The Reason Why The Cool Beauty Who Repeatedly Ignores Messages Replies Only To Me. ~The Lonely Beauty Wants To Know The Lonely Me〜 - Chapter 14

Episode 14: Saeki’s Kindness

“Y-You’re talking…”

Machibari was surprised, fidgeting with her hands.

“Are you okay, Machibari?”

Is Saeki talking considered surprising…?

Having gotten used to conversing with Saeki, Machibari’s reaction seemed exaggerated to me.

“Is it really that surprising?”

“Well! Saeki-san usually just shakes her head or answers in a low voice…”

It is unclear why Saeki started speaking in front of Machibari.

Did she acknowledge Machibari as someone she doesn’t need to be wary of…?

“…Machibari-san.”

“W-What?”

“Did Okami-kun do something weird to you?”

“H-He didn’t do anything weird…”

Machibari stuttered while giving me a sidelong glance.

Feeling embarrassed, I scratched my head.

“You guys need to stop embarrassing yourselves like you’re in some R-15 teenage manga.”

“I-I’m not ashamed of anything!”

“Is there something you can’t tell me? …Did he touch your butt or something?”

“Isn’t that just a pervert?”

Saeki stepped away from me and stared intently at Machibari’s skirt.

“If he didn’t touch you, did he grab you aggressively?”

“It’s not about how he touched me!! And I wasn’t touched in the first place!”

“That’s right. Okami wouldn’t do something like that.”

“You think you know something about Okami-kun?”

“Don’t you go saying that, you!”

I wish she’d stop suddenly acting like she knows everything about me.

Perhaps because Saeki and I were naturally conversing, Machibari stared at us with a puzzled expression.

“Do you always talk to Saeki-san like this, Okami?”

“W-Well…”

“We’re just on the executive committee together. Machibari-san, don’t misunderstand.”

That’s right, Saeki.

So, stop sending me incomprehensible Lime messages and stop replying to my Limes.

“Okami-kun too… getting too carried away.”

It seems Saeki thought I was getting carried away.

I have no such intentions.

Saeki says, “Let’s quickly pay the bill,” and turns on her heel.

Jeez, what’s with Saeki?

Machibari and I head to the register, feeling awkward about the earlier conversation.

✳︎✳︎

After putting away the shopping items in the classroom, we left the school building.

Machibari, perhaps feeling uncomfortable with me, said, “I have something to do, so I’ll head home first,” and quickly walked away.

“You let her get away, huh? What dirty tricks did you play on Machibari-san?”

“I didn’t do anything.”

Saeki shrugs her shoulders and starts walking towards the school gate.

I walk behind Saeki, as if stepping on her shadow.

Then Saeki’s shadow stops in front of the school gate.

“When I said, ‘just a working relationship’ in front of Machibari-san earlier, it was for your sake.”

“…For my sake?”

“Because you seek solitude… I thought it would be pitiful if you were misunderstood for being too friendly with me.”

So, Saeki was being considerate.

“I understand your feelings… That’s why I don’t want to cause you any trouble.”

I never thought Saeki had kindness in her.

The aloof beauty. The habitual read-and-ignore offender.

I thought Yukine Saeki was a person with no interest or care in anything.

But ever since I started talking to Saeki, I realized she’s surprisingly humane.

“Saeki is kind, huh.”

“I’m being kind to you, so savor that joy.”

She’s being so smug…

I take back what I said earlier.

“I’m going home.”

“Y-Yeah.”

“…You’re the one who’s too kind.”

With that, Saeki walked away quickly.

Am I kind…?

That word doesn’t suit me.

I headed towards the bus stop.

✳︎✳︎

—Two weeks later.

Perhaps because my classmates sympathized with me, many of them joined in the after-school preparations, and the preparations for the cultural festival progressed smoothly and were completed on time.

Since the extroverts were pushing for a cafe, they took care of the menu and other preparations themselves, and preparations were underway without my knowledge.

Then, on the day of the cultural festival, Harada from the back called me with a smile full of mischief.

“Hey, Okami. Check out this maid outfit.”

Harada took out an outrageous costume with a heart-shaped opening at the chest from his bag.

“What’s this… The girls will be mad.”

“This is a costume for Saeki-san. You’re going to help me dress Saeki-san in this.”

What nonsense is he saying again?

“Sorry for asking after the preparations, but Saeki and I will be doing rounds as part of the committee and won’t be serving customers.”

“Huh…”

[Afterword]

Tired.

Thank you for reading the new piece!

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