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 56: Going Back to School After a Long Time

Chapter 56: Going Back to School After a Long Time

I sincerely thank you for reading my work as always.

Here is an announcement from the author.

I am very sorry for personal matters, but I will take a break from the series for about a week due to work.

For the past few weeks, I could not reply to comments properly because I was busy, and I apologize if I caused any discomfort to you all.

I plan to resume the series after the Obon holiday, but there is a high chance that daily updates will stop for at least August.

Also, for the same reason, this chapter has fewer words.

I cause you great inconvenience, but I ask for your understanding.

—

The next day, at eight in the morning.

I finish preparing to go out and leave the house with minimal luggage.

Then, a beautiful woman with a fluttering ponytail stands in front of the entrance.

“Good morning, Ryu! How is your condition?”

“Good morning, Yuna. I feel mostly fine now.”

“Good, that’s a relief.”

Today, with Yuna accompanying me, I plan to visit the hospital to check my condition just in case.

If the checkup shows no major issues, I plan to return to school tomorrow.

Well, the term-end ceremony is soon, so I will go back to break right away.

“Thanks for today, Yuna. You went out of your way to come with me.”

“That’s only natural, right? Besides, I won’t miss any chance to have Ryu to myself even for a bit.”

“That’s, well… hard to comment on…”

“It’s not like you’re bad! I’m handling that part properly.”

Handling… Is that the girlfriend agreement Makoto mentioned before?

I feel like one day they will manage my entire schedule.

I walk slowly with Yuna to the hospital while cicadas chirp loudly.

The place we head to today is not the usual general hospital where I stayed twice before, but a plastic surgery clinic near my house.

The director there seems to be my father’s acquaintance, and after contacting him, he kindly agreed to see me.

“Here we are.”

We arrive at the hospital and write my name at the reception. A nurse brings me a medical questionnaire, so I fill it out while waiting to be called.

“Answer the doctor’s questions honestly, okay? Don’t downplay your symptoms just to return quickly.”

“I’m not that childish. Are you my mom?”

“Your mother entrusted me with this!”

Yuna says this and puffs out her chest.

…Well, fine. Yuna looks cute doing that.

While we have this casual chat, my name gets called soon.

“You’re Minase’s son, right? Nice to meet you!”

A man with a refreshing smile greets me. He is my father’s friend and the director of this hospital.

It seems they were high school classmates and competed together in club activities.

“I never thought I’d treat that guy’s son here. It feels meaningful.”

“Sorry for the selfish request.”

“No, no, don’t worry! I didn’t push back any appointments! So, who’s the girl?”

“Oh, she’s…”

“Sorry for the late introduction. I’m Yamamura, Ryu’s fiancée.”

“F-Fiancée?”

“Yuna-san?”

“It’s fine, right? The family approves, so it’s not wrong.”

“…Well, she’s my girlfriend.”

“Wow… high schoolers these days are advanced. Well, fine! Let’s start with the checkup. First, let’s look at the leg that cramped after the match!”

—

“…Hmm, compared to what I heard, the damage is much less.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, you should return to sports in about a week.”

“That’s great…”

After X-rays and ultrasound tests, the results show my body has almost no issues.

There is still slight inflammation, so I decide to rest for a week before returning to club activities.

This way, I can prepare well for Koshien.

I thought I’d be fine, but honestly, this was my first time experiencing muscle fatigue so bad it caused a fever. I’m glad there’s no major problem.

“Good news, Ryu. This clears the worries for Koshien.”

“Yeah, I’m relieved for now.”

“The inflammation is minor, so you don’t need medicine. I’ll prescribe a patch, so put it on the affected area before bed.”

“Got it. Thank you.”

“No problem! I’m rooting for you at Koshien, so do your best, okay?”

“Leave it to me. I’ll pitch perfectly and advertise this hospital.”

“Haha! That’s reassuring!”

The doctor is refreshing, which is great.

Now I can go back to school tomorrow. That’s a relief.

—

The next day,

“Walking to school with Ryu-kun feels like it’s been a while!”

“It’s only been three days, but it does feel longer.”

“Yeah, the past few days were hectic, so it’s no surprise.”

“You act all wise, but who was visibly down because Ryu-kun wasn’t at school the day before yesterday?”

“…Who could that be?”

