Chapter 34: Landmine

Landmine

“That’s exactly why. As you said, people are greedy. Even if things are fine now, the day will come when it’s not enough anymore. And that will happen to you, too.”

“Speaking from experience, are we? How pathetic. But don’t worry, Senpai and I will be just fine. Because… well, that’s none of your business, ex-girlfriend.”

I deliberately choose my words to provoke this filthy b🬀🬀ch, who just so happens to be Yuki-senpai’s ex.

What’s this nonsense about “the day will come when it’s not enough anymore”? There’s no way that could ever happen with Senpai and me.

Because no matter how close we get, we’ll never be satisfied.

“I see. Then that’s fine. As long as Yuki doesn’t end up unhappy, that’s all that matters.”

Seriously, who does this filthy b🬀🬀ch think she is, acting all high and mighty?

I wanted to scream, “Yuki-senpai’s biggest misfortune right now is you clinging onto him!”

But then, I saw her eyes… Her face was smiling, yet her eyes were lifeless, murky—staring at me yet seeing nothing.

A primal sense of danger sent chills down my spine, cold sweat trickling down my back.

Even though I knew I could win in a fistfight, the eerie aura surrounding her was unsettling.

“T-Then, Rindo-senpai, you should stay away from Yuki-senpai too. It’s only natural, right? Any normal person would find it unpleasant if a cheating ex acted all familiar.”

I swallowed my emotions and carefully chose rational words to respond.

“Heh… You really don’t understand Yuki at all, do you, Kotaka-san? He wouldn’t care about something so trivial.”

“…”

As much as it pains me to admit, she was right about that. Having spent time with him, I knew—Senpai felt no resentment toward this woman, even after she cheated on him.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“Shut up. That just means he doesn’t give a damn about you, b🬀🬀ch.”

Annoyed by that thought, I let a bit of my true self slip out.

“Ah, so that’s your true nature? I wonder if Yuki knows about this.”

“That’s none of your business. I only act this way toward people who piss me off.”

I glare back at her dark, sunken eyes with all my strength.

I feel pathetic for ever being scared of her.

“I see, I see… Hmm. Well, I suppose I can leave Yuki in your hands then.”

I may not be his official girlfriend, but that doesn’t mean I need this filthy b🬀🬀ch’s approval.

“Haah?! And why the hell would I need your permission, you filthy b🬀🬀ch?!”

“Huh? Isn’t it obvious? The only ones allowed by Yuki’s side are those I or Mizuki-san approve of.”

She says it like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Listening to her, I realize she’s even crazier than I thought.

“Hey, you. Maybe try thinking about Yuki-senpai’s feelings for once? Instead of just yourself?”

Half-exasperated, I try reasoning with her.

I know it’s probably pointless, but I still wish she could care about Senpai the way I care about my brother. If she did, maybe things wouldn’t have turned out this way.

“Haah?! What the hell are you talking about… I don’t care about anything but Yuki. Not even myself. Ever since then, all I’ve done is think about Yuki, pray for his happiness, prepare myself to do anything for him. My love for him… My devotion… Are you going to trample all over that? Huh? Huh? Huuh?”

The once superficially calm expression on her face twists into something monstrous. The weight of her gaze and the intensity of her presence steal my voice.

“…”

“Take back what you said earlier. Hey… you’ll take it back, right? You will, won’t you? Come on, say it. Take it back. Take it back. Take it baaaaack!”

Her voice rises to a hysterical pitch as she glares at me, her once pretty face now contorted in pure madness.

The people around us begin casting glances our way, wondering what’s going on.

But she doesn’t seem to care in the slightest, her voice continuing to chant, “Take it back,” over and over again.

When a male staff member finally steps in to reprimand her, she shoots him a single glare before slamming a ten-thousand-yen bill onto the table and storming out.

At that moment, I realized something—when faced with something truly incomprehensible, humans are left speechless.

At the same time, I also come to understand that, twisted as it may be, her feelings for Senpai are genuine.

“Haaah…”

Freed from that suffocating pressure, I let out a deep breath.

For now, I have decided to report today’s events to Senpai.

[Your ex-girlfriend is way crazier than I expected, Senpai.]

But since he only ever replies on a whim, I don’t expect an immediate response and leave it at that.

Instead, I send a message to my brother, asking what he wants for dinner.

His reply: [Hamburg steak.] He’s been acting a little more childish lately compared to before.

But I don’t mind. Because right now, he only relies on me. This side of him belongs to me alone.

Today, too, I have to go home and take care of him. After all, ever since that man died, my brother has slowly been healing, both physically and emotionally.

Lately, he’s even started showing interest in things beyond anime and games.

He’s been watching music videos on streaming sites. What was his favorite again?

I think it had a girlish name…

I don’t like the idea of him getting interested in another girl, but if she’s just someone behind a screen, it’s not a problem.

More importantly, I can use this as an opportunity to get even closer to him. The thought excites me, and I immediately decide to find out exactly who he’s been so into lately.