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

Finally, this day has come.

After throwing up post-basketball match with Kaneda, it’s my first time back in the classroom.

I… I don’t want to go!

With a heavy heart, I change my shoes and arrive in front of the classroom.

Ah, the moment I enter the classroom, the atmosphere will change for sure. I know because I’m a loner.

Shirasaki-san seems to be covering for me somewhat, but even she can’t handle a “puke panic” situation.

I need to steel myself… turn off my senses.

First, when I enter the classroom, I’ll apologize to Kaneda for throwing up on him.

…Alright, let’s go.

…

Phew… okay, I’m ready.

Here I go… huh!!

…

…Nah, never mind. I’ll go in 10 seconds.

“Hey, hurry up and open the door.”

“Whoa!?”

Suddenly, a voice comes from behind. I turn around to see Kuromiya glaring at me.

“No, I was just… mentally preparing.”

“Whatever that means, hurry up.”

Ah, wait!

Without a second thought, Kuromiya swings open the classroom door.

“Morning, everyone~”

All eyes in the classroom turn to Kuromiya. The boys greet her as usual, waving their hands.

In response, Kuromiya waves back. It’s like she’s an idol and they’re her fans.

Great, thanks to Kuromiya’s overwhelming presence—or maybe because I’m naturally inconspicuous—nobody is paying attention to me.

Let’s quietly take my seat…

“Morning, Nene-chan… Oh! It’s Satou-kun!”

Shirasaki-san’s words pull the entire classroom’s attention to me.

Ah… it’s over.

“Morning, Satou-kun! Are you feeling better?”

“Ah, m-morning… yeah, I’m fine after taking a day off.”

“Really? If you were absent today as well, I was thinking of visiting you.”

Stop it! Don’t fan the flames anymore! I can hear the whispers—

…Huh? They’re not coming? Why?

Last time, the whole class felt like they were belittling the lonely, introverted guy, but now nobody is saying anything.

Is this because of Shirasaki-san’s support?

Wow… can she even cover for a “puke panic”?

Impressive, Shirasaki-san!

“Hey, Satou. Morning.”

“Bwah!? M-morning.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Uh, I’m fine now…”

“Don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”

The one who patted my shoulder as he passed was Kaji-kun, a guy from another group. Not an athlete, but he’s good-looking, smart, and sociable—a top-tier guy in the class.

He’s exactly who I wanted to be in middle school. So, in my mind, I call him Kaji-kun-san.

Honestly, I’ve never spoken to him before, so why is he talking to me now?

…No, right now, I have to focus on Kaneda. Looking around the classroom, I find him sitting alone in the corner.

He looks lifeless, staring blankly at one point.

As Kuromiya told me yesterday, after losing the basketball match, Kaneda quit the basketball team and stopped bothering her. Rumor has it that he was mocked by the entire basketball team for losing to an amateur like me and that he was bullied.

Well, only Kaneda knows the real reason. Oh, by the way, all six of his girlfriends broke up with him. Women can be so ruthless.

Also… his entourage is nowhere to be found.

So that means…

“Kaneda… I’m sorry for throwing up on you last time.”

“Ah…”

Kaneda replies without even looking at me. His response is lackluster. Further conversation probably won’t elicit any more of a reaction.

At least I apologized for the puke, so I leave Kaneda’s side. I hope this doesn’t turn into bullying or anything.

Given Kaneda’s past behavior, it wouldn’t be strange if some students disliked him.

Lunchtime comes, and I stand up, bento box in hand. With Kaneda in his current state, there’s no need for Kuromiya to take refuge behind the gym anymore.

So starting today, I’ll be eating alone again. I feel both relieved and a bit lonely.

“Hey, hey, Satou-kun! Want to have lunch together?”

“Eh?”

Suddenly, a girl from my class invites me to lunch. This is the first time we’ve ever interacted.

“Oh, I want to join too! Actually, I want to talk to Satou-kun!”

“I’ve been curious about you since that basketball match.”

“Yeah, we couldn’t talk in the morning, but we can chat leisurely during lunch, right?”

Another three girls approach and talk to me. Why all of a sudden? I’ve never had any contact with them before.

“Um, so…?”

Before I know it, I’m surrounded by four girls with no escape route.

What’s going on? What’s happening?

Wait, could this be… what they call a “popularity phase”?

“Where do you usually have lunch, Satou-kun? Let’s go there—”

“Satou-kun!”

Kuromiya forcefully interrupts, grabbing my hand. The other girls look puzzled by her sudden appearance.

“Sorry, everyone. Satou-kun and I have plans today…”

“Eh? Is that true, Satou-kun?”

I want to ask the same thing. When did I make plans with Kuromiya?

“Right?”

“Ah, y-yes…”

Damn it. I reflexively agreed.

“So, we’ll be going now.”

Ignoring the stunned girls, Kuromiya forcefully drags me out of the classroom, still holding my hand.

We continue to walk down the hallway, hand in hand.

…It reminds me of the karaoke incident, although our roles are reversed this time.

For some reason, Kuromiya’s grip feels stronger than usual.

“Ow… Kuromiya-san, that hurts.”

“Ah, endure it a little. You’re a man, aren’t you?”

What the heck…

“…Kuromiya-san, are you in a bad mood?”

“…Not really.”

Even without taking off my glasses, I knew she was lying. It was that obvious of a lie.