After I Picked up a Notebook Filled With Intense Emotions, the Girls Started Acting Strange

I suddenly felt really tired all at once.

Who does Sena-san really like?

Until now, I always thought it was Shindou. But that idea just fell apart completely.

The way she’s been acting lately and the way she spoke just now, Sena-san doesn’t like Shindou.

Then… who does she like?

When I thought about that…

“No, stop thinking about it now.”

My body gave a small shiver.

After finishing up in the restroom, I washed my hands and stepped out to wait for Sena-san.

After our light window-shopping, she said she wanted to fix her makeup a little, so we took a bathroom break.

She might take a little longer.

I glanced down at my phone to check the time when,

“Shiomi!!!”

I heard a loud voice I knew too well.

“Shindou…”

I could feel my face tighten.

He walked straight toward me and looked angry.

Seems like he’s alone this time.

Where’s Yukina?

“I finally found you! Why the hell are you hanging out with Mizuki!?”

“What do you mean why…”

Yeah, why am I?

It was supposed to be a rehearsal, but now I’m not so sure anymore.

And seriously, that’s the first thing he says after finding me?

“You, don’t tell me you like Mizuki…”

While I was still trying to think of how to answer, Shindou glared at me, jumping to his own conclusion.

Why is he even angry?

Does he even have the right to be?

If anything, Sena-san should be the one angry after everything he’s done to her.

He used her feelings whenever it suited him, complained about her, and even said cruel things that crushed her heart.

Just remembering it now makes my blood boil.

Well, it’s not even clear anymore whether Sena-san actually liked him in the first place. Maybe that’s why I don’t understand why she cared so much about him.

…Yeah, seriously, why did she?

“Mizuki likes me. Don’t think someone like a loser like you could ever be with her!”

“That’s for Sena-san to decide. Have you even asked her how she feels?”

“She’s my childhood friend. Of course I know.”

Talking to him felt like punching air. Nothing got through.

With a smug grin, he spoke like he was absolutely right. I had no idea where that confidence came from.

“By the way, where’s Mizuki? Oh, I get it. She dumped you, didn’t she!? She’s too kind, so she went along with you for a bit but you were so boring she left! That’s what happened, right!?”

He looked so happy it was annoying. I could feel irritation rising in me.

“Hey, she just went to the restroom, alright? And what about you? Where’s… Orihara-san?”

“Yukina? Oh, she’s looking at some clothes right now. Why? Does that have anything to do with you?”

“Anything to do with me…”

Wait a second. Weren’t they hanging out together?

He just left her alone because she was shopping for clothes? What kind of person does that?

I started to feel bad for Yukina.

If this is how Shindou usually acts, she’s probably been dragged around all day.

“You came here because Orihara-san invited you, right? Then stop bothering us and focus on spending time with her. I get that you’re curious about your childhood friend, but ignoring the girl who invited you out is just rude.”

“Huh? What are you talking about? Yukina invited me so she should follow my lead. Don’t get jealous just because you’re not popular.”

He said it with a laugh, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

At that moment, he didn’t even seem human.

How could anyone think like that?

“Listen, Shindou. I’ll just say one thing.”

“What, are you gonna make another excuse before you lose again?”

“If you keep acting like this, you’re gonna regret it someday. Sena-san, Orihara-san… not just them. If you twist other people’s kindness and feelings to fit what you want, it’ll come back to bite you. Remember that.”

I didn’t know if he really was Yukina’s savior or not.

But even so, I couldn’t forgive him for stepping all over the courage she had to invite him out today just to get to know him better.

“Before you run your mouth to me, you should be honest with Orihara-san. Like I said before, if you treat someone’s feelings like they don’t matter, I won’t forgive you.”

“Tch.”

I doubted my words got through to him, but I had to say them anyway.

“Hmph. It’s not like anything you say would─”

“Shiomi-kun, I’m sorry to keep you waiting!”

…Ah.

Just as Shindou was about to speak, Sena-san came out from the women’s restroom.

I’d gotten so caught up in the argument that I’d completely forgotten I was waiting for her.

…Yeah, guess I’m not one to talk to either.

Still, if Shindou was already annoying me this much, things were about to get even worse now that Sena-san was here.

“Mizuki! There you are!”

You’ve got to be kidding me.

I literally just told him to focus on Yukina…

“So, where should we go next? Oh, maybe we could look at some clothes for Shiomi-kun? I’d love to help you pick something out!”

“Eh? Y-yeah…”

Ah, she’s ignoring him.

“M-Mizuki…?”

“I think Shiomi-kun would look good in anything. But since you have a nice figure, maybe a clean and classy style would suit you best?”

“Mizuki! Are you even listening!?”

“Even that navy shirt you’re wearing today looks great on you… Though I think warm colors could work too!”

She was completely ignoring him. She didn’t even glance his way.

“M-Mizuki!!”

“…Tch!!”

She clicked her tongue. Loudly.

Then, she looked at him at last… The same way she’d look at an insect.

“Why are you ignoring me?”

“…Haa. What? Did a bug just say something? What was that, maggot?”

“M-Maggot!? W-What are you even saying!? Why are you hanging out with that guy!?”

“Because I feel like it.”

“Because you feel like it? You didn’t even invite me!”

“Who on earth would invite a maggot to hang out? I want to spend time with humans, thank you. Anyway, what does that have to do with you?”

“W-Who are you calling a maggot…? And what do you mean by what it has to do with me? I’m your childhood friend! Of course I’d be worried if you were hanging out with some weird guy!”

“Shiomi-kun’s weird? What are you talking about? I already told you, I’m consulting him about something. Besides, the maggot’s the weird one here. All squirmy and gross.”

“Wha… wha…?”

Wow. That was harsh. Every other word out of her mouth was calling him a maggot.

Sena-san’s eyes were cold as ice as she looked at Shindou.

Her obsidian-like gaze even carried a flicker of hatred deep inside.

“The thing you’re talking about… It’s about me, right? You don’t have to rely on that guy anymore. I’ll listen to you directly from now on.”

“…Haa.”

Her long sigh made me hold my breath.

“The thing I was consulting him about was you. But not in the way you think.”

“…Huh?”

“I told him how much trouble you’ve been causing me lately. How I only helped you because your mom asked me to, but I’ve finally had enough. I just can’t deal with you anymore. I’m done.”

“…”

“And what’s this about permission? Who do you think you are? Now get lost. Oh, and since you’re here with Orihara-san, maybe try not being rude to her. From now on, don’t even show up in my line of sight at school. You make me sick. And apologize to the maggot while you’re at it. Bye.”

“…”

“Come on, Shiomi-kun. Let’s go.”

“Y-Yeah…”

She had completely crushed him. She had no mercy at all.

That made it absolutely clear she didn’t like Shindou one bit.

Sena-san tugged my arm while leading me away.

As we passed him, I couldn’t help but glance back at Shindou. He was standing there frozen with his mouth hanging open.

And for just a moment… I actually felt a little sorry for him.

◆

The blonde girl, who had come out to hang out with someone, suddenly realized that person had disappeared.

When she finally found them, they were arguing with the person she had been talking to for advice.

Without thinking, she hid behind a corner and quietly watched.