I (30), Who Works for a Black Company and Died While Regretting My Gloomy Life, Started Over From High School! - Chapter 32

32 Thanks to you

As I stepped out into the hallway, I felt glances from the students as I passed by.

Not only that, but I could also hear them whispering to each other.

“Look, that was the one who ranked first…”

“Yeah, that’s the… guy who humiliated Mitsurugi earlier.”

“I heard he got first place just by looking at the textbook without studying at all.”

“Apparently, he planned the whole thing from the beginning, even provoking Mitsurugi into a public execution.”

“Wow… he’s a scary guy…”

What’s with all the rumors going around…!

I studied hard, and Mitsurugi’s execution was mostly due to his own self destruction!

(However, when everyone in my class congratulates me and gives me kind looks, I realize that I really did beat the winners in life… )

In my previous life, I always thought that I was a loser and no matter how hard I tried, I was going to lose… But it turns out that wasn’t the case.

(Hmm? That’s…)

I came back to the bulletin board, but most of the students seemed to have finished looking at it, and there was no sign of Mitsurugi.

Then there was a girl with long black hair, staring at the results, covering her mouth with her hand and standing frozen in surprise.

“Shijoin-san!”

“Ah…! Nihama-kun!”

When she heard my voice, she turned around and sounded very excited.

“I just saw the results and I was… really surprised and happy! Being first place in the school year is amazing! It’s so amazing!”

With both hands clasped, Shijoin-san uttered her words emotionally.

Her eyes sparkled and she looked really impressed.

“Well, I’m flattered, but you need to calm down a little. You look like a fan after your favorite idol’s concert is over.”

Even though the number of people has decreased, the excitement of Shijoin-san, a beautiful girl who is one of the most beautiful girls in our school year, is too eye-catching.

When I felt the attention gathering around us, I suggested that we move to a different location to talk. I relocated to the unpopulated staircase landing with Shijoin-san.

“I’m sorry, I got overly excited… but I was really happy.”

Shijoin-san’s cheeks blushed as she remembered how emotional she was just a moment ago.

“I know how hard Nihama-kun has been working recently for the final exam, so I was very happy when I thought that… all of your hard work paid off in the most amazing way…! Congratulations on your achievement!”

“Shijoin-san…”

The girl with beautiful black hair congratulated me with her heartfelt words and big smile.

Her smile was so dazzling.

It was as if her pure and innocent heart had blossomed into a flower, and I was temporarily mesmerized by her, completely lost for words.

“Thank you… Shijoin-san for telling me that, it makes me really… really happy…”

The girl I love is watching me work and is happy to see that it paid off, which makes my heart leap with joy.

Sometimes words are not very helpful.

There is no line in this world to convey this feeling of happiness that fills me like a warm spring breeze.

“Congratulations on making it to 58th place. That’s a great improvement compared to last time.”

“Yes! I’m so worried and couldn’t look at the results, so I went out to buy a black coffee, and… thankfully I managed to check it at a certain point!”

“Yeah, I’m also really glad that Shijoin-san’s efforts paid off… Your score is much higher than the average, so this means you are finally free from your light novel ban.

“Ah… yes. That’s also true.”

“Huh? Didn’t you get tense and worried because you were on the brink of not being able to avoid your light novel ban?”

That was the original reason why Shijoin-san asked me to teach her.

I don’t know why else she would be so nervous…

“Of course, I hadn’t forgotten about that either. But… the reason why… I’m so nervous is because of you, Nihama-kun.”

“Eh? Me?”

It was completely unexpected that my name would come up there, and I blinked in shock.

“Yes, that’s right. The study group began with my request, but… Nihama-kun has put in a lot of effort into it.”

As if recalling the time when the two of us began our… study group before the festival, Shijoin-san continued.

“It wasn’t just that you helped me. You collected materials, recreated the lessons with those awesome and perfect notes, and made up the questions for me…”

“No, that’s also for my own studies… I told you several times that you don’t have to worry about it, and I was treated fairly well by Shijoin-san with drinks and snacks.”

The study session was an irreplaceable opportunity for me to spend time with Shijoin-san, and it was a blissful time for me.

However, I couldn’t be completely honest about it, so as a result, Shijoin-san, who seemed to be concerned about the fact that I was giving up my time to teach her without asking her for anything in return, offered to provide refreshments during our study session.I decided to accept the offer, hoping it would make her feel better.

“I know but… the burden of Nihama-kun is not even comparable to the cost of a little snack.”

With a small giggle, Shijoin-san continued.

“So, with each study session, the light novel ban became less and less important to me. I was afraid that I would fail to meet the expectations of Nihama-kun, who had been so supportive of me… That is what I was worried about.”

Then, Shijoin-san stared at me.

The look in her eyes was filled with gratitude and had a radiant feeling in it.

“I wanted to tell Nihama-kun with all my heart that it was thanks to you that I was able to make it this far.”

After saying that, Shijoin-san revealed a proud smile.

It was a smile that expressed exactly how happy she was, that my efforts as a teacher had been rewarded with good results.

“…You look really good, Shijoin-san.”

“Hmm, thank you. But… Nihama-kun also has a very good look on his face.”

“Yeah, we worked hard together, didn’t we?”

We both thought of each other, and through our efforts, we were able to get the results we wanted.

We both chuckled with a pleasant sense of satisfaction.

And in the midst of this warm atmosphere…

“Haha! I heard about it, Haruka!”