Chapter-09 · EP-133
Episode 133: Kyoya Murasakimura (Part 4) – Insidious Bullying
At the shoe lockers in the morning, I couldn't help but stop.
My indoor shoes, which should have been in their usual place, were nowhere to be found.
"…?"
After school yesterday, I definitely put them here. There's no mistake.
But they weren't in the back of the locker, nor on the lower shelf.
Looking up, I caught a glimpse of a familiar fabric color on the top shelf.
Out of reach. Even stretching my arm, my fingertips didn't even graze it.
Just as I turned to get a chair, a voice came from behind.
"Oh? If it isn't Murasakimura-kun. Looking for your shoes? Hehehe…"
It was Dokujima-kun.
His usual smirk. Eyes that seemed to enjoy my reaction.
"Can't even reach the top shelf at level 1? Being slow to grow is tough, isn't it?"
He was shorter than me, so what was he talking about?
He probably hid my shoes. He must have made his tall friend Numabe-kun do it.
After delivering his insult, Dokujima-kun deliberately shrugged and walked past me.
I didn't reply. It wasn't that I ignored him. I just couldn't find the words.
I brought a chair and silently retrieved my shoes.
A feeling that was both irritation and sadness welled up inside me.
But that wasn't the end.
His harassment had only just begun.
As I walked down the hallway, Class B students passing by whispered loud enough for me to hear.
"Ah, it's level 1."
"No way, he still hasn't leveled up?"
"I heard he's holding D-Class back."
Conversations like that, not even trying to hide their mockery.
I looked down and quickened my pace.
If I talked back, it would only make things worse. What they wanted was my reaction.
Even knowing that, my chest ached.
It's okay. Don't worry about it.
Telling myself that, I headed to the classroom.
The moment I entered the classroom, everyone's eyes were on me.
Wondering what was happening, I was surprised, but everyone just whispered among themselves and didn't speak to me. Reluctantly, I entered.
Then I saw large letters written on the right-side blackboard.
"'Top Student (lol)' is a level 1 weakling."
What was this?
As I stood there stunned, staring at the words, I heard laughter from behind.
Looking into the hallway, Dokujima was peering into the classroom.
How ridiculous…!
I didn't need to think twice about who had written it.
I sighed deeply and picked up the eraser.
Had he come to school at a time when no one was around just to write this?
Expending effort on such a pointless thing—it was beyond anger; it was exasperating.
And what about my classmates?
If they noticed, someone could have erased it. Or when I arrived, someone could have said something. But they just watched from a distance. Weren't they on my side?
They probably just didn't want to get involved.
They were keeping their distance because they didn't want to be targeted by Dokujima and his group from Class B.
Even so, it was lonely.
I turned and looked around the classroom, but no one would meet my eyes.
I swallowed the scream rising in my throat.
I mustn't be mistaken. The target of my anger shouldn't be my classmates. It was him. The instigator was Dokujima-kun. I would reach Level 2 as soon as possible and prove him wrong. And I had to regain my classmates' trust.
After erasing the words on the blackboard and sitting down, I decided to skip club activities today and go dungeon exploration instead.
Akaishi-kun apparently worked part-time after school, so it would be just Mamoru and me exploring.
Having fewer members was a concern, but the slimes on the first floor shouldn't be a problem.
It would be a waste of time for Mamoru, who had already reached level 2, but he readily agreed to come.
Our exploration went smoothly, and we defeated more slimes than in our usual class explorations.
When we came out of the dungeon with a pleasant fatigue, Dokujima-kun and Numabe-kun were standing in front of the Skill Board.
"Oh, here he comes. Checking again today, top student?"
"You again…"
I already had a bad feeling.
But I needed to check my level. I couldn't run away.
I placed my hand on the Skill Board and activated it.
The result was unchanged.
The LV1 was there, as if mocking me.
"Wow, it really hasn't gone up."
Dokujima-kun laughed.
"Even after working hard all day? You're good at studying, but as an explorer, you're a complete dropout."
"He's a hopeless guy."
Numabe chimed in with a smirk.
"Stop it."
The words came out naturally.
I didn't shout. But my voice was surprisingly low, even startling myself.
"What's your problem today…? What are you trying to do?"
Dokujima shrugged.
"Nothing? Just stating the truth. Level 1 is level 1, right?"
I clenched my fists.
It was frustrating. Pathetic.
But I couldn't hit them. If I let my emotions take over here, I would lose.
"…I'll keep trying tomorrow. Even if I can't level up right away, it doesn't matter. Hard work doesn't lie."
Dokujima snorted softly.
"Huh… confident. Well, do your best, Level 1-kun."
The two turned their backs and left.
I sighed quietly and touched the Skill Board again.
The number didn't change. But I didn't intend to let it end with just today.
Mamoru suggested.
"Kyoya, let's skip club activities for a while and focus on exploring until you level up."
"Yeah. Thanks. Tomorrow for sure…"
I slowly unclenched my fists.
Once I reached level 2, they would lose interest in me and stop the harassment.
No matter who laughed at me or ridiculed me, I had no intention of giving in.
I would definitely catch up. I couldn't afford to lose to their cowardly harassment.