Episode 19 – Monk

The Day After My Girlfriend Cheated on Me, My Female Friend Suddenly Started Seducing Me. ~The Protagonist’s Struggle Begins With a Revenge Drama~

It was a slightly damp and rainy day. I went to school as usual.

The heat of summer is gradually peeking through, and the school uniform has changed to one with short sleeves. I walked through the school gate, listening to the sound of raindrops hitting my umbrella.

When I arrived at the classroom, there seemed to be some kind of commotion. It was so noisy that it reminded me of the commotion I had heard the other day. I took my seat and looked around. It seemed that Kaori’s seat was where everyone’s eyes were focused.

“She lost her indoor shoes. I didn’t realize this was happening nowadays.”

Ruri san said with a sigh next to me.

I looked at Kaori’s feet and saw that she was wearing guest’ slippers, not a pair of indoor shoes. Apparently, it was true that she had no indoor shoes.

I just stared at Kaori in silence. I wondered if Ruri san was right and if there was such a thing as losing indoor shoes in this day and age.

“You’ll find it soon ! Someone must have taken it by mistake !”

“Really? …Perhaps someone took them home on purpose…”

“No, that can’t be true ! Even if they did, who in the world would…”

In the classroom, there was a flurry of speculation. Someone is wearing them by mistake. Or someone who likes to steal them. The theories varied, but considering Kaori’s popularity, it was hard to deny that someone had stolen them.

“…I wonder who did it. A fan of Kaori’s?”

“Beats me. I don’t know which idiot did it, but it’s only a matter of time before we find out.”

“….? Ruri san, do you know anything about this?”

“Not that I know of, but look at that.”

Ruri san pointed with her chin toward the hallway. I turned my eyes and saw a group of people sniffing around everywhere with bloodshot eyes.

“They are the fans who are trying to get a shot at Kaori. They are not only looking for her here, but all over the school. I don’t know if the culprit was a group or a loner, but it’s gonna be very difficult to get past those guards.”

“Isn’t this a big case already…..”

“Rei kun, good morning.”

Kaori comes, making a pitter-patter sound. She doesn’t seem to be too concerned about the shoes, as she greets me with her usual bright smile.

“Good morning. ….You’re in a lot of trouble this morning, aren’t you?”

“Ahaha….I don’t really care about it. I have slippers.”

“I’m sure your popularity is the reason for all this commotion. Don’t you have any idea what’s going on?”

“Hmm, I put them in the shoe box as usual yesterday…but when I looked in the morning, they were gone.”

Kaori speaks as if it is someone else’s problem. The person in question doesn’t seem to be concerned about it, and it seems to have become a big deal due to the influence of those around her. Of course, considering Madonna’s slippers in class were stolen.

“Can you think of anyone who’s out to get you?”

“Eh? …Last week, I think, a senior from the soccer club, Mizunazuki, and a first-year student, Orita, confessed their feelings to me.”

“Those two are suspicious. Let’s take a look. I’m counting on you, Rei kun.”

“Why am I the only one in this situation? Ruri san, please help me too.”

“I’m busy myself. It’s a job for only two people.”

“You can’t just throw things like that in my face….”

Ruri san left her seat before hearing my response. I couldn’t leave it as I was left alone with the job.

“…Rei kun, you don’t have to force yourself to look for it, okay? I’m sure I’ll find it soon, and if I can’t find it, I’ll just buy it…”

“No, I’ll look for it. You’re the victim. I can’t pretend that I don’t see it.”

“I-I see. Well, if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know !”

I watched Kaori’s back as she quickly walked away, and I decided to begin my search.

▽▼

“So…”

“Orita…?”

First of all, I went to Nemugaki. I assumed that Nemugaki, who has a wide range of friendships, would know about Orita.

She seemed to be searching her memory while muttering Orita’s name several times.

“…Ah ! Orita Remu kun !  Heh, he has a surprisingly playboyish side.”

“I’ve been told that Orita is suspicious…has he been making any suspicious moves?”

“He didn’t do anything suspicious. I don’t think he’s the type of person who would do something like that.”

The first one seemed to be a failure. Nemugaki’s eye for people is unmistakable. Celebrities she doesn’t like usually disappear due to scandals. That’s what I know, so there’s no room for doubt.

“…Why are you looking for Hiiragi senpai’s slippers? Are you trying to find the culprit and punish them your own?”

“I don’t have a reason. I’m just looking for it as a friend. How can I just leave her alone when she’s in trouble?”

“…..You left me alone, didn’t you?”

“Eh? What?”

“It’s nothing ! Hurry up and go away, pervert !”

I headed to the next location, as if I were being chased away by the raging horse-like fence.

▽▼

“Excuse me.”

I knocked twice on the old wooden door and entered. Inside, a female student was standing with her back against the desk.

“Ya, Rei. It’s been a while. What is it that you wanted to see me about? Have you decided to join the student council?”

[Unfortunately] I said, shaking my head at the president. I looked at the president, who looked a little disappointed and drooped her shoulders.

“I wanted to ask you about Mizunazuki senpai of the soccer club. Has he been acting strangely in the past few days?”

“Mizunazuki kun? He hasn’t been doing anything in particular, but why?”

“Kaori’s shoes are missing. So I’ve been researching the people involved for the past few days…”

The president’s eyes widened, as if this was the first time she had heard about Kaori’s case.

“Kaori’s shoes? ….There are people who like things. I wonder what they would do if they took her slippers. I’ll go look for them. There might be some clues.”

“Thank you very much. …By the way, what’s that?”

I pointed to a pile of papers hidden behind the president’s back. The president picked up one of them with a proudful look.

“These are reports from the school’s clubs and committees. They include things like budget increases, problems with behavior, and many other things.”

“It’s quite a lot…”

“Oh, yeah.  It’s the usual thing. However, the deadline is today at lunchtime.”

“Lunch break? Why did you keep it until now?”

“Well, it’s embarrassing and troublesome. ….Rei, could you please help me?”

“Huh…I guess you haven’t gotten over your habit of saving up work. That’s fine. I’m just doing you a favor for listening to me.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you’re a dependable junior.”

▽▼

“Haa…”

After helping the president with her paperwork since then, I was walking down the corridor back to the classroom. That person’s habit of hoarding work will never go away. I remember her being scolded by the vice president at the student council general meeting the other day.

“Hey, you there !”

I hear a voice behind me as I walk down the hallway. I turned around to see a man with a shaved head running toward me.

“Sorry, could you keep this for me?”

“Eh, w-wait !?”

The man shoved the package under my arm and ran down the hallway. While I was dumbfounded wondering what the hell was going on, a frantic search team wearing Kaori’s slippers came from the opposite direction from where the man was headed.

“Hey, haven’t you seen the guy with the shaved head around here?”

“Eh, he went that way.”

“That son of a bitch…!”

I don’t know why, but the man seemed to be being chased by the search party. The search party immediately ran in the direction the man was headed.

“….What the hell was that?”

I was left behind again, muttering to the void.

Maitoshi