NOVEL NEXT WORLD The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 142
142 Class D Strengthening Meeting ① – Kubou
――SIDE: Kubou Masaharu――
――Strengthening the entire class.
He definitely said that.
But, how?
I suppress my uneasy heart and continue with my usual lessons. Honestly, the content is meaningless.
I glance at Ms. Yoshikawa in the seat behind me. I’m really glad she’s okay. It feels like our broken hearts are connected.
And it was Shouma who did that.
He’s indeed a great person.
I acknowledged that again.
He said he would “strengthen” us. I’m naturally curious about his method.
…The Golden Week was a disaster. I’m probably not the only one who thinks so. There’s no one who enjoyed the break while their friends were hospitalized.
Every time I think about the inter-class competition, I’m filled with dark emotions. Even Akiha, who’s usually strong, looks gloomy. The three of them, including Mitsumatsu, who were originally weak, are afraid of the ABYSS exploration. Even those who aimed to be class leaders, like Isano and Sakakibara, looked dark.
A sense of resignation is spreading throughout Class D.
Unless we get rid of this, our future will be bleak. I think Shouma has the same idea. That’s why he proposed a meeting during this timing.
Repeatedly――I’m glad he’s the class leader……
Of course, I don’t plan to rely on him alone. If I can do something, I’ll cooperate with him. I’m sure Ms. Yoshikawa and the others think the same.
With renewed determination, that’s when…
The bell rings, signaling the end of the lesson.
“――Today’s lesson ends here. Those who want to explore should gather at the transfer zone by 3 pm. Since it’s the start of the break, don’t overdo it.”
As the teacher, Shadowama, exits the classroom, he stops and turns back to us.
“May 12th. There will be a 2nd-year inter-class competition on Friday of this week. Therefore, there will be no lessons that day. You can either watch the competition or explore the ABYSS. You’re free to go home as well. Please think about how you’ll spend your time. That’s all for today――”
After conveying his message, Shadowama exits the classroom for real this time.
“It’s the 2nd-year class competition, huh――
It seemed that the other students were also interested.
“Wow, it sounds like fun! We’re going to watch, and since we’re the ones being showcased, let’s go watch the 2nd-year students too!!”
“Haha, it’s a high-level spectator sport, isn’t it? Hiroshi will come with us, right?”
“Ugh, whatever… Do as you please”
Newly-won Takeda and Katsuragi were getting excited. Isogai, who was being called out by the two, looked unhappy throughout, but didn’t reject the proposal.
“Ojou! Stadium food, stadium food!!”
“Shut up, will you!? Besides, there’s no baseball stadium for the special competition, okay!?”
“Aww, but I’m interested, though…”
“… Eating while watching the game. Sounds good to me?”
“Haa… Fine, fine! You’re all so stubborn. On that day, I’ll treat everyone to a celebration of Banma’s return, including the welcome party!”
“What?! Really?!?”
“Seriously, Ojou?!? All-you-can-eat?!? Bourgeoisie?!?”
“Hohoho! Don’t underestimate the wealth of the Mushakouji family~~~~!! …And on that day, Shouma will also…”
“What?! What’s going on?!?”
“~~~~~~~!! Be quiet, Suzuki!!”
The rambunctious Mushakouji and his excited friends. They were the ones who were least hurt by the class competition. Suzuki and Utsunomiya were lucky to have bright personalities. Even Banma, who was hospitalized, was putting on a brave face. Mushakouji’s strong character was lifting the mood within the PT.
“What do you think about the 2nd-year class competition, Anzai?”
“Huh? Uh, I-I don’t know what to do… haha… Ki-Kikuta-san?”
“Huh? I-I’ll follow Sakaki-san, though?”
“…What’s Kikuta-san going to do?”
“Eh? Uh, I-I don’t know… haha…”
“…”
“Maybe it’s better to go watch… It might be a good learning experience, too…”
“Haha, nice one! What kind of learning experience will Kikuta have from watching the 2nd-year competition?”
“That’s, uh…”
“…Alright”
“Huh?”
“Let’s go watch the class competition”
“Fuh, Touko?”
“And, Kikuta-san, when you give your opinion, try to be more confident, okay? It’s annoying when you’re too humble…”
“S-sorry…”
“…Hmph”
It seems like things are going well. I don’t really understand the girls’ conversations, but Sakaki Touko seems to have softened a bit. As long as things go in a good direction, it’s all good――
“…”
The problem is the three of Matsunomatsu.
They got crushed in the class competition. It’s fortunate that they didn’t get seriously injured, but there was an accident where Lin, a PT member, got caught by group C. The Matsunomatsu trio, who were eliminated early, seemed to have internal conflicts within the PT due to that incident. The leader himself must have lost confidence by now. I hope they can recover somehow… but it’s tough.
“…It’s the 2nd-year class competition, huh. Of course, we’ll go too, right?”
“We might be able to see a battle between strong opponents, and it could be a model for our ABYSS exploration too…”
“…We might be able to see Aina’s fight too”
“Shōma’s older sister, huh? I’m interested too.”
“Then, let’s all go cheer him on together on the day of the event! Even Ran-chan would be happy!”
“If that’s the case, let’s invite Shōma-kun to sit with us too. We can get him to explain things as well.”
“Huh, him? Well, I don’t mind, but…”
“I agree with Tōkai too. His observational skills are incredible.”
“…What’s with you two? You’re making a big deal about him, aren’t you? …Seriously, where did you two become so close?”
“That’s—”
“No way! It’s a secret, okay? ♪”
The three of them laughed together, but among them, Akiha remained silent. Even from an outsider’s perspective, it was clear that the atmosphere was strange. It wasn’t that the three of them were excluding Akiha, but rather Akiha himself was refusing to join the conversation. I’ve been paying attention to him, and this was the first time I’d seen Akiha like this.
“You’re already full, right? You can’t take anymore. If you push yourself too hard, you’ll self-destruct!”
…Earlier, I said something like that to Akiha. At the time, I didn’t know what I was saying, but now, looking at Akiha, I somehow understand.
“Alright, let’s get started then—”
Ishiru, who had come to the front of the blackboard, looked around the entire classroom and spoke.
“I’ve thought it over, and I have a plan to strengthen the entire D class. First, I want you all to—”