Start in DxD as Motohama: Leveling Up in Another World-Chapter 22: New Friends

Ryo's food is pasta with tomato cream and crab, and Shingo has a pork chop. Shinji, on his side, decided to eat something a bit luxurious, so he ordered a menu of Japanese black beef.

"Alright, let's eat!"

"Itadakimasu."

After the pre-meal greetings, they each focused on their food.

Shinji put the hamburger in his mouth and froze when he felt the tenderness of the meat and its juices filling his mouth. The hamburger was so delicious it deprived him of his vocabulary.

Ryo and Shingo laughed while eating their own food, watching him eat innocently.

"Hey, hey... take a look!"

"Who is that guy...?"

"Don't you know? It's Motohama."

"Motohama? No way..."

"Very cool..."

As he was eating, he suddenly noticed that his surroundings were noisy.

"What happened? It seems noisy."

"Hmm? It's because you're here, you know?"

"Because I'm here? I guess it's the first time they've seen me with the people from their class. Seems like I became too conspicuous..."

"..."

"Hmm? What's going on?"

"... Nothing."

Ryo looked at him as if to say, "Hey, seriously?" but Shinji didn't notice. While they ate and had a friendly conversation, Ryo suddenly asked as if he had just noticed.

"By the way, Shinji, are you participating in any club activities?"

He replied to Ryo with a wry smile.

"Sorry, but I'm not joining any club activities."

"Eh~? Really? That's unexpected."

"Then, what about you, Ryo, and Shingo-kun?"

"Me? I'm also in the 'Go Home' club."

"Eh? I see. I thought you were a member of a sports club..."

Although it was just his prejudice, he was surprised because Ryo's appearance made him feel like he was a refreshing athlete.

Then Shingo spoke while laughing.

"R-Ryo-kun is good at various sports, he was invited by several clubs at the beginning of his participation, he really was in high demand at that time."

"Really!? Then why?"

He asked while thinking there could be other things he liked, like manga, but he answered without hesitation.

"Hm... it's because I wanted to do a lot of things... maybe?"

"A lot of things?"

"Yes... I used to play soccer in high school and was in a pretty good line... but after entering this school, I thought soccer was good, but I wanted to experience various things, so I just ended up in the 'Go Home' club."

"As Ryo-kun's assistant, I know he had really participated in many different clubs, and I had to follow him too, and every time he left, he left with excellent results."

"Ha ha, stop, that's embarrassing."

Ryo laughed shyly while looking genuinely embarrassed. Shinji couldn't help but compare him to a manga character. Ironic, considering that the world he was in now belonged to one.

"I see... is that allowed?"

"Yes. If you join this school, you can have various experiences without having to participate in club activities. In that sense, Shingo's club activities have also changed."

"Eh? What club does Shingo-kun belong to?"

Shingo responded with a smile.

"I-I belong to the Gaming Club."

Motohama nodded. In fact, before his memories were awakened, he had been interested in some clubs as well. However, because his time for activities would be limited, he decided not to apply to any. Additionally, his reputation as a pervert had already spread throughout the school like wildfire. While thinking about this, Shingo continued speaking.

"O-of course, I can't do it during class, but you can play games and use smartphones during break. This would be strictly prohibited in regular high schools. No student plays with their smartphones or games during class, and that's why, even in this school, the gaming club is allowed."

After lunch, he talked a lot with other people besides Ryo and Shingo, and everyone looked directly at him. Until now, everyone had despised him, but the students in this class treated him as an equal human being.

After school, he visited the president's office and spoke with Tsukasa.

"So, how was your day?"

"...It was amazing. The classes are easy to understand. Also, the students are actually quite nice."

He honestly told the president what he thought with a smile.

When the president heard his words, he nodded with satisfaction.

"Is that so? I'm glad to hear that... But, are you here just for that, or do you need something else?"

Shinji's expression turned serious at the president's question.

"Certainly, Tsukasa-san. There's something I wanted to ask. How is it possible that, being members of a Shinto family, you are in a school full of demons?"

At Shinji's question, Tsukasa just smiled bitterly, looking as though he got lost in his thoughts for a few seconds.

"You see, Shinji-kun. Sometimes things don't go the way we want. Sometimes, we have to make decisions for the sake of those who are important to us."

He responded with a small smile.

Shinji didn't fully understand what he was being referred to, but he had a vague idea of what those words meant.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

Knowing that he wouldn't be able to get more information from the man, he politely said goodbye.

"I'll excuse myself."

"Thank you for your hard work today."

"Eh?"

As Shinji left Tsukasa's office, he ran into Kaori, who was apparently waiting in front of it, holding her bag.

"It looks like you enjoyed this day."

"Well, I can't deny the truth. Being in that classroom feels completely different."

"My father and I are glad to hear that you feel that way."

Shinji felt a bit embarrassed by Kaori's gentle smile, so he forced himself to change the subject.

"A-ah, now that I think about it, why are you here? Ah, do you have something to discuss with the president?"

"No, actually, I wanted to do something for Shinji-san."

"Oh, for me?"

Shinji was surprised by her unexpected answer. She wanted to do something for him... What exactly was that?

"A-and since we have this opportunity, I was wondering if you'd like to walk around the surroundings, Shinji-san. And also! I want to personally thank you again."

"Th-that's it! You've already done that, haven't you? And above all, it's more than enough that your father grants me so many favors."

Really, he had received more than he should have.

While thinking this, Kaori spoke again, feeling a little hesitant about something.

"... I mean, it's because I want to spend time with Shinji-san... Don't you want to?"

"Eh?"

"It's embarrassing, but I never had the chance to go out with boys..."

"Eh!? Why?"

"It's inevitable, but I think everyone is a little restrained by my home and also by my father's work... however, I thought that Shinji-san could be the first person I get close to."

Kaori said this with a lonely expression.

Shinji thought that being rich in a world like this was a good thing, but now he understood that there were things he still didn't understand despite being reincarnated.

Kaori looked at him with anxiety. Seeing her like this, the feeling that he had unilaterally decided they were from different dimensions suddenly shattered. After all, they were both human.

Shinji responded to Kaori while feeling embarrassed.

"Um... I was also embarrassed, since I've never gone out with a girl either."

"Eh?"

"So, if it's not bothering you... would you show me around?"

"... Yes! There are lots of delicious things around the school, so let's go!"

It was a pleasant feeling for Shinji's heart to see Kaori's eyes shining brightly.