Chapter 62: You’re Not Alone

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Translator: Soafp

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After school, Ginji stood waiting with his bag when Sora came running up to him with quick, light steps.

“I've got something I need to do first. Can you wait for me by the bike racks?”

Seeing Sora smile like that, Ginji sensed something.

“You sure you'll be okay alone?”

“I'm not okay… That's why I want you to wait. If there's a reward, I can push through.”

“Alright. But call me right away if anything happens.”

“Okay… well then—Let's do this!”

Ginji held out his fist, and Sora bumped hers against it in a fist bump.

Then, after watching Ginji head toward the shoe lockers, she turned and walked toward the student council room.

She took a deep breath and knocked on the third floor door. It was Yoshida, a classmate, who answered. Though he wasn't a student council member, he had told them that morning that he hoped to join next year, so maybe he was there helping out.

“Um… is Aika-chan here?”

Her voice quivered a little—just slightly nervous without Ginji by her side.

“Shiki-san… yeah, she's here. Ah, are you here to help? Honestly, that'd be great. Things are kinda rough in there.”

“I'm not here to help. I just need to see her.”

“Uh—hey!”

Using her small frame, Sora slipped smoothly past Yoshida and stepped confidently into the familiar student council room.

There she saw Aika sitting at the vice president's desk, working on a laptop. Beside her was Mio and a few other girls, all busily moving about. Other council members were sorting files at their desks, and the student council president—one of the boys—looked especially overwhelmed.

“…Aika-chan.”

Aika looked up at Sora and blinked, then glanced behind her—but Ginji wasn't there. It was hard to believe Sora had come alone. Her lips twitched slightly, but she quickly returned to her usual confident expression.

“Oh, Sora. Just so you know, there's no place for you here. I've already asked someone else. But if you absolutely insist on helping, there are some refreshments to prepare for the guests and other chores, so—”

“I came to decline. I told the secretary already, but I wanted to say it to you directly. I want to stop helping the student council from now on.”

She said it all in one breath, though her knees trembled slightly. Seeing that fear, Aika smiled and rose from her chair, slithering toward Sora like a snake.

“Putting on a brave face? You know no one really understands you. I could have at least used you a little better. You're still scared, aren't you? A girl drawing weird things, thinking you have some talent when you don't… You'll ruin it again, just like before.”

Those words were meant to stab deep into Sora's old wounds—to make her bow her head and cry.

But—

“I might still be scared, but there's someone who believes I can keep moving forward.”

Her hazel eyes stared straight into Aika's. The posture, the calm expression—once taken from her, now reclaimed. Sora stood tall, her hair neat, her true self visible as she fought her fear. Aika didn't like that.

“You're just being deceived by some weird boy. He'll betray you.”

“He won't. Ginji won't betray me. I… won't let go of him.”

How much it helps to have someone you can trust more than yourself.

We're going on a date after this. He's waiting for me.

She almost wanted to brag about it—just how much she was being supported.

“…Is that all you came to say? You're in the way, so if you're not helping, please leave.”

Even though it seemed like a little push might break her, Sora held a new, unfamiliar strength. Aika wanted her gone before her own mask started to crack.

“Yeah. See you… but before that—”

“…”

Sora stepped closer and rose on her toes. Just for a second, her trembling stopped. This was something she had to say when Ginji wasn't around—he would've accepted the blame if she brought it up in front of him.

“You've been telling people to send Ginji spam messages, haven't you? Stop doing dumb stuff like that.”

After delivering those words, her knees began to tremble again, but she didn't crumble. She turned on her heel and walked out of the student council room.

Silence filled the room after she left.

“A-Aika-sama…”

Mio spoke timidly, and Aika flicked the rim of her teacup with a finger.

“Mio, this tea's cold. Go make a fresh one.”

“Y-yes.”

And just like that, the student council returned to their work. The files on their desks never seemed to decrease.

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By the bike racks, Ginji leaned against his bicycle, checking his phone.

Recently, he'd been getting a lot of spam messages—every subject line a personal attack. It was probably Aika, who had gotten his email somehow and was using girls to harass him. Honestly, he didn't care. In fact, he was glad that the attacks weren't aimed at Sora, who barely used her phone anyway.

But he regretted checking those messages during lunch in front of her. Sora was sharp. She might've noticed something. And now, she had gone to face Aika alone.

“…”

Truthfully, he wanted to tail her, but that would have disrespected her resolve.

He kept glancing toward the entrance restlessly until he finally saw Sora coming out. When she saw Ginji, she ran toward him.

“Hey, you okay? Guh—!”

She picked up speed and tackled him around the waist, pressing her face into his stomach and rubbing against him.

“…I told her I was done with the chores. Praise me.”

“You did, huh? You told her yourself.”

“I am not alone, right?”

“…Yeah. You're not.”

Ginji debated whether to bring up the emails, but Sora looked up first, a little bashful.

“So… wanna plan our date now?”

“Sure. You earned it, didn't you? Gotta give you that reward.”

“Yes!”

There was no need to say everything out loud. Ginji gently ruffled Sora's soft hair, praising her for her courage.