You’re Right, They’ll Expel Me if I Run into the Store with a Weapon!! - Chapter 84

Suzuko criticized my form of entertainment, so I decided it was only fair to speak my mind to her.

“Do you understand why my eyes look like this?”

“Uh…”

Exactly. The reason for these dark circles under my eyes is Suzuko herself.

Last night, we played a game that was supposed to be a one-time clear. Thinking it would be over after just one completion, I casually agreed to form a party with Suzuko and fight.

But…

With a quiet anger in my voice, I started to lecture Suzuko, who lowered the corners of her eyes.

“It was too intense. You have to match my pace. Otherwise, it would have never ended.”

“Uh…”

It was a boss raid quest for team play only.

It was an ultra-difficult quest that could only be cleared if the players’ timing was perfectly in sync.

“It’s not just about doing it quickly. Being too intense is also a problem.”

“Ugh…”

Solo play and team play are different. If our movements don’t synchronize, playing solo is no different. The quest was designed to reflect that.

“No matter how often I pointed it out, you didn’t adjust. You were only satisfied with yourself.”

“It’s not like that.”

Suzuko’s history of playing solo was long. That’s why she couldn’t see a result that satisfied both of us, ending up with only one person satisfied.

“It’s exactly like that. It was tough and painful for me. That’s because you went too hard on your own.”

“But…”

I truly suffered. Despite me being in close combat, she kept throwing grenades—a complete party killer.

“I understand you’re inexperienced. After all, you were my first, and I was yours. At first, both of us were bad at it. But after a few times, you’d think one would notice. Somehow, I’m the only one getting hurt.”

“Uh…”

I always needed a regular partner to team up with. I used to join random battles in the field or occasionally team up with someone who invited me.

So, Suzuko was the first person I repeatedly formed a party with.

And I almost got killed over and over again.

Isn’t that strange?

“I’ve reached my limit. You must feel uncertain about me, too, right?”

We just don’t sync well.

So let me be clear…

“Our compatibility is bad… Let’s stop this. For both of our sakes.”

“What!?”

Suzuko’s face drained of color.

That was the last thing she wanted to hear from Hiroki.

“So…”

“I’ll be gentler…”

“No, that means you won’t be satisfied.”

“If Hiroki is satisfied, then I’m satisfied…”

“That’s just enduring.”

“I’m not enduring anything! I want to be with Hiroki…”

“Suzuko…”

“Please…”

Calling out the girl’s name,

Suzuko, with solemn eyes, slightly trembled her shoulders.

Ignoring her was not an option for Hiroki.

“I’m a man who can’t satisfy you.”

“I’m a woman who can’t satisfy Hiroki either. So─”

Taking a step forward, Suzuko opened her eyes wide.

“Let me find─ Hiroki’s satisfaction.”

“Ah, aaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!”

“Calm down, Moriko-chan!! It’s too early to judge just from the conversation!!”

“It’s black! It’s totally black! There’s no room for argument! Incompatibility and breaking up are just typical excuses!!”

The commentary booth, the stadium, and Combat College were in a frenzy.

The relationship issues between a multi-ability irregular and a top-nine-ranked fighter were aired live.

Naturally, the students and the teaching staff were left with their mouths open.

“And I can’t believe it! It’s too soon. They are just first-year students! Physical education practical lessons shouldn’t be happening in the first year!!”

“Let’s mind our language, Moriko-chan, since everyone is listening! It might be too soon, and it might be an impure relationship. It might be intense! I’m surprised by Suzuko-chan’s desire to keep her partner up all night with her intensity!”

“Kyaaa! What are you saying, Amano-san!? You can’t just say that out loud! Amano-san, please have some self-control!!”

The heated talk between the two commentators.

The topic’s sensationalism and shock value captivated the audience, spreading throughout the stadium and Combat College.

The couple’s relationship is between a top-nine-ranked fighter and a multi-ability irregular.

The repeated, intense encounters.

The fact that two of the top fighters among the students of Combat College were in a sensual relationship.

This news heated everyone’s hearts in various ways.

“This calls for a press conference! Let’s have one after the event! I’d love to play the reporter role and ask questions!!”

“I want to hear it too! Maybe I should play a reporter! We could prepare a few cameras and set a stage like a real event!”

“Let’s do it! Let’s get them to spill everything about their relationship!! And then let’s celebrate them!!”

“Yeah! Let’s prepare a huge bouquet for the celebration! So big that it can’t be lifted!!”

Amano sent a message somewhere using his device.

To Moriko, everything seemed to be arranged for a grand exposure of their relationship after the event.

“But, it’s still surprising…”

“Hm? What is?”

Moriko’s musing caught Amano’s attention.

“That Suzuko-san managed to date Hiroki-san. There must have been many obstacles. Mainly on Suzuko-san’s side…”

“Ah, that’s true.”

