Chapter 1: He’s Broken

Shoyo High School, Class 1-B.

　For first-year students who have just entered a high school, introducing themselves to their new class is an important step to determine one’s future. Whether to play it safe or to make a spectacular debut in high school, the classmates who were in the same class with me were looking at me with a fierce gaze, wondering whether I was a friend or an enemy.

　But there was no need to worry. I’m just a harmless, gloomy guy!

The selection of the school caste¹ has already begun. I’d like to try to make a big impression here, but I’m not willing to take that risk. I had a perfect plan to play it safe and make an ironclad appeal as someone with little presence.

　I was well aware of this, but the words that came out of my mouth were the exact opposite.

“F*** you, demon!” (Yukito)

　My classmates reacted to my sudden outburst of anger, and they were all in shock. I can’t help it, can I? That’s what I think, too. What kind of exorcist are you?

　I turned around and saw Sayuri Fujishiro, the homeroom teacher, also twitching her face. She had just been assigned to homeroom for the first time this year, and was quite young to be a teacher.

“What’s wrong with you? If you have any problems, I’m here to listen.” (Sensei)

　What’s wrong with this teacher, isn’t she too nice? Her words were blunt, but I could tell from her eyes that she was genuinely worried about me. I can only be thankful for the miracle of finding a wonderful homeroom teacher.

“No, I’m sorry, I was just experiencing the unreasonableness of a world that I can’t help and I said it on impulse, nothing personal.” (Yukito)

“I don’t think it’s unreasonable to say that I shouldn’t worry about it. ……” (Sensei)

　Why are those people in this class?

　I didn’t want to see them if possible, but I can’t help but think that it was just some sort of mischievous divine coincidence. It was depressing as hell. Of course, there was a reason for my sudden outburst, but I couldn’t talk about it here.

“My name is Yukito Kokonoe. In this class, I’m trying to be a gloomy loner. From now on, I’m going to spend most of my time pretending to be asleep, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t get involved with me as much as possible and recognized me as an airhead. In case you’re wondering, I’m an open-minded person, so I don’t mind at all if people talk about me behind my back like, “What’s wrong with him?” You can say whatever you want. Well, who would talk to a shady guy like me? HAHAHAHAHA.” (Yukito)

　I laugh with a straight face. My classmates had already turned their eyes away from me. It seems that my brilliant and seamless appeal is more than enough to convey what I’m trying to say. For them, being understanding of my situation is one of the secrets to surviving in life.

“Hey, don’t say something that could ruin your first year at school!” (Sensei)

“Don’t worry, Sensei.” (Yukito)

“What do you mean?” (Sensei)

“I’ve already ruined my whole life.” (Yukito)

“What the hell is wrong with you? It looks so real…. scary!” (Sensei)

　If I had introduced myself normally, I would have had a fun school life with my classmates, but now that my life has collapsed, all I have left to do is stay quiet as a clam. I’ll be normal next year. Maybe.

“At any rate, Kokonoe, I understand that you are a problem child.” (Sensei)

　Sayuri-sensei’s outrageous statement made me indignant.

“What’s wrong with a well-behaved kid like me? Sensei and I are on the same page, right? (Yukito)

“We are totally not on the same page.” (Sensei)

“You were so nice to me just now.” (Yukito)

“Don’t act like you’re my boyfriend! And you’re so straight-forward, it’s scary.” (Sensei)

“I’m okay with you being my teacher.” (Yukito)

“I’m on the edge of tolerance.” (Sensei)

　–Ha!　I couldn’t help, but get into a comedic exchange of words with the teacher. This is not the time to be doing this. It’s not my intention to stand out.

　When I returned to my seat, wounded in vain, I saw the fresh, handsome guy sitting next to me laughing. He looks like he’s going to be the center of attention in this class, but who is this guy?

“Hahahaha!　You’re so funny!” (Miho)

“You’ve got pretty good eyes. It was a safe greeting no matter how you look at it.” (Yukito)

“It’s going to be a fun year with a guy like you.” (Miho)

　At any rate, as my classmates’ first impression of me, I decided to be an annoying guy with protagonist attributes. As the other classmates proceeded to introduce themselves, I started up the app game on my phone and used the gift code I had just bought at the convenience store in the morning.

“Hey, Yukito, let’s exchange contact information, shall we?” (Miho)

　As soon as the ritual of selecting the school class was over, the fresh and handsome guy next to me started talking to me. It was easy to pull off a move that only a handsome guy could do, calling me by my first name out of nowhere. It’s hard to believe that we are of the same species.

