I'm the writer of the web novel,o diário do protagonista sem graça, and I'm using AI to translate it for you. If you notice any errors in the translation, I apologize!
Chapter 1: Protagonist, Me?
Endy was sitting in the living room of his modest home, which stood in stark contrast to his wealthy family's opulence. The soft light from the lamp cast delicate shadows on the walls, while the sound of Uno cards being shuffled filled the air. His Japanese friend, Nenji, sat beside him, visibly frustrated as he watched Endy win yet another game.
— "Hey, Endy, you won again," Nenji said, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. — "You really are the best at this game."
Endy laughed, satisfaction evident on his face as he gathered his cards.
— "Hahaha, right in front of you, haha! It's not like I'm not the best Uno player in school. I'm Brazilian by birth, ahahaha!" — He flashed a confident smile, feeling genuine pleasure in his victory.
Nenji, with a curious glint in his eyes, turned to Endy and asked:
— "So, tell me, Endy, what was Brazil like?"
Endy leaned back on the sofa, trying to pull up distant memories of his homeland. It was a question he heard from time to time, and each time he answered, a part of him seemed to relive the memories of a place he had left behind. He looked up at the ceiling for a moment, searching for the right words.
— "Oh, well..." — he began, a nostalgic smile on his face. — "To be honest, I don't remember all the details, but I recall it being a really cool place. The beaches were amazing, and the parties were always lively, I think? It's a country with its own way of living. People are really nice, and the culture is quite interesting, full of scary legends, buhaahhaaa."
Nenji listened attentively, absorbing every word as the Uno cards continued to pile up on the table between them. His eyes were fixed on Endy, showing genuine interest.
— "It must be incredible," Nenji commented, amazed. — "I'd love to learn more about Brazil someday. It must be a fascinating place."
Endy smiled, his gaze drifting for a moment into thoughts of home, before turning back to the game.
— "Who knows, maybe one day, Nenji. Now, let's see if you can beat me in the next round." — He slid the cards back into the deck and gave a quick glance at his friend, noticing the spark of determination in his eyes.
The conversation flowed naturally as they prepared for the next match, with Nenji more determined than ever to turn his luck around. The atmosphere was light and relaxed, and the friendly competition between the two friends provided a welcome relief from the fast pace and academic expectations.
After Nenji said goodbye and left, Endy remained in the living room, the soft light from the lamp casting gentle shadows on the walls. He looked at the Uno cards spread across the table and, as he gathered them up, he began to reflect on his own life.
He always saw himself as the typical overlooked protagonist, the kind that never draws attention. It was a cliché he knew well — a directionless character living in a modest house, with a sad past that seemed like a light novel plot, but in reality, it didn't matter much. Endy's life unfolded with the usual monotony of someone always a step behind the spotlight, without major events or drastic changes.
— "And that's how the story of my life unfolds," — he murmured to himself, a hint of irony in his voice. — "It's not like I can change that. It's not like a popular girl would fall for a fallen otaku like me."
He chuckled softly, thinking about the absurd idea of his life turning into a fiction story. The thought seemed a bit funny to him. It was like he was watching a comedy movie where the protagonist stumbles through every situation and, in the end, finds happiness in an unexpected way.
— "But just imagine if that really happened..." — he whispered, a smile playing on his lips. — "Hahaha, I'm not as hopeless as Nagatoro's senpai, but I'm also not a Kuze type. Hahaha, but I do have a bit of attitude. I'm not completely without hope, after all."
Endy shook his head, still laughing at the absurd idea. He stood up, deciding that for now, continuing his life as it always had been seemed like the best choice. After all, as long as he could find a bit of humor and satisfaction in his everyday life, that was what really mattered. His routine was far from exciting, but he managed to find moments of joy and comfort in the little things.
With that thought, he headed to the kitchen, ready to prepare a snack as life continued its usual course, with no major twists in sight. The simple act of making a sandwich and a warm drink was a way to mark the end of the day, a small ritual that gave him a sense of normalcy and order.
The next day, after waking up, Endy followed his usual routine: he prepared his breakfast, a simple bowl of cereal with milk, and then headed to school. On the way, he ran into Nenji, who, like him, was a typical average student. Nenji had mediocre grades and wasn't very popular among the girls. Endy, on the other hand, was almost invisible to most people, especially to girls, who didn't even notice his existence. Despite having good looks, with blue eyes, emo hair spiked down, and slightly dark skin, his reserved demeanor made him not the type of person many would want to talk to. In fact, his only focus seemed to be binge-watching anime and playing Uno — a pastime he considered pretty pathetic.
