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Classmate wa Isekai de Yuusha ni Natta kedo, Ore dake Gendai Nihon ni Okizari ni Narimashita - Chapter 35

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Chapter 35: A Certain Little Sister’s Recollection (2)

――Side Kana

“……Haaah.”

The moment I got home, I didn’t even have the energy to turn on the lights. I just collapsed onto the sofa.

It was such a small mercy that the dojo was closed today.

In this state, I wouldn’t have been able to focus on training anyway.

What should I have done?

If I hadn’t asked to see the rest of her manga, would none of this have happened?

Should I have noticed she was being bullied sooner?

Or maybe—

……

My mind was drowning in regret and guilt.

I didn’t even have the strength to sit up.

“I’m hooome~.”

Just then, my brother walked in, as carefree as ever.

“……Welcome back.”

Squinting against the sudden brightness of the lights, I replied in a tired voice.

“What’s wrong? Catch a cold or something?”

“……It’s nothing. Just something tiring happened at school. I’ll make dinner after I rest a bit.”

“Nah, stay down. I’ll handle chores today.”

“……Then, thanks.”

If he was offering, I’d take it. In this state, I’d probably just ruin dinner anyway.

After a while, the smell of something delicious drifted from the kitchen—probably minestrone.

But my stomach wasn’t in any condition to eat.

“It’s almost done. Think you can manage?”

“……Not yet. Just put it in the fridge.”

“Got it. Oh, and I’m heading out soon, so hold down the fort.”

“……Yeah.”

He packed the food away, then came back to check on me.

“Want me to grab anything while I’m out?”

“No, don’t worry about it.”

I couldn’t stay awake any longer.

Exhausted, I slowly closed my eyes and began thinking about what to do tomorrow.

First, I’d report those trashy bullies to the teachers.

Then, even if I didn’t know how, I’d try to help Seina with her manga.

And after that—

Just then, something soft draped over me.

Had my brother put a blanket on me?

I tried to check, but my eyelids were too heavy to open.

“……‘Healing Magic.’”

Right before I drifted off, I heard those words—and at the same time, it felt like the exhaustion in my body eased.

But I couldn’t tell if it was real or just a dream.

◇◇◇

Ever since that day, Seina stopped coming to school.

My messages went unread, and since I didn’t know where she lived, I couldn’t visit her.

What made it worse was the punishment those three bullies received—or rather, the lack of one.

They were simply called to the guidance office.

That was it.

The only other consequence was a handout during homeroom with the words “Bullying is bad.”

That was all the punishment they got for destroying the manga Seina poured her heart into.

Had their parents pulled strings? Or was the school covering it up?

I didn’t know, but I couldn’t accept it.

So, I protested to our homeroom teacher.

And the teacher’s response?

“Stop worrying about unnecessary things and just focus on your studies.”

They shut me down coldly and dismissed me.

After that, my motivation to go to school all but disappeared.

But I forced myself to keep attending.

Because if I went every day, maybe I’d see Seina again.

Maybe things would go back to normal—chatting in that empty classroom, reading her incredible stories.

I held onto that hope.

Then, a few days later, a notification popped up on my phone.

A message from Seina.

Just one line:

“Come to that empty classroom after school tomorrow.”

Getting a message from Seina should have made me happy.

But instead, I felt uneasy.

The wording was nothing like her usual self—too blunt, too commanding.

I couldn’t even be sure it was really her.

But I didn’t have a choice.

I couldn’t pass up the chance to see her again.

“……Seina, I’m here.”

The classroom curtains were drawn, blocking any view from the hallway.

“Come in.”

The voice from inside was slightly muffled, but unmistakably Seina’s.

She even sounded… cheerful?

Relieved, I slid open the door—

“……What are you doing?”

What I saw filled me with dread.

The classroom itself hadn’t changed.

The difference was the people inside.

In the center of the room were the three girls who had bullied Seina—now slumped on the floor, looking like they were about to burst into tears.

And standing across from them was—

“Long time no see, Kana-chan.”

Seina smiled at me with hollow eyes.

Beside her, floating in midair, was a grotesque white giant—like a marionette suspended by glowing purple threads, with a single large, unsettling eyeball painted on its head.


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