“You came at me out of thin air, Tanaka.” (Yukito)

“No, no, no!　I’m Kouki Miho. Didn’t I just introduce myself?” (Miho)

“Sorry, I didn’t hear a single thing.” (Yukito)

“Seriously, what are you doing here? You’ve been skipping way too much…….” (Miho)

　I really didn’t hear anything, but I can’t help but wonder why the fresh, handsome guy who called himself Miho was talking to me.

“Did you hear what I said? Why are you talking to a gloomy guy like me, the king of gloomy guys? I’m going to crawl to the bottom of the school rankings in this class and lick my way through life.” (Yukito)

“I have no idea what’s so gloomy about you, but by all accounts you stood out the most. I can’t remember anyone being more interesting than you. Oh well. Why don’t you come and be my friend?” (Miho)

　What the hell is this guy talking about?

　He must have some kind of agenda if he’s still asking me to be his friend after hearing my perfect appeal. I stared at the fresh, handsome man in front of me. Then I realized.

　Haha, I see. He’s trying to make me look good, isn’t he?

　This guy is trying to make the most of his heroic attributes as a fresh and handsome guy by putting me next to him. Yes, I am a mob.

“Miho, what a vicious guy you are. But it’s probably easier to get along with someone who is smarter than someone who doesn’t know what he’s thinking.” (Yukito)

“I feel like I’m being mistreated, but I’m pretty sure you’re wrong about something.” (Miho)

“So, what do friends do? Do I have to pay you?” (Yukito)

“Don’t tell me you’re insecure all of a sudden! What happened in your past?” (Miho)

“I didn’t know this was going to ruin my plans to be a gloomy little boy.……” (Yukito)

“Just so you know, my first impression of you is probably that you’re a total freak.” (Miho)

“Well, no problem. Nice to meet you, Kouki-san.” (Yukito)

“Hey, hey. You’re suddenly back to normal. What kind of mentality do you have? …… Well, that’s okay. Well anyways, please take care of me from now on!” (Miho)

Suddenly, a handsome smile flashes across his face and I almost lost my eyesight. My soul is almost purified, but at least he seems like a nice guy, so I correct my impression of him in my mind. I’ll wear sunglasses next time.

“By the way, Yukito, what are you going to do after school?” (Miho)

“Eh?　What do you have in mind?” (Yukito)

“Well, now that we’re in the same class, I’m thinking of having a social gathering with people I can go with… Karaoke, Kokonoe, would you like to come?” (Sakurai)

　As I was talking to Kouki, a girl spoke to me from behind. She had a fluffy chestnut bob cut that looked good on her. She seemed to be a strong communicator, planning an event with her classmates so early in the day. This is truly the sunny side of the world. It’s no exaggeration to say that she’s my rival on the opposite side of the spectrum. Snakes and mongooses. I’ll have to settle this one sooner or later. I have to becareful for this girl.

“You’re a sun king. No, you are a woman, so you must be a queen. Can I call you Elizabeth?” (Yukito)

“My name is Kana Sakurai, why Elizabeth?” [Queen of England] (Sakurai)

“I guess they are compatible, ……. But why did you ask me? (Yukito)

“When I saw you talking with Miho-kun, Kokonoe-san didn’t seem so bad.” (Sakurai)

I looked over to see several classmates gathered around the girl. They must be the members of the group going to karaoke. I took a quick look at the group and decided. This can’t be happening, it’s hell.

“Sorry, Sakurai-san but I can’t come today, because I have something to do. Thank you for inviting me.” (Yukito)

“I see, that’s too bad, but it can’t be helped!　I’ll invite you next time!” (Sakurai)

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it. Then–” (Yukito)

　I slipped out of the dizzying classroom, where everyone was still looking at each other. It was true that I had something else to do. My mom is going to be home late today, so I have to prepare dinner.

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“No, no, no, no, Kokonoe-kun a gloomy person….? (Sakurai)

Kana Sakurai stared at Kokonoe’s back, as he walked fluidly out of the classroom. She held her head in her hands.

“It’s rare for someone to be able to say what they are thinking without hesitation. ……” (Sakurai)

“But was Yukito always like that?　I don’t know what happened to him at all. ……” (Miho)

Miho was also following Kokonoe’s back with his eyes. I thought it would be a boring school life, but it looks like my fears are unnecessary. The guy he had unexpectedly met again had changed a lot, but the change was completely out of proportion. I wondered what had happened to him in the past, but my anticipation was greater.

“Let’s go.” (Miho)

　This is how the social gathering of classmates began, but no one knew yet that it would cause a disturbance.

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