I Got Into a Secret Relationship With a Girl Who Was Out of My League
“So, at that time.”
In the end, it wasn’t the right atmosphere to ask about Nanamori.
In fact, because of that, I ended up angering Roppou a little, which led to what happened earlier.
Even so, I couldn’t stop thinking about Nanamori.
What on earth is she doing right now?
“Yagami kun, are you listening?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah…”
“You weren’t listening, were you?”
“Well…sorry.”
“…Did something happen with Hoshina?”
“…!”
“Ah, you’re caught.”
I didn’t expect Roppou to figure it out, so it must have shown on my face.
Our relationship hasn’t been exposed.
And we hardly talk at school, so how did he figure it out?
“You’re making a face like, ‘How did you know?’ Though you’re in the same class, you two don’t talk at all, which is unnatural. Even at the study session the other day, the only ones who didn’t talk were Yagami kun and Hoshina.”
It seems that my attempts to hide our relationship backfired.
It must have looked unnatural to Roppou.
“And then there was that moment today. Hoshina seemed a little off, didn’t she? You were looking like you wanted to ask about her earlier, so I thought something was up, Watson kun.”
Roppou placed her index finger in front of my mouth, winked, and explained her deductions like some kind of detective.
She’s observant.
“I don’t know what kind of relationship you two have, but if something happened, you should talk about it sooner rather than later.”
“Ah…thank you.”
“Well, shall we head back?”
“Um, is that okay?”
“Come on, we agreed I’d treat you to crepes, right? We’ve already eaten, so I think we can call it a day. Yagami kun seems to have something on his mind too.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize ! But if you’re so worried, feel free to talk to me again !”
“Thanks. I’ll do that when the time comes.”
Then, at the station gate, I saw Roppou off and left the station.
I have to talk to her without running away. I made up my mind and decided to go home while simulating the conversation on the way.
I passed through the gate and waited for the train.
I thought back on the guy I had been with just a moment ago.
“Yagami kun. Perhaps you like Hoshina…”
I hadn’t fallen for her yet. But I felt a little lonely.
I let out a small sigh and boarded the arriving train.
◆
What am I really doing?
Seeing the two of them having fun made my heart ache. The cloudy sky seemed to reflect my feelings.
It looked like it was about to rain.
“…Let’s go home.”
I slowly left the scene and walked aimlessly.
I couldn’t think about anything else. The image of Yagami kun and Akane laughing earlier was burned into my mind.
“Right here….”
Before I knew it, I had gone to the park where I had met Yagami kun that day, instead of going home.
I entered the park as if drawn in, and sat on the swing just like I had that day.
The swing creaked sadly.
After sitting down, I noticed that my smartphone in my bag was vibrating.
When I picked it up, there were several missed calls.
“…I’ve done it.”
I had been so caught up in chasing after the two of them that I had only called home once.
Today was a day when I had lessons. In other words, I had completely skipped them.
After several calls from my home phone number, there were also calls from Minami’s personal phone number, and the message said to call back immediately.
“I wonder if she’ll be angry…”
I cautiously answered Minami’s call.
[Miss ! Where are you right now !?]
“I’m sorry. I’m still at school…I’m feeling a little under the weather.”
[Are you okay?]
“Yeah. I’m feeling a little better now.”
[I see…please don’t push yourself too hard. However, please at least give us a call. We’re worried.]
“I’m sorry…”
It was true that I wasn’t feeling well, but the reason I skipped school was different. Feeling guilty about that, I apologized listlessly.
“Um, did you tell the teacher…?”
[I already contacted them about your illness.]
“Thank you.”
It seemed she had come up with a clever excuse for me. I smiled wryly at the fact that it was the same excuse I would have used.
[…Is something wrong?]
“……”
[Did I get it right?]
“…How did you know?”
[When you’re feeling down, your voice always gets lower. It’s easy to tell.\
As expected of Minami. She knows everything about me.
Whenever I was feeling down, Minami would comfort me. Maybe I was unconsciously trying to get her to comfort me again.
“But I’m okay ! I’m just not feeling well! Talking to Minami cheered me up. I’ll be home soon !”
[I see…please don’t push yourself too hard. Minami is on your side.]
“…Yeah, thank you.”
I hung up the phone and sighed deeply again.
I had been putting on a brave face again.
“Hoshina.”
Just as I was thinking about going home, a man called my name.
The only man I knew who would call me by my first name in such a familiar way was my father.
“Nikaido san…”
“It’s been a while.”
“…Yes.”
“What are you doing here? I heard you were supposed to be at your lesson right now.”
Nikaido san was in his school uniform and seemed to be on his way home.
I didn’t know why he knew my schedule, but I was also curious about why he was here.
The Seigakuin Academy High School he attended was a little far from here.
It was strange for him to be here alone.
“Nikado san, what are you doing here?”
“I saw you at the station, so I couldn’t help but get out of the car and follow you. If you’re walking with a gloomy expression, it’s only natural, right?”
“……”
At first glance, he seems to be concerned about me, but this isn’t kindness.
“Come on, if you have any troubles, tell me. There should be no secrets between fiancées.”
“I’m not your fiancée yet.”
“It’s a foregone conclusion, isn’t it?”
“……”
He already thinks he has me in his pocket.
He’s only the most likely candidate, but things progressed further at the dinner we had the other day.
He boasts that he will make me happy, but his slightly arrogant attitude is transparent. I didn’t like that about him.
“Now it’s my turn to ask you a question. What are you doing in a place like this? If necessary, I’ll report it to your father.”
That’s bad. I answer calmly, trying not to show my anxiety.
“Nothing in particular. I felt a little unwell on the way home, so I was resting here.”
“Resting, huh. Well, that’s fine. I’ll walk you home. Especially since you’re not feeling well.”
“I’m fine. I’ve called for a ride, and I can’t trouble you, Nikado san.”
I politely declined, trying not to upset him, smiling in a way I don’t usually show.
If he were to report this to my father, it would be quite troublesome. I wanted to avoid that.
“…I see. If that’s what you say, I’ll respect your decision. I’m sorry for being so presumptuous.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“Fufu. Well, I’ll be going now.”
Satisfied with my smile, Nikado san withdrew without further ado and left the park.
He got into the black luxury car parked outside the park and drove away.
“Haa…”
A forced smile. I’m tired.
My already depressed heart sinks even further.
I’ll stay here a little longer to calm my mind.
“Nanamori.”
Someone called my name again.
Maitoshi