Chapter 2


TL: Akabane


***


It was hard to believe that Yuu Mamiya, who was a honor student, was such a person.


I didn't realize it until after the next day....


***


As usual, I woke up before 7:00 and prepared to do my routine as a high school student.


I attend Kamisei High School, which is located in the Tohoku and is one of the top schools in my prefecture.


Of course I had a hard time taking the entrance exam, but somehow I managed to pass and get good results to be accepted here.


The rules at this school aren't so strict and the school system here is free to be active in club activities.


There is not a single day without hearing the shouts of the sports club, whether in the morning or in the afternoon.


Although everyone around me seemed very active, I was the only one who had no interest in joining any clubs at this school.


I didn't choose this school because I wanted to be involved in club activities in the first place. But due to several reasons and various things that happened during middle school, I chose this school to get away from my middle school's friends.


Although they're no longer in contact with me, but so far, I can count on my fingers the number of people from my middle school who went to the same high school as me here.


That's why I was living a mediocre and boring school life, especially with my personality.


When I remember what happened to me yesterday, I strangely feel scared to go to school. But I guess it was too much to skip school just for that reason, so I forced myself and went to school.


I was on my way to class now.


"Yo, Akihito. What's wrong? You look tired."


"Good morning, Aki-kun!"


A voice that seemed familiar to me came from behind me at the same time.


When I look back, a handsome guy with short dark brown hair, and a girl with a cheerful smile, were walking towards me hand in hand.


It didn't take me long to realize that the two of them were my friends from the same middle school, Natsu and Hikari.


The guy, Natsuhiko Shishikura, had a smile that looked like a puppy.


While the girl next to him, Tatara Hikari, was shaking her short light brown hair and had a small animal-like smile on her face.


At first, I didn't know them very well, but it seemed that they were childhood friends.


Hence, there was a sweet atmosphere about the two of them, and the other boys who were exposed to their affection shed tears of frustration every time they saw them.


"Oh, you two. good morning, do I look so tired?"


"You don't look excited today, well I know you're always like that, but..."


"Today you look different than usual."


"Are you guys complimenting me or what?"


"Just trying to be honest, ahaha."


Natsu laughed sarcastically and slapped my back. He probably thought that he was doing it lightly, but it was quite painful for me.


Tatara, who was standing beside him, narrowed her eyes and laughed along.


But still... What they're telling me isn't wrong, I do feel lackluster today. The reason is because of what happened yesterday.


That's right, it must be.


When I went back to my class to pick up something I left, I accidentally witnessed the shocking sight of a honor student, Mamiya Yuu, taking off her clothes and taking a photo there....and then, I was threatened by her to keep it a secret.


I guess I still feel mentally exhausted from being involved in that unexpected event.


"Akito, I think you need to exercise. Why don't you try running once in a while? It'll change your mood."


"Don't say that with a cheerful face. And don't equate me with a popular guy like you."


"No need to look down on me like that, okay? I think you're quite popular because you have a nice face. If you slightly change your hairstyle and the atmosphere you have, I'm sure you'll be popular too. Besides, you also have a kind personality."


"I don't want to be popular and I don't think that having a kind personality is an extra value."


"I think a man like that is also attractive."


"That's right, Aki-kun! You should be more confident!"


"I feel sad that there are so few people who can understand you."


"I'm not that pitiful! And I have no problem with it!"


I gave a firm answer to Natsu who makes a crying gestures


From my point of view, Natsu falls into the handsome guy category, but I don't understand why he would want to be friends with someone like me, especially since we've known each other since middle school.


I also don't know what about me that Hikari thinks attractive.


We talked as we walked down the hallway to the classroom.


"I guess we should part ways here."


Hikari released the hand she was holding and parted ways with Natsu while saying goodbye as she walked towards her class.


"It's too bad you guys aren't in the same class."


"That's true, but my feelings for Hii-chan won't separate just because of this."


Natsu said it as if it was a normal thing.


"Hii-chan" was the nickname Natsu used to call Tatara. He had been calling her like that for a long time.


Natsu and I continued walking towards our class and were presented with the same scenery as usual.


After parting from Natsu, I sat in my seat on the right by the window and placed my bag on the desk to prepare for morning class.


There are many ways to utilize the free time before class starts.


Some were hanging out with friends and chatting, some were busy doing assignments and some were lying on their desks, as if they were sleep deprived.


And I spent most of my time playing with my phone.


But Natsu, who suddenly remembered something, said, "I forgot to do my math homework!"


"As expected."


