that Momotaro should be the one to survive while he perished; in fact, he believed that was exactly how it ought to be.
Not only did he refuse to let the man he considered both a father and an older brother die after years of sharing joys and sorrows, but he also remembered Momotaro’s memories—memories they had all shared the moment the three animals transformed into humans.
He knew just how much love Momotaro’s parents had poured into him.
Therefore, he could not stand by and let him die at the edge of despair—not the man who had taught warmth and kindness to creatures that were once nothing more than beasts.
“There’s still time right now!
Hurry up and open this damn thing!” “Don’t go debasing yourself by calling yourself a beast.
I’ve never once thought of you guys like that.” “Don’t change the subject!
Think about the people who will grieve over your reckless self-sacrifice!” “That’s my line, Wanko.
…Are you planning to die and leave behind Kijimi and the kid in her belly?” “Guh…?!
How…
did you know about…” “Dummy.
You’re ten years too early to be keeping secrets from adults, kid.
I don’t know what kind of guilt you were harbouring, but quit sulking and overthinking things, you idiot.” “Because…
Sarukawa turned into that because of me…!
On top of that, if I lose you too…!
What am I supposed to…!” “Stop acting like a spoiled brat!” “Guh…?!” It was the very first time Inukai had ever been scolded.
Inukai was sharp-tongued but dependable, while Momotaro was perpetually flippant and irresponsible.
The two had a relationship akin to father and son, or older and younger brother.
Yet it was always Momotaro causing trouble and Inukai doing the scolding.
This was Momotaro’s very first…
and very last words of stern encouragement directed at Inukai.
“Now that you’ve gone and made a kid, your life isn’t just your own anymore!
An irresponsible guy like me didn’t have much to teach you, but if you dare abandon your child, I won’t let you off easy!” “Momo…
taro…!” “Besides, Wanko…
I don’t have the slightest intention of dying.
I’m just going to pick up a foolish son who went astray while I wasn’t looking.” With the control panel operations complete, the escape pod began its boot sequence.
Realizing that it could no longer be stopped, Inukai collapsed inside the pod, tears streaming down his face, as Momotaro offered his final words gently through the glass.
“So long, Wanko.
I loved you like a son.
…Take care of yourself.” Before Inukai could even let out a grief-stricken cry, the escape pod vanished into the dimensional rift.
Together with Kijimi, who had evacuated earlier, he would surely make it back to their original era.
After sealing the dimensional rift, Momotaro pulled out a cigarette.
Just as he struck his Zippo lighter, Sarukawa smashed through the wall and burst into the room.
Moving quadrupedally, his limbs extended nearly five meters long, and his three heads had contorted into hideous, hideous faces reminiscent of the very ogres that were Momotaro’s archenemies.
Portions of his body were liquefied, dripping steadily onto the floor.
No one would ever believe this monster had once been a monkey turned human.
Whether due to the side effects of repeated drug administrations, it was clear Sarukawa didn’t have much longer to live.
…Does jealousy truly transform a person into such a monster?
“My, my, aren’t we restless.
I don’t recall raising you to be such a crude fellow who interrupts a man’s smoke break.” “■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■!” “So you don’t even recognize me anymore, huh.
…Fine then, I’ll just teach you all over again from square one!
Clean out all six of those earholes and listen up!” Momotaro drew his sword, singing out loud with a fearless smirk on his face.
Sarukawa was already an aberration of a monster; Momotaro knew full well that a mere human like himself stood no chance of winning.
Even so, he sang out at the top of his lungs.
As if he knew no fear of death.
As if he harbored not a single doubt of his victory.
“My name is Momotaro!
The greatest hero…
in all of Japan!” Serialized Email Novel: “A Momotaro-ish Tale” END “Uuu…
Momotaro…” Having finished reading the email novel sent by Honjo-kun, I wipe away the tears overflowing from my eyes with a handkerchief.
When Honjo-kun sent an email like this two weeks ago, I thought, What kind of foolishness are you up to during exams?!
…but as I kept reading the daily emails he sent, I found myself completely drawn in.
Though it started with the classic “Once upon a time~”, I have my doubts about how it somehow spiraled through twists and turns into a sci-fi action story that would put Predator to shame.
Still, setting those absurd plot elements aside, it was genuinely entertaining.
In particular, the bonds between Momotaro and the three animal companions, as well as the friendship among the three themselves…
watching those slowly fracture brought a tightening ache to my chest.
“Ah…
look at the time.” I was so absorbed in reading that I didn’t realize it, but without noticing, I had passed my usual bedtime.
Staying up late is the ultimate enemy of beauty; I need to be careful.
I quickly brushed my teeth, changed into my pajamas, and climbed into bed.
A pleasant drowsiness washed over me, and just as I was about to fall into a deep sleep…
I discovered a glaring plot hole that I simply couldn’t overlook.
Sitting straight up in bed, I yelled out involuntarily: “WHAT ABOUT THE OGRES?!” That Momotaro left Ogre Island completely abandoned until the very end, didn’t he?!
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Author’s Note: Thanks to steadily building up favorability, Tachibana-senpai caught a glimpse of part of Kiriha-kun’s true nature in this chapter, but due to her surprisingly carefree personality, she cleanly forgot about it right away.
Serialized Email Novel “A Momotaro-ish Tale”…
A product of sheer mischievous banter thought up by Arisu and Kiriha when they found themselves with too much time on their hands, having decided not to pull any schemes during the final exam for future considerations.
14 chapters in total.
As a result of advancing the story every other day without any prior planning (and with both of them indulging in random antics to their hearts’ content), it devolved into a chaotic storyline, but miraculously managed to reach a touching conclusion in the end.