Chapter 24 Irara Akari's Passion

Irara Akari’s Passion

In an empty park, four people face each other.

The cheerful atmosphere from earlier has completely vanished, replaced by a tension so thick it feels suffocating.

“Yu…ya…”

Irara stops swinging.

“Why are you here?”

“Well, that’s…”

Nakano glances nervously at his cheating partner beside him.

A reason he can’t openly admit.

…I see.

Beyond this park lies the love hotel district.

If I remember correctly, when I first ran into Irara here, it was also after both of us had wandered in from that area.

Which means…

These two are likely on their way to a love hotel now.

Judging by their behavior last time, they seemed quite familiar with going there.

“…I see.”

Irara seems to realize this as well, murmuring softly as she lowers her gaze.

Seeing her like that, Nakano hurriedly tries to smooth things over.

“I-it’s been a while, huh? Talking to you like this, Akari. I mean, we used to talk every day, right? It’s kind of… refreshing.”

“…Yeah.”

Irara’s reply is cold and distant.

The Irara I knew would have spoken brightly, especially to Nakano.

But now, there’s no trace of her usual efforts to keep things light.

Nakano glances at me, forcing an awkward smile.

“You’re still hanging out with Kyogoku, huh? You two sure have gotten close while I wasn’t looking.”

“…Y-yeah.”

What kind of tone is that?

Without thinking, I glare at Nakano.

He flinches under my gaze and quickly turns back to Irara.

“B-but it’s good! I mean, you look happy, Akari! I was worried since you seemed kind of down before.”

Does he not realize he’s the reason she was feeling down?

This guy never learns.

He’s still stuck in his delusions.

“Akari looks cutest when she’s cheerful, after all.”

“…!”

My fists clench instinctively.

I can’t just stand here and stay silent.

Taking a step toward Nakano, I say,

“You know what—!”

“—Wait.”

Irara stops me.

She rises from the swing and looks directly at Nakano.

“Irara…”

Her expression is unlike anything I’ve ever seen—firm, almost angry.

It’s as if she’s made up her mind about something.

“Yuya, you lied to me, didn’t you?”

“…Eh? Me? What are you talking about, Akari? I wouldn’t lie to you…”

“The one who saved me was Kyogoku-kun.”

“…!!!”

Nakano freezes in shock at Irara’s words.

“When the truck came at me, it was Kyogoku-kun who went out of his way to help. But you told me you were the one who saved me, didn’t you?”

“Kyogoku saved you? No way! I was the one who saved you, Akari! I heard this loud noise, rushed out of the café, and—!”

“I remembered everything. The voice that called my name, and Kyogoku-kun desperately treating me while I was barely conscious.”

“A-Akari…”

“And someone else saw it too. They saw Kyogoku-kun taking care of me. So, Yuya, why did you lie to me?”

“…!!!”

Irara’s determined gaze pierces Nakano.

He averts his eyes, visibly shaken.

“W-well, that’s…”

“I’m really grateful you stayed with me in the ambulance. Thank you for that. …But lying to me was cruel, don’t you think? It completely disregards Kyogoku-kun’s kindness. No one in their right mind would do something like that, don’t you agree?”

“It’s not like that, Akari! I had a good reason—!”

“—Then what is it?”

“…!!!”

Irara’s sharp glare pins Nakano in place.

I’ve never seen her like this before.

“I can’t trust you anymore, Yuya. You lied to me… and on top of that, you cheated.”

“Wait, Akari! Please hear me out! Back then, I thought it’d be easier if I said I was the one who saved you! If it was some random guy, it might’ve caused trouble later, right? And besides… it’s true that Kyogoku saved you, but wouldn’t it have been better if it were me? What if Kyogoku demanded something in return—!”

“Kyogoku-kun isn’t that kind of person!!!”

Irara’s voice cuts through the park like a clap of thunder.

“Akari…”

“I’ve told you, haven’t I? Kyogoku-kun is an amazing person! You’ve been misunderstanding him this whole time! Everything you’ve been saying—everything—is completely wrong!”

For the first time, I see Irara’s raw, unfiltered “passion.”

Even Nakano seems overwhelmed, at a loss for words.

“I can’t understand why you’d lie! Or why you’d try to put Kyogoku-kun in a bad light! It’s not like he did anything to you, did he?! You’re just making assumptions based on false rumors, aren’t you?! That’s—that’s the lowest of the low!!!”

“…!!!”

At this moment, Irara’s rejection of Nakano is unmistakable.

The same Irara who was once the embodiment of kindness, even defending Nakano after he cheated on her.

“…”

Nakano falls silent.

Even he seems unable to deny the truth anymore.

His cheating partner tugs at his sleeve, breaking the silence.

“Nakano-kun, let’s go? It’s getting late.”

“Ah… yeah.”

She pulls Nakano away, and they begin to walk off.

His face is pale.

Hopefully, this will teach him a lesson…

As the two pass by us,

The cheating partner mutters softly near me.

“See you again—Kyogoku.”

“Eh?”

Without sparing me another glance, she walks away.

What was that just now?

And how does she know my name…?

Well, considering my bad reputation, it’s not surprising that even students from other schools know of me… but something about it sticks in my mind.

Nakano and his cheating partner disappear toward the love hotel district.

Irara doesn’t look at their retreating figures, her head bowed silently.