Chapter 15

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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After safely making it through the morning classes, I headed to the school store with Ryosuke to buy lunch, just like usual.

As for my relationship with him, I figured that suddenly cutting ties would be too unnatural, so I decided to keep things as they are for the time being.

Either way, we'll probably part ways once we graduate, so I can just slowly create some distance.

“Hey, Reita. You're definitely acting weird. Why are you suddenly taking classes so seriously?”

As expected, Ryosuke immediately called me out on the change.

“…I almost got held back last year. I figured it's better than dealing with annoying makeup exams and reports later.”

“Held back? Your test scores weren't even that bad.”

“I just got too complacent.”

I brushed it off with a reasonable excuse.

To be fair, it wasn't entirely a lie. Even before I got my memories back, I was barely scraping by with just one day of studying before tests, so I knew I had to do something.

“But still, you going that overboard serio—”

Right as Ryosuke was about to continue teasing me—

“Hey, you. Follow the line properly.”

“Tch, what a pain…”

Near the school store, a girl was scolding a male student who had cut in line.

For me—no, for most students at this school—it was a pretty familiar sight.

Shizuno, delivering justice.

“Oh, she's at it again. Shizuno Soraoka.”

Ryosuke watched the scene like a spectator enjoying a show.

“Girls who play the hero aren't bad either. I'd love to make her mine someday.”

His usual twisted comment made my face twitch.

Yeah… maybe I really should cut ties with this guy sooner rather than later…

“Anyway, get out of the line. Now.”

“Come on, it's just a line. I'm in a hurry.”

“That's irrelevant. Follow the rules.”

“Man, you're so annoying…”

Ignoring the uneasy looks from those around them, Shizuno kept staring straight at the boy as she continued to reprimand him.

Watching this, I felt a bit worried.

Of course, Shizuno is 100% in the right. Even something as small as cutting in line should be called out.

But at the same time, I couldn't help but think she might be going a bit too far.

It's not that I'm saying she should ignore it.

But people like that won't reflect no matter what you say. Even if they pretend to listen, inside they're just thinking, “Shut up already.”

I know that because I used to be like that.

Convincing, right?

So constantly picking fights like that has no end. For Shizuno, it's not just a waste of time—it's a risk.

That kind of approach tends to attract resentment, and there's always the chance of someone holding a grudge against her.

Back in elementary school, justice tends to win over wrongdoing—but in middle and high school, half-baked justice often gets swallowed by the bad side.

Well, with Shizuno's level of conviction, she probably won't be crushed that easily…

Lately, though, I've been noticing how bad the atmosphere at our school has gotten.

Coming from someone who used to be part of the problem, it really does feel like things are getting rough.

Just the other day, Rin was being persistently harassed, and lately you can hear Shizuno's voice calling people out all over the place.

And yet, it somehow stays just within the line where it doesn't become a serious issue…

There's something off about it—something hard to put into words.

“Hey, now that I look at you, you're pretty cute. Wanna grab lunch with me?”

“I refuse.”

“Come on, I'll treat you.”

“I refuse.”

“Man… what's your deal? You keep pushing your own demands but won't listen to mine. And you're just a second-year acting all—”

Just as I feared, the guy started snapping back.

—but his words were cut off midway.

“—That's enough.”

A sharp voice cut through the air.

Standing between the two was a glasses-wearing guy with a calm, composed presence.

I recognized him.

The student council president of our school—Daiki Yokomizo.

“W-Who the hell are you?”

“If you continue causing trouble, I'll have to take appropriate action.”

“The hell, this has nothing to do with you.”

“It does. Shizuno-chan is an important junior of mine.”

Yokomizo handled the situation calmly.

An important junior… right, Shizuno was part of the student council too.

Calling her by name caught my attention a bit, but at least it looked like things wouldn't escalate.

“Tch… you better remember this, b*****d…!”

The boy spat out a cliché line before running off pathetically.

That was quick…

He acted all tough toward a girl, but folded instantly. Doesn't he have any pride?

“Are you alright, Shizuno-chan?”

“Yes. Thank you very much.”

Yokomizo checked on her.

At a glance, he's pretty good-looking. Tall, composed, and carrying himself with confidence—he had a strong sense of authority.

Exactly what you'd expect from a student council president.

“If anything happens, contact me. I'll come right away.”

With a bright, refreshing smile, Yokomizo left the scene.

“…Tch. Student council types are all stuck-up bastards.”

Ryosuke muttered sarcastically beside me as we watched.

For a split second, I almost agreed—but shook the thought away.

That kind of thinking is exactly what I need to change too…

And just like that, we bought our food at the store and headed back to the classroom.