I, Who Am Somehow Only Liked by Yanderes, Tried Transferring into a Class Full of Yandere Girls - Chapter 29: Why? (Tsukimiya Shiika's and Hina Yokaw PoV)

My life—Tsukimiya Shiika’s life—began when I met Aiji-kun.

Up until then, it had been fulfilling in its way.

But everything changed after I met him. Knowing love, the world started to become colorful.

To have someone more important than my own life, someone I want to dedicate my entire life to, I never knew such happiness existed.

As I walk to school in the morning, my steps are light.

Inside my school bag is a lunchbox for Aiji-kun.

I woke up early to make it.

I was editing Aiji-kun’s recorded voice until late last night, so I hardly slept.

But I don’t feel the slightest bit of hardship. On the contrary, I was happy.

The thought of Aiji-kun enjoying the food I made with love, my love flowing into him through my cooking, merging and becoming a part of him, fills me with indescribable affection.

I want to see him as soon as possible.

I want to see his face, hear his voice, exchange words, and see him happy eating the lovingly prepared wife’s lunchbox.

From the moment I wake up until I sleep, Aiji-kun is always on my mind.

However, I don’t necessarily wish to be tied to him.

It might come as a surprise.

What I wish for most is Aiji-kun’s happiness.

If Aiji-kun is happy, then my feelings don’t matter.

I don’t mind if he ends up with another girl.

But as it stands, I believe I can make Aiji-kun the happiest, so I’m trying to secure my place as his girlfriend.

That’s all there is to it.

Conversely, if a girl who might hinder Aiji-kun’s happiness tries to be with him, I must prevent it.

By any means necessary.

Even if it means going against a close friend.

Even if it leads to ruining our relationship.

I am prepared for that.

Surely that day will come soon.

I can see Aiji-kun’s apartment.

I climb the stairs and stop in front of the room at the end of the corridor.

Then I ring the doorbell.

No response.

I tried several times, but still no response.

…What could have happened?

Could it be that, like before, he’s turned down the volume and can’t hear it?

Or perhaps…

Imagining the worst, I try to turn the doorknob. Naturally, it’s locked.

…Can’t be helped.

I take out the spare key from my uniform pocket.

It’s a duplicate of the original key he had. I insert it into the keyhole.

☆

I—Hina Yokawa—have been fretting since this morning.

“No reply, huh…”

Muttering to myself, I bite into a slice of bread slathered with honey, my eyes on the smartphone.

Displayed on the screen is the chatroom between Aiji-kun and me.

My message,

“Good morning☆ Let’s do our best today.♪”

remains unread, left there without a response.

By now, I would usually have received a reply.

But today, there’s nothing.

“Hmm… What could be the matter?”

If it were unread, I could assume he’s still asleep.

But it’s been seen.

He deliberately looked at it but chose not to reply.

…Why?

As time passes, my anxiety grows.

Could it be that he’s come to dislike me?

Has Aiji-kun finally had enough of me?

No, no, that can’t be. I’m overthinking it… right?

Before I knew it, I’d sent another message.

“Did I do something to upset you?”

“Arghhhh! I shouldn’t have sent that!”

I regret it instantly.

That’s coming on too strong! The move of a clingy girl!

This could only serve to accelerate Aiji-kun’s annoyance!

Should I send another message saying, “Just kidding, lol”? But wouldn’t that seem even more desperate?

As I agonize, my mom scolds me, “Stop playing with your phone, at least while you’re eating.”

Mom’s word is law in our house, so I obediently put the phone away.

Even as I bite into my beloved honey toast, I can’t taste it. My mind is filled with thoughts of Aiji-kun.

In the end, I leave the house without receiving a reply.

I’m distracted on my way to school, the fear that he’s truly had enough of me swelling up like a balloon.

I meet a classmate on the way, and we walk to school together, but I can hardly focus on what she’s saying. I feel terrible about it.

Eventually, I arrived at school.

Ugh… This is depressing.

Determined, I enter the classroom and go to my seat.

Aiji-kun’s seat next to mine is empty.

…Should I ask Aiji-kun why he didn’t reply when he arrived? But then, I’d worry about being seen as too clingy.

As I’m stewing in my thoughts, the bell for the start of classes rings.

“—Eh?”

Aiji-kun’s seat remains empty as usual.

Could it be that he’s not coming today?