Chapter 22 Classmates
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
When I returned to the boys’ dormitory, Gil-san was already sitting at the reception desk, reading manga with great enthusiasm. The stack of books was the same Yankee manga as yesterday.
Could it be that this is the only manga available and he’s been reading it over and over again? Again and again and again…
Feeling worried, I hurried back to my room. I don’t think it’s a good idea for Gil-san’s mind to be filled with Yankee manga.
So, I took out the manga books that I had collected from the pile of trash in the storage room.
I thought I would need them for Gil-san, so I have a lot of offerings ready.
I packed all 31 volumes of the manga into a suitable paper bag and prepared for a shower before going down to the 1st floor.
As I approached Gil-san, who was focused with a hint of determination, I gently placed the paper bag sideways on the counter.
”Gil-san, this is…”
Gil-san raised his gaze and looked into the paper bag.
”Hmm… is it a comic book?”
”Yes, it’s a sports-themed one.”
”Sports?”
So, he doesn’t know about any other comics, huh?
”It’s a comic about sports.”
”Ha! Sports, huh? Boring. Sorry, but I’m not interested in playing around.”
Gil laughed as if he was making fun of it.
”No, the main character is a Yankee, and it’s a masterpiece called ‘Kingdom of Manga’ in my country. Even if you think I’m trying to trick you, please give it a read.”
It’s a story about a Yankee high school student who encounters basketball and grows.
”Hmph, alright. If you’re saying that much, I’ll read it. But if you show me something boring, I’ll turn it into concrete and use it as fish bait, kid.”
Please refrain from that Yankee attitude. You’re already quite old.
After making sure that the lower part of the reception acrylic board was completely empty by pushing in a paper bag, Gil took the first volume and I headed to the shower to take a bath.
As I was returning to my room after taking a shower, I saw Gil-san at the reception desk, completely absorbed in reading a manga. Well, looks like he’s doing fine.
When I got back to my room and was thinking about what to have for breakfast, I received a chat message from Higurashi.
I was curious, so I checked it out.
GC: Tsuchimiya × Higurashi
Higurashi: My room. (Image)
It was a picture of a luxurious special room on the top floor, it seems. But even though the size of the room may be bigger, it doesn’t beat my room.
I’ll take a picture of my room and attach it to the message too.
Higurashi: My room. (Image)
Tsuchimiya: My room. (Image)
I quickly received a reply, so I replied back.
Higurashi: What!? What do you mean!? I thought Tsuchimiya-senpai would be satisfied with a small, poor-looking room! Where did you steal it from?
Tsuchimiya: Excuse me. I collected it from the dorm’s bulky garbage. It’s a piece of cake if you use the storage room (laughs).
Higurashi: You scoundrel, let’s call it a draw this time! Good morning. I’ll contact you if anything comes up.
Tsuchimiya: Oh, yes. Good morning.
Higurashi seems energetic, which is great. Speaking of which, besides here, there are two boys’ dorms and two girls’ dorms near the main gate. I wonder which girls’ dorm Higurashi chose.
Curious, I look out the window at the girls’ dorm across from me, and Higurashi is waving from the balcony on the top floor.
Must be a neighbor. And she’s definitely keeping an eye on my room as well. Come to think of it, they had their lights on all night.
I wave back quickly and have breakfast.
Today’s menu is cup noodles and canned yakitori. I want to have a proper meal for lunch. Maybe the cafeteria.
After finishing breakfast and taking a break, I leave the dorm at my usual time.
The scene on the way to school surprisingly doesn’t seem much different from usual. There are occasional minor fights due to people being more hot-blooded, and girls casually walk around with swords hanging from their waist, but it doesn’t have the desolate atmosphere I had imagined. People are smiling and chatting as usual.
When I entered the usual classroom, it was as noisy as always. Several groups were gathered, chatting loudly.
I, as usual, made my way to the back of the classroom and headed to my designated lonely seat by the window at the very back.
Some students looked at me questioningly, but my stealth ability should be quite high. Let’s just blend in like air.
But when I reached my (my own) seat, another girl student was sitting there.
In front of my seat, there was a lively girl student who always gathered with her two friends during break time for a chat, but now there were three. My seat must have been empty for a long time, so it’s inevitable that it’s being treated like this.
My bag was still hanging next to the desk, so it seemed like there was no seat change.
I spoke to the girl student who was sitting in my seat and chatting. She was a quite petite, childlike girl with semi-long hair and bangs held with a strawberry hairpin.
”Sorry, that’s my seat over there.”
