NOVEL NEXT The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 148
148 Tears in My Sister’s Eyes
To sum it up, I didn’t get to meet Tenjuin. I went to 3-A during lunch break, but he wasn’t in the classroom. Even the seniors didn’t know his whereabouts, saying it was “the usual.” It’s a daily occurrence for him to suddenly disappear, and his classmates don’t even bother to worry about it.
If he’s not there, there’s nothing I can do. I asked the seniors to convey the message to Tenjuin and decided to give up for the time being.
Lunch break ended, and next was class exploration――but I skipped it again this time.
I went back home to think about the new formation of the D group.
The class competition is the day after tomorrow.
Time is running out until the deadline. Doing my homework early is my motto, after all.
And there’s something that’s bothering me.
When I returned home to the Ishizuku residence, I took off my shoes at the entrance and opened the getabako (a traditional Japanese shoe cabinet) on the left.
My sister’s shoes were gone.
She’s probably still searching for ABYSS.
……She’s struggling.
However, it’s harsh to say that effort will tie everything together. One night of intense studying won’t cut it, and even if I force myself to explore ABYSS right before the competition, it won’t have much effect. It’s just exhausting myself with mischief. As a second-year student, my sister should know better than that. It’s clear that she’s overestimating herself. The incident with me has made her lose her composure.
…It’s not too late yet. Let’s cancel the duel. The reason I came home early is because of that. It’s meaningless if I don’t go back myself.
As I head from the entrance to the living room, I meet Marianne, who’s leaning on a Western-style chair, and Natsumi, who’s sitting next to her. They seem to be discussing work. When they notice my presence, they both bow elegantly and greet me in unison, “Welcome back, Shoma-sama.”
“I’ll take something to eat and then head back to my room, so you two can take your time.”
I don’t want to bother them.
“I said that beforehand.”
“…Then, we’ll bring it to you. Please rest in your room first, Shoma-sama.”
“Is that so? Then, I’ll do that.”
…Did I have the opposite effect? Oh well. I don’t want to disappoint their good intentions, so I accept Marianne and Natsumi’s proposal.
“By the way, Natsumi and Marianne, you both used to be explorers, right?”
“Yes, it’s an old story.”
“What level were you?”
When I ask, Natsumi and Marianne exchange a brief glance before responding.
“I was at Lv. 27…”
“And I was at Lv. 22!”
…It’s hard to tell because of the identical pronouns, but Marianne was at 27, and Natsumi was at 22. Even as professional explorers, they’re not that famous.
“Did you defeat the floor master?”
“We cleared up to the 20th floor. …But I don’t want to challenge the floor master again.”
“Marianne’s team was also severely damaged. I lost three comrades. We challenged it with a five-man cell, after all? I think the students at the Academy are amazing. Ah, of course, including Shoma-sama, who challenged it solo.”
I’m not pleased even if they’re just flattering me. I brush off Natsumi’s words.
“What do you think about my sister’s abilities? Do you think she can win the competition?”
“Yes! Aina-sama will definitely achieve a good result!!”
Natsumi responds energetically, but I’m not looking for such a vague answer. I want a harsh assessment from a former explorer.
“Have you heard about my sister’s duel during the class competition?”
“No…”
“The opponent is the vice president of the student council, Meido Ryuko. To put it simply, she’s an S-class Attacker at Lv. 40. I want a straightforward opinion, but do you think my sister has a chance of winning?”
“…”
The two fall silent.
Their expressions tell the answer.
And at that moment…
“It’s not about winning or losing, I will win.”
“Sister…”
“…”
Aina pulls my hand, and we enter the living room. When did she come home…? Ah, it doesn’t matter. It seems she overheard our conversation. This is getting troublesome.
“It’s not about mental preparation… Cancel the duel with Meido Ryuko. With your current abilities, you can’t win against her.”
“I can’t win? Shoma, you don’t know, but for explorers, the level difference isn’t that significant. What’s important is the comprehensive value of experience and judgment, and I…”
“So, you can’t win, that’s what I’m saying.”
“What…?”
“Your experience, judgment, skills, and sense are all inferior! I don’t know what you’re thinking, but it’s foolish to engage in a duel because of a cheap provocation! You’ll just get hurt for nothing!!”
“Sho, Shoma thinks… that I’ll lose? He looks down on me, saying I’m inferior to Oudou Ryuuji…!?”
My sister, with a sorrowful expression, seems to be in pain. It must be tough for her. It’s humiliating.――But this is a great opportunity. I’ll boldly tell her the harsh reality!
That’s definitely for her own good!!
“You can’t win! What are you dreaming about? You can’t win no matter what! Is there even one condition where you’re better than me? No! There’s not a single one!! You’ll absolutely lose!! As a foolish warrior, you can’t even grasp the current situation, but can’t you at least listen to others’ words?! You’re basically clumsy, talentless, and have been getting by through sheer effort, unlike me, Oudou, who’s been fighting strong opponents and has reached my current position! What have you been misunderstanding about me?! Please, just stay at home and be a good-for-nothing――!”
I shout, venting my frustrations.
It’s as if I’m releasing all my pent-up emotions, using every ounce of strength to correct Shirona’s misunderstanding.
――Even if I, her brother, say this much, it should resonate with her stubborn heart, right?
How is it?
Will she stop the duel?
“Hyuu… guu… uu…!”
“…Huh?”
Shirona-nee is crying.
It’s not just crying, but wailing.
I’m taken aback, feeling a pang of guilt.
“…I-I’m trying my best too…! Don’t say I’m inferior or anything…! I don’t want to hear those words… from you…!”
“A, chou!? Shirona-nee!!”
“Uwaaan!!”
While crying, she runs up the stairs, locks herself in her room, and won’t come out.
Who would have thought it would end like this――
“…Shoma-sama?”
“…Oniisama?”
The remaining three people’s gazes are painful…
Am I not in the wrong here…?