I managed to evade Otomo, who had a question mark above his face when he saw what I was doing, and fled into my room as if to escape.
What the heck is this?! Going back in time after an accident... Is this a light novel?!
Well, I mean, I have read light novels with time travel themes, and I did think it was kind of cool, you know? I did think that, but!!
...I never thought I'd experience something like that firsthand.
Looking around my room, I noticed, as expected, that my high school uniform was nowhere to be seen, and the manga and games I had were all from my middle school days.
I no longer doubt that I went back in time...even if my death was a dream and everything else was an elaborate prank...the fact that Otomo smiled at me denies that.
There's no doubt I've gone back in time...
I glanced at the calendar hanging on the wall and saw that it was April.
I put my hand in my pocket, took out my smartphone, and checked it.
It's a middle school, so it's a slightly older model... It must have been about a week after the entrance ceremony.
"Phew..."
I remember as I exhale.
The words of the chairman who pulled me out of the darkness, and my own thoughts, come to mind alternately.
I have no intention of discussing what is right or wrong.
It's now six months before that incident...
It's true that there were smarter ways to do it.
Maybe... it's possible to start over?
You did a great job, Ishigami...
...No, we need to start over.
You endured it well.
The chairman said...
There's nothing wrong with you!
Let's start over and save Otomo from Ogino!
If that incident hadn't happened, my connection with the chairman and the others would have disappeared...
Since student council officers are nominated by the student council president, there's no guarantee that I'll be able to join the student council again even if I go on to high school.
...Well, even if I don't get into the student council, I'll just subtly support the president and Shinomiya-senpai.
Looking back now... I feel like those two were already aware of each other's presence around the time I joined the student council.
In this rewound life, I will never hear those words from the chairman...
That doesn't mean I'll lose all gratitude to the chairman and everyone else!
"Inhale, exhale..."
Take a deep breath and organize your thoughts about what you need to do next.
First, I need to change myself.
No matter how I get involved in Ogino's case, if I don't earn the trust of those around me, it will only end in the same way.
To gain trust, you need a track record. First, aim for a high ranking in the July final exams...ideally, be in the top 10.
I'm also going to rejoin the track and field club and get good results in my final competition!
Let's try various other things as well.
...Suddenly, I remember the girl who was in front of me just before I woke up.
I feel bad about what I did to Iino... I told her it wasn't her fault, but knowing Iino's personality, I'm sure she'll be bothered by it...
"It's not exactly to atone for my sins, but I want to do something for him too..."
The words I unconsciously murmured vanished as if absorbed into the room bathed in the setting sun.