I thought about it all day, but I couldn't find an answer.
Earth's future or my family? If I transferred to Class A, I would inevitably lose many things. I'd lose the chance to uncover the truth behind Koro-sensei, and I wouldn't be able to learn anything more from him, Mr. Karasuma, or Ms. Bitch. My bonds with Isogai, Kurahashi, and the rest would also wither.
On the other hand, Class A offered something greater: my father's trust. I might finally earn it if I lived up to his expectations. Perhaps I would hear him say those words again: "You did well."
I had spent over ten years of grueling effort just for that single sentence. Even though I had strayed for a while, I had regained my footing and returned to the path. Now, a golden opportunity stood before me—and it might be the last one. After all, who knew if the Earth would even exist next year?
Still, I couldn't make a choice in the blink of an eye.
After a full day passed, a sense of euphoria began to take root within me. My father had acknowledged me. I was finally beginning to understand the weight of it. The praise of a man who hadn't spoken a word to me in a decade acted like an addictive drug or a powerful stimulant. I had never touched such substances in my life, but I could tell that the impact of his words felt very similar.
Good grief, what was I supposed to do?
I wanted to scream and vent my heart to someone, but I couldn't be that irresponsible. There was no escaping this; I had to face this decision alone.
Yet, the truth remained: I needed an answer. I wondered which choice was the right one.
I held my head, lost in thought for hours. Or so it seemed. Because I had slipped into a state of "Absolute Focus" without realizing it, only a few minutes had actually passed. But no matter how much I ruminate, not a single glimmer of an answer appeared.
As I sank deeper into my worries, my phone buzzed with a message on LINE.
"Hey! If you're free tomorrow, how about making some extra cash on the mountain behind the Class E building?"
The message was from Kurahashi.
It was a typical invitation from her, brimming with energy. I was curious about how we would "make money," but honestly, the timing was perfect. Staying here alone in this gloom wouldn't achieve anything but a waste of time. I saw it as a good chance for a change of pace.
I was about to reply with an immediate "yes," but another message arrived at that exact moment. This one was from Sugino.
"Nozaki! Let's go bug hunting tomorrow!"
— Was I being presented with two choices again?
Do I choose the girl, or do I choose a day with the guys?
I was truly happy to receive invitations like these. If I were the old Nozaki from before the spring break, I certainly would have spent my vacation entirely alone. But why, of all things, did I have to choose between two options now? Give me a break—why does everyone insist on putting me in front of two paths?
I knew it was just a coincidence and they didn't mean anything by it, but still...
After two full hours of agonizing thought, I finally sent my reply.
●○●○●
"Oh, Kei-chan! Welcome!"
"Hey, Kurahashi-san."
Sorry, Sugino. I'll definitely make it up to you someday.
I thought this as I recalled the message I sent him: "Sorry, I already have plans. Ask me again next time." I wasn't lying to him; Kurahashi really had messaged first.
While I offered these excuses to myself, I met up with Kurahashi and we began the familiar trek up the path. Since we were going to the mountain behind the Class E building, I wore my school uniform just in case, but Kurahashi was in civilian clothes.
I had never seen her in anything but her uniform, so her private outfit made quite an impression. The clothes suited her perfectly. It was amazing how much an impression changes with a different outfit; frankly, she looked incredibly cute.
"You're wearing your uniform?"
"Yeah, we're going to the school grounds after all."
"What a diligent student!"
I smiled instinctively, watching Kurahashi laugh cheerfully. She was the perfect remedy after being shut in my room feeling miserable.
"So, what are we doing today?"
"We're going bug hunting!"
".... I see."
If I had known that from the start, I would have invited Sugino to join us. Now I felt even more guilty toward him.
Kurahashi tilted her head and asked with a concerned voice when she saw me go quiet.
"Are you okay? Do you hate bugs?"
"No more than the average person. I'm fine with beetles and things like that."
"Ehehe, that's good then!"
Her face brightened with relief. Kurahashi's expressions changed constantly, making her a joy to watch. She was cheerful and easy to talk to.
