The shackles won this round.
It was a disaster from the very beginning. My parents were understandably worried-though Saki-san and Taku-kun did plenty of laughing before they actually got concerned. I managed to convince them it was just part of the training at Valhalla¹. It wasn't exactly a lie, if you ignore the fact that it was a personal penalty meant only for me.
The most agonizing part of this "light" is what happens at night. The second I open my eyes, my line of sight becomes a blinding searchlight. I tried to sneak out to the bathroom at midnight, and I ran right into Taku-kun. The poor kid nearly jumped out of his skin.
"Haha... I guess you don't need a flashlight anymore, Big Bro," he said, offering the most awkward bit of moral support I'd ever heard. It was enough to make me depressed. Apparently, unlike staring directly into a flashlight, the light isn't blinding to me-I can see through it perfectly. I don't know what kind of magical principle is at work here, so there's probably no point in worrying about it.
After a restless night of failing to control the "Evil Eye"²-let alone finding the off-switch-morning arrived. My eyes were still beaming. Even though the bright morning sun was already filling the room, my eyes were determined to outshine it. "What is wrong with me?"
Anyway, I had to get breakfast ready. It was my turn on the rotation, and since I hadn't slept much, I was down there early. I crept toward the kitchen, trying to stay quiet, but I heard a rhythmic thud-thud-thud.
"Is someone already up?" I wondered, peeking inside.
That was a mistake. My gaze shifted, and the light followed.
"Whoa! What the-?! Oh, it's just you, Big Bro. Don't scare me like that..."
I had blasted Taku-kun with my high beams. Note: No actual damage was dealt.
"Sorry, Taku-kun. Wait, isn't it my turn today? You should still be in bed."
"It's fine," Taku-kun said. "You and Big Sis are working so hard at school, right? I just wanted to take some of the load off your shoulders."
"Taku-kun...!"
What am I supposed to do with a little brother this good? I couldn't just leave it at a "thank you."
"Alright, then let's make it together!"
"Were you even listening to me, Big Bro?"
"I was! That's why we're doing this. Cooking with my favorite brother-there's no better way to relax."
"Big Bro... Okay, okay, I get it! Just... don't say embarrassing stuff like that outside the house!"
"Got it, got it. So, what were you planning?"
"Miso soup. I was just finishing the prep. Can you wash the rice, Big Bro?"
"Sure. Are we grilling fish?"
"Hmm, let's do natto today," Taku-kun replied. "Rice, miso soup, natto, rolled omelets, and maybe a banana for Big Sis. That should be enough, right?"
"Perfect. Leave the omelets to me."
"Oh! Can I watch you make them? Yours are always so fluffy-I can never get the hang of it."
"Ho ho! Then watch closely and learn, my dear brother!"
"As you wish, My Liege!"³
"Who are you calling 'My Liege'?"
""Hahaha!""
We finished the simple breakfast together. Just as the rice finished steaming, Mom and Dad emerged in their work clothes.
"Thanks for breakfast, Reo, Taku."
"We're going to give it our all today, so you boys do the same!"
""Take care!""
Since they'd written on the whiteboard that they wouldn't need a full meal today, we hadn't prepared portions for them. Still, they made a point to stop by the kitchen and thank us before heading out. I really lucked out with parents like them. They're a workplace romance success story, so they always head out together. The mornings are early and the nights are late, but they never complain-or, more likely, they just make sure we never see that side of it.
"Big Bro, we still have time, so I'm gonna go wake up Big Sis."
"You sure?"
"Yeah. You've got enough to deal with with those eyes. Don't worry about us, just focus on your training."
Taku-kun gave me a shy grin before running off to Saki-san's room. "Is my brother too cute?" To live up to his expectations, I have to get this Evil Eye under control!
* * *
I made it to school. I'd really rather not remember the walk there.
"Whoa, Sakaki! It's only day three and you're already trying way too hard to stand out!"
"Pfft! Dude, stop! No way! Just... don't look at me, please! Snort... I seriously can't stop laughing!"
"It's weird how it's bright but doesn't hurt your eyes. How are you doing that, Sakaki-kun?"
"Hey, Sakaki! What happened yester-wait, why are your eyes glowing?! Don't point those at me! Did I do something wrong?!"
I was accosted by students the entire way. I guess nobody talked to me yesterday because Liesha-san was standing right there. But a Mob⁴ doing something this ridiculous? That's an open invitation. I didn't do this on purpose, I swear!
There is absolutely no one in this world who understands the pain of being "The Guy Who Shoots Weird Eye-Beams."
"Good morning, Sakaki-ku-"
"Morning, Liesha-san."
"Ngh...! Gulp... W-What happened to your eyes?"
I wanted to cry. Liesha-san was clearly fighting for her life trying to stay composed.
"Well, about that... it's a result of the training after you left..."
