A Late Bloomer's Powerful Restart ~My Second Life Starts at a Prestigious School Where the Gender Ratio Is Totally Off, and for Some Reason, All These Talented Girls Get Attached to Me...!?~

Chapter 36: And Those Who Begin to Move

◇◆◇＜Third-Person Perspective＞◇◆◇

A few days later, Yashima Electronics gathered reporters in a big way, and one piece of news caused a stir in the world.

Along with the slogan “Changing the World,” the “Rimona Project” was announced, and a certain commercial immediately aired.

The turning point for the spread of future technology had finally arrived.

At Teimon Academy, as expected, this caused a huge reaction.

Because the ones appearing in the commercial were Juri Omi, who had unshakable popularity among young people… and Taiki Kashiwado, who was supposed to be a student at the academy.

Taiki himself had been sent the edited video beforehand.

In the commercial, his name was introduced simply as “Taiki Kashiwado — Yashima Electronics.”

Normally, even when using an ordinary person, they wouldn’t include a title like that… but this seemed to be at the direction of the chairman of Yashima Electronics, Kasumi Yashima.

Since many reporters had gathered for the initial unveiling of the commercial, naturally… during the Q&A with Chairman Yashima, someone asked about his existence.

There, the chairman simply said one thing.

“He’s my grandson.”

◇◆◇＜Taiki’s Perspective＞◇◆◇

The academy the day after the commercial aired was noisy… and gazes naturally gathered on me.

It was probably more about Grandpa’s press conference than the commercial itself.

As soon as I entered the classroom, Kotetsu Aoyagi came over.

“Taiki… you’re seriously a successor candidate for Yashima Electronics? Why the hell did you hide it, you bastard?”

“I said I’m in the general admission slot, so everyone just misunderstood. And I wasn’t called a successor candidate…”

“I think it’s pretty much the same thing.”

Unusually, Ousei Tateakawa didn’t side with me.

Well, I know there’s that kind of perception out there, but because I’d kept it secret until now, it seemed like even more rumors had grown.

“Um, excuse me… Kashiwado-kun!”

“Is it okay if I ask about Yashima Electronics?”

“Come to think of it, you’re actually pretty handsome.”

Then, even girls I had never talked to came over and spoke to me.

They were definitely from the Kokonoe faction… who and who and who…?

I remembered everyone’s names in the class, but faces and names still didn’t match up yet.

As I grew confused from being bombarded with questions all at once, Sasa appeared from behind them.

“Come on! Everyone, Taiki looks troubled! I know the details! So could you please scatter?”

“…So Kanaka knew and you two were close.”

“You kept it a secret from us too… that’s mean.”

“Everyone has family circumstances they can’t talk about, right? It’s the same as that…!”

“Why is Kanaka getting flustered~?”

“Eek!? I’m not flustered at all? Don’t say weird things.”

“Really~?”

“Come on, we should let our cute leader save face…”

Thanks to Sasa’s quick thinking, they politely left.

…She seemed surprisingly well-liked. Before, it didn’t seem like she had deep friendships with the girls in her own faction, but lately I’d heard she’s even planning a salon.

I don’t know if that incident changed her mindset, but she seemed to be managing things well.

“Damn… surrounded by girls, I’m jealous, you bastard… Hey, it’s been a while—after school, duel me.”

“Just getting talked to by girls once doesn’t mean I’m popular. I’m fine with a duel.”

Kotetsu still couldn’t get a girlfriend, and he was complaining about it as usual.

Compared to me in my first loop, his efforts showed in his appearance, and if he just acted more confidently, he could probably get one, but…

Or maybe the girls at this academy had high standards.

Soon, Tsukimi Kagurazaka and Kurumi Kano entered the classroom.

Tsukimi sent a meaningful stare my way, while Kurumi had a relaxed expression.

This… I might get questioned after all.

But still, everyone was making a big deal just because of Kasumi Yashima’s bloodline.

In our classroom, there were even bigger names like Sasa and Shika.

When I glanced at Shika, our eyes met.

As if she’d thought of something, she put on a mischievous little-devil expression… then approached the girls in the Nanamiya faction and whispered something.

(Hey, wait… what are you saying? It’s not about me, right!?)

Then, as if my bad feeling was right… now the girls in the Nanamiya faction looked over here and stood up.

(Shika… you seemed uninterested in factions until now—what’s your deal!?)

Somehow, she had started leading her faction too…

In other words, unlike the Kokonoe faction that Sasa had stopped… here, the leader was inciting them.

Riko Morozumi and Amane Mishina weren’t there at least, but it wasn’t hard to imagine I’d get bombarded with questions again.

After that… through the students, the news that I was at Teimon Academy spread too.

The gathered reporters were apparently being turned away so they couldn’t enter the grounds… for the first time, I was grateful for the high security.

At this rate, I wished they’d stop girls from coming to the boys’ dorm… but that hope seemed slim.

That said, because of the reporters, I couldn’t go out into town anymore… so Tsukimi’s Western sweets would have to wait for a while.

As an aside, there was one other topic in the classroom.

Riko Morozumi had admitted her fault, apologized to Amane Mishina, and they reconciled.

I thought it would take longer for her to move, but her actions were quick after learning my true identity.

Since Amane accepted the reconciliation right away, my words probably gained more credibility… I hoped this would lead to real change.

Including that, I had expectations for Shika’s faction leadership.

◇◆◇＜Third-Person Perspective＞◇◆◇

At the sudden apology, a certain girl… Amane Mishina was confused.

