Chapter 23: Yuigahama, That Idiot!
Chapter 23: Yuigahama, That Idiot!
…
Himekoji Akito bought drinks and went back to the classroom.
He sat alone at his seat playing with his phone and staring blankly for a while.
He felt like time had not passed at all, when the end-of-school bell suddenly rang earlier than expected.
So did he waste another morning?
Around him, some people started sprinting to the cafeteria to buy lunch, some moved tables together to eat their bento, and others walked casually to other classrooms.
During the lunch break, year 2 class B was still as noisy as ever.
It fit that old saying:
No time was less restful than rest time.
In the messy, loud classroom, everyone was freed from the pressure of class.
They talked closely with friends, discussed plans after school or gossiped about TV shows from yesterday.
Their overlapping, hot conversations seemed like a foreign language to him—hearing it did not help him understand it.
For this class, Himekoji Akito felt like an extra person… well, he always had been.
So, what made someone “not an extra”?
That was a good question!
First, without a doubt, such a person needed to be very good at social skills.
This showed well with the group at the back of the classroom.
The two from the soccer club, the three from the basketball club, plus three girls—these were clearly the top people in the class pyramid.
By the way, Yuigahama, that big-breasted, silly idiot was surprisingly part of this group too.
It was unknown if she got in because of her big breasts or her silly mind, but they probably accepted her as a harmless, easy fool.
Himekoji Akito felt a little emotional for some reason and made this judgment—selfish and a bit mean.
In that group, two people stood out brightly.
And because they were “bright,” the idea that “being a normie = paying more for electricity” fit—those sparkling “big power users” worked hard!
First was Hayama Hayato, always the center of attention.
He was both a soccer club star and a candidate for next captain, so perfect it just made people feel uneasy.
He was that cool, handsome guy with a hero vibe, who was sickeningly good-looking.
In short, he was Himekoji Akito’s enemy.
“You know, I can’t go today—club activities.”
Listen, listen! Hayama Hayato even used a fake soft tone—phony and disgusting!
Himekoji Akito was a hundred percent good at nitpicking…
“Skipping one day should be fine? And Thirty-one has specials today! I want to eat chocolate and choco-late!”
“They’re both the same thing, right?”
“Hey~ not at all! Anyway, I’m super hungry.”
A flustered voice came over—the one talking to Hayama was Miura Yumiko.
She had long golden curls and wore her uniform loosely, almost showing her shoulders—you couldn’t help thinking, “Hey! Are you selling it?”
Her skirt was so short it made you yell, “Hey, is there even a point in wearing that?”
But besides that, Miura’s face was fairly neat and calm.
Her extreme style and bad brain made Himekoji Akito dislike her.
Think about it: she seriously thought chocolate and choco-late were two different things—what a terrible talking experience!
But for “super normie” Hayama, it didn’t seem that way.
Miura wasn’t scary to talk to; he even got along well with her.
The two still chatted happily at the back of the classroom.
“I’m sorry, but I really can’t today.”
Hayama said this smoothly as if to wrap it up perfectly.
Then, seeing Miura shocked, he opened up perfectly with a bright smile and explained.
“I plan to apply to a national university this year.”
“Ah… ah, really?”
The reason was so proper that the girl didn’t know how to keep talking.
“Oh, and also, Yumiko, if you eat too much, you’ll regret it later.”
Hayama said such caring words very casually.
“I don’t gain weight, so I’ll just treat my stomach well today! Right, Yui?” Miura suddenly dragged in Yuigahama.
“Ah! Yeah, Yumiko has a really good figure. But I made plans with someone else today…”
Yuigahama fidgeted with her fingers, looking troubled.
But Miura seemed not to hear the second half and said, “Yes? Then eat up happily today!”
Miura laughed right after saying that—it sounded empty, like the added laughs in variety shows.
The laugh was very loud, as if words popped out from the screen.
Himekoji Akito wasn’t trying to listen, but those guys were just too noisy.
No one was next to him, but they made it feel like he was in an eye of a typhoon.
Over there, Hayama kept everyone happy with a smile that anyone would like and said, “Eating too much will upset your stomach.”
“I’ll be fine no matter how much I eat—you worry too much, right, Yui?”
“Yeah, uh, Yumiko has a really, really good body. Her legs are pretty, but I…”
“Eh? But that Yukinoshita girl isn’t bad, is she?”
“Ah, true, Yukinoshita is great too.”
“…”
Hearing that, Miura suddenly shut up, clenching her lips grumpily and raising her eyebrows.
“…Ah, but Yumiko is prettier!”
