Chapter 161 Eiji and Tachibana

Eiji and Tachibana

Manager Tachibana’s PoV

What should I do? How can I take advantage of this situation?

My selfish brain is starting to spin at full speed.

Yes, I should apologize. Pretend that I, too, was a victim who was deceived by those false rumors. …

He doesn’t know that I’m the mastermind behind this whole thing.

He’s a good guy. If all goes well, I might be able to escape. Yes, I wonder why I didn’t realize that…

Then I notice that he freezes, but the look he gives me is one of concern.

Ah. My mind, which a few minutes ago had been thinking about defending myself, was distracted by something else.

Humiliation.

The voice of the man I heard earlier at the school gate is the same as that of Eiji-kun standing in front of me. He saved me. Then why am I so humiliated?

“Oh, um… Tachibana-senpai, are you okay? It’s been two hours…”

His complicated expression was a mixture of surprise, alarm, and concern. It was a mix of emotions.

“You saved me. Thank you…”

Even though I was shaking with humiliation, I thanked him.

“You seem to be okay for now. I’m relieved…”

He really seemed relieved.

This seems to be the perfect time. I thought so, and just as I was about to open my mouth,

“Oh, um… I’m sorry, Senpai. Actually, I heard everything…”

The moment I heard those words, I felt the illusion of my blood freezing. No way, I’ve already been found out. I can’t stop sweating.

“eh?”

“The day of the opening ceremony. I was in the same bed that the current Senpai slept in; thanks to you, I realized that I have no talent, but I am very grateful to you for teaching me many things. Thank you very much. Manager Tachibana-senpai…”

I was at a loss for words. Was it some kind of sarcasm? Or is it his arrogance because he has already made his professional debut?

“What are you talking about? …”

He knew that he got everything I wanted, that his novel was very popular on the Internet, and that it was highly praised by his professional editor. He even deliberately didn’t mention it and treated me like an idiot.

This is not just a way of showing arrogance. It is a declaration of total victory. It contains something sympathetic to my humiliating reputation as Aono Eiji’s second-best.

“My manuscript was thrown away by you. I can’t forgive myself for being so bad, and I can’t organize my thoughts, but I still believe that I was able to get this far because of you, Manager Tachibana-senpai, who taught me so many things. I guess so. I’m grateful for that. Thank you very much.”

He is insensitive to my old wounds.

He must’ve always thought of me as a talented Senpai who had won prizes in literary and other contests.

My self-esteem was humiliated. To be made aware of this indirectly by a man who had accumulated so many achievements that I couldn’t keep up, made me tremble with humiliation.

“… What the hell are you talking about? …”

I was so humiliated and jealous that my mind went out of control.

For the sake of self-preservation, my plan to apologize to him and save the entire club member went out of my head.

“eh?”

“Come on! I don’t like being pitied by you. You’re much more talented than me, and I don’t need you to comfort me… What’s with that sarcasm, thanking me for helping you all these years? What’s wrong with you? Why are you embarrassing me so purposefully and effectively? You know. I have been afraid of you for a long, long time. I’ve always hated you because you have a talent that will one day be beyond my reach. Don’t feel sorry for me. It’s just… vain for you to do so…!!!”

I exploded in an uncontrollable emotional outburst, ranting and raving like a child.

He looked a little sad and quickly changed his expression.

I realized that in his mind he was already treating me like someone from the past.

“I see. That’s too bad. But I can’t stop now… I’m going forward… Well, I have my own next class. So please excuse me…”

He leaves the infirmary with his textbook.

If it was him in the past, he would probably be depressed if I told him that. But he hardly looked hurt. Rather, I could feel his compassion for me in his sad expression.

No matter what kind of outburst I made, it wouldn’t have reached him. Instead, he just looked at me with pity.

“Aono Eiji!!!”

With resentment, I call out the name of the man I would never be able to reach again.

Takayanagi’s PoV

When I went to the infirmary to check on Tachibana-san’s condition, I heard her arguing with Aono-kun outside the infirmary.

I quickly hid in the corner of the corridor so that Aono-kun wouldn’t notice me. It was clear that he had cut her off completely.

The problem was Tachibana-san. If the dark emotions she showed earlier are involved in this incident, I can’t ignore it…