Arc 2 – Episode 3: [Behind the Scenes] “Garbage in My Kingdom”

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[Side: Aria]

With summer vacation over, I could finally see Kyoichi-san at school every day again, but it didn't feel as good as I thought it would.

The reason was I couldn't openly be affectionate with him. I had to sit there and watch other girls try to get close to him.

I wanted to make our relationship public the second summer vacation ended, but my grandfather had other ideas. He insisted we wait until Kyoichi-san fixed his reputation during the second semester.

Honestly, I didn't care what anyone said about me being with him—it was just noise. But I couldn't piss off my grandfather and risk him getting in the way of this relationship.

So, I settled for watching him through the mirror I'd secretly set up in the classroom.

Along with the usual three pests clinging to him, there was a new one buzzing around.

Yoshida Ami.

Some plain girl from class who used to follow me around, but now she was all dressed up and making moves on him.

I guess she heard the rumors about him being a playboy and thought a makeover would give her a shot.

Pathetic.

If changing your looks was all it took, I wouldn't have had to betray Ichigo-san or blackmail Kyoichi-san to get where I was now.

How did Ichigo-san stay so calm watching this?

Every time I saw him getting along with someone else, I felt like I was going to snap.

Was she just that confident? Or did she not care as much as I thought?

Didn't matter. I'd get rid of her eventually.

His heart, his body—everything. I was the only one who needed to have him.

After school, Ichigo-san called me to our usual empty classroom.

Over the summer, I convinced the school to lock it, and only the three of us had keys. Our little hideout.

We exchanged greetings and meaningless small talk, but she wasted no time.

“Aria-chan, you know Nagaoka Shuuji, right?”

I knew exactly who she meant.

That b*****d who ruined my date with Kyoichi-san.

Because of him, the date I'd planned down to the second almost fell apart before it even started.

I had to go begging to my grandfather to cover the new reservations. He was so pissed at me I thought I'd never live it down.

Out of spite, I tried to get Nagaoka expelled or squeeze his family for some cash, but my grandfather shut me down.

He told me, “I don’t want you turning into the kind of person who does things like this.”

Too late for that.

Now that piece of trash was still walking around this school like nothing happened.

It pissed me off just thinking about it.

“Yeah, I remember him. You said his name was Nagaoka Shuuji. Why?”

“He did something that pissed me off too. I want to get back at him. You in?”

For a second, I thought she was about to say she had feelings for him or something.

I was almost relieved.

She was still useful. I needed her around to keep Kyoichi-san close.

Revenge? Hmmm……

I wouldn't mind getting back at that scumbag either, but I didn't have much faith in Ichigo-san's ideas. She was smart academically, sure, but she wasn't exactly sharp when it came to anything else. If she had been, I wouldn't have fallen for Kyoichi-san, and she wouldn't have let me take him from her. Trusting her plan felt like stepping onto a sinking ship.

“Sorry, not interested.”

“I see… Well, guess that's that.”

Ichigo-san backed off without a fuss. I thought she was after my family's influence… or maybe she wasn't all that set on revenge. Fine by me. She reminded me of a grudge I had nearly forgotten.

We chatted a little longer, then went our separate ways.

On my way to the entrance—

“Hey, Kakyoin-san!”

I turned at the loud, obnoxious call. Nagaoka Shuuji—trash—was heading my way.

“Long time no see. I was heading back to the classroom, forgot something. Were you doing some student council stuff, Kakyoin-san?”

Don't just talk and make assumptions.

“Yeah, something like that.”

“Kuzuha hasn't been bothering you again, has he?”

…
…
…Ha?

It took everything in me not to let the murderous intent show on my face. That idiotic look—like he actually thought he had done me a favor by sticking his nose between me and Kyoichi-san.

Should I teach him a lesson?

“…Thanks to you, everything's fine.”

I smiled, polite as I could manage, drowning it in sarcasm.

“Good to hear. He's in your class, right? If he gives you any trouble, let me know. Here—this is my contact info.”

Trash shoved a memo into my hand. I almost tore it up on the spot. But then I saw him.

Kyoichi-san.

Dragged along by four girls—pests—but his eyes were locked on me. Relief. Indifference. A mix of both.

He's going to discard me.

If Kyoichi-san thought I had gotten cozy with this trash, he would run to my grandfather with his usual lies, and before I knew it, I'd be tossed aside and paired up with this garbage. Kyoichi-san would go right back to Ichigo-san without a second thought.

“That guy's lucky, huh? Surrounded by all those girls.”

All this b*****d's fault. Running his mouth about Kyoichi-san like he knew anything.

I stuffed the memo into my pocket instead. Might be useful later.

“Kakyoin-san, want me to walk you home?”
“No, I don't.”

Ignoring him, I headed for the waiting car.

“Looks like spring's come for you, my lady. Found someone to walk you all the way here?”

“…What?”

I glanced at the driver, tilting my head.

“That male student—he's not your boyfriend?”

He pointed outside. Trash was waving like an idiot.

No way. Did he follow me? How many people saw this?

This could get ugly fast. If my grandfather heard, he'd think I was fooling around and cut me off from Kyoichi-san.

“Driver, that guy's a stray. Don't get the wrong idea.”

“Ah… understood.”

The driver said nothing else and started the car. I pulled out my phone.

Two… no, three people I needed to call.

Kyoichi-san and my grandfather first—before any rumors spread. And Ichigo-san.

I'd take her up on that revenge.

I would've rather handled it myself, but my grandfather might try to stop me. Ichigo-san could take the lead.

As for Nagaoka Shuuji…

You're not getting away with this. I'll destroy you.