After Accidentally Helping a Famous Streamer Who Forgot to Turn Off Her Dungeon Stream, I Began to Go Viral as a Legendary Explorer ～ The Introverted Me Accidentally Dominating with My Mysterious Skill 'Ignore Rules' - Chapter 18: Who Knew a Haircut Could Change So Much?

Chapter 18: Who Knew a Haircut Could Change So Much?

“Hey, hey… doesn’t that guy look cool?”

“Did such a hottie ever go to our school?”

“Wait, isn’t that Kirishima-kun?”

—The next day.

When I reached the school gate, I found myself once again the focus of curious glances from those around me.

But these weren’t the stares of bullying; rather, people were murmuring “cool” and “wonderful.” Could it be my imagination?

Indeed, just yesterday, I had my first-ever experience at a hair salon. I had transformed my naturally curly hair with wax into a style that suited me. Could it be that just that alone led to such a positive reaction?

“Good morning, Tsukushi-kun♪”

Feeling a bit embarrassed while walking across the schoolyard, I was suddenly called out from behind.

Without even needing to turn around—Miru Ayatsuki, or rather Miyu Ayatsuki, rushed toward me.

“Hee-hee, Tsukushi-kun, you really are popular, aren’t you?”

“No, no, that can’t be.”

“Being humble like that is also great! I’m happy that everyone’s starting to notice the good things about you, Tsukushi-kun.”

“Thanks… wait, hold on.”

The reason my sentence ended so abruptly was that Miyu suddenly entwined her arm with mine.

Even though she’s not “Miru Ayatsuki” anymore, this could still be problematic, couldn’t it? Doing something like this could lead to baseless rumors about us being in some kind of inappropriate relationship.

Moreover, Miyu’s chest was incredibly large, so in this position, I was quite literally pressed against its otherworldly softness.

Other male students looked on with envy, making me feel uncomfortable, to say the least.

“So, Tsukushi-kun, do you remember what we talked about yesterday?”

“Y-yeah… something about exploring the dungeon near the school, right?”

“That’s right♪ I think we’ll also get a reward for defeating the Red Dragon, so I was thinking of streaming it.”

“Okay. Let’s do it after school today.”

With that, our conversation ended, and we temporarily parted ways.

I was in class 2-3, and Miyu was in class 2-1.

Although there was a sense of lingering regret, we decided to spend our time in our respective classrooms until after school.

By the way, even after entering the classroom, I continued to receive surprising stares.

Unlike the students in the schoolyard, everyone in class 3 should clearly know who I am.

“Ehh…⁉ Is that Kirishima-kun…⁉”

“Didn’t he become way too handsome all of a sudden…⁉”

Receiving such comments, I took my seat.

Normally, the moment I’d enter the classroom, I would be harassed by Goyama, but it seemed like that wouldn’t happen today. In fact, it appeared that he hadn’t even come to school, so it looked like another peaceful day—

“Kirishimaaaaaaa!”

I take that back. The usual scream resonated throughout the classroom, and I involuntarily tensed up.

Turning around, sure enough, Kento Goyama was boldly entering the classroom. Moreover, he seemed angrier than usual.

…Come to think of it, what happened to him? There were dark circles under his eyes, and he seemed to have lost some weight since I last saw him.

“Hey! Where’s Kirishima⁉”

“Uh, I’m… right here.”

“Huh…?”

It seemed he didn’t immediately recognize me because of my new hairstyle. The moment he saw my face, I sensed Goyama hesitating for an instant.

“You… what’s with that look?”

“What do you mean? I just got a haircut.”

“….Tch.”

Perhaps thrown off by my changed appearance, Goyama clicked his tongue uncomfortably.

“Don’t get too full of yourself. You might be trending or something, but I’m the real strong one here. You get that, right?”

“…”

“Let’s settle this. Tonight at 8, come to the nearby ‘Tsukigaoka Dungeon.’ Got it?”

“Huh?”

Wait a minute. I already have plans to meet with Miyu today.

Classes should end around 4, so it’s not impossible to attend to both matters, but this is incredibly abrupt.

“Be there. I mean it.”

However, Goyama’s self-centeredness was as consistent as ever. Without waiting for my reaction, he made the decision on his own and took his seat.