Chapter 4: Shoko Nishimiya, My Friend
[Successfully rescuing Shoko Nishimiya, you have gained her favor and gratitude. To her, you are gradually becoming someone special.]
[Furthermore, you explained what just happened to Yumiko Miura, who arrived shortly after. You learned that she had been talking to Shoko Nishimiya today intending to help her integrate into the class, and she had only left to buy a notebook to communicate with Shoko.]
[Yumiko Miura is furious about what you told her. She decides to cause trouble for those delinquents, perhaps by reporting them to the school. You do not care.]
"Heh, three punks thinking they could take me on… I've been fighting to protect my sister since I was a kid—undefeated on our whole street. If it weren't for my studies, I might've joined the martial arts club."
Haruka was dismissive.
In a family where both parents were busy, taking on the responsibility of protecting his adopted sister was no easy task.
Even now, he still had quite a bit of muscle on him.
Retracting his thoughts, he focused his attention on the simulation he had just experienced.
"So, in the original timeline, she would have been bullied by the delinquents, her voice recorded and spread around the school for laughs? And because she was heartbroken, she left that spot, leading Yumiko Miura to think she had already gone home when she returned?"
"Then the next day, the people in class acted strange, and Yumiko Miura chose to remain silent."
"In the month that followed, one can imagine how hard it would be for a deaf transfer student to integrate into the class. She probably suffered from cold violence—silent bullying."
"Wait, even though students here care a lot about 'reading the atmosphere,' Yui Yuigahama and Yukino Yukinoshita are supposed to be good people, right?"
Haruka finally figured out what had actually happened.
But doubts still lingered in his mind.
After thinking about it carefully.
"That's right. If things haven't changed much, Yui Yuigahama should still have a soft personality. Without someone to encourage her, she probably wouldn't have the courage to voice her thoughts. As for Yukino Yukinoshita... haha, she's such a loner she might not have even known it was happening."
"Forget it, thinking this much is useless. Let's see how it develops."
"Now that this incident is resolved, nothing else should go wrong, right?"
Haruka thought to himself.
[Having resolved this incident, you returned to your peaceful life, studying diligently every day, yearning to become a social elite.]
[Of course, you occasionally set aside your studies to communicate with your desk mate. She always reveals a soft smile, clean and pure. You feel that in front of such a girl, perhaps you can let down some of your emotional defenses.]
[Your new life has begun.]
[Every morning, she brings you a carton of milk, then quietly listens to you vent about your troubles regarding studying and the future. Even if she doesn't quite understand a lot of what you say, she chooses to listen. She also draws cute little animals to cheer you up. These interactions usually end with her smiling at you.]
[You also share your notes with her and tutor her in her coursework. At the same time, you begin to protect her within the class, ensuring that those who intend to make cruel jokes never dare to open their mouths.]
[In school, the two of you became inseparable.]
[Occasionally, facing the setting sun, you felt that this kind of life wasn't so bad.]
[As time slipped by, you gradually got used to this method of stress relief—communicating with your desk mate amidst the high pressure of studying. You accepted her as your good friend.]
[To better communicate with your friend, you decide to learn sign language.]
???
No.
Is there something wrong with the 'me' in the simulation?
How could I possibly waste time?
Wake up to reality!
Our goal is to reach the top!
Haruka suddenly felt that the situation in the simulation was going beyond his expectations.
Would he really be able to get what he wanted this time?
A shadow was cast over Haruka's heart.
[The difficulty of learning sign language exceeded your expectations. Or rather, you simply lack the talent.]
[Correct, you were never a genius. You should have known this long ago. So, when you faced setbacks, a choice was placed before you.]
[Do you use your precious study time to learn sign language, or do you give up on sign language and return to your studies?]
Haruka's eyes lit up.
Quick, give me the options! Let me choose!
Let me choose!
However...
The simulation continued, and no options popped up.
Obviously, the 'him' in the simulation had his own thoughts and operating logic.
[You did not hesitate for long.]
[You signed up for a sign language class.]
NO!!!
Haruka's eye twitched, and he felt a sudden cramp in his stomach.
He never expected that, in the end, he would be the one to stab himself in the back.
"Forget it, stay calm. What if? What if there's a plot twist?"
Haruka comforted himself.
[You began to study sign language frequently, which delayed your academic studies. Shoko Nishimiya, who already understood you well, noticed this abnormality. She hesitated several times, wanting to ask you about it, but the timidity in her heart stopped her from speaking up.]
[You kept it hidden from start to finish. You planned to give her a surprise.]
[Bit by bit, time slipped by. Your bond grew deeper. The school was about to hold its Cultural Festival. Since Shoko Nishimiya loves listening to songs, you prepared to perform a song for her using sign language during the festival.]
[There seemed to be some turmoil within the Cultural Festival Execution Committee. A girl named Sagami became the committee chair. Of course, you didn't care about these things, but this Sagami was a bit strange. She seemed to be ordering everyone around, without considering whether her plans were sound.]
[You were assigned a task as well—handing out flyers, a job you didn't like. Shoko Nishimiya was also assigned work, helping some clubs arrange their venues with a few other girls. You and Shoko had to separate temporarily.]
[Handing out flyers was a tedious job. Moreover, Sagami's arrangement seemed flawed—was it really necessary to have so many people handing out flyers? Of course, you didn't care; she could do whatever she wanted. You simply handed out flyers while your fingers moved restlessly, practicing.]
[Just then, a luxurious black sedan slowly pulled up. Two beautiful girls stepped out, flanked by two bodyguards.]
[Amid the gasps of the extra flyer distributors around you, you recognized them—Kaguya Shinomiya, the heiress of the Shinomiya Group, accompanied by her assistant.]
[Of course, you still didn't care. You knew that on the road to becoming a social elite, the path of 'living off a wealthy woman' wasn't one your face qualified you for. No expectations, no disappointments.]
[They seemed to be here to visit the Cultural Festival as well. Perhaps because of her status as the Student Council President of Shuchiin Academy, she needed to tour Sobu High, another top-tier school.]
[The Cultural Festival soon began. You felt slightly nervous in your heart. You waited quietly, constantly reviewing the sign language in your mind. You hoped that through this song, you could give your friend a little more courage. That was the only thing you, who currently had no power or influence, could do.]
[Just then, you suddenly discovered that backstage, Shoko Nishimiya was crying.]
???
'Good lord, here comes the drama!'
'I knew it!'
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