When I Told the Most Beautiful Girl in the School That My Confession Had Failed, She Suddenly Started Coming at Me With Unbearably Heavy Feelings - Chapter 1: Heartbreak and Change

Chapter 1: Heartbreak and Change

“I’m sorry, Renji Hinate, I can’t go out with you.”

At midday, when the breeze carried the refreshing scent of green leaves, my love, Renji Hinate, came to an abrupt end.

During lunch break, as Nonoka Hoshiumi bowed her head before me, a crack ran through my heart.

I met Nonoka through our shared hobby of watching movies. Lately, we’d been growing closer, discussing films or going to the theater together.

The feelings I held for her were not mere friendship but something tender and faint.

From the way Nonoka looked at me and spoke to me, I felt something special that I didn’t sense from anyone else.

Unable to hold back any longer, I decided to confess, but it seems it was just me wrestling with my own feelings.

“…Can I ask why?”

“Well, it’s just…”

“Is it over yet?”

From behind Nonoka, who faltered over her words, a man appeared. His blindingly bright blond hair, piercings on his lips and earlobes—he was clearly from a different world than mine.

He grabbed Nonoka’s shoulder with a casual familiarity.

Ryoutarou Kamitsubaki. That was his name.

He was a student known for his flashy behavior and words, so even someone like me, not well-versed in social circles, knew of him.

“Hinate, right? Sorry, man, she’s my girl.”

“What…? You said you didn’t have a boyfriend…”

Nonoka’s downcast expression told the whole story.

A sharp pain stabbed my chest. An overwhelming urge to burst consumed me, and I pressed my hand to my chest to mask it.

I was someone who didn’t even deserve to know Nonoka’s truth.

Seeing my expression, Kamitsubaki flashed a smug, unpleasant grin.

“Well, that’s how it is, so don’t touch my girl. Haha, let’s go, Nonoka.”

Without a word, Nonoka walked away. All I could do was stare blankly at her retreating figure.

▼▽

That was the story from lunch.

The walk home after the heartbreak was rough.

My feet felt heavy as lead, and my gaze stayed glued to the ground. To others, I probably looked utterly miserable.

Somehow, I dragged myself to the station platform. A familiar voice reached my ears.

“…Please stop.”

“Come on, it’s fine! You’re cute, so just hang out with us for a bit. Just a little, that’s all.”

“Yeah, yeah, we won’t do anything bad. …Heck, bring a friend if you want.”

“…Ugh.”

A group of guys with flashy hair colors surrounded a girl.

Her uniform was familiar—the one from Amanogawa Academy, where I studied.

The girl, with her slender figure and deep navy hair, had eyes like the deep sea, pleading for help.

Everyone around pretended not to notice. …Honestly, that’s pathetic.

The guys reminded me of Kamitsubaki from earlier. My feet, no longer heavy, carried me toward them with purpose.

“Excuse me, you dropped something. …Your sense of respect for others.”

“Huh? Who’re you?”

“She’s saying no, isn’t she? Are you hard of hearing or something?”

“What’s that, kid? Stay out of it!”

“Oh, let me guess—you’re so unpopular at university that you’re out here hitting on girls to get a girlfriend? …Pretty pathetic.”

Provoking them to vent my earlier frustration, one of the guys grabbed my collar. He meant to intimidate me, but I didn’t flinch.

“I’ll call the police. Or, you know, if I yell, the station staff will come running.”

“You…!”

“Hey, let’s back off…”

One of the calmer guys intervened, and the one holding my collar let go. They glared at me as they left.

Once they were out of sight, I approached the girl still standing there.

“Being beautiful comes with its struggles, huh, Kisaragi?”

“…Thank you. If you hadn’t been there, I don’t know what would’ve happened…”

Bowing deeply was Rinne Kisaragi, the academy’s most famous beauty, known by everyone at Amanogawa Academy.

Talented, refined, and stunning—she was described with words as beautiful as she was.

I’d known Rinne since middle school. We weren’t particularly close, but we’d exchange words whenever we crossed paths.

Sitting down with an empty seat between us, I pulled something out of my bag.

A few letters, all addressed to Rinne.

“Here. This week’s batch.”

“…Thanks.”

Rinne took the letters and began reading them with a wistful look in her eyes.

With fans all over the academy, many people—guys and girls alike—had feelings for Rinne. Some confessed directly, while others poured their hearts into letters.

Those too shy to hand them over themselves often entrusted them to me, someone relatively close to her. …I’m not a mailman, you know.

Handing over love letters had become routine.

After reading through them, Rinne let out a small sigh.

“Any you liked?”

“If there were, I’d be happier.”

“Being popular isn’t always a good thing, huh… What do you do with those once you’re done?”

“I keep them in a box. …But lately, it’s getting bulky, and I feel bad throwing them out since people put effort into them…”

“Then how about burning them and scattering the ashes in your garden? You’d better hold a proper memorial, or you’ll get haunted.”

“That’d probably make some bad smoke.”

The corner of Rinne’s mouth softened slightly.

At school, Rinne showcased her talents and maintained a cool demeanor, her expression usually firm. She likely faced struggles I couldn’t imagine. Seeing her smile, even a little, made me happy.

“By the way, no love letter from you?”

“No way. Even if I gave you one, I’d just get shot down.”

“…Maybe. I wouldn’t know.”

Rinne’s self-deprecating smile faded with a dry laugh.

“You don’t seem interested in this kind of thing, Hinate.”

“Just got my heart broken, so I’m good on that for a while…”

“…What?”

Rinne’s expression froze. I tilted my head, puzzled. …Do I really look like I’m not interested in romance?

“I confessed to Nonoka today, and she turned me down flat. Man, assumptions are dangerous.”

“…You did?”

Unlike my forced laugh, Rinne’s expression was intense, almost menacing.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Huh? Well, I didn’t think it concerned you…”

“It does concern me!”

Rinne leaned forward, closing the distance. Anger was clear on her face, but beneath it, there was unmistakable sadness.

A loud rumble filled the silence as Rinne’s train arrived. She grabbed her bag and stood up swiftly.

“…Sorry, I got a bit heated.”

“Nah, I’m fine.”

“And… be prepared.”

Leaving those cryptic words, Rinne disappeared into the train. With her back to me, I couldn’t see her face.

But the determined look she had before boarding was etched vividly in my mind.

▼▽

≪Rinne’s Side≫

‘Didn’t think it concerned you…’

That was practically a rejection.

Renji never gets flustered, even in front of me. I’d convinced myself it was because he wasn’t interested in romance. I want to punch myself for assuming that and feeling relieved.

Back in middle school, when I was isolated, Renji was the one who helped me.

When others unfairly shunned me, he spoke to me without hesitation. When seniors harassed me, he stepped in to help without a second thought.

I’ve secretly harbored feelings for the brave and dependable Renji.

…But I didn’t even know he liked someone, let alone that he’d confessed. That fact is so frustrating, and it hurts even more.

Staying passive was my mistake. I won’t let anyone else have Renji. I can’t let him go.

I’ll make my presence in his heart undeniable, binding him to me so he can’t leave my side.

Starting today, I’m going to change.

“…Be prepared.”