Chapter 20 The Revealed Truth

The Revealed Truth

Kirino’s PoV

The chime rings loudly through the school.

Just a little while longer until the end of the day.

Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I stand up and head out of the classroom toward the restroom.

Since then, those guys have stopped messing with me.

I haven’t even run into them. Looks like they’re genuinely scared of Kyogoku.

Honestly, it’s such a relief. It makes me realize just how much they were bothering me before.

My days are pretty enjoyable now, and I’ve been coming to school regularly.

When I think about it, my life’s changed quite a bit because of him.

“…”

No, but, well, so what?

I’ve already thanked Kyogoku properly.

There’s nothing more I can really do.

But I should change the way I think about Kyogoku.

Before, I just thought of him as the guy with the villainous face that everyone at school most hated.

Now… well, I guess he’s not that bad.

He’s not annoying or anything.

Honestly, because of him, my life’s actually kind of fun now.

“…Idiot.”

Why am I walking and thinking about Kyogoku?

N-no, forget it.

I’ve figured out he’s not a bad person. That’s enough.

Yeah, that’s more than enough.

Suddenly, I pass by two girls walking ahead of me.

“Hey, guess what? I saw Kyogoku this morning.”

“No way! Don’t make eye contact! Who knows what he might do!”

“Right? It’s ‘Kyogoku the murderer’ after all… Seriously, I wish he’d stop coming to school.”

“Doesn’t he get how much trouble he causes us?”

“He doesn’t even need to come to school. How can he act so calm?”

“…”

My feet come to a halt.

After standing there for a moment, I turn around.

“―Hey.”

I call out to the two girls.

“Huh?”

“Us? Oh, it’s Kiriha-san…”

“Uh, um…”

The two of them start whispering.

In the end, people like this just enjoy gossiping among themselves.

They’re not really bothered by anything, and honestly, I couldn’t care less about their actual feelings.

…But.

I know the truth.

And if I hear something wrong, I should correct it.

“Kyogoku’s not that bad of a guy.”

―Keeping quiet just doesn’t feel right.

After all, Kyogoku helped me.

“Huh?”

The two of them look confused.

Thinking about how Kyogoku’s been lately, I can’t help but smile.

“I mean, there’s no way he could actually kill anyone. He’s just a total coward. Sure, he gets mad if you insult him, but he’s so used to it by now that he just snaps back. Yeah, he’s not great with people, so I can’t completely deny that… but he’s not a bad guy.”

Even I don’t know what I’m saying.

Picking a fight over some strangers’ conversation? I must look insane.

But I don’t regret it. Not one bit.

“That’s all I wanted to say.”

Turning on my heel, I start walking again.

It’s not like I’m trying to clear up all the rumors about Kyogoku.

That’s way beyond me.

…But if something catches my eye, I’ll correct it.

Because that’s what I want to do.

I turn the corner.

And just ahead, someone’s there—I almost bump into them.

“Oh!” “Whoa!”

I manage to dodge just in time, but…

“Irara?”

“K-Kiriha-san! I’m so sorry!”

“No, it’s fine, but…”

Why was she hiding like that…?

“W-wait! Did you… hear all that just now?”

“I-I didn’t mean to eavesdrop! I just thought it’d be weird to walk by, so I decided to wait until you were done, but I ended up hearing it… I’m really sorry!”

Irara bows deeply.

“It’s fine, but… don’t tell Kyogoku about this, okay?”

“Huh? Y-yeah! Got it! I won’t say anything!”

“I mean it—absolutely not!!!”

“Absolutely!!!”

Irara clenches her fists tightly in front of her face.

…This is the worst. Of all people, Irara had to hear that.

I seriously don’t want Kyogoku finding out.

He’d definitely get all smug and start thinking I like him or something…

That’s the one thing I absolutely have to avoid. No matter what.

“Ehehe… But you know, I’m kind of happy. Hearing that Kiriha-san doesn’t think Kyogoku-kun’s a bad guy! I feel the same way—Kyogoku-kun isn’t just a good person, he’s amazing! We’re totally on the same page!!!”

“!!!”

Irara’s radiant smile.

I usually don’t like people who are so obviously “sunny” like this.

But I get why guys say Irara’s cute.

She really is adorable. Even as a girl, I can’t help but find her captivating.

Feeling awkward, I turn my face away.

“H-hmph. So you really think that highly of Kyogoku?”

“It’s not just ‘highly.’ I think he’s amazing, cool, and so kind!!!”

Irara beams as she speaks.

She thinks that much of Kyogoku…

But, well.

Considering what happened, I guess it makes sense.

“Irara, you really like Kyogoku, huh?”

At my words, Irara panics and flails to respond.

“W-well, I do like him, but not like that! Denying it would make it sound like I hate him, though… But I like him as a friend… Ugh, this is so complicated.”

“…Sorry.”

Seeing her agonize over it makes me feel bad.

―But.

“But it’s normal to have special feelings for Kyogoku, Irara.”

“Huh?”

“Because―

When that truck came barreling down the road, Kyogoku was the one who saved you.”

“…Huh?”