The Almighty Chuunibyou Expert

"And now, the long-awaited battle!"

"The peak showdown between Hasegawa-kun and Busujima Senpai has finally concluded."

"Today's victor is—"

"Hasegawa!"

Shuchiin was in an uproar once again!

56 The Ultimate Battle!

"Hasegawa-kun, what are your thoughts on this match?"

"Senpai was a worthy opponent. I doubt I'll ever forget her."

"And what would you like to say to your next opponent, Shinomiya-san?"

"I recall Shinomiya-san has won the national tournament every year since middle school, right? So for this upcoming challenge, I'll tell her... that it's only because I wasn't competing."

"Uh, hehehe... Well then, everyone please look forward to Wednesday's 'Ultimate Battle'! Will the victor be the up-and-coming king, unknown until now but now known by all, or will it be the daughter of the already supreme Shinomiya family? Please stay tuned!"

The familiar trash talk segment was something everyone had grown accustomed to, eliciting smiles from the crowd.

However, for those directly involved, the feeling might have been different.

Evening.

"That bastard...!"

In her bedroom, Shinomiya Kaguya sat on her bed, punching her pillow with small fists, gritting her teeth, clearly agitated.

Witnessing someone else being ridiculed was entirely different from being ridiculed herself.

After all, she had poured a great deal of effort into kyudo, and to have such efforts dismissed as worthless was something even she, a girl who considered herself quite composed, could not tolerate.

"Hasegawa-kun is indeed an interesting person."

Standing beside her, Hayasaka Ai, dressed as a butler, couldn't hide a faint smile on her usually indifferent face.

It had been a long time since she had seen Kaguya-sama throw such a tantrum.

"Hmph hmph hmph...! That Hasegawa is too arrogant! I can't stand it anymore! In the challenge the day after tomorrow, I will definitely defeat him and then mock him mercilessly as he cowers in defeat!"

Shinomiya Kaguya's wine-red eyes blazed with an unprecedented fighting spirit.

"Kaguya-sama, Hasegawa-kun kindly left you a day to prepare. What are your plans? Will you be using any other methods?"

Hayasaka Ai lowered her head and whispered into her mistress's ear.

"Will I lose? Don't be ridiculous! Tomorrow, we'll have a special training session! I'll show him just how unattainable I am when I go all out."

"Understood."

Tuesday.

It was an ordinary day, but everyone at Shuchiin understood that this was the calm before the storm.

The Shinomiya family, the de facto rulers of Shuchiin Academy, wielded unquestionable authority within the school.

And now, the strength that the Shinomiya family had long cultivated seemed to be showing signs of wavering.

Although it was merely a struggle within the academy, a battle confined to children, it was significant enough.

Currently, almost everyone believed that Hasegawa Izumi had saved the Kyudo Club for last, intending to use this grandest stage to topple the Shinomiya family from their pedestal.

But in reality, it was simply because, in his judgment, Shinomiya Kaguya's challenge level was the highest, and of course, the best delicacies were meant to be savored last.

"This is a huge slap in the face! Doesn't the Shinomiya family have any response?"

Meanwhile, those aware of the darker undercurrents of the noble families raised another question at this juncture.

Shortly after, a piece of gossip spread: that man was actually childhood friends with the Spencer family's Sawamura-ojou-sama.

No wonder those noble families hadn't resorted to other means to resolve this; there was this connection.

Everyone suddenly understood.

"It's exposed! It's all that idiot's fault, always trying to make a big splash..."

It wasn't until someone asked Eriri that she realized this secret had been unearthed.

However, her established persona had already succeeded. People didn't resent her for having such a 'crazy' childhood friend; instead, they saw her as compassionate.

"Even in that situation, she didn't choose to leave but quietly protected him. It's truly moving! I ship it!"

A fangirl said with feigned emotion.

"Ding~"

As the dismissal bell rang, Nibuya Morika lingered in the classroom for a while before preparing to leave.

In the afternoon, she had received a message from that man, saying they would have club activities today.

Since she was currently a wandering spirit at Shuchiin anyway, she might as well go and see.

"I was just forced into it, I didn't want to hang out with those chuunibyou!"

She convinced herself as she walked outside.

"Nibuya-san, could you wait a moment? I have something I'd like to consult you about."

The voice was quite pleasant and appealing, striking a chord with anyone who heard it.

"Natsukawa-san...?"

She turned her head, her expression one of surprise.

Standing before her was a silver-haired beauty, exquisite like an elf, with skin as white as snow and lips as red as cherries. Her beauty was truly incredible, far surpassing even the most meticulously crafted doll.

