Chapter 7 – Scolding

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I hate to say it, but isn’t this basically your own doing?

Isn’t masturbation essentially like self-inflicted? Sure, whether you’re doing it yourself for pleasure or driven by despair, the end result is pretty much the same, right? Can one really play the victim card here?

Kojima-san, am I supposed to feel sorry for you?

Oh, right. Come to think of it, back in high school, Kojima-san was definitely a loner, always hanging out on the roof at dusk. Now she’s probably spending Christmas all by herself too, so yeah, she’s definitely a Christmas loner. A Christmas Ioner has nobody to talk to. And, well, talking to family is probably out of the question anyway.

That’s probably why she resorted to this stupid attempted suicide.

“You dodged a bullet,” I think.

“Since there’s no point in hiding it anymore, I’ll confess— I’ve actually tried to kill myself before,” she admits.

“I see.”

“Is…that all you have to say?”

“Do you want me to say something else?”

“…”

Sorry, but I already heard it from Mitsuhide yesterday, so I’m not surprised.

But the fact that she’s bringing it up now gives me a pretty good idea of what’s going on. Of course, she’s been keeping the real reason hidden, but if she’s that distraught, a change of environment might be in order.

If she’s willing to risk her life, her stepbrother will have no choice but to give up. He’s already been forcibly imposing his own desires on her in the most intimate of ways.

“I thought that after four years, I’d be able to forget if I lived separately. But it didn’t work out that way. I never imagined Yuuta would be here.”

“So it’s my fault, is it?”

“…No. It’s my own fault for making the wrong choice.”

Kojima-san sits with her knees hugged, looking down. I can’t see from here, but is her skirt short enough to be okay?

“I truly do regret not choosing you back then, Yuuta,” she admits sorrowfully.

“Don’t be an idiot,” I snap involuntarily.

“That’s right, even if you had chosen me, Kojima-san would have regretted it. Why didn’t she choose her brother at that time?”

“…”

“I don’t want to be burdened with that kind of regret. Well, don’t worry. I’ll be leaving this university.”

“Huh?”

“I’m quitting this university. I’m just like you, wanting to forget the wounds of the past and simply be happy. I chose this town and this university where no one knows me for that reason. Why do I have to relive my trauma here?”

“Really?”

“I’m not the type to casually betray others. Do you think I’m joking about this?”

Kojima-san’s face turns pale in an instant.

Earlier, she was questioning why I was here. Does Kojima-san want me to quit the university or not?

Really, Kojima, what’s up with you?

As we gradually became friends on the rooftop, I thought you were a girl who could consider other people’s feelings a little more. But I guess I was wrong. It feels like a scam! I’m going to sue! A lawsuit is on its way!

“Instead of choosing the easy way out, you can find a future worth living for,” I suggest as I toss the empty cola can towards a nearby trash can.

With a clang, the can hits the rim of the bin, bouncing off and landing outside.

“Tch.”

I can’t tell if the tongue click is for missing the trash can or due to my irritation with Kojima-san.

I rise from my spot.

“I should properly dispose of the can while I’m at it, and then head to the administration office. Well, see you.”

Without so much as a glance towards Kojima-san, I take my leave.

Kojima-san remains seated for a while, lost in thought.

Just as her private parts don’t get wet, I can’t read a b***h’s thoughts.

If only she could channel that energy in a more positive direction instead of dwelling on the past. It’s vexing.

***

“Eh!? You’ve just finished the entrance ceremony, haven’t you? Isn’t it too early to drop out?”

“It’s fine; I’ve already decided.”

“May I inquire about the reason for your withdrawal?”

“It’s for the sake of maintaining my mental state.”

“…Huh?”

With that, I submitted the withdrawal form tucked in the b****t pocket of my jacket to the counter and had a fruitless exchange with the staff.

“…Well, I’ll hold on to this, but I think you should reconsider.”

“I probably won’t change my mind, so thank you. Goodbye.”

“Sigh…”

Today seems to have been filled with pointless exchanges. Feeling impatient, I turned on my heel and started to leave the building.

Just as I was about to exit the building…

“Oh! Yuuta-kun! What’s wrong? Did you forget to register for classes?”

BSSR, an encounter with Kimura Airi-chan occurred!

Even as a university student, her facial features remain youthful, but I can only imagine the ahegao and peace signs she’s making in the bedroom. Tch.

“Hey, have you decided which classes you’re going to take? If you’d like, we could take some together.”

“Well, whether it’s lectures, foreplay, or sexual techniques, good luck with that. I’m leaving this place now.”

“…Huh?”

“My destiny is but a speck of dust before the wind.”

“H-Hey, Yuuta-kun?”

“Then, Kimura-san, arrivederci!”

This conversation is a pain.

Well, I’ve accomplished the daily task of submitting the withdrawal form, so I should head home early and sort out my belongings. Bye-bye.

***

And so that night, a call came in from my mother at my family home.

The staff member must have snitched!