Chapter 14 - Kaori Shirasaki's Request

It has been a week after the status inspection. Time flowed quickly, with nobody able to stop it, and the students had grown up tremendously in a mere week. The speed of their progress was just too absurd.

After another training session was over, Rio parted with some guys and girls he'd got to know better. There were Kousuke Endo and his two close friends—Kentarou Nomura and Jugo Nagayama. He, too, got close to the adorable Suzu Taniguchi, and despite his wariness towards Eri Nakamura, he couldn't help but have some interactions with the bitch in a lamb's costume.

There were also a mixed group of boys and girls who Rio knew to be the Ai's Bodyguards Squad in the other timeline he knew as canon. That ridiculous name aside, they were led Yuuka Sonobe who became 'The Mistress of the Demon King' in the After Story of Arifureta Sokugyou de Sekai Saikyou main story. The rest of the group were Taeko Sugawara, Nana Miyazaki, Atsushi Tamai, Noboru Aikawa, and Akito Nimura.

Other than that, he had earned his place in the most respected group of students, A.K.A Kouki's group.

If you ask Rio about his honest impression about these summoned students, he would say that they were real, that they live and feel just like him. He'd realized that they were also real living human beings and not only mere characters in a fictional story. It made Rio feel troubled because he was still human despite his ruthlessness and selfishness. But, he had stopped entertaining his troubled thoughts and pushed on his agenda.

As Rio walked up towards the exit of the training field, he felt a few students followed after him in a hurry. His Detect skill alerted him of their arrival. When he turned around, he saw Kouki's group approaching him, led by overeager Kaori. Behind her were an exasperated Shizuku, and the unwilling Kouki and Ryutarou. When he saw them, Rio easily guessed what was their business with him. Or to be precise, what was Kaori's business with him while the rest just being dragged by the airhead beauty.

"Rio, excuse me, but are you going to visit Nagumo? Can I go together with you? It has been a week already and I feel worried about Nagumo! Can you allow me to visit him with you? Pretty please?" Kaori stood before Rio, bowed deeply, and begged at him.

Rio raised his brows in bemus.e.m.e.nt but quickly recovered from his confusion and threw an inquiring look towards Kaori's friends. When they saw his look, they had different reactions.

Shizuku just smiled apologetically but being passive like the usual. There was a trace of expectation in her eyes, hoping for his approval for Kaori's willful request silently. Kouki had a troubled expression and he seemed at lost, seeming confused as to why Kaori wanted to meet the useless Otaku but said nothing and chalked it up as Kaori being her usual kind self. Lastly, Ryutarou just clicked his tongue in disp.l.e.a.s.u.r.e because he was dragged to something he didn't want to be a part of. He followed after them due to his loyalty and friendship towards Kouki.

In the meantime, they were grabbing the other students' attention. The students who were taking a break after their afternoon training was watching the exchange between Rio and Kouki's group silently. At the scene of Kaori's bowing her head before Rio, some girls began whispering with each other, gossiping about what was actually happening. Some boys were openly glaring at Rio in jealousy and hatred. Rio also saw some girls seeming crestfallen when they saw the scene.

Rio didn't have 100% assurance that they had fallen in love with him, but he was confident that they were at least thinking him as a prospective boyfriend. His appearance was above average and he presented himself as a kind, thoughtful, and helpful young man who they could depend on.

There was also a certain 'weight' in Rio's words, unlike Kouki's empty promise that he spouted for many girls before. He never spouted sweet nothings. Some of his words were often harsh and hurtful, but they would help the listeners. After that, he would soothe their wounded hearts from his hurtful and harsh words after they accepted his words, making them feel better.

Furthermore, there were no unwritten rules between girls about dating Rio like what they agreed in regards to Kouki. Basically, Rio was a fair game and high-quality commodity in the eyes of the girls. He was just below Kouki, but anyone had a chance with him. It made him a better choice as a prospective boyfriend than Kouki who was a forbidden fruit, so to speak.

Of course, Rio helped some boys too. He helped boys to create an image of fairness. If he only helped girls, it would paint him as no good womanizer and the girls would become wary of him. In fact, one of the boys, Kousuke Endo had become very loyal to him despite the person himself was unaware of his loyalty. And the reason behind that was a topic for another time. As of now, let's return back to the present situation.

Rio watched Kaori's bowing figure for a few seconds, but in the meantime, his mind was working in a hurry. Finally, he said, "Okay. If you want to visit Hajime in his workshop, then follow me!"

"Thank you very much, Rio!" Kaori said after raising her head. She had a bright beaming smile on her face.

Rio spared his attention towards the rest behind her and saw Kouki's and Ryutarou's troubled yet resigned expression. Meanwhile, Shizuku had a facial expression full of gratitude for him. Afterward, Rio led them towards Hajime's workshop inside the castle.