I Thought I Was Dead After Getting Stabbed While Protecting a Girl From a Random Attacker, but a Goddess Gave Me a Special Reward and Brought Me Back to Life in My Original Body—Now, All These Girls Are Coming on to Me!?

Chapter 15.2: A Happy Ending

With a story that dramatic, like something out of a TV show, it’s no surprise that nosy high schoolers would eat it up as juicy gossip.

I’ll just accept the extra attention as the price of fame…

Speaking of which, Nishino-kun… doesn’t seem to be here yet.

It’s the day after yesterday’s incident, so he might be hesitant to show his face.

Then, parting the crowd, a girl approached us.

It was one of the girls who helped organize the mixer.

“Mizuse-kun, Hiiragi-san, Sumeragi-san, I’m so sorry about yesterday!”

“Sorry? Did we do something?”

“N-No, I can’t think of anything… Kanade?”

“I don’t know either. Why the sudden apology?”

Looking down, she started speaking in a small voice.

“Yesterday, when we were planning the mixer, Nishino-kun asked us to help organize it. He said…”

“Actually, I have a crush on a girl. And… it’s embarrassing, but it seems like they like me back too. So, I want to confess at tomorrow’s mixer and have everyone celebrate our relationship…”

“So we agreed to help… but when I calmed down and thought about it, confessing in front of everyone like that… it’s kind of like… public execution, right? Super embarrassing…”

“Well… yeah, maybe…”

“Hmm. Not something a normal person would think to do.”

Nishino-kun… no, just Nishino now.

Was that guy really oblivious to how much he was disliked?

No wonder he thought confessing in that setting was a good idea. That’s next-level cluelessness.

“We’re sorry too!”

“If Mizuse-kun hadn’t stepped in, it probably would’ve gotten even messier… we’re really sorry…!”

Getting caught up in the moment and doing something bad without realizing it is pretty common. I’ve been there too.

“I’d prefer if that kind of thing didn’t happen again, but honestly, I’m a little grateful since it led to me dating them.”

“Ryu-kun…!”

“I knew you’d say something like that, Ryu.”

The fact that these two are by my side, smiling so brightly, is partly thanks to yesterday’s events, so I can acknowledge that.

So, there’s only one thing for me to say.

“I forgive you for this. Don’t worry about it anymore.”

“…I think I get why you two like Mizuse-kun so much.”

“Hey! He’s not up for grabs!”

“Right! Ryu belongs to us!”

They both tightly squeezed my arms.

The soft sensation on both sides is blissful, don’t get me wrong.

But the embarrassment from everyone’s curious stares is winning out.

So, could you maybe let go a bit… no? Alright then.

—

After that, as we were chatting with the calmed-down classmates, our homeroom teacher, Miss Katori, walked in.

“My, my, everyone’s lively… oh… oh my?”

“Good morning, Miss Katori—huh, is something different about the vibe between you three compared to last week?”

“Hehe, well, you see…”

“We became a couple yesterday.”

“…! Oh my, oh my! Mizuse-kun, you’re quite the catch, aren’t you?”

“You two just came out and said it, huh?”

“Fufu! No need to hide it!”

“With such a handsome boyfriend, it’d be a waste not to brag!”

They puffed out their chests proudly. Even with gestures like this, I can’t help but forgive them for anything. I’m head over heels for them.

“…Hmm. This means I need to speed up the plan…”

“Teacher? Did you say something?”

“No, nothing at all. Now, it’s a bit early, but could everyone take their seats? I have an announcement.”

At Miss Katori’s instruction, everyone returned to their seats.

As they left, I got these parting words:

“See you later.”

“I’m sticking to you during break time.”

Sticking to me? I’m not a cicada clinging to a tree… but oh well.

“Now, for the announcement. The test period is coming up soon, right?”

Right. It’s been over a month since starting high school, and the first major event—no, trial—is approaching. The midterm exams.

It’s the first hurdle students can’t avoid.

“In line with that, we’ll be opening part of the cafeteria as a study room after school. If the regular study rooms are full, check out the cafeteria too.”

At Ouka Academy, which values independence, the students’ drive to study is quite high. According to Yuna, when tests approach, there’s a fierce battle for study room seats.

This time, as a trial measure to avoid that, the cafeteria will be opened up.

“Oh, one thing to note: the cafeteria after school is strictly for studying, so no eating or drinking. Keep that in mind!”

“““Yes, ma’am!”””

“So energetic, I love it! Alright, let’s start homeroom as usual.”

Hmm, studying after school for the tests, huh.

—

After homeroom, Makoto and Kanade zoomed over to me.

No, not figuratively—they literally zoomed.

“Study group!”

“Uh, huh…?”

“I mean, a study group! Let’s do it!”

“Oh, got it. I was actually about to suggest the same thing.”

“Hmm, so we’re on the same wavelength.”

The cafeteria announcement sparked an idea.

A study group means we can spend a decent amount of time together after school, and since club activities pause during the test period, we’ll have the time.

Plus, if we can study effectively, it’s more than a win-win. This is a brilliant plan, isn’t it?

“The test period starts next week, right?”

“Yeah. I’ve been studying bit by bit, but catching up on what I missed is tough.”

Since returning to school, and even during my hospital stay, I’ve been slowly reviewing high school material.

But listening to actual classes made me realize the limits of self-study.

At this rate, I won’t fail, but getting high scores will be tough.

“Then I’ll teach you!”

“Kanade! I’m teaching him too!”

“What subjects are you two good at?”

“I’m great at English and classical literature!”

“I’m strong in all science subjects.”

“That’s a clean split.”