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 7.1: Being Surrounded by Classmates in Good and Bad Ways

Ms. Kotori led us, and the three of us walked together toward the classroom.

My class was, if I remembered correctly, Class 1-3.

We walked down a long hallway. As expected from the school’s size seen from outside, the classroom felt incredibly far away.

“Will I make it to class on my own next time…?”

“It’s fine! I’ll guide you every time!”

“I’m here too, so no need to worry about getting lost.”

Their offer was very kind, but there might be times when we couldn’t walk to school together due to circumstances. I thought it was better to learn the way on my own just in case.

“If you come to the staff room, I’ll guide you there.”

“I’ll ask if I’m really in trouble.”

Going to class with a teacher every time would be way too embarrassing.

While we talked, we reached the classroom where I’d spend my time from now on.

Since it was before classes started, I heard a commotion from inside the classroom.

Phew… calm down. First impressions matter. I needed to greet everyone properly and blend into the group— “Alright, everyone, quiet down!” …Could you give me a moment to prepare mentally, Ms. Kotori?

“Come on in.”

Alright, here goes. Time to show my courage.

I gathered strength in my core and stepped into the classroom.

As I walked to the front of the teacher’s desk, I felt the gazes of about thirty people turn toward me all at once. I planted my feet firmly, took a deep breath, and spoke.

“Uh… I’m Ryu Minase. I was late starting school due to some circumstances, but I’d love to get along with everyone. Nice to meet you!”

I finished my greeting in one breath and bowed deeply.

After a brief pause, loud applause erupted.

“You’re the ‘hero’ guy, right?”

“Wow! You’re super tall, ‘hero’ guy!”

“Hey, hey! How did you protect those two, ‘hero’ guy?”

“Your muscles are insane! Are you joining a club?”

Whoa… the reaction was better than I expected.

But there was one thing I couldn’t ignore.

What’s with this ‘hero’ guy thing?

“Wait, hold on. What’s with the ‘hero’ guy nickname?”

“Huh? You risked your life to protect Makoto-chan and Kanade-chan, right?”

“We knew about the incident from the news, but the fact that the person who protected them and the ones he saved ended up in the same school and same class? That’s practically fate!”

“Yeah! Those two talked about it every day, so the whole grade knows!”

“Protecting girls you didn’t even know with your life… that’s a real man! I was moved!”

I see.

I looked into it after getting home, and apparently, this attacker incident became quite a heartwarming story on talk shows for a while.

When I first saw the news footage on a video site, the story was so exaggerated that I held my head in my hands.

But, thankfully, the news kept personal names anonymous, so no one should’ve known it was us.

Unless the people involved said something.

I looked at the two girls standing beside me.

Just like before, they were whistling loudly, pretending nothing was wrong.

Look, I know they said they’d help me fit in with the class. But wasn’t this the wrong direction for fitting in?

“Guys, I didn’t do anything that grand, so please don’t call me that…”

“That humble attitude is awesome too!”

“No, that’s not what I mean…”

“Everyone! Hold on a second!”

Just as I tried to stop the flow, someone from the back of the classroom shouted loudly to get everyone’s attention.

…He was incredibly handsome.

With neatly styled black hair, sharp eyes, a clean appearance, and a refreshing citrus scent, he stood in front of me.

Man, with looks like that, wouldn’t girls our age fall for him just by making eye contact?

“Getting bombarded with questions must be tough for you, Minase. Let’s calm down a bit.”

And he had a great personality too?

With his words, the wave of classmates overwhelming me pulled back instantly.

In just the two weeks I was absent, he seemed to have already taken control of the class. He had charisma too.

“Thanks, you saved me… Uh…”

“Oh, I’m Koki Nishino. Nice to meet you, Minase.”

“Same here.”

Koki Nishino offered a friendly handshake, but…

Something about his smile felt off. I couldn’t pinpoint what, just a gut feeling.

As I thought about it, Ms. Kotori clapped her hands twice.

“Alright, everyone. Now that we’re settled, let’s start homeroom. Take your seats.”

“Wait, you’re doing homeroom, Ms. Kotori?”

“Yes, I’m your homeroom teacher.”

“…Seriously?”

Despite everything, homeroom ended without further chaos, and we moved into classes.

As expected from Phoenix High School, the students’ level was high, and they switched gears well. Everyone stayed seated and prepared textbooks and notebooks before class, which left an impression.

But the two-week gap was significant.

The classes were already advanced, having finished reviewing middle school material and moving into high school content while I was absent. Understanding the lessons was tough. I’d need to study hard to catch up.

“Minase… right?”

“Yeah, you’re Takeda-kun, right?”

“Oh, you remembered my name. Nice to meet you.”

After the first period, a boy from the seat in front of me, Shinya Takeda, spoke to me. His bright hair and friendly smile showed he was definitely the likable type.

“Since our seats are close, we’re basically friends now, right? Call me by my first name.”

“Then I’ll call you Shinya. You can call me Ryu.”

“Nice to meet you again, Ryu.”

“Yeah, same.”

I made a friend on my first day.

Wasn’t this a pretty great start?

“You planning to join any clubs, Ryu?”

“I’m joining the baseball team.”