READ NOVEL ONLINE The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 144
144 D-class Strengthening Conference③ Shō
What is he saying all of a sudden?
Does he want to go solo?
――Aiba?
“What’s with him, anyway? — No, no, it’s already decided, isn’t it?”
I was trying to make a joke, but the atmosphere in the room was tense. I forced a laugh and said, “That’s a harsh joke, isn’t it?”
On the other hand, Akiho was dead serious.
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Wh-what’s wrong? I-I mean, of course…”
I stumbled over my words. Akiho alone couldn’t take down the hierarchy leader. It was a fact, but I hesitated to point it out directly.
“…After experiencing the class competition, I realized it clearly. The gap between us is…”
“A-Akiho…?”
“It’s no surprise, coming from Tenjuin. He’s always been strong, and I was wrong to think I could match him. Honestly, I have no idea how big the gap is between us, it’s beyond my comprehension…”
“Y-you’re not ordinary, Akiho! Nobody in this classroom thinks you’re ordinary, and…”
“It’s not about that!! Why does Tenjuin ignore me?!”
The entire classroom was shocked by Akiho’s angry outburst.
Ah, damn it! The annoying part of Akiho’s personality is showing again! It’s all because of Tenjuin, who’s been messing with him since childhood…
Akiho, who was always flirting with the heroines, was seen as “dead-eyed,” “unpleasant,” and “a fake couple hiding their true nature” by the original players.
Akiho was too obsessed with Tenjuin. He had been told to protect him since childhood, and on top of that, Tenjuin was ignoring him. Tenjuin’s father had even committed seppuku because of him, and their family was ruined. Having experienced so much hardship, it was no wonder Akiho had developed such a twisted personality…
“Shoma, you’re special to Tenjuin, aren’t you?! Otherwise, he wouldn’t do such a thing!”
“Eh? Ah, eh, ah…”
Stop it, I don’t want to hear it! Don’t bring up that time (our first kiss) again!
The students started to get noisy again.
It seemed like the atmosphere in the room had changed a bit…
“If I can take down the hierarchy leader alone, then he can’t ignore me… so I’ll do it!!”
“Are you serious, Akiho-kun?!”
“…You’re being reckless. You should reconsider.”
“Shut up! Both of you, just shut up!!”
“—!!”
Huh? God, are you not listening to what Godasaki and Shinonome are saying? It’s impossible to stop this…
“…I’ll decide after the 2nd-year class competition is over! So, Akiho, don’t get too heated! Calm down, okay?”
“…”
“—Yes! The meeting is adjourned! Everyone else, you can explore or go back as you like! Ah, and Koume, Godasaki, and Shinonome, stay behind!! That’s all, dismissed!!”
I forcefully ended the class meeting.
What’s going on, anyway? It’s getting annoying…
◆
“What’s wrong with him, anyway?”
At a family restaurant, I was sitting with Godasaki, Shinonome, and Koume, discussing the events of today’s meeting.
The topic was Akiho’s sudden change.
As the ace of Class D, if he continued to act like that, it would affect the upcoming class competition.
Somehow, I need to get back on track…!
…Damn it!
Originally, I was going to use this time to ask Akane about her feelings towards Shoma, but it seems that’s not going to happen now.
Unpleasant things are always put off till later…!
There’s too much to do, and it’s really tough…!
“Is it because of that incident during the competition?”
“The competition…?”
Akane explained in detail about what happened during the competition, as if she sensed my doubts.
Surrounded by students from Class C, Akiho called out “Tenjuin” repeatedly, overwhelming the students. It was an abnormal scene, and it was hard to believe she was in her right mind…
“Ugh…”
As I listened to the story, I couldn’t help but let out a sigh.
This is a tough problem for someone with communication anxiety like me.
I wish I could just leave it to the other three.
“…Either way, we can’t just leave it like this.”
“Should we try to persuade him again?”
“But will he even listen to us in that state?”
Akane’s concerns were the most valid.
In reality, I had just provoked Akiho from the side, making her angry.
“…From the way he talks, it seems like Akiho has an extraordinary obsession with the student council president.”
“He’s burning with rivalry towards Shoma, and that’s the reason, isn’t it? What’s good about this guy anyway…?”
“The way you put it might be wrong, but I agree with the content. This time, I’m the victim. The conflict between Tenjuin and Akiho has nothing to do with me.”
“But, but! Even if you say it has nothing to do with you, we can’t just leave it like this! If we do, Shoma will go to the floor master’s place alone!”
“…What’s the reality? I don’t know since I’ve never fought with Ifrit and the others. Can Shoma really take down an opponent like that alone?”
“No way…I think it’s difficult. I’m not underestimating Akiho, but it’s not like she has prior knowledge at level 10, right? If we prepare beforehand, I think we can get to a good point…”
“It’s not perfect, though…”
“We can’t let Shoma go alone, that’s for sure! We have to do something to persuade him…”
Akane said, but since we didn’t know how to persuade him, the meeting went on in circles.
It can’t be helped.
Let’s try to do something about it, even if it’s useless.
“I’ll try to contact Tenjuin.”
“!!”
“I’ll say it just in case, but it’s not guaranteed to work, so don’t get your hopes up too high!”
“Are you going to introduce the student council president and Shoma?”
“That’s…?”
“Is it going to be okay?”
The three of them looked worried in various ways.
Don’t be too scared.
I’m worried too.
“The root of all evil is Tenjuin. So, I’ll make him take responsibility. I don’t know what will happen later. If we can have a peaceful conversation and resolve the issue between the parties involved, that would be the best, right? I don’t know.”
It’s a big deal, so I’ll say it twice.
Before the class competition began, he said, “I’ll be your ally.”
Then, I’ll rely on him fully.
“So, it’s decided. Are you all ready?”
I asked, and Kanzaki murmured, “…No problem,” while Touka replied energetically, “I’m all set!” That guy, Akane, seemed unprepared, but it was too late. I immediately pressed the call button on the table.
At the same time, the cute shop assistant came walking over with a patter.
The order was already decided!!
“Curry rice and cream soda!!”
“Chicken and sweet and sour pork cutlet set meal, one!”
“Pollock roe pasta and strawberry milk!!”
“I, uh, um…!?”
“Hurry up, idiot!!”
“What’s with you, yelling at me?! You’re the one who pressed the button!!”
“It’s your fault for being late!! I’m starving, my stomach’s growling!!”
“You chose it yourself, didn’t you?”
“Ah, ah, oh…? Sir…?”
“…She gets this.”
“I’ll have it!!”
“…What did you order, Tō?”
“Shima-hokke set meal… It’s delicious, you know?”
“Ugh…”