Still, it was a surprise. My stereotype of girls was that they screamed at the sight of a bug, so I never expected one to invite me to go catching them. Speaking of bugs, I felt a wave of nostalgia for those old beetle-catching games. I wondered if those machines were still in the arcades. I'd have to check the next time I went.
"But can we catch them that easily? Aren't they nocturnal? It's hard to find them in broad daylight, isn't it?"
"Don't worry about that! I set traps yesterday. I put pieces of banana and pineapple soaked in shochu inside old stockings and let them ferment for a few days. It's my own special recipe!"
"That's actually impressive."
I admired her cleverness. Making traps required precise knowledge of the target's environment and behavior. If this was her own invention, her knowledge base must be quite extensive.
But what about "making money"? Did she plan to sell the bugs we caught? Kurahashi was surprisingly tough and practical.
"Kurahashi-san, do you like bugs?"
"I love all living things! I catch them, observe their behavior, and if they die.. I eat them! Then I turn them into specimens."
"I see...."
— Wait, did she say she eats them?!
I almost let out a cry of shock but swallowed it at the last second. Good grief, that goes beyond being "practical." Your courage and grit are on a whole different level, Kurahashi!
While I felt a bit stunned by her resilience, I nodded along as she enthusiastically shared a wealth of information about living creatures. At the same time, my mind drifted back to the Class A transfer.
Even if I went to Class A, it was unlikely my relationships with my friends in Class E would simply vanish. However, I would turn back into an ordinary citizen who knew nothing of national secrets, while they spent their days training to kill the state's greatest threat.
A gap would inevitably form. From their perspective, a comrade would have withdrawn without any consultation. That would surely leave a bitter taste. No one could blame them if they thought, Nozaki betrayed us.
".... Kei-chan?"
"Huh? Oh, did I miss something?"
"Nothing, but I felt like you were miles away. Did something happen? Or are you really just uncomfortable with the bugs?"
"No, it's not that!"
I saw the worry in Kurahashi's eyes, so I faked some energy and looked around. I pointed to a massive beetle with two horns and yellow scales sitting on a nearby tree.
"Look! There's a Hercules beetle over there.... Wait, what is a Hercules beetle even doing here?"
I pointed and shouted in shock. This insect is not native to Japan at all. I held my breath and pulled the giant beetle off the tree. This was bizarre. Someone must have released it; otherwise, it would be impossible for this species to be here!
"You're right, it's a Hercules beetle.. maybe it escaped from someone."
"They aren't found in the wild in Japan, right?"
"Mmm, they aren't that hard to breed, but they don't live in the wild here.. it's an invasive species, after all."
"You're right."
I felt a surge of annoyance at how reckless some people could be. I placed the beetle into Kurahashi's cage. Well, let's consider it an unexpected bonus income.
While I silently checked to see if there were any others, Kurahashi looked at me again with a worried expression.
"Going back to what we were saying—if something is bothering you, you can talk to me. Keeping things bottled up is the worst thing you can do."
"Yeah, thanks, Kurahashi-san."
Her kindness touched me, but I couldn't rely on it in this situation. It was impossible to consult anyone on a choice that put my personal future on one side of the scale and the future of the Earth on the other. Besides, I didn't want to cloud her cheerful face with such worries. It was a strange feeling; I had been desperate to vent, but when help was actually offered, I hesitated and pulled back. It was a complete contradiction.
As we walked along the mountain path amidst my confusion and guilt, I heard voices.
"I grew up in the city, so I've always longed for this kind of atmosphere. Karma said he happened to see a tree where bugs gather, so I got curious and came. I wanted to invite Nozaki too, but.."
".... Really?"
That was Sugino's voice. Kurahashi looked at me after hearing his words as if asking a question, but I looked away. I couldn't tell the truth; it was far too embarrassing to admit I had thought for two whole hours after both invitations and eventually chose Kurahashi.
"Kurahashi-san's message arrived first."
"Heh I see how it is"
I didn't know why, but Kurahashi started to grin mischievously—a smile that suggested she understood the situation perfectly. My discomfort only grew.
While I avoided her gaze, Kurahashi called out to Nagisa and Sugino, and even Maehara, who was unexpectedly with them.
