I Want a Girlfriend who Won’t Betray Me

Quiet Days

Ever since then, whenever I walk to school in the morning, the guys would whisper about something to each other. The girls would give me cold, almost rejecting looks.

But I’ve already prepared myself for this kind of treatment from the beginning. I knew that I won’t be able to fit in since I’m a transfer student from the US, so I just put up with it.

In the classroom, it isn’t as bad, but aside from my close friends, the situation isn’t much different. It’s the same when I’m walking down the hallway or eating in the cafeteria. Mentally, it’s tough, but there’s nothing I can do about it.

One day, my mom asked.

“Did something happen at school?”

I have no way to answer her. But at least no one is harassing me in a nasty way.

Then, Golden Week arrives. Honestly, I’m relieved. At least for a while, I won’t be seeing any of my classmates from school.

During Golden Week, I ask my parents if we can stay at a hotel in Hakoyama. I don’t want to risk running into someone if I stay in town.

Then, after Golden Week is over, I get off at the station near my school, still wary of people’s stares. But for some reason, the way people look at me has softened. I don’t know why.

Even in class, more people besides Sudo-san and Hayase-san start greeting me in the morning.

The biggest change is during lunch in the cafeteria.

“Umm, is it okay if I sit here?”

A girl actually comes up to me and asks so. I have no idea why.

Ever since that day, I’ve been spending my afternoons in the library. Thanks to that, I’ve been able to make a lot of progress in reviewing and preparing for class.

Lately, my mom is usually home on Saturdays, so I’ve been studying at home. On Sundays, I go out or just do whatever I want

However, recently, some suspicious people have started approaching me.

On their business cards, they have a name of a company I don’t recognize written in English. They might actually be some kind of solicitation.

It seems shady, so I turned them all down.

In the second week after Golden Week, we have our first semester midterm exams.

Unbelievably, I ranked first in the entire grade. I can’t believe it myself. Maybe it’s thanks to all the studying in the library. If Otoe had been around, this wouldn’t have happened. I would’ve spent all my time playing with her.

“Shinonome, that’s amazing. Karen and I have been completely left behind.”

“That’s not true. You and Koiwai-san are both ranked seventh and eighth, right?”

“Hearing that from you makes me a little frustrated, Shinonome.”

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Wakana’s POV

Kazuki ranked first in the midterm exams. I always think that he will get it eventually, but he really is smart. He was suddenly taken to the US, didn’t go to a Japanese school there, but instead attended a private middle school there. Then, he managed to keep up with his classes there and graduated without any issues. Someone with an average brain like me probably wouldn’t even be able to keep up with the classes.

Since the opening ceremony, all sorts of baseless rumours have severely damaged Kazuki’s reputation. Some people started saying unbelievable things behind his back, mostly guys. They’re probably just jealous of him and said whatever they want.

But after Golden Week, it seems like they got tired of it, and the rumours gradually fade away. And now, with this result, I’m sure the girls will make a move on him again. At that time, everyone was just waiting for the rumours to settle down.

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Kazuki’s POV

When I return to the classroom, Sudo-san, Hayase-san, and Kato-san, who sit on either side of me, says,

“Hey, Shinonome-kun. Can you help us study? At this rate, I might end up out of the rankings.”

“Eh? But Sudo-san, you ranked 30th, right? That’s still pretty good, isn’t it?”

“A ranking like that can drop out in an instant. It’s really bad. My parents are super strict about grades.”

“No, no, I mean, I’m not really…”

Then, Kanbayashi chimes in.

“Things have finally calmed down a bit. That’s good for you, Shinonome.”

“Yeah, kind of. But rumours really are scary.”

“You got that right.”

“I can’t thank you enough, Kanbayashi.”

“Then teach me and Karen how to study.”

“W-Wait, that’s…!”

Still, I decide to continue studying in the library after school. Since I’ve achieved good results, this is the best place to study.

Even on the day the ranking results are posted, I stay in the library after school, sitting alone in a corner, trying to avoid standing out as much as possible.

As I’m reviewing today’s lessons—

“Um, is it okay if I sit here?”

“Sure, but…isn’t there plenty of empty seats around?”

“No, I’d like to sit here.”

“Well, you’re free to sit wherever you want.”

That girl continues to sit beside me the next day, and the day after that. I don’t even know her name. Of course, she never speaks to me again, and I don’t want to start a conversation either.

But when I glance at her, I notice that she’s really cute. Her figure is…amazing. When she leans toward the table, her breasts are pressing against it.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing.”

Oh no, I accidentally stared at her. I need to focus on studying.

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Fufu, the academy’s price, admired by many. But because of the baseless rumours, or rather because of the jealousy-driven gossip spread by other guys, all the girls in this school have been holding back. Not just from talking to him, but from making any moves to make him as their own.

However, maybe the boys have started to grow tired of it. After Golden Week, the number of people spreading those rumours have drastically decreased.

The reason? Their baseless rumours are starting to contradict each other.

The boys no longer see the point in arguing about it, so the boys stopped complaining or being jealous of him.

Then, the boys who actually like and respect him start pushing back, trying to restore Shinonome to his rightful place.

All of that leads to the current situation. That’s why, before the meaningless rumours about him completely faded, I slowly, very slowly, started getting closer to him.

Because to me, he is someone I absolutely need. I won’t let anyone get in my way.

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Kazuki’s POV

The quiet days continues for me, but in contrast, the class is buzzing with excitement over the upcoming sports festival next weekend.

“Shinonome, what event are you joining?”

“Hmm, I haven’t really been exercising. So I’m not sure.”

The truth is, back in the US, I was quite active. I participated in various clubs, played basketball because of my height, and even did some tennis.

But here in Japan, I decided not to get involved in sports. It will only lead to trouble anyway.

“Really? But you look like you exercise a lot. You did really well in the physical fitness test in April.”

“Ah, yeah, but I was sore all over afterward.”

“Is that so? Well, you should still sign up for something.”

“Hmm…”

“Hey, Shinonome-kun. Want to sign up for the three-legged race with me?”

“What’s that?”

“You don’t know the three-legged race? I’ll teach you!”

“Wait a minute, Sudo. That’s not fair. You can’t just claim Shinonome-kun all for yourself.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“It’s unfair if only Sudo gets to team up with him.”

What the hell is going on? Just the other day, they wouldn’t even talk to me…

“Shinonome, how about the relay and the 100-meter dash?”

“Sounds exhausting.”

“Great, then it’s settled.”

“Hey, what about my opinion?”

“I respected it. You’re not doing the three-legged race, right?”

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Wakana’s POV

Kazuki’s reputation in class is getting better and better. I’m really happy about it, but I wonder if there’s any way I can ever restore my relationship with him?

But there’s just no opportunity or reason to talk to him. Ever since that day, Kazuki won’t even look at me.

Even when our eyes seem to meet, it feels like I don’t exist in his gaze. Like he’s completely unaware of me.

I hope I can find an opportunity to talk to him at the upcoming sports festival.

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Kazuki’s POV

As the sports festival approaches, I’m studying in the library as usual. Just before the final school bell rings, the girl who always sits beside me calls out to me.

“Umm…”

I look up at her.

“C-Could you tell me your name?”

Why would she ask me that? I stare at her, confused.

“S-Sorry! I’m so sorry!”

She blushes and looks down.

“I’m Shinonome Kazuki. Nice to meet you.”

“I-I’m Kamijo Sana. G-Goodbye.”

She quickly packs up her books, her face still flushed, and rushes out of the library.

What a strange girl.