Chapter 27: School Life and Hitori Gotoh
The bell rang.
Today's class was World History, taught by Mafuyu Kirisu.
The atmosphere in the classroom instantly became heavy.
Among the student body, this teacher was famously known as "Ice Face." She always wore a cold expression, and her words and actions were extremely concise and forceful. One look told you she wasn't someone to be messed with.
Together with the "Iron Fist Teacher" Shizuka Hiratsuka, she was one of the two great myths of the Sobu High!
"Ahem. Let's begin class..."
From his seat, Haruka only took one glance at the textbook and roughly guessed what she was going to teach today.
For a moment, Haruka actually didn't know what to do with himself.
Was this the joy of being an academic genius?
It had to be said, Mafuyu Kirisu was a good teacher; her strictness was merely on the surface.
Today, her teaching speed was noticeably slower than usual, and she explained things in much greater detail.
"Alright. If anyone has questions, you may ask me."
"Additionally, if Nishimiya-san needs anything, you can come to my office after class."
***
Time ticked by.
After a certain class ended.
Sure enough, Shoko Nishimiya walked out of the classroom.
Haruka followed her out.
They arrived behind the school building.
Just as it happened in the simulation.
Yumiko Miura went to buy a notebook, leaving Shoko Nishimiya to wait for her. Then, several pieces of trash, using curiosity as an excuse, approached her.
However, this time, they had just opened their mouths...
Haruka stepped out from behind them.
"Delinquents these days have no class."
"Who the hell are you?! This has nothing to do with you, you—"
Smack!
A swift and powerful slap struck the delinquent's face, instantly dropping him into a sleep as peaceful as a baby's.
Facing Haruka, whose body had been enhanced three times, these three delinquents were no match for him at all.
They couldn't even withstand a second move before all of them were on their knees.
Shoko Nishimiya, watching from the side, looked on with shining eyes.
It had to be said, the threefold enhancement to Haruka's body didn't just seem to boost his strength; it seemed to have elevated his looks as well.
Although it wasn't much, with a little grooming, he could now be considered a handsome guy.
And when that was paired with his clean, efficient movements, the classic trope of "hero rescues the girl" instantly worked its magic.
"Are you okay?"
"Mhm-hmm."
Shoko looked at him timidly and raised the communication notebook in her hand, on which was written the word: Thank You.
Looking at those two words.
For some reason, Haruka subconsciously thought of the simulation, of the "her" who always said thank you.
"...No need to thank me. We're friends, after all."
Shoko bit her lower lip lightly with her pearly white teeth. Looking at Haruka's figure, she felt an urge to cry.
Friends?
Friends!
"Nishimiya-san?" Yumiko Miura, who had just returned, looked at Haruka and Shoko with some confusion.
Subsequently.
Haruka told her what had just happened.
Just like in the simulation, Yumiko Miura was someone with a cold face but a warm heart.
"Those damn bastards! Unrecyclable trash! I..."
Yup, still very "straightforward."
***
After school in the afternoon.
Haruka packed his things, ready to go home.
He was a member of the 'Go-Home Club.' As for club activities, he considered them a pure waste of time.
Beside him, Shoko had packed up long ago and was just waiting for Haruka to leave together.
She stood silently by his side, watching quietly without saying a word.
"Let's go."
"By the way, did you go see Kirisu-sensei?"
Shoko shook her head.
"Forget it. Next time, if there's anything you don't understand, just ask me."
Shoko nodded hurriedly.
She followed Haruka closely, matching his steps.
As for doubting the weight of Haruka's words?
She didn't have that thought.
"Shoko, do you want to make friends?"
Haruka, walking in front, suddenly turned his head and asked.
Shoko looked at Haruka in confusion, then nodded.
"Alright. Then let's not go home just yet. We're going somewhere." Saying that, he headed toward the club building.
Shoko didn't hesitate and followed him straight away.
Soon.
They arrived.
A clubroom.
There was a sign hanging outside the door—Service Club.
???
Shoko looked at the sign in confusion, then extended a finger, tapped the sign lightly, and tugged on Haruka's sleeve.
Like a little squirrel reminding its owner.
Looking at this sign, the corner of Haruka's mouth twitched.
"Service Club… seriously?"
It really did sound misleading!
Or rather, if you didn't misunderstand it, it would make people wonder if your basic education was lacking.
So, even someone as pure as Shoko felt hesitant looking at this sign.
Haruka shook his head.
Just then.
Haruka spotted a pink figure flickering in and out of sight behind a green trash can not far from the Service Club entrance.
"Hey!"
Buzz!
The pink figure trembled and instantly vanished inside the trash can.
Haruka strode over.
And saw.
Inside the empty green trash can, there was a girl who looked very cute, but her entire aura somehow screamed "weak, pitiful, and helpless," making one want to bully her relentlessly. She was carrying something on her back, hugging her head with both hands, curling up inside the trash can, and shivering.
She seemed to be muttering something under her breath. "You can't see me, you can't see me, you can't see me..."
Hey, I already opened the lid!
"...Hello? Gotoh-san?"
"???"
Trembling, she opened her eyes a slit from inside the trash can and peeked at Haruka.
"You... know me? You know my name?"
Her voice was faint and filled with weakness.
Haruka: "What do you think? Gotoh-san, you sit right behind me. Why did you think I wouldn't know you?"
This was a lie!
If not for the simulation, Haruka actually wouldn't have remembered she sat behind him.
Hearing this, Hitori Gotoh's eyes lit up. "You really know me? Why do you know me?"
"..."
"..."
"Can you come out of the trash can first?"
"Ahem."
Hitori Gotoh hurriedly crawled out of the trash can.
"Um, I... I... I was just..."
Once she was out, Hitori Gotoh suddenly started stuttering, her face flushing bright red.
Shoko walked up beside her and waved her hand, signaling her to relax.
Unfortunately, Hitori, who kept her head lowered the whole time, showed no sign of relaxing.
"Never mind. What is Gotoh-san doing here?" Haruka asked curiously.
He knew of Hitori Gotoh. She was a character from an anime in his previous life, something called Bocchi the Rock. It was an inspirational story about changing oneself and making friends through a band, right? Something about "Bocchi-chan" and "friendship fees"?
Haruka didn't remember clearly. He didn't watch every single anime.
"I... I heard this place can help people grant wishes."
Hitori Gotoh said with her head down.
Looking at her, it seemed she wished she could retract her head into her neck like a turtle.
This inferiority complex was too severe—no, this was social anxiety, right?!
Even Shoko's condition was better than hers!
Haruka rubbed his brow, feeling a headache coming on.
"Since you're also here for the Service Club, let's go in together."
"Huh? Eh?! Wa—"
Hitori wanted to say something more.
But Haruka had already knocked on the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Please come in."
The door opened.
----
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