Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330668994179192/episodes/16818023211961839314
Two weeks have passed since Sumika started spreading rumors about Eita, and his classmates’ criticism of him is growing stronger by the day.
Eita, who could no longer stand the criticism, sat down to eat his lunch with Kento and Hanai on a battered bench at the back of the school building, instead of in the classroom where he usually eats his lunch.
“I’m really pissed off. Sumika chan is lying, and so are the people around her who believe her lies.”
“For real. A lot of my friends talk about it, too. They tried to get on board with it.”
“Don’t you dare try to join too !?”
Eita makes a comment, but of course he was grateful that Kento and Hanai believed that Sumika’s statement was a lie and were on Eita’s side.
Hanai is not just joking around, but is probably trying to cheer Eita up by making a joke. Perhaps.
“Fufufu. It’s just a joke.”
“‘Well, it’s fine that it’s only among the second graders right now, but if it spreads to the whole grade, it’ll be out of control.”
Kento is right that this rumor has not spread to the other grades, and the way the first and third graders look at Eita has not changed.
However, the way the classmates look at Eita is completely different from the way they used to look at a pebble on the side of the road, and has changed to the way they look at criminals.
The reason why they can trust gossip that has no basis in anything to that extent is because of the overwhelming trust that Sumika has built up until now.
Needless to say, there is a difference in trust between Eita, who is a loner and has never tried to get involved with many people, and Sumika, who is a cheerful person and has been involved with many people.
There are a certain number of people who sympathize with Eita, but no one is willing to protect him.
Even if they are honest people who can question even the statements of someone with such an overwhelming reputation as Sumika, there is no need for them to help or protect Eita because they have nothing to do with him.
“Well, the situation is already out of hand.”
It is reassuring for Eita to know that Kento and Hanai are on his side, but the fact remains that the wind against him is getting stronger.
The situation is eating away at Eita’s mind, as he sees no way to improve the situation and cannot see the future, and has already reached the point where he is about to stop going to school.
Still, if he were to stop going to school, he would be at Sumika’s mercy, and he would no longer be able to face Kohime.
“……Hey, are you okay?”
Eita’s lifeless expression may have been bothering him, so Kento suddenly asked him such a question.
He may have been concerned about Eita, but Eita couldn’t tell him the truth because he could feel that he was thinking about him from the bottom of his heart.
“….I’m fine. Kento and Hanai were with me and listened to my story.”
“Then that’s fine…….”
“Don’t push yourself too hard, Eita.”
Eita was told by Hanai what Eita had told Kohime a while ago, and Eita thought that you never know what life has in store for you.
Whatever it is, he has to endure it for now, but it is not that easy.
Now he could painfully understand how strong Kohime is, having endured bullying for more than four years.
◆◇
After school, Kohime and I went to a donut shop near her house.
“What’s the matter? You seem to be a little down……”
As soon as she opened her mouth, Kohime pointed out my lack of energy.
I wonder if I look that listless now to other people.
I guess I need to be more cheerful, even if it’s just a blank look, so that I don’t worry the people around me.
Kohime asked me what’s wrong, but I have no intention of revealing the incident with Sumika to her.
If I give her information that I’m being bullied, she may spend more time solving my problems than her own.
If I tell Kohime about Sumika, the kind Kohime will try her best to be there for me.
I can’t tell her that I’m being treated unfairly just yet, because if I do, it might distract her from improving her own situation.
“Isn’t it just my imagination? Personally, I feel like I’m more energetic.”
“You don’t look that way. You have dark circles under your eyes, and you haven’t been sleeping at night, have you?”
“Ah, that’s right. I’ve been a little addicted to video games lately. Maybe that’s why I don’t sleep well.”
“……Please moderate your behavior. If you get sick and can’t go to school, it’ll be hard to catch up on classes.”
……I’m really blessed, aren’t I?
I have a number of friends who notice that I’m depressed and in a difficult situation just by the look on my face.
For the sake of my friends who care about me, I must manage to go to school without being absent from school.
“Thanks a lot. How about you? How’s school these days?”
““Same as ever. The harassment is still going on, but my heart has recovered a lot since I met Eita san, Kento san, and Hanai san, so I think I can still endure it.”
It is good that her heart is recovering, but it must be difficult for her to deal with the bullying situation on her own.
I wish I could do something about it—though I may not be able to help KOhimeif I don’t take care of myself first.
“…I see. I don’t know if I can say this. but don’t push yourself too hard.”
“Yes. Thank you. Ah, this donut is crispy and delicious.”
“That looks delicious, though. I’ve never had one before.”
“Well, please take a bite.”
“Eh?”
So saying, Kohime offered me a donut shaped like a rolled up churros, with a few bites of it.
I had lost the chance to kiss her indirectly when I ate the burger before.
However, if I jumped at the chance, I would look like someone who really wants to kiss her indirectly, and if I was too modest, I might lose the chance again.
“You don’t like it?”
I decided to share the donut with her.
“No, I’ll have one.”
The donut I put in my mouth seemed to have less flavor than usual.
“They’re good.”
“Right?”
Just by talking with Kohime, my heart, which had been depressed because of the bullying, was somehow cheered up a little.
It was only natural that I wanted her to be by my side, as she could cheer me up without even realizing it.
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