There was a time when I used to be proud to call myself a professional.
Without any reason or rationale, I just let my professionalism flow out of me and got myself into trouble here and there. Looking back, I want to cover my face. I can only thank my friends for forgiving me for such eccentricities.
Let's go back in time.
As I slowly wind the crown of the precious watch she gave me, I replay my memories of about ten years ago.




I recall the conversation with him, which is one of the reasons why I call myself a professional homecoming club member.
While everyone around us was suffering from the plague of "Chunibyo", he and I were the only ones who kept our rationality. The teachers must have been in despair watching the boys go crazy with stories about a world that doesn't exist. We must have been the saviors of the teachers, because we had a firm will and reality in such a class.
It's a real pain in the ass, you know.

There is an evil organization in this world.

He was a freak like me.
Serious and goofy like me. He was also a homecoming club member like me.

Evil organization? There are plenty of such things.

I replied.

'Yes. There's plenty of them. Then what do you think is the most familiar evil organization to us, comet?
'Close to us? Let's see... ...... biker gangs, maybe?'
'That's true, too. But I can't say I'm close to it.

A self-proclaimed professional homecoming club member, he observed me happily, the corners of his mouth upturned, as if he were enjoying my thoughts and worries.
When I say "close by," I am referring to this junior high school. But if we call the junior high school an evil organization, it would mean that we are a part of the evil. It is an unbearable humiliation for me, a man who is a true friend of justice.
If you are a teacher ......? Is the school board an evil organization? No, but I can't explain it.

'What's the matter, don't you understand? I thought Comet was the only one who understood me.
'Nobody understands you.
'You're a professional homecoming club member, right? Just like me.
'I'm just a homecoming boy. No, I don't understand. I give up.

I threw my hands up in the air and surrendered. I don't get it.
He's the only one who can keep up with me, but I'm probably also the only one on the planet who can keep up with him.
I mean, he's a pro. He's not ordinary.
I'm a believer in the saying, "A smart hawk is a hawk is a hawk," and I try to hide the fact that I'm a professional, but it's about time he sees through me.
His eye for observation is beyond me. I wonder what kind of right answer he will come up with.

The evil organization is made up of first- and third-year students.
''What?''
'Plus the student council.'

I didn't understand. You're saying that the first and third graders between us eighth graders are the evil organization? And the student council?
I felt threatened. Maybe this guy was more dangerous than I thought. His words were laced with suspicious thoughts.
I checked the escape route with my eyes, ready to break away at any moment. Okay, both classroom doors are open. The positions of each classmate were also unobstructed. d*mn, I should have brought pepper. I should have flinched him to get away.

'Comet, there's no need to run.
'I'd rather get naked and storm the school assembly than run away. Let me hear what you have to say.
'-- all right. Comet, what's your purpose as a homecoming party member?
'- To protect the Earth.
'I see. I'm all about world peace.

It's a very painful conversation, but at the time I meant it. I'm not a chuuni patient, by the way. I swear to you.

'The factor that prevents world peace is the hierarchical relationship. The balance of power is wrong in this world.
'What are you talking about ......?'
'Our enemies are not always our equals. Equality is everything. For example. Remember the scene in the athletic club. The freshmen are always looking after their superiors, aren't they? The freshmen are frustrated and the seniors are amused. It may sound obvious, but this is the origin of everything that makes enemies. It is the flaw of camaraderie. Because you make upper and lower, you make enemies, and conflict arises.
' Isn't that too extreme?
''No.''
But if you believe that, then of course you don't use honorifics, a term that is hierarchical in nature, with third-year students, do you?'
'Good point. Of course I have to use it. Because we belong to the Japanese community. We are in an organization where the upper and lower worlds are taken for granted. There is no escape.
''Then what is your point in the end?''
'The homecoming club is a small resistance. Not belonging to an organization means freedom. The club without hierarchy is a symbol and a statement of peace.

He grinned and shook my hand.

'Comet. You know what I mean. Equality is a synonym for peace. If you were a professional, you would shake my hand.



His story is outrageous, but unfortunately not wrong.
The point is that we should strive for a world where we do not make enemies. Not to destroy all enemies, but to spread the psychology of not making enemies.
I see. I see.
I took his hand.

'I destroy existing evil, you do not create evil. Is that right?
Yes. That's the way to do it, comet.

Thus, we formed a homecoming alliance, but we went to different high schools. We never did anything together because of a false sense of duty.
We didn't talk about it until we were about to graduate, and we went our separate ways as professional homecoming club members. I wonder what he is doing now.
I am sure his high school years were not normal either.



He successfully entered high school and started his activities as a homecoming club member in a new place.
Of course, he did not join any club.
I was worried that such an oddball would not be able to make it through the three years, but Makoto Takane and Shirana Namiki were there to support me.
Soon after, I fell in love with Ms. Akakusa. At the time, I was so excited to think that "beautiful woman" was a word that existed for this person. I swore to myself that I would do anything for her. That's why I joined the health committee as a freshman, even though I was a homecoming student. To serve my teacher.
I took the initiative in helping the teacher with whatever he asked of me. Sometimes, when he thanked me, I was so happy that my body melted into mush. I am grateful from the bottom of my heart to Ugin for keeping me in the refrigerator so that I could get back to my normal body.

