So You’re Telling Me I’m in My Popular Phase!? - Chapter 15: An Unexpected Confession!?

Chapter 15: An Unexpected Confession!?

A full month had passed in my high school life, and I’d finally gotten used to my new routine.

I went to school like usual, and during break time I was doing a bit of studying, when—

“Excuse me for interrupting while you’re studying, Ichikami-kun. If I’m not mistaken, you are Ichikami-kun, correct? There is something I would like to discuss, and I was wondering if you could spare me a moment of your time.”

I suddenly got addressed with absurd politeness.

“Huh?”

When I raised my head to see who it was, it was the class representative… uh. Who was it again?

It was seriously “who are you,” sorry—I haven’t even memorized my classmates’ names at all.

Can I just call you “Class Rep”? No, that won’t work because you’re not wearing glasses? Yeah… figures.

“My name is Machida Toyomi. I serve as the class representative.”

Ah—right, right, Machida-san.

I remember looking up how to read that difficult kanji.

So what does she want? I’ve been doing my paperwork properly, you know, Class Rep.

“Um… I’m Ichikami Ryu.”

“Yes, I am aware. To get straight to the point—there is an important matter I would like to discuss with you, Ichikami-kun. Would you be able to remain in the classroom for a little while after school today? During break time, there simply isn’t enough time, and it’s also a topic I would prefer not to have others overhear…”

An important matter she doesn’t want other people to hear… could this be a confession!?

No, no—calm down, me. Stop jumping to conclusions.

I lectured myself like that, and tried to ask while hiding my agitation.

“What is it about?”

“As I mentioned, it is difficult to say during break time, so I will tell you after school.”

Ah—okay. Sorry.

“…Alright.”

“Then I will see you later.”

Machida-san returned to her seat.

God, this is embarrassing. I totally didn’t hide my agitation at all.

But—hehehe. I might finally be getting confessed to! Someone who has feelings for me might finally have appeared!

This isn’t me misunderstanding anything. I’m just hoping.

“Why are you grinning, Ryu-kun?”

“Wah!?”

While I was lost in thought, Izumi suddenly spoke from behind me.

“It’s nothing. N-not like it’s anything!”

That scared the hell out of me—don’t just stand right behind me all of a sudden. And don’t do it so creepily.

Izumi’s face keeps getting more and more irritated. I don’t know why, but I need to run for it.

“W-what are you doing, Izumi? C-class is about to start.”

Why won’t this cold sweat stop? It shouldn’t even be summer right now.

“I’ll hear all about it later.”

She went back to her seat, switching from an annoyed face to a smile.

It felt like her eyes weren’t smiling, but… yeah, that’s my imagination.

※

After school came, but at some point Izumi vanished from the classroom without me noticing.

I’d been watching her carefully because there’s no telling what she’ll do, but she disappeared anyway—what the hell, that’s scary.

Even when I looked outside, Izumi wasn’t there. So she didn’t leave school and go home, then.

Wait—she said she had club today, didn’t she? Then she must’ve gone to club.

As long as she’s not nearby, it’s fine. I just don’t want Machida-san’s talk getting interrupted.

“Why aren’t you going to club, Ryu-kun?”

“Gyaaah!!”

Izumi—who I thought was gone—was right next to me.

What are you, a ghost? A monster? That’s the same thing—no, it’s not!

“D-don’t pop out of nowhere! That’s bad for my heart!”

“Oh, really. So what are you doing? Hurry up and go to club—you’re supposed to, right?”

She started dragging me toward the classroom door with insane strength.

It was so strong it made me realize: since when was Izumi this powerful?

Once Izumi gets like this, there’s basically no escape route. It’s scary, but it looks like I have no choice but to tell the truth.

“Machida-san told me to stay in the classroom because she has something to talk about.”

Izumi stopped.

When she suddenly loosened her grip, it was scary in a different way—what, what’s wrong?

“Machida? Ah—Class Rep. I’m going.”

Wait—going to do what!?

I grabbed Izumi with everything I had to stop her from going anywhere.

Our positions totally reversed, but that’s not important right now.

Still, there’s no way I can beat her by force, so I switch strategies.

The plan is simple: distract her with something she’d like. Izumi’s simple-minded, so this should work.

“Izumi—after club today, let’s go home together.”

“Really!? Yes! Alright, I’ll go do my best at club! Also, there’s no point hiding it, okay!”

“Yeah, go on. …Huh, what did you say?”

Izumi bounced out of the classroom in high spirits.

Did I just push the threat back instead of solving it…? Maybe the walk home will be my last.

In the end, there’s no escaping, huh. Yeah, figured.

While I was trembling at the fear of what comes next, at some point the classroom had become just me and Machida-san.

As if she confirmed the situation, Machida-san looked around the room, stood up, and walked over to where I was sitting.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. …Are you alright?”

“Ah, yes, I’m fine.”

I tried to calm myself down and wiped away my cold sweat.

“Then, Ichikami-kun… there is something important I must discuss with you.”

I swallowed.

The classroom was wrapped in silence—so quiet I felt like she could hear the sound of my throat.

“The truth is, Ichikami-kun… I… to you…”

Why are you dragging it out so much? You look insanely nervous.

Could this really be a confession?

No, no—stop misunderstanding. This is how people get hurt.

“To… me…?”