I, Who Am Somehow Only Liked by Yanderes, Tried Transferring into a Class Full of Yandere Girls - Chapter 21: The Third Assassin (Usuki Sayoko PoV)

For me, Usuki Sayoko, a member of the library committee, the most blissful time up to now was immersing myself in the world of my beloved books.

In the real world, I’m plain, gloomy, and unremarkable.

But in the world of imagination, I can become anything and go anywhere. I could be a hero adventuring in a fantasy world, a famous detective solving a labyrinthine case, or even a housewife betraying her child and husband to commit adultery.

Empathizing with the characters and experiencing lives unknown to me—there’s no greater joy.

However, recently, I’ve found an even more blissful time.

It’s discussing my favorite books with the person I love.

It all started in the library with him—Aiji-kun. He borrowed a book I had selected and shared his thoughts with me.

“Usuki-san selected this book, right? It was really interesting.”

I was very surprised. My selected books were placed in a special corner, but hardly anyone ever borrowed them. And yet, he read it and shared his enjoyment with me.

I got so excited that I passionately explained the merits of the work to Aiji-kun. After finishing, I suddenly came back to my senses and wished I could die. I got carried away without considering my social standing. Surely, he must have found it off-putting…

But Aiji-kun didn’t seem put off at all.

“Usuki-san really loves books, huh? I’ve become interested in reading the other works you recommend,” he said with a smile.

Since then, we have begun interacting through books.

Normally, I hardly ever talk to Aiji-kun in class.

Aiji-kun isn’t the center of attention, but he’s associated with Tsukimiya-san and Yokawa-san, the more glamorous people in our class.

I could never approach him at the bottom of the social ladder.

The library was the only place where I could speak to him. There’s no caste system like in the classroom, no one else around, so Aiji-kun and I could talk just as book lovers.

Before I knew it, I found myself watching Aiji-kun in class.

First, I followed him with my eyes, then my ears, and eventually, I followed him around.

It’s stalking.

I wanted to know even a little more about him. This was the first time I, who usually escapes into fantasy, became obsessed with a real person.

Being exceptionally inconspicuous, I never got caught.

By the way.

I do like Aiji-kun, but I have no grand illusions of dating or anything like that.

I just want to know about the person I like and watch over him from afar.

That’s all.

But recently, things have started to change.

It’s about Tsukimiya-san.

She’s one of the most glamorous girls in our class, and it seemed like she might have feelings for Aiji-kun.

There’s nothing particularly noteworthy about that.

If the two of them started dating, I’d feel lonely, but if Aiji-kun could be happy, I’d bless them from the shadows.

However.

Tsukimiya-san had another side.

It was after school one day.

After finishing my duties at the library desk, I wandered around the school, wondering where to read the borrowed book.

Normally, I’d read in the library, but that day, I wanted to enjoy reading somewhere else for a change of pace.

And I ended up at the East Building.

The East Building has many empty classrooms, and I chose one as my reading spot.

An unpleasant suspicion crawled all over me just before opening the sliding door.

Looking back, it must have been my biological instincts sounding an alarm.

But at that moment, I ignored it.

I thought there couldn’t be anyone in an empty classroom now.

There was someone in the classroom.

In the center of the room was a chair, and a man was sitting in it.

His arms were tied behind the chair, and he was gagged.

“Wha—!? Fujisawa Sensei!?”

I was speechless at the shocking scene that suddenly unfolded before me.

“Wha—!? Why—!?”

In front of the seated teacher stood a female student in uniform, recognizable by her divinely perfect features.

It was Tsukimiya-san.

For a moment, I thought they might be enjoying some perverse play.

But it seemed unlikely.

Fujisawa Sensei’s face was twisted in fear; there was no friendly atmosphere and a tense air between them.

Then I remembered.

Earlier that day, Tsukimiya-san seemed indignant towards Fujisawa Sensei, who had made a laughingstock of Aiji-kun during math class.

She had mentioned going to protest.

Could this be—?

Even so, it seemed more like torture than protest.

And Tsukimiya-san’s aura…

It starkly contrasted her usual bright and gentle demeanor in the classroom, emitting a cold, sharpness like a crescent moon.

I must not be found…

I tried to close the door but had opened a crack quietly.

I have been stalking Aiji-kun, but thanks to my naturally unnoticeable presence, I have never been caught.

I was confident in my ability to erase my presence and go unnoticed by anyone.

So, I believed everything would be okay this time too.

However, in the next moment.

Tsukimiya-san’s eyes were directly fixed on me.

She had accurately detected my presence.

Tsukimiya-san looked at me and faintly smiled.

As if she had found her prey.

“Hogyaah?!”

I screamed and turned to run away.

Uncharacteristic of my usual lack of exercise, I ran with surprising speed as if possessed by a hysterical strength.

I ran and ran and kept running.

After leaving the school building, I looked back while panting heavily, and it seemed Tsukimiya-san was not chasing me.

I was relieved.

If I had been caught, I would be in a terrible situation by now.

After returning home, I wondered if what I saw was a dream.

But the next day and afterward, Fujisawa Sensei took a leave of absence.

I keep recalling that day’s events.

There were no visible injuries, but the fear-distorted face spoke volumes of the deep mental scars inflicted.

What on earth did Tsukimiya-san do?

Afterward, Tsukimiya-san did not attempt to contact me. Perhaps she is letting me off because she can deal with me anytime.

Regardless.

I have come to know the other side of Tsukimiya-san.

If she has feelings for Aiji-kun, her venom could someday harm him.

I like Aiji-kun.

I cannot just stand by and do nothing if he is in danger.