To her, Riko Morozumi was a girl with very high pride, and she understood that it led to directing jealousy toward her sister onto Amane herself.

“Someone… helped me?”

Otherwise, she knew Riko would never apologize.

And she also sensed that this wasn’t adult intervention.

Amane Mishina was by no means the idiot Riko thought she was.

If adults, including teachers, were going to stop it, they would have done so much earlier… and above all, they would have exposed the matter of Mishina Kasane.

In other words, one of her classmates had saved her… that was her conclusion.

“I have to thank them… I have to return the favor…”

No matter how much she herself had chosen the path of keeping silent, her daily life had been painfully hard.

There was someone who cornered Riko without exposing her sister.

That fact was far too significant.

From then on, her search for a savior began.

In a certain room, only six displays glowed in the darkness.

What was surprising was that every screen showed the same scene.

The person sitting at the desk repeatedly… played that video over and over, burning it into their eyes.

“That guy is Yashima…!? No way he enrolled—”

What appeared in their eyes was the face of a certain male student.

And he was said to be the successor of Yashima Electronics.

“I won’t forgive him… I absolutely won’t forgive him…”

Writhing in unbearable hatred… this person had been waiting all along for the existence of Yashima Electronics’ successor.

“I can get revenge… on the one who took everything from me…!”

The opponent for the long-cherished revenge.

The hatred that had built up without being fulfilled overflowed.

…And so, they quietly began to consider a plan.

＜＜＜Folder – Character＞＞＞

・Taiki Kashiwado (male)
【――】【Future Knowledge】【Late Bloomer】
Previous life: Future technology activist.
The protagonist who strives to eliminate regrets from his previous life.
Now, he has noticed Shika’s recklessness and wants to protect her.
Due to Sasa in the first and second loops, his sense of romance is broken; though he consciously acts manly, he probably needs a shock bigger than confinement to notice affection.

・Sasa Kokonoe (female)
【―――――――】【Pacifist】【Light Attribute】【Dependent】〖Pure Beautiful Amber〗
Previous life: Became yandere after being saved by Taiki, leading to confinement.
Young lady of the Kokonoe Group.
From childhood commoner life, she lacks the discrimination typical of the upper class and believes everyone can get along. From that thinking, she tries to help Amane Mishina but incurs Riko Morozumi’s resentment and nearly gets brought down.
After being saved by Taiki, she becomes aware of her feelings.

・Tsukimi Kagurazaka (female)
【？？Heroine】【Multitalented】【Charm】【？？Mind】
Previous life: A face Taiki had seen somewhere. But he didn’t know the name.
Commoner from a single-mother family.
Raised by her mother’s hand alone since young, she works part-time even after entering Teimon Academy.
Her original potential is high, and she receives guidance from her friend Kurumi Kano.
She has the widest friendships in class and is liked by the few boys too.

・Kurumi Kano (female)
【？？？Heroine】【Instructor】【Compassionate】【Maternal】【Genius】
Previous life: Genius doctor who established the cure for the Centrom disease that caused the pandemic. Also an anti-future technology activist.
Daughter of the director of Kano Hospital.
In previous life, a business rival yet mysteriously involved directly in treatment. In this life, she is strangely attached to Taiki for some reason. Has an excellent older brother.

・Shika Nanamiya (female)
【？？Heroine】【Gamer Mind】【Timid】【Multifaceted】【Cynical】
Previous life: Became Taiki’s first friend. Afterward, went missing.
Young lady of the Nanamiya Group.
Has a secret friendship with Kasumi Yashima and knew about Taiki from the start.
Acts cool in class, but her real personality is timid. Not cowardly, though—she has action driven by a game-like sense.
She thinks being with Taiki will give her more excitement.

・Amane Mishina (female)
【―――】【？？】【？？？？】
Previous life: Actress for whom Taiki was stylist. Became dark after losing her excellent twin sister.
Young lady of the fashion brand “Cleart.”
Always compared to her sister since young, her self-esteem is extremely low.
She questions Riko, who had attacked her all along, suddenly reforming and is searching for the savior who helped her.

・Ousei Tateakawa (male)
【Male Friend】【Honor Student】
Heir to Tateakawa Science.
Has high qualities important for business and is expected to succeed soon. Has a fiancée who is a pianist.

・Kotetsu Aoyagi (male)
【Male Friend】【Aspiring Athlete】【Tragic Virgin】
Son of a potter family.
Excellent physical ability. Puts effort into sports to be popular, but actually talented in tea ceremony and calligraphy too.

・Kageto Tano (male)
【Male Friend】
Son of a famous painter.
Characterized by glasses that don’t suit him. Talented in modern art.

・Seiya Yūki (male)
【Male Friend】
Son of a famous three-star restaurant chef.
Characterized by long hair tied back. Very good at cooking.

・Mahiro Sendō (male)
【？？？】【？？Mind】
Third son of Sendō Electronics & Chemicals Co., Ltd.
The last male student Taiki hasn’t become close with yet. Knew Ousei before enrollment.

・Riko Morozumi (female)
【Villainess】【Sadist】【Lesbian】
Girl who thought being next to Shika was her status. Long ago, jealous of Sasa and grasped her weakness. Detested Mishina Kasane and made the twin-like younger sister Amane her enemy.

・Mishina Kasane (female)
【Unknown】
According to Amane Mishina, she is the most 【heartless】 in this world.

―――――――――――

With this, Volume One ends!!