Restarting My Life After Failing to Protect Girls in My Class – The Day I Was Called the "Demon God of Dragon Slaying" - Episode 14

Through the shimmering heat haze, I saw them. Two girls in school uniforms walking ahead on the promenade.

“That day, that moment—everything is exactly the same.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

I stuffed the popsicle stick into my cargo pants pocket, took a deep breath, and slightly quickened my pace, lengthening my strides.

“Ah, I knew it! Togo-kun! Hey!”

Noma waved her hand enthusiastically.

“I thought I saw a huge guy from a distance, and of course, it was you. You’re impossible to miss,” Aoki greeted me coolly, raising a hand.

I resisted the urge to run over to them and forced myself to stay calm. Instead, I slowed down my steps and casually joined them, making sure my expression was natural—like I was simply surprised to meet them here.

“It’s so hot. Where are you two headed? Wearing your uniforms and all.”

At my question, they exchanged glances before Noma answered.

“Well, you know. I really don’t wanna wear a uniform during summer break, but we were told to.”

“School?”

“No, no. More like… to support someone, I guess?”

“Hmm, I see.”

I already knew, from the news and rumors about the “Nishifuchu City Headless High School Girl Case,” that their destination wasn’t school. And that they were supposed to be going to this “support” thing.

But even the police might not have figured out exactly who they were supporting or where they were going.

I could have pressed for details right there, but I wasn’t going to rush things.

Because—

“Hey, Togo-kun… Are you free today? Would you mind coming with us…?”

“No, Miyuki, you can’t. Kizuki-kun has nothing to do with this.”

I already knew Noma would hesitantly ask me that, and that Aoki would immediately try to stop her.

Because I heard these exact same words in my first life.

Thump.

My heart pounded loudly once.

In my first life—because I hesitated, thinking, I still have summer homework to finish…—

Noma had apologized, saying, “Forget I said anything,” and the two of them left.

That left me with a terrible sense of unease…

And after summer break, I learned that Noma and Aoki had been assaulted and murdered.

After their deaths, I regretted it over and over again.

Maybe Noma had wanted me to help her that day.

Maybe Aoki had tried to stop her because she didn’t want me to get involved.

Maybe, as a man, I should never have let them walk away that day.

Which is exactly why—

“I’m free. Totally free. I’ll come with you, no problem.”

This time, I answered immediately.

With one hand on my hip, I spoke with complete confidence.

Aoki hesitated for a moment, looking uncertain—

But I simply gave her a bright, confident smile and said it again.

“I’ll be fine, trust me.”

———

Noma and Aoki looked up at me, blinking in surprise.

Of course they did.

The moment I said I’ll be fine, I had dropped the act—the average student persona I always maintained at school and around them.

For the first time, I was showing them the real me.

The me who had inherited Homura Taiichi’s karate skills.

The me who had fought in street brawls.

I was showing them the martial artist within me.

Even though my face was the same as their classmate’s, something about my presence felt completely different.

Maybe my already massive body even looked a little bigger.

“Uh… Togo-kun… you’re not just an ordinary guy, are you?”