The Reason Why I was Cheated on By My Girlfriend - Chapter 20

According to Plan

Kaguya Sakashita’s POV

The Sakashita family has a basement in their house.

When Kaguya returns home, she takes a shower, changes into comfortable clothes, and heads to the basement.

The basement resembles a small library.

It’s the study that Kaguya’s grandfather loved to use when he was alive.

Kaguya’s parents aren’t particularly fond of books.

However, as a granddaughter who adores her grandfather, Kaguya became quite the bookworm, bringing in new books every time she received pocket money.

She loves the smell of books. Being in the study, filled with books, makes her feel at ease. Therefore, she uses the study not only for reading but also when she wants to concentrate.

For instance, studying.

Or, thinking.

Click, click, click.

The clicking sound, like a second hand on a clock, comes from the corner of the room.

It’s the ballpoint pen that Kaguya, who is facing down on the desk, gripping tightly.

Kaguya is resting her left cheek on her notebook, deep in thought.

“Could it be drugs or perhaps a sexually transmitted disease?”

She eventually murmurs her conclusion.

Of course, it’s about Yua. Kaguya’s remarkable deductive skills has led her to this answer from just a small amount of information.

Kaguya reviews her thoughts like reviewing a test, checking her reasoning from the beginning.

“Haruki-san saw Yua doing X. My question was about a kiss. The response was a bitter yes. They didn’t go to school yesterday and went to the hospital. Haruki-san contacted me in the early morning. The day before yesterday, only Haruki-san came to school. That day, probably, after returning home, Haruki-san talked to Yua-san. At that time, Yua-san revealed the truth that made her to miss school and go to the hospital.”

Click, click, click.

The clicking sound of the ballpoint pen continues.

“There’s zero chance it was an affair with a specific man. I’m certain that it was with multiple men. She needs continuous treatment and it’s something that can’t be shared with others…”

Kaguya calmly puts her thoughts into words.

“X is sexual intercourse. After learning the situation, Haruki-san chose to go to the hospital right away. Yua-san’s motives should also be considered. The reason Yua-san, who likes Haruki-san, had sex with so many people is…”

Click, click, click.

The clicking sound becomes more frequent.

Kaguya closes her eyes and gets deep in thought.

“Let’s assume it’s a sexual assault occurred in the past, not recently. There was nothing unusual about Yua-san. If she had been sexually assaulted multiple times, that would be strange. It was probably a one-time incident. After that, the mentally unstable Yua-san might have voluntarily had sex with different men? Why? It’s incomprehensible. There’s the possibility of drugs. Regardless of the truth, Yua-san has been hiding things from Haruki-san, interacting with him as usual, while secretly being involved with many men—”

With a sharp sound, the pen is stabbed into the notebook.

“Disgusting.”

Click, click, click.

“Even though Haruki-san likes her so much.”

Click, click, click.

“Even though Haruki-san cherishes her so much.”

Click, click, click.

“Even though I endured so much!”

Click, click, click.

“But Haruki-san is such a wonderful person. Normally, hearing such things would only cause someone to be upset and unable to do anything.”

Click, click, click.

“Even if they asked adults for help, it would only increase Yua-san’s burden. In any case, the only thing that can be done is to contact the police. However, to get the police involved, they need to prove that she is a victim. Considering that she had relationships with multiple people, there is a possibility that it might work against her. Even if they are able to bring the perpetrator to justice, it would not solve any of Yua-san’s personal issues.”

Click, click, click.

“Ah, so that’s why they went to the hospital. Yua-san’s recovery is Haruki-san’s top priority. He wants to resolve this matter with the least burdensome way for Yua-san. He probably chose a specialized hospital and minimized the number of people involved. Ah, I see. That’s why he explained to me that he needs to accompany Yua-san to the hospital for her regular visits. Haruki-san has decided to support Yua-san until she returns to normal. Carrying all the burden alone…”

Click, click, click.

“How foolish. Isn’t that the hardest choice for you, Haruki-san? If something goes wrong, both Yua-san and Haruki-san will go down together.”

Click, click, click.

“If Haruki gets tired of all this, who will be able to help him?”

Click, click, click.

“No one else but me, right?”

Click, click, click.

“I’m the only one who can understand Haruki-san right now.”

Click, click, click.

“What I need to be careful about is not having sex with Haruki-san. As long as sex remains something special to Haruki-san, it’s unlikely that he’ll cross the line with Yua-san. However, it’s only a matter of time.”