"Don't say that! Hey, we're friends, right?"


Natsu, who said in a disgusting voice, hugged my shoulders from behind.


"Don't hug me! That's disgusting!"


"This is called friendship between men! Um, apart from my overwhelming feelings for Akito. I have something to say to you~"


"Don't talk to me like that! Also, please don't show me your overwhelming feelings! That's disgusting! Just do that to Tatara!"


"No matter how much love I give, humans are insatiable creatures."


"You didn't mean it when you said that, did you? Ah, okay okay."


I sighed and told him, "wait, let me get it for you."


However, just as I expected, Natsu started saying phrases like "You're the best, Akito!" and started talking in a disgusting tone like a girl in shoujo manga.


I handed her my notebook, and he accepted it with a big smile on his face.


If I gave him favors like this continuously, I'm afraid it would overwhelm me.


Just as I was about to relax and spend my time playing with my phone, the chair to my left was suddenly pulled up.


The owner of that chair was Yuu Mamiya. It didn't take long for me to realize that she was the person who threatened me yesterday, who had a smile on her face as if nothing had happened.


"Good morning, Aisaka-kun."



Her greeting alone success made me nervous, and awkwardly, I slowly took my eyes off my phone and turned to her to greet her back and was surprised by her figure that was just like the usual honor student mode.


I subconsciously recalled the yesterday events and my attention was drawn to her breast for a while and immediately turned my gaze away from her...


"Good morning, Mamiya."


If I didn't do thid, it would be bad, but since I was mentally exhausted, I unconsciously replied coldly.


I don't know what's so funny about that, but she smiled at me and sat down in her chair.


The way she behaved was so charming, that it was impossible to think of the dark side I had just seen yesterday.


I wondered if I was dreaming, because I didn't feel anything strange about her today. She was very different from the Mamiya I saw yesterday.


I wanted to think that way, however, Mamiya's contact information was still saved on my phone, as well as the photo.


If this isn't a dream, then I should be careful from now on.


As I repeated the words, "It's okay, it's okay." to myself, my phone suddenly vibrated.


Mamiya's name appeared at the top of my phone screen.


When I saw it, my shoulders jerked, and after making sure no one around had noticed, I hid my phone under the table and opened the conversation screen.


[Are you free after school today?]


Such a sentence was delivered to me.


I couldn't see what kind of devious plan she was plotting against me right now, because all I got was a friendly smile from her.


I don't know. It would be easy to say no, but since Mamiya has my weaknesses, I don't think that making her angry is a good thing.


Fortunately, I didn't have anything planned after school, but I was hesitant to reply her message right now, so I thought for a moment before replying.


I didn't know what Mamiya was up to.


The fact that she mentioned the word "after school" meant that there was something she was planning, but I didn't know what she was trying to do by calling me like this.


While I was pondering this, I received another message.


[If you don't come, I'll spread the photo. Keep that in mind.]


Why is it become like this?!


Honor student? Are you kidding me? She's a devil!


As long as she has that picture, I have no choice but to submit to her.


Even if I go to the police. I don't think I can win.


If they do a DNA test on her uniform, I'm sure they can easily detect my fingerprints on it, and if that happens, it will backfire on me.


"Haa."


I had no choice but to reply with a short, "I understand."


"What's wrong, Aisaka-kun? If you keep sighing all the time like that, your happiness will disappear, you know?"


Mamiya, who ignored my concerns, called out to me as if she was worried about me.


I'm sure Mamiya must know very well about this, and is deliberately ignoring it.


Her expression looked worried as if it had the same emotion as her words, but her brown eyes had a hidden intention that could be easily read.


She can easily hide her true nature thanks to her cute appearance.


She is no longer a honor student to me now.


"I'm not feeling well. I'm tired."


"I see. Did you rest properly last night?"


"I don't know, I don't feel energized today."


I didn't have the strength to give her the right answer, but her expression was still the same as before as if she was really worried about me, that's why my current feelings were really messed up.


It can really break a boy's heart....


***


After morning classes were over, the lunch time I had been waiting for arrived.


Natsu seemed to have gone to lunch with his girlfriend in the park, but I didn't care, as I myself was used to eating alone like this in class.


On the other hand, Mamiya who had just finished her lunch, was preparing for the next class.


After finishing the lunch that my mom had made, I started playing a game on my phone to calm my mind.


I wondered what bad things I would face after school?


"Haa..."


I sighed again and tried to calm myself down. Then, a sound rang out beside me.


Apparently, Mamiya's pen fell under my chair.


