Episode 55: The Crimson Knight and I are Best Friends!
The lounge was in an uproar due to Kazuma’s self-staged act, but to those who knew the inside story, it was merely a laughing matter.
Individuals like King, the Sun King, and the Overlord already knew that Kazuma was the Crimson Knight, so they were desperately trying to stifle their laughter as they watched him exchange a passionate embrace with himself.
However, the academy officials knew nothing of the sort, so they were thrown into a massive panic upon suddenly seeing Kazuma and the Crimson Knight embracing.
They were in turmoil, wondering just what kind of relationship the two had.
“Huh?! What in the world is going on!?”
“What’s their relationship?”
“No way, could it be that what he said about being best friends wasn’t a lie…?”
“It wasn’t Kazuma-kun’s usual joke…?”
“I see. If they’re that close, it certainly makes sense that he’d gift a trip to Hawaii.”
There were also some wild misunderstandings, but in the first place, since the Crimson Knight’s gender was unknown, it was unclear what kind of relationship they had with Kazuma.
If the Crimson Knight was male, they might be friends; if female, they could be lovers or friends.
Amidst a flurry of various speculations, Kazuma and the Crimson Knight separated.
“And that’s how it is!”
Though it was all rather confusing, it was at least proven that Kazuma and the Crimson Knight were friends.
They also understood that the Hawaii trip for the new and old student councils’ orientation had likely come about thanks to this connection.
With that, though questions remained, the academy officials regained their composure, feeling they could accept the situation.
“Kazuma. Seriously, you’re amazing. When did you get so close to the Crimson Knight?”
“Around the time after the Academy Battle Tournament, I guess~”
“That time, huh… Still, I never would have thought… I never expected Kazuma would get that close to the Crimson Knight.”
“Well, it can’t be helped, Souji-senpai. You were in the First Area, so we didn’t really have any contact.”
“That’s true. We exchanged contact info, but I was busy, so I barely contacted you.”
“It was mutual. I was pretty busy in January too.”
In fact, Kazuma had been quite busy in January with filming for a tokusatsu show, work with Kurashige Industries, and Ibinom extermination requested by the government.
“More importantly, we’re going to do a roll call now, so please line up. After that, we’ll go over announcements for everyone. And finally, once the greetings from those who will be chaperoning and escorting us are over, we’ll be boarding the plane.”
“Got it. Well then, see you after we board the plane.”
“Roger!”
After that, they split into their respective academies for roll call, confirming there were no latecomers or absentees. The results were reported to Kazuma, who was in overall charge.
Of course, with Yukihime and Karin on standby as his assistants, everyone agreed that there was no anxiety even with Kazuma in charge.
Once the academy announcements were finished, dignitaries from various countries began their greetings.
They started with self-introductions and concluded with something like a short speech.
Then, it was finally time to board the plane, but Kazuma noticed an unfamiliar group following them and tilted his head in confusion.
Just then, Ema appeared, causing an uproar among the Seventh Esper Academy’s student council, but Kazuma remained perfectly calm.
“Are you curious about them?”
“I haven’t heard any explanation about those people.”
“Well, I kept it a secret because I figured you’d definitely stick your nose into it if I told you.”
“Ayashiro-san said that Hourensou is important!”
“…You, of all people, are saying that?”
Ema sighed with a “good grief” expression and began to explain to Kazuma about the group following behind the academy students.
“They are, so to speak, people from television stations. This liberation of Hawaii is global news, so we plan to publicize it extensively. We’ve invited reliable media outlets from various countries.”
“I see. So, it’s for publicity, you mean?”
“Exactly. And you all will be interviewed as well. Of course, you too, Kazuma-kun.”
“Leave it to me! I’m used to TV interviews!”
Ema felt uneasy watching Kazuma confidently thumping his chest. Since Kazuma had been active as a Hero in another world, Ema presumed he was used to being in front of people, but he still couldn’t shake off his anxiety.
Ema was so worried that Kazuma might cause some huge blunder that he felt he wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.
