Chapter 77: Scarlet Will Handle Everything "Waaaaaaaah—!!"
Good grief, my eardrums are going to burst.
As the highlight of the Yggdrasil Tournament, the World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament, began, everyone started screaming in excitement.
What was the original name of this event again? I think it was something weird… Well, whatever. No matter how much people talk about magic or strategy, nothing beats watching gladiators go toe-to-toe.
Starting with this three-day competition, Yggdrasil opens the campus to the public and puts effort into making a name for itself.
They're so famous now that they don't really need the publicity, but I suppose it's a tradition.
The crowds are massive, all here to catch a glimpse of the future heroes who will one day strike down monsters and demons to save the world.
Stalls have been set up along the path to the central stage, giving the whole place a festive atmosphere.
Of course, for the students who have to treat this as an exam, it's pure hell.
And the teachers seem just as stressed as the students.
Since the campus is open to the public, they have to manage security, grade the exams, and run the matches. They probably wish they could clone themselves.
They've hired temporary part-timers, professional security firms, and event management companies, but they're still perpetually short-staffed.
Everyone's suffering because of the game developers who threw this together without a second thought.
I people-watch for a bit while munching on a hot dog I bought from a stall before heading back to our base.
"Can you really shove that down your throat? After getting those grades?"
"Yeah, it's freaking delicious. Tastes like heaven. I know you're hot stuff, so stop acting like a brat."
The seniors on the Red Team look like they've swallowed a fly at my retort, but they still dig into the food I brought back from the stalls.
I've nagged them so much that it doesn't even have much of an effect anymore.
Should I go mess with the Black or White teams? They haven't had enough of me yet.
But seriously, is this okay?
I turn my head toward the scoreboard, which displays the points and rankings from yesterday's matches.
Red is 4th out of 4 teams.
In other words, dead last.
That's strange… The Red Team was always a powerhouse, whether Akito was there or not.
Of course, I know what the problem is.
Scarlet isn't exerting as much influence on the team as she should.
Normally, thanks to Scarlet's leadership, the team should be punching twice above their weight class and holding onto first place. Instead, they've lost many matches without much of a fight.
They've been playing like a classic weak team—performing well early on, only to lose focus and crumble at the end.
It might be premature to judge based on just one day, but at this rate, things are looking grim.
Is this my fault?
It's a bit embarrassing to say this after all the grief I've given them, but the Red Team has actually united and found motivation thanks to having me as a 'public enemy.'
The problem is that because I'm here, the Black and White teams also charge at Red like rabid dogs the moment they see us.
And because of my presence, Scarlet's leadership doesn't seem to be reaching the team members properly.
Somehow, I've ended up getting in Scarlet's way.
Sure, I did intend to mess with her after seeing how much she disliked me.
But this is Scarlet. I thought that no matter how much of a jerk I was, she'd handle things on her own.
Did I overestimate her? Or am I just too good at being a nuisance?
"We can do this! We're behind right now, but there's no need to worry."
"Yeah, we can do it! We have Scarlet!"
"Riku, Andy, Samir, Yoshio, Blend. Let's do one last tactical check before the next match."
"Huh? Right now? Can we do it after we finish eating?"
"…Yeah, okay. Let's start in ten minutes then."
Okay, my foot.
Do these idiots even realize they're losing?
You're in last place, and you want to casually finish your snacks from the stalls first? Did you not see Scarlet's face stiffen for a second?
And 'we can do it because we have Scarlet'? Hey, is Scarlet the one running your matches for you?
There are those who help, but there are far more who simply lean on Scarlet, piling responsibility onto her already burdened shoulders.
While those guys are leisurely watching the matches and stuffing their faces, Scarlet is hunched over a large table, agonizing over the strategies they practiced and the analysis of the opposing teams.
I tried to keep my mouth shut and just watch, but this is getting annoying.
I drag a chair over to use as a makeshift table and spread out the snacks I bought for myself next to Scarlet.
