ALL NOVEL The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 63
63: Waking Up on a Sunday in ABYSS
The alarm on my portal terminal in my pocket rang softly. Although I had adjusted the volume to be considerate of those around me, it rang louder than expected, and I panicked alone. I reached out of my sleeping bag, opened the zipper, and sat up. Once I was exposed to the outside air, my head cleared quickly. I got out of my sleeping bag, still in my jersey, and walked to the reception area.
“Shower room”
“I’m sorry. The key is over here.”
“Uh”
It’s like an amusement park.
I thought to myself while walking towards the changing room.
I took a shower, washed my face, brushed my teeth, and put on my worn-out uniform. I need to prepare a spare uniform to change into later… Wearing the same uniform for a whole day is quite painful for someone who likes cleanliness like me. Fortunately, the transfer area has a coin laundry, and it would be useless not to utilize it.
While waiting for the others to prepare, I was fiddling with my magical crystal terminal (Portal) in front of the transfer stone. The 1-D students… apart from their achieved levels, nothing has changed. Members who didn’t participate in the class leader election remain unchanged as well.
Ishino, Sakakibara, and Mihomatsu… those guys skipped Saturday’s exploration, didn’t they?
I don’t know what they’re planning to do today, but I doubt they’ll show up on Sunday after skipping Saturday. Do they lack motivation or what?… Anyway, with things as they are, 1-D won’t be able to move up.
“If the class leader is decided, and that’s what improves things, then that’s fine…”
Well, it’s none of my business, after all.
One of those three will become the class leader, and it’s pointless for me to worry about the class.
As I thought about it, the 1-D students gathered in front of the transfer stone. Watching them chat and laugh together, I, who didn’t get along with them, ignored them and turned my attention back to my magical crystal terminal (Portal).
“It’s time!”
Mushakouji’s voice rang out. Has his injury from yesterday already healed? He seems energetic, which is a relief.
“Everyone shares the map information of the transfer stone leading to the 4th floor, courtesy of Shouma’s map, right?”
Aoi asked me, approaching from a distance. He seemed concerned about me, who was isolated from the group.
It’s unnecessary concern, but… well, there’s nothing I can do about it.
“Ah, yeah. So, yesterday’s advantage is gone, anyway.”
I lightly waved my hand in response.
That’s how adults handle things, I suppose.
“… Why did you do something that puts yourself at a disadvantage? Do you have some kind of plan?”
“Plan?”
I shot a disappointed glance at Bou, who asked. Maybe the others think the same way? Half of them looked suspicious.
Losing popularity is tough, isn’t it?
“First of all, I don’t think this is a disadvantage. We’re all starting from scratch, and there’s no reason I, who was leading on the first day, can’t lead on the second day either.”
“… Who saved Mushakouji?”
“Who’s Mushakouji? Helping someone in trouble is normal, isn’t it? What do you think I am?”
“…”
It’s no use.
No matter how much I explain, I couldn’t gain Bou’s trust. The same goes for the others around me. It seems I’m hated by everyone. What a shock.
“No matter what you’re planning, you’re not going to become the class leader. That’s all I want to say.”
“Got it.”
Bou said that and led his friends to the 3rd floor. He’s got spirit, but maybe he’s a bit too confident…? It’s as if Bou is the leader.
What does he want to do by making others do things for him?
“Shouma!”
“What’s up, Banba, or Utsunomiya…?”
It’s rare for these two to talk to me.
I sense that it’s about yesterday’s incident.
“… We need to talk before we leave…”
“What do you want to talk to me about?”
“Thanks for saving Mushakouji-san, Shouma! We’re grateful…”
“Ah, yeah…”
I got a bit embarrassed when they thanked me politely. I don’t think I did anything that great…
… Or is that it? The silence that follows is uncomfortable, isn’t it?!
There’s no way…!
We need to find a topic… something to talk about…
“…Hey, wasn’t that camera okay?”
“――Huh? Uh, yeah?”
“When we took it back from Class C, we handled it pretty roughly, didn’t we? I was a bit worried about it, but it didn’t break, so that’s good.”
“…Huh?”
“Yeah?”
“Just wait a minute, just wait a minute…”
Utsunomiya’s guy mutters “Huh? What’s going on…?” as he sinks into deep thought.
What’s going on, indeed… I’d like to know that too. I tilt my head, and Banma does the same. As we’re doing that, Mushakōji, accompanied by Suzuki Ippei, arrives from that direction.
“It’s about time we left, too.”
“Yeah, okay. Whatever.”
“…Ishizuru Shōma.”
“Yeah?”
“I’ll return the favor someday. And separately, I’ll make sure to win this class leader election!”
Mushakōji declares, saying “Let’s go!” as she and her friends transfer to the third floor. Utsunomiya, who was flustered, hastily follows them.
――A debt. A debt, huh?
What comes to mind is Mushakōji’s breasts that I saw yesterday. Honestly, if I say I’ve already repaid the debt, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration…
“What’s with that disgusting look on your face?”
“Hey! It’s Beniha!?”
As I’m enjoying my perverted fantasy, my fiancée, who has lost her dere side, glares at my back from behind.
“You’re getting aroused just thinking about any girl, aren’t you? Your true nature is exposed. You’re really disgusting…”
“What’s with my true nature?!”
“Don’t you think Mushakōji-san is beautiful? You like big breasts, and if you help her, she might fall in love with you, right? Were you thinking that?”
“H-hey! What’s with that?!”
“Your gaze is disgusting! You’ve been staring at her chest the whole time! Any girl would notice that, so you should stop!”
“N-no…”
Beniha’s words leave me shocked to the core.
D-did I get found out?!
Maybe that’s why girls in my previous world avoided me too?!
I-I didn’t want to know that!!!
Shocked!!!
“Ahh! Beniha-chan, you’re fighting again!”
“N-no, it’s not a fight…!”
“No way, Beniha-chan. We’re going to explore ABYSS now, right? Let’s not waste our energy!”
“Ugh…”
“Understood? Then go over there? The others are calling us to prepare the items.”
“Huh? Items? Why now…? Ah, okay. I’ll go take a look.”
“Yeah.――Sa-te-to…”
“Heh!?”
Right before my eyes, Touka appeared, and I let out a small cry of surprise. The atmosphere around her was completely different from before.
“…Hmm? From your reaction, I think you already know what I want to say, don’t you?”
“A, ah…”
“If I expose your true identity, I won’t guarantee the lives of you or your family…”
“—”
“Hehe…is that all you’ve got? Later, we can talk more about it. After the exploration, let’s have a private chat. By the way, you don’t have the right to refuse, so be prepared. If you’re obedient, I’ll make you feel good…”
“—!”
I had no choice but to nod.
Touka gave a sly smile, her expression like a little devil. She slowly wrapped her arms around my neck, bringing her enticing lips close to my ear.
“—A stimulating experience that would make Kouga jealous…I’ll give it to you, Ishirou-kun…”
Every time her breath touched my ear, I felt like I was about to reach my limit. This was the real Touka…
I knew it, but she was seriously terrifying!!
“Hehe, see you later, Ishirou-kun!”
“…”
Touka gave me a light kiss on the cheek and left, leaving me frozen in fear. She was like a succubus…her destructive power was more than I had anticipated. As a man, I was at a disadvantage against her.
――After a while, the Sagae PT departed, leaving me alone in the transfer area.
I had only one choice.
“Yes! Let’s go eat gyudon without thinking about anything!”
――A brave retreat. In other words, it was a de facto retirement from the 1-D class selection battle!!