She obviously knew who it was—the eldest daughter of the Natsukawa family, Natsukawa Masuzu. With such a prominent background and exceptional talent, even Shuuchuin Academy rarely saw anyone like her.

"What do you want to ask me?"

Nibuya Morika asked.

"Actually, I'm here to inquire about someone, the currently rising Hasegawa-kun. You seem to know him quite well."

Natsukawa Masuzu offered a gentle and approachable smile, making it hard not to feel favorably towards her.

"Eh!?"

She was immediately stunned.

Far East Magic Society.

"Looks like it's gotten a bit dusty."

Entering the premises, Hasegawa Izumi looked at the setup with a stiff expression.

He had been so busy building his reputation that he had forgotten about the state of the base he had established.

"Leave it to me! Just use the Cleaning Warrior No. 3..."

Takanashi Rikka volunteered.

Then, she activated the automatic cleaning machine left behind by the club. As for the other areas, she would eventually have to clean them herself.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

Hasegawa Izumi had expected someone more eager, like Dekumori, but he hadn't anticipated Nibuya, and a new person had arrived with her.

"Natsukawa-san?"

"Mm, that's right~ Natsukawa Masuzu. I hope Hasegawa-kun will remember this name well."

"So, what is your purpose in coming to see me?"

"Because I've admired Hasegawa-kun for a very, very long time, I want to join the Far East Magic Society. Today, I've finally gathered the courage..."

Natsukawa Masuzu stared at him, her hands clasped at her chest, her tone filled with longing.

A decade-long fan, crashing the party uninvited!

"Rikka, when are we going to be number one at Shuuchuin?"

"Natsukawa-san, please state your true intentions for joining us, otherwise..."

Hasegawa Izumi was not fooled by the girl's demeanor. Instead, he looked at her with suspicion.

Nibuya Morika and Dekomori Sanae were able to join easily because they had guarantors.

They didn't accept just anyone; they required sufficient qualifications or strength, and applicants also had to pass an "audition."

"Why? I'm genuinely sincere about joining the Far East Magic Society. Is Hasegawa-kun really going to reject me from afar?"

Natsukawa Masuzu was surprised by her rejection, her expression freezing for a moment before she quickly regained her pitiable look.

"Genuinely sincere? I think you have ulterior motives, death!"

Suddenly, a voice rang out from behind them.

Here comes the idiot, Nibuya Morika thought.

Dekomori Sanae moved from behind Natsukawa Masuzu to the front. Her eyes briefly met hers, as if engaging in a silent battle.

"Hehehe, before Dekumori, no demon or monster can escape, death! Let me guess your true intention!"

Dekomori Sanae pointed at her.

"Oh?"

Natsukawa Masuzu's expression calmed as she waited to see what the other would do.

"You're actually a spy sent by the Management Bureau, death! You want to dismantle the Far East Magic Society from within. After all, with the Sage's power, this is the only despicable method you can resort to, death."

Dekomori Sanae believed she had uncovered the truth.

"Pfft... Hahahaha..."

Natsukawa Masuzu suddenly seemed unable to contain herself and burst into laughter.

"Management Bureau? Spies? Your imagination is really something else!"

After a cold retort, she looked back at him.

"Alright, my real goal is Hasegawa-kun, because I like you and want to date you."

"Still too fake... Even if I assume it's true, so what? Plenty of people like me."

Hasegawa Izumi still wasn't buying it.

"You're so difficult, Hasegawa-kun. Hateful, hateful~ Men this perceptive aren't popular, you know."

A sharp glint appeared in Natsukawa Masuzu's eyes, and her demeanor naturally shifted into something else entirely.

"I truly have no ulterior motives. My simple reason for wanting to join the Far East Magic Society is to become an existence that everyone keeps at a distance..."

"Why?"

Nibuya Morika couldn't quite understand.

Isn't being popular a good thing?!

"Nibuya-kun, we're classmates, so you should know. In the month since school started, how many confessions have I received... What a bunch of horny beasts! What kind of standards do they even have to talk to me! And those women too, spreading rumors about me behind my back, do they really think I don't know?"

Natsukawa Masuzu unleashed a torrent of words, displaying an utterly contemptuous expression.

This left Nibuya Morika deeply shocked.

Compared to the other party's ability to deceive, her own act was child's play!

"But what does that have to do with you wanting to join us? Joining the Far East Magic Society would only make you more popular."

Hasegawa Izumi raised an eyebrow.

"Huh?"