Ichigo-chan looked at me as if she had seen a ghost. It’s natural, right? I mean, a person who was supposed to be dead suddenly appeared.
”Uh, sorry!”
Ichigo-chan turned red and quickly moved from her seat in a fluster.
”No, it’s my fault for being a shut-in, so don’t worry about it.”
I’ve been living in the dungeon since the first day.
It’s like I forcefully inserted myself into the girls’ circle, but this is my territory. Actually, this desk is the only place I belong.
”Who’s that?”
”Tsuchimiya-kun… isn’t it?”
”No way!? That Tsuchimiya? Isn’t that bad!?”
”No way, is it for real? He’s been on the dead list since the first day.”
”It’s a fake Tsuchimiya-kun. It’s not the Tsuchimiya-kun I know!”
Even though they’re whispering, I can hear them perfectly! What’s a fake Tsuchimiya? It’s super uncomfortable being stared at, but maybe it’s better than being loudly talked about.
For now, I’ll observe the classroom behind the girls like a wall.
Nah, I think I’ll pass. Not interested. Let’s take a nap until homeroom starts. Well, same as always.
”Hey.”
As I lay my arm on my desk and put my face down, I heard a voice above me. For a moment, I thought it was about me, but it was probably just some girls chatting, I guess. I ignored it, and then I felt a poke on my head.
When I lifted my head, the girl from the front row was sitting next to me, leaning on my desk and peering in. She was really close.
Her hair was in a straight short cut. She had a calm vibe but a bright and lively smile, and she seemed to be sociable and have a wide circle of friends. She was the center of this group. I don’t remember her name.
”Are you Tsuchimiya-kun?”
”Yes, I’m Tsuchimiya.”
”Oh, I see. I messed up. My bad.”
”?”
The girl who seemed like a leader dropped her shoulders and let out a dramatic sigh. What could she be talking about?
”Hey, do you know my name?”
”Sorry, I don’t remember.”
As I answer, I slump my shoulders in disappointment. I’m sorry, but there are only a few people whose names I can remember… Actually, there might not be anyone whose face matches their name.
”Um, I’m Maekawa Hiromi, the person sitting in front of you. Nice to meet you!”
”Ah, yes. I’m Tsuchimiya. Nice to meet you, too!”
I feel bewildered because it’s rare for a girl to talk to me in class. Even the boys who approached me at the beginning of the school year stopped bothering me, and by the time we were assigned to groups, everything became quiet.
”By the way, Tsuchimiya-kun, I have something to ask you. Would you like to join our party?”
”Huh?”
After Maekawa-san whispers something, Ichigo-chan and the girl with long, thin hair bring chairs from nearby and sit next to me. The girl with brown, permed hair sits at the edge of my desk. She used to be a loner in the group. But now, she stands out because her hair color is different. She has a healthy, sun-kissed complexion and her makeup makes her face look flashy. She wears a sturdy combat belt around her waist, with a beautifully decorated dagger hanging from it.
That looks cool. If I hang various things on my uniform belt, it will quickly become worn out. If they sell it, I should buy one.
Anyway, for some reason, a siege network has been completed. I want to pretend to be asleep and avoid this, but I know I’ll probably be shaken awake.
”Sorry, but I don’t really feel like hanging out with other people. It’s easier to be by myself.”
”Yup, that’s just how Tsuchimiya-kun is. I won’t force you to do anything, so if you change your mind, just let me know. We’re in a bit of a pickle too, you know.”
Surprisingly, Maekawa-san easily backed off, and the other three seemed disappointed.
I was expecting a more forceful approach, so it’s kind of awkward when they take this noble attitude.
”Um, so, besides that, I have one more favor to ask. Is that okay?”
”A favor?”
Maekawa-san looked apologetic and asked with a pleading look. The other three also started to fidget, glancing back and forth between me and Maekawa-san.
”Um… if you’re okay with it, there’s something we want to ask you… what do you think?”
”Huh? Ask what…?”
Could it be…
”Yeah. Well… it’s about… having s*x.”
No way!? Am I being asked by my female classmates? And all four of them at the same time…
Ichigo-chan blushes and looks down, while the other two stare at me intently.
Normally, there would be no reason to refuse such an offer.
But I can’t accept this proposal. Because I’m only level 1.
Even if it’s just one person, I wouldn’t be able to satisfy them. It’s obvious if I’ve seen Higurashi’s insatiable prowess. And if it’s multiple partners, it could become like Gil-san’s story.
”Um, sorry. It’s not that I don’t want to. Actually, I’m kind of happy about it. But there are various circumstances, and I can’t accept that offer.”
