Everyone Has Talent. If Only We Could Realize It - Volume 1 Chapter 4.3

Confrontation

“Wow, you know who I am? That’s awesome!”

“Well, you are famous, after all.”

“And you are?”

With a carefree tone, Otsuka said.

Depending on how you take it, it could be seen as a harsh question, but her voice was so devoid of any malaise that it didn’t feel offensive at all.

I introduced myself honestly.

“Ikebukuro Rakuto. I’m Ikebukuro Shiika’s brother over here.”

“Rak-kun, huh! Okay, okay, nice to meet you!”

Otsuka gave a thumbs up with a smile.

“Rak-kun…”

I repeated the suddenly given nickname as if savoring it.

Akiha gave me a puzzled look.

“What are you soaking in?”

“No, it’s just my first time getting a friendly nickname from a classmate.”

“Don’t soak in sadness…”

“I’ve had plenty of mean nicknames before, though.”

“Don’t add information that just increases the sadness… Oh dear, how pitiful…”

I ended up being pitied.

To our exchange, Otsuka found something hilarious and burst into laughter, holding her stomach, “Pitiful, pitiful! Ahahaha!”

“You guys are really funny. No wonder you came up with that divine song!”

“Oh, speaking of which, you danced to Shiika’s new song, didn’t you? Thanks a lot, it really helped!”

“No problem. I had a blast too! Candy~, party, let’s study~♪”

Humming the lyrics, Otsuka started stepping in rhythm. Despite the casualness of her movements, as if her body simply couldn’t stay still, each action was sharp and refined.

“…! Hum, hum, hum…”

“Nice! See-chan, you’re hot!”

“Hum, hum, hum…”

Matching Otsuka’s dance, Shiika also swayed her body in a somewhat random manner.

Like a sea anemone swaying underwater, Shiika’s dance moves, clearly lacking even the basics of dance, were odd. Yet, Otsuka didn’t criticize her inexperience or grumble, instead, she joyfully joined in with Shiika.

“What’s with this energy? It’s too sudden for me to keep up…”

“Don’t worry, Akiha. Me too.”

“While it’s fine for Otsuka to be like this, why did Shiika start going along?”

“Who knows? Only she could tell, but maybe─”

Glancing briefly at Otsuka, stepping in rhythm, and Shiika, moving her body as if imitating her, it made me wonder.

Despite it being their first meeting, Shiika didn’t show her usual shyness around new people, perhaps due to Otsuka’s approachability.

Shiika’s face was dead serious, and she hummed while trying to mimic Otsuka’s steps. Maybe she really liked “Study Party Candy” that Otsuka was humming.

The reason is unpredictable.

So, I came up with a tentative conclusion.

“─Geniuses attract each other, maybe?”

“Wow, trying to escape by sounding profound.”

“Shut up.”

Actually, having just witnessed the seething jealousy of a genius (Shibuya Elio) in the classroom, seeing Shiika openly getting along with Otsuka was a relief.

Made me think that school life might not be so bad after all.

And so, we became friends with the Dance Department’s top student, Otsuka Ryuki, in a rather casual way.

***

Despite the shocking morning incident with Shibuya Erio’s outburst, the day passed without further events.

Shibuya was in the same classroom with us for several classes after the second period, but she didn’t seem to pay us any particular attention, nor did she approach us.

Her group of students initially seemed unsure of how to interact with us, but by the time school ended, they had returned to their usual atmosphere.

Was that the end of it?

By the way, on the train ride home after Homeroom ended, I noticed something.

“An amateur who thinks she can sing karaoke well. Doesn’t come close to Shibuya Erio.”

“Think you’re cute? Gross.”

“Did you really get the composer to sleep with you for a song?”

Shiika’s live stream archive, having surpassed a million views, was flooded with cruel troll comments.

(It’s good I noticed it first. Time to weed them out.)

I made sure Shiika would never see those comments by hiding them using the administrator rights.

Why didn’t I just delete them?

Of course, because I’ll never forgive anyone who tried to hurt Shiika.

Remember this, anonymous trolls.

You will regret it.

The sound of metal creaking and heavy breathing mixed together.

The last class of the day. We were in the gym attached to the gymnasium, a short distance from the main building.

Running machines, exercise bikes, shoulder presses, lat machines… sophisticated equipment was tightly packed together.

While working on my lower body with the leg press machine (a machine for extending both legs while seated and pushing back a heavy plate), I glanced at the students dressed in training wear, diligently building their physiques.

“Basic Strength Training” ─ Everyone was working on their own chosen routines. Due to the class’s lenient nature, allowing anything to be done in the gym, I felt an even looser atmosphere compared to other classes.

Is this school really okay?

Laziness is justice! Earning while indulging in idleness is the hallmark of a top professional! As someone who lives by this motto, this environment is perfect for me… Yet, I can’t help but worry, even though it’s none of my business.

Could it be that only those who are truly serious in this environment become top-tier?

By the way, Shiika and Akiha, my fellow lazy comrades, had been running on the treadmill until they quickly ran out of steam. Now, they’re resting on a bench in front of a vending machine in the break area.

While thinking, “Well, they’re out of shape, after all,” I braced my legs and rhythmically pressed the leg press with a “click” and “clack.”

Then, I sensed someone standing beside me.

(Oh, that’s rare.)

The leg press isn’t very popular, and until a moment ago, no one was near me.

Though the facility is fully equipped, this is still a school for entertainers. The students aim to become actors, models, singers, idols – not athletes or bodybuilders. Building a physique for show is certainly necessary, but few have a high awareness of muscles, tending to gather around popular machines like sit-ups, back exercises, running, and bench presses.

…Well, that’s exactly why I’m here. Solitude is awesome. Super relaxing.

“May I use the machine next to you?”

“…Eh?”

I wasn’t expecting to be spoken to and let out a surprised sound.

Especially since it was a clear, feminine voice.

“Um, yes, go ahead. …Wait, eh!?”

Seeing the face of the person, I was so shocked it felt like my eyeballs flipped inside my eyelids.

Perhaps because I stared so intently, the female student tilted her head curiously.

“…Something wrong?”

“No, just… you’re super famous, so I was surprised. Lucky me to have you next door.”

“Hehe. You’re quite straightforward.”

Despite my rude remark, the female student smiled gracefully, exuding an elegant aura like a meticulously woven feathered robe. Of course, I knew who she was. Or rather, there wouldn’t be anyone in this school who didn’t.

Kanda Io.

The senior who read the congratulatory speech at the entrance ceremony. The top student of the third year and one of Ryouran High School’s most talented individuals. A first-class actress making big waves at the forefront.

She was in uniform when I saw her in the auditorium, but now she was in workout clothes. The upper half was only covered by a tube top revealing her toned abdomen, and she wore tight leggings that hugged her legs. My eyes were almost drawn to her healthy curves, and I hurriedly looked away.

…This is just too much for the eyes.

“But it’s not actually lucky.”

“Eh? What do you mean by that…”