NOVEL NEXT The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 147
147: Another Seed of Trouble
Wow, I got really excited yesterday, didn’t I?
I didn’t think Ria would be that happy. She’s cute in her own way, and her reactions are great, so it’s fun for me too. It’s a good excuse to raise my [Jester] job level. From now on, I’ll achieve my goals with Ria. …But, doing the same technique every time is kind of boring, isn’t it? I should increase my repertoire of skills, even if it’s just juggling.
Anyway, today is May 10th, a Wednesday… The 2nd-year class competition is approaching.
But I’m not involved this time.
I’ll just watch as a spectator and enjoy my sister’s performance.
As I walked to school, I thought about such things.
“What a coincidence!”
I ran into my troublesome senior.
“Moji Sakaba Shirane… Senior?”
The 2nd-year senior, who is the head of the journalism club, faced me with an exaggerated gesture. She has a boyish face, but she’s a girl, after all… I’ve had a lot of trouble with the journalism club, so I’m not too fond of her.
“What a coincidence to run into you, Shouma-kun, on my way to school! This must be God’s guidance. It’s perfect… I have a lot of things I want to ask you.”
“I don’t have any business with you, though?”
“You’re being cold? But that’s okay. The topic I want to discuss involves your sister, after all.”
“…My sister?”
“What do you think? Are you interested in hearing about it?”
“…No, not at all. Even if my sister did something, it has nothing to do with me, so I’m not interested in this topic either. Please go bother someone else.”
I thought she was going to say something, but it was about the news regarding Aona. It seems to be related to the class competition. I didn’t have much interest in it.
I quickly walked ahead.
“…So, you’re not interested in the news about Aona-chan’s duel with Ido Ryuuko either?”
My feet stopped suddenly.
I turned around at Moji’s words.
“What’s going on?”
The moment I said that, Moji raised the corners of her lips. Does she think it’s funny? I reluctantly listened to her explanation. And then, she told me about the commotion that happened in the 2-B classroom.
“This time, it’s clear that Aona-chan was targeted. The way it was done was unusual and roundabout. I think someone must have manipulated her into doing this duel. Someone who shares the same goal as Ido Ryuuko must have given her bad advice and set up this duel.”
“…That’s a convoluted story. What’s the goal?”
“There’s only one reason why Ido Ryuuko, who seeks strong opponents, would suddenly take an interest in Aona-chan, who doesn’t seem to be interested in him. She was used as a sacrifice to provoke you.”
“Provoke? Why would I get angry if my sister and Ido Ryuuko have a duel? It has nothing to do with me.”
“Is that so? Generally, it’s not pleasant to see harm come to one’s family, is it? And she’s even bet her ‘family crest’ on this duel. As the next head of the Shirane family, she can’t ignore it.”
…Family crest? Ah, the family crest.
I forgot that setting existed. It’s a four-sided iron plate that proves a family is a martial family. It’s passed down through generations, and it seems that the head of the family possesses it. In the original story, Aona always carried the family crest with her. It’s probably better if I hold onto it, since I don’t know what she might do if she had it. The family crest itself doesn’t have any legal binding power. Losing it wouldn’t make her unable to become the head of the family, and it wouldn’t make the Shirane family cease to be a martial family. There wouldn’t be any public penalties… But, it’s still a big deal to lose it.
If the family crest, which has been passed down through generations, is taken by another family, it would be a shame that would last until the end of time. The Shirane family relatives wouldn’t let it slide. Even if I, as the next head, might be able to get away with it, my sister did it, so she would definitely be expelled from the Shirane family. And then, she would have to drop out of the Academy too.
“If you don’t do anything, Aona-chan will be ruined, you know? I’ve seen your sister up close, and she’s not very capable. She can’t survive on her own. Even her friends at the Academy would eventually drift apart if they were in different positions. In the end, she might even have to live on the streets and sell her body.”
“Flowing smoothly up to that point――”
“You don’t think so?”
“……”
I felt like I had lost to my sister, who had become a discarded vessel, and that feeling was surfacing.
“……What do you want me to do, anyway?”
“Nothing in particular.”
“Yes?”
“I’m from the reporting department, so it’s my job to convey information. What you do with it is none of my business.”
That was quite――
“You’re a self-centered guy, aren’t you……?”
I said without hesitation. Mozuna, the guy from the literature club, seemed used to being told off and didn’t show any signs of getting upset.
The school bell rang from the distant school building, signaling the start of class.
“Sorry, looks like we’ve talked too much, huh?”
Mozuna said, cutting off the conversation.
Well, it’s not like we’re running late or anything.
“……Senpai!”
“What’s up?”
“……Good luck in the upcoming competition, okay?”
I said with a hint of sarcasm to the bystander-like guy and girl. We’ve been messed around with enough. This level of annoyance is just a trivial matter.
Mozuna, who received my words, showed a perplexed expression, followed by a charming smile.
“――Leave it to me. With your support, my power will be multiplied by a hundred.”
……I don’t know if it’s a lie or the truth, but Mozuna Shiramine said that and left the scene.
I shouldn’t dawdle either.
The issue with my sister is still unresolved, but for now, I need to prioritize contacting Tenjuin. I don’t feel like it, but I’ll head to the 3rd-year school building during lunch break.
“I’ll also ask him about the thing with Aoba, and see if he knows anything about my sister’s situation.”
Nine out of ten, I think Kyokawa is pulling the strings behind the scenes. And my sister fell for it. It’s really ridiculous, but I hope Tenjuin gets angry about it.
While thinking about such useless things, I entered the school building, a little late.