NOVEL NEXT WORLD The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 140
140 The Boy Who Loves Solitude
Everyone, I like being alone.
I like being alone in my room. I like eating silently by myself. Eating with others is the worst. It’s a disgusting habit that’s hard to tolerate. Humans can live alone, so it’s fine to be alone. That’s why I hate the character “person.” It’s made up of two “ones” supporting each other… This kind of preaching is annoying. If “one” refers to a human, can’t you just read it as “one” normally? It’s “hito” in Japanese, right? Stop being so pretentious. I just want to read “one” as “one.”
……I’ve talked too much, but what I’m trying to say is――!!
“Hmph, humph, humph~n♪”
“…”
Why do I have to go to school with “Touka” after Golden Week? This has never happened before!!
Is he plotting something?! Has he been waiting for me?!
Since I’m his follower, Touka can sense my location. It’s like having a GPS attached to me. I feel suffocated without freedom!
“……It’s getting hot, isn’t it?”
While looking down at Touka, who’s clinging to me too closely, I muttered coldly.
“Don’t you enjoy this kind of thing?”
“――”
Mugyu. Touka pressed his arm against my chest, looking up at me with an upward gaze. ……It’s a really nice sensation. You could say it’s the best.
However, if there are people around, it’s――
“……You know? My least favorite thing is to stand out. If we’re like this during school hours, we’ll attract unnecessary attention from passersby! Just leave me alone! It’s hard to walk like this!!”
“Kyaa!? ……I was going to give you special service, butー”
“I don’t need it!”
“Buu buu. You’re so mean, Shouma-kun. You did something like that before. Can’t you just be a little friendly?”
“Hmph, is this about the ABYSS exploration? That’s not something special. As a Ranker, it’s basic to help people in trouble.”
“Huuun……’human,’ huh?”
“What’s that?”
“Hehehe♪ Just kidding! It’s nothing, okay?♡”
“……You’re a weird guy.”
“What’s a Ranker, anyway? You sometimes say things that don’t make sense, Shouma-kun. Maybe that’s the secret to your strength――?”
“Whatever you think is fine.”
“Ah, wait!? Wait for me!!”
I can’t take it anymore, being led by Touka’s pace. I hurried along the path to the school building――
◆
“……What’s this……?”
As I entered the school building, the first thing that caught my attention was the scattered flyers. My brain refused to acknowledge the contents, but I had no choice… I’d give up and take a look.
“Huh? What’s this?…”
“…Stone Ryou Shin’s Great Victory? Ready to Go Towards a Hopeful Future?… What’s with this ridiculously flashy headline? The contents… the contents are… ah!!”
“Pffft…”
“Wait, high-grade recovery medicine joint development!? Is this a lie!? Didn’t we agree to keep that a secret!?…”
I ripped the flyer apart while screaming, and behind me, Touka was laughing with his belly held in laughter.
“You, did you…?!”
“But it’s true! Stone Ryou Shin-kun did all the hard work! We can’t take credit for it!! First of all, it lacks credibility!!”
“Credibility, you say…!”
“Look, my magic crystal terminal’s (Portal) current level. It still says [6], right? This is because Stone Ryou Shin-kun transferred, and my side didn’t get updated! With this number, no one would believe that someone reached the 20th level and obtained materials!!”
“Gggg…!? B-but, why did you have to mention my name…?!”
“You also gave medicine to Otori-kun, didn’t you? This could be the chance to eliminate the hostility from Class A! If so, it’s better to make it public, don’t you think?”
“It might be beneficial… but…!!”
Isn’t this about gains and losses?!
I had just made a good impression, and then I went and helped him. I didn’t want to be honest about it. It’s… embarrassing, and it stands out. I thought there was nothing good about it.
However, it’s undeniable that the hate towards me from Class D has increased. If it can be resolved even a little, I have no choice but to endure…
Damn it, if only I hadn’t become the class leader…
As we trampled on the scattered flyers, we headed towards Class D’s classroom.
On the way, we encountered…
“Stone Ryou Shin…”
Blocking our path, Shinra Katsuragi, Yu Ran Ting Jigoku Saito, and Tsutenkaku Seizo stood there, each holding a white flyer.
“…Is this the truth?”