Chapter 116: 8:25

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Translator: Soafp

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“Did you hear? He was at a club!”

The words echoed in my ears.

“…Huh?”

Something felt off.

I had been feeling a heavier gaze than usual on my way to this place.

It wasn't just the boys; the girls were watching me too.

The attention I received when I ranked first in the class during the exam was nothing compared to this. This felt like a different kind of “quality.”

“—I heard someone saw him coming out. It's a members-only place. Guess he's one of those types after all.”

I hadn't realized at all.

That someone had been watching me back then.

Of course, there were no school rules against it.

Entering during the daytime wasn't a problem for high school students at all.

But—people must have the worst impression of it.

Especially those who don't know the place.

No, it would be worse for those who do.

“Haha…”

A dry laugh escaped me without thinking.

I felt like I was rolling down a slope.

The dance presentation on Friday felt irrelevant now.

I didn't need to wait for it; I was already alone.

I awkwardly pulled out my chair.

I hoped no one played any pranks on me this time. That would at least be something.

“Hey, Toumachi!”

“T-Toumachi—”

Maybe it was because they were there.

As I placed my belongings on the desk to escape, the two next to me called out.

Their voices were unusually hesitant.

It was the first time I'd seen Hiiragi fidgeting with her fingers like that.

…Were they worried about me?

If that's the case, they should be taking care of themselves first.

“Don't talk to me.”

I tightened my grip on that kindness and spoke to them.

I hoped they wouldn't notice how shaky my voice was.

I wasn't okay, but I didn't want them to face this gaze too.

They were important friends.

Though, from now on… it might not be that way anymore.

---

[Momo PoV]

In the basketball clubroom.

It was getting hot, and using deodorant had become essential by now.

It was just after I finished morning practice.

“Hey, senpai, it's bad.”

“…Huh?”

“Toumachi? They're spreading rumors like crazy among the boys in the sports clubs.”

“W-What rumors?”

“I heard that guy is going to clubs. They say he's a total player with girls and all.”

“Wait…”

Akira whispered this conspiratorially.

That couldn't be true—there's no way I could do something like that.

I knew he went to clubs… I had heard it in conversations with those two.

Just some dumb boys talking.

They were probably just jealous.

“What's that about?”

“W-Wait, please don't get mad at Aki!”

“Momo… are you okay?”

“Even Fubuki says there's no way Icchi could do that!”

“Really?”

“But it's a huge rumor around here.”

“…No way.”

“It's true… it's spreading all over school.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah, it's like lightning fast. Rumors are something else.”

…Why?

Why was there such an absurd rumor with no credibility?

“M-Momo-senpai is the scariest she's ever been…”

“Momo, calm down a bit.”

“…!”

I hadn't been able to sort out my feelings all this time, and I hadn't been able to speak up.

But I couldn't say that now.

I felt my mind clear.

It felt like I could see the worst possible future ahead.

I had been avoiding looking at him too much, missing the moment I needed to see him the most.

Momo: “There are weird rumors going around at school, but don't worry about it.”

Momo: “Want to walk home together today?”

“……”

After sending the message, anxiety bubbled up inside me.

My biggest worry was how Icchi would take this rumor.

I absolutely didn't want him to distance himself from me.

I grasped the hem of my gym uniform.

Sweat clung to my palms.

---

During the break—I checked, but he wasn't there.

Not during lunch. Not after sixth period. Not after HL ended.

It was as if he had vanished from the classroom.

[——“Excuse me! D-Do you know anything about Toumachi-kun?”——]

While I was looking for Ayanon and Icchi, Shiori-san spoke to me for the first time.

[——“He hasn't replied to my messages… He's not in the usual spot in the library… Where could he be?”——]

She said this, and Hiiragi and the others nearby wore expressions that reflected their unease.

Time passed, and it felt like no one could talk to him.

And then.

Finally, in the evening, I received his reply.

Hajime Toumachi: Sorry

Just that one word.

After that—no matter what I sent, there was no response.

---

[Toumachi PoV]

First, second, third, and fourth periods.

I went through the usual classes.

During the breaks, I escaped to the quiet self-study room.

The study area in the library had too many eyes on it. No one ever used it unless it was right before tests, so it was a relief.

During lunch.

I didn't eat and just stayed in the self-study room.

There were a few unfamiliar students, but as long as I kept my head down and focused on studying, the time flew by.

Fifth and sixth periods.

After HR ended, I headed home.

“…Phew.”

I spent the day without talking to anyone.

I exhaled on the train platform.

What was this? I was totally fine.

I was okay.

I had just returned to “normal.”

――“Hey, did you hear? That guy is crazy. Going to clubs as a high school student—”

“…………”

I put in my earphones and boarded the arriving train.

Swaying back and forth, I reached my nearest station.

I got off and walked home.

“I’m tired.”

I took out my study materials and sat at my desk.

I filled my head with information, trying to forget something.

It wouldn't go away. It wouldn't go away.

The gazes.

The whispers.

The image of them drifting away.

“――”

What would happen to me tomorrow?

During the dance presentation—would I be laughed at?

Would I deliberately hold back? …I absolutely hated that.

I was surprised at how stubborn I had become after all this.

“…”

I didn't know anymore.

Nothing at all.

Everything felt heavy, like I was trapped in darkness.

The English words I was cramming wouldn't help this situation.

Still—my mind felt a bit lighter.

Escaping into my studies was a relief.

…It was the same as back then.

The me with black hair before everything changed.

I hadn't changed at all.

---

“……”

Friday.

When I woke up, it was 3 AM.

I had no desire to go back to sleep, so I studied relentlessly.

At 5 AM, I changed into my tracksuit and headed to the park to complete my daily routine on the horizontal bars.

By 6 AM.

I had no motivation to cook, so I just ate a random sweet bread for breakfast.

At 7 AM.

I checked today's subjects, packed my bag with my study materials, and slipped my arms into the sleeves of my uniform.

I fixed my hair with a comb—and before I knew it, it was time to leave the house.

At 7:30 AM.

I put on my shoes.

My hand trembled as it grasped the doorknob.

At 8 AM.

I sat down in the entrance.

My legs were shaking.

At 8:10 AM.

I tied my shoelaces over and over.

In the end, I untied them and returned to the living room.

My head throbbed painfully.

I couldn't breathe properly.

“っ”

At 8:20 AM.

I hesitated once more at the entrance.

I had long since missed my last chance.

It was already certain that I would be late.

Even so—like I was protecting myself—my feet wouldn't move.

No matter how much I told myself to move, they wouldn't.

The door in front of me felt ridiculously far away.

《――“Look at him.” “Just because he's smart doesn't mean he can do whatever he wants.” “Is that rumor true?”――》

The empty entrance echoed with yesterday's voices I didn't want to hear.

《――“Whoa, here he comes.” “I wonder what's going through his head.” “He really turned out to be just like his looks.”――》

I was sure I'd hear those voices today as well.

And those words would also reach the five girls.

If that's the case—if that's the case, then—

“……Haha.”

I still hadn't changed at all.

Since the day I vowed to change.

Running away, running away. I was so concerned about the gazes around me.

And now, I was at rock bottom.

“….”

I crawled under my comforter, still in my uniform.

It felt uncomfortably good.

As if it welcomed the part of me that was trying to escape.

I picked up my phone and entered that number.

I could hear the teacher’s voice.

“This is Toumachi… I have a headache today. I'm sorry, but I'll be taking the day off… Yes, I'll keep you updated on my condition… I'm fine.”

I hung up.

This was for the best.

At 8:25 AM.

I slipped back under the covers, escaping the ticking of the clock.