The school they attended was well-known and prestigious. However, unlike Endy, Nenji was on a scholarship and had to commit more to his studies. His life was marked by a strict routine and constant effort to maintain his grades. Nothing out of the cliché, a life full of pressure and expectations, but also one of determination that he kept up despite the challenges. Endy knew that Nenji's routine was intense, with long hours of study and few opportunities to relax, but he admired his friend's resolve.
As they walked to class, Endy and Nenji chatted about Uno and their lives. The conversation was light and casual, a way to pass the time before the bell rang and the school day began. It was an opportunity for them to vent about the little frustrations and joys of everyday life.
When they arrived at the classroom and took their seats, the bell finally rang, and the teacher entered, accompanied by a new student. She was beautiful, and rumors about her spread quickly throughout the school. They said her grades were extremely high and that she was very intelligent. There was an air of mystery around her, and the students seemed fascinated by the newcomer, eager to get to know her better.
Nenji, with a smirk, turned to Endy and said:
— "There's your heroine, protagonist, ahahaha! Looks like the story is about to get a little exciting, huh?"
Endy looked at the new girl, somewhat surprised, as he tried to process the absurd idea that his life could suddenly take a turn worthy of a light novel. With a slight smile, he leaned back in his chair and observed the newcomer, wondering if she would really have any impact on his mundane life.
To Endy's surprise, the new girl walked over to the desk next to his, where there was an empty chair. Without hesitation, she settled in next to him. Her calm and confident demeanor sharply contrasted with the nervousness many displayed when entering a new environment. Her presence seemed to bring a new kind of energy to the room, as if something was about to change.
As soon as she sat down, she turned to Endy and suddenly looked directly at him. Her eyes were a deep brown, almost reflecting an inner light. Her gaze was steady and curious, and Endy felt a chill run down his spine, as if a small earthquake had shaken the monotonous routine of his life.
Endy was paralyzed for a moment, not knowing how to react. The new girl, with a slight smile on her lips, seemed to be waiting for something, or perhaps just trying to familiarize herself with her surroundings. Whatever it was, that simple gesture of attention made it seem like Endy's life could indeed be about to change in some way.
The bell signaling the start of class rang, interrupting the brief moment of silence.
The teacher began speaking about the new student, highlighting her academic achievements and impressive school history. Her tone was formal, but there was visible pride in her words. Endy, distracted, watched the new girl with growing curiosity. She seemed at ease, as if the attention was something she expected and accepted naturally.
— "This is our new student, Akiyo Takarashi," — the teacher announced. — "She transferred from an elite school in Kyoto and is here to complete her final year with us. Akiyo is an exceptional student and has great potential. I'm sure she will make many positive contributions to our class."
Whispers of surprise and admiration echoed through the room. Endy realized that Akiyo's presence was causing a frenzy among his classmates. It was as if a fresh aura had settled into the classroom. He noticed that most of the students seemed eager to make the new girl feel welcome.
Akiyo stood up and gave a brief nod to the class, a gesture of humility that seemed out of place amidst the general excitement. Her eyes met Endy's for a brief moment, and he felt an inexplicable discomfort, as if he had been seen in a way he had never experienced before. Her gaze was gentle, but there was something penetrating in it, a feeling that she could see through the layers of his personality.
After the brief introduction, Akiyo sat down in the chair next to Endy, and class began. Endy tried to focus on what the teacher was saying, but his mind was distracted, wandering between the anticipation of how Akiyo's presence might impact his routine and the discomfort caused by the penetrating look he had received.
During the class, Endy noticed that Akiyo was attentive and participated in discussions with impressive ease. Her presence was not only noticed but seemed to transform the classroom dynamic. She asked relevant questions and contributed answers that surprised even the teacher. There was an aura of confidence and competence around her that was hard to ignore.
As the lesson progressed, Endy tried not to let his curiosity dominate his thoughts. However, he couldn't help but sneak glances at Akiyo whenever he had the chance. It was as if a part of him was anxiously waiting for an interaction or a sign that his life could truly change, like a cliché from a light novel.
When the lunch break arrived, Endy and Nenji headed to the cafeteria, where most students gathered to eat and socialize. Endy noticed that the table next to theirs was occupied by a group of students, including Akiyo. She was sitting with a group of classmates who seemed captivated by her presence, and the conversation flowed animatedly.
Nenji, noticing Endy's gaze, smiled with a hint of irony.
— "Look, Akiyo is fitting in well. I think you're going to need to step up your game to catch her attention now, huh?"
Endy shook his head, laughing.
— "Who would've thought? Life is really starting to look like a light novel. All I need now is to start receiving job offers as the protagonist."
They sat at their usual table, and the conversation quickly returned to Uno and their upcoming matches. Endy tried to concentrate, but the thought of Akiyo kept lingering in his mind. The break passed quickly, and soon it was time to return to class.
