I’m a Shy Loner and I Was Confessed to by a Beautiful Girl Who Has All the Boys in School Smitten, but It Turned Out to Be a ‘Fake Confession,’ So I Politely Declined. As a Result, I Ended Up Learning About Her Hidden Side and She Started to Cling to Me

I knew karaoke existed, but I’d never been there before. Why? Because I don’t have friends. Karaoke, like sports facilities, always seemed like a place where people go to have fun together, and going alone just felt like admitting defeat. So yeah, this is my first time at karaoke.

“Alright, everyone! Let’s get this party started!”

“Yeah!”

“Woo!”

“Whoo!”

What is this…? So karaoke is a gathering place for party people? This is where all the hip and trendy young people hang out. There’s no way I can keep up with this level of energy.

“Yay! Nene-chan, are you having fun?”

Shirosaki, all pumped up, turns her microphone toward Kurogi. No way, this can’t be her sober energy level, can it?

“Yay! I’m having fun, YO!”

Really? Kurogi? You’re amazing!

“Alright! I’m going first! If you don’t cheer me on, I’ll punch you! Don’t let my performance be lame!”

“Yeah, Daiki!”

“Can’t wait to hear Kaneda-kun sing!”

Kaneda enthusiastically sings some trendy song that suits his extroverted personality, and all the boys chime in, trying to hype it up. All the guys participating are part of Kaneda’s clique. Did Kaneda only invite his own followers?

I think about that while I shake my maracas and watch everyone sing from the far right end of the long bench. Still, why is no one sitting next to me? There’s a one-person gap.

Well, whatever. I don’t mind. Shaking maracas in the corner suits me just fine.

“Hey, Satou-kun, are you enjoying yourself?”

Shirosaki sits next to me, tapping my shoulder as she speaks. Did she notice I was feeling left out?

“Our turn is coming up soon. What should we sing?”

“Um, what?”

“No, not ‘what?’ We said we were doing a duet, remember?”

“Oh, right…”

I thought she was just being polite… I didn’t think she actually meant it.

“Geez… don’t forget.”

She taps my shoulder again. Shirosaki, are you sure about this proximity?

“Can you sing this?”

She leans in, bringing the remote’s screen closer to me. We’re almost touching shoulders!

Suddenly, I feel a cold gaze on me.

Kurogi, sitting on the opposite side, is staring at me intently. Her icy eyes exert a palpable pressure.

Uh-oh… she seems really upset for some reason. Better avoid eye contact.

“Hey, Nene. Want to go to another room and sing just the two of us?”

Kaneda’s voice rings out. I see him making a move on Kurogi.

“See, one of my juniors works here, and there’s a room where the surveillance camera is broken…”

A room with a broken camera? Is it just me, or does that sound sketchy?

“Haha… Kaneda-kun, you’re quite forward today.”

“You know you came for me, right? I’ll make sure you’re satisfied.”

Kurogi looks uncomfortable as she tries to escape, but Kaneda is relentless. Eventually, she’s cornered at the far end of the bench, looking for help. But no one is coming to her rescue. Some girls look sympathetic, others jealous.

In short, no one here is on Kurogi’s side.

“Sorry, Satou-kun. Our duet will have to wait.”

“Sorry, Shirosaki-san.”

“What…?”

Yes, except for me.

I grab a cup filled with orange juice, stand up, and head toward Kurogi and Kaneda.

“What do you want? Don’t interrupt, we’re at a good—”

Before Kaneda can finish, I throw the orange juice in his face.

“What the hell are you doing!?”

The juice must have gotten in his eyes; he’s writhing in pain. The citric acid probably makes it sting more. Everyone else is stunned.

“Ah, sorry, my hand slipped. I’m going to the drink bar since my cup’s empty. Kurogi-san, can you show me the way?”

“What?”

I forcibly take Kurogi’s hand and leave the room. We keep walking down the hallway, hand in hand.

I did it… What have I done?! I messed up, I messed up! A loner, an introvert, a socially awkward guy like me doing something like that… I’m doomed!

“It hurts, you know.”

“Ah, sorry!”

I let go of Kurogi’s hand immediately upon her complaint.

“You know, wasn’t there a better way to handle that?”

“Uh…”

She’s absolutely right…

“But… I was scared, so thanks for saving me.”

Kurogi looks down bashfully as she thanks me.

“Um, I’ll just pay my share and leave now.”

Honestly, I can’t go back into that room. I’ll have to apologize to Shirosaki tomorrow.

“Wait. Since we’re here, let’s rent another room and sing, just the two of us.”

“Um…”

My karaoke event isn’t over yet, it seems.