The Black Beast, well-versed in matters of the opposite sex, managed to put an end to the cultural festival terror, presumed to be orchestrated by the shadowy New World League, with a whimper rather than a bang.
The S-rank villain Trickster, a member of the 13 Apostles, was apprehended on-site and taken to the Association’s prison.
The tragic end of Maeda Shinji, who died after transforming into a monster, was also revealed to the world.
Despite his status as the heir to the affluent Maeda Conglomerate, the world surprisingly remained mostly unfazed.
This was largely due to the precedent set by the death of Prince William of Britain, who also transformed into a monster and perished live on a global broadcast.
Ironically, as the ugly truth behind Maeda Shinji’s reputation was unveiled, the once-cherished image of him as the academy’s prince crumbled into dust.
As a result, there were no mourners or protesters for his death.
The cultural festival at Shuo Hero Academy continued without interruption after the attempted terror, as if nothing had happened at all.
The only noticeable change was the increased security, likely influenced by the recent terror attempt.
“Something feels off.”
The situation had wrapped up all too neatly.
Unlike the original story, there were no victims, and while the revelation of Aris’s identity and her mental breakdown were noteworthy, I managed to handle things somehow.
Yet, a nagging sense of unease lingered in the back of my mind.
“Everything resolved way too easily.”
The head of the League, the Messiah, is no fool.
Given how radically things have changed from the original, I naturally presumed there would be a backup plan in case Trickster and Maeda Shinji’s collaboration flopped.
However, there was no follow-up terror from the League.
Even Association President Ichiro mobilized the entire Association to check for any signs of further terror around, and nothing was found, meaning it’s reasonable to assume there are no plans for additional terror.
The League backed down far too easily.
While it might be fair to think luck was on our side this time, I can’t guarantee the next event, the hot spring field trip, will proceed just like in the original.
Looking back, it seems I had been a bit too complacent.
Even though I’ve long strayed from the original story’s flow, I unconsciously continued to think and prepare based on that standard.
Just the cultural festival alone resulted in no casualties, but unlike the original, Shinji exposed Aris’s true nature on air, leading to her mental downfall.
There’s no guarantee that things won’t spiral into an even worse situation in the upcoming event.
There’s no guarantee that I won’t.
From now on, I need to prepare more thoroughly.
For my survival, no, for everyone’s sake.
Just as I was thinking that.
“Kim Deok-Sung! Ah, here you are.”
A beautiful girl with olive-colored hair comes up to me and smiles.
I check her name tag.
Morishita Miho.
She’s the Student Council Vice President.
I can also see the Vice President armband on her side.
“I came to deliver this. And thank you for saving the president.”
The vice president hands me an envelope along with her thanks.
What’s going on?
I raise my eyebrows and pull out the document inside the envelope.
The identity of that document is.
[Appointment Letter for the Judges of the Miss Shuo Contest]
A damn beauty pageant judging appointment letter.
Are they seriously asking me to participate in a beauty pageant, as a judge?
This is ridiculous.
*
Shuo Hero Academy.
Main Arena.
A massive stage has been set up in the center of an arena bigger than a typical sports complex.
[Miss Shuo Contest]
A banner is hung, and the audience, including students and external visitors, is packed in.
The damn beauty pageant, which is the highlight event of the second day of the culture festival, is about to begin.
In the original work, this follows after dealing with Shinji and the Trickster position, wrapping up the culture festival episode.
Normally, I wouldn’t have any reason to attend such a cringeworthy event.
But thanks to becoming a judge, I’m forced to participate in this beauty pageant against my will.
Judge Kim Deok-Sung.
I can see a sign that says so.
Next to me is a sign for judge Yoshizaki Seira.
No one is in Seira’s seat yet.
Where the hell has she gone just before the beauty pageant starts?
On my right is Yoo Se-Ra.
“Kim Deok-Sung! We’re sitting next to each other?”
Hehe.
Yoo Se-Ra tosses her beige-colored hair and smiles.
I heard she’s quite popular in Japan as a Korean idol and got invited as a judge.
Could this be a butterfly effect from me twisting the original flow?
In the original story, neither Yoo Se-Ra nor I were in the judge seats.
“Let’s do our best judging together!”
“Umm… Sure.”
Yoo Se-Ra whispers in Korean.
I nod at her words.
I pour myself a bottle of water sitting at the judge’s table.
The lukewarm water moistens my mouth.
Lukewarm water, huh?
If there’s no cola, it should at least be cold water.
Just as I was inwardly grumbling.
Tap.
The lights go out except for the judge’s seats.
With that, the spotlight shines on the stage.
A green-haired girl in a school uniform and glasses appears.
[Dear ladies and gentlemen who have visited Shuo Hero Academy! Proud students of Shuo! It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Amano Nodoka, a first-year from the newspaper club, in charge of hosting the long-standing and traditional Miss Shuo Contest!]
The MC is the same as in the original, Amano Nodoka.
A long history and tradition of a school beauty pageant, huh?
I’m already starting to feel dizzy.
– Clap clap clap clap clap
Cheers and applause erupt with Amano Nodoka’s appearance.
[Now, before we introduce the contestants, let me introduce the judging panel responsible for the fair judging of the Miss Shuo Contest!]
As Amano Nodoka speaks, the spotlight shines on the judge’s seats.
The stone shines.
The gaze of the tens of thousands of spectators filling the enormous main arena, as big as a multi-purpose stadium, is directed entirely at the judges’ panel.
Even a camera from a broadcasting station is visible, broadcasting this spectacle nationwide.
A broadcasting station live-streaming a mere school beauty pageant, huh?
I can already feel the dizziness creeping in.
[First, representing the instructors, we have Teacher Mayuzumi!]
“Hello! I’m Mayuzumi Mayu!”
