“Hibari-chan, long time no see!”

After Yuji-sama went to the restroom… at just the right timing, a voice called out to me in a tone that suggested they knew me.

“…Who?”

I narrowed my eyes and spoke coldly with a single word.

If this would make them give up, that would be good, but… the man didn’t seem to mind and continued talking to me.

“How cruel. It’s me, me!”

“Is this some new type of ‘it’s me’ fraud?”

“No way! Geez… Hibari-chan is still as cold as ever. I’m Saionji Seiya!”

“…”

“Eh, you still don’t get it? Come on! I was your high school classmate and the popular guy in class!”

“Is that so.”

“That’s right!”

Even looking at him with cold eyes had no effect.

“Hey Seiya-kun~”

“Don’t leave me behind~”

This man was already troublesome enough, but people soon came from behind. Two women and one man. Without a doubt…

“You’re on a date with us, so don’t hit on other girls~”

“That’s cheating~”

“It’s not hitting on her~ This girl is a classmate from high school. Her name is Hibari-chan. She was like a flower on a high peak in our class~”

“Wow. She’s a beautiful person~”

“Really~ Her skin is so pretty too~”

I thought this was getting even more troublesome as the conversation was expanding.

“Hey, we’re being a bother. Let’s go already.”

The other man who came late seemed to have some sense… He was urging the three to leave quickly.

“Hah? Shut up. Who do you think you have to thank for your good position at the company?”

“T-that’s… thanks to Seiya, but…”

“It’s thanks to me, right? Then don’t butt into what I’m doing.”

“…S-sorry…”

I could somewhat understand the relationship between these people.

When the man who had been glaring turned to face me, his expression immediately became a pasted-on smile.

“Hibari-chan, what are you up to now?”

The conversation continued.

“Do I need to tell you?”

“I asked because I wanted to know. Is that bad?”

“I don’t want to tell you.”

“Hibari-chan is still as cold as ever~”

I wished he would finally understand the reason why I was being cold.

The man wouldn’t leave and only kept talking to me.

Rather than hitting on me… it felt like he wanted to seduce me no matter what and add me as one of these women.

“Even though Seiya-kun is kindly asking, you won’t answer~”

“Even if she looks good, having a bad attitude is just…”

The gazes of the two women with him were gradually becoming harsher toward me.

Their attitude of not thinking well of me and finding me annoying was obvious.

I’d often received such attitudes in high school too.

Popular boys in class or those at the top of the social hierarchy had often invited me to hang out after school, confessed to me, hit on me… that kind of thing used to happen frequently.

I wasn’t interested in any of it and found it unpleasant, so I’d always declined.

Such honest feelings.

However, it seemed to appear differently to those around me.

“Hey, not accepting the invitation from that ace of the soccer team, is that spite toward us?”

“Just because you have a pretty face doesn’t mean you should get cocky, okay?”

Because of that, I sometimes received jealousy and mild harassment from other girls.

High school held no good memories for me.

“Well then, let me talk about myself. I’m scheduled to take over my dad’s company. Our company is pretty big, you know. You know the Saionji Group, right? That place! I’m going to become the president there in the future~”

“Is that so.”

“Hibari-chan, if you’re having trouble finding work, I’ll hire you. Well, since Hibari-chan is cute, I’d make you my secretary or maid.”

“No, thank you.”

“You don’t need to be modest~”

“Hey hey~ Seiya-kun! Make me your maid instead of such a woman~”

“Make me your maid~ I’m a woman who would totally devote herself to you~”

“Hey hey, you two. Don’t cling to me in a place where people can see. Geez~”

The two women clung to the man, and I was forced to watch them being affectionate right in front of me. The one man left alone… was just standing there awkwardly.

I thought I could escape during this break in conversation. Usually, I would find this bothersome and deal with it quickly.

For some reason, I didn’t do that today.

Perhaps it was because the attitude of the man in front of me didn’t seem like someone else’s problem.

“Hey, maid. Hurry up and prepare the food.”

If it had been the former Yuji-sama, he might have become like the man in front of me.

With his position as the son of a major manufacturer, thinking he could control everything with money. Having women fawn over him with money, saying harsh things to people without thinking anything of it…

Yuji-sama might have become such a person.

But now it was different. No, that person was different.

“Sorry, but I had prior arrangements with her, so could you please leave?”

“!!”

Pat. A large hand was placed on my shoulder.

Looking up, I saw the most familiar face.

My first impression was definitely of a scary man. If he glared at you, most people would probably get scared and run away.

But those eyes and expressions unexpectedly changed frequently, and I never got tired of watching them.

And this person… unconsciously shook my heart—a bad person.

“I’ve rambled on, but basically… I understand Hibari. Hibari understands me. So… as fellow understanding people, let’s have a relationship without reserve or restraint!”

That time too.

“You’re beautiful and your body is incredibly lovely… if someone like Hibari does any more to a guy like me, my heart won’t be able to take it…”

That time too.

“I’m kind to you because you’re Hibari.”

That time too.

“Hibari, are you okay?”

And now too.

Just being spoken to somehow made my heartbeat quicken.

Uncharacteristic statements and uncharacteristic emotions overflowed from me.

But they weren’t lies.

If they weren’t lies, then already… My way of looking at Yuji-sama had already changed.

“Yuji-sama. You don’t need to be so considerate toward me… because I would always want to be together with you by your side.”

“Who the hell are you? Don’t butt into my business, the future president of the Saionji Group.”

“I’m Kasajima Yuji.”

That person—was the person I love.