I slowly straighten up from the posture of having thrown my punch.
A burst of cheers erupts from the surrounding students like a dam breaking. Startled, I flinch, my spine shivering.
"Wow, Akaya! That was amazing!"
"I told you, Akaya is incredible!"
"I knew it! I was there when he took down that Virto!"
Those who had supported me are boasting, "See, I told you so," while those who backed Kisaragizaka are stammering, even casting fearful glances my way.
It feels refreshing and satisfying. But beating a popular figure only means more enemies. For someone like me, a loner with no allies, an increase in enemies is a serious problem. I just want to live peacefully in the corner of the classroom for my own purposes, but if that becomes impossible, then I don't need the support of those from Class 1-4 who think they've won their proxy war by pushing it onto me.
"Sigh... I've made more enemies again."
