Chapter 93: Volume 12 - CH 6

In life, there’s many things that necessarily won’t go your way. That’s what Schrö-senpai told me. I wholeheartedly agree with that. Nothing ever really works out in life. Through this past year, I’ve experienced all sorts of troubles. What’s important is to get up again from whatever knocks you down. It’s simple, really. Everybody goes through something like that once, and it’s a simple goal to follow.

However, Schrö-senpai also said that it’s simple, but not easy to do. After all, it takes a lot of courage to get back up again. Any naive thinking will only pull you down more. Reality is the most unreasonable world out there.

“……”

Of course, such an explanation doesn’t have much credibility from some high school brat like me. But, there’s something even I understand.

‘If you want something, grasp it with your own hands.’

It sure sounds cheesy, but it’s exactly what the old man said. If I want something, I have to obtain it with my own strength. That’s why I came here today.

“Morning, Jirou.”

January 9th, Sunday, I stood in front of the Suzutsuki Family’s gate, with Konoe greeting me. She wore Rouran Academy’s girls’ uniform. Well, that’s to be expected, I guess. She’s not Suzutsuki’s butler anymore, but a normal girl attending Rouran. Subaru-sama’s a girl, can you imagine. Naturally, this revelation caused a great ruckus at school.

Every single recess, a large crowd of people gathered in front of our class, the center of attention being Konoe at every given moment. These last few days, I felt like an animal in a zoo. But even so, Nakuru’s new Subaru-sama fanclub caused no ruckus. Rather, several boys came attacking me instead, especially Kurose who was all like ‘Go die in hell, you romcom bastard!’, trying to punch me. Well, I get where he’s coming from.

“Yo, Konoe, where’s the old man?”

“Waiting in the garden.”

“Right.”

Looking at the time, it was currently 11.45am. We planned to meet up at noon flat—for the battle between me and the old man, which would greatly influence my future.

“……”

No, not just me. It’s about Sakamachi Kinjirou and Konoe Subaru. This fight today will decide both our futures.

“By the way, Kureha-chan’s already here.”

“Yeah, I haven’t seen her at home all day, so I figured she came here.”

It seems like she came here to cheer me on. Or rather, she probably wants seconds on whoever’s the winner. Well, she’s been training me lately, so the best I can do is show my results.

“Usami’s here as well.”

“…Eh? She’s here?”

“Yup. Kana-chan apparently called her over. That’s why, Kana-chan, Usami, Kureha-chan, and I will be watching over you.”

“Phew, quite the audience.”

Well, not like it matters. The bigger the audience, the more fired up I am. Also, it makes me feel like I can’t lose. Surely, they must all wish for me to win.

“Alright, it’s showtime.” I clapped my hands on my cheeks, and stepped forward.

Once I make it through this gate, there’s no going back. Konoe Nagare is waiting for me and the future I wish for.

“…Jirou.”

There, right before I passed the gate, Konoe pulled on my sleeve. Looking over, she had her face casted downwards.

“—Will you be okay?”

“…Of course, no problem at all. I’ll show you that I can make it through this.” I wanted to reassure her, and instinctively said so.

Honestly speaking, my chances of winning aren’t the best. Over these past few days, I’ve been through hellish training from Kureha, so I’m probably the strongest I’ve ever been, but we’re talking about the old man. According to Kureha, he’s probably about the same caliber as Mom. This is pretty amazing, because I’ve never seen anybody rival her. Well, that’s probably how he managed to date Mom before. But…I still can’t afford to lose despite that. Konoe, Suzutsuki, Masamune…and for my own sake…

“Don’t be so worried about me.” I tried to cheer her up. However…

“…!?”

The reason I received shocked me.

“…Moron.”

Together with that mutter, a warm sensation assaulted me. Konoe jumped into my arms.

“K-Konoe?”

“……”

I called out to her, but no response came, only silence filling the air.

“…There’s no way I wouldn’t be worried…” She spoke with a voice like she was holding something back.

Ahhh, I see. She really must be worried. About my battle, and if I can win against the old man, allowing me to inherit her dream.

“…It’s fine, I’ll definitely win against the old man.” I embraced Konoe.

