Gamers!

Short Story Collection: Chapter 6 – Karen Tendou and Football Club

Translator: your_pingas

“I used to be interested in the Football Club.”

Someday, when we were on our way home, I asked Tendou-san. “Did you think of doing something else aside from the Game Club?” In the end, I got an unexpected answer.

Tendou-san put out a nostalgic expression. She stared at the sunset and continued.

“After all, chasing after a single ball, charging forward relentlessly-“

“Training the abilities of all these teenagers and becoming the strongest army, isn’t that fun!”

“You still ended up in a player’s perspective!? You’re actually interested in Road to the World instead of football, right!?”

“Then, I want to write a book in the future. It’ll be called {What If a High School Football Club Manager Girl Played SEGA’s Road to the World?}.”

“You really think a gloomy girl that uses her management skills in the wrong place can become a successful manager!?”

“Amano-kun, you shouldn’t underestimate games.”

“No, I’m not underestimating games. I’m underestimating a certain blonde-haired girl.”

The school idol shrugged for some reason. “You can’t be helped.” She sighed.

“You’re too na?ve, Amano-kun. Did you really think that I’m just satisfied with becoming a dumb coach girl?”

“I really thought about that…”

“Amano-kun, don’t underestimate me. I didn’t think that I can deal with all the problems of a manager just because I played Road to the World.”

“Glad to hear that. It looks like my girlfriend is barely sane-“

“However, after I’m done investigating eFootball PES, I will become the perfect manager that can understand what operators, coaches, and contestants do!”

“You’re only becoming a crazy manager girl that is misunderstood by all gamers!”

I’m okay with manager girls playing football games. However, if you’re acting all mighty while giving suggestions to the players even though all you played are games, I bet they can’t take it.

I gave up. Tendou-san blinked her eyes a bit unbelievably.

“Amano-kun, you’re saying that…I’m just trouble to the Football Club.”

“You do realize that! Although I like playing games too, and I understand Tendou-san’s strengths better than anyone, you can’t just substitute games into reality…”

I feel sorry for people that try their best in the Football Club every day.

“Uwah, …Amano-kun suddenly started to complain about Moshidora…” [Note: Moshidora, a light novel about a high school baseball manager girl that trains her team using Peter Drucker’s methods.]

“No, I didn’t. That’s a good novel. It gave us something new by merging management into baseball clubs!”

“Yeah. So, it’s the same if I bring Road to the World and PES into the Football Club…”

“Same my butt! You’re just a temporary manager girl that played video games and pretended that she knows everything, not to mention whether the idea is new or not, right!?”

“New ideas. …It can’t be helped. Well, I’ll train myself with Power Pros as well.”

“For what!? You still ended up relying on in-game knowledge alone!”

“Well, how about I investigate Girl's Side as well?” [Girl’s Side, a dating sim for girls.]

“Please don’t go and learn how to trick athletic boys’ hearts!”

“However, in conclusion, isn’t that what Moshidora is about?”

“Apologize to Moshidora at this second!”

“Also, …I’m very good at learning Dr. Goodjob’s skill. I can make uniforms that can enhance the player’s capabilities. “

“Explain why does a player need to learn the skill Plunder.”

“After I’m done playing Metal Gear, I can even destroy the enemy team’s morale.”s

“This world doesn’t need a manager girl that can subdue opposing players with a stun gun!”

“Also, after I played Ace Combat, I can transport the players to anywhere I want.”

“Wow, that’s like a line from a criminal that can’t tell reality and games apart.”

“Sorry that was impossible.”

“Nice reflection. However, you sound like the other options are possible. I can’t just ignore that.”

Just as I’m about to complain further, Tendou-san suddenly said something weird.

“Well, you should understand by now, right?”

“Hmm? What?”

After I said that, …Tendou-san answered with a bitter smile.

“Perhaps I’ll be in something other than the Game Club in another timeline. …However, I’m still me. I, Karen Tendou, will always love gaming the most.”

“…I see.”

I smiled after hearing this very Tendou-san styled conclusion. Then, I unintentionally stared at the sunset in front of the street…and mumbled quietly.

“Well, …no matter which world I’m in, I’ll always fall in love with Tendou-san.”

“Hmm? What did you say?”

Under the circumstances, Tendou-san activated her “deaf protagonist” skill again just as usual. She asked me. “It’s nothing.” I smiled and said.

“By the way, Tendou-san, are you interested in culture clubs or something like that-“

We continued strolling on this idyllic…yet blessed road to home.