Chapter 2 - The Beautiful Girl Next to Me Keeps Glaring…
Now then, before I confess my feelings to Tsukishiro-san, there's one serious problem. And that is—
“Hey! Tsubasa—!”
“Uwah!?”
The moment someone called my name from behind, my whole body jolted. …Ah, so embarrassing. No one saw that, right? Back in middle school, the only one who ever called me by name was Tsukishiro-san, so I’m still totally not used to it.
When I turned toward the voice, I saw the guy who spoke to me on the day of the entrance ceremony—my very first high school friend: Tachibana Shun.
Handsome features, refreshing smile, overwhelming popularity with the girls. The type who naturally becomes the center of the class, liked by both girls and guys. …A guy who’s basically at the top of the school caste system, and for some reason, he’s been oddly chummy with me since the entrance ceremony.
“Tsubasa, over here.”
Shun beckoned me over with a meaningful gesture. I braced myself and stood up from my chair.
(Hang in there… Cool me…!)
In my head, the sweaty blob version of me cheered in a trembling voice.
Alright, calm down. Deep breath, Kanzaki Tsubasa.
The current me is—cool and composed, the handsome Kanzaki Tsubasa. …Or so I tell myself.
Talking normally with classmates should be easy. …Probably.
No, actually, I’m still kinda nervous.
Truth is, I have zero confidence in my communication skills. I spend late nights binge-reading light novels, studying how handsome characters talk.
The result of that is the current “cool persona” Kanzaki Tsubasa.
…Though, this character setting is paper-thin.
One wrong move and I’m not “quiet and cool,” just “a guy who can’t hold a conversation.” When the talk stalls, my heart races and my armpits start sweating like crazy.
In short, I’m a sunshine-looking guy on the outside, but a socially awkward loner on the inside.
—Yeah, I’m living my high school life walking on thin ice.
“What is it, Shun?”
I lowered my voice, trying to sound cool at least in tone.
Shun leaned in and whispered.
“Tsukishiro-san is glaring at you again with that intense look. What did you do?”
“I-I don’t think I did anything…”
I nervously glanced at Tsukishiro-san—and she was shooting me a look like I’d just murdered her parents.
Yes. The serious problem is that look.
She often glares at me. Eyes slightly narrowed, cold light glinting in her gaze. Every time that sharp stare pierces me, it feels like a chill freezes deep inside my chest.
“Eek…!”
My heart clenched, and a shiver ran down my spine. That’s gotta be pure murderous intent…
“How dare you reject me… You sweaty blob…”
Of course, she never actually said that. —But that’s how it sounds to me. That glare digs right into my guilt…
She must… really hate me…
Well, obviously. Tsukishiro-san has become a stunning beauty who turns heads wherever she goes… Someone like me sitting next to her must be a total eyesore. It’s awkward… way too awkward…
“Hey, Tsubasa. You two went to the same middle school, right? Were you… dating or something?”
“N-no way! Absolutely not!”
“Why the full-force denial!? I think you two look great together—handsome guy, beautiful girl. But still… that glare definitely means something happened, right?”
“T-that’s… um…”
I can’t say it. If I talk about the past, it’ll only cause trouble for her.
“She only glares at you, you know. She’s super nice to everyone else.”
…Yeah, I know.
Tsukishiro-san is usually kind, smiling, graceful—the heroine everyone admires. So why does she only give me that look…?
“Rumor has it even other classes and upperclassmen are talking about Tsukishiro-san.”
“Rumor?”
“They say there’s an insanely cute girl. Plus she’s got a great personality and amazing style—of course she’s popular.”
“H-heh… I see…”
Yeah, I knew that. I did. But hearing it out loud makes my stomach hurt. And Shun keeps going, wrecking my gut even more.
“It’s only been two weeks since school started… and apparently five guys have already confessed and been rejected.”
“F-five guys!?”
“She says she already likes someone.”
I widened my eyes and leaned in close to Shun.
“She likes someone!? W-who is it!?”
“Too close, man, scary! I don’t know that much either.”
This is bad… I don’t have the guts to confess if she already has a boyfriend. Just imagining someone standing next to her makes my chest ache.
When I looked down with a gloomy face, Shun must’ve noticed. He gave me a reassuring smile.
“Well, I won’t ask what happened. But if you ever need to talk, I’m here. We’re friends, after all.”
Shun’s words made me genuinely happy, and my mood lightened a little.
“Yeah. Thanks, Shun.”
I thanked him and returned to my seat.
I can’t afford to waste time. It’s a miracle we ended up in the same class. This time, I have to tell her how I feel…
But first, I need to do something about that glare.
***
I, Tsukishiro Rei, am on cloud nine.
Because… I’m in the same class as Kanzaki-kun, and we even sit next to each other.
Thank you, gods.
But… when I actually look at him, I get so nervous my face freezes. I really want to smile, but it ends up looking like I’m glaring…
Aaaaah, no, that’s not what I meant—that’s not it at all!
Still… just being next to him makes me so happy…
***