The Charm of the Popular Beautiful Succubus in Class Doesn't Work on Me ~ For Some Reason, This Beauty Keeps Trying to Hold My Hand ~ - 17

Chapter 17: I’ll Say It Just One More Time

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“Don’t look that sad.”

It was her who broke the silence. 

“…No, I mean, I’m sorry…”

“No, I’m the one who’s sorry.”

“…Akanashi.”

“I know. I know it’s really incredulous of me to bring up the past this late in the game. I’m  even trying to seduce you in the classroom after school like this…”

I couldn’t say anything in return. When I tried to find the right words and looked at her, she wasn’t looking at me anymore. Instead, she was just staring at the sky, where a light rain continued to fall. An awkward silence filled the space. Once again, it was Akanashi who broke the silence.

“After all this time, of course any feelings you have for me would’ve faded by now. When I think about how I could’ve responded to your feelings back then… I become very frustrated with myself.”

She said while biting her lips. Then, she turned her body in a deliberate way to face me.

“Or…”

She continued on.”

“Is it because time has passed or is it because you’ve found someone else that you like…?”

Akanashi said with a small smile on her face. She was giving me upturned eyes, her gaze felt almost probing. I shook my head at that, but before I could say ‘I don’t have anyone like that,’ she spoke first. 

“Could it be… Is it Kisara-chan?”

“…Huh?”

Not expecting that name to come up at this time, I was caught off guard. I ended up letting out a confused sound at that. 

“No, no, no, no way! Why Sarashina?!”

I shook my head vigorously, denying it with all my might.

“It’s really suspicious when you deny it so vehemently like that.”

She narrowed her eyes skeptically at me. 

“No, no. It’s really not like that. There’s nothing like that between me and Sarashina.”

“But you’ve been getting along pretty well with her lately, right? I see you two together a lot.”

“That’s because I’m being forced into it… Or something like that.”

“Is that so? Then why were you two pinching each other’s cheeks in the classroom?”

Akanashi said, the corner of her lips curled up into a small smile, but her eyes weren’t smiling at all.

“And also…”

She continued on.

“Actually, I saw you two shopping at the mall the other day. You two were having fun at the arcade, playing around and winning stuffed animals. No matter how I think about it, you two were on a date, right?”

It seemed Akanashi didn’t have any intention to let me off the hook. Her gaze grew sharper, and she had this confident attitude, as if to say, ‘I’ve got all the evidence, you can’t escape now.’

“You saw us?”

“I happened to see you two, yes.”

“You happened to see us at the arcade?”

“Ah… You must be thinking,’Is this girl that lonely to go to the arcade alone on weekends,’?”

“I’m not. I bet you were with someone too, right?”

“Oh? Are you curious? Do you want to know who I was with?”

I was at a loss for words at Akanashi’s slightly sulky response.

“You know, saying this myself will make me sound like a really mean girl, but… It’s better if you stay away from Kisara-chan, you know?”

“That sounds like something a defeated heroine in a romantic comedy would say… Are you okay?”

“Don’t make fun of me. I’m being serious.”

“I-I was just joking… By the way… Since you called her ‘Kisara-chan’ does that mean you two know each other?”

At my question, her expression briefly darkened.

“We were friends… Back then.”

“Back then…?”

Her words were filled with hidden meaning, so much so that I couldn’t stop myself from asking for more clarification.

“Exactly like what I said. It’s different now. Kisara-chan and I … We went to the same middle school.”

I didn’t know that Akanashi and Sarashina had attended the same middle school, but judging from her words alone, it was clear that something had happened between Akanashi and Sarashina in the past. It was also clear to see that Akanashi didn’t think highly of Sarashina.

I wonder if it’s okay if I ask more… But they always say girls’ fights are messy, so…

For a moment, I hesitated, but then I decided to ask anyway.

“Did something happen between you and Sarashina?”

At my question, Akanashi fell silent.

“So you haven’t heard anything from Kisara-chan,huh?”

After she said that, she had a look of pity as she walked toward the window. I didn’t understand the meaning behind her words. 

Sarashina is hiding something from me…?

Seeing my reaction, Akanashi nodded in understanding.

“In that case, it’s not my place to say anything about it. That’s… That’s the last promise I made with Kisara-chan. As her former friend, I understand Kisara-chan’s pain and I want to respect that.”

After she said that, Akanashi looked up at the sky, which was filled with dark clouds.

It seemed like she wasn’t going to tell me what happened between the two of them, no matter what. But there was still one more thing that bothered me.

“I understand that something happened between you two, but why did you tell me I should stay away from Sarashina?”

I asked and Akanashi Akanashi suddenly turned toward me. It seemed I had asked a question I shouldn’t have. Tears filled her eyes and her face was painted with sadness. 

“It’s because your life will become all messy, Naruse-kun…”

She said, choking on her words due to the tears.

“No matter how much I loved… No matter how much I loved Sarashina-chan… There are things I just can’t overlook!”

The intensity of her behavior left me speechless. I was so shocked that I couldn’t move. I stood there, frozen, as she walked up to me. Her feet made soft tapping sounds with each step. Then, at a distance so close it felt like she might touch me with just a sliver of breath, Akanashi leaned in and peered into my face.

“I will ask you again, Naruse-kun. You don’t like Kisara-chan,right?”

She asked while staring directly into my eyes.

“Yeah… I don’t like her.”

I met her gaze firmly and answered. I didn’t lie. That was the truth. I didn’t say that just because I was being considerate of Akanashi’s confession or because I was trying to hide my embarrassment with that lame excuse. I had to admit, I had been thinking more about Sarashina lately, but it wasn’t love. I didn’t know the name of this feeling yet, but I knew one thing for sure. I wouldn’t fall for someone so easily anymore. 

“I understand. I’ll trust your words, Naruse-kun. So… I want you to trust mine too. If you end up ‘liking’ Kisara-chan… Nothing could be done about it. You won’t be able to recover from it.”

After she said so, Akanashi let out a sigh and began walking toward the door. When she reached the door, she turned halfway to face me.

“I’ll say it one more time. Stay away from Kisara-chan. You might not understand what I’m talking about right now, but I’m saying this for your own good, Naruse-kun.”

Once she finished her piece, Akanashi turned her back to me completely.

“I… I’m willing to become a demon if I have to, as long as I can protect you, Naruse-kun.”

With those final words, Akanashi opened the door and left the classroom. The sound of her footsteps echoed hollowly through the dimly lit room as she ran away. Left alone in the classroom, I pondered over Akanashi’s words. 

My life would become a mess if I’m with Sarashina…? If I end up liking Sarashina, I won’t be able to recover from it…? 

There were so many things I didn’t understand. I was at a loss. Not to mention…The expression Akanashi had shown to me at the end just wouldn’t leave my mind.

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T/N: Well, Kisara’s charm ability is basically a mind-control ability, so…¯_(ツ)_/¯