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 16: It’s Already Too Late!

Ex-Girlfriend (Karen)’s POV.

The bell signaling the end of fifth period rang.

The moment the subject teacher left the classroom, the group of friends surrounding me raised their voices even louder, openly hurling abuse at Arata. Their words were no longer quiet whispers—they were loud enough for everyone in the room to hear clearly. As I watched the girls doing this “for my sake,” a chill ran down my spine. They were truly terrifying.

They were genuinely kind girls at heart who cared deeply about their friends. That was exactly why, the moment someone in their circle got hurt, they would mercilessly hunt down and eliminate the outsider responsible. High school society could be genuinely frightening.

But at this rate… I wouldn’t be able to apologize to Arata, let alone get close to him.

As I wondered what I should do, a voice suddenly called out to me.

“Hey, Karen…? You’ve looked pale for a while now. Are you okay?”

“Eh?”

A girl with a sharp, small face suddenly appeared so close that our noses nearly touched. I held my breath.

“Sorry, Yumi. I was spacing out a bit. I’m fine.”

“Really…? Alright then. But if anything happens, you better tell me this time, okay?”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

I forced a smile and looked up at her—Kawakami Yumi. Her straight, golden-blonde hair that reached her back shimmered with a glossy shine. She wore large double-lidded eyes enhanced with blue colored contacts and had piercings in both ears. With her flashy appearance and naturally short skirt, Yumi was the type of girl I would have found difficult to get along with back in middle school. Yet beneath that bold exterior, she had a side that was dozens of times purer and more adorable than she looked. Before I knew it, we had hit it off. Or at least… we had.

Lately, however, the current version of her scared me a little.

Right now, as she hurled a crumpled worksheet at Arata’s back while he lay slumped over his desk, there wasn’t the slightest trace of compromise or mercy on her face.

“How long are you gonna keep coming to school, you piece of trash!? You’re the one who did something bad, right? Then say something already! Seriously… I’m so disappointed in you.”

“That’s enough, Yumi. Give it a rest… If you keep making such a scary face, you’ll ruin how cute you are.”

“But gross things are gross… Karen was being kind and merciful by not reporting you to the police, yet here you are, shamelessly showing up every day. You should be grateful you didn’t get thrown in jail. Just hurry up and drop out already…”

The word “police” made me unconsciously frown.

It wasn’t out of mercy that I hadn’t reported him.

If the police launched a proper investigation, there was a high chance the truth would come to light. That was why Hayato had only hinted at it, pushing Arata—who was already drowning in despair and unable to think straight—into a corner so he would voluntarily withdraw from school.

Of course, the claim Hayato made that day about “having already consulted the teachers” was a complete lie. He had only used those words because they made for an effective threat in that moment. He had also said that it would be extremely inconvenient if Arata tried to contact the teachers going forward. That was why he wanted Arata to remain in the classroom for now.

If I could just find a moment to be alone with Arata, I could apologize properly and make things right between us.

I had been waiting for the right timing, but the opportunity never seemed to come. The bell for sixth period would ring soon, and once class ended, it would be time to go home. There would be no chance to approach him. If I were alone, I could have followed him on the way home, but ever since that video spread, Yumi and the others had grown worried and refused to leave my side. Becoming alone was almost impossible now.

Which meant today’s last chance was right now.

If that was the case, I would force the situation myself and create a moment for just the two of us. Having made up my mind, I stood up from my seat.

Noticing the movement, Yumi grabbed the sleeve of my uniform.

“Hey, Karen…?”

“Sorry, Yumi. Um… If we’re alone, he might tell me whether he’s planning to drop out or not. Let me go by myself for a bit.”

“…………”

I told a somewhat forceful lie and slipped away from Yumi.

I approached Arata’s desk from behind and gently placed my hand on his shoulder.

“Hey, Arata. There’s something I want to talk about, so could you come with me for a moment—”

The instant I tried to suggest we go to the hallway, a hand suddenly shot in from the side and sharply slapped my hand away.

“Eh—?”

Who would dare…?

There shouldn’t be anyone in Class 2-B who would raise a hand against me. Then who—

I turned toward the direction the hand had come from, stunned.

Standing there was a petite girl with a baby face, wearing a brand-new, spotless blazer. Her hair was styled in cute twin tails. There was no mistaking it—she was the same girl I had seen walking to school with Arata this morning.

Inside the suddenly silent classroom, even Arata lifted his head to look our way. My face began to burn with intense heat, as if it were boiling over.

“Hey, you. What do you think you’re doing all of a sudden…!?”

As I glared at her, the girl in front of me pierced me with ice-cold eyes filled with unmistakable killing intent.

A shiver ran across my entire body.

“Don’t touch Arata-senpai with your filthy hands so casually—!”