I: That day, Tougou-san invited me to Kameya for some udon.

I: Itadakimasu!

T: Please eat whatever you want to.

I: Thank you! But why did you call out me alone?

T: I wanted to talk to you in private. Look at this.

I: (Tougou-senpai took out a notepad and drew a mysterious diamond shape on it.)

I: Is this the diamond suit of cards?

T: No. This... is the Hero Club.

I: Huh? What do you mean?

T: Try to think about the members that compose it.

T: Third years: Fuu-senpai for a total of one. Second years: Yuuna-chan, Sonocchi, Karin-chan and me for a total of four. First years: Itsuki-chan for a total of one...

T: In other words, the Hero Club has a lot of members in the middle age range, but extremely few in the younger one!

I: Now that you mention it...

T: Itsuki-chan, you must understand how grave the situation is.

T: Fuu-senpai is very responsible so she still comes to the club, but normally third years retire in autumn...

I: (I think Onee-chan comes to the Hero Club as a way to distract herself from studying for the exams..)

T: And by this time next year, we might end up retiring from the club already.

T: And you'll be the oldest person in the club, all by yourself!

I: Ah! You're right!

T: You're definitely the one who'll be taking over the Hero Club, Itsuki-chan. But right now you're being protected by the second and third years...

T: Next year, however, we'll be gone, and you'll have to lead it on your own.

I: I... I'm not sure I'm up to that duty...

T: And that's why we must give you special training now.

I: Special training?

I: Yes, for the future of the Hero Club!

Next day...

T: And thus, I propose to train Itsuki-chan so she becomes capable of carrying the future of the Hero Club.

F: Uh... Well, if she wants it.

I: I'll do it, Onee-chan! When I think about what's going to happen to the club when you or Tougou-san leave, I get really worried!

F: Itsuki's raring to go... Well then, so be it!

Y: Special training! What are we going to do?

T: All sorts of things. And I mean it when I say "all sorts".

K: Hearing the words "special training" come from Tougou makes me expect something extreme.

S: If you need a club president development suit, I can arrange for one to be made.

T: Karin-chan and Sonocchi, there's no need to worry. I'm not going to do anything weird.

F: I'll just warn you in advance: ideological brainwashing is out of the question.

T: Please relax, Fuu-senpai. Recently, I've finally come to a realisation.

T: Before, I was too obsessed with propagating the idea of national defence, and only thought of preaching it to others...

T: But just like true compassion naturally gushes forth from the heart, so must one's desire to protect the country. It mustn't be forced upon others.

F: Well, I didn't really get what you meant by gushing forth, but as long as you get, all's well.

T: Now, Itsuki-chan, it's time for us to begin your training.

I: Got it, coach!

T: Not "coach". Mentor!

I: Got it! Mentor!

F: Tougou, are you starting a dojo?..

T: The first quality that's important for a leader is composure. She who leads others must always act as a pillar of stability.

I: Got it!

T: Itsuki-chan. Starting now, you must not falter no matter what happens.

T: Now, put that apple on your head.

I: What is this supposed to?..

T: The apple falling will signify your loss of composure. Remain steadfast, without dropping it.

I: I understand, mentor!

T: And now, Itsuki-chan... Ei!

I: Hyaa! Why are you suddenly tickling my sides!?

I: Ah... The apple fell...

T: Looks like you still have a long way to go, Itsuki-chan.

I: T-This time I'll be fine! I can handle some tickling! Just... need to put the power into my sides...

T: I see...

T: By the way, Itsuki-chan. Yesterday after classes I saw Karin-chan and Fuu-senpai kissing.

I: Eeeeeh!?

I: Ah...

T: That was a lie, of course... But you still lack discipline!

I: I'll... do my best!

T: Next, I'll be training you in etiquette. Graceful behaviour attracts people and is key to making them admire you.

T: And to teach you the heart of wabi-sabi, let's have you learn tea ceremony.

I: Got it, mentor!

I: (And so, I...)

T: Next you'll be obtaining knowledge. A leader must be knowledgeable in various subjects. Read this book, this and also this one.

I: Got it, mentor!

T: And start studying intensely, because you have to be in the top 10 of your year on the midterms in the second semester.

I: G-Got it...

I: (Began receiving all sorts of training from Tougou-senpai...)

T: Once knowledge is yours, you must obtain strength. This black wooden sword I borrowed from Karin-chan weighs thrice more than an ordinary one. Give me 500 practice swings!

I: Got it!

I: (And to shoulder the Hero Club in the future, I developed!)