"Good morning, everyone~"
"Huh? Good morning, Kurahashi.. and Nozaki?"
My eyes met Sugino's. There was no escape now.
"Sorry, Sugino. It was just how things worked out."
"I get it. Come with me for a second."
".... Okay."
Sugino gestured for me to follow, and I trailed behind him away from the rest of the group. I expected a lecture, but what came out of his mouth was a total surprise.
"You should have told me you were with her from the start. If you had, I would've changed the time."
"I'm sorry, but believe me, Kurahashi-san's message was the first one.."
"I don't care about that. Were you two on a 'date' today?"
".... A date?"
"I remembered Kurahashi saying during the school trip that she was interested in you. Plus, lately, you two have been looking suspiciously interested in each other."
".... Really?"
"Of course! Look, even Kurahashi changed the way she calls you."
"But Kurahashi usually calls everyone by their first names or nicknames, doesn't she?"
"You're so naive, Nozaki! Listen to me, if you ignore these changes or pretend not to notice, you'll regret it later! Besides, I saw you two walking hand-in-hand last time!"
"... Are you kidding? Did that actually happen?"
What a shock! I thought he'd be mad at me for rejecting his invitation, but I never expected him to be angry about this.
But wait—was this a "date"? I didn't think so at all. And above all, why was Sugino scolding me in the first place?
"The day before yesterday, you tried to set me up with Kanzaki-san, didn't you? I wanted to return the favor today. I had no intention of ruining your time together."
"I don't think of you guys as an intrusion, but the situation was just awkward."
Who would have expected to run face-to-face into the person I had just turned down? I still felt so embarrassed that I couldn't look Sugino in the eye.
"You two over there We're going to leave you behind if you don't hurry up"
Kurahashi called out with an impatient tone. Sugino asked me one last time, "Are we really not bothering you?" I simply replied with a "No," and we headed back to them.
We followed Kurahashi as she headed toward her traps. I told Maehara I hadn't expected to see him here bug hunting, and he replied gloomily, "I thought the price of a single stag beetle was enough for a present for my big sister, so I came to make some money."
It seemed Maehara's plan had completely crumbled in the face of Kurahashi's expertise. Better luck next time, Maehara.
"Oh, here they are!"
Kurahashi said joyfully as she looked at the stocking trap, where several beetles and colorful drone beetles had gathered.
"Heh, did you set this trap?"
"Yeah, it's a homemade trap. I set it last night. I put out about twenty others, and if things go well, we might make a thousand yen each!"
"Oh, that's not bad for a side job."
I learned for the first time today that bugs sell for good prices. I thought to myself: If things get desperate in the future, I'll sell bugs to survive.. future.. huh?
I was successfully escaping reality, but a passing conversation dragged me back. What I should be worried about right now wasn't selling bugs in the future, but whether to go to Class A or not.
Damn it.. I remembered something unpleasant.
While I was lost in thought, I felt movement above our heads.
"Fufufu. Completely ineffective traps. Are you really Class E students?"
I looked toward the source of the voice, and there was Okajima, striking a pose while holding a pornographic magazine in his hand. He was sitting in the tree with one leg over the other, looking down at us coolly with his magazine. The scene would have looked cool if it weren't for that cursed magazine, which made everyone wonder, What is this idiot doing?
"Okajima!!"
Sugino reacted seriously as usual, while I listened to Okajima's words to see what he was planning.
"I don't care about making a measly thousand yen. My trap is definitely aimed at one hundred billion yen!"
"One hundred billion yen? Do you mean....?!"
"Exactly. Since there's an assassination trip planned for the southern island, that octopus will think there are no assassination attempts until then and let his guard down.. and that is my target."
I didn't think so. I didn't believe a teacher like him would fall for a trap that easily. While I was thinking about how powerful Koro-sensei was, a new scene appeared before my eyes.
Behind the thick grass, there was an open space centered around a "bed" of scattered porn magazines. On top of them was a massive beetle.. or so it seemed at first, but it was just Koro-sensei in a costume.