However, by the end of my freshman year, I remembered my purpose and made a fresh start as a member of the homecoming club.
In the second year, I changed classes. I was separated from Shirana, but I was with Makoto, which was a relief to me. In reality, there are few people who can keep up with my tension. It was a little better to have someone who understands me.
Time went by much faster than in the first year. I guess it's just a matter of getting used to it, but anyway it happened so fast that the summer vacation was over soon.
And then came the day of destiny.

It's disgusting. Die.

I was trusted by Akakusa-sensei and was assigned to rehabilitate Arina Hinoha.
Arina was a problem child anyway. She was a foul-mouthed, violent, terrible communicator, and unruly. I tried to suppress my desire to protest that it was unreasonable to expect me to help her rehabilitate herself, but I kept in touch with her.
I learned her secret. She has a dual personality. That she had a history of abuse.
Then I was desperate. Gradually I became attracted to Alina and unconsciously I devoted myself to her.
For her, with her.
I helped her in club activities, walked with her in school festivals, acted as a spy at the aquarium, and met her other girlfriend.
I was really shocked when she forgot me. Everything had never happened. It was the hardest thing I had ever done mentally. I would have known then. How much I loved Alina.
That's why her confession was so painful.
Her confession that she had forgotten me-- it was so cruel. I know it's the same person and the same personality. But ...... it was painful. I can't talk about memories with her.
And I committed a great sin.
I fell asleep without answering her.




Why are you talking about the past all of a sudden?

Alina, leaning in close and crossing her arms with mine, whispered something to me.
On the way home after we both finished work and had dinner out, we talked about the old days. We both knew I was always careful about the way I wore my suit, but at this moment I didn't care if it was disheveled or not.

It's just a feeling.
'Somehow ......'

She sighed and leaned her weight on me, making me stagger.

'Wow, Alina, you're heavy. I thought you were an elephant.
'Don't be rude. I'm tired, let's go home.
'Well, well, well. We're almost there. Let's go home and enjoy the beauty of the buildings.
'What's that ...... hmm. Oh, well.'





When I woke up, I really couldn't believe everything I was seeing.
When I saw my family and Alina, I finally understood that it was real. Well, Alina knows exactly what happened next. I've been in rehab every day.
As soon as I could move my body, problems started to appear one after another. I was very worried about my future and my social standing.
But one by one, I managed to overcome them. I passed the high school equivalency test without any problems, borrowed more scholarship money so as not to cause any more trouble to my parents, and graduated from the university without any problems. I was able to find a job in spite of all the hardships.





'I think you did really well.
'I think so, too. I really--'

I stopped and faced her.

'What, what, what?

Alina rushed to adjust her disheveled suit.

'I was going to tell you everything. I felt like I had to tell you everything.
'Eh--'

Alina blushes and runs a hand through her hair to avoid eye contact with me. I loved the way she fumbled like a pure girl, with her default attitude of firmness.

'Let me put it simply. I like you.
'...... me too.'
No, I love you.
I already know!
'So, will you stay next to me for the rest of my life?'


'Hm, wait a minute!

Alina held my mouth with her hand. I thought I was going to break my front teeth. As usual, the force is broken.
She continued to hold my mouth until my ragged breathing subsided. When she calmed down, she wiped tears from the corners of her eyes and let out a deep breath.

Marry me!
What? That's what I was going to say--''
'Ugh, shut up! I wanted to say it too!
'What the hell is that ...... that's not fair ......'
'So. You're not fair. You're not just going to show up on my doorstep. ......'

Alina then began to cry inconsolably.
Confused, I tried to open my arms to hug her, but I felt as if I would break them if I hugged her, so I panicked. In the midst of such confusion, I remembered something terrible.

Aaahhhh!!!!
'What's next!

I left my ring at home!
I left my ring at home!
I left my ring in the drawer!
I forgot! I forgot! The ring! I forgot!
I was so mad.
I've done it. .......
The most important moment of my life, I--
Oh, ...... what a professional. I'm just a homo sapiens. .......

'Alina, I need to go home...'

How can I say that? .......
I forgot my ring, so I'm going to go home and get it. ...... No romance, no shit. This is a case of seppuku.
What should we do? Oh, maybe we can time jump for a day. Then I could get down on one knee and show the world, young and old, my perfect lines. .......
That's when I was thinking about it in a daze.

'Comet.
'Yes ......'
'I don't want anything. You don't either, do you?'

With that she gently grabbed me by both shoulders and stood me up on my toes.
She closed her eyes.
I closed mine, and I promised to give her everything.

Let's be happy.
That's what I said to her lips.