Sitting at the far left, Teacher Mayuzumi waves her hand with a bright smile.
Her pink hair shines under the lights.
Clap clap clap clap clap!
Applause and cheers erupt.
[Next, we have the president of the Japan Hero Association, the strongest hero in Japan and the guardian of Japan—President Shinozaki Ichiro!]
Ichiro, sitting next to Teacher Mayuzumi, gives a short wave.
A smile appears on his cold face.
I can’t fathom why someone like the head of the Hero Association is judging a beauty pageant.
[In place of the student council president, who is absent, we have the vice president of the Shuo Hero Academy Student Council, Morishita Miho!]
“Hello, cadets! I’m Morishita Miho!”
Morishita Miho greets politely.
Since Morishita Miho had previously represented Aris in the original story, it wasn’t too surprising.
[Representing the teaching staff of Shuo Hero Academy, we have the chairperson’s secretary, Kamiya Ritsuko!]
“Nice to meet you.”
Next to her, Kamiya Ritsuko, a judge who’s not in the original story.
[Representing the Shuo Hero Academy staff, we have the French thief maid, Bella!]
“Pleased to meet you, cadets.”
Bella sits beside Ritsuko.
The bizarre title of staff representative is the same as in the original.
Next up.
[Winner of the Shuo Hero Academy cross-dressing contest, Kurosawa Yuji!]
Kurosawa Yuji sits dressed in women’s clothing.
At a glance, one might mistake him for a beautiful girl with how well the outfit suits him.
The cross-dressing contest.
Just hearing about this damned event before the beauty pageant is horrific enough.
In the original story, it was a common trope for Yuji to participate and win the event.
It was famously known for its unnecessarily excellent animation in the anime.
Naturally, I neither observed nor participated.
The reason Yuji could serve as a judge in the beauty pageant was because he was the winner of the cross-dressing contest.
To see that in reality…
Yuji waves his hand awkwardly, blushing as he smiles.
“Kyahhhhh!”
“It’s Kurosawa!”
“He really looks like a girl!”
“I think his skin is better than mine!”
“He’s super pretty…”
Cheers erupt alongside those comments.
The roar of applause is the loudest yet among the judges.
A sight to behold, utterly ridiculous.
“Aha ha ha ha… Nice to meet you all.”
Yuji speaks with his usual friendly smile.
“Kyahhhhh!”
As soon as Yuji finishes speaking, the cheering continues.
[Representing the external guests, we have the Hallyu idol Yoo Se-Ra!]
“Nice to meet you, everyone! I’m Yoo Se-Ra!”
Yoo Se-Ra waves with the trademark smile of an idol.
Not as explosive as Yuji’s, but enthusiastic cheers and applause follow.
Whoa, Yoo Se-Ra is more popular than I thought?
As Yoo Se-Ra waves, she sneaks a wink at me.
Yoo Se-Ra, who was holding something, secretly winks at me.
Just as I was about to say something upon seeing her wink.
[The representative of the ordinary students at Shuo Hero Academy, the Black Beast, Mr. Kim Deok-Sung!]
Nodoka’s introduction booms toward me.
That’s right.
The reason I’m standing here as a judge is that the drawing for the representative position of ordinary students landed on me.
In the original story, Ishihara Daiki had this role, but unfortunately, in this altered reality, I’m stuck with it.
Did they rig the drawing?
And why is it still the Black Beast in the introduction?
“Kyyaaaaaah!”
“It’s the Black Beast!”
“They say he came to snag a new member for the Black Beast Harem.”
“They say he came to sort out the hierarchy of the harem members?”
“Don’t look! Don’t look at him!”
“If the Black Beast, who’s an expert in the ladies, is judging, it might actually be trustworthy?”
“How starved is he for the opposite sex? It’s terrifying!”
“I made eye contact!”
The cheers and reactions burst forth along with the introductions.
My ears are filled with dizzying comments.
I knew it would be like this.
I thought maybe the animated version would clean up the Black Beast’s image a bit, but after the chaos in the hallway earlier, it’s all back to square one.
With a sigh in my heart, I grab the mic.
“Nice to meet you all.”
With my words, the cheers erupt again.
My head is throbbing.
[Partner, your reputation is quite high. Hahaha. That’s good.]
The Black Prince is spouting nonsense.
I don’t even have the strength to retort anymore.
With another sigh, I let go of the mic.
[Next, we have the owner of Shuo Hero Academy, our President······. Huh? President?]
The seat next to me is empty.
As Nodoka realizes this, looking a bit flustered.
At that moment, a student who looks like staff approaches the stage and whispers in my ear.
[Yes, understood. Then let’s officially start the Miss Shuo selection competition!!]
With a thunderous shout, fireworks explode on stage.
Colorful lights illuminate the main arena, and the applause and cheers feel like they are overwhelming my ears.
[First, let’s welcome our first contestant!]
Nodoka’s voice rings through the main arena.
[The first contestant is······. Nicknamed “Sera-tang”!]
Sera-tang?
My gaze unintentionally drifts to Seira’s empty seat next to me.
Is this why the president hasn’t arrived yet, unlike in the original?
A chill runs down my spine.
No way, it can’t be!
It can’t be that extreme.
As I desperately try to suppress my uneasy premonition.
The stage curtain automatically rises, and someone appears.
Clap.
The spotlight shines on participant number one, “Sera-tang.”
There stands a beautiful girl with white hair and red eyes, wearing a school miz. It’s Yoshizaki Seira.
My head is spinning.
Why is she up there?
[Aigo, sister······.]
The Black Prince sighs.
Seira, adorned with a pink tube decorated with lace and a straw hat also adorned with lace, smiles brightly.
“Hello everyone! It’s your cute Sera-tang!”
With Seira’s entrance, cheers fill the main arena.
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