Chapter 5 – What’s Driving Her?

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The next day, following the shocking NTR double whammy, the weather gauge displayed clear skies.

It seemed like a perfect day to drop out. As expected, the withdrawal letter remained tucked in my b****t pocket, a symbol of my determination. Perhaps I should have kept a white loincloth as well, just in case.

Positive negativity, you know, is an important thing.

Lost in my thoughts, I made my way towards the main gate of the university. However, something seemed amiss. The air was filled with noise and commotion. An ambulance raced past, its siren piercing through the atmosphere like a cry of despair. It appeared that a serious incident had occurred.

Driven by curiosity, I approached the crowd huddled near the gate.

“Excuse me,” I hesitated, trying to find the right words, “did someone… die?”

My inquiry was met with discomfort and unease. People aren’t fond of being confronted by such grim matters, especially by a stranger like me.

Lesson learned once again: when your heart is brimming with apprehension, it can manifest in unintentional ways.

One of the bystanders turned towards me and replied, “Hmm? Ah, no one died, I think. But there was this girl. She seemed weak and was in a groveling position under that tree by the main gate. The ambulance just took her away.”

“…Huh?”

The unexpected response sent a chill down my spine. A girl is in a groveling position.

A girl.

Kneeling.

I have a bad feeling about this.

Shouldn’t the university have night patrols or some form of security? The gates may remain open 24/7, but if she was in such a weakened state, it implied that she had been there for a considerable amount of time.

No way, right?

Shaking off the unsettling thoughts, I reassured myself that it couldn’t be Kurebayashi-san. Unless she is a complete idiot, she’s probably already gone home by now.

It’s most likely a different person. And since the girl was not dead, well, yeah. Good for her.

Instead of worrying about unrelated strangers, I should go to the department office first and submit my withdrawal form. But before doing so, perhaps it would be wise to seek clarification on the true meaning behind yesterday’s phone call with Kojima-san.

“…Ah.”

Oops, while I was pondering that, I ran into Kojima-san in the flesh as soon as I entered the university. Her presence was both unexpected and unwelcome, a reminder of past wounds that had yet to heal.

“Oh, good morning, Yuuta,” she greeted me with forced cheerfulness.

“Morning,” I replied curtly, my tone laced with bitterness.

The silence hung heavy between us, pregnant with unspoken words and unresolved emotions.

“…”

“…”

Really now, what’s this? If she called me yesterday, she must have had some business, right? Since I can’t just end the conversation abruptly now, she might as well just spit it out.

“…”

“…Well then.”

Unable to handle this awkward silence as Kojima-san stood there rigidly, I attempted to take my leave. However, I was stopped in my tracks.

“Wait!” she called out, halting my retreat.

It was unclear whether she genuinely wished to speak with me or not, reminiscent of the indecisive back-and-forth we had experienced in the past. I wished she would simply convey her intent clearly rather than activate her innate skill of vacillation.

“Uh, Yuuta, why are you attending this university?” she finally managed to ask, her voice trembling ever so slightly.

Hmph.

So that was the reason she called me yesterday, huh? What a joke.

“That’s my line,” I retorted, my words dripping with sarcasm. “You chose your stepbrother over me and dumped me. So why didn’t you go to the same university as him? This place must have been a cakewalk for you to get into, compared to the local university.”

“Th-That’s…”

“And what’s with that phone call yesterday? Was that the only thing you wanted to ask about? Well, there’s nothing left to talk about now. I worried for nothing.”

“…Uh, um.”

“On the day I was abandoned by Kojima-san, I was already at my lowest, but I just wanted to be happy and chose to attend this university where it seems like no one I know is around. Are you planning to interfere with my happiness again?”

“Ah, I’m sorry, I…” Kojima-san’s voice trailed off, and her words choked with remorse.

Wow, I can really unleash the verbal barrage when it comes to Kojima-san. I wish I could have mustered this much fervor and self-assertion back in high school.

Well, then, if you have no business with me, please don’t bother me. See ya.” “Ah…” Oh no, tears are starting to well up.

Even if just to cover it up, I should just get out of here quickly.

But-

“Wait, Yuuta, Yuuta!”

Kojima-san has grabbed my right hand, foiling my plan to make a hasty retreat.

Turning back involuntarily, her face is suddenly right in front of mine.

… She looks like she’s about to cry. Why is she making such an expression toward me? I don’t understand.

Confused, I instinctively avert my gaze downward. I’m so weak.

“…!”

But then, my eyes are drawn to the numerous scars on her outstretched arm.

“Kojima-san… those wounds.”

“!?”

Caught red-handed, Kojima-san hastily tries to hide her arm, but the deed is done. My reaction was a tad too slow, maybe about medium-fatty tuna level.

Ah, right, Kojima-san had attempted suicide before. In my rage-filled outburst, I had completely forgotten about that.

Remembering that fact now, my anger seems to have subsided somewhat. I mean, sure, I had hated her to the point of wanting to kill her. But now that I know, I can’t just turn a blind eye.

Letting out a deep sigh or two,

“So, why did you come to this university, Kojima-san? Is that what you wanted me to know?”

I ask her, exhaling a third sigh.

Well, listening to her talk won’t hurt. If it’s for some trivial reason, I’ll just throw it into the crystal ball and be done with it.