I Was Falsely Confessed to and Exposed in Front of Everyone, so I Jumped off the Roof - Chapter 11

A talk came up about maybe making a mobile game. So, for the experiment, we went to Ikebukuro to buy a PC to use as a server. Walking with my cane, I couldn’t help but feel people staring. On top of that, my face and eye color are very different from those of a typical Japanese person. I really stood out. I kept worrying, was I bothering Kagiroi-san by being next to her? My mind kept going in circles.

“Which one should we get?”

“It’s just for the experiment. We’ll probably rent a proper cloud server like AWS anyway, so I think anything will do for now.”

“Yeah, you’re right. While we’re at it, I should get a new PC too. Carrying my laptop around and hooking it up to a monitor is getting annoying.”

At the electronics store, we naturally split up to look for what we needed.

“If I want to upgrade later, maybe this one… or should I just buy it in Akihabara?”

Shopping was fun. It lets me forget the bad things for a while. Well, to make sure I didn’t spend recklessly, my important money was under my uncle’s and a lawyer’s management. I knew I was powerless. I hadn’t been okay for a long time. Ever since my parents died, I hadn’t been. I probably didn’t have the judgment to avoid what happened.

“Huh? You?!”

My spine stiffened. I recognized that voice. When I turned around, there was Watajima and his group from before.

“What are you doing here?! Ah!?”

I couldn’t speak. The world seemed to shake. I felt dizzy and unstable.

“I had to transfer schools because of you! I couldn’t join my club! I could have gone to the sports center if not for you!”

Watajima glared at me angrily. The others around him were just as mad.

“I even broke up with my lover because of you! You need to take responsibility!”

I didn’t understand what he was saying. I didn’t want to think about it. I stayed silent, and Watajima grabbed me by the collar.

“What were you thinking, causing trouble before disappearing?! Can’t you think about anyone but yourself?!”

Then he shoved me. I fell to the floor, and my cane slid away. I crawled toward it, trying to get it back.

“What’s this? You can’t even stand up by yourself? That’s hilarious! Serves you right! Ahahaha!”

Then Watajima kicked the cane I had finally managed to grab. I sat there on the floor and looked up at him. On his face was nothing but a terrifying grin. I was scared, more than ever before. It felt just like when my parents died.

“Stop it!”

Before I knew it, Kagiroi-san had rushed over. She picked up my cane, handed it to me, and helped me stand.

“What’s this? You got a girl with you? And such a beauty, too? Hey, beauty, you should dump that useless guy. Come hang out with us instead.”

“Don’t you dare! You heartless trash!”

Kagiroi-san punched Watajima with all her strength. He crashed into a shelf full of computers, knocking down boxes and cables as he fell.

“You bitch!”

“You’re the bastard!”

Kagiroi-san jumped on top of him and started punching him again and again in the face.

“Wait! Stop it!”

“Die! You’re the one who should die!”

She didn’t stop. She kept hitting him until the security guards ran in and pulled them apart. The fight ended there. Soon, the police arrived, and we were both questioned. I couldn’t say a single word the whole time. And before long, our lawyer came and we were released.

“There really are people who are complete trash! How can someone like that just live so casually? It’s disgusting!”

I couldn’t answer her. She was right, but the truth was, I was scared. That’s why I hadn’t said anything before. That’s why, like my uncle said, I hadn’t even taken them to court. I hated myself for being so pathetic.

♢ ♢ ♢

I liked the days of private lessons, even though they were tough, because they let me forget the bad things.

“You’ll make it to the next performance in time. I’ll set up a special introduction time just for you, so make sure you show yourself off.”

“No, that’s not necessary.”

Manwa-san looked surprised with her eyes wide.

“Why not?”

“If the time comes, it’ll come from them. I have to be in control of that much.”

“Hmm? Well, if that’s what you think, alright. I’ll have your debut song ready just in case you need it.”

I was sure about one thing. Sazanka-san. I had a strong feeling she was the key. All I had to do now was wait. The chance would come on its own.

♢

The regular performance had arrived. The theater was packed. Fans had come to cheer for their favorites. I watched all this from the side of the stage. Hardly anyone was here to support me or Sumire. Nobody even paid attention to the girls dancing in the back. And that was fine… really fine.

“Why are you so nervous?”

“Yes… I am. I’m scared. Really scared.”

Sazanka-san spoke to me. There was something sly in her smile. I was hooked.