"Eat this."
"Oh, uh…? Thank, thank you…"
"It's not poisoned. This and this are good, so eat up. Senior, Angelica, you Comedy Duo guys—you eat too while you work."
Perhaps finding my sudden kindness strange, the people gathered busily around the table stare at me blankly.
"I originally bought this for myself, so it's a bit light for sharing, but I'll go out and buy more, so just eat. You have to eat to work."
Whether they're actually hungry or not, the first-years like Angelica and the Comedy Duo eye the food tentatively but don't move. The other seniors continue to just stare at me.
I said it's not poisoned. Eat it while I'm giving it to you.
Just as I'm getting annoyed by their wary glares, Lady Chieri walks up without a word and picks up a piece of food.
"What's this? Have you had a change of heart? Suddenly acting like a dashing gentleman?"
"No. I'm still fully intent on wrecking things. And I've always been handsome."
"A man whose words and actions don't match is so cute. Wow—this is really delicious."
You're cute too, Lady Chieri, even while licking the sauce off your fingers.
However, even with Lady Chieri taking the lead, the others don't budge.
Miyuki, who had been watching silently, sighs and speaks to me.
"We don't have time to eat."
"Oh, I'm sure. No time to eat, right? That's why you're skipping lunch and staying busy. But it seems some people are eating while others are doing all the work, huh?"
"… …"
The room falls silent. I can feel the gazes of the seniors who were leisurely watching the matches and eating snacks behind me.
Your mouths aren't the only ones that need feeding.
Enjoying the chilly atmosphere, I look back over my shoulder and lock eyes with the seniors holding snacks in their hands.
"Enjoying your food? Must be nice to have a full stomach."
"Are you talking to me right now?"
"Yeah. Who else but you, Senior? Everyone else is busy, yet you're the only one relaxing and stuffing your face."
"You little—!"
"Stop it!!"
For the first time, Scarlet raised her voice at me.
Everyone falls silent at her angry tone. Scarlet steps between us and speaks.
"What's the point of fighting amongst ourselves? Don't you feel bad for the people currently out there giving their all in the matches? And, Ye-Yeon-woo."
"Yes."
She stammers for a moment, but Scarlet looks me straight in the eye with the strong, confident expression that is so characteristic of her—one she hasn't shown me until now.
That's strange. Is this the first time we've made eye contact?
Scarlet's face, as she meets my gaze without flinching, feels fresh and impressive.
"Apologize to Yoshio."
At her demand for an apology, the face of the senior I was arguing with brightens.
I really hate that smug look on his face.
"I don't want to. I don't think I said anything wrong."
"You little brat, until the very end—"
"You're right. You didn't say anything wrong."
"…Scarlet…"
"Yoshio, what are you doing right now? Don't you have a match in thirty minutes? Are you that confident in your skills, or is this competition just not that important to you? Whichever it is, would you mind telling me what you're thinking?"
At Scarlet's question, the guy shuts his mouth and says nothing.
"If you don't speak up, I have no choice but to judge based on what I see. Yeon-woo only said what he did because of how you were acting. Tell me yourself. What are you thinking?"
"… …I'll work hard."
As the guy mumbles like a child being scolded by an adult and averts his gaze, Scarlet looks around at everyone and bows her head in apology.
"I'm sorry. It's my fault for being inexperienced and failing to lead the team properly. I should have spoken up before Yeon-woo did, and I should have prevented this from happening in the first place. I'm sorry, everyone."
"You don't have to take all the responsibility yourself."
"But I'm the team leader. This is what a team leader is for."
Scarlet gives Miyuki a bitter smile in response to her comfort, then looks back at me.
"Thank you for pointing it out for me. You weren't wrong, and you did what I should have done. But please, apologize to Yoshio. There's a difference between criticism and an insult. I want everyone on the Red Team to become one."
"… …We won't become one, but I'll apologize."
"I'm sorry too… I was being too complacent."
