The Strongest Loner Redo His Youth With Unmatched Prowess!! ~In the Second Round of School Life, He Made Beautiful Girl Friends!~ - Chapter 5: Depth

(Wow… I’m being watched so much…）

Yuito fell safely off the stage. 

However, Amai was looking at Yuito with a dissatisfied expression from the stage. 

“Um, Amai-san?” 

“Hmm? What’s wrong? You can come from anywhere.”

But when a student remaining on the stage spoke to him, he suddenly brightened up and replied. 

(Amai-san, I’m sorry!)

Yuito started moving while apologizing in his heart. 

He casually approached the student who had dropped out earlier. 

If he stayed close, someone might talk to him. 

However, it didn’t go that smoothly. 

No one approached Yuito, and more and more people dropped out. 

As more people gathered, it became somewhat uncomfortable, and he moved towards the less crowded area. 

His body naturally drifted away from the stage.

A circle of eliminated participants was formed around the stage. 

On the outermost edge, Yuito stood alone, bewildered. 

(Huh? When did this happen!?)

…Unbeknownst to Yuito, there was a solid reason for it. 

He had been surprisingly attentive, closely observing the mock battle. 

Analyzing the movements of the students and Amai, he was trying to discern who was acting with what intention.

He was trying to assess the situation. 

It was a habit he had developed as an explorer. 

It was something he did naturally. 

However, it was difficult to casually approach someone who was intently watching the mock battle. 

One might think it would be rude to interrupt. 

As a result, no one approached Yuito.

“Wonderful! This time, I’ll concede victory to you!”

On the stage, Amai clapped his hands. 

In response, the students watching also clapped. 

On the stage, four men and women remained. 

One was the high school girl from the runaway truck incident. 

One was Kirika, the seat-stealing woman. 

The other two were male students.

They have good looks and carry themselves with confidence, so they are probably in a happy relationship. 

The four of them fought together and endured Amai’s fierce attack. 

To commend their valiant effort, Amai conceded victory. 

“Yay! Yay!!” 

Kirika was overly delighted. 

She high-fived the male students. 

Even an unknown high school girl, though puzzled, joined in by clapping her hands.

A group of four beautiful men and women. 

There’s some awkwardness, but the atmosphere isn’t bad. 

It’s the ideal group of popular kids. 

(Oh!? I made a mistake!!) 

Seeing that scene, Yuito was struck by lightning. He realized it. 

(It wasn’t about losing on purpose, but winning together with everyone that was the right answer!!) 

If they face difficulties together, friendship naturally blossoms.

The students challenging the A-rank explorers is a perfect opportunity to build friendships. 

Last time, Yuito won alone, so he didn’t get to see this kind of scene. 

That’s why he didn’t notice it. 

(Well, even if I joined that sparkling, popular group, I’d be instantly ostracized, so I’m not envious at all. Not envious at all!!)

A few days have passed since the start of his second chance at youth.

Suddenly, Yuito felt like starting over again.

◇◆◇◆◇

“How was it? This year’s new students are quite impressive, aren’t they?”

After the mock battle ended. 

The new students had gone home, leaving the arena empty. 

The vice principal with a goatee and Amai were talking. 

The vice principal wore a satisfied smile. 

“They are all students whose growth we can look forward to.” 

However, Amai had a somewhat troubled expression.

He was gazing at the stage where he had fought. 

However, his eyes were unfocused, as if looking further away. 

“After all, the one I have the most expectations for is Jinguuji Kirika, right?” 

“In terms of expectations… yes, that’s probably true.” 

“What’s wrong? That sounds a bit ambiguous.” 

“It’s not about expectations; she is already complete. There were students stronger than her.”

“…What did you say?” 

Amai looked at the vice principal. 

His eyes were trembling slightly as if he were afraid of something. 

“I felt like I was thrown into the deep sea. I can’t see the bottom of his abilities. It feels like challenging an endless darkness… It felt the same as when I met the S-rank person.”

Amai wasn’t joking. 

His gaze spoke volumes. 

“…You seem serious.” 

“I wouldn’t joke about something like this.” 

“Please check the roster and tell me that student’s name.” 

“Understood.”