“I heard from a newspaper club senior that you were distracted in class and got scolded by the teacher.”

“Tell me that senior’s name first.”

“I protect the privacy of my sources.”

“Don’t say something so official!”

…Being able to calmly enjoy this scene is all because we qualified for Koshien. I’m really glad we won.

If we had lost, I wonder if I could look at everyone’s smiles like this now.

“What do you think, Ryu-kun?”

“Yuna, you’ve been slacking lately. Ryu needs to say something to get you back on track.”

“N-No! I was just feeling a bit off, but I’m fine now! Right!?”

“Well, Yuna came with me to the hospital yesterday.”

“Exactly, exactly!”

“Hmph, that’s just because I won rock-paper-scissors!”

“If times were different, I would’ve been the one to go.”

“Haha! But I’m the one who went to the hospital with Ryu!”

It sounds like a silly conversation to others, but it’s fun.

Koshien is still a bit away, but I renew my resolve to practice hard and face it so I can enjoy scenes like this even after returning from Osaka.

—

“Ryu! It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“Sorry, Shinya. I made you worry.”

“I heard it wasn’t a big deal, but resting this long made me wonder.”

“As you can see, I’m fully recovered. Don’t worry.”

“Good, good. I heard you did great out there?”

As soon as I enter the classroom, Shinya, my closest friend since starting high school, talks to me.

“Well, I managed somehow.”

“Going to Koshien as a first-year? That’s quite a feat.”

“It’s not like it’s just my achievement…”

As we talk about my performance in the finals, classmates swarm me.

“Minase-kun, is it true you pitched the whole final game alone!?”

“The opponent was super strong, right? That’s amazing!”

“I heard you collapsed afterward. Are you okay? No injuries?”

“W-Wait, one at a time. I’ll answer slowly…”

“Minase, I heard you throw super fast pitches!”

“I went to watch, and you were throwing so fast, it was incredible!”

“I saw it too! It was too fast to see!”

“Guys, Ryu-kun’s overwhelmed, so hold on…”

“Everyone, calm down. Ryu’s not going anywhere.”

Kanade and Makoto try to calm everyone’s excitement, but it’s like pouring water on a hot stone.

Even though the topic is about me, I feel like I’m the most left out. What’s going on?

I look at Shinya, who was just talking to me.

He mouths “Tough luck” and heads to a friend in the next classroom. Heartless guy.

But then, a savior appears.

“Okay, everyone, that’s enough. You’re being too loud.”

“Teacher…!”

The person who appears is our class teacher, Nao Kotori herself.

“Really… Minase-kun is always surrounded by classmates. Being popular is tough, huh?”

“No, it’s not like I meant for this…”

“I get that everyone’s curious about Minase-kun going to Koshien, but keep it in moderation, okay?”

Despite her soft tone, Nao-sensei’s presence makes the classmates scatter like spiders. I’m saved…

“Minase-kun, can we talk for a moment?”

“Yes, sure.”

I step into the hallway with Nao-sensei.

“Thank you so much, Sensei. You saved me.”

“No problem. I figured you’d attract attention, but it was even livelier than I expected, so I’m glad I stepped in.”

“I really rely on you, Sensei.”

“Really? Then I’ll come cook for you sometime.”

“Uh, no, I wouldn’t want to trouble you that much…”

“…Just kidding. Did you take it seriously?”

“Oh, no, right. Sorry.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. I’ll end up cooking for you every day eventually.”

“Did you say something?”

“No, nothing. Anyway, the main topic. Did you know we’re gathering volunteers to cheer at Koshien?”

“Oh, some people from our class can go, but I want to prioritize kids close to you, Minase-kun. Can you tell me their names?”

“I see. I’d want, or rather, I planned for Shinya… I mean, Takeda-kun, to come.”

“And?”

“From our class, Makoto and Kanade… Hiragi-san and Sumeragi-san.”

“Got it… Anyone from other classes?”

“From the second year, Yamamura-senpai.”

“…I see. If I can win over those three…”

“Sensei?”

“Oh, it’s fine. I’ll handle their arrangements.”

“Thank you. For everything…”

“No need to hold back. Supporting you is part of a teacher’s job.”

Nao-sensei leaves with a cool stride.

She’s beautiful yet awesome. I’m grateful to have met a teacher like her.