After leaving their classroom, Endy walked through the school hallways, his thoughts still revolving around the new student, Akiyo. He couldn't help but smile as he watched the girls around him, feeling that she would indeed become popular.
"She seems like a nice person," he murmured to himself, almost unconsciously.
Nenji, following behind, interrupted his thoughts.
— "And you think that?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Endy stopped, looking at his friend with a serious expression.
— "Of course!" he replied, gesturing with enthusiasm. — "She's smart, has great grades, and she's beautiful, especially compared to the average at our school. There's no way she won't become popular."
Nenji let out a laugh.
— "That sounds more like the protagonist's romantic interest in a novel."
Endy rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a slight smile.
— "If you compare me to a protagonist one more time, I'm going to silence you with violence."
— "Better without violence, don't you think?" Nenji replied, making a face as if considering the worst.
Endy agreed, although his mind was still on the previous conversation.
— "Back to the subject…" — Nenji began playfully. — "You seemed nervous around Akiyo."
Endy's face heated slightly.
— "No way! That's just in your head."
Nenji laughed, clearly enjoying the situation.
— "Your reaction just proves my point. I'm rooting for this couple, you know? Good luck, buddy!"
Endy shot him a suspicious look.
— "What a great friend you are."
— "I'm the best in the world!" Nenji exclaimed proudly, causing both to laugh.
When they reached the school gate, they spotted Akiyo surrounded by a group of girls they didn't recognize. Endy watched her, fascinated. She was talking and smiling, and for a moment, he lost himself in her beauty.
Nenji, noticing Endy's gaze, didn't hesitate to tease.
— "Don't start drooling, haha!"
Endy, irritated, shot back.
— "That was the last straw! Now I'm resorting to violence!"
Akiyo overheard their conversation and began to laugh, her laughter light and contagious.
— "You're funny, Endy!"
Nenji joked.
— "Wait, are you really talking about Endy?"
— "I am, I think?" — Akiyo confirmed, looking at Endy with a sincere smile.
— "Then he's hilarious! Just not." — Nenji added, while Endy tried to maintain a serious expression.
With that, the two friends stopped bickering and said goodbye to Akiyo and her group of girls. As they walked away, Endy noticed Akiyo looked a bit sad.
— "Wait!" — he called, turning back to her. — "Are you coming?"
Akiyo raised an eyebrow.
— "Where to?"
— "I thought you could come with us." — Endy quickly corrected himself. — "I mean, if you're heading home, of course."
— "Oh, I'm your neighbor." — Akiyo replied, a shy smile on her face.
Endy was surprised.
— "How do you know that?"
Akiyo hesitated, an enigmatic look passing over her face, but she didn't respond. Endy thought to himself, "Is she a stalker? Or something like that?"
The trio began walking toward their homes. Nenji, trying to break the silence, commented:
— "Soon the cherry blossoms will start to bloom. I can't wait for that!"
Endy nodded, but Akiyo seemed distracted.
— "Are there cherry blossoms in Kyoto?" — he asked, curious.
— "There are many, but I don't really care about them." — Akiyo replied, her tone indifferent.
Endy and Nenji exchanged surprised glances.
— "What do you mean? You don't know what's really good about Japan?" — Nenji shot back incredulously.
Akiyo frowned, visibly offended.
— "I prefer pandas."
Nenji laughed.
— "Even a foreigner knows more about Japan than you!"
Akiyo seemed irritated, and Endy couldn't help but comment.
— "I'm about to witness some bloodshed here…"
Nenji, realizing her tone, quickly apologized.
— "Sorry, I didn't mean to offend!"
— "But it's not untrue!" — Nenji added, looking at Akiyo with a mix of disappointment and humor.
Nenji forced a smile, trying to avoid confrontation. Endy, on the other hand, remained serious.
— "Have you made any friends here at school?" — he asked, breaking the tense atmosphere.
Akiyo shook her head.
— "No, not yet."
Endy smiled, deciding this could be a good opportunity.
— "Then now you have two, if you want, of course."
Akiyo's eyes lit up.
— "I would love to!"
The atmosphere among them began to shift. Endy realized that Akiyo genuinely seemed happy about the idea of making friends.
The moment came when they needed to part ways. Nenji would go home, Akiyo to hers, which was at the end of the street, and Endy to the opposite side, where the supermarket was.
— "See you later, Akiyo!" — Endy said, feeling a bit lighter.
— "See you!" — Akiyo replied, a radiant smile on her lips.
Nenji waved goodbye.
— "Good night!"
Akiyo waved back, visibly happy with her new friends. Endy watched as she walked away, feeling a wave of satisfaction.
As he walked, he couldn't help but think that his life was finally taking a different turn. There was something in the air, a feeling that things were about to change, and he was excited to discover what else awaited him, whether good or bad.