Chastity Reversed: Part-Time Life by the All-Girls High School - Chapter 74: Classroom

“…”

From the podium.

Looking out from his position, all he saw was a sea of unfamiliar faces.  

Standing here made it clear—I really had come to a different world.  

Most of them stared at me cautiously, their gazes sharp and probing.

“To start with the conclusion—‘I’ am not the same Sora Sato you knew before summer break.”  

I declared it firmly.  

Up until now, I’d skated by without addressing it directly, but I’d never stated it this outright before.  

“This is a copy of the medical diagnosis report from the hospital. It says I slipped and fell in the bath, hitting my head… apparently.”  

“After that, I was in a coma for a while. I woke up a week later.”  

“There was no brain damage. I can handle daily life, my physical abilities haven’t deteriorated, and my memory is intact for the most part—no cognitive issues. I’m in perfect health. But I was left with ‘two’ lingering aftereffects.”  

The document I had was a photo sent by Wataru-san. Of course, it was authentic.  

The raw details printed on the paper sucked the liveliness out of the classroom, leaving an unsettling quiet.  

“Those two aftereffects are—‘partial memory loss’ and ‘a change in personality’.”  

“First, about the ‘memory loss’. While I still remember letters, words, and general knowledge… all memories of my family, my friends, and relationships have been wiped clean. Unfortunately, that means I have no recollection of any of you or anything we did before summer break. I don’t even know your names.”  

“Next, about the ‘personality’. I’ve changed from the ‘Old Sora Sato’ to who I am now. This is just my impression, but I’m pretty sure I can never go back.”  

The doctors said it was unclear, but I didn’t feel any sign of the old me resurfacing.  

Maybe this was something like a parallel world transfer—who knows?  

There were too many question marks for me to understand fully. Of course, I hadn’t shared that part with the doctors.  

“That’s why I asked the teacher to give me this opportunity for an introduction. I wanted you all to realize that this isn’t some phase, or something I changed on a whim.”  

I explained everything calmly and matter-of-factly to avoid sounding overbearing.  

I’d wanted to clear things up for so long. But… I’d always been afraid that saying it would make people see me as even more of a freak.  

That fear had held me back from taking this step.  

But thanks to a certain someone, I’d found my place here.  

“So, with that said, let me reintroduce myself briefly.”  

“Apparently, I used to be in the tea ceremony club, but now I love moving my body and playing sports. If you’re doing something during break, feel free to invite me. I’m pretty good at ball games—well, except for soccer.”  

“As for hobbies, besides sports, I enjoy gaming, manga, and recently, novels. I really like battle stories and historical fiction. Oh, and I’m pretty confident in fighting games. Come challenge me if you dare!”  

…Man, this self-introduction felt super embarrassing.  

But it had to be said.  

If I didn’t put myself out there now, it wouldn’t mean anything. Probably.  

“That’s about it. Honestly, I might seem ‘weird’ to you, but I’d be happy if we could get along.”  

I bowed my head from the podium.  

Hiding my trembling hands behind my back.  

“That’s all, sensei. Thank you.”  

“O-oh, good job!”  

“…”  

There was no applause.  

Not that it was the kind of situation for clapping anyway.  

Under their piercing stares, I returned to my seat.  

Looking out the window, I saw students from other classes already walking down the hallway after their homerooms ended.

“Well, you heard him. Everyone, try to get along with Sato!”  

“…Okay.”  

“Alright, homeroom’s over! Stay safe on your way home!”  

Hmm. Not the best reaction.  

But that was fine.  

I was sure it was the right decision to say it.  

“…”

From the seat beside me, Kumagawa’s gaze felt… different than before.  

…Maybe I should try talking to her. She was my neighbor, after all.  

“What’s up?”  

“Eh, um… is it really true? That you don’t remember?”  

“Hm? What’d you say?”  

Her voice was so quiet!  

She had ‘Kuma’ (bear) in her name, but she was totally a small animal.  

“S-sorry…”  

“Say it one more time.”  

“Eek.”  

“Oh, sorry.”  

“N-no, it’s fine…”  

The classroom buzzed with after-school chatter, drowning out everything.  

So, I stood up and leaned closer to her.  

“Can you tell me? Take your time, no rush.”  

“…You really are ‘different’ now, aren’t you?”  

“Hm?”  

“Well, it’s just… you don’t remember me at all, do you?”  

“Nope, I don’t remember a thing. All I know about you is your last name, Kumagawa.”  

“! I see… Then, you wouldn’t remember how I messed up during my self-introduction either…?”  

“Oh, did you?”  

“Hehe, that reaction says it all.”  

Oh, she laughed.  

Her thick bob haircut swayed, looking even fluffier than before. I kinda wanted to touch it!  

“So, how did the old ‘me’ treat you?”  

“Well… honestly, I wasn’t very fond of you. You used to hang out with Akima and Tachibana, always causing a ruckus…”  

“Akima… Oh, that flashy guy, right?”  

“Flashy guy… hehe.”  

“Hard to believe I was part of that group. I guess losing my memory was a blessing in disguise.”  

We laughed together, chatting naturally.  

This felt nice.  

“I’m sure I caused you a lot of trouble, didn’t I? Sorry for that.”  

“…Well…”  

“Just because I’ve changed doesn’t mean I’ll dodge responsibility. If you ever feel like punching me, go for it.”  

“I-I wouldn’t…”  

“Really? I was one of that flashy guy’s cronies. Doesn’t that piss you off?”  

“Hehe. Not the current ‘you’, not at all.”  

…Wasn’t this kind of like how I’d started getting close to Akari?  

If the old Sora Sato really had messed up that badly, at least it made for a good icebreaker now… Not that I’d thank him for it.  

As Kumagawa and I chatted, someone called out, “S-Sato-kun, you like sports, right?”  

“Oh, yeah. I do.”  

It was Natsuki, the idol-like classmate.  

With her were three other girls—ones I’d seen at the pool.  

I hadn’t even noticed they’d surrounded my desk.  

“Since the test’s over, we’re all going to Spoca. Want to come?”  

“Spoca… That big place near the station with all the sports and games?”  

“Yep, that’s the one!”  

It was a sprawling leisure facility offering dozens of sports and amusements. In my old world, I’d sometimes go there on test days like this when there was no club practice.  

They seemed like a fun group.  

“Sounds good. I love that place.”  

“Awesome! Let’s get going!”  

Including me, there were about five of us.  

The girls bustled about, gathering their things.  

“Wanna join us, Kumagawa?”  

“Eh? I-I can come too?”  

“Why not? Right, Natsuki?”  

“Of course!”  

“See? You’re in. Not a fan of physical activities?”  

“Well, I’m not great at them, but… since the test’s over…”  

Kumagawa fidgeted, clearly wanting to go.  

“Then it’s settled. Let’s also play some fighting games—pretty sure they have some there.”  

“! I’d love that!”  

Wow, what a great smile!  

“Alright, let’s head out.”  

…And maybe, just maybe, I was smiling too.  

In this classroom, which had once felt like a personal hell—