Chapter 8: On the Way Home

「Well then, club members be careful. Those going home, don't wander around too much.」

The homeroom teacher who said this leaves the classroom.

With HR over, the long-awaited after-school time has arrived. Having already packed my textbooks into my bag, I immediately tried to leave the classroom. It's better to go home early today. Otherwise, I might get dragged into that lying woman's troubles.

「Ah, Kanato! Let's go home together!」

However, Honoka didn't seem like she was going to let me go easily.

Honoka, who called out to stop me as I was about to leave the classroom, quickly grabs her bag and runs to my side.

Given what happened this morning, I didn't feel like going home with Honoka.

「...What about the light music club? Today was an activity day too, right?」

「Ah, em... I-I'm skipping today, so it's fine.」

「That's not fine. If you skip, it'll cause trouble for the other club members too.」

「B-But!」

Seeing Honoka not backing down, I felt my chest tighten.

She should just leave me alone. She's probably just pitying me anyway. I'm scared of myself for imagining words that didn't even come from Honoka's mouth. All the more reason I want to separate her from myself.

「...Did I do something...?」

「...Not really, you didn't do anything. Go to club activities properly today. I'm going home right away.」

I advise Honoka like this and turn toward the door. The reason I, who had been desperate to go home just moments ago, stopped in my tracks should be obvious by now.

Seeing the blue-haired beautiful girl standing there, I let out what must be my umpteenth sigh of the day.

「It's rude to sigh when you see someone's face.」

「I only sense trouble.」

「Oh my, your devoted girlfriend came to pick you up to go home together, yet your mood is quite low.」

Shigure declared this boldly and without hesitation.

It seems this woman has no consideration whatsoever. She said it in front of my classmates, and in front of Honoka no less. The stares from around us hurt like needles.

Probably, her nutrition was absorbed by her appearance, leaving her ethical sense deficient. Isn't there anyone who can stop this woman? There isn't. She possesses the ultimate weapons of beauty and lies.

「Let's go home. Since we're a couple, this much is natural, right?」

「...Yes, yes.」

Unable to refuse in front of everyone, I line up next to Shigure. With Honoka's wide-eyed face behind us, I left the classroom.

「...I see, have a safe trip...」

▼▽

「......」

「That social studies teacher Kuramori, don't you think he's disgusting? He just keeps asking questions when students don't understand...」

Having left through the main entrance, I was walking with Shigure, exposed to the curious eyes of students.

Well, if yesterday's depressed plain boy was walking with the school's madonna, people would want to look out of novelty. Still, it didn't feel good.

I've never been good at standing out. I'm used to being treated like air, but being the center of attention is different. When I think someone is watching me, I get all fidgety.

Shigure, on the other hand, walks beside me without paying any attention. For her, being the center of attention is an everyday occurrence.

Since we're being seen as a couple, I'd like her to be a little nervous at least. I've male pride too.

「...Tsukishiro-kun, your hand.」

「Eh?」

Shigure's slender fingers intertwine with mine. In an instant, my left hand's freedom was taken away.

「W-Wha, oi!」

「Quiet. ...It's a good opportunity to show that we're a couple. Even if it's fake, we need to act the part.」

「Even without holding hands, we're already rumored to be a couple...」

「It would be troublesome if they suspected it was a lie, wouldn't it?」

She is, after all, a beautiful girl. The smooth texture of her hand stirs my heart.

I never thought just holding hands would make my heart race this much. The charm of the woman called Shigure Ren is terrifying.

「Huh, they're holding hands.」

「Eh, it's true. Why Tsukishiro-kun...?」

I feel like the gazes directed at me suddenly became sharper. I'm doing my best to pretend not to notice.

「...Are you nervous?」

「...Well, somewhat.」

「How innocent.」

「Of course...」

「Well, it makes sense that someone like you wouldn't have a girlfriend.」

「How rude~」

「Good thing I was your first one. You probably won't be satisfied with other women now.」

Shigure leans forward slightly to peer at my face. There was a mysterious charm in that sadistic smile that drew me in.

Tormented by Shigure's words and actions that slip sharp weapons into casual gestures, I left the school.