Trouble Arises (1)
“Boys really love Mini 4WDs, don’t they? This might be the first time I’ve seen Shuhei-kun, who’s always so cool, talk so passionately and get so competitive, fufu.”
“Even though I acted all high and mighty, I ended up getting completely obliterated—it was kind of uncool, so I just couldn’t help myself…”
And to top it off, I still couldn’t win—how lame can you get?
“Ahaha, I don’t think it’s uncool at all. Watching someone give their all is inspiring, and honestly, I really like that kind of thing.”
“Eh?”
“Eh? Wait—huh!? Ah! Th-th-that’s not what I meant! When I said ‘like,’ I didn’t mean it like that, okay!? I was just speaking generally! It’s not like I like Shuhei-kun or anything, alright!?”
Hasumin’s face turned beet red as she rattled off her words at lightning speed.
“Of course, I get it.”
“Well, it’s not like I hate you or anything—if anything, I’d say it’s more on the ‘like’ side, but…”
“Sorry, your voice was too quiet, I couldn’t hear you well. It’s really noisy with all these people around today.”
“I didn’t say anything! I was just reminding you not to forget your promise to treat me later!”
“No, you definitely said something. But don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten. Actually, I just got paid from my part-time job, so I’m in a good place financially.”
“Wait, Shuhei-kun, you have a part-time job? I didn’t know that. What kind of job is it?”
“Translation (Honyaku).”
I’d started it a while ago to save up for a new winter uniform since my current one was getting too tight.
“Konnyaku? Like helping on a farm? Isn’t konnyaku made from some kind of potato? Are you digging up potatoes or something?”
“Not konnyaku—translation (honyaku). You know, with all that Cool Japan stuff, overseas expansion is a big deal now, right? I translate novels into other languages. The pay’s pretty good.”
“What!? That’s amazing! We’re only first-years in high school, right!?”
“Yeah, well, I managed to put my skills to use.”
Thanks to Athena’s blessing, I can master any language at a native level.
For me, translating Japanese into English is no different from copying Japanese word for word.
I can handle German, Spanish, or even Russian just as easily.
Using this ridiculously overpowered skill, I translated an entire newly released novel into English, German, Spanish, and even Russian, then sent it to a major publisher, K Publishing. They responded immediately and hired me.
I got paid for that first job recently.
It was a pretty hefty sum, too—enough to leave my parents staring at me in shock, going, “Huh?”
As Hasumin and I wandered around other classes together, enjoying ourselves, the school festival was going surprisingly smoothly—almost too smoothly. But then—
“Huh? Mei’s calling me. She usually messages me on LINE, so why is she calling directly? Sorry, Shuhei-kun, this might be urgent. Can I take it?”
Hasumin pulled out her phone, her face showing a hint of puzzlement as she glanced at the notification.
“Of course, go ahead. Don’t worry about me.”
As I said that, I tried to step away to give her space, but since there was so much foot traffic, I gave up and moved with her to stand against the wall instead, so we wouldn’t block the flow of people.
Eavesdropping on her conversation felt wrong, but with so many people around, I couldn’t help it.
I at least turned my face away to give her some semblance of privacy.
Still, her voice was audible whether I wanted to hear it or not.
“What’s wrong, Mei? Did something happen? …What? No way! You hurt your finger? A sprain? You fell when a kid pushed you from behind? Did you go to the nurse’s office? Are you okay? Never mind about anything else—I’m just glad it’s nothing serious. Yeah, yeah… I understand. But don’t push yourself too hard, okay? I’ll meet up with you soon. Alright, see you.”
“What’s wrong? Is it trouble?”
“Ah, yeah. Kind of.”
“Mei—that’s Nitta-san, right? She’s the one performing with you in the band at the gym this afternoon, isn’t she?”
“Yeah…”
At the school festival, there’s a segment for individual performances aside from class or club events.
Hasumin was performing as the bass player and vocalist for one of those.
Nitta-san, one of Hasumin’s close friends, was playing the guitar.
Along with a keyboardist and drummer from other classes, the four of them formed an all-girls band that was going to perform.
Apparently, the four of them had been music buddies since middle school.
It was a big moment for Hasumin, so I’d been planning to watch her perform.
“Nitta-san plays guitar, right? If her finger’s injured, can she even play?”
“I was just about to go check on that… but since it’s her dominant hand, I think it’s probably impossible…”
Hasumin’s expression grew dark.
Well, yeah.
A band without a guitar is kind of unthinkable.
(So, if things stay as they are, they’ll probably have to withdraw from the performance.)
“Can I come with you? Maybe I can help somehow.”
“Yeah… Mei’s in the nurse’s office, so can you come with me?”
We hurried off to the nurse’s office, where Nitta-san was waiting.