Yuigahama froze for a moment, then realized she said the wrong thing and rushed to fix it.
There was no doubt that Yuigahama’s flattery was fake.
Himekoji listened, pouted, and shook his head without thinking.
It just felt like the relation between a queen and her maid.
But Yuigahama’s agreeing seemed not enough to cheer up the queen’s bad mood—Miura narrowed her eyes unhappily.
“How about after club activities? I can go then.”
As if sensing the mood was off, Hayama stepped in to smooth things over.
Then, hearing Hayama agree, the queen’s displeasure vanished fast.
She laughed and continued as if nothing happened, “OK? Then text after the activity?”
“No problem.”
He handled it lightly—what else but Hayama?
Yuigahama patted her chest secretly and sighed in relief.
Himekoji saw all this and sighed with disbelief.
Hey, isn’t that tough? It’s like feudal times.
If you have to read moods and struggle to please others just to be a normie, being a pervert is easier and freer!
Long live loneliness!
Thinking that, Himekoji Akito’s eyes casually glanced at the “normie group.”
But unintentionally, he locked eyes with Yuigahama, who was looking at him for no reason.
Himekoji quickly looked away, but this made Yuigahama seem more determined.
The girl took a deep breath.
“Uh… I have a place I want to go at lunch… so…”
“Ah, really? Then bring back some lemon tea when you return. I forgot my drink today.” Miura ordered her around familiarly.
“Ah, ah, but see, when I get back, it’s practically gonna be afternoon classes already. So like… I won’t be here at all at lunch. So it’s kinda… kinda a problem…”
As soon as Yuigahama said that, Miura Queen’s expression stiffened instantly.
Yuigahama, who had never talked back to her before, was actually refusing her request now. Miura Queen looked disgusted, like she’d been bitten by her own pet dog.
“Ha? What’s wrong with you? Lately, you haven’t been very cooperative,” she spat out, her face clearly showing displeasure.
“No, really, it’s a real problem. I’ve got my own stuff to handle at lunch, I gotta go, so…”
Yuigahama stumbled over her words, her answer a messy jumble.
Why are you groveling like that? Are you her employee or something? Himekoji thought, watching from afar, his mind tossing out the angry comment without meaning to.
Seriously, this was pathetic. He could barely even stand to watch.
Yuigahama’s explanation definitely had the opposite effect. Miura angrily started tapping the desk with her fingernail.
“Enough! I can’t make any sense of what you’re saying. Want to say something? Then spill it clearly. Aren’t we friends? You shouldn’t need to hide anything!”
The Queen’s sudden outburst made the noisy classroom fall silent immediately. The group crowded around her all looked away awkwardly. Nobody dared meet the eyes of the furious Queen Miura.
And Yuigahama? She just silently lowered her head.
A kind and gentle person – another way to say that was a pushover, someone easy to exploit. The kind who gets stepped on and yelled at, yet still meekly backs down.
And Miura?
Her words sounded noble, but really, it was just a bunch of forcing the issue, demanding some kind of “group bond.”
Because they were friends, because they were part of the group, that meant she could say whatever awful thing she wanted, do whatever awful thing she wanted. That’s what Miura was saying, right?
And the real meaning hidden behind those words was—
“If you can’t do it, then you’re not one of us. So you’re an enemy.”
That method wasn’t any different from the actions of heretical inquisitors who waved a grand banner while trampling holy images.
“Sorry.”
Bowing her head, Yuigahama could only apologize.
“So—I—said! I don’t need an apology! Isn’t there something else you should be saying?!” Miura growled, dragging out each word threateningly.
Nobody could say anything when pushed like that. This wasn’t a conversation or a question. It was just wanting to attack the other person, plain and simple.
Himekoji agreed with the first part—
Yeah, why was Yuigahama the one apologizing?
Why apologize? Why apologize? You shouldn’t apologize, Yuigahama. Stop apologizing!
Himekoji, who had been watching coldly until now, suddenly felt a surge of irritation.
Damn, was all this just because he’d accepted some extra biscuits from her? Had sheer sentimentality made him pick a side so easily?
He shook his head forcefully. This wasn’t like him at all.
He should have been watching the spectacle and laughing, right?
A bunch of idiots, go on and tear each other apart!
That was his line. That’s how it should be.
Whatever. Accepting a tiny gift meant accepting a tiny obligation. Fine, he’d just be one of those fools who gets reeled in by someone else’s unintended kindness.
Get tricked once? Whatever. Just once.
In short, that girl’s groveling… it really rubbed him the wrong way, that stupid Yuigahama!
So then—
Himekoji Akito thumped his desk and stood up.