Returned to the Past, the Hero is Protected by the Villain?

Chapter 9: Unknown Variable/Stifled Laughter

As the new professor began introductions, the dean left the room with a panicked expression.

Although the lessons had started, Hiiro could not pay attention at all. His face went pale as he questioned what his life had become.

'Why is he here?! This is my school , right?! What do you mean, teacher?! What is this shit?! IS THIS WHY HE DIDN'T GIVE ME HIS CONTACT INFO?! THIS BASTARD TOTALLY PLANNED THIS!!'

While thinking this and getting angry by himself, he noticed Deus looking at him.

When they made eye contact, the black-haired man smiled gently. However, it was only for a second, before he turned back to his lesson.

Hearing a couple of girls whispering behind him, about how Deus had smiled at them, Hiiro couldn't help but hide his embarrassment. He was definitely looking at him then, but that didn't make him feel any better.

He wanted to just melt into his desk and disappear from his seat.

His tanned, white-haired, friend snuck a glance at him. He was surprised to see him melting though, so he leaned in and whispered to him.

"Oi. You okay?"

"I'm great... I'm just considering the pros of disembowelment via pencil."

"Yikes."

Hayato looked at him with a worried expression. Although he still didn't really believe what Hiiro had told him, he couldn't deny that this was too big a coincidence.

"Well, if it's any consolation. You probably won't have a problem passing this class."

"That doesn't make me feel better, assho—!"

Hiiro quickly noticed his raised voice could be heard by the class, so he immediately stopped talking. However, it was too late, and most people already heard him. There were a couple of giggles he could hear from the people around him. Hayato, who was supposed to be his friend, didn't hide the fact he was hiding his laughter at all. However, as he looked defeated, he jolted when he noticed the gaze of the handsome black-haired man.

"Seraphim. Stay after class today."

"... yes..."

Some more people laughed and whispered, but Hiiro could only sit back in his chair, accepting his doom.

"..."

'Wait... Seraphim...'

The black-haired college student suddenly had an epiphany. It was a strange realization.

'I... don't think I've ever introduced myself?'

The thought suddenly sunk in. How had he missed it before?!

'Wait... hasn't he been calling me Seraphim for a while now?! I don't remember ever introducing myself! How did I not notice?! Did I get too swept up in his pace to realize this?!'

Hiiro stilled, as he realized he didn't even properly introduce himself to the man he had spent the past few weeks with. How does he know his name, then?!

Although it was a different story in the original novel, the current Deus shouldn't know who Hiiro was at all!

Hiiro had always thought that some type of butterfly effect caused this change in the plot, that he caused. That it was because he was the unknown variable that the story became so messy!

However, what if there was another unknown variable involved then? There should be no way for the original Deus Manachi to know who Hiiro was! Since he was just a normal college student in this life!