ALL NOVEL chapter 96
96. Summoning Courage, Moving Forward
That gentle and kind Reo was frowning in displeasure. Next to him, Hinano had her hands on her hips, looking dissatisfied.
The classmates gathered in the classroom seemed unable to hide their surprise at the sudden intrusion of the two.
Were they surprised that these two, who were close in class, were in conflict, or were they overwhelmed by the intensity of Reo and Hinano? The classroom fell silent, as if watching the scene unfold.
“Reo, Natsuki… why are you two suddenly…”
“Because we had our thoughts. It’s true that Raito and Hanazaki-san’s proposal is appealing. It will surely be a great success at the cultural festival. But that’s not the point; isn’t the cultural festival something we all create together?”
“And you know, Raito, Yuna. You said that the scattered votes in the survey were proof that the class wasn’t united. That’s too forceful. It’s just that all the candidates Shindo prepared were attractive, and everyone’s hearts were swayed. To say that the class isn’t united because of that… it’s a bit unreasonable.”
Hinano sighed in exasperation. Next to her, Reo shook his head in disbelief.
Seeing their reactions, Hanazaki Yuna pressed her lips tightly together, and Fusegawa Raito stepped forward to argue.
“B-but, if that’s the case, no matter how much we discuss it, nothing will be decided! Someone has to step up and lead everyone, guiding us to ensure the cultural festival is a success! So I—”
“Yes, Kizaki-kun, Natsuki-chan! I thought it would be better for us to decide on a better proposal and get everyone’s agreement! So, um…”
“Raito, Yuna. That’s not right.”
Hinano sharply denied Hanazaki Yuna’s words. Then she let out a big sigh.
“It seems I have to be clear. Raito, Yuna, isn’t Shindo missing from your ‘everyone’? You’re excluding Shindo, who has worked harder than anyone for the success of our cultural festival, and you call that ‘deciding on a better proposal and getting agreement’?”
“W-well, if Shindo is here, the discussion might get complicated again!”
“Y-yeah! If we want to unite the class, this method…”
Hinano listened to their words and sighed once more, “Haa…”
—
—
And this time, Reo began to speak slowly, as if explaining to a young child.
“That’s why it’s wrong. Indeed, Ryusuke was an undeniable delinquent until the middle of the first semester. He caused trouble in class, stopped coming to school, and I thought it would be absolutely impossible to get along with him.”
“Y-yeah!? Then, after all…”
“But now it’s different, isn’t it? He’s facing his past, reflecting on it, trying hard to change himself, and even now he’s making an effort to regain the trust of everyone in class. So why… why can’t you try to understand that? How long are you going to keep him isolated from the class?”
Reo spoke to the two of them as if pleading.
After the first semester, spending the same time during summer break, it was Reo who cared about me more than anyone else in class.
Having been reincarnated into this world, continuously confronting the fate of being a villain, it was Reo who had seen that struggle up close, more than anyone else in class, and that’s why I felt an overwhelming joy that made me want to cry.
And then there was Himeno, who had given me the opportunity to become friends in the second semester and was working hard with me for the cultural festival.
As one of the main heroines supporting the protagonist, she was now trying to persuade the two just like Reo.
The discomfort I felt towards my childhood friend, Fusegawa Raito. To confirm its true nature, Himeno had started to actively talk to me.
It was a new connection formed because I reached out, wanting to reconcile Fusegawa Raito and Himeno.
In the original story, Himeno had an exceptionally strong sense of justice, and with her unwavering will, she faced any difficulty head-on.
She confronted anyone she thought was wrong, even if it meant facing cold stares from those around her, and she had always upheld her own sense of justice.
That new bond formed with Himeno now felt incredibly reassuring.
Then, as if agreeing with Reo’s words, Himeno opened her mouth and nodded.
“Also, the reason I gathered everyone today is for the tasting session of the sweets that Shindo prepared. Shindo has been getting ready early in the morning for the class. And yet, to just throw away that opportunity… I can’t understand what Raito and the others are doing.”
“Raito, Himeno-san is right. You’re trying to push through your own ideas at the expense of Ryusuke’s efforts and feelings. Is that really the right thing to do?”
“…”
At Reo’s earnest words, Fusegawa Raito and Hanazaki Yuna fell silent.
Everyone in class held their breath at the powerful words from the two.
And then, after hearing Reo and Himeno’s words, Mashiro looked at me with her clear blue eyes shining brightly.
“Reo-kun and Natsukoi-san are supporting Ryusuke. I also… want Ryusuke’s efforts to be rewarded. So, let’s go. I’ll be with you. I’ll support you from the side.”
“Mashiro… thank you. Yeah, let’s go. With our heads held high, we’ll express our feelings.”
Reo and Himeno were pleading for me.
Wishing for my efforts to be rewarded, they gathered their courage and stepped forward.
And now Mashiro was also thinking of me, pushing me forward. She stood beside me, giving me the courage to move ahead. Then I wanted to respond to that. I wanted to repay that feeling.
To overturn the fate of the original story and win a happy future walking alongside Mashiro.
With a strong resolve and hope in my heart, I stepped onto the stage of the classroom with Mashiro.