“Is that so? Don’t worry. The girls in the back just have to dance, so it’s fine. You won’t suddenly be forced to stand in front, so relax.”

“Haa… that’s a relief. Then I can do my best ☆”

I made a peace sign in front of my face on purpose. Did I look like a silly girl? Good. That was fine. Sazanka-san seemed satisfied with my reaction and went back to the waiting room. That was perfect. I had to do my best to stop the corners of my mouth from twisting into a grin.

♢ ♢ ♢

I remember that day clearly. Yes. I was definitely Ruika-chan’s number one fan.

“Everyone! Thank you for coming today!”

The crowd went wild. It was a perfect moment, everyone waving their glow sticks for their favorites. But then I noticed something. A girl who looked a little awkward.

“Sazanka-chan!” “Sakura-chan!” “Himawari-chan!”

“““““Waaaaaaahhhhhh!”””””

The popular members danced gracefully in the center with confidence and boldness. But that girl… yes, Ruika-chan… she was at the edge, moving a little stiffly, and was slightly behind the others. She was off-key. Honestly, I thought she was just noise. Yeah, her face was beautiful, but I thought that if they’re bad, they just have to disappear. Don’t get in the way of my favorite. I felt annoyed.

After a few songs, they started talking. Reports on their activities and stories about their bond as a group. It was a warm, cozy moment… and then Sazanka-san suddenly said.

“Did everyone notice? We actually have a new member! Here’s Ruika-chan!”

And everyone thought. Oh, that clumsy girl? Whatever. The mood went a bit flat. But then… she appeared.

“Yay♡ I’m coming now!”

My chest tightened. It wasn’t because of a fake and cutesy voice. It was the cold sweetness behind it. You get that feeling? That’s what it was. Everyone slowly turned to watch her. Step by step, she walked to the center like it was natural. Maybe the air blew just right, but her long black hair floated lightly as she moved. And then… that moment. She looked right at me, smiled, and blew me a kiss!!!!!

“…An angel.” “Who is that girl?” “My chest… feels so good!”

We were all completely taken. Everyone fell for her in an instant.

“Hello everyone, I’m Ruika! Please take care of me♡”

She made a heart shape with her hands in front of her chest and winked, and in that moment, we felt a new era had begun. She was the real deal. A true idol, like the ones who ruled in ancient times, had appeared before us. My chest hurt, but it felt amazing. I remembered how some foreign religions say not to worship idols, and now I understand why. Because if I do, I can’t think of anything else. She was a kind of poison. Yes. I was addicted to Ruika-chan. But that was fine. I didn’t mind. I thought about her all the time, and even though it was toxic, it felt incredible.

“Yay! I want everyone to know me! But I’m not very good at talking… so I’ll sing! I hope this reaches… you!”

Then a song I didn’t know started playing. I realized it was for the girls who were supposed to perform. The others and everyone we had been cheering for couldn’t even move. Ruika-chan danced and sang all alone. The rest of the stage was blank. Completely blank.

“““““Ruika! Ruika!””””””

“Thank you so much! Yay!”

By the time the song ended, Ruika-chan was already the queen of the stage. The other performances continued, but she stayed in the center the whole time. And it felt natural. This… this was the beginning of a legend. No, a myth…

♢ ♢ ♢

“Don’t you dare mess around!”

I was being pressed against the wall by Sazanka-san and the leader, Sakura-san.

“What’s the matter♡”

“Don’t play dumb! What were you thinking?! That’s cheating! You didn’t even stay in your position!”

“I…☆ I just did what a pro would do★ I saw what the fans wanted, so I did it♥”

“That’s exactly why it’s wrong!”

“Hmm? I don’t understand what you’re saying, senpai★”

I stuck my tongue out and laughed. A gesture of laughing embarrassedly. But instead of lightening the mood, it just poured fuel on the fire, and everyone glared at me even more.

“You!”

“Yes. That’s enough.”

Manwa-san came into the waiting room.

“Ruika. You went too far. You’re banned from the stage for two weeks as punishment.”

“O-okay♡ Got it~”

“President! This girl’s crazy! Make her stop right now!”

Many people echoed Sazanka-san’s complaint.

“No. This girl makes money.”

“No way!”

Manwa-san didn’t listen. Instead, she looked at me with a kind of amused interest. I caused friction with the others, but I left a strong impression on the existing fans. It’s much easier to turn someone who already has a favorite into my fan than to win over a completely new person. That’s exactly why the stage was like it was. The more stepping stones there are, the better. I’ll crush them all. For me.