Fallen from the Top Group Due to Cheating and False Accusations. The Only One Who Stood by Me Was My Little Sister’s Best Friend, Who Had Always Adored Me.

Chapter 11: Walking to School with an Adorably Cute Underclassman.

The moment my hand touched the doorknob, it felt dozens of times heavier than it had yesterday morning.

No matter how brave my heart tried to act, my body refused to lie. Beyond this door lay the outside world—and the mere thought of heading to school filled me with bone-chilling dread. Realistically, the situation hadn’t changed much since yesterday, so the fear was only natural. Still, knowing that not everyone at school was my enemy gave me just enough strength to stand.

That’s right. I’m not alone anymore. Right beside me is a strong, reliable girl who believes in me.

I tightened the laces of my sneakers and opened the front door.

There she stood in front of the nameplate—Tozawa Yuuka, wrapped in her usual dignified aura, holding her bag behind her back with a distant, slightly vacant look in her eyes. The instant she noticed me, however, her face lit up with a pure, unclouded smile as she spun around to face me.

“Good morning, Senpai. Did you sleep well last night?”

“Good morning, Yuuka-chan. Thanks to you, I wouldn’t say I slept like a log, but all the fatigue that had built up over the past few days seems to have blown away. It’s all because of you.”

When I thanked her, her cheeks flushed and she quickly looked away.

“W-Wait… I didn’t do anything! If anything, I only cheered you on a little. In the end, you’re the one who decided to go back to school, Senpai. So please praise yourself more!”

“No, it wasn’t just ‘a little.’ Honestly, if you hadn’t come to see me yesterday, I think I would’ve broken in every sense of the word. I was seriously considering dropping out.”

“Senpai…”

“But things are different now. I don’t want to end things while carrying these baseless accusations. This is the school I got into thanks to my parents’ support. I can’t betray their expectations by running away.”

That said, I might never be able to return to the soccer field they were probably looking forward to the most. Once everything was settled, I’d properly apologize to them.

As I made that firm vow to myself, Yuuka—who was walking beside me—peered up with an anxious expression.

“But… are you really sure you didn’t need to tell your parents or Sayu-chan…?”

“Yeah. I don’t want to burden them with unnecessary worry. They’re both busy with work, and as for Sayu, she’s a bit of a show-off, but she worked incredibly hard to get into that high-level school. She’s probably desperate just to keep up with the classes right now. I don’t want to get in her way.”

Even as I said that, I realized I didn’t feel any guilt about asking Yuuka for help. Just as I was about to dig my own grave deeper and correct myself—

“Of course, Yuuka-chan, if being on my side puts your own position at risk, you really don’t have to force yourself to help—”

Before I could finish, Yuuka’s small, soft left hand silently overlapped with my right.

“I don’t need that kind of consideration. There’s no position I’d be risking by being your ally, Senpai. Besides… I’ve actually admired the idea for a while. A secret between you and me that even Sayu doesn’t know about. So let’s prove it together—just the two of us. Who’s telling the truth… and who’s lying.”

“Yuuka-chan…”

“And stop calling me Yuuka-chan already! We’ve known each other for a long time, and it feels like you’re still treating me like a child. I want you to call me properly by my name—Yuuka.”

“Got it, Yuuka. Things might get really tough for a while from now on. I’m truly relying on you. I’m hopelessly weak, but… please take care of me.”

“Yes, leave it to me. No matter what happens, I’ll protect you, Senpai.”

Our hands intertwined.

As I held her small hand, I swore in return that I would protect her no matter what.

Before long, the school’s main gate came into view. Just before any unnecessary misunderstandings could arise, we naturally let go of each other’s hands.

Dozens—hundreds—of sharp gazes from classmates, underclassmen, and upperclassmen pierced us as we walked. Yet we continued forward with our heads held high.

Right before stepping onto school grounds, however, Yuuka—who had been walking shoulder-to-shoulder with me—hesitated and glanced back over her shoulder.

“Are you okay? Did something happen?”

I instinctively started to turn around as well, but before I could, she wrapped herself around my arm and tugged me forward strongly.

“It’s nothing! Come on, Senpai—let’s go!”