The Bounty Hunter
Chapter 31: Consequences of Success

November 7th, 2088 Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ N0vᴇlFirᴇ.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Can the Redemption project be moved up to today?  This was the thought that repeated over and over in my head as I walked to school with Hikari.  Based on how much she was gushing about the show and in particular Yamamoto Rin, who has quickly gained the nickname “Rin-sama”, school is going to be an absolute nightmare.  And now Reiji has arrived… with a freaking button on his bookbag that has Rin’s face and the words “I don’t really care about your opinions” written beneath it.  How the hell did they make those that fast?!? 

“Hikari-chan! Did you see Japan’s Rising Idol last night!?!”  He shouted without even saying good morning.  “Yeah, Reiji-kun!  Rin-sama was so amazing!”  Hikari started gushing “She was just so cool when she walked onto the stage dignified and composed like a queen (5% Damage)!  That outfit was so cool and she was so beautiful (10% Damage)! Then she started singing and it was incredible! (25% Damage).” Reiji eagerly joined in the conversation as I kept taking damage. 

“Yeah! And then when she heard the audience cheering for her and gave that shy smile it was breath-taking (35% Damage)!  The ice queen having such a sweet and innocent side is so moe (45% Damage)!”  This combo assault was ruthless and unrelenting on my psyche, please stop you guys.  But no, Reiji then viciously dealt me another hit.  He turned slightly red and then said “Honestly, I think I may have fallen for her.” Critical hit!  Player Terra has taken 100% Damage and is unable to continue!  

Please, please stop.  This is starting to turn into a trauma for me.  I have to head off Reiji before he completely destroys me.  “You haven’t.  You haven’t fallen for her.”  I repeated that statement twice for emphasis.  Both Reiji and Hikari turned to look at me in confusion, but then Hikari made a realization that went in a direction I didn’t want.  “Come to think of it.  Doesn’t Rin-sama remind you of Minato?”  She asked Reiji. 

At that question, Reiji went into deep thought.  He held up his stupid button with Rin’s face next to mine and looked at it.  “Woah, you’re right Hikari-chan.  I mean look how similar their appearances are and their personalities are nearly identical.”  Of course they are, Rin is literally me if I were a girl with only the hair and eye color changed.  He looked from the button and then to my face and then back to the button. 

While he kept doing this Hikari had a wicked smile on her face as she added “So when Reiji-kun said he fell for Rin and she’s so similar to Minato, does that mean that Minato is your type?”  Reiji’s face turned the most vivid shade of scarlet at that question and he uncharacteristically fell silent.  Hikari started laughing so hard she nearly fell over, but then she suddenly straightened up and asked me with a gleam in her eye “Minato, is someone like Reiji your type?” 

I need to get myself out of this situation.  I immediately proceeded to use Fujioka’s technique from yesterday and gave her a masterful flick to the forehead.  “Ouch!”  She proceeded to rub her forehead while glaring at me with watery eyes.  I then went into phase two of the maneuver and started patting her head.  “Of course not.” I said with a voice of absolute certainty.  Hikari was now turning a shade of scarlet similar to Reiji as she simply said “Un.”  Woah, I didn’t know this one two combo was so potent.  Reiji snapped out of his funk at my statement and hurtfully responded “Minato, you didn’t need to be so direct about it…”  I ignored him and we proceeded with our walk to school.

My hopes of not having to listen about “Rin-sama” in class were dashed as soon as I walked through the door.  It was the only thing anyone was talking about.  There were many more buttons with Rin’s face on it.  Hell, some of them were replaying clips of her from the show on their phones.  Haaaaaa.  My face was getting more and more serious.  “Minato, are you feeling okay?  You look somewhat ill.”  Reiji asked me with some concern.  “I’m fine.” I responded somewhat moodily.  A classmate at this moment decided to butt in. 

“Hey you guys, did you see Japan’s Rising Idol?  It was incredible, right?”  The boy asking us was someone who had been in my class in the past.  I don’t know his name though.  Honestly speaking I don’t know any of the names of my classmates.  Why bother learning the names of people I don’t give a damn about?  I’ve had far more important things to focus on over the past few years.  It does make the rare conversation with them more difficult though.

Reiji jumped at the chance to gush with this kid “It was awesome!  Rin-sama was so cool and poised!  She has such an amazing voice!”  The boy gave a somewhat vulgar smile and replied “Her voice was amazing, but it was her body that stole the show.”  He continued speaking, not noticing how close to death he was coming as I tried to control my temper.  “She has an awesome rack and the sexiest curves I have ever seen.  And that cold look she always has on her face is such a turn on.” 

Stop there.  Stop there and you may yet survive this.  Reiji was not helping the situation as he nodded in agreement.  But the boy decided to give one last push “If she was my girl there would definitely be a different look on her face.  If you know what I mean.”  He made a lewd expression on his face to clearly transmit what he meant.  Immediately after that, he felt a fierce pressure that rattled his very soul. 

The force of my full bloodlust is something fearsome indeed.  Less than a second after this pervert received my bloodlust his eyes rolled to the back of his head and he collapsed.  Had I not subconsciously restrained myself at the last moment I could have caused some lasting damage.  The class immediately noticed and crowded around him “Arata-kun! Are you alright?”  “Someone get the school nurse!  Abe-san has fainted!”  “What in the world happened?”  Oh, it looks this guy’s name was Abe Arata.  I finally learned the name of one of my classmates.  And I even managed to stop the class’s discussion on Japan’s Rising Idol.  Good.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that I have to get kicked off Japan’s Rising Idol as soon as possible.  I don’t have the courage to tank a performance and possibly get booed, but I don’t believe that I have the mental strength to last if every day after an episode is like this.  My only hope is to continue tanking personality evaluations.  The audience support should die down as long as I don’t do anything special.  Then I will get eliminated and be free from being “Rin-sama”. 

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