Like any other day at Shibuya High School, Shirogane Rei found her life utterly mundane. Though others might label her as antisocial, this bookworm wasn't really - she just preferred the company of her few close friends...
"So in the end, everyone's a hypocrite, aren't they?" Rei mused, resting her chin on her palm as she gazed out the classroom window overlooking the Shibuya Scramble Crossing.
"Why would you say that?" asked Nakamura Yuki, adjusting her glasses.
"Let me ask you something - when we call others hypocrites behind their backs, aren't we being hypocrites ourselves?"
"It depends..."
"What do you mean, 'it depends'? It's clearly an endless cycle..."
"You might be right."
"Of course. Humans wear many masks, not just two or three, but many more... Have you heard what they say in traditional Japanese culture? People essentially have three faces - one they show to the public, one they show to close friends and family, and one... they show only to themselves."
"What you're saying is true. Even someone like me wears many masks."
"That's because you're 'fake.'"
"When you talk about being fake, are you saying you're 'genuine'?"
"Yuki, what do you think I am? 'Fake' or 'genuine'?"
Nakamura Yuki, a girl rather short for her age, fell silent for a moment after Rei posed the question. She adjusted her glasses thoughtfully.
"Neither. I simply exist as an ally - or perhaps a border - between those two concepts. Because I am... an Ideal."
"What kind of explanation is that..."
The classroom door suddenly slid open with dramatic force.
With an exaggerated flourish of his gakuran jacket, Segawa Tatsuya struck a heroic pose in the doorway, his round face beaming with conviction. He had clearly immersed himself too deeply in his role as the reincarnation of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the legendary Korean naval commander.
"Behold, for the spirit of the great Admiral flows through me!" he declared, making sweeping gestures as if commanding an invisible fleet. "Just as my previous self led the turtle ships against overwhelming odds, I too shall overcome any challenge!"
Just looking at him made my head hurt.
Or rather, it was my heart that ached. More importantly, the judgmental stares from the K-pop fans in class felt even more painful.
"Hey... what was that all about?"
Yuki looked visibly annoyed... or rather, irritated... and she turned her gaze toward me. Really now, what did she expect, looking at me like that?
"His name is Segawa Tatsuya. He used to be my partner in our anime club. That's really all there is to it. My relationship with Segawa never went beyond that... though it's not entirely wrong to say we were both comrades who weren't allowed to live peaceful lives during those dark times."
It really felt like hell when we had to choose partners. Seriously. Segawa felt the same pain and understood just how terrible those times were.
Ever since we first joined the small group where Segawa and I were paired up because we were the only ones not chosen, we've been together. Honestly, I really wanted to trade this chubby chuunibyou patient to another team, but that wasn't possible, so I gave up. I even declared myself a free agent, but unfortunately, if anyone wanted to use my services, they wouldn't be able to afford my high fees. Well, I'll admit that was a lie - the real reason was simply that Segawa and I had no other friends.
"Now, witness as I deploy my formations, just as the great Admiral did at the Battle of Myeongnyang! With but thirteen ships against hundreds!" Segawa continued, using his school bag as if it were a command flag. "The currents of destiny flow just as the strait did that day!"
I couldn't help but notice how he'd memorized actual historical battles and incorporated them into his delusions. At least he was educational, in his own peculiar way.
"So what brings you here today, Segawa?" I asked, hoping to cut short his historical reenactment before the entire class got involved.
"Ah yes!" He straightened up, though his pose remained unnecessarily dramatic. "You see, I seek your divine intervention, O Celestial Being! The leader of the Photography Club, Suzuki-senpai, has rejected my earnest request to join their ranks!"
I exchanged glances with Yuki, who seemed equally exhausted by his theatrics. "And why exactly would you need my help with that?"
"Ke ke ke..." Segawa's round face grew serious as he pulled out a crumpled application form from his jacket. "Just as Admiral Yi was initially dismissed from service due to false accusations, I too face unjust rejection! Suzuki-senpai claims my photos lack..." he paused for dramatic effect, his voice dropping to a whisper, "...artistic vision."
"Maybe because they do?" I couldn't help but interject.
"Nonsense! Just as the Admiral's turtle ships were unconventional yet effective, my photography style is simply... ahead of its time! Look!" He thrust his smartphone toward us, displaying a gallery of what appeared to be entirely blurry photos of passing trains and heavily filtered shots of his action figure collection.
Yuki adjusted her glasses, peering at the images. "These are certainly... unique."
"The Photography Club leader said my technical skills are too amateur," Segawa admitted, momentarily dropping his theatrical tone. "But just as Admiral Yi started with no naval experience and became Joseon's greatest commander, I too can—"
"Get to the point," I cut in. "What exactly do you want me to do?"
"Your silver tongue is known throughout the realm, O Shirogane! If you could speak to Suzuki-senpai on my behalf... Perhaps explain my creative vision..."
I sighed deeply. Segawa's enthusiasm, while exhausting, was oddly genuine. Behind all his grandiose delusions and historical references, I could see something familiar in his eyes – the same desperate desire to belong that I once knew all too well.
"Fine," I conceded, "but on one condition."
Segawa's eyes lit up. "Name your price, noble ally!"
"You'll take actual photography lessons. No more of this 'ahead of its time' excuse. If you want to join the club, you need to learn the basics first."
"But—"
"Just as Admiral Yi studied military classics before commanding ships, right?"
His face brightened at the historical parallel. "Indeed! Such wisdom! Very well, I shall master these mortal techniques before attempting to transcend them!"
Yuki looked at me with a mixture of amusement and concern. "Are you sure about this?"
I shrugged, gathering my things. "Everyone needs somewhere to belong. Even self-proclaimed reincarnated admirals."