”Oh… I see. Yeah, I guess you already have a partner.”
”……Well, yeah.”
It’s not exactly that, but if I say I’m at level 1, it could become a hassle, so it’s probably best to go with that. Really sorry about it.
”Ugh, I knew it. I feel like I missed out.”
The gal girl pouts and slumps her shoulders.
”But, there are plenty of other guys besides me, right?”
”Yeah, that’s true, but in reality, we agreed to help each other out. But the guys these days, they all look down on us girls with bloodshot eyes. They’re so rough.”
The gal girl answers my question.
”I thought Tsuchimiya-kun seemed calm about that. And he’s really loyal too. Most guys wouldn’t refuse.”
Maekawa-san says that, but I think it’s probably because I haven’t leveled up.
”Hey, um, what if she says yes later on… would that be okay? Look, things are getting pretty relaxed around here, right?”
The tall girl asked with a hesitant tone.
”Yeah, I guess… if that happens, I’ll be the one to ask,”
I replied, and she relaxed her expression, giving me a smile. None of the four girls were exactly supermodels, but I think they’re all pretty charming.
Just then, the sound of the sliding door opening made the chatter stop, and everyone started returning to their seats. The other three besides Maekawa-san went back to their own seats. Looks like the tall one is sitting next to me.
Walking in from the entrance was our homeroom teacher, wearing a tight pink skirt suit. She’s also the classical literature teacher, and she’s pretty and popular with the students. I wonder how the staff are treated. Do they go exploring dungeons or something?
When sensei stood at the podium, everyone sat down. Looking around, there are quite a few empty seats. I don’t think everyone died, but there are nearly ten empty seats.
The class representative gave the command to “stand up, bow, and sit down.”
After confirming that everyone was seated, sensei began to speak.
”Good morning, everyone. First, we have a report from the School Management Committee. Fukano-kun has been registered on the list of deceased as of yesterday at 2:00 p.m.”
Sensei’s expression was serious, and it was hard to read her emotions from her formal tone. The students listened quietly without causing any disturbance.
”Also, Tsuchimiya-kun has been removed from the list of deceased and has returned to the class roster.”
Sensei relaxed her expression a little and looked at me. Suddenly, the whole room turned their attention towards me, causing a stir in the air.
I felt a lot of attention on me. I’m not comfortable with this kind of atmosphere. I regret not starting the classes tomorrow.
At that moment, a dry sound, like a sharp snap, echoed through the room, and the classroom fell silent as everyone looked towards sensei’s desk. sensei had clapped her hands.
”There’s some important information to share. The martial arts training that was supposed to be held in the gym and the dojo has been moved to the nearby field because the sword training session is too crowded.”
Sensei continues to report calmly as if nothing has happened.
Oh, that’s cool. I want to be an adult like that too. I shouldn’t become an adult who’s influenced by Yankee manga and keeps saying painful lines.
”Next, it’s from the class representative.”
When Sensei looks at the girl in the front row, she walks to the podium and Sensei moves to the edge of the whiteboard.
The girl standing at the podium is the class representative of my class, with long black hair and black-rimmed glasses, looking cool and pretty. I don’t know her name.
”Now, we will hold our usual class meeting. As reported earlier by Minazuki-sensei, Fukano-kun has been added to the list of deceased, and Tsuchimiya-kun has been added to the class roster, so the current number of survivors in 2nd year Class D remains at 28.”
So, does that mean that 4 people have died? It’s a better number than I thought.
”Currently, there are 5 people at Level 1: Ishigami-kun, Itani-kun, Kanaoka-kun, Fujiwara-san, and Nishina-san. Please make sure to level up within this week, and we appreciate your cooperation. There have been reports of verbal abuse and acts resembling s*xual assault by some male students towards female students. Since there are two sides to this issue, we will avoid naming specific individuals for now, but if there is no improvement, the Student Council will request disciplinary action. Please be aware of this.”
There are a few male students who openly clicked their tongues or show a sulky attitude. It seems that the Student Council is serving as a deterrent.
”Also, Tsuchimiya-kun, who has returned to the class roster, we would like you to support the students who are falling behind in class events and dungeon exploration as a member of 2-D class from now on.”
”I refuse.”
When I responded, the class representative looked surprised and opened her mouth wide.
”W-what are you saying!? In order for us to survive, the class needs to come together as one! I can’t afford to have anyone disrupt the unity! “
”That’s your perspective. I have my own reasons. Sorry, but I have something more important to prioritize than the class.”
