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 7: Misunderstandings and Jealousy

≪Nonoka’s Side≫

“Sorry, I’m hanging out with my buddies today.”

With that curt message, Nonoka’s after-school plans were suddenly canceled.

She had been looking forward to a date with Ryoutarou Kamitsubaki after school. But his last-minute cancellation left her with nothing to do.

(Another cancellation… just like last time. Hinate-kun would never do this to me…)

Nonoka felt a growing sense of frustration but kept it to herself. She wanted to maintain her relationship with Ryoutarou, even if it meant putting up with his sudden changes in plans.

(I’m free today… nothing to do at home either. Maybe I’ll hit the movie theater for a change.)

Checking the lineup at the nearest cinema, Nonoka started planning her afternoon.

As she left the classroom, her eyes fell on a familiar figure—a male student.

(It’s… Hinate-kun.)

Seeing Renji, whom she had hurt by prioritizing her own desires, caused a pang of guilt in Nonoka’s heart.

(I was pretty harsh to him last time… maybe I should invite him as an apology.)

Nonoka wasn’t entirely devoid of guilt; she just felt its sting less than most people. With that in mind, she hurried over to Renji.

“Hinate-kun!”

“Huh… Nonoka?”

“You free after school? Wanna go see a movie?”

Renji hesitated, caught off guard by Nonoka’s sudden proposal.

His reaction was understandable, but Nonoka couldn’t grasp why he seemed so guarded.

“Hinate-kun.”

“Kisaragi…”

Before Renji could respond, Rinne appeared from behind him. Her sharp, dignified eyes glinted fiercely at the new rival.

“…So you’re Nonoka Hoshiumi.”

“Yeah, and? I’ve got business with Hinate-kun…”

“Sorry, but Hinate-kun has plans with me. He doesn’t have time for someone like you.”

Rinne’s gaze sharpened even further. Nonoka glared back, her own frustration bubbling up.

An unspoken battle of wills unfolded between the two girls.

For Nonoka, she didn’t want some random girl stealing her movie buddy. But she was gravely mistaken about one thing—Renji’s opinion of her.

“Who do you think you are, coming out of nowhere? Hinate-kun is my friend. I don’t owe you anything.”

“You may not owe me anything, but I have a right. I won’t forgive someone who hurt my precious person and then tries to reopen that wound.”

Nonoka couldn’t understand the hostility directed at her.

She had turned a blind eye to her own guilt, convincing herself she wasn’t in the wrong. To her, Rinne was nothing more than an annoying obstacle.

“You’re doing all the talking, but what does Hinate-kun think? I’m not convinced by you pushing your own agenda.”

Nonoka sought Renji’s words, confident she would come out on top.

The time they’d spent as movie buddies had been fun for her, and she was certain Renji felt the same connection. She believed they still had a bond, completely ignoring the fact that her actions had thrown it away.

“You… Hinate-kun—” Rinne began, her voice rising.

Renji cut her off, his resolute gaze fixed on Nonoka.

“Hinate-kun, let’s go see a movie like old times! I know I messed up before, but… we’re friends, right?”

“Like old times? You’ve got some nerve saying that out of nowhere, Nonoka.”

Nonoka was stunned by the sharp edge of Renji’s words, like a knife cutting through her. She finally realized the illusion she’d been clinging to had shattered.

“I was hurt when you rejected me, Nonoka. The next day, baseless rumors were flying around, and your friends chewed me out for no reason. People gave me weird looks, and I’ve been struggling to clear up the misunderstandings. And yet, you show up without so much as an apology?”

“I-I’m sorry about all that, I really am…”

“Then why are you here now?”

Renji’s voice trembled, heavy with emotions he could no longer hold back.

“If it was a misunderstanding or some kind of mistake, you could’ve apologized right away. I know it’s not exactly admirable to demand an apology like this. But I think it’s important to take responsibility and put things right.”

Nonoka was at a loss for words under the weight of Renji’s forceful tone. She could only fall silent, unable to respond.

Renji turned on his heel and left with Rinne. Nonoka could do nothing but watch his back as he walked away.

(Why…? Just a little while ago, he’d hang out with me whenever I asked. But now that he’s got a new girl, I’m suddenly irrelevant…?)

Nonoka clenched her teeth, her quiet anger burning in the wrong direction.

▼▽

≪Amane’s Side≫

“You may not owe me anything, but I have a right. I won’t forgive someone who hurt my precious person and then tries to reopen that wound.”

At the same moment, a girl watched the exchange between Nonoka and the others from the shadows.

Amane felt a twinge of frustration that the girl standing beside her beloved stepbrother wasn’t her. Still, she couldn’t help but be impressed by Rinne’s words.

(Hmm… she’s got some decent points. I thought senpai had gotten tangled up with another weird girl, but maybe she’s not so bad.)

Amane had come to tease her dear stepbrother, but it seemed she’d have to retreat for now.

(Well, senpai went out of his way to help her, so I figured she wasn’t a bad person… but maybe it’s too soon to judge.)

Twirling her hair with her finger, Amane watched her stepbrother’s back as he walked away.

Amane genuinely wished for Renji’s happiness, with no pretense in that desire.

But she couldn’t imagine anyone understanding him better than she did.

Renji’s heart, seemingly open yet guarded by thick walls, was difficult to reach.

(But if it’s her… maybe. If not, I’ll just crush her heart to pieces.)

“Well, time to head to work…”

With a mocking glance at Nonoka, who stood frozen in place, Amane headed off to her part-time job.