Chapter 29 The Delusional Guy Who Keeps Making Mistakes
#18ZenkouSeitoThe Delusional Guy Who Keeps Making Mistakes
A few days later.
Arriving at school earlier than usual, I sit at my desk, headphones on, reading a book.
It’s my usual routine—nothing out of the ordinary.
But inside, my emotions are in turmoil.
…Yesterday, Irara asked me to be her partner for the pair dance.
Just thinking about it makes my face heat up, a mix of excitement and nerves coursing through me.
Last night, I stayed in the bath longer than usual, ended up dizzy, and had trouble falling asleep because of it.
Honestly, being asked by Irara made me ridiculously happy.
Forget the doubts and anxieties—just as an ordinary high school boy, I’m thrilled to the point of wanting to jump for joy.
But there’s a downside. I’ve become so self-conscious about her that even walking into the classroom feels nerve-wracking…
“Oh, really? That sounds fun! Maybe I’ll go there sometime, too~.”
Meanwhile, Irara is as cheerful as ever, chatting happily with the girls around her.
Looks like I’m the only one overthinking things.
Well, of course.
She only asked me to the pair dance—it’s not like she confessed to me or anything.
It’s just that Irara doesn’t have many close guy friends, and I just happened to be nearby.
If I let myself misinterpret this, I’ll only end up like… him.
Just like…
“Akari, do you have a moment?”
…Him. A voice calls out from the front door of the classroom, silencing the chatter.
Standing there is…
“Y-Yuya?!”
“Ahaha… Morning, Akari.”
“G-good morning.”
Irara looks startled as she replies.
With a sheepish smile, Nakano says,
“There’s something I want to talk about… Is that okay?”
Nakano wants to talk.
I can’t imagine this leading to anything good.
Especially since Irara was just angry with him the other day…
“A-alright. Sorry, guys, I’ll be back.”
Excusing herself from her group of friends, Irara walks toward Nakano.
As she passes by, she glances at me.
Her expression is a mix of confusion and unease.
Following Nakano, she disappears from sight.
“Hey, didn’t those two break up?”
“What does he want now?”
“Maybe he’s trying to get back together with her?!”
“No way—seriously?!”
“Doesn’t it seem like Nakano-kun’s up to something?”
“Maybe it’s about that?”
“Ah—yeah, that makes sense!”
“Didn’t Irara-san dump Nakano-kun?”
“Yeah, she did.”
So they don’t know yet.
The fact that Irara and I are pair dance partners hasn’t been made public.
…But I’m still worried.
Quietly, I stand and head toward the door.
Just as I step out, I see Kiriha entering the room.
“What are you doing, idiot?”
“Wha?! N-nothing…”
“Now that I think about it, didn’t Irara and Nakano just leave together…? Wait, Kyogoku—don’t tell me you’re…”
Kiriha gives me a look like she’s staring at trash.
“No, it’s not like that. I mean, just in case! You know, just in case.”
“…Sigh. I see what this is about.”
Realizing something, Kiriha lets out a heavy sigh.
She places her bag on top of the lockers and puts her hands on her hips.
“It’s less suspicious with two people sneaking around, right?”
“Huh?”
“I’m saying I’ll go with you. To eavesdrop.”
“Could you at least phrase that more delicately? Maybe be a little subtle?”
“Ugh, picky much? You’re so annoying.”
Can you stop casually throwing around words like “annoying”?
My fragile, glass-like heart could shatter with a single comment like that.
Please, have some consideration—especially you merciless girls.
“Come on, let’s go before we lose them.”
“O-okay. But why are you coming along, Kiriha?”
“…Various reasons. Besides, I’m curious too. You know, kind of.”
“…You’re surprisingly just a normal high school girl sometimes, huh?”
“What?”
Stop it! Stop looking at me like that!
Flustered, I rush out of the classroom with Kiriha.
We follow the two and end up in a quiet hallway bridge.
From around the corner, we discreetly watch Irara and Nakano.
“Hey, lower your head more. You’re too tall.”
“Any lower, and I’ll be lying on the ground…”
“Sounds perfect. A mud-sucking position suits you, doesn’t it?”
“I’m not sucking mud! The only thing I’m sucking is the crumbs of others’ success…”
“I think mud would be better.”
“…Huh?”
As we whisper, their voices reach us, and we hastily go quiet.
“What did you want to talk about?”
“I just wanted to properly apologize for the other day…”
“Oh, um, it’s fine. You didn’t have to—”
“No, please let me apologize! I’m sorry for lying to you! Truly, I’m sorry!”
Nakano bows deeply.
“…It’s okay. I’m not really bothered by it anymore.”
“I… I see. That’s a relief. I just want to stay on good terms with you, Akari.”
“Huh? A-ah, sure.”
Nakano seems convinced that everything is back to normal.
Watching, Kiriha mutters with open disdain.
“What’s with him? I don’t get it, but he’s so gross.”
“Couldn’t agree more.”
Kiriha’s sharp intuition has been spot-on all along.
She’s been calling him gross from the start, after all.
“Speaking of which, the sports festival is coming up! Akari, you must be excited, right?”
“Yeah. I love events like this.”
“I know. We’ve spent so much of our lives together, after all.”
To Nakano’s words, Kiriha mutters judgment.
“Did he just say that naturally? That’s beyond creepy. It’s not part of a punishment game, is it?”
“No, that’s just him. Impressive, isn’t it?”
“In a twisted way, yeah.”
Quite the evaluation.
Laughing, Nakano scratches his head before bringing up the main topic.
“Remember last year’s pair dance? You and I did it together.”
“Yeah, I remember.”
“Well, I still don’t have a partner this year.”
Casually, Nakano suggests,
“So, what do you think? Should we do it together again this year?”
“Huh?!”
“We’ve had our ups and downs, but maybe this is a good opportunity. We’re a bit distant right now, but through the pair dance, we could get closer again as childhood friends… Ahaha. Let’s make our costumes together, like last year. Your room, my room—it doesn’t matter…”
Irara responds with an awkward laugh.
“Ahaha… Sorry, but I already have a partner.”
“…Huh?”