Isn’t it an Impossible Game for the Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills to Reincarnate as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO - The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 115

115: Shouma’s Return Home, Ria’s Apology

――Ah, I’m exhausted.

After being toyed with by those D-Group guys, the light ranking announcement was made, and the class competition came to an end. Today’s lessons are over, and it’s time to celebrate. But I didn’t want to get caught up in the commotion, so I quickly slipped away before anyone could notice. My destination is――the Ishizu residence.

I don’t want to be a burden to Kanzaki anymore. The class competition is over, and it’s time for a break. I think it’s about time I headed home.

“… Did Ria say she was worried about me? Ha, what a joke?”

As I thought about it, I arrived at the Ishizu residence. Has it really been a week since I came back? It feels strange to be back in this world, but I suppose it’s because this body belongs to Shouma.

I’m worried, but there’s nothing I can do about it.

I use my spare key to enter the Ishizu residence.

“… I’m back~”

I say at the entrance, but there’s no response. … Well, that’s typical. I take off my shoes and head into the house, walking down the long corridor to the living room.

Along the way, I meet the maid, Marine.

The usually calm and collected senior maid looks surprised when she sees my face. … Maybe she thought Shouma Ishizu wasn’t coming back? If I’ve let them down, I apologize.

“Shouma-sama…!! You’re back!!”

“Can’t you see that?”

What’s with the dramatics?

“We were worried about you!! We’ll report to the other maids… and, of course, Lady Ria comes first… We’ll hurry and prepare dinner!!”

Huh? Dinner?!

Is it that disgusting, awful cooking again?

I used to be starving, so I forced myself to eat, but now that I’ve tasted Kanzaki’s cooking, my tongue can’t take it. I’ll politely decline.

“I don’t need dinner. I’m tired of eating like a bug, anyway. No need to report anything; just let me rest in my room.”

“Ah, no! This time, it’s a proper…!!”

Yeah, yeah. I get it.

It’s really annoying. I cut off my conversation with Marine and open the living room door.

… Something feels off?

The thick curtains are closed, and not a single light is on. What’s going on? Is it a power outage? I wonder, but I operate the wall remote to turn on the lights.

The room brightens up suddenly.

“Whoa!!”

“――”

Ria is sitting on the sofa, hugging her knees and looking like she’s about to die.

What’s she doing…?

… Did she sit here like this in the dark room?

That’s some horror movie stuff!

Is she sick?

“………………Brother?”

“Huh? Yeah…”

――Creepy. Ria looks at me with a ghostly expression. No, I mean, you’re the one who looks like a ghost. Your cheeks are sunken, and your eyes are puffy, like you’ve been crying for days. And those dark circles under your eyes… Honestly, it’s terrifying!

“Is it really… Brother…? Not a hallucination?”

“――Sorry, I made a mistake”

I try to leave, but Marine grabs my shoulder from behind. She’s surprisingly strong!?

“Please go to her…!!”

“No way! She’s scary!!?”

“I’ve been waiting for you, Shoma-sama, for so long!?”

“Huh? What’s going on?”

“Ever since Shoma-sama left, I’ve been waiting for you… Lady Aria even tried cooking for you, and you—!”

“Do you know what kind of cooking that is?! It’s probably some disgusting, insect-filled thing again! You can’t seriously expect me to eat that, you idiot!!”

“…I apologize for what happened back then! I don’t think it’s something that can be forgiven, but I’ll continue to apologize sincerely! So, please, just this once, meet with Lady Aria and talk to her!!”

“~~~!!”

What’s with this guy, he’s so stubborn?!

What am I supposed to talk to Aria about?!

“Marine!? And… Shoma-sama!? “

The maids, who had heard the commotion, gathered around us. …Damn, they’re swarming around us like bees!?

“Shoma-sama, I apologize for everything until now!!”

“Please meet with Lady Aria!!”

“Even Lady Aria, who hasn’t eaten a bite since Shoma-sama left, is—”

“Please, Shoma-sama!!”

“—Shoma-sama!!”

From noble mtl dot nete

“…Gggh…!!”

I’m surrounded by a large number of maids. This is a situation I hate… What’s with this kind of treatment, even in my own home?!

“…It’s fine if we just meet! If we just meet!!”

‘!!’

When I said that, the maids all bowed their heads deeply, their faces bright red.

…Damn, this is a real pain in the neck.

Fearfully, I opened the living room door again.

There, Lady Aria stood, looking exhausted. She must have heard our conversation earlier. Now, she’s calm, but slightly depressed.

…Seriously, she’s a lot of trouble.

“What’s up? Do you have something to say?”

“…”

Lady Aria fell silent, looking down.

…What’s with this? It’s a bad atmosphere. It’s like I’m bullying a little girl. I feel uncomfortable, and I want to get this over with, but I have no choice but to continue talking to Lady Aria.

“You… You’ve lost weight, and you haven’t been sleeping… What’s going on? Why have you become like this just because I was away for a few days? You were originally trying to drive me out of the Stone family, weren’t you? Your wish has been granted, so… What’s with this attitude?”

“…I’m sorry”

“…No, apologizing isn’t enough…”

I averted my gaze, feeling uncomfortable, but Lady Aria’s apology didn’t end there.

Lady Aria continued to repeat “I’m sorry” multiple times. It was uncomfortable to watch, but I gritted my teeth and waited for her next words.