However…

“Guha!?”

Suddenly, Konoe strangled me with a bear hug. W-What is she doing…! Also, I can actually hear my bones crackinggggggggg!?

“K-Konoe, what are you…!?” I screamed.

In return, Konoe’s strength let up a bit, as she slowly raised her head.

“—Ah.”

The moment I saw her face, I lost my words. She was crying. Large grains of water built up in the corners of her translucent eyes.

“…Dummy.” There, she spoke up with quivering lips, like she was trying her hardest to connect her words. “I’m not worried about that…”

“…Eh?”

What does she mean? What is she worried about then?

“Please, Jirou…” She whimpered. “Please…come back safe.”

“………”

For a moment, I failed to understand her words. However, it all became clear right after. As well as her feelings.

“You probably know, but Dad…is strong. Much stronger than me.”

“……”

“On top of that, he definitely won’t hold back against you. After all, he’s a butler of the Suzutsuki Family, and my Dad. That’s why, as a butler and as a father, he definitely won’t let you off easily. He’ll try to kill you…”

“Konoe…”

“That’s why, you don’t have to win against him today. You can lose, and you don’t have to become a butler to inherit my dream or anything. I’m begging you…just be safe. If you come back to me…that’s all I’m asking for…!”

“……”

…Man, I really was an idiot. Konoe was worried about me. She probably doesn’t want me to get hurt in my fight with the old man. He probably won’t kill me, but there’s a good chance he’ll beat me up beyond recognition. Just as Konoe said, he surely has no intent on holding back. That’s why she’s been worried this entire time.

“…Thanks.” I told Konoe.

“…Jirou?” With teary eyes, she looked up at me.

“Konoe.” I’m going to tell her about all my feelings. “Believe in me.”

“………” Konoe swallowed her breath.

After that, she moved away from me, and wiped her teary eyes with the sleeve of her uniform…Yeah, surely she must have understood with that. No matter what, I’ll come back safe. And, I’ll win against the old man. There’s no way I would lose. I’ll definitely become the butler of the Suzutsuki family…and inherit her dream. And then, I can finally be with you—and protect you.

“………”

Ahh, now I finally understand my old man’s words—Stand By Me. Become someone who can say that. For crying out loud…my old man sure was a romanticist. It sure sounds lame to be honest, but for today, I’ll bet on those words. After all, I want to always be with Konoe Subaru…so for that sake, I’m fighting.

“—Okay.” Konoe spoke with a clear voice. “I’ll believe you, Jirou.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

We smiled at each other, and passed through the gate. Shortly after, we reached the aforementioned garden at the Suzutsuki Residence. It had the size of a small public park, with grass growing in one corner. There stood Konoe Nagare. As always, he wore a butler’s uniform. That’s probably his formal dress, so to speak. I myself am wearing Rouran Academy’s uniform after all. Sure, I could have worn some more sports-esque clothes, but…this isn’t a battle during a tournament, it’s a fist fight. A bit further away from the old man stood three girls.

“Yaho, Nii-san. Should I take your jacket?”

“Yeah, please do, Kureha.” I said, and passed Kureha the jacket of my uniform.

How do I say this, she really is out for leftovers, huh. Well, that’s just like her, I guess.

“You gonna be okay? Should I give you a boost before the real fight starts?”

“I don’t need that, I’m plenty pumped up already.”

“Ehhh, what a shame. I was thinking that you’d be fired up with a Pallo Special1.”

“You’re going to break me before the fight even starts.”

“Nyahaha! Well, you’ll be fine. If you’re down for the count, just remember the special training I gave you these past few days!”

“………”

…Stop, please. I don’t want to remember the past few days, okay. All I understood from that is the fact that my little sister isn’t human anymore.

“Alright, you show him, Nii-san.”

“Yeah, I gotcha.”

“Even if you lose, I’ll make sure to pick up your bones.”

“I definitely don’t want to leave my bones in your care, alright, you wrestling fanatic.”

We exchanged some brief banter, and then put our fists together. For a family full of fighting maniacs, it’s like a greeting. Thinking about it, because of her and Mom, my life was turned upside down due to my gynophobia.