I am determined to do everything I can to cure Higurashi’s illness. This includes gathering information and getting stronger to reach the deepest part of the dungeon. Depending on the situation, I think it’s okay to remove Restriction Play. According to Tina, there is a possibility that the class that can use healing magic will learn a magic that can cure the illness if they level up. However, it is unknown whether it can cure Higurashi’s illness. Moreover, users of healing magic are extremely rare, so instead of finding and nurturing them as allies and waiting for them to learn magic by chance, it might be faster for me to wait until I can acquire the Title that allows me to use healing magic while still at level 1.
Regardless, I have no intention of dedicating time to a class that I am not familiar with for the sake of Higurashi.
”You can’t just do whatever you want! Since you’re already on the list of people who have survived in the dungeon from the first day, aren’t you the strongest person in the school? There are so many lives that you can save here! Are you planning to let them die just because it’s convenient for you!?”
Ugh, this is so annoying. What’s wrong with doing things according to my own convenience? I shouldn’t have any obligation to use my free time for people I don’t even know.
Oh well, I don’t really care anymore. If I show her this player card, maybe she’ll stop having unreasonable expectations of me.
As I put my hand in my pocket, a voice came from the class.
”Hey, Class Rep. Isn’t that a little overbearing? Participating in class activities is supposed to be voluntary, not forced.”
That was… one of those superficial guys from the ‘sunny’ group. I don’t know his name.
”In the first place, has anyone here ever had a conversation with Tsucchi? Ignoring him all this time and suddenly telling him to work for the class, of course it’s confusing for him. By the way, I talked to him earlier♪”
Oh, that brown-haired gal from earlier. And Is Tsucchi me? Did I talk to her enough to make her look smug? Well, it was kind of a heavy conversation about whether to do it or not. Oh, by the way, I didn’t even ask for her name.
”That’s right, we’re participating because we have our own benefits, but honestly, we’re too busy with our own stuff. If you’re going to use Tsuchimiya, the most dangerous cop killer, shouldn’t you first offer benefits that match that? I’m not up for volunteering, you know.”
Hey, outgoing guy from the sunny group! Don’t spread rumors, okay!
”Oh, even you guys! I’m saying this for everyone’s sake! If Tsuchimiya-kun can help everyone level up, then he can join my party! If we can raise our levels, the number of deaths will decrease, and we can resist the tyranny of Class E!”
”I can handle things on my own, and I’ve always done so. If I were to make friends, I’d choose them myself. I don’t intend to have the class rep take care of me.”
Earlier, those guys who were just clicking their tongues are now whistling and provoking. You guys are just happy that the class president is in a tough spot, aren’t you?
”Argh…”
The class president bites her lip with a frustrated look and glares at me.
At that moment, Minazuki-sensei, who had been quietly observing, chimed in.
”Irie-san, take a moment to cool your head. Isn’t your vision becoming narrow because of this ‘level up’? I admire and respect the effort you’re making for the class. But this time, are you trying to sacrifice Tsuchimiya-kun’s will for everyone’s sake? Isn’t that straying from the initial principle of respecting individuals?”
”W-Well… but, this should ultimately benefit Tsuchimiya-kun too!”
”That’s none of your business. This is something I’ll decide. If you want to do something for me, I’ll repay what I think is appropriate. I refuse to take on the responsibility for everyone’s lives that you’ve arbitrarily assigned as compensation.”
”That’s right, Chairman. Basically, it means we’re the same. It’s annoying when you use the righteous cause as an excuse to create weird precedents.”
The frivolous guy is backing me up. He’s calm and observing the situation, despite his appearance.
”Alright, I get it… It’s my bad.”
The Class Rep admitted fault with a lowered head.
Looks like I won’t have to do a Level 1 coming-out after all.
”Tsuchimiya-kun, if there’s anything troubling you, we’ll lend a hand if we can. In return, would you mind participating in class events when you have the time?”
”Yeah, I don’t mind doing that much.”
There might be times when I’ll need help. It wouldn’t hurt to earn a little favor for those moments.
Maekawa-san turned back and spoke in a worried, soft voice.
”Sorry, Tsuchimiya-kun. Irie-chan is a good girl, but she’s been a bit hot-headed lately.”
”It’s okay. Maekawa-san doesn’t need to apologize.”
I guess it’s the effect of leveling up. Even though Maekawa-san and the others looks normal, there must be personality differences. Even if they look normal, their boiling point might be lower, so I need to be careful when interacting with others too.
After that, homeroom ended safely, and the first period class began.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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