I no longer want to be a part of this triangle! - Chapter 24- Ex-classmate

It has been a few days since Kohana’s sister and mother visited. They have given their blessings to the duo, even though Aiko seemed still reluctant until the end.

Kohana was beyond elated by the fact that her Senpai was accepted by her family members and also that she wasn’t told to return. Although she doesn’t know how her father would react once he hears about this, she is optimistic that they will somehow convince him as well.

Currently, they were returning from the school with their hands connected and heading toward the nearby eatery to have some ramen.

Today, Kazuki went to his club, and Kohana had to help the council. That’s why they were leaving the school late, and preparing lunch after such a tiresome day was not something Kazuki would have ever allowed her to do.

“They are pretty normal, unexpectedly. Maybe Kohta did something?” Kazuki spoke with uncertainty.

He returned to play basketball after almost a month and it was the first time since ‘that’ incident when he went to the indoor gym. However, unlike what he expected, the other players weren’t treating him any differently than how they used to. Even the coach was treating him quite kindly today.

“They might have watched the footage of that night?” Kohana suggested to which Kazuki shook his head,

“I have told Kohta to not just start flashing that video everywhere. It would make it seem like I am trying to clear my name through Kohta.”

Glancing at Kohana, Kazuki asked, “You don’t mind roaming around with a rumoured lecherous Senpai, right?”

Kohana smiled at that before shaking her head, “Rather I am happy that because of those rumours, other girls won’t approach Senpai.”

“….that is evil, Kohana.”

“Ehe~” Smiling cutely she hugged his arm and drew closer.

Kazuki couldn’t help but smile seeing her childish behaviour. Her honest confession caught him off guard but until she was happy, he could live the rest of his life surrounded by rumors.

Soon they reached their destination and upon entering they were about to stumble into a couple,

“Ah, sorry.” Kazuki apologized as he was about to crash against the guy.

“It’s okay.”

Kazuki was about to step inside after the small commotion when suddenly the girl who was passing by, called out,

“Hey, you are Kohana right?”

Kazuki raised his brows before looking at the girl who called out.

She had curly violet hair and a bright smile when she looked at Kohana. On the other hand, Kohana looked quite uncomfortable, but it shows that she actually remembered the girl.

“Sasaki-san, hello.”

“So it’s really you, huh? Long time, Kohana. How have you been?”

The grip around his hand became firm, signifying that Kohana was getting anxious yet she replied to the girl, “I-I am doing well. What about you?”

“Ah, Sasaki, I am getting late.” Suddenly the boy beside the girl called out, urging Sasaki to nod and say,

“Let’s chat later Kohana. My old number is still working so call me, okay?” She gave Kohana a brief hug before leaving the eatery.

When Kazuki looked back at his girlfriend, he found she was even sweating in nervousness.

He first decided to take her to a table and had her sit down beside him.

Once the waitress came Kazuki gave the orders.

Once the waitress walked away, Kazuki finally asked, “Was she your classmate from middle high?”

Kohana took some sips of water before responding, “Yes…how do you know?”

“Aiko-san vaguely told me that you had a tough middle school experience.”

Kohana heaved a sigh; she had a feeling that her sister might end up telling something to her Senpai.

“Kohana-chan, I won’t force you to speak but I really do want to know what happened in your past that you always avoid talking about it?”

Kazuki tried asking her differently, but since she didn’t tell him much, he didn’t insist. However, seeing her like this in front of her ex-classmate made him worried and urged him to directly ask her.

Kohana held her wrist and looked down at the table.

There was nothing pleasant about her school days back in middle school; that’s why Kohana avoided telling him about it, thinking that he might get concerned. But now, it seems that keeping it hidden was troubling him more.

With her eyes still drawn to the table, she began, “As I told you, Senpai, I was overweight until last year, and also, I didn’t socialize with people because of social anxiety that what if I end up saying something which others don’t like and all. It has always been my case. I always used to overthink things a lot, and because of that, I kept myself away from others.”

“My shyness was seen as my weakness and my classmates began to make fun of me while conversing. They often said things within the class…like if a chair was broken by some mischievous students, they blamed me, saying the mini elephant must have sat on it after having lunch. And if I mistakenly stepped on someone’s foot they reacted like their foot is broken. Even the teachers scolded me and laughed at those taunts.”

With her voice becoming sad, she added, “I tried losing weight Senpai, I really did…but I always lost hope and returned to my usual life. I won’t blame it on someone else, since breaking the discipline was my own laziness….but the way I was treated in my class…I don’t think just being fat I deserved that all.”

Kohana then became silent…although she had something else to say as well. Something more dark about her past and something which only a few people know about.

That incident…when Kohana got to know the true side of the person whom she called her friend in middle school.

She just couldn’t bring herself to tell Kazuki about it now…she didn’t know how he would react to hearing about that. The thing she went through was not something any girl should experience. And especially, from someone whom they trust.

‘Sorry Senpai…but I am not courageous enough to tell you about ‘that’….’

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A/N:- Ugh, just tell him.