My New Life

Chapter 81: Hidden Head Start

I sighed as I fixed the mask on my face.

"So... what's this about?"

I looked to my right, seeing Ibuki.

I kept fixing different parts of my suit, and Hashigaki walked over, answering for her.

She wasn't dressed up in her own costume this time.

It appears Chairman Sakayangi finally cracked, and couldn't hold back the reporters anymore.

"To put it simply, this guy is a star already." She joked.

That only confused her more.

"I won the high school Nationals for Archery earlier in the year, but I'd only really had two, three? I can't remember, basically I would've been drowning in reporters by now, but because of the school system that didn't happen, unfortunately that couldn't last forever."

"Then why are you dressed up like that?"

I leaned down, grabbing my crown off the bench.

"Simple, this is my persona. Archery changed a bunch over the last few years, this is one of the changes, each person has a persona which they enter into competitions as, create friendships, rivalries, yadayadayada. My persona is Kitsune, an arrogant little shit that has the skills to back it up, and acts like a supreme king. The crown is just the cherry on top, showing off that I'm the best at this sport, because I am." I explained.

"Eh, will I have to do that too?"

I rose a brow.

"Do you want to compete at the National level?"

"Well, I never really thought about that, do you think I could?"

I thought for a moment, looking back at all the practices we've had so far.

"I think there's a possibility. Just keep in mind, there will be a lot of targets on your back, since we're from the same school."

She shrugged.

"That's fine."

I grinned.

"Alright then, starting next week I'll up your training based on the competitions at the National level, we'll start on the agility ones, and go from there."

Hashigaki giggled gleefully.

"On the other hand, I'll start coming up with the perfect persona for you, just tell me if you have any recommendations. You can also take some pointers from this guy here, you know what he's really like, we both do, so look at how well he adapts to his persona on the stage."

A tall man in a black suit walked over to us.

"Kitsune, they're waiting."

I waved him off.

"Yeah yeah, I'm coming."

I sighed, double checking myself all over.

"Alright, I'm heading out now."

"Don't get eaten." Hashigaki stated, waving.

Ibuki looked at her in confusion, but she just told her she'd explain later.

I took a break to compose myself, before walking out into the room.

Immediately, I was blinded by the shutters of cameras, and the bright lights that lit the area we were in.

I could already tell there were many more people than before, easily a thousand strong.

Even so, just like last time I was up on a stage, and there was a line of bodyguards below to make sure none of the reporters broke through.