As Scarlet's true self emerges, the team members reflect on their behavior, and the atmosphere of the team shifts.
Yeah, this is the Scarlet I know.
Fair and kind, yet someone who leads everyone with charisma.
The heavy atmosphere that seemed like it would explode into anger quickly dissipates, and as everyone begins passionately preparing for the tournament, it seems there's no room for me to butt in.
Now I feel like a loser who's sulking in the corner and not talking to anyone.
However, Scarlet is someone who knows how to look around and show concern for everyone.
Seeing me standing there awkwardly by myself, she whispers something to the Comedy Duo.
"Scarlet senior is asking if you have any opinions to share?"
"None, you traitor."
"Technically, you're the traitor here."
Rio grumbles, and Masayoshi speaks while eating the food I brought.
"Stop sulking and join in. This is good. Where'd you buy it?"
"Forget it, man. Just work hard while you stuff your face. I'll go buy more."
"Are you a tsundere? Pick one: either wreck things or take care of us."
"I'm going to take care of the food and wreck things. You guys haven't even had lunch yet."
Masayoshi chuckles and heads back to the table with Rio.
I guess I really do like Scarlet.
Even while I'm sulking and causing trouble, I find myself wanting to take care of her because she looks like she's struggling.
Even though she's not my favorite character, I can't help but feel fond of her when I see her working so hard to lead the team.
I suppose you could say I respect her as a person and want to cheer her on?
Wait, isn't that exactly what a favorite character is?
Feeling a bit of cognitive dissonance, I head outside and start ordering a random assortment of food from the stalls.
There are thirteen people, including Scarlet, who have been stuck at the table skipping meals to focus on the team, so I need quite a lot.
While waiting for the food I ordered and placing more orders via a delivery app, a large electronic display showing the live matches catches my eye.
Excuse me? The food I ordered is burning. Could you stop watching and give it to me quickly?
Perhaps because it's the highlight of the tournament, everyone's eyes are glued to the screen.
For the record, I didn't even enter the individual matches because it was obvious Akito would show up.
I'd rather just watch the fights in peace.
Perfect timing—it's Yukina and Chika's match.
I've been waiting for this.
On the screen, the two of them are facing each other, waiting for the match to begin.
I showered Yukina with items and gave her some good spells, but to beat Chika… it's probably still too much, right?
It can't be helped. While Yukina has well-rounded, 'hexagon' stats, Chika is a power-type specialist in one-on-one combat, even if her utility is lower.
In a real-world situation where she could use the environment, it might be different, but a confined space with no obstacles is Chika's playground.
Still, Yukina worked hard with my help, so it should be a good fight, right?
It'll be the perfect thing to watch while I wait for the food.
However, the match ends before my order is even ready.
"Yukina Serizawa defeats Chika Fraser and advances to the second round!! It was decided in an instant!"
The MC's loud voice rings out, but it barely registers.
Why?
No, I mean, she could win. Yukina worked hard, and she had my support.
But the problem isn't the result; it's the process.
The match ended before my food was even ready.
That means Chika got absolutely demolished.
Does this… even make sense?
No matter how much I helped Yukina, the first semester isn't even over yet.
And up until the Deserted Island Exam, there wasn't much of a gap in their skills.
Since they were both the core of their respective defenses, I could see Yukina keeping an eye on Chika as a rival of similar caliber.
It's been less than two months since the Deserted Island Exam ended.
And yet, Yukina completely overwhelmed Chika.
"What the hell have you been doing all this time…?"
I mutter, dumbfounded.
It's true that Yukina got stronger, but Chika's skills haven't changed at all since the island.
At an age where she should be growing rapidly, stagnating like this is actually weirder.
On the screen, Yukina looks down at the kneeling Chika for a moment before turning away.
Sadness, grief, sorrow, shame, misery, humiliation, anxiety…
Cruelly, the camera captured Chika's complex expression in vivid detail.
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