Chapter 11: The Unacceptable Man
The lunch break eventually ended, and although Kushibiki said “It’s okay,” I wonder what she really thought. She had something to do with Takahashi, but for some reason, he followed me when I left my seat. I wish he would consider Kushibiki’s feelings a little. She’s definitely angry.
This way, we’ll get nowhere.
Leaving it to the two of them would take forever. To take the initiative, I went to Kushibiki right after school and called out to her.
“Kushibiki, can I talk to you for a sec?”
She was engaged in a lively conversation with two female friends, but upon hearing my voice, she seemed slightly puzzled. I felt terrible for disturbing her, but I focused on my mission.
“Um… do you need something?”
Her expression revealed a mix of agitation and confusion. The other girls nearby were eavesdropping with curiosity.
“It’s kind of awkward here, can we go somewhere else?”
“Sure. Megumi, Sana, see you tomorrow.”
Kushibiki said goodbye to her friends, slung her bag over her shoulder, and turned to face me.
I nodded silently and turned right, walking away. Takahashi was engrossed in conversation with classmates and hadn’t noticed me. Thank you, uh, that flashy weird guy and Kato. They helped me stall Takahashi with three bottles of juice.
Friends are indeed valuable. They are more perceptive and cooperative than Takahashi.
Alright, now I’ve got the chance to talk to Kushibiki alone.
Leading the way, I walked ahead, with Kushibiki following closely behind. It felt like an RPG game—she trailed me like a loyal companion. We descended the stairs, heading toward the building that housed both a store and a cafeteria.
The first floor is a store, and the second floor is a cafeteria. My business is with the cafeteria on the second floor. There’s a variety of vending machines here. Thanks to the vending machines selling ice cream, snacks, and even hamburgers, the place is crowded at lunchtime.
The variety is so vast that it often attracts TV coverage.
Thanks to that, our school, Otonai Academy, is somewhat popular.
On the other hand, it becomes quiet after school, making it a bit of a hidden spot. Well, most students are probably off to clubs or karaoke.
When I arrived at the cafeteria, I went to the ice cream vending machine and bought a strawberry-flavored ice cream.
“Is there anything you’d like to eat?”
“Wait, are you treating me?”
“Yeah. Since I called you here, consider it an inconvenience fee.”
“Wow, thank you. Then, what should I choose? Chocolate vanilla looks delicious! Ah, but vanilla is good too. It’s hard to decide.”
While pretending to be indecisive, Kushibiki craftily pointed at the chocolate mint.
Wow, that’s too cunning. It was a gesture so deliberately exaggerated that only someone twisted as me could see through it.
Maybe that cunningness is why she’s popular, but I don’t really care since I won’t be involved with her much in the future anyway. I bought the chocolate mint for Kushibiki and sat down at a random seat.
We sat facing each other, silently eating our ice cream.
The ice cream was delicious, and it was the perfect treat now that the weather was getting warmer.
After spending this indescribable time, I, who finished eating first, started the conversation.
“I’m sorry for calling you out here. I wanted to talk in a place where there aren’t many people.”
Kushibiki’s body twitched. Don’t worry. It’s just about Takahashi.
I was only there to mediate between Takahashi and Kushibiki. I wanted to convey that and then hurry back to continue reading the manga I bought yesterday.
“Um… isn’t the classroom okay?”
“No. There would be too many interruptions there. A place where we can be alone like this is best for important conversations.”
“Oh… I see.”
Kushibiki nodded several times as if she understood, her charming smile faded, and she looked up with icy eyes.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know you very well, and while I appreciate you treating me to ice cream, I can’t go out with you.”
Huh? Wait a minute.
Am I being rejected without even confessing?
“No, that’s not what I meant—”
“Ahaha… Don’t take it the wrong way, okay? I don’t dislike you, so don’t worry. I think it’s better to start as friends first, you know?”
“Kushibiki, just listen to me for a moment—”
“Well then, I’ll leave now.”
“Hey, wait!”
Kushibiki quickly finished her remaining ice cream in one bite, groaning from the brain freeze.
She hurriedly cleaned up and disappeared from the cafeteria as if fleeing.
“This is bad…”
My bad feeling was confirmed the next day.
The next day, I felt a strong urge to skip school. However, pretending to be sick just to avoid going would only give the rumor enthusiasts more to talk about, which didn’t appeal to me at all.
Leaving home later than usual, I entered the classroom, trying to blend in and avoid drawing attention. As a side character, I hoped to become part of the classroom scenery, unnoticed by anyone. Unfortunately, that plan didn’t quite work out.
My classmates, upon spotting me, began whispering to each other. Ah, undoubtedly, news of yesterday’s incident had already spread—mostly thanks to Kushibiki.
I resigned myself to my fate and retreated to my seat, slumping down and pretending to sleep.
The bell rang just in time, and Takahashi, who usually comes over to my desk, went to his own seat.
For a brief moment, I could be alone, but that didn’t last long. As I pondered my situation, I heard a light tapping sound.
Turning my head toward the source of the noise, I saw Ayase from the neighboring seat, beckoning me with her finger against the desk.
“Tachibana-kun, what did you do?”
“The rumor's already spreading, right? I don’t know what extra details they’ve added, but—”
“Yes. It’s about Tachibana Chihaya, who called Kushihibiki-san out and tried to confess using ice cream as bait.”
Apart from the mistaken confession part, Ayase’s statement was accurate. What have I done? Regret washed over me. I had unintentionally caused a misunderstanding.
“It wasn’t a confession; I just wanted to talk. But she misunderstood and spread it around to her friends. Now I’m suffering the consequences.”
“Oh, I see. By the way, Kushibiki-san referred to you as ‘unacceptable'.”
“unacceptable, huh? Don’t worry. She’s not on my type either.”
Putting on such an act and then badmouthing others as if it’s nothing, deliberately spreading rumors to play the victim and gain sympathy— it’s clear she’s a girl who calculates her every move. I’ve really made an enemy out of a troublesome person.
Well, I hadn’t really made an enemy, but things had certainly become complicated. I needed to clear up this misunderstanding; otherwise, my student life would be ruined.
But was that even possible? Maybe not. This time, I was at fault. I should have forcefully explained things to her yesterday. My aversion to talking to girls I had little contact with had backfired.
Why did it have to come to this? That Kushibiki girl—she’d better be prepared to pay me back for those ice creams. I’d forgive her if she returned three of them.
“…What do you want to do?”
“It’s obvious. I wanted to clarify that it wasn’t a confession, just a misunderstanding. But even if I go now, she might avoid me or have her friends guard her.”
“I see. Well, good luck with that.”
“Thanks.”
Ugh… When would the teacher arrive? The bell had rung, and five minutes had passed, yet there was still no sign of him.
Please, Tanaka-sensei, come quickly.
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