ALL NOVEL The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 93
93: The Return of Shoma
――SIDE: Kanzaki Ayumu――
The day has finally come.
The day of the class competition.
Before HR. The students in Class D were all restless, as if they had lost their composure. We had been training ourselves for a short period, looking forward to the competition. However, no one knew what the competition would be like or how we would compete with other classes.
Everyone was concerned about that.
“Is Shoma going to be okay……?”
While putting his hands on his hips, Sōji murmured with a gloomy expression. I knew he had been absent from school, thinking about things, but it was surprising that he didn’t show up on the day of the class competition.
I knew the circumstances, and that was my reaction.
Those who didn’t know what was going on would be uneasy.
Or, in this case, “dissatisfied”?
“――In the end, that guy Ishizuru is not fit to be a class leader!!”
“!”
Ishinose Hiroji, sitting by the window, was venting his frustrations about Ishizuru to his friends. There were also other groups, like Sakaki Tōko’s, that had formed without our knowledge. Are enemies of enemies allies? It seemed they had become quite close without us realizing it.
“What a coward, running away at a critical moment! I’m genuinely shocked that there are people who want to support him!”
“Are the three class leader candidates, including Aiba-kun, finally going to come to their senses because of this incident?”
“Eh? Sakaki-san, isn’t that pointless? Aren’t they the kind of people who would lose to the lowest of the low, Ishizuru? I was disappointed when I heard about it, and it’s pointless to have expectations. It would be better if Hiroji became the class leader. Anyone who opposes him is an enemy for sure.”
……Blah blah blah. Those guys are so good at talking loudly, but they’re just trying to be heard. Has Shinoda Airi already forgotten that she would’ve died if Shouma hadn’t been there? The other yes-men are also pathetic……!
“Is Shouma really not coming?”
Kubo, standing nearby, asked us four, including Akiho. He must be worried too; his face didn’t have any confidence.
“I don’t know. He’s unreadable, after all.”
“It’s a tough situation. Even if he chose not to come, it wouldn’t be strange, but—”
“Shouma……”
Mushanokouji’s anxious expression floated to the surface. If we’re already like this before it starts, the outcome of the competition is already clear.
We have to change the atmosphere somehow—
That’s what I thought.
“—He’s coming.”
“Huh?”
Phoenix, who had been silent until now, cut in curtly.
“He’s an idiot, a fool, a coward, and a pervert with the worst s*xual deviance! But he’s a guy who always shows up in times of crisis!! ……It’s not like anything can be done even if he comes, and the situation might even get worse. But it’s impossible for him not to come in a situation like this!!”
“—What’s going on in your heart?”
While adjusting his tilted glasses, Kubo leaned forward, asking Phoenix.
“—I’m in trouble, okay? He’s not going to abandon me, is he……!?”
“——”
Everyone lost their voices in shock.
“Kurenai-chan——”
“Phoenix, you——”
Has she finally become honest——?
Just as I and Touka were about to speak up—
“—Huh? What’s going on here?”
The rumored Shouma poked his face out from the classroom door.
“—I, Shouma!!?”
“Whoa!? What’s with the sudden loud voices and surprised faces!?”
“Oh, oh, oh, oh——!!”
“What were you doing until now!!?”
“This side was worried sick!!”
“Yeah, you’re late, Shouma!!”
“But it’s good that you’re energetic!!”
“You should’ve contacted us at least!!”
“Hahaha! It’s great that you came!!”
“I’m a bit late, but——”
“Ow, ow, ow, ow——!! Stop messing around!!”
The atmosphere around us suddenly livened up.
The Isogai group must have noticed too. They were staring at us with stunned expressions.
“—What’s going on……I thought I was finally attending school, but you guys are too energetic? It seems like you were doing fine without me, huh? You’re more energetic than ever!!”
“You……”
Akiho let out a tired voice due to Shouma’s grand misunderstanding. I’ve recently realized that Shouma’s self-evaluation is surprisingly low. He’s probably speaking his true mind. He has a really troublesome personality…….
“Sho Shin…”
“K, Kurenai…”
The two fiancés standing opposite each other.
The tense atmosphere made us involuntarily hold our breath.
“…what’s going on?”
Sho Shin broke the silence. With a cautious tone, he threw a question at Hou.
“…are you kidding me? You didn’t have to come…”
“…huh?”
“You think D-class can lose to other classrooms? Just make sure you don’t drag everyone down, okay?”
“Hah~n! You’re going to regret saying that. I’m stronger than you, Hou, so you should be more careful!”
“A little ahead of yourself, aren’t you—!”
“Hey, Hou-chan, calm down!”
“This husband-and-wife comedy is ridiculous!”
“Who’s the husband?!”
Kurenai’s anger flared up at Suzuki’s teasing remark. It seemed like the usual scene was back.
“…Ishizuru… you…”
“What’s wrong, Ishizuru? You look so frustrated. You were so close to winning…”
“Don’t get too cocky, Ishizuru! It doesn’t change what we’re going to do!”
“Our combat power has increased during the weekend’s free exploration! You can’t keep hiding and pretending to be strong! Big mistake!”
Sho Shin, receiving the sarcastic remarks from Ishizuru and Sakakibara, let out a sigh and shrugged his shoulders.
“…then, I’ll pray that your pitiful efforts will pay off in the competition.”