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 ~ - 37-38

Chapter 37: This Is All My Fault

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“It looks like I made it just in time.”

I quickly ran over to Kisara and called out to her. I first saw Kisara and Makabe from the second floor of the school building. By then, Kisara was already being cornered to the wall by Makabe. Even from the second floor, I could see tears streaming down her face. I judged that I wouldn’t make it in time even if I were to run with all of my might now, so I locked onto Makabe’s glasses with the airgun I had prepared in advance for situations like this. My hot hit its target perfectly and it seemed I had managed to save Kisara just in the nick of time.

Just as I expected, all those times playing shooting games were not for naught. My efforts paid off. I glared at Makabe as I stood up in front of Kisara, taking a protective stance. She was pale and looked absolutely terrified. 

“Makabe… Grabbing a girl’s hand forcefully in a deserted place without any people like this is not something a man should do, you know?”

Makabe, who had been pressing his hand against his face while shouting, “My eyes… My eyes…” reacted to my voice and looked up. 

His glasses were shattered beyond recognition. No one could tell the shape of his glasses used to be. 

“That voice… Is that you, Naruse?!”

Makabe must be extremely nearsighted. Just having his glasses broken was enough to prevent him from recognizing me properly. Sure, it was just an airgun, but I was hesitant to hit him directly. So, I aimed for his glasses instead. Thankfully, I was able to do a perfect shot.

“That’s right. So, Makabe, why did you do something like this? Come on, I will give you a chance to explain yourself. You have three minutes.”

“It’s none of your business.”

Makabe completely ignored my question, acting completely disinterested at me. Even though he had made Kisara cry.. His attitude was not it.

Bam!

“Hiii-!”

I fired another shot as a warning, barely grazing him. At the sound of the airgun bullet, Makabe let out a pathetic scream. 

“I will ask you once more. Why did you do that? If you’re not going to answer my question properly, I will aim for your ear next.”

I could feel my anger bubbling steadily inside of me. Originally, I had planned to help Kisara in a more nonchalant attitude, but it seemed I wouldn’t be able to keep my cool for long.

“Hey! Answer me!”

“Of course it’s because you’re dating Sarashina-san!”

In response to my voice, Makabe yelled back, as if he had finally given up the pretense. 

“And what about that? I don’t see why the fact that I’m dating Kisara can give you a reason to do something like this?”

I asked back, glaring Makabe straight in his eyes. 

“…Because I like Sarashina-san.”

Upon hearing those words, I could feel something snapped inside of me. 

He likes Kisara…? And just for that reason alone, he thinks he has the right to do something like this to her?

I lunged at Makabe, grabbing him by the collar.

“Are you blind?! Can’t you see Kisara’s face? Can’t you see how scared she was when you cornered her? Didn’t you see her tears?! How dare you force your ‘love’ on her without considering how she feels! You’re only going to make Kisara hate you more and more! That’s not real love! If you really love Kisara then-“

“STOP IT!!!”

Startled, I stopped my hand at Kisara’s voice. It seemed I had completely lost my cool in the heat of the moment. I was about to hit Makabe with my fist. Kisara’s scream echoed through the school building and a brief silence ensued between us all. 

“…Sorry. I got a bit heated here.”

When Kisara saw the expression on my face, she shook her head. 

“No, it’s okay…”

I couldn’t tell what she was feeling. Her expression was hard to read. Upon seeing that expression on her face, I lost the desire to do anything further to Makabe. 

“…Let’s go.”

I said as I released my grip on Makabe to walk toward Kisara. Then, I gently nudged her in the direction of home. However, she was hesitating. She didn’t move her feet. 

“Kisara…?”

I called out to her again, but Kisara suddenly ran toward Makabe. Then, she bowed deeply to him.

“Makabe-kun… I… I’m sorry. This is all my fault, so… Please don’t think badly of Michihito-kun. You can resent me as much as you want, but please don’t drag Michihito-kun into this…”

Huh…? What’s the meaning of this? What is she talking about?

“Makabe-kun… Please.”

I couldn’t hide my confusion at this unexpected turn of events.

Why is Kisara apologizing to Makabe…? And why is she asking Makabe-kun not to drag me? Why is Kisara the one defending me instead? She’s the victim here… Or perhaps, did I jump to conclusions? Maybe Makabe wasn’t actually the bad guy…? No. I know I’m not wrong. Kisara was definitely crying. She didn’t want Makabe, so… What’s the meaning of this?

