Chapter 42 Confide

Confide

“There really are a lot of people with bad personalities in this world….”

Walking out of the main gate of Seidou High School side by side with Sou, Mizuki mumbles to herself as if looking for sympathy.

“…”

Sou doesn’t stop walking, can’t find the words to answer, and just shuts his mouth. He can’t do anything for Mizuki.

“Really… It’s been like this since kindergarten. I’ve seen more than enough of the ugly side of humanity. I’m sick of it… It’s so disturbing….”

As if giving up everything, Mizuki forces a smile at Sou.

“Um… Nakatani-san, maybe….”

Just as he’s about to say the words that come to his mind, Sou unconsciously closes his mouth. The words naturally stop. He’s not that insensitive.

“Don’t say any more, Amane-kun. I don’t want to hear those words.”

“I’m sorry. I was inconsiderate.”

Sou apologizes sincerely. He thinks about his actions.

“But why don’t you ask the teacher for help? If you do, your current situation might improve.”

With a conscientious heart, Sou suggests a countermeasure.

“That’s… pointless. I don’t think anyone would be kind enough to help me just because I’m pretty… That person was like that too.”

Mizuki looks away from Sou and looks down as if remembering the past. The landscape on the ground is reflected in Mizuki’s eyes.

“But!”

“Stop it!!”

Mizuki stops walking and raises her voice, which is unusual for her. Mizuki’s usual calm and gentle demeanor is gone; instead, she stares at Sou with sharp, piercing eyes. Mizuki’s eyes are filled with anger, and a lake of tears forms underneath them.

Enormously confused by Mizuki’s sudden change, Sou also reflexively stops in his tracks. He ends up standing diagonally in front of Mizuki.

“It’s useless! No one will help me this time either, and I’ll just have to bear it patiently. Unreasonable and cruel bullying born of jealousy!”

With tears streaming from both eyes, Mizuki screams as if to release her pent-up frustration. Fortunately, no one is around.

“Why… Why am I being treated so badly? Someone… Somebody… Please… Help me!!!”

With big tears running down her cheeks, Mizuki jumps into Sou’s arms.

“Uu… uuuuh~~”

She grabs Sou’s blazer with both hands, buries her face in his chest, and cries uncontrollably. Mizuki’s tears got on his blazer.

Sou said nothing but stroked Mizuki’s back. Her body temperature had risen due to her intense crying, and Mizuki’s back was hot.

“…”

Mizuki’s whimpering cries and the occasional sound of her sniffling stimulated Sou’s eardrums to the maximum.

But he didn’t feel any discomfort.

It was just that something was rising from the depths of his heart like boiling magma. It was boiling in his heart so much that he couldn’t control it.

“It must’ve been hard. But it’s okay now. I’m going to do something about it. Don’t worry.”

While he rubbed Mizuki’s back while she continued to cry, Sou spoke to her in a small, inaudible voice as if to calm her down.