A third-year.
I am a third-year.
Not a third-grader in elementary school, mind you. A third-year in middle school. Spring break has flickered out, and I have ascended to the rank of a final-year student.
Which means…
I must now dedicate myself heart and soul to entrance exam studies. I've been hitting the books since last summer with an eye on the future, but I suppose I must redouble my efforts.
For now, I've set my sights on a school with a Hero Course. My mother insisted on it, my father agreed, and Hisamiko… well, she nodded, albeit with a rather conflicted look on her face. Apparently, her reasoning is: "Madoka-chan is my hero, so the idea of you becoming everyone's hero is a little… ugh… but still…" What kind of nonsense is that? If you don't like it, speak up plainly.
By the way, my "lackey" also intends to enter a Hero Course. That brat? A hero? The thought alone makes my sides ache. I nearly doubled over in fits of laughter. It's bad form to mock a child's dream, so I held it in, but Bakugo as a hero… Good heavens. Just remembering it makes me want to chuckle.
…Well, I suppose he'll manage it one way or another. Despite his temperament, he's a loyal fellow at heart. If he can just fix that attitude of his, he'll be fine. During spring break, he even had the audacity to come to my house under the guise of "showing me around town." It seems he still intends to follow the orders of the Bakugo matriarch.
That aside, his graduation from "lackey" status remains a distant dream. I wish he'd fix the way he treats Midoriya. Honestly, should I just curse him? Is it time? I certainly want to. If my subordinate weren't a mere child, I'd have done it long ago.
Now then. I should probably stop dwelling on recent events. But the truth is, I'm desperate to avert my eyes from the reality standing right in front of me. Surely I'm allowed a moment to look back at the past instead?
Once upon a time, long, long ago… I was born as the eldest son of the Kamo clan—no. Better not remember that. Let us stick to this life.
Once upon a time… I was born as the eldest daughter of the Mawari family—no. That won't work either. I have no desire to remember my infancy.
Is there no escape? None at all? Must I truly accept the reality before me?
"What in the world are you doing… Hisamiko…?"
"What does it look like? It's cosplay! Today, Toga has become a 'Sophisticated Career Woman'!"
I know not this word, "cosplay." Nor do I wish to learn it.
After being dragged through the opening ceremony by my lackey, I was subsequently dragged home by him as well. I washed my hands, gargled, and headed to the living room with high hopes for the day's snack.
And what do you think was waiting for me? Yes. Himiko, dressed in my mother's suit and wearing spectacles.
What is she doing? Why is she wearing my mother's clothes without permission? And those glasses belong to my father. Father, did you forget your spectacles and head to work empty-handed again?
And you, Mother—you're supposed to be on paid leave today. Why are you sipping tea so nonchalantly? This is no time to be sitting on the sofa next to Himiko. You should be scolding her! Don't let her run wild! I'm the one who suffers for it!
"Starting today, we are doing Madoka-chan's exam prep! That's why she gave me these!"
"That's why I gave them to her."
"…???"
What do you mean, "that's why"?!
"Today, we are practicing interviews! Madoka-chan, we have to fix that way you talk!"
"I refuse."
Don't pound on the living room table, you fool. Furthermore, my speech stays as it is. I have no desire to put effort into "correcting" it.
Besides, it feels unnatural to speak any other way. I tried it once in the past, and didn't I revert within the hour? You were satisfied with that back then, weren't you? And it's not as if your speech is exactly standard, is it?
"No! Today, I want to do cosplay with Madoka-chan!"
So that is your true motive. I knew it. Stop it. If I must wear anything, I'd prefer a kimono. I'm not doing it! I will not participate in this "cosplay" nonsense!!
◆
"So cuuuute! So cuuuute!"
"She really is. Honestly, Madoka, you should dress up more often. It's such a waste that you're always wearing those men's kimonos."
"Madoka-chan is so adorable! Let's try on more! More! We have so many outfits!!"
In the end, it came to this. They dragged me, protesting, into the Japanese-style room and forced me into all manner of incomprehensible garments.
It is perhaps a mercy that my father wasn't here. Had he been present, things would have been even more disastrous. He has a habit of buying strange clothes himself—though Himiko usually shoots them down, leaving him looking quite dejected.
I don't understand. Fourteen years in this life, and I still don't see the appeal of women's clothing. It looks fine on Himiko. But surely it doesn't suit me.
Moreover… Mother! What do you mean you "sunk your winter bonus into Madoka's cosplay wardrobe"?! And it's a "gift for Hisamiko passing her exams"? Himiko, you brat, what on earth did you beg my mother for? 'Clothes to put on Madoka-chan'? I see. I see how it is. I shall not forgive this.
By the way, what happened to the exam prep? You two!
"This one! Wear this one next!"
"Oh, then we have to do her hair to match."
"I'll leave that to you, Rinne-chan!"
"..."
What is this outfit? Black and white… an apron? Is that an apron? I don't know. And what is that white thing? It goes on my head? …I see.
"Next is this!"
"Then we'll have to put her hair in buns."
"..."
What now? What is this one? Ah, I recognize this. Is it what they call a "one-piece"? It's red with strange embroidery. And it has slits up the sides. Is this even a garment? I don't know. I don't want to know…
"And this too! You'll definitely wear this one!!"
Ah. That, I am willing to wear. A white robe and scarlet hakama. It's a bit vexing that it's the female version, but… well, compared to the previous ones, it's within the realm of my understanding. I am getting dreadfully tired of this.
Are we still going? We are…
Sigh.
"Come now, Madoka. Smile for the camera. I'm sending this to your father."
Mother. Do you honestly think I can smile in this situation? And stop pointing that "smartphone" at me. Stop making that clack-clack sound. It's grating on my ears.
"Come on, Madoka-chan, smile!"
"Ngggh…"
While I was busy trying to maintain my scowl, Hisamiko crept up behind me and started pulling at my cheeks. Even if you tell me to smile, I simply cannot.
I hope this ends soon… But it won't, will it? I suppose I have no choice but to resign myself to this…
Well, I suppose it can't be helped. I shall allow them to play with me for a little while longer.
Just for a little while, mind you! Only a little!!
Note: This "cosplay" session did not, in fact, end by snack time. It continued until nightfall. There was a brief reprieve before dinner, but once Father returned home, I was forced back into the outfits all over again.
Why… Why is everyone so obsessed with dressing me up…?