Kisara returned to my side, but she still didn’t show any sign of wanting to explain anything to me.

“…Let’s go home.”

On our way back home, I asked Kisara to explain everything to me, but in the end, she refused to say anything. She just kept her head down as she walked. We silently retraced our usual route home. 

Kisara’s voice echoed in my mind. She said it was all her fault… 

While still tasting this bitter aftertaste in my mouth, I watched Kisara as she went on her way back home.

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Chapter 38: Treat Me Like a Princess

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The Sunday following the Makabe incident, Kisara and I were swaying along in a train. It was because she had suddenly declared, “I want to see the ocean.” I had tried to reason with her, saying, “You can see the ocean anytime,” but that wasn’t the point, apparently. In the end, we settled on a day trip to Onomichi, a place where we could take in the sea.

Onomichi, in Hiroshima Prefecture, was an incredibly famous tourist spot, often chosen as the setting for numerous films. The view from the observatories overlooking the Seto Inland Sea was simply breathtaking. Lately, the town had also gained popularity as a “city of cats,” and something called “Cat Alley” had even been established.

By now, Kisara and I had grown completely used to our “pretend couple” dynamic. We each claimed a window seat in a box compartment, looking outside whenever we wanted and chatting whenever the mood struck. At some point, I had come to really like this kind of relationship.

“Hey… If you’re my boyfriend, shouldn’t you at least compliment my outfit sometimes?”

Hearing that, I took another proper look at what she was wearing. She was dressed more casually than usual, probably because we were going on a trip. She was wearing a classic sleeveless dress, breezy heeled sandals, and a straw hat to compliment the whole look. I found myself oddly pleased to see her wearing the Boston-style glasses we had picked out together before.

“It looks great on you. You look like a celebrity on a day off.”

“Then say that first from the start. If you say it now, it sounds like I forced you to say it.”

Leaning her elbow against the window frame, she pouted—looking both displeased and a little embarrassed.

“You’re keeping the hat on even inside the train?”

“Are you stupid? This is fashion. Taking off my hat in public would be like undressing in front of people.”

“Okay. Then what if you take your dress off but you keep the hat on?”

“Well, I’m not wearing anything underneath, so I’d get arrested.”

“Excuse me, could you come with me to the station for questioning?”

“The one getting arrested would be you, Michihito-kun. For indecent assault.”

“That phrase sounds way too real. Please don’t joke about that.”

I pretended to be terrified exaggeratedly and she chuckled in a refined, elegant manner. It seemed Kisara was in her Elegant Mode today.

“By the way, I’ve noticed you don’t read light novels around me anymore. I was sure you’d bring one for a long train ride like this.”

“It’s not like I’ve stopped completely, but lately, I’ve been too busy keeping up with this pretend couple act.”

“Huh. You used to sneak glances at your books even during our first date, but I guess people change.”

She shot me a teasing, half-lidded glare.

“Right now, I’m focusing on applying all the romance knowledge I’ve gained from light novels to make this pretend relationship work. It’s my practical application phase.”

“Oh, I see. So I should expect a very well-thought-out adult date plan today?”

“Uh… Well, I did book a hotel.”

“I’m going home.”

“I’m joking! This is a day trip only, okay?!”

“So, what’s the plan?”

“Given the time constraints, we’ll have lunch upon arrival, explore Cat Alley, then take the ropeway up to the observatory park.”

“Hmm. Acceptable.”

“I’m honored to have met your approval.”

“And the ocean?”

“…Huh?”

“The ocean?”

“The view from the observatory offers a spectacular seascape!”

“I was picturing a beach where I could wade my feet in the water.”

“Regrettably, given your outfit today, that would result in wet footwear…”

“Fine. Oh, that reminds me… I just had a great idea.”

“A great idea?”

“I like this exchange. For today, you must treat me like a princess.”

“Wait… Isn’t that always the case?”

“What did you say again?”

“As you command.”

“Good. Handle everything accordingly.”

Looking satisfied, Kisara gazed out the window.

Wait… We’re just joking around, but does she really expect me to keep this up all day? I don’t think my vocabulary is sophisticated enough for this… I wonder, what’s going to happen on today’s trip?

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