“……”

But, thinking about it now, she and Mom trained me and brought me this far. After all—I resembled my father. That’s what Konoe told me back in May, so when I was wearing glasses, I pretty much overlapped with my late father. Because of that, Mom and Kureha must have been worried about me. That I might pass away because of a disease or sickness.

Thinking about it, I’ve been going through this training for over ten years now. It’s right around the time my old man passed away. I guess it’d fit. That’s why they’ve been training me all this time. All so that I would become stronger, and more healthy. So that I would acquire a body that wouldn’t lose to some sickness. Thanks to that, I’m perfectly healthy, my body doing better than ever. I ended up with that nasty gynophobia, and now I’ve managed to win against that as well. Right now, all I have is the strength they passed onto me.

“……”

…No, that’s not the only reason they were training me. They were definitely having fun while fighting me. Though, I’ll just keep my gratitude, and forgive them for that. After all, we’re family.

“—Stupid chicken.” There, Masamune spoke up. “Might be a bit sudden, but I got a message for you.”

“Message?”

“‘A passionate fight of glasses boy X glasses butler! But, the one to win in the end will be Senpai!’…By the way, the sender of that was…”

“Stop, I can already guess who it is.”

Damn that glasses junkie. Also, she didn’t call it ‘vs’, but ‘x’ instead. Is she trying to make a shipping war out of this…No, calm down. She’s just trying to ease the tension with a lighthearted joke.

“I have another one from the vice club prez.”

“From Schrö-senpai?”

“Yup. Said ‘Live’.”

“Doesn’t mean much if you’re just copying something from Princess Mono*oke!”

That’s our Schrödinger-san for you, she’s unparalleled beneath the heavens. Also, ‘live’? A few more words wouldn’t have hurt, okay.

“Finally, a few more words from me.” Masamune took a deep breath, and continued. “If you lose, I won’t ever forgive you.”

“………”

Um, Masamune-san, couldn’t you have chosen…you know, a few kinder words than that?

“Is that what you’re gonna tell me? Really?”

“Huh? You’re going to fight someone, you know? Why would I try to be sweet now?”

“I mean, you’re not wrong, but…you won’t forgive me? Really?”

“Then let me say it again, stupid chicken. If you lose, I’ll finish you off.”

“That’s even worse!”

You’re making me wanna cry, okay. I think this nasty rabbit is much scarier than the old man, alright.

“No problem, you just have to win.”

“Well, I don’t plan on losing, that’s for sure.”

“Not to mention…you chose Subaru-sama, not us, so you have to make her happy.”

“…Yeah, thanks, Masamune.”

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“Wha…you don’t need to thank me! I wasn’t trying to be nice or anything…!”

“I know I know, Usamin.”

“~~~!? Don’t call me Usamin as well, you stupid chicken!” The heel of her boot slammed right into my back.

Wah, she actually kicked me right before the fight. Well, that’s just like her, I guess. She’s probably worried about me in her own way. So, I have to respond to those feelings. After all, we’re friends.

“Fufu, you seem to be in full spirits, Jirou-kun.”

After I got back up on my feet again, Suzutsuki stood in front of me. Naturally, she smiled at me like she always would… Right, at least she would be kind to me…

“Jirou-kun.” She whispered into my ear. “If you lose today, I’ll tell Subaru about the time we spend in bed together on the day of the opening ceremony.”

“………”

Let me take it back, she’s a sadist after all.

“Hey, Suzutsuki, we didn’t even spend anything together back then.”

“Eh? What are you talking about? You were entranced by my naked appearance, right?”

“Hell no.”

“Well, once you’ll be my butler, you’ll get to see that sight forever and ever.”

“Seriously!?” I threw in a retort.

Seeing me like that, Suzutsuki let out a snicker, and said ‘My, do you want to see me naked that badly?’ with a grin.

…D-Damn it, I got pulled along by her nonsense.

“Well, if you win, I wouldn’t mind thinking about some bonus for you, so do your best.”

“…Heh, I guess I can try a bit harder for my future employer.”