“…Please try to keep things… peaceful, okay?”
“You don’t have to worry so much! Please rest assured!”
“Considering everything up to now, I don’t see any reason to feel reassured…”
Considering his past achievements, one might think he could be trusted, but he had recently gotten carried away and accomplished the restoration of Hawaii, so Ema couldn’t feel at ease.
Of course, restoring Hawaii wasn’t a bad thing. In fact, it was something to be grateful for.
However, there’s a limit to everything.
No one said it was okay to give Hawaii a ‘Modified Fiend’ style overhaul.
He probably did it thinking it was for the best, but it was a matter that could lead to international problems, so it was extremely risky.
Fortunately, it was a relief that they were only being pressed to disclose and provide the new technology, and not being asked for compensation or anything.
“Well then, I’ll see you later.”
The VIPs boarded the plane first, while the academy students, including Kazuma, and the media were at the very back.
The VIPs were in first class, their escorts in business class, and the academy students and media were in economy class.
“Kazuma! What were you talking about with the Prime Minister?”
“Souji-senpai! Why are you cutting in line! First Esper Academy is second, right!”
“Don’t joke around at a time like this. Tell me what you talked about.”
“Well, alright… It’s not a particularly interesting story, though?”
“No, just you and the Prime Minister talking is interesting enough. So, what did you talk about?”
“Just some small talk and an invitation to the National Defense Force. Also, he told me the people behind us are from TV stations.”
“An invitation to the National Defense Force from the Prime Minister himself, you really are amazing. And I was wondering who those people behind us were, so they’re from TV stations, huh. Well, the news that Hawaii has been revived will probably shock the whole world.”
“Apparently, there will be interviews with the students too.”
“Oh! Seriously?! That’s something to look forward to!”
“It’s a chance to show our existence to the whole world!”
“Whoa! But let’s keep it moderate, okay? It’ll remain as footage for a lifetime, so shouldn’t we make it something not embarrassing?”
“Don’t chicken out! Let’s you and I promote Hawaii, senpai!”
“N-No, I’ll pass… I don’t quite have that much courage.”
With that, Souji returned to the line.
Kazuma, who was left behind, boarded the plane following the instructions and quietly gazed out the window until takeoff preparations were complete.
“Kazuma-kun. You’re unusually quiet,” Hayato remarked.
“Yeah. Maybe he’s gotten scared of planes?” Taiga chimed in.
“No way, not Kazuma-kun,” Hayato replied.
“You never know,” Kazuma said. “Surprisingly, it’s guys like Satsuki who tend to have these weird delusions. Thinking things like ‘what if we crash,’ and then suddenly getting scared.”
They were in three-seat rows, and Hayato and Taiga were sitting next to Kazuma.
The girls and boys were seated separately, and the Seventh Esper Academy’s student council was in the very front seats.
“Probably not,” a voice said from behind. “That’s the face of someone plotting something.”
Kaede was the one peeking her head out from the seat behind.
Seeing Kazuma gazing out the window with a quiet expression, she suspected he was plotting something.
“Well, that’s true,” Yukihime added. “For Kazuma-kun to be quiet in this situation, it’s either he’s thinking something weird or plotting something ridiculous.”
“Before the Hawaii training camp was decided, he suddenly went quiet and then started laughing creepily, so it’s better to assume it’s something like that,” Karin said.
“It certainly doesn’t seem like anything good will come of it,” Kaede agreed.
“I’ve been listening quietly, and you’re all saying whatever you please, aren’t you!?” Kazuma finally burst out. “What do you think I am!?”
Apparently, Kazuma couldn’t stand listening anymore and raised his voice as if angry.
“””””An idiot, maybe?””””””
It was the moment everyone’s opinion aligned.
Kazuma shed tears at the heartless remarks from the student council members, sulked, hugged his knees, and curled up into a ball.
But alas, sadly.
Takeoff preparations were complete, Kazuma was ordered to assume the takeoff position, and his small act of rebellion quickly came to an end.