Chapter 10 – Don’t Leave Me Alone With My Ex

Hearing the click of the lock, I realized I’d been trapped in Conference Room 3.

The windows on the hallway side of this room were designed to block the view from outside, creating a space suitable for private meetings.

That had backfired spectacularly.

“…Yep, this is definitely a crime.”

I muttered, glaring at the afterimage of my homeroom teacher.

But why would she need to lock me in here?

It wasn’t impossible to think that Matsumaru-sensei really had gone back to the faculty office for materials and had locked the door simply to keep me from running away.

But that was probably wrong.

“Akira-kun.”

The door to the cleaning supply closet rattled open.

For Chifuyu’s honor, I should mention that all the cleaning supplies had been taken out, and the inside had been wiped clean.

“It’s been a while.”

I wasn’t sure what the right thing to say was, so I just went with a generic line.

The last time we’d had a proper conversation was Sunday.

This was the first time we’d spoken since Chifuyu became my ex-girlfriend.

“I had to impose on Matsumaru-sensei, but I had her set up this chance for me to talk to you, Akira-kun.”

“So that’s what this is.”

“I’m sorry, but I thought this conversation was important for our future.”

The future of a broken-up couple… I’d rather not imagine it.

If she’s hitting it off with some refreshing, handsome guy, I wish she’d just forget about me and enjoy her youth.

“I’m not mad. It was just as awkward and difficult for me to talk to you.”

“These past two days have been really tough, you know.”

I get it.

Awkwardness is a real pain. In a way, it’s hell.

I could sort of guess that it was probably even more awkward for the person who did the dumping than the one who got dumped.

“So, um, Akira-kun…”

Chifuyu fidgeted with her fingers, her gaze darting all over the place as she spoke.

“—If you were to ask me… I was thinking maybe I could agree to date you again…”

“—!”

“So… I’ll do you the favor of taking you back.”

“…Take me back…?”

“Yeah. I mean, even I thought moving in together was a bit too soon, right? So I was thinking maybe we should start with the naughty stuff first.”

I couldn’t say anything for a moment.

It had been a long time since I’d felt so emotional.

I usually make a point of staying calm, but this time, I think the anger must have shown on my face.

“—Don’t screw with me.”

“Huh?”

“‘Do me the favor of taking you back?’ You’re the one who dumped me, you don’t get to say it like that. Sorry, but I have no desire to get back together.”

I wanted to get out of this room as fast as possible, but unfortunately, the door was still locked.

No matter how angry I was, I wasn’t about to cause trouble by letting my emotions take over and breaking down the door. The fact I could still make that judgment meant I was still somewhat calm.

“You shouldn’t lie.”

“What?”

“Yesterday and today, you kept looking at me, didn’t you? That’s because you can’t get me off your mind, right?”

It’s probably the other way around.

Whenever I felt a stare and looked up to check, my eyes would always meet Chifuyu’s. It seems she’s not even aware of her own unconscious actions.

“This is pointless. I have no intention of getting back together. Besides, that’s better for you too, isn’t it, Chifuyu?”

“…For me, too?”

“No, it’s nothing. But I don’t plan on ignoring you from now on or anything. I’ll make sure things aren’t awkward, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

“I’m not ‘worrying about it’.”

“Got it. Well then, case closed.”

I said sarcastically, turning my eyes to the door.

My hatred for Matsumaru-sensei was starting to build.

I wish she’d hurry up and unlock it. I’m reaching my limit. I should get ready to kick it down.

—Click.

Did I just awaken some psychic power? I succeeded in unlocking the sliding door with just my gaze. And without even muttering an incantation.

Just as I was entertaining that eighth-grader delusion, the sliding door was flung open with force.

“Akira-kun, you can go. I’ll take it from here.”

“Oh… okay.”

I had a lot on my mind, but this was the release I’d been waiting for.

Overpowered by the strangely energetic Matsumaru-sensei, I escaped the demonic Conference Room 3 without a glance toward Chifuyu.

　＊＊＊

“That’s not what you told me. It seems Akira-kun doesn’t like you at all, you know?”

“That can’t be…”

“It really does seem like you were the one who got dumped. I was dumped recently myself, so maybe I can understand your pain.”

In Conference Room 3, now empty of Akira.

Chifuyu faced her homeroom teacher, Matsumaru Ten.

An atmosphere hung between them—one of woman to woman, and enemy to enemy.

“Akira-kun is just being considerate… he’s humble, so—”

“Why don’t you just admit you’ve lost?”

“—!”

“Akira-kun has had enough of you. You can never go back to the way things were.”

It wasn’t that Ten saw Akira in a romantic light.

However, she had taken a liking to him for her own little personal reasons.

His reactions whenever she teased him were always amusing, and despite his complaints, he would always listen to what she had to say until the end.

“Akira-kun is certainly a cute kid, but is he really worth being so hung up on? Besides, you’re cute, too. I’m sure you could get a boyfriend in no time if you wanted.”

“It has to be Akira-kun, or no one.”

“I see.”

Ten smiled, looking somewhat amused, and guided Chifuyu out of the room.

After confirming no one was left inside Conference Room 3, she locked the door.

Chifuyu looked like she wanted to say something, but in the end, she remained silent, her expression dark.

“As a master of romance, I’ll give you some advice regarding Akira-kun. If you’re interested, you’re welcome to listen.”

Whether it was to cheer Chifuyu up or simply on a whim, Ten began to speak.

“It seems Akira-kun is popular with the girls in Class 1-1. Hayasaka-san, who sits next to him, especially has a total crush on him. You can kind of tell, can’t you?”

“…Hayasaka-san…”

“She sleeps through class all the time, but when it comes to talking with Akira-kun, she always wakes up and talks to him happily.”

“Maybe it’s just so she doesn’t bother the person sitting next to her…”

“It was completely different when Souichi-kun was sitting next to her before. The moment it became Akira-kun, she turned into that. It’s a dead giveaway she likes him.”

Chifuyu recalled what Hayasaka Hinami was usually like.

Hinami was said to be one of the most beautiful girls in their grade.

She had always thought Hinami was pretty, but once she started sitting next to Akira, Chifuyu had begun to harbor a clear sense of hostility toward her.

Unlike her own A-cup, flat-as-a-board chest, Hinami’s was large, and she was tall with a model-like figure.

Chifuyu was cute too, and she was certainly very popular with the boys.

However, Hinami possessed a sexy charm that Chifuyu lacked. Because of that, she was also very popular among the girls, who looked up to her with admiration.

“Hasebe-san, I’m not saying this as a teacher, but as someone watching over the growth of my dear children: I’m rooting for you. But forcing your own values on someone else is a big no-no.”

The very teacher who tried to force her boyfriend to drink coffee instead of tea was now giving a warning about forcing one’s values on others.

Chifuyu, unaware of this, took the advice to heart.