Chapter 14 Annoying Stupid Girls
#18ZenkouSeitoAnnoying Stupid Girls
Break time.
As the classroom grows noisier, I stand up to head to the restroom.
Since my classmates get scared when I’m around, I do my best to erase my presence as I walk to the back of the classroom.
“Ah.”
Kiriha suddenly comes into view.
She’s still slumped over her desk, continuing her nap from class, showing no signs of waking even though it’s break time.
She exudes an aura that keeps others at a distance, different from mine but just as isolating.
At this point, there’s no way I would—
“Hey, Kiriha! Whoa, class is over! How long are you planning to sleep? Wake up, girl!”
—say something like that.
I pretend not to notice her and leave the classroom.
Honestly, after this morning’s events, my discomfort or hesitation toward Kiriha has vanished.
But that doesn’t mean I can just casually talk to her now.
I mean, even with Irara, I can’t bring myself to start a conversation at school.
“…Damn, I’m such a mess. HaHa.”
Chuckling bitterly to myself, I lock eyes with a student walking down the hallway.
“!!!”
They stiffen and quickly scurry away like they’re running from a monster.
“…This sucks.”
In my next life, I’d like to come back as a toy poodle or a panda.
I’m dead serious.
The rest of the day passes uneventfully, and soon, it’s finally after school.
At the library counter.
“…”
“…”
…Awkward.
In the silent library, devoid of other students, Kiriha and I sit side by side.
The strange tension makes my back feel unnaturally stiff.
Kiriha, still as grumpy as ever, fiddles with her phone.
To distract myself, I read a book, but the prolonged silence feels wrong somehow.
Telling myself it’s good social practice, I decide to speak up.
“You actually showed up for committee duty today. Isn’t this the first time you’ve come on your assigned day?”
“…I didn’t really want to come.”
“Yeah, me neither.”
Who actually enjoys committee work, anyway?
“By the way…”
For once, Kiriha starts the conversation.
“Why are you close with Irara?”
“Huh? Close?”
“You were with her the other day at my place. You seemed pretty friendly. Don’t tell me… are you two dating?”
“WHAT?!”
“You’re loud.”
“S-Sorry.”
But seriously, anyone would react loudly to a question like that.
How does she even come to these misunderstandings, like at the café?
“I mean, there’s no way Irara and I are dating—”
“Thought so.”
“Could you at least let me finish?”
Ouch. That stung a little.
Well, she’s not wrong.
“Speaking of, wasn’t Irara dating that guy, Nakano? The one who looks totally creepy.”
“Yeah, creepy is spot-on, but they’re not together anymore. They broke up recently.”
“Hmm, I see.”
Kiriha mutters, still fiddling with her phone.
“So… you’re after Irara, huh?”
“WHAT?!”
“You’re loud again.”
“N-No, it’s not like that. There’s no way I’d… I’m not presumptuous enough to think I could…”
“Then do you like her?”
“!!! No, it’s not like that. We just became friends, so… no way.”
Sure, I think she’s cute, and whoever ends up as Irara’s boyfriend will be lucky.
But at the end of the day, I’m still me.
Even thinking such things feels disrespectful to her.
Besides, I know better.
Letting myself believe someone likes me just because they’re kind—that’s a foolish, naïve way to think.
…And yeah, that’s from experience. Not a memory I enjoy.
“So why do you keep asking about Irara?”
“…No reason. It’s just weird seeing the school’s most hated guy getting along with the prettiest girl in school.”
“So you know I’m hated…”
“Figured that out today. …Well, I’m the same, though.”
Kiriha murmurs quietly.
“Come to think of it, you, before—”
Just as she looks up, seemingly recalling something, and starts to speak—
“Excuse me, I’d like to borrow this book.”
“Oh, s-sure.”
I take the book from the student and scan the barcode.
Then more students show up, one after another, and before I know it, I’ve forgotten what Kiriha was about to say.
With committee duties done, we close the library and head home.
However…
“Hey. Stop following me.”
“I’m not following you. I’m just going the same way.”
“…Tch.”
She clicks her tongue at me.
What’s her problem?
She could stand to learn some of Irara’s friendliness.
…Then again, so could I.
In silence, I keep a distance of about two people between us as we walk.
But this awkward silence is unpleasant, too. Just as I’m thinking that, a noisy group of high school girls walks toward us from ahead.
Judging by their uniforms, they’re from another school. Probably the one next door with a reputation for trouble.
“Totally, right? I mean, short guys are just so… Oh? Hey!”
One of them spots Kiriha and smirks.
“Kiriha! Whoa, you actually went to school today? Hilarious, lol!”
“!!!”
Kiriha’s face twists.
It’s exactly the same expression she had when she saw that note.
“…What.”
“Huh? Still acting all high and mighty, huh? So funny, lol!”
“Pathetic, lol. You never learn, do you?”
“So full of herself, right? Just because Shoryu-san likes her a bit… You’re just one of his many casual flings, lol.”
“Ahahaha!!! Sorry, Kiriha. We don’t mean anything by it, lol.”
“Totally, lol. Our bad!”
The girls laugh mockingly.
Kiriha clenches her fists tightly, staring at the ground.
…What the hell is with these girls?
Spouting whatever they please.
Unleashing malicious words at one person.
And then pretending they “don’t mean anything by it”? What a lie.
They’re just throwing stones from the safety of their little crowd.
“By the way, who’s that guy?”
“Whoa, scary face.”
“Kiriha’s boyfriend?”
“Another guy, huh? Geez, your taste is the worst, lol.”
“Bet she doesn’t even let you do anything. How’d you end up with her, lol? She’s famous for never dating anyone since middle school, always acting like a lone wolf—”
“—Shut the hell up, you guys.”
“…Huh?”
Kiriha looks at me, surprised.
She’s not a friend, not even an acquaintance.
But when someone you know is being unjustly insulted like this—
There’s no way I could just stay silent.