T: Itsuki-chan... You did well holding out throughout this training. Right now, you're more than fit to carry the Hero Club.

I: Thank you very much!

T: Itsuki-chan... This is your final trial.

I: Final... trial? What are we going to be doing?

T: Recruiting club members!

T: Just like your sister, Fuu-senpai did! Find a way to procure more club members!

I: Just like Onee-chan did...

T: When you accomplish that, you'll become the cornerstone of the Hero Club's next generation...

T: Now, carve the name of Inubouzaki Itsuki into the Hero Club's history!

I: Got it, mentor!

I: (But how should I... Go about recruiting club members?)

I: (For starters, I'll try inviting friends from my class.)

I: Say, do you have a bit of time?

Classmate A: Huh? What's up, Itsuki-chan?

Classmate B: Sorry! I'm already in the manga research circle...

I: I see... Don't worry about it.

Classmate B: Really sorry about this!

I: Aah... This is the fifth person who's declined.

I: Hm... First of all, the time is bad. It's autumn, anyone who wanted to join a club probably already has, and those that didn't wouldn't join a club in the first place.

I: But I won't give up! This is my final trial!

T: That's right, Itsuki-chan... I know you can do this!

I: (I spent the whole day asking my friends and classmates, but nobody agreed to join the club...)

I: (If it's this hard with first years, then second and third years are probably out of the question... Maybe I should look for a different way?..)

I: That's right! Time to consult Yaboo!Answers!

I: "What should I do to find new club members in autumn?"...and sent.

I: Oh, there's already an answer. That was fast!

I: From KKBKMN: "This is a very typical method, but how about making fliers instead of just asking people around?"

I: I see... That's worth a try! When we were looking for someone who'd take a kitten in, I made a bunch of fliers, so if I use that experience...

T: The answer came in. "Thank you very much. I'll try making some right away".

T: Good luck, Itsuki-chan...

I: Alright, I got some club recruitment fliers printed!

I: And I got permission to distribute them on the grounds from the teachers... I put half up on the message board, and will give out the remaining ones.

I: (...But it takes some guts to hand out fliers to unknown people...)

I: (Onee-chan is amazing... She must've done the same when creating the current Hero Club... So I have to give it my all!)

I: The Hero Club is recruiting members! The details of our activities are written on these fliers!

Girl A: Huh, the Hero Club's recruiting? But why now?

I: Yes! There are various reasons, you see. Please, take one!

Girl A: Ah, my bad. I don't really feel like entering a club.

I: Ah... I see.

Girl A: Sorry!

I: Please don't worry about it!

T: Itsuki-chan...

I: Haah... Almost nobody accepted a flier today...

I: Will I really be able to find club members like this?..

Mysterious voice: You cannot give up here!

I: This voice!?

I: You're Tou-...

KKBKMN: I'm the patriotic warrior, Kokubou Kamen!

I: Uh, Toug-...

KKBKMN: Kokubou Kamen!

I: O-Okay! Kokubou Kamen-san!

KKBKMN: I've been watching your efforts from the shadows. I'll assist you in your recruiting.

I: T-Thank you very much. But this is my trial as someone who'll have to shoulder the future Hero Club... I have to overcome it myself!

KKBKMN: That resolve not to fall back on others right away is most commendable!

KKBKMN: But the reason I decided to help is because your hard work touched me deeply. Thus, this is also a result of your efforts.

KKBKMN: So I believe it's fair for you to accept my help and be proud.

I: Toug- Kokubou Kamen-san! Thank you very much!

KKBKMN: Tomorrow, we'll be handing those fliers out together!

I: Got it!

Next day, on the school grounds...

I: The Hero Club is recruiting!

I: The Hero Club strives to do its best for others! Would you like to join us?

I: Phew... The pile of fliers isn't growing any smaller...

I: (I wonder how Toug- Kokubou Kamen-san is handing them out? She said she'd help, but I can't see her anywhere...)

I: No, whether Kokubou Kamen is here or not doesn't matter! This is a trial that I must clear on my own!

Girl B: On my road to school there was a girl in a weird outfit handing out fliers. I guess she was cosplaying?

Girl C: Ah, I got one too. Fliers for the Hero Club, right?

I: (Ah... Since she can't dress up as Kokubou Kamen on the school grounds, she's helping out from the shadows like that...)

I: Haah... But of course, new members won't come that easily...

T: Itsuki-chan. How goes the recruiting?

I: Mentor! Thank you for helping out with the fliers!

T: What do you mean? I've done nothing of the sort.

