Chapter 30: A Thread Toward Resolution

「Haah...」

The sigh I exhaled dissipates into the void and disappears. The earth looks boringly peaceful today as always.

Shigure Ren had returned to the academy when classes resumed. The people who had lamented her absence were greatly rejoiced, and the academy that had long lost her presence had regained its original form.

There's no place for me beside Shigure. Having been told our relationship was over, Shigure and I had returned to being complete strangers as we originally were. As a result, here I am again, stuck eating my bento next to Sena.

「...Hey, you, stop sighing at me... I mean, next to me. It makes it seem like I'm the one at fault.」

「You are at fault.」

「That's so unreasonable. ...What's wrong? Did you have a fight or something?」

「Well, figured I should have at least one.」

Sena laughed as if exasperated. Actually, I often bring relationship troubles with Shigure to Sena for advice.

He's already popular enough as it is, so he's probably tired of hearing love advice. Regardless, I'm going to keep doing it.

「There are rumors going around, you know? That you're the one who dumped her.」

「...Eh? Why?」

「Shigure-san seemed worn out and really down. Meanwhile, you're perfectly fine. ...I think it's a pretty simple problem, though?」

Indeed, when I secretly peeked into the classroom, Shigure looked terribly tired.

But I think that's not just about me, but also the shock of her mother discovering her mask.

I want to do something about it. I don't have any obligation or relationship to do such things anymore, but Shigure was no longer a stranger to me.

「What happened? Something you can't tell me?」

「...Well, heaven and earth have flipped upside down, you could say.」

「That sounds tough. Even I can't flip heaven and earth back. ...Think you can make up?」

I shrugged my shoulders.

「You should resolve it quickly. Love and iron should be struck while hot.」

「Yeah, yeah...」

「...You know, I want you and Shigure-san to work out.」

「What's with you all of a sudden?」

「Because you look more alive than I've ever seen when you're with Shigure-san.」

「...Do I?」

「You do. It's totally obvious that you like her.」

Facing Sena looking at me with those knowing, unpleasant eyes made my heart feel restless.

「I don't like that it's not me, but I'm sure Shigure-san is someone who'll greatly change Kanato's life.」

「I'm glad it's not you.」

「Hey, don't say such cold things~」

「Stay away, stay away... You like me too much.」

Sena tilted his head as if I'd said something strange.

「Well, yeah? I'm even thinking of marrying you if you and Shigure-san break up like this.」

「That's gross, so I'm gonna go buy some strawberry milk~」

Dodging Sena's hand as he tries to grab my sleeve, I headed to the vending machine with my wallet in hand.

▼▽

「What should I do...」

On the way to the vending machine, I desperately searched for a solution.

I don't want this to end like this. I want to save Shigure. Those feelings are fine, but I can't think of any plan that would convince and help her.

Right now, Shigure has lost her meaning for living and is at a loss. If I leave her alone, she might run in a dangerous direction. I knew without being told that I needed to deal with this quickly.

(I know I need to do something, but... how can I remove lies that have taken root...?)

Beep.

「Ah.」

Because I was lost in thought, I accidentally bought banana au lait instead of strawberry milk.

I don't really like banana au lait. I'll give it to Sena later.

「So anyway, yesterday's girl...」

「Shit...!?」

At the familiar bastard's voice, I immediately hide behind the vending machine. Peeking out just my face toward the voice, I saw Minazuki-senpai chatting with several companions.

「Her body was seriously good, but her face...」

「Uwaa, that's the most wasteful type!」

「I made her cum so many times with my technique, but her face when she was coming was so funny.」

The unpleasant conversation gradually faded away and disappeared into the school building.

After confirming I could no longer hear voices, I let out a sigh. Worthless people only have worthless conversations.

However, there was one gain from that conversation earlier.

Minazuki-senpai's words. There are lies lurking in them. Lies made of thin ice that only patch up fundamental parts.

「Huh? Tsukishiro-kun?」

「Hii... A-Amanai-senpai...?」

At the voice from behind, I involuntarily jumped and spun around.

Standing there was a female student.

The beautiful girl with long black hair has a slender bearing and gives off an overall refined atmosphere.

Her name is Amanai Rika. She's a third-year and president of the tea ceremony club. She's also someone who was previously in a relationship with Minazuki-senpai.

I've been with her before as part of the cultural festival committee. We became a little close at that time.

I can't believe such a refined person was dating such a barbaric man. Truth is stranger than fiction.

「I thought so. ...What are you doing in a place like that?」

「Playing a little hide and seek...」

I stand up while enduring Amanai-senpai's curious gaze.

While having such an embarrassing scene witnessed will be a lifelong shame, meeting Amanai-senpai is convenient. I had something I needed to ask for final confirmation.

「Amanai-senpai, there's something I'd like to ask you.」

「What is it? If it's something I can answer, go ahead.」

「Senpai, are you a virgin?」

「...Heh?」

Senpai froze with her mouth hanging open. Then like a boiled crustacean, she turns bright red.

「T-Tsukishiro-kun!? What kind of...」

「I mean exactly what I said. I was wondering if senpai is virgin.」

「No, em, well...」

Amanai-senpai nodded while fidgeting.

「I-I like Tsukishiro-kun, but that's as a kouhai...」

「Heeh, I figured... You didn't do it when you were dating Minazuki-senpai?」

「I didn't do it! Besides, he just thought we were dating on his own, we weren't an official couple! He kept trying to force acts on me, so I didn't feel like doing it...」

Amanai-senpai's response was what I had predicted.

This gave me certainty. I've obtained a weapon as powerful as Minazuki-senpai's fists.

「Sorry. Asking such a rude question. ...Ah, here's a thank you gift.」

「Eh? T-Thank you...」

「Well, I'll be going now.」

I hand the banana au lait to Amanai-senpai and leave. The "What was that about~!" I heard from behind was probably just my imagination.