I Formed the Strongest Swordsman Group-Chapter 49: Ding! Gained a Fanboy: Sōji Okita

Aoto stood there like a complete fool, mouth slightly agape, staring blankly at Okita who was still gazing at him with intense excitement.
The people around them—Suzu, Kondō, and the others—also froze upon hearing Okita's words, then slowly turned to look at Aoto with expressions ranging from astonishment to utter bewilderment.
Aoto's brain remained completely frozen for a good while before he finally felt his soul return to his body.
"...Okita-san," Aoto took a deep breath, "where on earth did you hear all these ridiculous stories...?"
"I heard them from two uncles while waiting for the konpeitō to finish baking at the sweets shop!"
Okita proceeded to explain in detail how he had overheard these rumors from two idle middle-aged men.
After patiently listening to Okita's explanation, only one thought remained in Aoto's mind:
——？？？？？
He felt as if countless question marks were swirling through his mind like fireflies on a summer night.
How did you manage to spread such outrageous rumors in just two days?!
Given the poor state of basic education in this era and people's generally superstitious mindset, Aoto had expected that strange rumors would spread easily. However... he now realized with sudden shock that he had still underestimated this era's rumor-spreading capabilities...
Aoto raised his hand and vigorously rubbed his temples.
"Okita-san... listen to me, everything you heard is complete nonsense, not a single part of it is true..."
Having his actual achievements celebrated was one thing, but having these bizarre rumors spread about him was something entirely different...
Not wanting people around him to develop strange misunderstandings, Aoto patiently explained to Okita, briefly describing the actual process of how he had solved the case.
Upon learning that what he had heard were completely false rumors, a mix of surprise and disappointment flickered across Okita's features.
"Then, then... I also heard that your previous performance in the 'Three Squads' was rather mediocre," Okita said, his fists clenching slightly in front of his chest. "And that people gave you the nickname 'Idiot Aoto.'"
"They said you recently realized that as a member of the Three Squads, you bear the heavy responsibility of protecting Edo, and suddenly understood you couldn't continue muddling through life. So you worked hard and diligently studied investigation techniques, which is how you successfully solved that case the day before yesterday."
"Is that part at least true?"
Okita had always admired the work and mission of the Three Squads rather than any specific individual within it. He wasn't chasing celebrities, so he had never actively sought out or been interested in the various gossip and rumors about Three Squads members.
Therefore, it was only from those two uncles that he learned about Aoto's "Idiot Aoto" nickname and his past anecdotes.
"Ah..." Aoto raised his hand to scratch the hair at his temples. "That part... is actually true."
To reasonably explain how he had stopped being foolish, the "backstory" Aoto had created for himself was roughly the same as what Okita had just described.
Well, he had created this persona, and now he had to see it through, even if it pained him.
Seeing Aoto nod, the disappointment and surprise on Okita's face rapidly transformed back into excitement and delight.
Clenching his fists even tighter in front of his chest, Okita rose further onto his toes, bringing his face closer to Aoto's.
Aoto could clearly see the light of excitement and enthusiasm shining in Okita's beautiful eyes.
"Tachibana-kun, you're amazing!"
"Can I ask you one more thing? What was the specific moment that made you realize you bore such heavy responsibilities and couldn't waste your days any longer?"
Looking at Okita who was now gazing at him like an adoring fan, Aoto couldn't help but feel that if this handsome youth had a dog's tail growing from his lower back, it would be wagging like an electric fan.
An Akita or Samoyed tail would seem quite fitting for Okita.
Most people don't dislike being respected by others.
Being looked at with such worshipful, respectful eyes by Okita—Aoto couldn't help but feel somewhat elated.
"Uh... well..."
Driven by that elated feeling, Aoto cleared his throat, trying hard to suppress his almost uncontrollable smile as he put on a profound expression:
"The specific moment... I can't quite remember clearly."
"I just remember seeing too many people displaced and homeless while patrolling my district."
"Seeing too many injustices that couldn't be rectified."
"Witnessing too many tragedies that I could have prevented if only I were more capable."
"Before I knew it, I had shed my previous careless attitude and started diligently learning various investigation methods and techniques from my seniors at the magistrate's office."
That was... a perfect performance!
Aoto silently gave himself full marks for that act.
And Okita's reaction was equally perfect.
"Wow...!" Aoto saw little stars beginning to sparkle in Okita's eyes, his cheeks flushing even brighter red.
"Tachibana-kun, you... you..."
Okita seemed to want to say something to praise Aoto.
But his vocabulary seemed rather limited... suffering from lack of education, he hemmed and hawed for a long time without producing anything substantial.
After what felt like an eternity, he simply repeated the praise he had already given Aoto:
"Tachibana-kun, you're amazing!"
Aoto's performance hadn't just fooled Okita—it had also impressed the surrounding Kondō and others.
Kondō and the others also hadn't known about Aoto's "Idiot Aoto" nickname, and this was their first time hearing about how Aoto had solved a murder case in such a short time the day before yesterday.
They now looked at Aoto with expressions that said, "Ah, so you're actually this capable?"
After staring at Aoto with starry eyes for quite some time, Okita slowly lowered himself from his tiptoes back to flat feet.
"Sigh... if only... everyone could be like you, Tachibana-kun..."
Okita's face still carried excitement and enthusiasm.
But a trace of loneliness had quietly appeared between his brows.
Aoto didn't notice this subtle change in Okita's expression.
But Kondō, standing at Okita's side, did.
Seeing that hint of loneliness in Okita's eyes, Kondō pressed his lips together, then clapped his hands vigorously.
"Alright, alright! That's enough chatting!"
"Let's put the small talk aside for now!"
"Everyone disperse quickly and continue with today's practice!"
"If we keep chatting like this, it'll be noon before we know it!"