Koro-sensei's reputation had completely collapsed in my eyes now.
"Kukuku. He fell for it. He was drawn to the porn magazine trap I set."
"Amazing.. Koro-sensei, who prides himself on his speed, is standing there motionless, lost in those magazines."
"It seems they are exactly his type."
"And what's with that beetle costume?"
"Does he really think he's in disguise?! This is pathetic..!"
With Maehara and Sugino there, their disgusted reactions were enough to express what was on my mind, saving me the trouble of commenting.
"These spots exist on every mountain.. the dumping grounds for porn magazines.."
Okajima started talking with a strange depth.
"The child who finds a magazine there.. grows up and becomes able to buy them himself, then returns to put them in the same spot. It's a place for endless dreams."
"Actually, it's a place for illegal dumping.."
"It's no use, Nozaki. There are situations where logic doesn't apply."
"You've become wise, Sugino."
"Good, help me then. With the power of our desire, we will make Koro-sensei sink into a dream he won't wake up from."
".... I get it. The point is to kill him in the end."
Okajima gave a mysterious smile. Under normal circumstances, I would have felt disgusted and just watched coldly, but Okajima's choice to assassinate gave me a new idea.
To end everything this summer. To kill Koro-sensei during the break, learn the whole truth, and then transfer to Class A. That was the perfect choice I had arrived at.
I'd have to give Okajima a thank-you gift later.
"I studied his tastes precisely for a whole month. And since I can't buy them, I collected them from all over."
"Wait, doesn't Koro-sensei like anything as long as it's a beautiful woman?"
"Actually, yes.. but magazines are a world of dreams. Everyone in them pursues their own ideal. Pictures and drawings evoke completely different reactions based on slight differences!"
Okajima showed me his phone, which contained a log of Koro-sensei's observations for an entire month. As he said, the teacher's reactions varied significantly depending on the magazines. I felt genuine admiration for Okajima's patience with such a tedious task for a whole month.
".... Incredible, Okajima-kun. You were swapping magazines and monitoring his reactions exactly."
"But seriously, a grown man collecting used magazines for a month?! Just buy one, it's embarrassing.."
I fully agreed with Nagisa's spontaneous reaction and Sugino's scolding as I waited to see what would happen. Okajima turned toward Kurahashi.
"It's just like your trap, Kurahashi. We study the prey to make them sink into the dream for as long as possible, right?"
".... Y-Yes."
"Don't confuse sexual instinct with Kurahashi's passion for knowledge!"
"Don't blame him, Nozaki. For men, desire is linked to the search for knowledge in one way or another!"
"Maehara...."
The topic was starting to veer off course. But Okajima, ignoring our talk, suddenly lifted one of the magazines under which he had hidden an anti-teacher knife.
"Like Nozaki said, I'm a pervert. Let anyone who wants to despise me do so."
"I didn't despise you."
"Anyway, because I'm the biggest pervert among you, I know.. I know that desire can save the world."
He drew the knife skillfully.
"── Why does he suddenly sound so heroic?!"
"I'll do it. I've set a net of anti-teacher bullets under the magazines. Since he's lost in contemplation now, he'll definitely fall for it. One of you cut this rope to activate the trap, and I'll jump in to deliver the finishing blow!"
In this class where every honed skill turned into a sharp blade, Okajima—who had nothing but his perversion and humor—was about to aim the blade of his desire at Koro-sensei.
Tension hung over us all. As Nagisa prepared to spring the trap, something strange happened to Koro-sensei.
"Miyoooooon—"
"W-What?"
"His eyes just stretched out!"
"What is that face?! I don't have data on this!"
Koro-sensei's eyes suddenly protruded from his face in a straight, bizarre fashion. We were stunned by this sudden change that no one had anticipated. Even Okajima hadn't seen this expression in an entire month of observation.
"Nurufufufu. I found it!"
Suddenly, Koro-sensei extended his tentacles with lightning speed and grabbed something on the tree.
"A Miyama stag beetle. And look at the color of its eyes..!"
Koro-sensei's muttering reached us, and at that same moment, Kurahashi leaped from our hiding spot with excitement.
