Necromancer 26

 Test

26. Role Reversal

"F-Forgive meeeeeee...!"

Kenzaki suddenly collapsed at my feet, pressing his forehead to the floor.

"K-Kenzaki...?"

I stared down at him in disbelief, practically in a full dogeza position.

—Is this some kind of trap?

That was the first thought that crossed my mind.

It was strange, to say the least, for the rough and rowdy Kenzaki to apologize like this.

The way he seemed so terrified felt like an act, too.

This just wasn’t like him.

So then, what’s his game here—?

"P-Please! Just help me...! I surrender, okay?"

This was a total surrender.

Not like Kenzaki at all.

"First, apologize to Nayuka. Then swear you'll never force yourself on her again."

I decided to start by making him promise that.

"O-Okay. Nayuka... I'm sorry..."

"U-Um, it's okay, really..."

Nayuka seemed to accept Kenzaki’s apology without issue.

"Alright. Then this conversation is over. No more pushing Nayuka around, and no more trying to kill me, Kenzaki."

I made sure to lay down the rules.

It would be a pain if he caused any more trouble later.

"You've figured out by now that killing me with your skills isn't possible, right? So if you try anything with Nayuka again—"

I gave him a cold glare.

"Next time, it’ll be to the death. You know how that'll turn out, don’t you?"

"Ugh...!"

Kenzaki’s face twisted in fear.

Seeing him, of all people, look at me with that expression...

I couldn’t deny it gave me a sense of satisfaction after all the bullying I’d endured.

But even so, there was a sour aftertaste in my mouth.

In the end—violence never feels good.

"O-Okay... I won’t... I won’t do anything anymore..."

Kenzaki muttered, trembling.

He stood up, his face still pale, and backed away from me.

"See you, Shigure... I-I’ll be going now..."

And with that, he scurried off like he was running for his life.

"Thank you for saving me, Shigure-kun."

Nayuka gave me a small bow of gratitude.

"I’m just glad you’re safe. I hope this scares him enough to stop him from acting like that again..."

"He looked terrified. I think he’ll stay away, don’t you?"

Nayuka said, though her face held no smile.

"That guy was seriously trying to kill me."

I couldn’t bring myself to smile, either.

What I really want is to get along with my classmates.

But things never seem to go the way I hope.

After we defeated the mid-level demon, the surviving classmates were grateful to me.

If I can keep building that trust bit by bit, maybe one day—

I glanced at Nayuka again.

I just want more people like her.

Someone who treats me without looking down on me.

...I need to keep trying.