The Case When Strange Things Started To Happen When I Reincarnated As A Guy Whose Life Ends After Attacking The Heroine - 65 - Foolish Couple

Chapter 65: Foolish Couple

It was an abrupt call.

After school, I was called by a teacher to the staff room, leaving Shirayuki waiting in the classroom. I didn’t think I had done anything wrong, so I assumed there was no reason for concern… Well, it didn’t change the fact that this was a hassle.

“Lately, you’ve been spending a lot of time with Hououin-san, haven’t you?”

“Huh…”

“I hope you’re not causing any trouble. I hate to say it, but it’s not necessarily a good thing for you and that girl to be so close.”

“…What?”

I almost choked on my words, but I suppose it couldn’t be helped.

People can think whatever they want, but I was quite surprised to be told this directly by a teacher.

I had no special relationship with this teacher, but I remembered he didn’t like Arashi.

(What’s with this old man…)

There’s no harm in cursing in my mind, after all. 

But having called me away from my after-school time with Shirayuki for such nonsense was aggravating.

Regardless, slightly irritated, I responded,

“Shirayuki and I have that kind of relationship, so once we’ve gotten to this point, telling us not to get along won’t work.”

The teacher snorted disapprovingly.

“Do you understand her value? She is the young lady of the Hououin family, and it’s absurd for someone like you to be with her. What on earth did you say to deceive her?”

“…”

Ugh, this is such a hassle!

I do wonder why the teacher even cares about this, but in a way, considering Arashi’s past, I can’t entirely blame him for being concerned. 

Just the fact that the young lady from the Hououin family is attending this school makes it a topic of conversation, and I can understand why they’d be eager to provide Shirayuki with a satisfying student life… not that she asked for that, though.

“I didn’t deceive her. She told me she genuinely likes me, and I like her too. No one can interfere with that.”

“…”

“Sure, based on who I used to be, your concerns might be valid. But I’ve changed… That’s why I can stand by her side. Is that all you wanted to talk about?”

The teacher didn’t say anything in response, so I left the staff room without looking back.

Perhaps the reason I didn’t outright deny the teacher’s words is that, in a way, the teacher might also be genuinely concerned about Shirayuki. 

It’s not very appropriate to make statements that seemingly lack trust in students, but I’m used to being told such things, and it’s not something that bothers me too much.

“But when I think about it… Arashi really is disliked from many angles, huh.”

For me, Arashi was nothing more than a scumbag who attacked Shirayuki.

Honestly, that perception hasn’t changed, and if anything, it has only grown stronger now that Shirayuki and Hisui have become special to me. But… well, maybe I’m overthinking it.

“Anyway, never mind. I should hurry back to Shirayuki’s side.”

My thoughts were simple.

Arashi had a terrible family environment, with no friends and being disliked to the point of being driven away from his home. 

I could understand why he fell for Shirayuki when she was kind to him in such situations. 

Even if he had such an environment, he seemed like the type to stalk people, which speaks poorly of him.

“Welcome back, Tou… Arashi-kun.”

“Tou…?”

Shirayuki, who had been waiting for me in the classroom with a friend, tried to call me by my name, but ended up changing it.

“It’s nothing. Nevermind.”

“??”

When there’s no one around, she always calls me “Touma,” so it’s a bit troublesome to switch to “Arashi” when others are present…

It would be nice to find a solution, but using a different name would be too unnatural and would only raise suspicions.

“You’ve really changed, Gundo… like, a lot.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, the old you was timid and kept looking down. You were creepy, especially towards Shirayuki.”

“… I see.”

Shirayuki’s gaze sharpened slightly, but she seemed to decide not to say anything. 

As for me, I do feel like she’s been saying a lot, but she’s specifically referring to the old Arashi.

“You’ve changed so much that if someone told me you’re a different person, I’d believe them.”

“That much, huh?”

“Yeah, not just your appearance but also your personality… Above all, Shirayuki completely trusts you. That’s enough reason for me to support both of you.”

“… Haha, I see.”

What is this feeling?

It feels like the first time I’ve had a proper conversation with a girl other than Shirayuki… No, even among classmates.

“I like the new you, a lot.”

“You won’t get any points for that.”

Shirayuki swiftly shut her down.

After a bitter smile, she said she’d go home first, waved to Shirayuki, waved to me, and left the classroom.

As I was watching her leave, Shirayuki said this:

“Many people have noticed your changes. At first, your evaluation was probably close to the lowest, but Touma-kun, you are changing in a good direction.”

“…Yeah, it feels good to hear that.”

“It’s not just her, you know? Most of the girls who are usually friendly with me also see you in a good light… Ah, it’s not because I’ve told them to think so, it’s purely their own judgment after seeing the current you.”

“Haha, I know.”

…I get it… I know that many people see me poorly, but at the same time, there are definitely people who judge me based on who I am now.

Knowing that encourages me to work on improving myself even more.

“Hehe.”

“What’s so funny?”

Shirayuki tilted her head as she saw me smile. I told her that there was no specific reason, but I explained why I laughed.

“Normally people would just say my evaluation is the lowest. It could be said that it’s not my evaluation but Arashi’s… Yeah. The way Shirayuki plainly says it like that is charming.”

“…Actually, I thought I might have said too much after I said it.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. Like I said, sometimes the charm of Shirayuki is that you say things that are a bit poisonous. I’ve been missing that strict side of you lately.”

“…Is that so?”

Lately, Shirayuki hasn’t been particularly strict with me.

Well, it’s not like I want her to be hard on me, but compared to before, she doesn’t say things like “try harder” or “you can do better” anymore.

“I don’t think I’ve changed, though. Touma-kun, you’re the one who spoils me, so I end up being sweet too.”

“Am I spoiling you that much?”

As I say that, I realize there are various instances that come to mind.

It’s not just with Hisui, but generally when we’re at home, they are around me… So, I often find myself touching them in a really casual manner, hugging them, expressing gratitude for everyday things… I guess I do touch them a lot, even in non-sexual ways.

“It’s when you casually touch me or talk to me. I’ve noticed that your ‘thank you’ carries a lot of weight.”

“Eh? Isn’t that normal?”

“It’s normal… Yes, it is. Saying thanks is not a rare thing. But in your case, it’s genuinely heartfelt, and your voice is so tender it’s captivating… We’d be ruined if you thank us like that while hugging or touching us in a pleasant way.”

…That’s what she said.

But… there’s no way I can stop that.

Neither as a man nor as someone who loves them can I stop.

“So, are we a foolish couple for now?”

“You could say that. We’re deeply devoted, after all.”

Being a “foolish couple” might sound like a derogatory term, but from the perspective of the people involved, it might not be so bad.

Because it means that we’re a couple without any room for anyone else to come in.

“Once again, aren’t you thinking of something that makes me happy?”

Shirayuki pokes my chest and says that.

I’ve thought this before, but it seems my thoughts are easy to read, especially to Shirayuki.