Chapter-05 · EP-080

Episode 80: Hikaru Kujo (Part 9)

After school, when I came to the dungeon with Mei, there were more people gathered than I had expected.

I understood Okumoto-san and Ichinose-san, who had made the bet. But for some reason, Iori Takigawa, Yuno Hayasaka, and Maika Momota from D-Class were also there. Not only them, but also Mochizuki-san and Toba-san from my own A-Class. And Murasakimura-san and Sendo-san from D-Class.

"When I asked Iori if the young lady could defeat a slime in one hit, everyone said they wanted to cheer her on and came along. Sorry if having a crowd makes you nervous."

Ichinose-san explained with an apologetic look.

It did make me nervous, but I was happy that they wanted to support me, even though I was from a different class.

"Hikaru. I've been watching you practice. You're incomparably better now than when you started. Hard work pays off. Have confidence!"

Hearing such praise from Takigawa-san, who had also been instructing me in the Second Swordsmanship Club, I felt both happy and a little embarrassed. No, I was honestly happy.

"Thank you, Takigawa-san."

"Kujo-san, do your best."

"Kujo-san, that guy said something mean to you, didn't he? Show him how cool you are and shut him up!"

"'Shut him up'? Fufufu, do people really make that kind of sound?"

Momota-san and Hayasaka-san's cheers made me laugh involuntarily. Were they trying to help me relax?

And I was also surprised that Murasakimura-san and Sendo-san, who I thought didn't get along with me, had come.

When I looked at them, Murasakimura-san began to speak.

"Kujo-san. I've said many rude things to you, and I want to apologize. I'm sorry. I've seen you practicing hard in the club. I think you're probably the most serious member of all. I realized you're not just about your family background; you're a hard worker. So I believe you'll succeed today. Do your best!"

I was surprised by Murasakimura-san's straightforward encouragement.

"I share Kyoya's opinion. Kujo-san, by my assessment, you already have the ability to defeat a slime in one hit. So I'll just watch calmly."

Sendo-san, Murasakimura-san's best friend, also gave me such honest words of encouragement.

"Thank you, both of you."

Then Mochizuki-san and Toba-san.

"Kujo-san, I've felt indebted to you ever since you saved me. So no matter what Okumoto-kun says, I'm going to join your faction. Toba-kun agreed after I talked to him."

As Mochizuki-san was saying that, Okumoto-san interrupted.

"Mochizuki, you've chosen the wrong person to follow. The overwhelming majority of the class supports me."

Hearing Okumoto-san's words, Mochizuki-san turned and retorted.

"Okumoto-kun, almost all the girls in the class adore Kujo-san. Only the boys support you. The majority is cheering for Kujo-san."

Okumoto-san couldn't respond to that.

But I gently chided Mochizuki-san.

"Mochizuki-san, thank you. But I don't intend to create factions within the class. I want you, Okumoto-san, to join together as Class A."

"Kujo-san, your thinking is naive."

Okumoto-san denied my words.

Then Ichinose-san stepped between me and Okumoto-san.

"Hey, about the bet today. You said that if the young lady defeats a slime in one hit, you'll tell the Class C guys to stop tailing me. If she can't, you get my Rank 3 potion, right? I was thinking, that bet isn't balanced."

"Wh-what? Having second thoughts about the Rank 3 potion?"

"No, it's not that I'm reluctant. It's just that it's not balanced."

Ichinose-san was right. If Okumoto-san had ordered Class C students to follow him, making them stop was only natural. Why should he have to stake something as valuable as a Rank 3 potion for that?

I could understand why Ichinose-san might want to back out.

But what Ichinose-san asked for was beyond my imagination.

"If the young lady can't defeat the slime, I'll give you this Rank 3 potion like I promised. But if she does win, instead of just going to warn Class C, you'll make up with the young lady."

"Huh?"

Okumoto-san was surprised by the unexpected words.

Of course, I was so shocked I couldn't speak.

"You seem to dislike the young lady, but she wants to get along with you. So if we win, you'll make nice with her, okay?"

"Huh? Ridiculous. I just don't like that Kujo-san is weak despite being class president. If she shows me her strength, I'll cooperate with her without you having to ask!"

"Oh! That's a promise! Hey, you're in A-Class, right? You heard that too? If the young lady wins, he'll cooperate without factions!"

"Y-yeah, I heard."

Having secured that promise, Ichinose-san had Mochizuki-san and the others witness it.

To bet his own potion on something so favorable to me… I didn't know what to say about Ichinose-san's kindness.

Noticing my hesitation, Ichinose-san called out to me.

"The young lady just needs to have confidence and defeat the slime."

He said with a smile.

I tried my best to act strong.

"You're right. I just have to show the results of my growth. That's all."

We descended to the first floor of the dungeon.

I swore in my heart that I would cut down the slime in a single blow.