A Beautiful Girl Confessed Her Love to Me as a Punishment Game, but After We Started Dating, She Started Getting More and More Obsessive - Chapter 1

My name is Numata Karasu. I’m a second-year high school student who spends breaks alone, killing time by reading light novels at my desk.

It’s not like I’m a loner because I like being by myself.

Honestly, I’d love to chat with my classmates. When I read light novels during breaks, it’s partly because I hope someone will come up to me, saying, “What are you reading? I know that one!”—though I do genuinely like light novels.

But I just can’t find the motivation to go up and talk to anyone.

First of all, there’s no real reason or excuse for me to go up to someone. And without that, I don’t have the courage to just join in a conversation.

In light novels, the shy guy like me often gets attention from a kind, popular girl, but I’m not expecting anything like that.

I’d be fine if a guy started talking to me. If a girl suddenly talked to me, I’d probably freak out and spend the rest of the day at home replaying the conversation over and over, regretting everything.

*Sigh.*

I glanced up from my light novel, feeling awkward at a scene where the heroine sheds tears, saying, “I wouldn’t date you out of pity.” I turned my attention to the center of the classroom, where the popular group was making noise.

There was a group of six—three boys and three girls—with the cutest girl and the coolest guy in class at the center.

They had pulled out some cards and were playing a game.

What game are they playing?

“Take this, Special Move: Reverse the 3 of Spades!”

“Oh no, my Joker!”

“And then, from cutting with the 8, I can play three cards… I’m out!”

“No way!”

“With my winning, Kirino is out. You’re dead last!”

They were playing Daifugō. It looks fun.

A short girl jumped up and down with excitement, while Kiryu Kirino, who had dropped from first place, held her head in frustration.

“Okay, Kirino lost!”

“Time for the penalty game!”

“Penalty game!”

Their voices were loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. People were curious about what penalty Kiryu Kirino, the cutest girl in class, would have to face.

“The penalty is, Kirino has to confess to the boy in this class she most wants to date, right now!”

“W-what kind of penalty is that?!”

The one who declared the penalty was Date Ichika, the girl who had beaten Kiryu Kirino with the reverse 3 of Spades. The room buzzed at this.

“Kirino’s never had a boyfriend, even though she’s so cute. I doubt any guy in this class would turn her down, and I’m sure she has someone she likes, right?”

“Yeah, I’ve always wondered what kind of guy Kirino would like!”

Yasumura Tai, the class clown, said with a voice that cracked.

“…”

Toru Fujisaki, the coolest guy in class, had a slight blush on his cheeks, his gaze wandering. He looked nervous, which was unusual for him, since he usually stepped in and put a stop to these sorts of penalty games.

“Well, all Kirino has to do is pick the guy she wants to date.”

The gal-like Minami Hiyori said this, glancing nervously at the buzz-cut guy from the sports club.

“Heh, this might be a good opportunity.”

The sports guy, Saigo Tsunemori, glanced at Fujisaki as he said this.

Ah, I see. So Kiryu and Fujisaki have feelings for each other, and this penalty game is just a way to nudge them forward.

Youth at its finest.

Saigo crossed his arms and nodded, while half the girls in the class squealed excitedly, and the other half looked worried that the guy they liked might confess to someone else.

Most of the guys, for some reason, had tense expressions, like they thought they might be the one she confesses to.

No, no way. It’s obvious Kiryu’s going to confess to Fujisaki. That’s just how this is going.

“Come on, Kirino, show some courage!”

Date, the short girl, patted Kiryu on the back, but Kiryu shot her a cold glare that sent chills down my spine.

Most of the class didn’t seem to notice.

“Ah, sorry…”

Date’s small apology was drowned out by the noise of the classroom.

Yikes, Kiryu’s the type who hates this kind of thing. This is bad. What’s she going to do? Is she going to get mad? That’s scary.

If the popular group gets into a fight, it’ll make the whole class atmosphere tense. I hope they can make up somehow. I just want this to end smoothly.

Usually, Fujisaki would be the one to smooth things over in situations like this, but he seemed too flustered to notice Kiryu’s growing irritation.

I quietly averted my eyes from the popular group and tried to focus on my light novel again.

There were three minutes left of break. I hope it ends soon. Please, teacher, come early today. Just say, “Everyone, take your seats,” and make this awkward tension disappear.

Since I couldn’t focus on my book, I closed my eyes and pretended I wasn’t involved. Then, I heard a soft sound as something was placed on my desk.

When I opened my eyes, there was a tall, beautiful girl with long black hair and sharp, almond-shaped eyes, who looked more elegant than cute, staring down at me.

Kiryu. Why is she here?

“Numata-kun, right?”

“Y-yeah.”

I looked away as I answered. When I did, my eyes met with Fujisaki’s group.

The short girl who had suggested the penalty looked pale. Fujisaki seemed anxious. Saigo and Minami looked awkward, and Yasumura seemed like he was about to cry.

Cold sweat ran down my back, and my heart began to race.

But it wasn’t from excitement—it was fear.

“If I have to date someone in this class, Numata-kun, you’re the least terrible option. Will you go out with me?”

No. Please, no. Forgive me. But it wasn’t a situation where I could say that.

Why? Aren’t Kiryu and Fujisaki into each other? If they aren’t, why did Date suggest that penalty game?

I timidly looked up at Kiryu.

“I-I may not be much, but I’ll do my best.”

There was no other way to respond.

I’m not bold enough to reject Kiryu and embarrass her, especially as a total outcast like me.