I Want a Girlfriend who Won’t Betray Me - Chapter 14

New School Term

The year end exams are now over. My grades are decent, and Otoe’s are good too. So, with no homework or anything else to worry about during spring break, I thought we can have fun together.

However—

“Kazuki, I have some family matters to take care of tomorrow.”

“I see. If it’s for your family, then there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“I’m sorry. But it’s just for tomorrow.”

As soon as spring break starts, Otoe told me so. I can’t bring myself to just laze around at home, so I decided to visit the local library.

I haven’t been here in a while. I hope that their book collection has changed. It’s just two stations away in the direction of my school. After getting off the station, I just have to walk about five minutes to get there.

The air conditioning inside is just right. I’m planning to go to the science section. There are people around, but it’s quiet. The place is filled with the scent of books.

The local library here is well-stocked, it’s quite impressive. I pick out a book on quantum theory and another on neuroscience…that said, they are not specialized books, but rather books with easy-to-understand explanations for general readers.

As I’m about to head to the reading area with the books, I notice Wakana sitting alone. Our eyes meet briefly, but I quickly look away and focus on reading the books I’ve picked out form the shelf. I don’t care about Wakana anymore.

I can’t forgive her for trying to deceive me by calling her boyfriend just a ‘close friend’.

But I guess, it was also my fault, after three years of not meeting each other, I was still hoping for something. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.

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Wakana’s POV

When I go to the library today, Kazuki is there. Of course, it’s not surprising for him to be here. Our eyes meet for a brief moment, but he quickly looks away and heads toward the reading area.

I’ve already broken up with Takayuki. I want to apologize and try to mend my relationship with Kazuki, but judging by his reaction, that seems completely impossible.

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Kazuki’s POV

The next day, I meet up with Otoe. I go to her house and do things we enjoy in the morning. Then, we go out to the city in the afternoon. We watch a movie and do some window shopping.

I thought this would continue every day, but once every three days, Otoe says she has family matters and can’t meet up with me.

I’m bored, but I thought Otoe must have a lot going on at home, so I just spend my time doing things I like.

And so, the new school year begins. The opening ceremony is held one day before the entrance ceremony. I meet up with Otoe at the nearest station to our school, and we head to school together.

“Kazuki, we’re second-years now. I hope we end up in the same class.”

“It’s probably fine. Our exam scores are good.”

“Well, that’s true.”

At the entrance, we change into our second-year indoor shoes. Then, we check the class assignments posted beside the central staircase.

“2-A.”

“I’m in 2-A too! I’m so happy!”

“Shinonome, looks like we’re in the same class again.”

Kanbayashi calls out to me.

“Yeah, looks like it. I’m glad Koiwai-san is with us too.”

“Of course!”

“Whoa, whoa. Confident as always.”

Wakana is also in the same class as us. From the second year onward, class assignments are based on academic performance, so it can’t be helped.

We enter the 2-A classroom and sit in our assigned seats according to the attendance list.

Then, the bell rings, and the teacher walks in.

“Good morning, everyone. Starting today, I will be your homeroom teacher for the year. My name is Yoshino Kotobuki. I’ll introduce myself properly later. For now, we have to attend the opening ceremony, so please line up in the hallway. We’re heading to the gym.”

The opening ceremony went smoothly. When we return to the classroom, the homeroom teacher walks in carrying a box. What’s that?

“Let me introduce myself again. My name is Yoshino Kotobuki. It’s written like this.”

Saying so, she turns to the blackboard and writes her name.

She has a slender figure, but she has curves where it matters. She has a refined and beautiful face. She’s quite an attractive teacher.

After going over the usual introductions, she glances at the clock on the wall.

“Alright, let’s rearrange the seats. Starting from the person at the front of the row by the hallway, please take one card from this box. Each card has a seat number written on it.”

Since I’m in the second row, my turn comes quickly. No matter where I end up, I think I’ll probably be in the back of my row anyway. Ah, I got the second row from the window, at the very back. Not bad.

Otoe is the last one to pick a card. I hope she ends up nearby.

“Alright, everyone has drawn a card. Please move to your assigned seats.”

I take my seat at the very back of the second row by the window and glance at Otoe.

What!? She ends up in the first row by the hallway, third seat from the front. That’s so far away. Otoe looks over at me with a sad expression on her face.

Meanwhile, the person who ends up sitting to my left, closer to the window, is Kyoko Sudo, who had been in my class last year as well.

“I’m so happy to be sitting next to you, Shinonome. Looking forward to work with you again this year.”

“Yeah, me too.”

Then, sitting to my right is Takako Hayase, who was in the same middle school as Sudo.

“Shinonome-kun, looking forward to work with you again this year! You have been separated from Yatsugashira-san, haven’t you?”

“……”

What kind of response does she expect from me?

The other, Keiko Kato, is sitting a bit further away. Wakana is in the third row from the hallway, second seat from the back. From my perspective, she is diagonally in front of Hayase to the right. I’m glad that she didn’t end up so close to me.

“Hmm, half of the class is the same as last year, and the other half is from different classes. Alright, stay in your seats and give a brief self-introduction. We’ll start from the person at the very front by the window.”

After the introductions, Kotobuki-sensei says,

“Now, let’s decide on the class representative and class committee members. After that, we’ll assign various other roles. First, for the class representative, does anyone want to volunteer? You can nominate yourself or someone else.”

In the end, Kotobuki-sensei decided on the president and committee members since no one volunteered. For the other roles, some students raised their hands, and everything was settled without much trouble.

Once everything is finished, Kotobuki-sensei glances at the clock on the wall again and says,

“We need to prepare the gym for tomorrow’s entrance ceremony. Everyone, please step out to the hallway and head to the gym.”

When we arrive at the gym, we are assigned to set up folding chairs and tables for the new students, their families, and other attendees. It seems that only classes 2A and 3A are given this task.

Once everything is done, we are dismissed for the day.

As I walk to the station with Otoe—

“Eh!?”

For some reason, Otoe suddenly gasps in surprise.