Chapter 67 The One I Can Never Get Along With

The One I Can Never Get Along With

Kiriha Kirino’s Perspective

Ishizaki-san’s words make my face heat up.

“W-Wait, it’s not like I think highly of Kyogoku! Who would ever—”

“Then you wouldn’t argue with me, right? LOL. And when I badmouthed him, you got a little mad? That totally means you think he’s not that bad. Or maybe… you actually like him?”

“Wha—! No way! Absolutely not!!!”

There’s no way I like Kyogoku.

And about getting mad… yeah, I guess I did feel a little irritated by Ishizaki-san’s words.

But that wasn’t because she was badmouthing Kyogoku…

“Still, I don’t get it. Irara-san and you, Kiriha-chan, both think so highly of him. You two could totally go for someone better, someone cooler. So why go out of your way to defend him? It makes no sense.”

“T-That’s…”

“I mean, if it’s all just a misunderstanding like you say, then shouldn’t Kyogoku clear things up himself? And besides, misunderstanding or not, if he’s getting hated this much, doesn’t that mean there’s something wrong with him in the first place?”

I understand what Ishizaki-san is saying.

But that’s something only someone who’s never been on the receiving end of it would say.

No one ever tries to understand the ones who’ve been hurt.

People only think about things from their own perspective.

“There’s no way he can explain himself. He’s already given up on that.”

“Pfft, what? LOL. That’s so awkward and such a hassle! I mean, no one’s actually like that, right? Haha~”

Ishizaki-san bursts into laughter again, clearly enjoying herself.

“The Kyogoku is actually a good guy theory is hilarious! LOL. Never even thought about it before. I gotta tell my old middle school friends about this next time we meet~.”

It seems my words didn’t get through to Ishizaki-san.

Well, that’s just how it is.

It’s not like I wanted to prove her wrong or change her perception of Kyogoku or anything.

I just didn’t want to lie to myself.

“But still… who would’ve thought there’d be two girls in high school who actually like Kyogoku? And both of them are super cute? This is seriously funny… LOL.”

“Wha—… That’s not—!”

“Guess some girls just have weird tastes, huh? Ahaha~.”

The thought of being grouped in with those “weird taste” girls is beyond irritating.

That’s not me. Not at all.

…Though I can’t speak for Irara.

“Oh, this is my stop.”

Ishizaki-san points in a different direction from my way home.

“Ah, okay.”

“Things have been kinda sketchy around here lately, so stay safe! See you tomorrow~!”

Without waiting for my response, Ishizaki-san walks off.

She’s so self-centered… or to put it bluntly, selfish.

I doubt we could ever be friends. More like, I don’t think I could ever like her.

Actually, she’s the exact kind of person I’ve always disliked—the loudest girl in the class, part of that annoying group.

…And yet.

“You think highly of Kyogoku, don’t you?”

Ishizaki-san’s words won’t leave my mind.

I was sure that wasn’t the case.

And yet, when it comes to Kyogoku, I act in ways that aren’t like me.

That realization lingers, leaving me unsettled.

Kyogoku Arata’s Perspective

The next day.

After heading straight home from school, I sit on the living room sofa in my uniform, completely absorbed in a mobile game.

This has been my pathetic routine lately.

It’s a necessary escape—my time to unwind and live comfortably, free from everything.

I keep flicking my fingers across the screen in silence.

But before I know it, my mind drifts back to yesterday.

“It’s been a while since I ran into someone from middle school.”

I pass by old classmates now and then, but actually stopping to talk… that might’ve been the first time since graduation.

Well, it’s not like anyone ever wanted to talk to me, whether in elementary or middle school.

Among them, Ishizaki Satomi stood out as someone who clearly disliked me.

Since elementary school, she was always at the center of every group—someone completely out of my reach.

Because of that, we barely spoke. But even so, she had an obvious disdain for me.

“Why did she hate me…?”

It’s been a long time since I even bothered thinking about that.

There’s just no end to it.

Most people I’ve met in my life have disliked me.

Not that it really bothers me anymore. I’ve gotten used to it.

As those thoughts swirl in my head, the living room door opens.

“I’m home!—Wait, Onii-chan?! You’re still in your uniform… again? Ugh, you’re so sloppy. Why do I have to have you as my Onii-chan…? Seriously, this sucks.”

Sayu openly complains the moment she sees me.

I make a show of looking dejected.

“I see… Well then, from today onward, I’m resigning as your Onii-chan. Thank you for everything. Goodbye.”

“Wha—?! Wait, wait! I was kidding! It was a joke!! Deep, deep down—like, through the bottom of my heart, breaking through to another bottom—I actually think it’s great that you’re my Onii-chan!!!”

Sayu panics.

But then she quickly catches herself and mutters.

“Hah! …I-I mean, all that legal paperwork would be a pain, so just don’t.”

“Are you emotionally unstable or something?”

I retort, and Sayu huffs, turning away.

After that, I spend time goofing around with my tsundere little sister—whose “tsun” is paper-thin—before helping her study…

Before I know it, the sky outside starts to darken.

“…Why the hell am I running errands?”

I mutter to myself in the supermarket.

Apparently, we were out of eggs, so Sayu sent me out to get some.

Of course, there was no way I could refuse.

Not only does she cook for us, but there’s no way I’d let her go out alone at night.

Lately, things have been getting dangerous around here, too.

“Alright, let’s just grab these and head home.”

With the eggs in hand, I quickly make my way to the checkout.

Kiriha Kirino’s Perspective

I clock out before dinner.

As the sky grows dim, I start heading home… but—

“So then, my friend totally spat out her drink—”

Ishizaki-san walks beside me.

We finished work at the same time today, but even though I left early to avoid her, she chased after me.

For some reason, she seems to have taken a liking to me.

…I don’t get it.

Just yesterday, we clashed so much.

I respond with half-hearted nods as I walk home.

I’m so distracted by her endless chatter that I don’t notice it at all.

“Hey, hey! You two over there, wanna hang out with us?”

“…Huh?”

Two guys, grinning slyly, step up behind us.