I Became a Time-stopping Narrow-eyed Character

Chapter 4

After a moment of hesitation, I put on a kind smile and extended my hand.

"Ahaha, my name is Ichimaru Shiki. Please take care of me from now on."

"Sure, I'll be counting on you too!"

Kitagawa Kenichi, with a similarly kind expression, grabbed my hand.

The strength conveyed through his grip was quite firm, suggesting he was naturally strong.

From a game perspective, was it the protagonist's buff?

'Still, I could easily overpower him right now.'

No matter how much of a protagonist he was, at this point in the episode, he was just a physically fit civilian.

On the other hand, I already had a superhuman body and the ability to manipulate time.

Killing him would be instantaneous, and taking the necklace without leaving a scratch would be just as easy.

At this moment, I could snatch the necklace and awaken it as my Demon Sword instead of his.

The Demon Sword that nullifies all abilities.

I, who had experienced hundreds of bad endings, knew this.

Whether it was the high-level magic of the Descendant of the Great Mage or the tricks of a unique entity among the yokai, as long as it touched, the sword's ability nullified everything.

At first glance, it seemed like that was its only ability, but... yeah, that's actually all it could do.

That's why, despite trying hundreds of times, I couldn't clear even half of the episodes.

'Normally, there would be some way to counter it with passion or an overwhelming protagonist buff...'

But this poorly balanced game, "Apocalypse Love Comedy," only introduced increasingly absurd enemies with ridiculous physical specs or overwhelming abilities as it progressed.

There were monsters that could overpower you with sheer physical specs, ignoring any abilities, and others that spread abilities so extensively it was impossible to counter them.

The protagonist's Demon Sword wasn't a bad weapon, but it wasn't enough to save the world on its own.

Yeah, if that was all it had.

'But if it were a secondary weapon, the story would be different.'

Nullification of all abilities.

Not as the main weapon to fight enemies, but as a secondary tool, it would be quite effective in eliminating potential variables.

Above all, while it was currently just a simple cross-shaped necklace, once awakened, it would transform into a sleek and stylish Demon Sword.

"......That's why it's so hard to give up."

"Huh? What did you say?"

"No, it's nothing."

Shaking off a moment of regret, I smiled again and shook Kenichi's hand.

Stealing the protagonist's Demon Sword would undoubtedly be a sinful yet thrilling act, but I wasn't planning to use dual swords, and honestly, it was an inefficient choice.

After all, I could handle all ordinary enemies with my abilities.

While eliminating variables and design were important, if its usage was rare, its significance diminished.

Moreover, our poorly balanced game's protagonist, Kitagawa Kenichi, was hopeless without the sword, unable to even awaken.

Just a physically strong civilian.

In another game, he would've been an overwhelmingly dominant alpha male, but being born as the protagonist of this crappy visual novel was just pitiful.

'...Have I grown attached after using him hundreds of times? I feel a bit sorry for him.'

If the effect was the same whether I used it or he did, I might as well let him keep it.

Besides, there would come situations later where I'd need to resolve things simultaneously using allies.

Rather than abandoning it completely, I'd be better off raising him as a nullification shuttle.

'From now on, you're my Sword Shuttle No. 1.'

Having come to that conclusion, I nodded generously with a charitable heart.

"I think we'll be good friends."

"Yeah, let's get along well!"

Kenichi, who welcomed me warmly despite it being our first meeting, and Hotaru, who stood beside him, looking somewhat hesitant.

I spent some time chatting with them, who were seated in the back, for a while.

It was a temporary seating arrangement, but there was no harm in getting close quickly.

After some time, a homeroom teacher who looked like a yakuza entered.

With an already intimidating face, he frowned deeply and spoke in a gruff voice.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Yamamoto Baki, your homeroom teacher for Class A this year. I'm also the grade head, so if there's any problem, come to the faculty office and let me know."

Perhaps because it was a school where monsters would appear later, the teacher also looked like a killing machine.

After the homeroom teacher's brief introduction, the class's first event began.

"Each of you, come forward and draw lots."

It was the official classroom seating arrangement. While it could later be changed to suit the tastes of the students or the teacher, for now, we'd sit according to the results.

I briefly considered using a trick but decided to simply go forward and draw a lot with peace of mind.

"Hmm, number 25."

The seats were filled in numerical order from the front of the classroom, and I was lucky enough to draw a back number.

That too, the seat by the window, at the very back.

I didn't know who my seatmate would be, but it seemed like a pretty decent number.

'Lucky.'

But that thought didn't last long.

"Oh, Shiki! This time, our seats have swapped! Let's get along again!"

"Looking forward to it... No, I mean, I'll be counting on you too."

"Oh ho ho, nice to meet you."

Right in front of me were the unfortunate protagonist Kitagawa Kenichi and the Priestess of Fire, Hotaru Ichinose.

Feeling somewhat puzzled by the surprisingly beautiful seating arrangement, I exchanged greetings with them.

While not seatmates, we'd be close enough to talk often, being neighbors.

Yeah, up to this point, I thought I was pretty lucky, but the next part was the problem.

Soon, my assigned seatmate approached me with a beautiful smile and greeted me.

My seatmate was a woman with light pink hair and a large chest.

Her ominously flickering eyes stared straight at me.

"Hello, I'm Sawamura Sento. Let's get along as seatmates, okay?"

"Ho."

I looked at the pink-haired woman sitting next to me and realized what had happened.

'It was her.'

The Ancient Weapon, Sawamura Sento.

