For the time being, Kiritsuki frantically worked to clear up Miyajima’s misunderstanding.
There’s no truth to the fact that I’m dating her, and she completely denied any rumors involving Kuchiki as well.
Watching her desperate efforts from the sidelines, I savored my Mont Blanc, while Miyajima, though somewhat bewildered, seemed to tentatively accept Kiritsuki’s explanation.
“S-so that’s how it was. I knew about the rumors, but… I just assumed…”
So she did know, huh.
“Phew… that was a shock! How did things even end up like this? And Himura-kun, if you figured it out, you could’ve told me sooner!”
“Well, I wasn’t completely sure until the last moment… And this is just my guess, but—”
I explained my theory in full to the two of them, now that they understood the situation.
That said, the source of the rumors is still unknown. All we know is that someone might be trying to frame Kiritsuki.
Well, even that’s just my speculation, but I’d say the possibility isn’t exactly low, based on what we know so far.
“…Do you think someone out there hates me…?”
It’s a bit harsh to say, but with her personality that doesn’t flaunt her beauty and the fact that she’s close to Kaori, the school’s Madonna-like figure, she naturally draws a lot of attention.
She’s achieved results in her club activities, but she’s also got a bit of a reputation for slacking off. Still, depending on who’s looking, those flaws could be seen as charming—playful, or even a sign of self-discipline, if you want to spin it positively.
She’s a girl with plenty of qualities that make her both popular and enviable, so in that sense, it’s not surprising that she might be the target of jealousy, resentment, or even dislike.
On top of that, Miyajima misunderstood that Kiritsuki and I were dating because she’d overheard several classmates talking as if that were the case.
And while we were at it, we figured out why that topic even came up.
One reason was that a lot of people found it odd that Kaori and I, who supposedly had no prior connection, were suddenly chatting so casually.
I mean, come on, it’s Kaori we’re talking about—she’s friendly with everyone. People should just let it go.
But apparently, it made sense to some if Kiritsuki, who’s close to Kaori, and I were in some kind of intimate relationship.
Do I really look that out of place being around Kaori…?
Anyway, the point is—
“Sounds like I might be part of the cause of this mess.”
“That feels like a huge stretch, though…?”
“Stretch or not, that’s what people actually thought, so what can we do?”
“Hmm…”
Just how did things spiral into this mess? At this point, it’s hard to even pin down who’s to blame.
“Oh, and sorry, Miyajima-san, for coming at you like that.”
“N-no, it’s fine…! I’m the one who misunderstood.”
Yeah… wait, huh?
Something about the vibe of that misunderstanding feels off.
But more importantly…
“You were kinda scared of me, weren’t you?”
“…”
Miyajima averted her gaze and looked down slightly.
Yeah, I figured. Sorry about that.
I’d always had this vague sense that she was a bit wary of me, or maybe even avoiding me.
I’d love to ask about that too, but… let’s hold off for now.
“Hey, Himura-kun.”
Suddenly, Kiritsuki nudged my shoulder.
“Hm?”
“I was thinking about what we talked about earlier, and… people have been thinking we’re dating for a while now, right?”
“Probably.”
“But even so, I’ve gotten confessed to a few times… or at least, something close to it. Like with Kuchiki-kun and stuff.”
“Oh yeah, Tsugiyama was after you in a similar way, wasn’t he?”
“So, doesn’t that mean you’re not exactly warding off the guys for me?”
Well, duh. What do you expect from a guy who gets called “plain” by some random convenience store clerk? Don’t pin that kind of hope on me.
“I told you, didn’t I? I’m not exactly on your level. You didn’t deny it either, Kiritsuki.”
“Maybe, but still…”
“Uh, um… I don’t think that’s true at all. Aoi-san, you jumped in to help me in that situation without hesitation. You’re a really courageous person.”
Out of nowhere, Miyajima, sitting across from us, chimed in with that unexpected support.
That situation wasn’t really about courage or anything. I just didn’t want to stand by and deal with the bad aftertaste of doing nothing.
Plus, weren’t you kinda scared of me before?
No, wait—since I helped her out of that creepy encounter, it seems like her bad impression of me has softened, so I shouldn’t dwell on it.
“Aoi-san, this is a bit late, but thank you so much for saving me.”
Being stared at by Miyajima’s jade-green eyes and thanked so sincerely, I couldn’t help but laugh to hide my embarrassment.