"Sorry. I accidentally bumped into your desk...."


"It's okay Utsumi-san, are you alright?"


"I'm fine...."


Apparently, a boy bumped into Mamiya's desk.


Utsumi apologized and looked at the floor. Mamiya followed him and noticed that a phone had fallen under her desk.


Utsumi also looked at the phone, but Mamiya picked it up first.


"Is this yours?"


Mamiya asked politely and Utsumi nodded his head in response.


He seemed to be in a hurry, so Mamiya quickly handed the phone to him.


Utsumi quickly checked his phone screen, let out a sigh of relief, and said, "Thank you very much!"


After thanking her, he hurried away immediately afterwards.


He probably felt embarrassed because of the attention of the class was paying to him, and I could somehow understand how he felt. and I knew exactly what that felt like.


Just as I picked up Mamiya's pen that was lying down, the classroom door opened.


The big and tall old man who was the homeroom teacher came in and called out to Mamiya.


"Is there a Mamiya...?"


The teacher came in holding a mountainous stack of papers in his hands, and placed them on the podium then turned his gaze to look for Mamiya.


"What is it, Sensei?"


"I need someone to bring this material to the next class. Can you do it?"


"I understand."


"You should ask one person to help you."


Oops, Sensei started looking around the classroom. But just before he was about to say something, "...Aisaka-kun, if you don't mind, could you do me a favor?" Mamiya opened her mouth and asked me to help her with a stern look on her face.


I knew she was asking for my help, but as long as I still had that memory in my mind, I wasn't sure that I could treat her the same as usual.


"Okay."


"Thank you."


Although Mamiya thanked me sincerely, it wasn't enough to lessen my fear.


I put my phone in my pocket and started sorting out the amount of paper I could carry and held it up with both hands.


"Aisaka-kun, isn't that too much?"


"It's fine."


"But..."


"I'll be fine."


My arms might be trembling a little when holding it, but I feel that I can carry it all the way to the next class.


Besides, I didn't want to trouble Mamiya by letting her carry more than me. Moreover, the reactions of the people around me were frightening.


As Sensei looked at us with a pleased expression on his face, Mamiya reluctantly handed over about half the remaining stack of papers to me, and Sensei opened his mouth and said to us with a satisfied expression on his face.


"Good. I'll leave it to you two."


""Yes, Sensei!""


After answering, we walked out of the classroom.


I followed Mamiya from behind in silence and focused on the pile of papers I was carrying while trying to ignore the attention that showered on me as I walked down the hallway with Mamiya.


But, this was too much. I can understand why Sensei needs our help. But don't you see that Sensei's muscles? His physique is already on par with a professional wrestler, even through his shirt, I can see how big his muscles are.


"I apologize for troubling you. Thank you for helping me. Aisaka-kun"


Suddenly, Mamiya apologized to me.


"You're not planning anything bad, right?"


"Uhm, well... this is different. I'm in a situation where I can't refuse that Sensei's request."


"I don't mind, besides I also want to exercise a little after lunch."


I didn't want Mamiya to feel guilty. However, Mamiya's eyes looked surprised when she heard that.


"What's wrong?"


"Nothing... I just think you're kind."


I'm sure Mamiya knew that I was lying to her.


Since she knew very well what my daily life was like, it would be easy for her to know that I wasn't someone who would think like that.


Especially, considering what happened yesterday, I wanted to distance myself from her as much as possible, but if she asked me for help directly like that just now, it felt wrong to refuse.


For some reason, my back itched as if my weakness was exposed.


I intended to make things a little better by helping her, but I'm sure that would reveal my weakness even more.


"You know, a really kind person will put himself forward even before being asked for help."


"That's right."


Even though I said it myself, I still felt bad.


"Even though you say so, but I really think that you are kind person."


Mamiya muttered something like that while smiling embarrassedly.


I thought the conversation was over now, so I tried to calm my mind for a moment, but Mamiya's sudden muttering just now bothered me.


It really wasn't fair that the person who threatened me yesterday suddenly became so cute like this and praised me for being nice.


But, it was something I was asked to do. Even if it wasn't me, I'm sure someone else would be happy to do it.


Because it's not something you would do just because you're kind.


"...It's not funny."


"I'm not joking, I'm serious."


"...... That's even worse."


"I'm just complimenting you."


"Then, stop playing with your lips like that."


Seeing me react like this should be enough to please her.


"I'll stop then."


"Well, whatever."


Since Mamiya had already made up her mind, then I didn't need to say anything more.



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