A collection of sorcery governing human 'desires.'

She was a major heroine and, depending on the branch, could become the episode's boss.

She smiled with the eyes of a beautiful woman that anyone would admire, but I instinctively realized.

It was a fake, artificially crafted smile.

Maybe it was because I had superhuman senses, or maybe it was because we were similar.

Either way, one thing was certain: she had intentionally approached me first.

Even though our eyes had only met once, I wondered why as I spoke to her with my usual mask-like grin.

"Ahaha, please take care of me from now on! My destined seatmate."

It seemed like I had unintentionally attracted a pink-haired yandere...

'But I like it.'

I was a man who loved obsession.

***

Perhaps because it was the first day of school, all the classes, from Japanese (which was essentially the national language) to math, science, and history, were conducted leisurely after the homeroom session.

Each subject's teacher and students introduced themselves and briefly explained how the classes would proceed.

In short, it was an orientation.

A relaxed day, thanks to the first-day special.

Honestly, as someone who didn't come to school to study, it was delightful news.

'I wish every day could be like this.'

I knew it was an overly generous wish, but still, one could dream.

Feeling good after finishing the morning classes, I had lunch with Kenichi, Hotaru, and others sitting in front of me.

As expected, being in a Japanese high school from the game, there was no cafeteria, and everyone brought their own lunchboxes.

Sawamura Sento, who had approached me earlier as if she had some scheme, diligently attended classes all morning and disappeared somewhere as soon as lunch began.

"Kenichi, I brought your favorite special tamagoyaki and umeboshi rice balls."

"Oh, thanks. Your mom's cooking is always delicious."

The protagonist Kitagawa Kenichi and the Priestess of Fire, Hotaru Ichinose, exchanged their food, as if to flaunt their childhood friendship.

Compared to Kenichi, who had nothing but meatballs, Hotaru's balanced meal seemed like a loss, but she shared her food without a care.

"......Hey, Ichimaru-kun, would you like to share?"

Perhaps feeling sorry for me, who hadn't taken anything out of my desk yet, she spoke to me as well.

To think that the easygoing Hotaru Ichinose would act so cautiously!

Just how pitiful must I seem for her to do this?

"Share, huh... That sounds nice!"

Feeling a bit indignant, I quickly shrugged and pulled out my secret bento from my bag.

Bang─!

A luxurious three-tiered lacquered bento box with a black outer surface appeared, adorned with mother-of-pearl inlays─top-notch craftsmanship.

The first tier contained rice balls and various side dishes, the second tier held meat, and the third tier was filled with fruits for dessert.

"......Wow."

"......Is, is that a bento?"

Perhaps it was their first time seeing such an extravagant bento box.

Kenichi and Hotaru alternated between looking at the bento and me with eyes full of admiration.

Taking out the container with miso soup as well, I spoke to them in a relaxed manner.

"Haha, the landlady packed this for me, but she's quite generous, so it seems too much for me alone. Would you care to join me?"

"Really?!"

"Wow! Thank you for the meal!"

Teenagers, who were at the age of growth, eagerly dove into the extravagant bento.

'Everything is going according to plan.'

If I could win them over with just food, bringing bento every day for a year wouldn't be a problem.

Yes, I'll feed you until you become pigs.

Feeling pleased, I enjoyed the meal with them and then stepped out of the classroom for a moment to digest.

"Exploration is essential before hunting, after all."

Muttering to myself, I leisurely strolled around, only to notice a group of people rushing down the stairs ahead.

"Lady Eris! I've found a great spot!"

"I've brought some well-brewed tea!"

"I have cookies from a famous bakery...!"

It was the golden-haired kid and her lackeys.

Eris Betelgeuse was leading the way down the stairs, with her followers trailing behind her.

It was true that she was doll-like in her beauty, but I couldn't quite understand why they were so obsessed with her.

'Well, to each their own.'

Tilting my head in puzzlement, I was about to pass through the hallway when I suddenly noticed something unusual.

One of the girls, who had been following Eris while staring at the back of her head, missed a step on the stairs.

Naturally, the girl lost her balance.

She tilted forward.

"......Huh?"

The girl had a dazed expression, as if she was startled.

By the time her body was halfway tilted, Eris and her lackeys began turning their heads.

It was obvious that by the time they noticed, the situation would already be over.

Eris Betelgeuse, who always maintained a barrier field around herself, was slow to react to others' mishaps.

The girl was destined to roll down the stairs.

"It can't be helped."

Not wanting to see blood after a meal, I drew the small blade hidden in my sleeve.

I could have just run over, but that would have required overly aggressive movements.

The moment the hidden dagger was exposed to the world.

─Time slowed down.

Suddenly, the girl falling on the stairs, Eris Betelgeuse turning her head, and everyone else's movements appeared in slow motion.

Even the dust floating in the air seemed to drift closer to stillness.

Walking leisurely down the hallway, I carefully caught the girl who was in the middle of falling down the stairs.

Only then did the flow of time return to normal.

Whoosh─! A gust of wind followed the path I had walked, and when she regained her senses, the girl in my arms looked up at me with a bewildered expression.

Soon, as if she understood the situation, her face turned bright red.

Hmm, that was close.

"Smiling gentlemanly as always, I greeted her."

Are you alright?

"......Yes."

"Thankfully, she didn't seem to have any injuries."

Gently setting the shy girl back down, I lifted my head.

......You.

"Eris Betelgeuse was staring at me with a shocked expression."