Actually, the Hungry Gyaru Who Eats a Lot Was Being Cheated On, so I Decided to Win Her Heart (And Stomach) From Her Jerk Boyfriend - 59

Chapter 59: The Hungry Gyaru Is Strong Yet Weak

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When I turned around, I saw two guys who looked exactly like the sleazy, flirtatious type. Their goal wasn’t even worth guessing.

So, they’re hitting on her.

Something similar had happened before. If I remembered right… It was the day I went to take on that oversized curry challenge. Back then, it happened because there wasn’t a guy near her, but I never expected someone would try to hit on her even with me sitting right next to her.

…Well, from an outside perspective, the distance between us probably made it look like we were on bad terms. Did they figure it was fine even with me here? Or had they not even considered me a factor from the start? Either way, there was no doubt they had some nerve.

Letting out a small sigh, I watched as Shizuku slowly lifted her face. The moment the guys got a good look at her, they narrowed their eyes with smirks, as if they’d hit the jackpot. But…

“…What?”

Her short, icy tone was laced with unmistakable disgust and irritation. When she shot the two guys a sharp glare, they visibly recoiled, clearly not expecting that reaction.

“Ah, no, um…I mean, why not hang out with us?”

“Y-yeah. You looked like you were having a boring time hanging out with some gloomy loner, so we figured you’d have more fun with us…”

The two wannabe pickup artists fumbled over their words as they tried to explain themselves.

…Gloomy loner, huh.

Pretty much the reason I’d expected. So they’d completely looked down on me. That was why they ignored me and came at her directly. Not that I’d deny being an introvert. I didn’t exactly pay much attention to my appearance, nor did I make any effort to seem fresh or polished. Still, being told that by some random strangers rubbed me the wrong way.

That said…

I didn’t really care about myself. What mattered was how to get Shizuku out of this situation where she was being hit on. Since they were trying to approach her with less-than-pure intentions, I’d at least clear the way for her.

Though, it didn’t seem like I’d get the chance.

Before I could even stand up, Shizuku’s eyebrow twitched, and she snapped in open anger.

“Hah? As if. Don’t screw with me. Why would I hang out with guys who make fun of my friend?”

“Eh, friend…?”

“What, you got a problem with that?”

When Shizuku glared at them again, the confidence they’d had just moments ago completely vanished. At this rate, they’d probably give up and leave without me doing anything.

Seriously, if you’re gonna fold that easily, don’t bother hitting on someone in the first place.

…Though, to be fair, it was my fault for creating enough of an opening for them to try. Taking responsibility for that, I stepped between Shizuku and the two guys and casually placed a hand on one of their shoulders.

“Sorry. She’s with me… so could you try somewhere else? Otherwise—”

It was a public place. Even if they were out of line, I’d tried to keep things as civil as possible. But maybe because they were already intimidated by Shizuku…

“Ah, yes…! Sorry about that!”

“E-excuse us…!”

They snapped upright and hurried off as if fleeing the scene. Watching their backs as they retreated, I sat down beside Shizuku.

About three fists’ worth of distance between us… That should be close enough to prevent anyone from suddenly calling out to her like that again. After glancing around to make sure there weren’t any other similar types nearby, I bowed my head to her.

“…Sorry. I was right there and still caused you trouble.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. That was nothing.”

Her earlier scowl was gone, replaced with her usual smile. She really didn’t seem bothered.

“If you say so…”

But then she buried her face in her knees and let out a heavy sigh.

“Shizuku?”

“…I just didn’t want you to see me act like that, Suou-kun.”

“I don’t care. I mean, I already knew.”

I thought back to the last time she’d been hit on. Even then, she’d used pretty harsh words to brush the guy off. And considering how sharp-edged she’d been in middle school, it wasn’t exactly surprising. But apparently, that wasn’t the point for her.

“Even so… You just don’t get it…”

She puffed out her cheeks and turned away from me.

“Seriously…?”

At this rate, someone might mistake us for being on bad terms again and try their luck. We got through it fine this time, but there was no guarantee things would go just as smoothly next time.

…Well, if that happened, I’d deal with it somehow. Thinking that, I took off my rash guard and handed it to her.

“—Shizuku, here.”

“…Huh?”

“If you wear this, you probably won’t get bothered anymore.”

Just wearing a guy’s clothing would act as some deterrent. If Miura and the others saw this, they’d probably tease us relentlessly but that was way better than having weird guys approach her. Shizuku blinked in surprise and stared at me in a daze.

“Th-thank you…”

She replied in a voice so soft it was almost inaudible and accepted my rash guard. Then, her cheeks slightly red, she hesitantly slipped her arms into the sleeves. When she zipped it all the way up, she pulled it high enough to cover the lower half of her face.

“…It’s so baggy. Yours really is big, Suou-kun.”

“Well… yeah, obviously.”

There was nearly a six-inch height difference between us. Still… even though I was the one who gave it to her, seeing Shizuku wearing my rash guard made me strangely self-conscious.

“If you don’t like it, you can take it off anytime.”

Trying to hide my embarrassment, I said that, but…

“…Like I would.”

Muttering that with half her face still hidden, Shizuku turned her head away from me.

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