The Reason Why I was Cheated on By My Girlfriend - Chapter 21

The Beginning of a Distorted Relationship

Azuki Akiho’s POV

My name is Akizuki Akiho.

Right now, I’m killing time in the library reading a light novel.

It’s so unfair.

They told us to form groups of three or more.

In this school, second-years always have a field trip every year, and in the week leading up to it, the fifth period is used for the preparation.

Today is the first day of the preparation. Once you’ve submitted your group members and chosen a destination, the class is over.  Groups can be anywhere from three to five people, and they can be from different classes. The destinations are selected from a list provided by the school.

Those who can’t find a group on the first day will be automatically placed in one on the second day. It’s like a messed-up lottery where all the loners get lumped together.

In other words, there’s nothing for me to do today.

Damn, being a loner is very difficult.

“Ah, are you alone, Sakashita-san? How about joining our group?”

—wait, is that…!?

Sakashita Kaguya! Her beauty has captivated everyone since the day she enrolled. When everyone knows that she spends a lot of her time in the library, everyone suddenly wants to become a library committee member.

The most famous incident is probably the time when a handsome third-year tried to hit on her, but she just kept reading silently without even a polite smile.

Of course, I’ve never spoken to her myself, but there’s a rumour that anyone who sees her smile will win the lottery because she’s known to be so quiet and cold.

“Hey, Sakashita-san, it’s kind of sad if you just ignore us.”

As expected from Sakashita-san! She remains completely unfazed by this player’s advances!

“Kaguya, sorry to keep you waiting.”

—wait, is that…!?

Haruki Ogura and Yua Niimi! They’re the most popular couple in the second year. Everyone knows them!

Even though they deny being in a relationship, those two are famous for making everyone around them feel like they’re the ‘background characters in a romantic comedy, desperately trying to ignore the couple flirting during class!’.

Seriously, just disappear already!

“Haruki-san! And Yua-san, too!”

—in that instant, the library is filled with astonishment.

“Haruki-san, please sit over here.”

“Ummm…what about those two?”

“It’s okay, I don’t even know them.”

Kaguya Sakashita says so with a smile on her face.

I can hear countless whispers at that moment.

Wait, no way, did Sakashita-san smile just now?

And did Ogura-kun just call her ‘Kaguya’?

Sakashita-san even called him ‘Haruki’ as well…

Wait a minute, isn’t he supposed to be dating Niimi-san?

Well, they both deny it…

But that’s about as believable as a teacher saying, ‘If you’re not honest, you’ll get in trouble!’

(…w-what’s going on here?)

The three of them instantly becomes the centre of attention.

“Whaaat? Sakashita-san, if you’re already in a group with Ogura-chi, you should’ve said so!”

“…I’m sorry, but who are you?”

Sakashita-san is so cold. Scary. If it were me, I’d be in tears.

“Ogura-chii~, Sakashita-san is so scaaarry~!”

“You should really stop talking like that.”

“Whaaat!?”

Is that guy trying to be a comedian or something?

“Ogura-chi, you’ve got three people, right? There are just the two of us, why not be in a group together?”

“Sorry, try asking someone else.”

“Come on, man, help me out here!”

He’s not giving up. Impressive. Persistent.

Still, it’s surprising that Ogura-kun is friends with that flashy guy too. As rumoured, he’s got a lot of friends.

“No chance, huh…well, we’ll find someone else. Sorry for the trouble~”

“Don’t come back.”

The flashy guy is successfully repelled.

Afterwards, Niimi-san asks Ogura-kun.

“Hey, Haru-kun. Is that guy your friend?”

“No, I don’t know him. Just talked to him for the first time.”

His social skills are off the charts!

Where can I buy that skill!?

“Haruki-san, have you decided where you want to go?”

“Not yet. I’m planning to take a look of the list now.”

“In that case, how about this publishing company?”

Wait, I can’t handle this. Sakashita-san is so cute.

What is this? She’s like a completely different person, the difference is unreal!

“I’m fine with that, but…”

Ogura-kun looks at Niimi-san.

“I don’t have anywhere in mind either.”

“Then, it’s decided!”

That’s way too fast. Is this what it’s like for people on a different level?

But seriously, I’m shocked.

Sakashita-san is quitting being a loner? What’s going on?

They seem really close with each other…I wonder what’s the deal with those three?

“Then, let’s start preparing for the presentation!”

Sakashita-san suggested so.

The field trip doesn’t just end there. The real challenge begins afterward with the presentation.

First, the groups are divided into ten groups for the preliminary round. The groups that pass will then move on to the final round, where they will present in front of the entire second-year class. Finally, the team that wins the grand prize will receive a luxurious reward.

Well, that’s a world unrelated to me though.

I’m sure those sparkly groups will win the grand prize.

Damn it. The world is so unfair.

The ones who get to shine are always the people who are sparkling from the start. They should just disappear.

“By the way, Haruki-san, are you free next Sunday?”

Oh, the conversation continues.

Sunday…could there be someone so popular that they have plans on weekends too?

“If you’re free, would you like to go on a date with me?”

──clatter!

Many students stand up at once.

Ogura-kun flinches, his shoulders are shaking in shock.

Then he looks around with a confused expression on his face.

Silence.

Then, someone speaks.

“Harukii~!?”

Dozens of student swarms around him.

Then, the questioning…no, the interrogation of Okura-gun begins.

──I saw it.

Niimi-san is pressing her lips tightly together and lowers her gaze.

Seeing this, Sakashita-san has a look of ecstasy on her face.

Both of the expressions lasted only for a moment.

But it’s enough to figure out what’s going on.

…sorry for telling you to disappear.

I leave the library.

Just seeing that makes my stomach ache.

…I’ve always been good at reading people’s expressions.

Hehe, maybe I should become a mentalist in the future.

“Hmm? By any chance, are you alone?”

…eh, umm, ah.

Akizuki Akiho, seventeen years old.

The greatest crisis of my life has begun.

—the image of Kaguya and Yua reflected in Akizuki Akiho’s eyes is accurate.

It’s not a sweet and sour love triangle like in a shoujo manga.

Instead, it’s a complex web of emotions among the three, creating a very distorted relationship. Moreover, it evolves over time.

A time that the three of them will never forget is about to begin.