“Eh? What are you talking about? I won’t be your employer, but master.”

“You’re really trying to emphasize that, huh!”

Will I really be okay? I don’t see anything good coming from becoming the butler of such a sadistic woman.

“……”

Well, it’s all a matter of me getting used to it. I don’t dislike this kind of ruckus.

“Then, I’ll be going, Suzutsuki.”

“Yes…Stay safe, Jirou-kun.” With these words, she saw me off.

And then…

“Yo, old man.” I faced the guy standing in the middle of the grass—Konoe Nagare.

He’s the individual I have to beat and overcome today.

“Shitty brat. Let me tell you one thing.” There, he sent me a sharp gaze. “I’m pretty serious today.”

“I can tell.”

“No, you can’t. My motivation is pulsing inside of me. Especially because you’re getting cheered on by all those ladies.”

“You’re just jealous then!”

“S-Shut up. I’m not jealous. Also, I have somebody cheering me on as well.”

“Huh, good for you.”

“Yeah, they said ‘If you take it easy, you won’t get dinner for a week’, actually.”

“……”

I mean, can you really call that support? Also, that has to be from Ichigo-san, right? She’s a maid for the Suzutsuki Family, and can’t stand me, so of course she’d use every chance to push me away.

“That’s why you don’t have to worry about anything, I was never planning on holding back.”

“……”

That sight, that speech of his was overwhelming. I was reminded of the scenery back at the leisure land. I couldn’t hit him once, and was utterly defeated by him. The memories, the pain, the sense of defeat, it all came gushing back to me.

“…Jirou.”

There, I heard a translucent voice. It’s Konoe Subaru. I reflexively turned around, but…

“Mmnn!?”

Suddenly, a soft sensation was pressed on my lips—She kissed me.

“Y-You! What are you doing!?” The second she moved her lips away, I screamed.

Why is she kissing me now? I mean, it helped in erasing all the tension in my body because of the old man, but still…

“D-Don’t worry, this is my strategy.” She blushed, and told me. “Strategy…What do you mean?”

“You know, Dad will probably be boiling because of this kiss, and won’t be able to think rationally. You have to use that opening, Jirou.”

“……”

Sorry, Konoe, I think you were trying hard to think of that plan, but I’m pretty sure it just had the opposite effect. Look at him, he’s glaring at me like crazy. I wouldn’t be surprised if he came to knock me out in one hit. I think you just boosted his ATK.

“Also, there is one thing I wanted to tell you…” She blushed even more aggressively, and looked directly at me. “I…love you, Jirou!”

“……”

…Ahh…Whatever. Just because of Konoe’s words, I feel like I can move mountains. Of course, that probably acted as a buff for the old man as well, but I just have to overcome even that. I mean, if the girl you like tells you that…there’s no way I can lose.

“…Yeah, I love you as well.” I properly responded.

After that, I took a deep breath, and faced forwards—forming a fist. Before the fight begins, let me confirm this one last time. I know I shouldn’t be saying this, but I’m not good at fighting like Kureha. Best I can do are normal blows. My fighting method is simple. Slip into close range, and beat up the other person. In other words, it’s a matter of my fist connecting or not—

“You…shitty brat.”

However, the old man interrupted my thoughts, and walked towards me on faint steps. And then, once he reached the space in front of me, he stopped. He reached the perfect distance for us to beat each other up with our fists.

“…Haha.” I let out a wry laugh.

It seems like he’s intending on making this a head-on battle, no tricks used. He plans on facing me like this, and beating me up with raw strength. For that intent alone, he now stands in front of me.

“—Fine by me.” I muttered, and smiled.

I don’t plan on rejecting this kind invitation.

“……”

And then, the trial began. The battle that would decide our future…

×

The first to connect a hit was me, I think. However, the old man’s fist rammed into my face right after. That was probably the signal to start. From there on out, we simply continued to throw fists at the other. However…I’m not the oldest son of the Sakamachi Family for nothing. Both Mom and Kureha have been training me for years, almost ten years at this point. I was at least confident in my endurance, so I was sure I wouldn’t go down that easily. However…

“What’s wrong, shitty brat.”

