I Want to Completely Avoid Troubled Girls, but It Seems I’ve Reincarnated as a Background Character in the Most Dangerous Yandere Academy - Chapter 24

Chapter 24: Their Date, Satsuki’s Secret

Our next destination was the sea.

When you think of Yami Island, you think of the vast ocean. Even though it wasn’t peak summer season, there were still quite a lot of people.

Surprisingly, we got to the sea easily.

“The sea feels like it’s coming right at us.”

“It looks different from yesterday.”

“Yeah. It feels so real.”

The sea stimulated all our senses, as if telling us how amazing it was.

The blazing sun, children running around innocently. The scent of the salty air, the taste of summer lingering in the atmosphere.

“It’s summer, huh.”

“Yeah, it really is.”

We weren’t planning to swim this time. Though, just in case, we had brought a change of clothes.

“First, let’s head to the beach stalls.”

“Yeah, let’s eat.”

We carefully made our way down to the sandy beach, descending steps that were far too spaced apart to really call them stairs.

As soon as we got to the sand, Satsuki scooped some up.

“Hot!”

She quickly let it spill from her hand.

“Well, of course, with this heat.”

“I underestimated how hot it’d be. I might have cat skin, not just a cat tongue.”

“You might be right.”

“And you, Issei, are sensitive-skinned, though in a slightly different way.”

As she said that, Satsuki traced a finger gently down my back. I let out a pathetic yelp.

“Stop that, you’ll make me jump.”

“Is it surprise, or excitement? You pervert.”

“Not a chance.”

Something sweet lingered in my mind, but I cooled off quickly, realizing she was just teasing me.

“Is it fun to mess with me?”

“Absolutely. It makes my heart race.”

“…Fine, do as you like. Just for today, though.”

“Sha~,” Satsuki let out a small sound, clearly delighted in a dramatic way.

When it comes to seaside stalls, junk food is a must.

We polished off takoyaki and yakisoba quickly but were still hungry, so we split some curry and ramen.

“Food like this, eaten in places like this, hits the spot best.”

“True.”

“Of course, being with you helps a lot, too.”

“Shut up.”

“You’re blushing.”

“No, I’m not. I—”

I realized mid-sentence that I’d messed up again. I’ve made this mistake so many times…!

I’d said “earnestly.” Without realizing it, whenever I say that word…

“I knew it. You’re totally flustered.”

“Fine, fine! I’m just someone who can’t lie.”

Even though her appearance was different—technically, she was Kurokawa—I still felt drawn to Satsuki.

Despite the complicated circumstances and my attempt to reject her, my instincts were undeniably drawn to her.

Of course, that doesn’t mean I forgave her actions. My heart was complicated and full of contradictions.

“So, deep down, you wanted to see me in a swimsuit, huh?”

“Well, I’m a guy, so… But still.”

“You hesitate because I’m in someone else’s body right now.”

“You know me well.”

“Yeah. That’s why I won’t show you. The only parts of me that are truly ‘me’ are my words and actions.”

In my mind, Satsuki’s body and Kurokawa’s body overlapped.

If Satsuki were swimming in the sea right now…

I could only imagine it. In a lost future, there are no “what-ifs.”

After eating, we decided to enjoy the ocean properly by heading out onto the sand.

At first, we rested while watching other people.

“You were staring at that cute girl’s chest just now, weren’t you?”

“I wasn’t.”

“Liar. Your eyes were following her.”

“Seriously?”

“Your gaze was doing side-to-side sprints.”

At moments like this, Satsuki’s possessiveness would start to show.

“I want you to look at me as much as possible. Don’t let your attention wander, okay? I’m not asking for all the time.”

“As long as it’s not too much trouble.”

“Yeah. If that’s what you want, I’ll stick to it.”

“That’s the idea.”

When we got tired of just sitting around, we approached the sea. Taking off our shoes, we played a game of chicken with the waves.

“Oh, the thrill of almost getting wet but not. This is great.”

“Knew you’d say that.”

“Look, like this.”

Satsuki walked daringly close to the waves, just before they came in.

As the waves pulled back, she dashed away. It was like nature’s version of shuttle runs.

She managed to pull it off perfectly.

“What do you think? Impressive, right?”

“Yeah, I guess…”

Before I could finish, a wave returned stronger than expected and splashed Satsuki a little.

“Maybe I got too carried away.”

“Yeah, looks like it.”

We ran barefoot on the hot sand, built sandcastles, and even tasted a bit of seawater.

With breaks in between, we fully enjoyed the ocean, trying everything we could.

We spent so much time there that we used up most of the day, lost in our childlike fun.

The sun was still out, but evening was approaching. Exhausted, we decided to head back.

Satsuki changed into fresh clothes, and I wore some new ones I’d picked up while window shopping, along with an accessory.

“After dinner, I want to go somewhere high again.”

“A hill?”

“This time, even higher.”

“A taxi, then?”

“That’s fine. I just want to go.”

Dinner was light. Sweets were the main event, as she declared, and we indulged in all kinds of desserts.

It reminded me of how she’d always loved sweets, and how we’d search for the best ones on our dates.

Of course, Satsuki brought up those memories herself, as if we were both thinking the same thing.

Afterward, Satsuki insisted on going to the highest spot on the island.

It took a while by taxi, but she didn’t mind.

It was a popular spot and a well-known couple’s destination. Last night’s spot was famous too, but this one had even more people.

There were plenty of couples openly flirting, which was why I’d avoided it. But Satsuki seemed thrilled to be here.

We took our time exploring and then gazed at the scenery again.

“The world is so big.”

“Yeah. Even on this small island, it feels vast.”

“Do you know why I chose this hill?”

“Because it’s the highest?”

“Yeah. It’s the highest and closest to the sky.”

Her voice sounded sad and fragile.

“Hey, Satsuki. What’s wrong?”

“Huh?”

“You’re crying.”

A single tear was rolling down her cheek.

“No way, am I crying?”

“See for yourself.”

“I see. I guess I am sad, after all.”

Feeling like something was wrong, I asked her again.

“Satsuki, you’re hiding something from me, aren’t you?”

“How did you know?”

“Because you wouldn’t cry on such a fun day if you weren’t.”

“I see,” Satsuki murmured, as if coming to a decision.

“Because… tonight is the night I’ll disappear.”