Chapter 13 The Battle of the Shoe Lockers
#18ZenkouSeitoThe Battle of the Shoe Lockers
On the way home.
I was walking alongside Irara, but the mood was heavy.
The reason, of course, was the paper we had seen earlier at Kiriha’s house.
“Judging by that reaction, this doesn’t seem like the first time.”
“Yeah, maybe it’s related to why Kiriha-san hasn’t been coming to school?”
“It has to be connected.”
It was way too much to be considered a prank.
Besides, when Kiriha left her house, she had her hood up, like she was wary of someone.
And most of all, that reaction when she saw the paper.
“…This is awful.”
“…Yeah.”
Kiriha, who had been looking so somber, was genuinely shaken in that moment.
It’s no wonder.
If papers like that kept getting shoved into your house, anyone would feel awful.
I might be disliked, but I’m also feared, so I’ve never experienced anything like what’s happening to Kiriha.
But I have experienced it in the past.
To put it simply, I’ve been bullied before.
“…There really are terrible bastards everywhere.”
“Kyogoku-kun…”
I don’t know what Kiriha might have done, but if she’s being targeted unilaterally…
That’s an unforgivable act.
No, even if it’s not one-sided.
No one should be made to wear such a heartbroken expression.
“…Damn it.”
Staring at the ground, I felt Irara peeking into my face with concern.
“Are you okay?”
“Y-Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry, I got pissed off on my own…”
“It’s okay. Being angry or thinking something’s unforgivable for someone else’s sake—that’s one of Kyogoku-kun’s best traits!”
“Irara…”
I never expected her to say something like that.
As I stood there surprised, Irara smiled at me warmly.
“You’re kind, Kyogoku-kun.”
“!!!”
My face flushed hot.
Panicking, I turned away and covered my face with my hand.
“I-I’m not kind or anything…”
“Ah, you’re blushing! You’re totally blushing!”
“Don’t point your finger! And I’m not blushing!”
“Kyogoku-kun, you’re so not honest! Ehehe, even your ears are bright red!”
“T-That’s just… they turn red in the sun.”
“Does that even happen?! Does that mean my ears are red too?! Wait, are they?!”
“…No, that’s a lie.”
When I said that, Irara froze for a few seconds, then puffed out her cheeks.
“Moo~~! No more lies like that! I was really worried, you know!”
“S-Sorry.”
“If you lie, you’ll have to swallow a thousand needles! Got it? And you owe me coffee jelly! No exceptions!”
She just wanted an excuse to eat coffee jelly, didn’t she?
Also, is coffee jelly even considered a drink?
Despite the commotion, we walked home together as usual.
But that paper and Kiriha stayed lodged in the back of my mind.
The next day.
“Fwaaah…”
Stifling a yawn, I slipped my shoes into the locker.
And then…
“…Ah.”
“…Ah.”
I locked eyes with Kiriha, who still looked grumpy.
“…What.”
Yet again, I was greeted with a curt “What,” harsh for a socially awkward guy like me.
“I just thought it was surprising to see you at school.”
When I said that, Kiriha looked like she was about to say something, then stopped.
After a moment, she started making excuses, her cheeks slightly flushed.
“I-It’s not like I came because you showed up at my house yesterday or anything. I just came to turn in some documents. That’s it. So don’t go getting weird ideas, okay?”
“I wasn’t. Not even for a second.”
“Liar. Your rotten eyes say otherwise.”
“…For the record, eyes don’t talk!”
“That’s not the point here!”
What is this?
Normally, I’d be nervous and fumbling for words, but they came out smoothly.
Oh, I get it.
I guess I’ve accepted her “challenge.”
“Hey, look at that.”
“Gah! It’s Kyogoku…”
“And isn’t that Kiriha-san?”
“Scary…”
“Are they arguing?”
“If you make Kyogoku mad, you’re done for!”
“He’ll kill you!”
I’m not going to kill anyone…
Before I knew it, a lot of students were watching us.
Kiriha glanced around, looking annoyed, and silently put her shoes away.
Then, with a bang, she shut her locker and looked at me.
“Anyway, I just came to turn in some documents. Don’t get the wrong idea.”
“I’m not…”
“…Hmph.”
She put on her headphones and strode off.
What’s with her…
“Kiriha-san’s scary too…”
“Her aura is as intense as ever.”
“But she’s super pretty, though…”
“Isn’t she hanging out with delinquents?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
“That explains her vibe.”
“I heard she hasn’t been coming to school because of those delinquents…”
“So, is it true she has a kid?”
“Poor thing, lol.”
“Well, she’s kinda hot, though, lol.”
Hanging out with delinquents, huh?
What came to mind was that paper with the word “s🬀🬀t” written on it.
“…That’s bullshit.”
I shot a glare at the gossiping boys.
“Eek!”
“Oh crap…”
“Let’s get out of here.”
“Y-Yeah.”
The boys scattered like frightened mice.
They say whatever they want, never caring about how the other person feels.
To them, it doesn’t matter whether the rumors are true or not.
As long as it’s entertaining, that’s all they care about.
That kind of irresponsibility infuriates me.
“…Sigh.”
Taking my slippers from the shoe locker, I stepped on the backs and started walking.