In a World of Reversed Chastity, I’m Rumored to Be an Easy Bitch (♂) Among Lustful Girls - 65

Chapter 65: Misawa from Hell (Jigoku no Misawa)

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“Wh-Why is Yuu-kun here…?”

“Well, this is a library, you know. I come here to study too. After all, I go to a completely different-level school than you, Hinayo.”

He really was a genius at getting under people’s skin. Misawa’s tone was antagonistic from the very start, as usual. While Hinayo shrank back at the unexpected encounter, Riria, who had been watching this encounter, nudged me with her elbow and whispered in my ear.

“Hey, Hirakawa-kun,. Who is that guy?”

“Apparently he’s Nishimeya-san’s childhood friend. He goes to school for smart people.”

“Huh. Still, he’s got a bad attitude, doesn’t he? It kinda feels like he’s bullying Nishimeya-san.”

“Yeah, I know, right? I don’t get it either, but he always talks to Nishimeya-san in this really aggressive way. Obviously, she hates it.”

“If she hates it, then she shouldn’t talk to him.”

“You know she’s not great at speaking up for herself.”

“I get that, but… Doesn’t it just piss you off, seeing someone like that say whatever he wants? He’s totally looking down on her. I bet he just wants to feel superior over her.”

It was rare for Riria to show disgust toward someone. And the fact that it was toward a guy, not a girl, made it all the more surprising.

“Kinda unexpected to hear you say that, Sotogahama-san.”

“Even I dislike people when they’re downright awful. I try to get along with everyone, but not everyone’s made to be friends. Besides…”

“Besides?”

“That guy doesn’t match any of my tastes. Not even a micron.”

Ahh… So that’s it.

Riria’s taste in men was easy to read. Tall, lean, and muscular. She probably liked guys with good physical strength more than intellectual types. I mean, Haruto was totally her type. Which made it all the more mysterious why I was being kept around by Riria, but I decided not to think too hard about that for now.

Misawa was practically the polar opposite of her type. Short, skinnier than me, smart but with a foul mouth. Even Riria couldn’t overlook that many red flags, even though Misawa was a male. She was easy to understand. I really appreciated this side of her. 

“So, Hinayo~ Are you out here pretending to be ‘friends’ with your peers again?”

“We-We’re not pretending…! We’re studying for a test together today…”

“Heeeeh~ You’re dumber than me, but still bold enough to teach others. …Ah, I get it. Since your school’s level is so low, you can lord your smarts over others. You’re just a little smarter than everyone around you, so you use that to act like a big shot and fake your way into being friends. You’ve always been like that—”

“Can you knock it off already?”

Misawa’s snide remark was so obvious. I could almost see viscous poison oozing out of his mouth.  And Riria cut through it with a single, sharp line. For once, there was nothing playful or joking about her tone—it was pure, 100% genuine anger. I’d never seen Riria get angry like this before.

“S-Sotogahama-san?!”

“What’s your deal? I was talking to Hinayo. Don’t you think it’s rude to butt in?”

“Not at all. My friend is getting insulted by you for absolutely no reason. Of course I have to step in. You’re the one being rude.”

“Oh dear, this is why low-tier schools are just…”

“Oh? So having a high academic record gives you the right to insult people and act all superior like this?”

“‘Superior’? That’s an unpleasant way to put it. I’m merely stating facts about Hinayo.”

“Facts? Nothing you said was even remotely true.”

“That’s harsh. I bet you’re just using Hinayo because you’re about to bomb the upcoming test. And Hinayo, desperate for friends, is using you as proof she has some. You two are just exploiting each other for mutual benefits.”

“That’s not it. Sure, I’m an idiot, but I never once thought of using Nishimeya-san. In fact, she’s probably one of the only people who would stick with someone like me to the very end. So an outsider like you, who doesn’t even know anything, has no right to badmouth her. I won’t allow it.”

Riria stood up to Misawa with absolute conviction. Only Riria could face someone like that without flinching.

“An outsider, you say?”

“That’s exactly what you are. You may be childhood friends or whatever, but we’re the ones who are closer to Nishimeya-san now.”

“Hahaha! That’s funny. As if Hinayo could form connections with people. Without me, she’s nothing. I know she still can’t form actual friendships in highschool. She’s just not capable of nurturing a relationship. That’s what she’s like.”

“Didn’t I just say that’s not true!!”

Riria leaned forward, shouting with a fierce tone. I thought she might actually hit him, so I stepped in front of her to calm her down.

“Sotogahama-san, let’s stop. I don’t think what he’s saying is right, but you can’t let this escalate either.”

“…Fine, but…”

“You’re not okay with this, right? I get it. I’m pissed too that he insulted Nishimeya-san. But the more you react, the more elated he gets.”

“Then what do we do?”

“It’s simple. We ignore him. Let’s pack up our stuff and go study somewhere else.”

Surprised by my unexpected suggestion, Riria widened her eyes. But then she seemed to accept it, silently starting to put her things away. Hinayo followed suit, packing up in silence, carefully avoiding even glancing at Misawa.

“Oh, ignoring me, huh? You’ve got guts. Guess low-level brains lead to low-level behavior!”

“……”

“……”

“……”

“How childish… You people don’t have an ounce of intelligence.”

We kept ignoring him. Once we finished packing, we immediately stood and left our seats. We didn’t even spare Misawa a single glance.

“Hey, Hinayo, you know what happens when you act like this, right? You better remember this.”

His parting threat made Hinayo flinch for a second, but I met her eyes and gave her a reassuring look.

It’s okay.

“…Anyone who says things like that to people I care about isn’t my friend. So please, don’t talk to me anymore…!”

Hinayo made her declaration with the loudest voice I’d ever heard from her. In that moment, her eyes shimmered with tears—just enough to glisten. She had fought back with everything she had in her own way.

We dashed out of the library as fast as we could. Hinayo’s eyes, glistening with tears, seemed to shine a little brighter than usual. It made me feel a little embarrassed to meet her gaze.

Well, our top priority now was to shake Misawa off. If this little exchange could put an end to his unnecessary meddling, then it’d be great. 

Hinayo, you said it well. I’m proud of you.

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T/N: Yeah.. Sure, ignoring doesn’t feel that satisfying, but people like Misawa are just looking for attention. Yes, even negative ones. That’s why we mustn’t feed trolls like them. We have to let them rot on their own in their toxic slump.