Chapter 9 Part 1: What Really Matters

It was lunch break.

Yuki and I would usually eat lunch together on the rooftop, walking up the stairs together, but today I was on day duty and had a lot of things to do. It all piled up, and I was late. She then told me she would go ahead and wait for me there.

Finishing my day duty fast so I could meet up with her, I went to the rooftop. Walking up the stairs, I noticed some voices talking right before the rooftop, in a corner. I could have continued up the stairs, but what they said sounded serious, so I stopped.

I hid behind a wall and made sure my footsteps were light. Sneaking a glance up at the landing, I saw a guy and a girl talking to each other. One wore pants, the other wore a skirt.

The stairs to the rooftop are usually empty since students don’t often use them. Due to that, it wasn’t a bad place to hide.

But Yuki is waiting for me on the rooftop, and I don’t want to bother these two…

As I thought that, a familiar voice echoed through the stairs. It was like a fairy singing to the forest, pure and magical. There was no doubt that the angel’s voice was Yuki’s.

“Um… What’s the reason you stopped me…?”

“The reason is… Hey, Yuki-san, will you go out with me?”

From my hiding place, I could see that guy confessing his utmost feelings to her. I backed away, feeling like I was seeing something I shouldn’t have. Then, when I saw who was confessing to her, my chest tightened.

It was Abusaki, a guy with excellent grades, the ace of the soccer team, and he’s even called the handsome prince of the school. He was jealous she and I got along, so he roughed me up several times during our soccer match. Now, that same dude is confessing to Yuki.

With her angelical appearance, it was only natural that she would be courted by the boys. Her personality is also very good, transcending gender barriers and attracting everyone. Her academic prowess was also proven by her perfect score in all subjects in the mid-term exam, and her athletic prowess became well known through her unparalleled performance in the tournament.

I heard she had been confessed to by many boys since she entered the school, but I had always been confident that Yuki would never nod her head to a confession from another boy because of her troubled past with those boys’ bullying.

However, when the guy confessing turned out to be the most handsome boy in school, I started to feel uneasy. He was really cool, so cool that I, as a guy, can honestly admit it. Rumor has it that there hasn’t been a single girl who hasn’t fallen for him. He is so popular that when he flashes a fresh smile, all the girls scream giddily.

That same prince was driving her toward the wall. Unlike their previous position, they now could be seen clearly from downstairs.

He wore a wry smile on his face and pressed one hand against the wall behind Yuki.

… It seemed only natural that a girl would accept a confession from such a good-looking boy. Yuki was in trouble, and there was a chance she might accept his confession due to the atmosphere he was creating.

But my fears turned out to be completely unfounded.

“I’m sorry.”

Abusaki was frozen stiff by her response.

“I’m sorry… What do you mean?”

“I can’t accept your confession, sorry.”

“W–Why? Are you kidding me?”

“Not at all. This is the first time we’ve even talked to each other. It’s impossible for us to be in a relationship when we didn’t even have one to begin with.”

“Let me repeat, I asked you out! Other girls would be overjoyed to receive such a confession, but not you?”

“I’m not overjoyed, not even joyed to be honest I don’t know you well enough.”

“Are you seriously saying you don’t know me? I’m Abusaki, the sophomore.”

“…? I really don’t know you.”

“Wow, it’s the first time I’ve heard that. I didn’t think there were girls who didn’t know me.”

“Then, Abusaki-senpai, I have one question for you. Why did you ask me out?”

“It’s obvious. I’ve never seen a girl as pretty as you, so I thought I deserved you.”

“Did you think it was appropriate just because I’m pretty? You deserve me? I’m not sure I follow your logic.”

“Well, if it’s you and me… We can balance each other out, can’t we?”

“What do you mean, ’balance’?”

“I’m talking about looks, looks! I believe the most handsome boy and the most beautiful girl in school, which is you, would make the best couple!”

“…? So you’re saying you fell in love with me solely because of my appearance?”

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“Yeah. There’s no way I’d leave a cute girl such as you all alone. We’d make a great couple, for sure.”

“We’re not close enough to determine whether or not we’d have a good relationship. I don’t know you, and you don’t know me. Don’t you think this kind of thing should be done after getting to know each other?”

“Oh my God! Why don’t we just do that later? I’ll take good care of you, and I’m confident you’ll be fine!”

Yuki exhaled in dismay at his words, furring her brows. She then returned the next words with a matter-of-fact tone.

“I don’t believe this is what a relationship is about. Sorry, I can’t accept your confession.”

“Why the hell not?!”

“It’s because you only see me on the outside. You’re not even trying to get to know me on the inside, and you’re just attracted to my looks!”

“N–No, I’m not…”

“Now, let me ask you a question. If I had a face people said was haunted, and I wrapped bandages around it just to hide these ugly features, would you still love and care for me?”

“Ghosts, what a metaphor! Haha… What are you talking about?”

Abusaki’s eyes lied. The answer was obvious.

He was absolutely confident in his appearance, and he looked for a girl that matched his looks. If Yuki had been bandaged up like she was in elementary, he would never have thought of confessing his feelings to her.

This guy didn’t fall in love with Yuki as a person. He fell for her present beauty.

Yuki continued without changing her expression, Abusaki’s face dropping by the second.

“I’m sorry to keep repeating myself, but I can’t have a relationship with you. Well, It’s my time to leave.”

She bowed her head and tried to walk away, but he wasn’t ready to give up. Abusaki had never failed in confessing to any girl before, and he couldn’t believe that he, who had been the envy of everyone for his good looks, would be rejected by some girl he just confessed to. The ever-growing self-esteem harbored inside him bared its fangs at Yuki.

“W–Wait a second!”

“—Kya!”

Abusaki grabbed Yuki’s arm and forcefully pulled her to him. At that second, I could see her face harden with fear, the same expression she usually showed in the past when she was all bandaged up and relentlessly bullied by those around her.

“You can’t leave after saying this much!”

“S–Stop! Please, stop!”

“I told you to go out with me, so you will go out with me!”

The moment he raised his voice, I darted up the stairs and jumped between the two of them to protect Yuki. Her eyes widened when she saw me, and Abusaki was so startled by my sudden appearance, he let go of her.

My fists throbbed with anger, and I was at my patience’s limit. No way I could stand by and watch any longer. I couldn’t forgive this guy’s arrogance and his ignoring Yuki’s feelings just to do whatever he wanted to.

“Abusaki. What are you doing to Yuki?”

“—!? Hinakura, from Year 1?”

“I’m asking you what you’re doing. Answer.”

“Um… I’m…”

“Answer. Me.”

I said it as calmly as I could, but my emotions got the better of me and my voice rose to an almost growl. When Yuki saw my face, her eyes watered. She trembled a lot, frightened by the whole situation. Seeing this, I pulled her by the shoulders and hid her behind my back.

I would never allow anyone to be rough with her, and I never want to see her sad face ever again. A sudden feeling rises up inside me, the same one as back when I saved her.

After glaring at me, Abusaki ran down the stairs as if trying to escape. Honestly, I’m glad it didn’t come to a point where we’d have to throw hands.

I look back at Yuki, relieved this whole situation was over. She still quivered but kept hugging me tightly. Then she looks up at me and smiles, wiping away the tears that have been welling up in her eyes.

“Thank you… For helping me…”

I gently stroked Yuki’s head as she mumbled those words weakly.

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