NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3
“Jubei-kun, you idiot!!”
Kurogami Nene ran off the rooftop, tears streaming down her face.
I silently watched the door slam shut with a forceful “Bang!”
I, Sato Jubei, was just confessed to by Kurogami Nene, the “beautiful girl who has captivated all the boys in the school.”
But there’s no doubt that her feelings for me were a lie.
“I like you, Jubei-kun, so much…”
This too is a lie.
“If you date me, you can do whatever you want with my body, you know?”
This as well.
“Um, you’re just not my type…”
“What!?”
Ah, she was genuinely angry here. Maybe this was the only truthful thing she said?
Her intense reaction was probably because her pride was wounded when I turned down her “fake confession.”
Even if I’m a loner and socially awkward, I’m not foolish enough to accept a confession with strings attached.
As she was leaving, she made sure to show me her tears. Was that supposed to make me chase after her?
… Maybe I should at least check on her.
I left the rooftop, descended the stairs, and looked down the corridor to see Kurogami’s back as she held her bag. She didn’t seem visibly upset or angry, but I was a little concerned, so I decided to follow her.
I changed my shoes and followed her into a nearby park with a good view.
The park was empty, maybe the kids had already gone home.
“Kurogami-sa—”
“Ah, so annoying…!!”
“!?”
The voice was so low and heavy that I couldn’t believe it came from her.
“Loner! Socially awkward! And you dare to reject my confession!”
Kurogami kicked the railing violently, creating a loud “Bang! Bang!”
Loner? Socially awkward? Confession?
… She’s talking about me!!
I instinctively hid and observed Kurogami’s behavior.
“The worst! Absolutely the worst! Unbelievable!”
Whoa, she’s really angry about the rejected confession…!!
“What’s with that ‘harder than I thought’ crap!? I even let you touch my chest! What’s with that reaction!? Virgin! Sato, die! Die!!”
I, I, I’m sorry! I’m sorry for acting smug even though I’m a virgin!!
My previous impression of the cute Kurogami was shattered in an instant.
This must be the real Kurogami.
I should leave… I might get killed if I stay. I’ll forget everything I saw today, and then my everyday life will—
My phone rang.
Not now, I don’t need coupon notifications!
“Who’s there? Is someone there?”
Ah, it’s over. I heard Kurogami’s icy voice.
“… Sato Jubei.”
I showed myself, and she said in a voice filled with cold emotion,
“Did you hear?”
Her gaze was so intense, it was scary.
“Ah, um, I, I didn’t hear anything.”
“Can’t you put on a better act?”
“… Sorry.”
I want to go home… I regretted following her, but Kurogami sighed in what seemed like resignation.
“Fine. If you tell anyone about this, I won’t hold back.”
I nodded vigorously. Even if I said something, nobody would believe me anyway.
“If you tell anyone, I’ll use all the boys in the school to corner you.”
I could imagine it. If I told anyone, Kurogami would play the victim, and all the boys in the school would turn against me.
“I’ll say this now, I really hate guys like you who are unremarkable, gloomy, and plain.”
Ah, yes… I kind of figured.
“The confession earlier was a lie, so don’t misunderstand.”
“… Then why did you make a fake confession?”
“It’s just… I chose you as a decoy against Kameda from our class.”
Kameda… Ah, the basketball team’s ace. Popular among the girls.
“I’m going home.”
Kurogami said that and started walking. I also started walking, feeling extremely awkward due to our earlier exchange.
“Until when are you following me, you stalker?”
Her cold voice made my brain feel like it was about to crash.
“Ah, um… I’m heading to Shimokitazawa Station.”
“… So am I.”
… Seriously?
An indescribable tension filled the air.
“Ah, um… Shall we play Shiritori on the way back?”
“Tch.”
Did she just click her tongue!?
“… Apple.”
Ah, she’s playing along!?
We walked to Shimokitazawa Station, playing a game of Shiritori where she aggressively ended words with “go.”