Every time we did, she smiled and looked like she was having fun, and that lifted my spirits as well.
“I’m kinda scared to go back to class. They’re gonna mess with me again.”
“You should stand tall! Don’t worry so much.”
“I’m not really good at that.”
“Don’t be scared. I’m here for you.”
Maybe it’s just in my nature to be timid.
Whenever it really matters, I always seem to lack the courage to be manly.
Kana’s probably just feeling sorry for me, which is why she’s helping me out. If I were more manly, I’d be more confident.
“Kana, it’s okay now. I’m really grateful for all the encouragement, but let’s stop this after today.”
“…Why?”
“Rumors will start flying, right? You wouldn’t like that. Besides, a guy like me doesn’t match up with someone like you. Thanks for everything so far.”
Kana clenched her fists and gritted her teeth.
She looked… angry, somehow. I didn’t say anything wrong, though…
“I’m not spending time with you out of pity or sympathy. It’s because you look at me for who I am, not my appearance.”
“I didn’t mean anything by it.”
I wasn’t even sure what she meant by “looking at her.”
All I knew was that she had encouraged and cheered me up.
“That’s it! Most people would get weird about it or brag, but you don’t, Riku!”
“Well, I don’t really have any friends.”
“Then I’ll be your friend! There, problem solved!”
“That’s so reckless…”
“Anyway! I like the way you work hard for others, even when it takes a toll on you!”
Kana cupped my face with both hands, drawing it closer.
W-Wait, what!? Her lips are so close!
“People only truly feel despair when they genuinely want to die.”
“H-Huh?”
“Yesterday, you were in despair. That’s how much you loved her, and how hard you worked.”
“…Yeah.”
“You’re cool! I’ll prove it!”
With that, she pulled out a game.
It was in a package, and of course, it was Street Artist 5, the game we always talked about.
“Take this home and open it, and bring it back tomorrow, okay?”
Kana’s face was strangely flushed, and I couldn’t help but wonder why.
Why was she giving me this important game? And why did she want me to wait until I got home to open it?
Before I could ask, Kana had already left the rooftop, and I quietly returned to the classroom.
... Seriously? Is this for real? No, no, no, this has to be a joke.
It was the next day during lunch, and I sat there, holding my head in my hands.
As usual, my classmates were laughing at me because of Saki. But something even bigger had happened, so big that their mockery didn’t even matter anymore.
I mean, I’m already in this mess, but Kana too? No way.
“Hey, you… what the hell was that yesterday?”
“…”
“Don’t ignore me!”
The classroom fell silent. Yūji, who had just kicked my desk, was glaring at me with fury. Next to him stood my childhood friend, Saki, glaring at me with the same intensity.
How could someone change so much? The girl who used to tell me she loved me was long gone.
“Why the hell is someone like you hanging around with Kana Ōgami, who’s going to be my slave one day? Huh?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Shut up! Stay away from her—she’s my girl!”
“And what about Saki? You fine with that?”
I glanced at Saki, who quickly turned her face away, trying to hide the bruise on her cheek.
“My girl… right.”
I remembered what was said yesterday—I have Kana now. I need to be stronger.
“…What are you doing?”
Kana was standing at the classroom entrance, just like yesterday. But something about her aura was darker this time.
“Kana Ōgami… man, she looks tasty,” Yūji sneered, releasing my collar as he approached her.
“I’m Yūji, captain of the basketball team. You’ve heard of me, right?”
“Oh, I’ve heard of you, all right. You’re the worst scumbag around.”
“Huh?”
“Did you really think I didn’t know? I gather all sorts of information to protect myself.”
Kana stood her ground, glaring at Yūji with a fierce intensity. There was no trace of the cheerful, cute girl she’d been before. She was like a tiger, brimming with power and aggression.
“That’s why I know what kind of person Riku is. And I wanted to see for myself what kind of trash you all really are.”
“The more you know, the more impressed you must be, huh? You’ve seen how I’m a genius at basketball. Have you fallen for me yet?”
“I’d rather die. People who drown in their own talent and become arrogant never end up well. Especially those who don’t even bother to practice.”
“I don’t practice? You got any proof to back that up?”
“Every weekend, you disappear into a hotel for over twelve hours with your ‘childhood friend’ over there.”
The class erupted in whispers.
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