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 ~ - 59

Chapter 59: My Tears Are Worth More Than Any Gemstones

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I was so shocked by Kokubun-kun’s story that I was at a complete loss for words for a while. Most of what he told me were things I had never known before. The reason Michihito became an outcast was because of that incident… The reason he was seriously injured was because of Shibuya-senpai…

My mind was on the verge of a panic attack.  But amidst it all, there was one thing I understood immediately. The fact that I was the one who ruined Michihito’s life.

Because… Isn’t that right?

Shibuya-senpai’s target was me. And yet, Michihito and Akari got caught up in it. My “ability” drove Shibuya-senpai insane, and that same Shibuya-senpai destroyed Michihito and the others’ lives. So that was how it was… No wonder Akari has been so harsh toward me…

In the end, that incident was caused by my “ability” after all…

“Sarashina, do you know why I came to see you today?”

Kokubun-kun looked at me with a serious gaze on his face. I already knew. Kokubun-kun knew about my “ability.” And because of that, he had uncovered the truth behind this whole incident. That the root cause of everything… was me.

“…You came to tell me that I ruined Michihito’s life, didn’t you?”

I lowered my head weakly. I was sure my voice was trembling. I no longer had the strength to act strong, like I had before this conversation started.

“…I get it. I won’t go near Michihito anymore. So just… Please forgive me. I’m really… really sorry.”

I had braced myself for any kind of reprimand. Because I understood now just how much Kokubun-kun truly cared about Michihito… But instead, he quietly shook his head.

“If anything, it’s the opposite.”

“…Huh?”

“I came to tell you that even during that incident, Michihito still protected you, Sarashina.”

“…………”

“Shibuya went out of control probably because of your ‘ability.’ And as a result, Michihito was attacked by him and got hurt. That much is true. But…”

He paused for a moment, then looked straight into my eyes and said:

“It’s also an undeniable fact that Michihito protected you from Shibuya.”

“T-That’s… No… That’s… You’re wrong!”

I shook my head furiously.

“…No. It’s the truth. If Michihito hadn’t stopped Shibuya back then, he would have shown up at your place.”

“…But… Michihito never told me anything about that.”

“He probably kept quiet for your sake, Sarashina. That’s just the kind of guy he is.”

“Then… that means…”

“Michihito has been your hero ever since that day.”

The moment I heard those words, I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore. I wondered what kind of feelings Kokubun-kun had as he watched me sobbing. Did he think it was strange that the girl who rejected Michihito was crying? No… I was sure he understood everything and still chose to come to me. And on top of that, he told me the truth… To make sure I knew.

Michihito had stayed silent about that incident so I wouldn’t feel responsible, while Kokubun-kun had told me about it because he genuinely cared about me and Michihito. If I had met them under different circumstances, would we have gone to karaoke together? Would we have watched fireworks side by side? Would I have been able to see a different future than this?

Ah… It really, really hurts… That I can’t be Michihito’s girlfriend…

“Information Broker-san, thank you for this wonderful piece of information.”

I no longer tried to hide my tears, because I realized I couldn’t lie to Kokubun-kun anymore.

Thank you, Kokubun-kun. I’m truly grateful. Thank you for telling me the truth about that incident. I will accept the fact that I have derailed Michihito’s life and at the same time, I will also accept the fact that Michihito has saved me.

I felt the coldness in my heart warm up just a little. 

Yeah. It seems… I feel better now, although just a little bit. After all, Michihito really is my prince. Even when we’re apart, he still lifts me up like this. He is someone truly, truly precious to me… Someone I truly, truly love.

“Hmm… I see.”

I wondered if my face looked that slovenly. Kokubun-kun peered at my face with an amused look before suddenly breaking into a grin.

“W-What?”

“I was just thinking… So this is the smile that made Michihito fall for you.”

“Wha— What are you even saying all of a sudden?! I’m literally crying right now!”

“But you looked incredibly cute just now.”

I could feel my face rapidly heating up.

“Y-You’re such an idiot! Flirting with your best friend’s girl? That’s seriously the worst! Filthy! Pervert!”

“You’re not his girl yet, though. That means it’s perfectly acceptable for me to hit on you.”

We both burst into laughter. It had been so long since I’d laughed so freely like this. It felt kind of strange. And yet… When I thought about Michihito, I still couldn’t stop myself from smiling.

This feeling… I don’t think I can ever suppress it. I have to bring closure to these emotions… I have to. After all, so many people are supporting me.

“Speaking of which, I still haven’t received my payment.”

Kokubun-kun suddenly put on a mischievous smirk, as if he’d just remembered something.

“I’ve already received something so precious, so… If it’s not something perverted, I might just let you have whatever you want.”

I smiled playfully, and Kokubun-kun…

“Alright then…”

After a thoughtful pause, he said.

“How about this? Sarashina, tell Michihito ‘thank you.’”

“Thank you…? For what exactly?”

“It doesn’t have to be for anything specific. You could thank him for saving you during that incident or for loving you.”

“But that means…”

Do I even have the right to thank him? I’ve rejected Michihito. I even told him “I don’t like you,” and I’ve deliberately pushed him away. How could I possibly have the audacity to say “thank you” to him now…? Kokubun-kun must have noticed my hesitation….

He continued on.

“I’m gonna be honest… Sarashina, I want you to seriously face your feelings of ‘like’ toward Michihito again.”

“…My feelings of ‘like’…”

“Of course, I understand that you thought this through seriously and made your decision with Michihito’s best interests in mind…”

“…………”

“But to me, it looks like you’re running away from the feeling of ‘liking’ someone. I don’t think you’re doing it consciously. It’s more like a habit you’ve developed over the course of your life. Does that sound familiar to you? For example, whenever someone confesses to you, you dismiss everything as just being because of your ‘ability’ and never take their feelings or your own feelings seriously.”

“…………”

“I get it. Having that kind of ‘ability’ must make things difficult. But… This might come across a little harsh, it’s also partly because you can’t bring yourself to believe in the feeling of ‘liking’ someone. That hesitation… It’s coming from your own weakness, isn’t it?”

“…………”

“It’s not like I’m just siding with Michihito because he’s my best friend, but I just can’t see his feelings for you as anything but genuine.”

“…………”

“That’s why… If what I said today makes you reconsider it even a little… I want you to tell him how you feel. And instead of saying ‘I’m sorry,’ I’d be really happy if you could say ‘Thank you’ instead. That’s the price I’m asking for this information.”

He had emphasized the word “price,” but to me, his words didn’t sound like they were coming from Kokubun-kun the ‘Information Broker.’ They were coming from Kokubun-kun, Michihito’s ‘best friend.’

“…I get it. I don’t have the courage yet, but… Someday… When I can forgive myself…”

He smiled gently and gave me a small nod.

“Ah… also, Kokubun-kun.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“Um… Could you not tell Michihito that I cried today…?”

Hearing that, Kokubun-kun widened his eyes in surprise, then laughed like he found it genuinely amusing.

“Haha, of course. Do I look like the kind of guy who just blabs everything?”

“You embarrassed me at the batting center, didn’t you? And today, you’re meeting me in secret from Michihito, aren’t you?”

“Well, when you put it that way, I guess I don’t have much of a comeback… But your tears? Those are top secret. Not even that idiot Michihito could afford to pay the price for them in this lifetime.”

“Fufu~ My tears are worth more than any gemstones, you know.”

“No doubt about it.”

And with that, Kokubun-kun and I parted ways in the classroom. By the time I headed home, the rain that had been falling in a steady drizzle had completely stopped.

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