"Are they white, Koro-sensei?!"
"Oh, Kurahashi-san. You hit the mark."
"Incredible!! That's the one I was looking for!"
"Yes, I didn't expect to find it on this mountain."
Kurahashi and Koro-sensei began jumping for joy on top of the pile of porn magazines. It seemed Kurahashi was looking for a very rare type of stag beetle with a genetic mutation that made its eyes white.
"Ah.... I was so close."
Oh, right. For Okajima, Kurahashi had completely ruined his plan. It seemed her innocence and enthusiasm had unintentionally destroyed his trap.. Better luck next time, Okajima.
"I don't understand why they're so happy, but seeing a giant beetle and a middle school girl jumping on a pile of porn magazines is a truly surreal sight."
"You're right."
As we watched the two, Koro-sensei finally noticed where he was and noticed us. He realized the bizarre scene he represented as a teacher jumping on magazines.
"Huh....?!"
He finally noticed, but I had already snapped a photo with my phone. Click!
Good. I had obtained some excellent blackmail material. I wondered what I should ask of this perverted octopus.
"Nyuyahhh?! Nozaki-kun! T-T-This is illegal photography!"
"Look at your own situation before you talk, you perverted octopus. The sight of a teacher, who is supposed to be a role model, sitting atop a pile of indecent magazines was truly hilarious."
"Wait?!"
"You look like you're enjoying this, Nozaki."
Sugino looked at me with a mix of surprise and slight disgust.
".... I am so ashamed. I acted in a way unbecoming of an educator.. I knew there was a trap under the magazines, but I couldn't resist the temptation of books that perfectly suited my taste..!"
"He saw through it that easily?!"
"Don't be sad, Okajima."
I tried to comfort the discouraged Okajima while I followed the situation.
"But what's the story, Kurahashi? It's a Miyama beetle, right? Its price in games is much lower than a giant stag beetle."
"Actually, Miyama beetles are more expensive now because they're hard to breed. At this size, it could go for twenty thousand yen!"
"Twenty thousand?!"
"Also, this beetle has albinism, doesn't it?"
"Exactly. You've noticed something important, Nozaki-kun."
"Albinism? You mean those creatures that are born entirely white?"
"Nurufufufu. Exactly, Sugino-kun. But not every creature shows albinism over its entire body. Look, its eyes are completely white, aren't they? Albinism in this type of beetle appears only in the eyes, and they are called 'white-eyes.' Finding a wild Miyama beetle with white eyes is extremely rare and has great scientific value. If sold, it could fetch hundreds of thousands of yen."
"H-Hundreds of thousands?!"
Good grief, I didn't know something so rare existed on our mountain.
"I told Koro-sensei that I hoped to see one someday, so he promised to look for it using his super-vision!"
Seeing Kurahashi rejoice so childishly over the beetle was truly sweet.
"My greedy friends! Whoever wants this beetle, raise your hand!"
"We want it!!"
"Ahaha, what should I do?"
"Wait, I'm the one who found it first!"
Kurahashi ran off, playfully teasing the boys' greed, while the rest of the guys chased after her for the beetle.. or maybe just for fun.
"Oh, Nozaki-kun, aren't you going with them?"
"No, the hundred-billion-yen reward is standing right in front of me, so a few hundred thousand doesn't interest me anymore."
"That's true."
"Also, if I hand you over to the government, I might get more than a hundred billion through negotiation."
"Nurufufufu. Do you think catching me is that easy?"
Koro-sensei showed green stripes on his face—a sign of confidence and mockery. I took out my phone, showed him the photo I had just taken, and began to quietly blackmail him.
"If you don't want this photo to spread, surrender quietly."
"Nyuyahhh?! You'd really do that?!"
"Too bad, Koro-sensei. You'll be arrested by the PTA or the police before we even get to kill you."
"Please, delete that photo, I beg of you!!"
As a result of this blackmail, it was agreed that Koro-sensei would buy Häagen-Dazs ice cream for everyone present as a peace offering.
For the record, Kurahashi decided to anonymously send the white-eyed Miyama beetle to a specialized research institution later on.
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