"Ah... I see. Master Logan got a hold of you, didn't he?"
She understood in an instant. Man, I have the best friends.
"Yo, Reo! We're here! Morning, Liesha-san!"
"Hmph... your life is as noisy as ever, Reo," Rekka said.
"Good morning, Reo-san, Liesha-san. Oh, you're still in that state, Reo-san?"
"Morning, guys! Pfft! Your eyes are still glowing, Reo?!"
The second I hit my seat, the whole gang crowded around, making things even noisier. As a Mob, being surrounded by all my favorites should have made me the happiest guy alive, but honestly? If I could have turned into the flower vase in the back just to watch them from a distance, I would have.
"Hey! Everyone in your seats!" Todo-sensei barked. "And you lot-stop drifting into other classrooms! Get back where you belong!"
The group scurried off, laughing as they went. I accidentally illuminated the back of Rekka's head, which triggered another round of snickers.
"Ugh... Sakaki. You're too bright. Keep your eyes closed."
"""""Pffft!"""""
"Yes, sir..."
Has any student in history ever been told that? The teacher basically gave me official permission to sleep in class. I kept my posture straight and tried to listen, of course. After the Entrance Ceremony and Ability Measurement, we were in a "Free Period" part of the schedule. This is usually when a bunch of mini-events trigger wherever Rekka goes.
Ideally, I'd be tailing Rekka from a safe distance, but with these eyes, I'd be spotted in a heartbeat. I need to master this Evil Eye immediately. Even a simple On/Off switch would be a godsend.
"That's all for the announcements. Academics in the morning, training in the afternoon. Don't slack off!"
""Yes, sir!""
"Oh, and Sakaki, Liesha. Come to the room from yesterday after lunch."
"Understood."
"Yes, Todo-sensei."
Todo-sensei left the room. Did he have something else to tell us? Regardless, Valhalla takes academics seriously. There are even tests. The goal isn't just "Kill the Demon King." The true goal is the world peace that comes after. They've actually thought about the future. It would be putting the cart before the horse to defeat the Demon King and then realize we have no idea how to actually run a peaceful world.
"I think it's okay to open your eyes now, Sakaki-kun."
"Oh!"
I'd been sitting there with my eyes squeezed shut until Liesha-san spoke up. When I opened them, the beams immediately bathed her in light.
"I... I'm not sure why, but this is making me feel a little shy," Liesha-san said, her cheeks turning a soft pink.
I guess being under a literal spotlight is a bit much. Anyway, I'm going to spend the rest of class focusing as hard as I can on that "Off" switch. Consider this my first real training session.
Summary:
Reo struggles with the literal physical manifestation of his 'Evil Eye' training, which forces him to act as a living flashlight. After a wholesome breakfast scene with his younger brother Taku, he faces a day of social humiliation at school. Todo-sensei eventually orders Reo and Liesha to return for further training with Logan.
Trivia:
- Reo's parents work at the same place and leave very early.
- Taku is exceptionally mature and considerate for a younger brother.
- Reo can see through the light emitted by his eyes, even if others can't see him.
- The 'Free Period' in the school schedule is a meta-reference to RPG gameplay loops.
- Valhalla academy prioritizes post-war world peace education over just combat
Character Insight:
Reo's commitment to his 'mob' identity is being physically undermined by his glowing eyes. Taku is revealed to be a pillar of emotional support for the household. Liesha's blushing suggests her feelings for Reo are deepening, despite the comedic circumstances.
Behind the Scenes:
The author uses the 'Evil Eye' gag to force the protagonist into the center of attention, subverting the 'Mob' trope he tries so hard to uphold.
TL Notes:
1 ↩ Valhalla: The elite academy where heroes and their support are trained.
2 ↩ Evil Eye (Magann): A special eye-based ability common in Chuunibyou tropes, here a literal training byproduct.
3 ↩ My Liege (Odaikan-sama): A mockingly formal title used in period dramas, localized to capture the playful brotherly banter.
4 ↩ Mob: An 'NPC' or background character without a significant role in the story's main plot.
Notes:
• Saki - Reo's younger sister, two years his junior. Handles housework and cooking. Has a kind but slightly blunt personality toward her brother. Highly concerned for her brother's safety. A middle schooler with Sage-level magic power who has been scouted by Valhalla.
• Taku - Reo's younger brother. Protective and prone to outbursts of anger against those who hurt his family. A middle schooler. Over 180cm (6 feet) tall with a massive, intimidating build. Skilled in sewing and housework.
• Reo - Reincarnated HS dude who grinded 'Brave Fantasy' 100+ times, now a bland mob in the game world—black hair, Class E #6 by the back door, F-rank stats but plot meta-knowledge + magic flow reading to sideline-support heroes. Lil' bro to Saki & Taku, survives as background bro.