Episode 18 – Hatred and Assault

Source

https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5215ii/18/

A week has passed since I was seen walking with Iyoki san holding hands with me.

There are still a lot of stares directed at me, and the rumors have not subsided.

I was only being watched and not being spoken to by anyone other than the stiffs, so I wasn’t concerned about it.

“Iriake kun, you unusually had a part-time job on your day off, didn’t you?”

“Yes, that’s right. Actually, I’ve had a lot of expenses lately. ……”

“Is it a comic book?”

“Yes. I’ve also started buying books, and I’m already a swamp.”

“Fufu, swamp.”

Iyoki san also did not seem to be concerned about the current situation.

Besides, she is not a person who cares about her surroundings from the beginning.

If Iyogi-san and I stick to this stance, they will eventually get tired of it and things will go back to the way they were.

“Tsk.”

A click of the tongue heard from somewhere.

And the disgusted stares from several people.

I have always been sensitive to such violent stares.

I knew that someone had been eyeing me recently.

It’s obvious that someone has been eyeing me recently, and it’s a nasty, disgusting look.

“Iriake kun, what’s wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

I don’t think Iyoki san noticed.

Does that mean that it was directed at me?

I knew what to expect.

I thought that by making friends with a school idol, a shadowy character like me might get some antipathy from some of the bad guys.

But since that had never happened to me before, I was relieved.

It was a real pain in the ass.

But there was nothing I could do.

Unless something happens to harm Iyoki-san.

♦　♦　♦

Lunch Break.

Recently, I’ve become friends Kento and we often have lunch together.

We sit around my desk, bring our chairs together, and nibble on bread while chatting about nothing.

“I’ve been hearing some bad rumors lately.”

“Bad rumors?”

“yeah. There is an ace of the soccer team in the third year, right? That person seems to have a crush on Sae-sama.”

I heard that there was a famous person who confessed his love to Iyoki-san before.

It seems that he was rejected.

“But recently there are rumors about you and Sae-sama, right? I heard she’s talking shit about you and Sae-sama.”

“Heee.”

That nasty look might have come from there.

But still, a third year senior huh

“You should be careful. I heard that senior is involved with a bunch of jerks at our high school.”

“Yeah, I’ll be careful.”

“If something happens to you, you must tell me, okay? I’m not confident in my strength, so I’ll call the teacher with my loud voice.”

“Ahaha, I’ll be counting on you.”

He really is a good guy.

But well, it might be time to be careful.

I’ll watch my back from now on.

♦　♦　♦

The after-school chime rings.

At the same time, my cell phone vibrated.

I opened it to see a message from Iyoki-san.

[Sae: Sorry, I have committee work today, so I can’t go home with you!]

Iyoki-san is as disciplined as ever.

It’s not that I have promised to go home with her, but it has become the norm for us to go home together these days.

I was deeply touched by Iyoki-san’s concern.

[Tomonari: I understand. I’ll go home first]

When I sent that, I received a stamp of a dejected rabbit in return.

Really, Iyoki-san is so cute, isn’t she?

“Okay, I’m going home.”

It’s been a while since I’ve gone home alone.

Should I drop by a convenience store and buy some sweets?

I left the school thinking about how to spend my after-school hours.

However, I saw a couple of guys in front of the school gate.

They were looking at me.

“Hey, isn’t that Iriake?”

“Sae-sama’s not here. Just as well.”

He approached me with a sly smile on his face.

–I see, he finally came.

“Hey, you’re Iriake, right?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Give me your time a bit.”

Obviously, the students around me are scared.

This is the right place to follow their instructions and go to an unpopular place.

“I understand.”

I followed them.

Slowly, we made our way to an unpopular place and arrived at the back of the school building.

I had no idea that the situation would turn out like a movie.

As I was thinking how dare they do such a thing nowadays, a handsome guy with red hair, who seemed to be the leader of the team, stood in front of me.

This guy was the ace of the soccer team.

“You’ve come a long way. You’ve got guts, don’t you?”

“Thanks.”

“But I don’t like your attitude.”

What am I supposed to be scared of?

A little bit of intimidation.

“Well, that’s all right. I’m going to tell you straight to the point. Don’t get involved with Sae-sama any more. Sae-sama is my woman.”

I didn’t think there was anyone who could say such a thing without hesitation.

He was dumped by Iyoki-san, and yet.

“I refuse to do that. Iyoki-san is my friend.”

“Oh? Are you underestimating me?

He puts his forehead together to intimidate me.

Perhaps because he’s the ace of the soccer club, he’s got a solid build.
　

But – there are many gaps.

“It’s impossible for a loser like you to get along with Sae-sama. Don’t you know anything about yourself?!”

“I don’t deny that.”

“You don’t match her! Out of balance! The man standing next to Sae-sama is not worthy!”

It’s as if he’s saying he’s the right man for it.

Well, what he’s saying is not quite wrong. I don’t want to admit it.

“Just realize it already, you shady guy. I’ll say it again, get away from Sae-sama.”

“I refuse.”

I’m not going to listen to you.

Iyoki-san is my first friend.

“…..Haa, it can’t be helped. I thought I wouldn’t hurt you if you accepted me honestly, but it can’t be helped if you’re such a rebel. You guys, let’s do it.”

The people who had been waiting behind me came out in droves and surrounded me.

I’m not afraid of this number of people.

I can handle them on my own.

I looked closely and prepared for any attack to come from anywhere.

Just as one guy was about to swing his fist at me.

“This way, sensei! Quickly, quickly!”

I heard a familiar voice.

I looked in the direction of the voice, and there he was.

“Kento!”

“Damn, it’s a pain in the ass when the teacher comes. Let’s go!”

The group retreats from the scene.

“Hey, don’t forget my advice.”

With one last word, he left.

“Are you all right, Iriake?”

“I’m fine. Thank you for saving my life, Kento.”

“I told you, didn’t I? I’ll call Sensei”

“Hahaha, thank you.”

He stared at the back of the group with a smile and exhaled with a puff of air.

The situation somehow ended without anything happening, thanks to Kento.

♦　♦　♦

Then word spread instantly that I had been attacked by those guys.

I had a bad feeling from then on.　

But I never expected it.

I never thought something like that would happen.

–

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