A Twisted Introvert loner Like Me, Mentally Wrecked One-Sidedly due to Love, Throws Away the Love Letter Sent by the foremost School's Beauty, Leading to an Unwanted Romantic Comedy

Chapter 17: It’s Better To Keep A Mystery As It Is.

About a week had passed since I received that message. Since then, Hiiragi and I haven’t exchanged any words.

Before, that was just fine. But now it’s a little different. After all, I can’t help but feel a little bothered.

‘…But well, it’s fine for now. We’ll have plenty of opportunities to continue this conversation later, and by then, I’ll probably be even more understanding towards your true feelings, so right now, it’s fine with this.’

I’m feeling restless. There’s a part of me who wants to continue the conversation and another me who doesn’t. One part wishes to move forward, while the other wishes to stagnate. These conflicting feelings clash with each other, casting a shadow over my heart… It’s been everyday with such turmoil.

On the other hand, Hiiragi seems surprisingly cheerful. She’s getting along well with classmates and also even chatting freely with Ryogokuku.

However, maybe it was the ambience, or something like that, it feels like the whole class is being concerned and mindful about Hiiragi.

Knowing Hiiragi, she probably blurted near her close friends, laughing and saying, ‘I got rejected by Ryogokuku-kun!’

Or perhaps they figured it out from Hiiragi’s demeanor. Well, that’s also a possibility. Since, be it for the better or worse, her straightforward attitude is easy to guess.

Whether she’s putting up a strong front or is genuinely strong, No matter which it was, Hiiragi is amazing. She’s leagues ahead of me, who continues to sulks at his own past.

People like her will probably turn even heartbreak into a part of their youth. They won’t linger on it forever; they’ll use it as an experience for the future and continue to move ahead.

… Can I also perhaps, become like that one day too?

I continue to think, neglecting the class.

And as if to scold me for slacking off, my smartphone inside my pocket vibrates slightly.

……………. .

I check it discreetly, avoiding the teacher’s gaze.

“Are you free after school today?”

It was a message from Hiiragi.

From an outsider’s point of view, she looking like attending the class very seriously, but actually, she’s quite a professional class slacker just like me.

…On the question of whether I can become like her or not… I don’t have confidence I can somehow.

But somehow, I feel like running away from here, would feel be a bit unsatisfying as well.

“I have.” I type just that and sent.

＊＊＊

A park that fell on our way home. That was our meeting place.

There was no one present in that rain-soaked park, giving the illusion that this place has been forgotten by the world.

“As per the forecast, it said that the rain would have stopped by now… but there’s just no sign of it stopping anytime soon.”

I make my way to the shelter to avoid the rain while muttering that to myself.

Well, the scenery on the other hand has a really nice ring to it. Also, this feeling, I love it.

I sit on a bench and gaze absentmindedly. Hiiragi hasn’t arrived yet. Since I left the classroom earlier than her, so it’s a given that’s natural, but still.

“You look like an old man who’s reaching his retirement age.”

After a while, Hiiragi arrived. Peeking out from under her umbrella, she approaches with a grin. Couldn’t she just simply say ‘Sorry for making you wait’? This girl.

“Here.”

Leaving some space enough for a person in between, I offer her the café au lait that I bought in advance.

But Hiiragi only looks at it with a puzzled expression, and not reaching out to take it.

“…What’s this?”

“My heartfelt condolences.”

“No, I’m not dead yet you know?! Don’t just go on killing people off without their permission!”

“It’s practically the same thing… Here, it’s rude to refuse someone’s kindness also you know?”

I insist, moving the café au lait closer. But still, Hiiragi doesn’t reach out to take it.

“Or are you, by any chance thinking of something sleazy. Like trying to take advantage from your grief-stricken episode?”

“Are you some kind of an idiot?”

When I reply that with a serious expression, Hiiragi snatches the café au lait off my hand as if stealing it.

“I only told it as a Joke! As a J. O. K. E!”