Click, click, click.

“I will win Haruki-san’s heart before the two of them get into a relationship. And I will make sure Yua-san witnesses the whole process. Fufufu, foolish Yua-san. You’ve made most difficult decision. It’s painful to see someone you love getting along with another girl. I understand that really well. But it’s a regrettable situation. If we could have known each other in another way, I’m sure we could’ve been good friends. But this time, you’re my enemy. I won’t let you get away. You will definitely face the consequences for making Haruki sad.”

Click, click, click.

“The expression you had on your face as you left the classroom was wonderful. I want to distort it even more. But Haruki-san, was it really okay leaving Yua-san alone? Were you reassured because it was during daytime at school? Or was it simply because you didn’t have the time to think it through? Perhaps the psychological damage is greater than I imagined. …ah, Haruki-san. I want to hold you in my arms right now and comfort you.”

Click, click, click.

“…hmm?”

The sensation in Kaguya’s hand has changed.

Finally, Kaguya realized what she has been doing.

“Oh no! I’ve done it again…ahhh, there’s a new hole in Grandpa’s precious desk!?”

Kaguya looks at the desk in a panic.

“Which of these holes are the ones from today?”

There are so many that it’s impossible to tell.

“Ah, this is my fault…”

Kaguya gets off the chair and puts her hands on the floor, looking very dejected.

“If people knew the real me, surely no one would ever love me.”

Suddenly, Kaguya sits up.

“But if it’s him…if it’s Haruki-san…”

Then, on her knees, she brings her hands together and looks up at the sky like a nun praying to God.

“Haruki-san, do you remember? What you said to me?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

—it was when they were both first-year students.

“…umm.”

In the library, alone together.

While borrowing a book, Kaguya asked Haruki,

‘Should I be more sociable?’

Haruki responded while scanning the barcode.

‘Do you act differently when you’re reading a book?’

‘…what do you mean?’

As Kaguya tilted her head, Haruki smiled and said,

‘If that’s your true self, I don’t think you need to change.’

‘…however, it seems that I’m not very well liked.’

At that time, Kaguya was worried about being isolated and not having any friends.

It’s not like she was struggling with anything in particular, but she was feeling lonely like anyone else.

‘Umm, have you had a fight with someone?’

‘…no, I’m actually worried about not having anyone to fight with in the first place.’

To Kaguya, Haruki said,

‘Well, you should try talking to someone.’

‘…but, I’m not very pleasant to be around.’

‘That’s okay. I have plenty of friends who aren’t exactly nice either.’

Then, Haruki continued,

‘I like you when you’re reading a book, Sakashita-san. You seem to be having fun.’

It was the very words Kaguya wanted to hear the most at that time.

‘If that’s your true self, I’m sure it will be fine. After all, relationships where you have to act are just a drag.’

‘…you’re right. That’s very helpful.’

Kaguya took the book and bowed to Haruki.

‘Thank you very much.’

She left the library quickly.

From that day on, Kaguya started to be aware of Haruki.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Before I knew it, I was following him with my eyes.

I was always looking for a chance to start a conversation.

The more I got to know him, the more I was drawn to him.

Before I knew it, I was in love.

I was happy.

I understood that Haruki’s words had no special meaning. Still, it felt like I was finally being acknowledged for who I truly am, and that made me happy.

Kaguya Sakashita was an honor student.

Being both talented and beautiful, she was praised not only by adults but also by her classmates.

She was acting in order to meet the expectations of those around her.

Kaguya is really popular. From around the time she entered middle school, she started receiving confessions on a daily basis. Each time she rejected them, she was scorned by her classmates. Eventually, she began to find relationships troublesome.

Unconsciously, Kaguya began to push people away.

Once she became a high school student, she spent all her time reading books in the library.

Kaguya loves books. When she is reading, she can be her true self.

She is accepted for being that way.

For Kaguya, that was special.

And that’s why—

“If it makes Haruki-san happy, then that’s fine.”

That’s why she is so angry.

“I will never let that woman have Haruki-san.”

That’s why, on that day, she spoke to Haruki.

“…so far, things are pretty much going according to plan.”

She stands up and sits back down in the chair.

Then she opens her notebook, now full of holes, and picks up a new ballpoint pen.

“The only thing that is not going as planned is Haruki-san’s heart.”

She writes his name in the notebook and encircles it with a heart.

Looking at it with a dreamy expression, she murmurs,

“Haruki-san, I love you.”