Chapter 22 I Like Him

I Like Him

After school.

Voices from the sports clubs drift in from the schoolyard.

An empty classroom.

Irara and I sit side by side by the window.

“Sorry for asking you to stay after school.”

“No, it’s fine.”

When Irara told me she had something to talk about, I was definitely surprised.

But after what happened during class, it would’ve been strange if nothing came of it.

In fact, it would’ve been weirder if she hadn’t said anything at all.

“You know, I’ve been misunderstanding something this whole time.”

“Misunderstanding?”

“Yeah. Umm… I’m not even sure if calling it a misunderstanding is entirely accurate, but it kind of is. Kiriha-san pointed it out to me.”

Irara turns her gaze toward me.

Her expression is calm and composed.

“It was you, Kyogoku-kun, who saved me.”

Irara pauses for a moment before continuing.

“When the truck came barreling onto the road, you called out to me, didn’t you? And then you treated my injuries, right?”

“…I’m surprised. I didn’t think you’d remember.”

“I was surprised too. I mean, Yuya told me he was the one who saved me. He said I was hit by the truck, lost consciousness, and that my injuries were bad—but he treated me right away.”

“Wait, Nakano said he saved you…? Wasn’t that the reason you two started dating?”

“Yeah, that’s what it seems like. So… I’m sorry for realizing this so late! And also, thank you so much for saving me back then!”

Irara bows her head deeply.

But I still haven’t fully processed what she’s saying.

“Hold on. So, let me get this straight— I saved you, but Nakano claimed he did, and because of that, you thought Nakano was the one who saved you? This is so confusing! What is going on here!?”

“It’s okay! I was super confused too! But! To put it simply, Kyogoku-kun saved me, but Yuya claimed it was him, so I thought he saved me. But in reality, it was Kyogoku-kun who saved me… Wait, now I’m getting confused again! W-what should I do?!”

“That’s exactly what I want to say!”

—Five minutes later.

“I-I see… So that’s what happened.”

“Y-yeah… that’s how it is.”

We finally manage to understand each other.

Though it was absurdly confusing.

“Anyway! Thank you so much! It’s because of you, Kyogoku-kun, that I’m alive!”

“T-that’s an exaggeration. I just did what anyone would do… And besides, all I did was call out and treat your injuries. It’s not like I directly saved you. You might’ve noticed the truck and managed to avoid it a little, but you were still hit. If only I had realized sooner…”

“That’s not true! Kyogoku-kun, you’re amazing! Not everyone could’ve done what you did!”

“I-is that so…? Th-thanks.”

Feeling embarrassed, I avert my gaze from Irara.

“And Kyogoku-kun, didn’t you also go around helping others who were injured? That’s incredible!”

“It was just basic first aid until the ambulances arrived. Honestly, I didn’t really know much.”

Come to think of it, when Irara was taken away by the ambulance, someone was nearby.

Was that Nakano?

There were so many injured people that I didn’t pay much attention and can’t really remember.

“But it must’ve been tough, right?”

“W-well, yeah. But honestly, it was more about my uniform getting dirty and having to clean it later…”

“Your uniform got dirty…? Wait, Kyogoku-kun, could it be that the rumor about you running around covered in blood is…?”

“Ah, yeah. That was from back then. Though it wasn’t as dramatic as it sounds—just some blood from treating injuries. It did get messy, though.”

“And the part about you running around?”

“It was my little sister’s birthday that day. She kept calling me non-stop, and I was in charge of the cake, so I rushed home…”

Now that I think about it, my sister was furious with me that day.

Though she did wash my dirty uniform while scolding me.

“So all the rumors about Kyogoku-kun are…”

“I-Irara?”

Irara’s face turns pale.

Is she feeling unwell? But just now…

Before I can figure out what to do, Irara lowers her head, and tears start falling onto the desk.

“Irara!”

C-could it be that my embarrassed face made her cry because it was that unpleasant?

If that’s the case, what kind of face do I even have to make a classmate cry?

Even I feel like crying now.

No, that’s not what matters right now.

I can’t let Irara look so sad.

I need to make her smile somehow… but wait!

Making someone laugh isn’t exactly my forte!

Aahhh, what can I even do right now?

“…Sorry, Kyogoku-kun. This is all my fault…”

“Irara…”

Tears drip onto the desk.

“And yet, I haven’t done anything for you, Kyogoku-kun… I’ve only caused you pain… I’m so sorry. Really, I’m so sorry…”

“…Irara.”

I place a hand on her shoulder.

With a tearful face like a child, Irara looks up at me.

“You don’t have to feel bad, Irara. If people are gossiping, it’s because I already look like a villain and I’m unsociable. This is all because of who I am. If it were anyone else, this kind of misunderstanding wouldn’t have happened. It’s my problem.”

“But…”

“Don’t worry about it, Irara. It’s just me. Even without this incident, people would’ve found some reason to hate me. Don’t underestimate my talent for being disliked. I’ve been hated all through elementary and middle school.”

Honestly, I’m used to being disliked.

Although being used to it doesn’t make it any less miserable.

“I think it started in elementary school, when I was the first to be suspected of stealing lunch money. From then on, I just gave up—on being liked, on expecting anything from others.”

“Kyogoku-kun…”

“So really, don’t underestimate how good I am at being hated. Not that it’s something to be proud of, though.”

“…!”

Tears spill from Irara’s eyes.

If I were a light novel protagonist, I’d probably wipe her tears away at this point.

But I’m just someone everyone dislikes.

So I put my feelings into words instead.

I speak to Irara with sincerity.

“So don’t worry about it. You were lucky to survive, and that’s all that matters. You don’t have to carry all this weight.”

“!!! Kyogoku-kun… Kyogoku-kuuuun!!!!!”

“Wha—!”

Irara suddenly turns toward me, throwing her arms around my head.

And she hugs me tightly.

“Wha… what is this!?”

Her soft touch is all over my face… Am I even allowed to breathe!?

“Waaahhhh!!!!!”

Irara cries.

Like a baby, tears stream down her face, full of emotion.

I have no idea what to do and can barely catch my breath.

As I struggle, I find myself thinking that if I were to suffocate, this might be the happiest way to go.

Akari’s PoV

Kyogoku-kun’s words melt into my heart.

The one who saved me—Kyogoku-kun.

He’s not honest at all, and he just gets embarrassed whenever I compliment him.

But he’s truly kind.

Kyogoku-kun has always been gentle—such a wonderful person.

My thoughts are completely filled with Kyogoku-kun.

No, it’s not just my thoughts—my body, my heart, everything.

Every time, I feel warmth spreading through me, and my head gets fuzzy.

I’m aware of it now—I’m conscious of Kyogoku-kun.

My heart is pounding so loudly.

Tears keep flowing, and they won’t stop.

There’s no sign of them stopping.

It’s strange, funny, and kind of weird.

…It’s really weird.

But I’ve realized something.

My whole body feels hot.

…Just thinking about Kyogoku-kun makes me warm all over.

It’s strange to realize this while crying.

Really strange.

But… I see.

I—

I like Kyogoku-kun.

I’ve fallen helplessly in love with him.