Chapter 4

"Hey, hey, it's fine, right?"

"Since you have nothing to do, come with us."

"N-no..."

On the way home. While taking a detour through the bustling street to change the mood, I noticed a girl with glasses being harassed by some delinquents. The girl being harassed is a student from our school, judging by her uniform.

One of the delinquents is quite built. Because of this, all the passersby just pretend not to see and walk past.

"Please... let go..."

"What? I can't hear you, your voice is too low."

"Are you saying you'll come with us? Yay, you're up for it!"

He grabbed the girl's arm and tried to drag her off somewhere.

Sigh, I can't just leave this, can I?

"Hey, she's saying no, so let her go."

The passersby send me looks like 'Oh no, not this...' But I'm dead serious. Sure, it might be normal to pretend not to see, but just like when I helped God, my body moves on its own.

I think I have a troublesome nature. Yeah.

"Hey, playing the hero, huh? Brat."

"If you don't want to get hurt, back off."

"No way, the one who should back off... is you!"

Saying that, I tackled the well-built delinquent with all my might.

I must have hit him just right, because he flew off and disappeared into the alley's garbage area. Success!

"Come on!"

"Ah, okay!"

I grabbed the girl's hand and ran.

I can hear the thin delinquent's shouts from behind, but I ignore them.

After running for a while, we reached a park a bit further away.

"Are you okay?"

"Y-yes... huff, huff, I'm fine."

She's out of breath. Even though it was to escape, I made her run too much.

"Sorry, are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine... thank you for helping me."

"No, no, I'm glad you're safe."

"Ah, but really, thank you..."

"No, no..."

...I got carried away and came this far, but the conversation isn't flowing. This girl seems to have trouble talking too, and I'm not used to talking to girls either. It's probably best to part ways.

"Anyway, let's end it here... Hey, that! That slime keychain, it's from that popular novel, right!?"

"Ah, yes. Do you know it?"

"Of course! I missed buying the manga version and couldn't get that one."

"Ah, I have another pattern too. I bought two copies."

"Wow, that's great!"

After that, the conversation surprisingly took off. From popular light novels to niche manga, we had a lot in common. Indeed, otaku culture is great.

"Ah, it's gotten pretty late."

"Yeah, it has."

Looking at the park clock, it's already past 5 PM. It's April, so the sun is starting to set.

I want to talk more, but there's no helping it. It's time to part.

"Want me to walk you home?"

"I'm fine. My older sister and a friend are nearby."

The girl with glasses confirmed her phone screen and said this. I was worried she might be harassed again, but it seems she'll be fine with someone to go home with.

"Um... I really had a great time today. I'd like to talk again."

"Sure, I had a great time too. Let's talk again."

"Okay! See you then."

With that, she ran off in the opposite direction of my way home.

I had a good encounter. Thank you, God, for bringing me back to life!

"Ah, I forgot to ask your name."

I forgot to introduce myself too.

Well, it's fine. If we're in the same school, I'll probably see her again.

While hearing the sound of an ambulance heading towards the bustling street, I headed home.