“I’ve been curious for a while now… Why did Suzuko-san become a recluse?… There have been various rumors, but the real reason remains unknown.”

Moriko’s question was one that many students of Combat College had.

The top nine ranked fighters didn’t participate in classes or missions and only cooperated with research when not staying at home.

Essentially, she was labeled a recluse by the students, a fact acknowledged throughout Combat College, adding to the mystery surrounding her.

“Why did Suzuko-san become a recluse?”

Moriko threw her question to the good-natured young man beside her, hoping that, being ranked second, he might know something.

Amano answered with a smile, though his voice carried a severe weight.

“I can’t say much. And the truth is complicated. The reason she stayed home…”

His solemn tone hinted at the gravity of Suzuko’s reasons.

“But, there were bad rumors… About bullying, causing incidents…”

Those were among the few rumors surrounding Suzuko.

Amano thought to correct them.

“That girl didn’t do anything wrong, there was no bullying or incidents… I can’t say much, but if I were to give a hint…”

A glimpse into the past of the top nine ranked fighters.

“She couldn’t bear it anymore.”

Amano’s words left Moriko and everyone who heard with wide eyes.

──The top nine ranked fighter couldn’t bear something anymore.

This answer spun a new whirl of thoughts.

“Alright! No more dark topics! Everyone, think about it on your own!”

“Yes, thank you, Amano-san!”

Moriko felt she shouldn’t inquire further, a sentiment that made her stop her pursuit.

“For now, let’s celebrate after the event. Not just for their couple status but also for Suzuko-chan being proactive and going outside.”

Participating in an event with a large crowd.

Engaging in conversation with a peer of the opposite sex.

The improvement in Uchimoriya Suzuko’s situation, from being a recluse to participating in events and having a significant other, was evident from the contrast between her previous dates and what was now displayed on the monitor.

For Amano, this was akin to a celebration.

“Maybe I’ll make a congratulatory video message.”

“A video message?”

“Suzuko-chan was a student many teachers and staff cared about. Now, she’s participating in events and even has a significant other. So, I thought it’d be nice to congratulate her and celebrate her growth.”

Amano’s words moved some of the teachers and staff.

These were the people who had been concerned about Suzuko during her reclusive period.

Though it was initially the role of the teachers and staff to fulfill their duty without knowing the exact reasons, Suzuko managed to come out on her own. Many adults wanted to convey their congratulations.

“Right! We’ll show the video message to Suzuko-chan right after the event ends. So, any teachers or staff who want to send her a message, please record a video message on your device!”

Amano typed on the keyboard, displaying a disposable address at the bottom of the monitor.

“It will be hard to include long messages due to time constraints, so we’ll just go with ‘Congratulations’ while clapping. I’ll edit your congratulations videos to fit with my chosen BGM, so please send them to this address!”

Prompted by his words, some of the teachers and staff took action.

They asked those nearby to record them as they clapped and said congratulations.

As a result, videos began to arrive at Amano’s address one after another.

“This is going to make for a great video.”

“Hiroki feels like he’s gone far away.”

“This is unexpected. I would have never imagined those two together.”

Haruna and the professor in the VIP room were captivated by the reality they had just learned about. The other teachers and staff in the room felt the same.

“There’s something I’m curious about right now.”

“What’s that?”

“Who confessed to whom?”

A strong warning signal was ringing in Haruna’s mind. The relationship between Suzuko, Hiroki, and Shiori was dredging up a drama from the depths of her memory.

“If it was the ninth-ranked who confessed, then it’s just like that story…”

“Story?”

“The strategically endearing heroine…”

If Suzuko were that character, from Haruna’s perspective, this would be a case of stealing away someone’s love. And it was clear who had been stolen from.

“Shiori would be the one who lost…”

This was seriously bad. No laughing matter. It’s almost identical to that drama. The announcer’s voice didn’t reach the battlefield stage, but it was only a matter of time before it became known. At worst, it would be a matter of minutes.

Their confrontation was inevitable.

The moving ranked fighters and those lying in wait.

No one on the enemy side could defeat those two.

“The worst-case scenario is a bloody bad end.”

With a realized intent in her eyes, Haruna could only pray.

──For the safety of the main character Hiroki, who was in danger…

“Hazuki…”

Hazuki remained silent, unwilling to speak.

The usual atmosphere surrounded them, unchanged.

Yet, Sayaka understood.

She knew what was happening within the girl.

“Hazuki…”

A servant who could do nothing but call her name. The girl continued to remain silent.

But that was all she could do for now.

Sayaka knew that leaving Hazuki alone now could lead to something dreadful.

“Hazuki…”

Ensuring no one else could hear, Sayaka continued to whisper into Hazuki’s ear.

“Just for now…”

For the sake of those around her, for Hazuki’s sake.

Sayaka kept pleading earnestly, knowing that a single mistake could end everything.