After several blows hitting both sides…Blood came spurting out of the old man’s lips, as he spoke up with a calm expression.

“…Damn…it…!” I was gasping for her, tightly forming fists with as much strength as I could.

However, my fists wouldn’t go up as quickly as they went down. Without trying to exaggerate, it felt like my bones were splitting in pain. It was like I’d collapse at any moment if I relaxed, and the inside of my mouth tasted like metal…And yet.

“Can’t even return punches anymore? Bad luck, I won’t wait.”

“…!?”

As a tornado of fists rained down on me, the old man continued his words.

“What’s up, huh? Weren’t you trained by your family, shitty brat?”

“………”

“I thought you couldn’t lose for the sake of everybody supporting you?”

“……”

“Weren’t you going to become the butler of the Suzutsuki Family?”

“…”

“Weren’t you…weren’t you…Weren’t you going to make my daughter happy?!”

“…!”

—Yeah, of course. It’s just as this old fart said. I made up my mind, which is why I proposed to Konoe during the opening ceremony. I decided to become a butler for the Suzutsuki Family. However…that was just weak, and fragile determination. After all, I’m only a second-year in high school. No way would some determination during that time account for anything. Things don’t always go your way in life. There’s bound to be suffering up ahead, and a brat like me wouldn’t know about it. But…

“—So what about that!?” I muttered, and put more strength into my knees.

That’s right. No matter how weak and fragile of a determination it may be, I’ve decided. I will become Suzutsuki’s butler, and I will be with Konoe. I’ll protect her. That’s why I just have to make this fake determination real. And for that…

“…Ugh!?”

There, I heard a sound like something cracking. At the same time, the old man’s expression was distorted in anguish. Reflected in his eyes…was the right hand he just punched me with.

“…Haha.” Because of this, my bleeding lips formed a provocative smile.

It’s simple, really. Right now, Konoe Nagare just swung his fist down at me. In that one moment, I pushed my forehead against it, countering it with a headbutt.

“Yeah, you’re totally right, as always…!” I said.

That’s the main reason I get to stand here now.

“My body is pretty sturdy, right? I’ve been trained by my mother and little sister for the past ten years…!”

“………”

“Of course, I can’t lose now. Kureha, Masamune, Suzutsuki…they all came here to support me…”

“……”

“There’s another reason I can’t lose. I’ve decided to become the butler of the Suzutsuki Family…and then…and then…I’ll make Konoe happy…!”

That’s right, in order to change this weak and fragile determination into something real—all I have to do is win. I can only win against the old man here. Win, and then prove that my determination is genuine…!

“Urk…Gah…!” Standing on quivering legs, I put more strength into my fist.

This…is probably my last one…My body is in tatters. I can only muster up one more proper punch…so I’ll put my everything into it. Even if I eat a counter like before…even if my fist breaks…I don’t care. If I’m scared now, I won’t be able to win. After all, I’m a chicken bastard…Or, a sheep even. I’m a sheep cornered by the big bad wolf, cornered by Konoe Nagare. That’s our position right now. But, even so…

“Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!” I screamed in order to let out the last ounce of energy I had, and formed a fist.

Naturally, it was only aimed at Konoe Nagare. Just like me, he was on his last breath. Sure enough, my punches must have worn him down. His lips were bloody and swollen, his face full of bruises, his butler uniform in tatters with red spots all over, and yet his facial expression was calm, simply focussing on the battle.

“……”

That moment, I heard the words he previously told me, beneath the winter sky.

‘If you want something, grasp it with your own hands.’

That’s why…

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

Fine by me, I’ll grasp this victory with my own fist!

“……”

And then, my fist slammed into Konoe Nagare. Immediately, my body fell over, once again reminding me that my body had reached its limit, giving in to gravity.

“…Ah.”

That moment, I saw the girls who had supported me all this time: Sakamachi Kureha, Usami Masamune, Suzutsuki Kanade, and…

“…Jirou!”

Right before my body hit the ground, I heard an alto voice. And then, what my eyes last saw…was Konoe Subaru—the girl who had given up her own dream only to be together with me.

1 A special move originating from Kinnikuman

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