I: Ah, right. It's nothing, forget about it.

I: About my final trial... It's pretty hard. I just can't seem to make a dent in it...

T: Of course... What sort of trial would it be if it was easy? But Itsuki-chan, you already have the power to ovrcome it.

T: I know you can do it. I believe in you.

I: Okay!

F: How long are those two going to keep that up for?.. I'm starting to get worried.

Y: I think it'd be great if we got new members!

I: Talking to friends and handing out fliers isn't enough. There has to be another way...

Girl: ...

I: (Huh? What's that elementary schooler doing? She keeps gazing at the sea...)

Girl: Ei!

I: (Eh? She took of her clothes... And there's a swimsuit underneath! Is she planning to swim!?)

I: Wait! Stop! The swimming season is over already!

Girl: Uuh... But...

I: Is there some reason why you want to?

Girl: You see...

I: (Apparently, she began going to a swimming class with a friend. But she can't swim, and she's having troubles learning how to.)

I: (And it gets even worse in front of people, she can barely move...)

I: (This girl is just like me back then... When I was having issues with singing...)

I: Alright! Leave it to Onee-chan!

Girl: Eh?

I: If you swim in the sea at this time of the year, you'll catch a cold. Let's go look for a heated pool.

KKBKMN: I've heard everything.

I: Toug- Kokubou Kamen-san!

KKBKMN: Let us look for one, using all connections at our disposal!

KKBKMN: It's me.

Sonoko (on the phone): Hey hey! What's up, Wasshi?

KKBKMN: I'm no Wasshi. I'm Kokubou Kamen!

Sonoko (on the phone): ...Ah, I see. Well then, champion of justice Kokubou Kamen, is something the matter?

KKBKMN: Is there an indoor pool one could use at this time of the year? If possible, one that's not too populated...

Sonoko (on the phone): Indoor pool? Sure there are, but ones that aren't populated... Okay, leave it to me!

I: Don't worry. I'm holding your hand, you'll be fine.

Girl: A-Alright.

T: Don't throw your legs when flutter kicking.

Girl: Okay!

I: Alright, I think you're becoming pretty good at swimming.

Girl: Thanks, Onee-chan!

I: No, you should be thanking Kokubou Kamen over here. She found us such an empty indoor pool, after all.

T: Well, I was called here by her as well... As an instructor.

I: (Ah, so Tougou-san isn't playing the Kokubou Kamen character right now...)

T: (Sonocchi's full of surprises, as usual... She must've reserved this entire pool, seeing as there's absolutely no one else here.)

I: Let's try swimming once again. Once your body gets used to it, you're not going to feel nervous at all.

Girl: Okay!

I: Practice makes perfect! If you can use that phrase that.

Girl: I'll try!

Several days later...

Girl: Onee-chan, I swam in class today! They even praised me and said my form was very good!

Girl: It's all thanks to you! Thank you!

I: No, extending a hand of help to people in need is natural. I'm a member of the Hero Club, after all.

Girl: Hero Club?

I: Yeah. Sanshuu Middle's Hero Club.

Girl: Sanshuu Middle... I'm going to be going there too! When I graduate next year, I'm going to Sanshuu Middle!

I: Toug- Kokubou Kamen-san!

KKBKMN: I present you, an upcoming student of our school, with this.

Girl: A flier? Hero Club recruiting members?

Girl: Yeah! I'll join! I'll join the Hero Club next year!

KKBKMN: Heh... The final trial: recruiting a member. Looks like you've passed it, Itsuki-chan.

I: Eh?

KKBKMN: The reason this girl became interested enough in the Hero Club to want to join it is result of your heroic efforts and devotion.

KKBKMN: And so... The join date might only be a year from now, but you've successfully secured a new member.

I: Ah... You're right... I did it...

KKBKMN: Well done... Itsuki-chan.

I: Thank you very much!

T: Itsuki-chan has successfully passed the final trial. I think she's fully ready to shoulder the Hero Club in the future.

Y: Congrats, Itsuki-chan! You're the future club president!

I: But that's still two years away. Next year one of you is probably going to be the president.

Y: Oh yeah, I wonder who's going to be the president next year. I'm not cut out for that stuff... Maybe Tougou-san?

K: Well, if nobody else wants to, I wouldn't mind being one.

F: Hmm... I wonder, who should I appoint? Not very confident about Karin.

K: And why is that!?

I: Heehee.

I: Next year... The one after... I wonder what the Hero Club will be like then?)

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Pub: 26 Dec 2020 16:44 UTC
Views: 335