C07

Chapter 7: An Unexpected Presence — Renya Kujo Side

Friday afternoon.

A few students still lingered in the classroom. In the quiet space bathed in the setting sun, the sounds of packing up to leave and the light laughter of friends echoed gently, just like any other day.

Someone stood up to head to club activities, someone continued chatting with a friend, and someone gazed at their smartphone while preparing to leave. Amidst that ordinary after-school scenery, I sat at my desk, casting my gaze toward the back of the room.

Kokona was there, and right beside her was Tachibana.

"..."

They were talking again. Today, yesterday, and the day before that—Kokona kept heading over to Tachibana's place as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

At first, it was supposed to be a fake romance that started from a punishment game, lasting just a few days of playing pretend. We were just following Takamiya's instructions and acting it out—that was all their relationship was supposed to be.

And yet—

Kokona was naturally smiling beside Tachibana, as if she were genuinely enjoying those moments.

"......What the hell."

Before I realized it, a small voice had slipped out.

It was a voice whiney and disgruntled enough that even I could tell.

Had Tachibana said something? Kokona laughed, and the moment I saw that expression, a slight sense of incongruity lingered deep in my chest.

It wasn't the constructed smile she wore in the center of the class, nor was it a smile meant to meet the expectations of those around her. It was a far more natural, relaxed kind of smile.

That rubbed me the wrong way, irritatingly so.

(...Why?)

It's not like Tachibana did anything special.

I know that.

The guy is just talking to Kokona.

Even so...

That sight of Kokona looking like she was having fun right next to Tachibana—for some reason, I just couldn't stand it.

◇

A few days ago.

It was when we were discussing in the empty classroom who we should pick as the target for the fake confession. Several people gathered around a desk, throwing out names only to discard them one by one.

Amidst all that, the name that popped into my head was—Reo Tachibana.

The very back of the classroom, the window seat.

A guy who was always sitting by himself.

Even during recess, you almost never saw him talking to anyone.

It's not like he's gloomy, exactly.

He just didn't try to actively get involved with people on his own initiative.

He was that type of guy.

(If it's this guy, there won't be any problems.)

That's what I thought. He wouldn't make a fuss. He wouldn't go spreading it around to everyone else. The chances of it turning into something troublesome were low. Even if Tachibana turned her down, then that would just be the end of it. Just a little prank. The kind of thing that ends with a laugh right there on the spot.

Conversely, even if he accepted the confession—Tachibana would still be fine.

(There's no way Kokona could ever fall for Tachibana.)

That was the biggest factor.

If the guy we chose had been someone who could talk to girls naturally, it might have been a bit troublesome. With those casual interactions, there's a chance Kokona might start seeing him that way.

But—with a harmless-looking guy like Tachibana, there was zero issue.

Just pretend to date for a few days.

Reveal the truth at the end and it's over.

Just a game.

It was nothing more than that.

"Tachibana Reo is fine, right?"

When I threw out his name, a few gazes gathered.

"But Kujo-kun, is Tachibana-kun really okay?"

A voice carrying a hint of hesitation.

Even so, I didn't care.

"He's quiet all the time and not the type to make a fuss. We just date for a few days, and at the end we say 'It was a punishment game' and it's over. No need to think that deeply about it, right?"

When I said that, a small chuckle rippled through the group.

No one seriously opposed it.

It was supposed to end right there.

And yet...

Right in front of my eyes, Kokona and Tachibana were exchanging words as if it were the most ordinary thing.

That posture made them look like a real couple.

Of course, there's no way that's true.

Kokona is just acting.

Tachibana is going to find out everything soon anyway.

That it was all a lie, and that it was just a punishment game.

I know that...

...I should know that.

Yet the irritation lingering deep in my chest wouldn't go away.

"Kujo? Club activities are starting soon, you know."

Sugisawa's voice drifted in from behind.

Before I knew it, the students remaining in the classroom had thinned out. The sounds of people stepping out into the corridor to head to club activities and chairs scraping against the floor echoed quietly.

"...I'm going now."

Though I answered, I couldn't stand up right away.

At the end of my gaze, Kokona and Tachibana were still there.

According to the plan, next Monday.

Kokona would tell Tachibana alone in private.

That it was a lie.

That it was a punishment game.

And apologize.

And that would be the end of it.

The rest of us would watch his reaction from a little ways away.

Laugh and wrap it up—it was that kind of trivial affair.

But......

A certain scene flashed across my mind.

Back at the arcade, when Kokona was being hit on and troubled.

Tachibana stepped right in front of those guys.

"She's... my girlfriend," he said, using a tone just like a real boyfriend, naturally reaching out to take Kokona's hand. That sight still remained vividly burned into my memory.

As if he were some protagonist protecting a heroine.

(A delusional bastard playing the hero.)

Just a punishment game.

A fake relationship lasting only a few days.

Even though he doesn't know a single thing about that...

Tachibana genuinely seemed to believe he was someone special to Kokona.

Just remembering that sight made an ugly emotion spread deep within my chest.

...Which is precisely why.

Seeing Tachibana right now, just revealing that it was all a lie and calling it done...

For some reason, that didn't feel like enough.

He's smiling right next to Kokona, completely oblivious to everything.

(...Don't get full of yourself.)

Without even realizing it myself, strength gripped my fingertips.

It would do him good to experience a harsh reality for once.

To make him understand what's real.

That all those times he thought were fun were entirely a lie.

I wonder what kind of face he'll make when he finds out.

Imagining the scene waiting at the end of that, a twisted smile crept onto my lips.

Once the weekend was over, Monday would arrive.

I found myself looking forward to that day just a little bit.

Reo Tachibana.

What kind of face would he make when he found out everything?

I couldn't wait to see it.

[Acknowledgment]

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