Everyone Has Talent. If Only We Could Realize It - Volume 1 Chapter 2.2

Episode 2: Two Talents

Before noon, Shika, Akiha, and I headed to the cafeteria together.

The cafeteria was located in a large building a bit away from the classroom building.

It was a single-story building of about 50 tsubo (about 165 square meters), with seating for approximately 100 people inside. There were even seats on a wood terrace outside, making it look like a stylish restaurant you’d find in a resort area.

It was bustling with students who had gathered there. The crowd was so overwhelming that, for someone like me who isn’t fond of crowds, it was almost too much to handle.

Somehow, we managed to secure seats.

Probably because we had decided on our curriculum customization without attending any trial classes in the morning, we were able to get here before the lunch break rush.

The thought of it being even more crowded and struggling to find seats made me dizzy.

“…Too many people. I’m getting dizzy…”

“Same. Maybe we should give up on the cafeteria from tomorrow and just buy something from the convenience store…”

“Don’t be scared of just a cafeteria.”

Akiha seemed unbothered.

Though she looks as plain as we do, it seems her ability to adapt to the situation far surpasses ours.

…Or maybe it’s just that our stats power as complete shut-ins is too low.

“What’s with those menus, you guys? Prisoners or something?”

“Oh, this…”

On Shika’s and my trays, there was just a single bowl placed in the middle.

Just a simple bowl of udon with nothing but plain broth, stark white thick noodles, and a single piece of fried tofu carelessly placed on top.

“Udon, really? And with almost no toppings. Are you guys on a diet?”

“My brother said this is all he can afford…”

Shika said, shoulders drooping, as he poked at the fried tofu with his chopsticks.

“I didn’t want this either. But there was no helping it.”

“Ahahaha! Shika’s stream didn’t do well at all!”

“Don’t laugh… I never imagined it would turn out like this.”

“I was told we could eat sushi every day…”

I too wish I could treat Shika with all the luxuries she desires…

But given the results of yesterday’s stream, there’s no hope for a high living allowance.

We need to cut back on our living expenses, or we’ll go bankrupt in no time.

“Poor little lambs. Generous Mana-sama here will share some side dishes with you.”

Saying that, Akiha picked only the broccoli from her salad with her chopsticks and dropped it into our bowls.

Hey, don’t put broccoli in someone else’s udon. That’s definitely just you getting rid of something you don’t like.

“By the way, that’s quite a lavish lunch you have there.”

Akiha’s lunch looked pretty impressive.

Butter rice with sliced harami steak, mashed potatoes, and a salad of green and yellow vegetables.

It looked incredibly delicious, making saliva flood my mouth.

“Heh. This is what a winner’s lunch looks like.”

“You, Akiha… Just compiling other students’ streaming results and making a ranking to earn easy money. What’s your actual job?”

“Composing.”

“Then show us your music.”

“Ha, no way. That’s why I hate people who underestimate creativity. Don’t think making music is that easy.”

“So when will you release your first piece?”

“Who knows?”

“Who knows… hey, come on.”

“I dunno, the muse just hasn’t hit me yet. When the god of creation descends upon me and gives me a brilliant idea, I’ll release it anytime.”

That’s the mindset of someone who will never produce anything, isn’t it?

But I decided not to say anything. I didn’t want to hurt her pride.

“But hey, don’t be so down. You were scouted at a karaoke contest for a reason; your singing is pretty good.”

“Did you watch Shika’s stream?”

“Of course. I have to check all the information on Ryoran High School’s first-years to do my news broadcasts. I even gave you a like as a favor among friends. Be grateful.”

“What…?”

At Akiha’s casual remark, I was stunned.

“Wha-, what’s wrong? Your already gloomy face has entered a deflationary spiral.”

“Out of the three likes, one was you…”

“Huh?”

“One was me. One was Akiha. It’s a relief that Shika isn’t the type to like her own posts. There’s hope in thinking at least one was from a genuine fan. Ah, haha, hahaha…”

“Hey Raku, come back… No use, his eyes have gone dead.”

“Haha, hahaha. This udon is delicious. The fried tofu is the ultimate luxury. Ahahahaha.”

Damn, it’s making me want to cry.

And to think, Akiha only considered Shika’s singing to be “pretty good.”

I thought it was divine-level. Was it just my brotherly bias?

The anxiety for the afternoon classes began to grow.

If we directly compare abilities with other students in the music practical, it might highlight that Shika’s talent is mediocre.

I had been so confident because I believed in his genius, but everything could be turned upside down.

Ugh, too anxious.

Desperately seeking some warmth and reassurance, I reached out to stroke the head of my adorable sister, who was listlessly slurping her udon beside me. Her hair, soft and smelling naturally like sun-dried bedding, felt comforting as I patted her like a plush toy.

She swatted my hand away.

“Not now. Don’t touch me. It’s hard to eat.”

“Let me at least feel some warmth…”

“Hey, hey, don’t make us drop out in the first month. We’re friends, after all.”

“Akiha… Would you actually miss us if we were gone?”

That’s warm.

Just when I thought she was all talk, not creating any music, moving solely for her own benefit, a pure embodiment of selfishness, she’s actually a good person after all…

“Being left alone by the people I chose as friends would make me a loner. At least wait until I’ve made other friends before you quit.”

“Really, you only think about yourself. It’s almost refreshing.”

My anxiety for the afternoon classes only continued to grow.