Chapter 157 | Imoko Cried and Got Down on the Ground, but It Was Too Late.

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I was called by Imoko.

Saburo-san drove me to the academy. (They were waiting in front of the apartment.)

“Shinji-kun… I think you should forget about it.”

From the driver’s seat, Saburo-san looked at me with concern.

“This is almost certainly… no, 100% a trap. I think it’s a waste of time to go, and I have a really bad feeling about this.”

Well, I understand what Saburo-san is trying to say. A summons from Imoko at this time…

It’s probably related to my grandfather from the main family, asking me to do something for her. The worst-case scenario crosses my mind.

Saburo-san, anticipating the same development, is worried about me. They’re trying to stop me, concerned for my safety.

“Thank you. But… I’m still holding onto a sliver of hope.”

“Hope?”

“Yeah, the one in a million… no, one in a billion chance that Imoko might have reflected on her actions.”

What angered me the most this time was that Imoko and the other classmates hurt my precious treasure, Rika.

I was hoping that maybe, just maybe…though I doubted it…Imoko realized that. That she reflected on her actions because of what happened with my grandfather.

“Shinji-kun, you’re too trusting. You’re too kind.”

“…Maybe. But I want to believe.”

“Only in her? Do you want to believe in her?”

“………”

…It’s hopeless. Seriousness doesn’t work with this person.

“I appreciate your concern, but I’ll be fine. I’ll handle this myself.”

“Alright. But rest assured, if things go south, it seems the ‘Bulldozer’ is on standby.”

“Bulldozer… Ah.”

I see.

“Knowing the Bulldozer is there is reassuring.”

“Yeah! ‘Cause it’s the Bulldozer!”

Well, then I guess it’ll be okay. It seems like my grandfather has a backup plan in place.

Besides… it seems he’s leaving the final decision to me. He’s ruthless, but he does at least give you a point of no return.

“I’ll be going now.”

“Okay! See ya later. I’ll be waiting.”

★

I entered the school grounds at night. I wondered if students were allowed in, but it seemed my grandfather had pulled some strings.

I reached the rooftop without being questioned. I thought a school at night might be scary, but strangely, I felt no fear.

Maybe it’s because I have other things on my mind? I think my attention is focused elsewhere.

“Shinji-kun…”

Imoko was standing alone on the rooftop. I looked around. The roof was surrounded by a fence to prevent falls.

But… it was quite rusty and dangerous, and there was a way to go beyond the fence through a door.

“………”

I looked around from beyond the fence. From the rooftop, I could see high-rise apartments.

Blink… blink… the lights were flashing. Yeah, it seemed safe.

“I’m sorry, Shinji-kun. For calling you out so late at night…”

“What do you want?”

I didn’t want to stay long. Looking at Imoko, I thought again.

How disgusting. Just looking at her made anger boil inside me.

Why? Simple. Because she and her cronies hurt my precious Rika.

To me, Imoko and my classmates had become clear enemies. …Giving such people a last chance…

Saburo-san must think I’m naive.

“What I want… What I want is…”

Imoko approached. Because it was dark, I didn’t realize until she got closer… just how awful she looked.

Her hair was disheveled, and her eyes were sunken. Her prized makeup was smeared with tears and snot.

I thought she looked 20 years older. It was strange to think I was ever attracted to someone like this.

“Please… please, Shinji-sama…!”

Right in front of me, Imoko prostrated herself. Oh…

I felt a flicker of hope. Did she… reflect?

Did she realize why I’m angry…? What she had done…?

Did she finally understand…?

“I’m sor…”

“Please! Could you please ask Kougen-sama to forgive me?!”

“………”

…Oh.

………Oh.

……………Oh.

“Sigh…”

I see… You’re hopelessly foolish, aren’t you?

“I’m in a terrible situation right now! My father’s company…”

“Yeah, I’ve heard enough.”

“Huh?”

“Enough is enough… I understand everything.”

I’d received a report from my grandfather about the situation Imoko and the other classmates were in. But that’s not what I’m interested in.

“Y-you understand… Th-then! Can you put in a good word with Kougen-sama?! Ask him to make it all go away!”

“No, that’s impossible.”

“I-Impossible?!”

“Yes. I’m sorry.”

I didn’t care anymore. I had learned what I wanted to know.

“Well then—”

“W-Wait! Wait! Wait!”

Imoko clung to my leg, wailing. Her face was a mixture of terror and desperation.

But… to me, she looked like a pebble on the roadside. She was insignificant to me now.

I shook her off and started to walk away.

“Please! Shinji-sama! Please don’t leave! Please!”

This time, she clung to my waist. I glanced at the tower mansion nearby.

They’re probably watching. I shook my head, just in case.

“What?”

“Why are you leaving?!”

“Because you haven’t reflected on your actions.”

“I have!”

“On what?”

Contrary to Imoko’s outburst of emotion, I was… cold. I just wanted to end this conversation quickly and return to where my precious Rika was.

Wanting to cut this short and leave, I spoke quickly.

“What are you reflecting on?”

“That I broke up with you… I still regret that. I sincerely apologize for hurting you! So…!”

…Just how stupid is she?

No, wait.

Hold on… could it be…?

“Hey, Imoko.”

“What?!”

No… it couldn’t be.

Surely not… that’s impossible. Right?

“This is a long shot, but…”

I didn’t think it was possible, but I had to… confirm it.

“You don’t… think that I’m still in love with you, do you?”

Our conversation wasn’t making sense. There was a fundamental disconnect between Imoko and me. Finally, I realized what it was. Could it be that Imoko thought I was still in love with her, that I still had feelings for her…?

No.

No way.

That’s impossible, right? I’ve been so obviously uninterested in her, so clearly in love with Rika.

Besides, besides!

Surely… after she broke up with me, she couldn’t possibly think that I’d still be pining for her, right?

But…

“Huh? I-Is that not it…?”

….

……….

……………I’m speechless.

“You are truly, unbelievably stupid.”

“Huh? Huh?”

I decided to tell her clearly.

“Nakatsugawa Imoko. I hate you. I despise you. I hate you more than anything in this world.”

Even after saying this, she probably wouldn’t understand, so I explained it to her in simple terms, like she was a child.

“Because you hurt the most important thing in my life.”

“Most… important?”

“Yes… the most important thing. And that is certainly not you. Never. Don’t ever mistake that.”

…In other words, she had made that mistake, and that’s why she continues to make mistakes now.

“I despise you. Never show your face in front of me again.”