“Oh… haha, you’re welcome…”
I knew there was no hidden meaning in her words, but having such straightforward kindness directed at me seemed to sap away any lingering tension.
“I think I misunderstood you a little, Aoi-san.”
I’m curious about how she misunderstood me, but at the same time, I kinda don’t want to know.
That aside, I can’t shake the feeling that the word “misunderstanding” is being thrown around a bit too conveniently…
“I thought Aoi-san was—”
“Ah! No, you don’t have to say it!”
The words slipped out instinctively. Apparently, my subconscious decided I didn’t want to hear it.
“O-oh, really…?”
I thought I’d left a slightly good impression during the school tour, but reality doesn’t always work out so smoothly.
She probably thought I was gloomy or wished they’d sent a hotter guy instead.
Even someone like Miyajima would think that sometimes, right?
Feeling uneasy about how others perceive me isn’t exactly a new thing.
If my image has improved even a little, I’d rather not hear about her earlier impressions.
“…Anyway, huh. What should we do…?”
Kiritsuki muttered to herself out of the blue.
“Guess you’ve got no choice but to clear up the misunderstanding with everyone you know, one by one. Not everyone’s gonna buy into the rumors, right?”
“Sure, but the opposite’s true too, you know.”
Fair point.
I don’t have any friends who’d care about my social circle, so it’s no big deal for me, but with her wide network of friends, she’s got her work cut out for her.
“Oh, um… just to be safe, can I confirm one thing?”
Miyajima, who’d been listening to our exchange, piped up with a question.
“Confirm what?”
When Kiritsuki tilted her head, Miyajima, with a strangely resolute expression, said something completely out of left field.
“You two are both single right now, with no partners, correct?”
““?””
Kiritsuki and I exchanged a glance, both of us mentally sprouting question marks.
What kind of confirmation is this?
“Huh? Didn’t we already explain that we’re not dating?”
“Y-yes, you’re right! Sorry about that!”
If she’s apologizing, why even ask that now…? As I pondered, Miyajima stood up.
“Um, sorry, but I’ve got a train to catch, so I should get going.”
It was sudden, but considering she’d probably planned to be home by now, it made sense. Trains don’t wait, after all.
“Oh, sorry for keeping you so long. Take care.”
“No, it was nice spending time together.”
She probably didn’t actually want to hang out—it just kinda happened that way.
As for me, I’m just relieved I won’t have to keep spending time with Kiritsuki after this.
Watching Miyajima head toward the station with light steps through the café window, Kiritsuki stood up next.
“…I’m kinda tired, so I’m heading home too.”
“Yeah, good work today. I’ll handle the bill.”
“Really? I’ll let you take care of it, then.”
“After all that, be careful on your way home.”
As Kiritsuki left the café, she waved at me through the window for some reason.
Waving back didn’t feel like my style, so I just shrugged.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught her smiling playfully as she walked away, and for no reason at all, I felt a twinge of discomfort and looked away.
Left alone in the café, I sank into thought.
What kind of motive would someone have to try to frame Kiritsuki?
If it’s someone of the same sex, maybe jealousy or insecurity.
If it’s the opposite sex, maybe isolating her to get her attention.
Or perhaps something even more twisted.
Whatever the case, I can only hope I don’t get dragged into this any further, but I should probably do some digging starting tomorrow, just to be safe.
I got caught up in similar rumors when I was hanging out with Kaori.
But those died down almost instantly.
Because no one actually believed Kaori and I were dating.
Or, more accurately, “no one wanted to believe it.”
Everyone laughed off the rumors, but deep down, they couldn’t accept that someone like me—looked down on by most—could be close to Kaori, who shines like the sun at the center of everyone’s world.
Since we weren’t actually dating, there was nothing to accept or deny, but…
If that wasn’t the case, why was I always treated like public enemy number one?
Because of that, when I realized there were rumors about me possibly dating Kiritsuki, I was horrified—but I’m beyond relieved that I’m not the main focus of this drama.
Knowing my place and building relationships that suit my level means I can avoid making unnecessary enemies and live peacefully.
I learned that the hard way during my first year of high school. Last year, I managed to have some pretty comfortable days at school.
This year, I’ve felt that even more strongly.
Come to think of it, I haven’t seen my friends from last year since the new term started. Different classes and all, but maybe I should reach out sometime.
☆Afterword──────────────────
It doesn’t have to be just one person.
There are two oblivious people…!
And Miyajima-san is probably a bit of a pushover.
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