Chapter 25

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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Two weeks have passed since my date with Maaya.

Since then, we've started talking occasionally—only when no one else is around.

We're not quite as close as we used to be, and there's still a bit of distance between us, like two people who've only just met. But at least the wall that once stood between us is gone.

That said… a new kind of awkwardness has taken its place.

The whole “I ended up touching her ch*st” incident.

It seems Maaya has calmed down and realized just how embarrassing what she did was. Now, even if my gaze drops just slightly, she immediately remembers that moment and turns bright red.

Every time that happens, things get awkward again. It really drives home the fact that we've both, in more ways than one, grown up.

Well… it's not the same kind of bad tension as before, so it's probably not something to worry too much about.

On the other hand, Rin has been glaring at me nonstop.

She was already wary of me, and after what happened with Maaya, things have only gotten worse.

Maaya did explain the situation, so at least the misunderstanding has been cleared up. But the fact that I didn't pull my hand away immediately—and even went so far as to give it a squeeze—has been exposed, so it looks like she won't be forgiving me anytime soon.

Still, maybe because my behavior has been improving lately, she doesn't immediately shut me down or criticize me like before.

Of course, that doesn't mean she trusts me yet, so I'll have to be careful not to give her the wrong idea again.

As for me…

Things are going pretty well.

Waking up early, greeting people, paying attention in class—it's all becoming second nature.

I've also gotten into the habit of studying, and I've even started doing some light exercise, which helps me manage stress better.

Spending time with my childhood friends has also helped me remember who I used to be. Little by little, I can feel myself becoming more positive.

Honestly, I think I'm doing pretty well.

At this rate, I might fully regain my true self in a few months.

At first, it felt like an impossible dream—but now, it feels like it's within reach.

Just a little more. I need to stay focused and keep going.

That's what I told myself, full of determination…

But aside from my own situation, there was one thing bothering me.

Something seemed off about Shizuno.

She seemed a bit strange last week, but ever since this week started, it's become more obvious.

During class, she zones out like Maaya sometimes…

Even when she's lecturing delinquent students like usual, she can't properly counter their arguments…

She even forgot her turn as class representative and got worried looks from the teacher.

She's just… not herself.

To someone who doesn't know her well, it might not seem like a big deal. But to those who do, the difference is clear.

What's going on with her?

Maaya and Rin noticed it too and tried asking her, but apparently she wouldn't say anything.

Shizuno has always been the type to handle everything on her own.

She never accepts help.

So maybe it can't be helped—if she can't solve it herself, there's no way we could…

Still… it feels a little lonely that she won't tell us anything at all.

“—Hey, did you hear?”

Just as I was lost in thought, I overheard Yamada and the others talking beside me.

“What now?”

“Apparently Shizuno got a boyfriend recently.”

“W-What!?”

…Speak of the devil.

Right as I was thinking about her, they started talking about Shizuno.

I didn't join the conversation, just pretended to scroll through my phone while listening.

“Who's the guy?”

“That annoying student council president.”

“Ah… figures. Damn it… he's hogging our Shizuno…”

Since when was she “our” Shizuno?

You guys get lectured by her all the time.

I couldn't help but retort in my head.

Still… she is kind.

She doesn't judge people based on whether she likes them or not. She praises good behavior and listens to anyone in trouble, even delinquents.

That's probably why she's so popular.

But still… Shizuno and the student council president?

It's just a rumor, so I can't say for sure, but it's unexpected.

Like I said before, she never seemed interested in romance.

Could this have something to do with her acting strange…?

“Well, guess we gotta give up on Shizuno. Let's go for Rin instead.”

“Wait, what? Why?”

“Better not. She's part of Ueno's harem now.”

“Oh yeah… forgot about that…”

And now they'd moved on to Rin.

Their emotional recovery speed was insane. Do they even have feelings?

Apparently, Rin's been caught up in some weird rumors too.

And not the flattering kind.

It's true that she's been hanging around the popular crowd more lately.

She used to be somewhere between the serious group and the popular group, but now she's mostly with the latter.

Especially that so-called “harem king,” Koji Ueno.

I've seen them together a lot.

But she still looks bored all the time.

Strangely enough, she seemed more alive when she was interrogating me about the whole Maaya incident…

Something about that doesn't sit right.

“Then… our great angel Maaya-chan—”

And now, they moved on to Maaya.

“Too late. Looks like Maaya's finally got a boyfriend.”

“W-What!? Maaya has a boyfriend!?”

“Yeah… she's been looking super happy lately. Just look at her. She's practically in a dream world.”

Yamada glanced toward Maaya, and I followed his gaze.

Sure enough, she looked incredibly happy.

Sitting at her desk, resting her chin on her hand, staring off into space with a silly grin.

What kind of fantasy is she lost in…?

“Apparently someone even saw her on a date with a guy about two weeks ago.”

“No way… so Maaya's purity is—”

And just like that, a chilling phrase slipped out.

So… someone saw us that day.

From the sound of it, they didn't realize it was me, but still…

If we hadn't been in disguise, things could've turned into a disaster.

This world is way too small.

“Damn it… guess we'll just have to steal her back.”

“Yeah. No holding back now.”

Yamada and the others lamented the loss of the “three great beauties.”

Did it never occur to them to just wish for their happiness?

Then again… I forgot these guys are just straight-up scumbags.

Looks like more trouble is on the way.