28
The school I headed to at a fast pace seemed terribly far away.
Part of it is that my body is wobbly and I can’t walk properly, but even so, my steps feel strangely heavy today.
Maybe I’m scared.
It’s only been a day since yesterday. I don’t think it’s strange that I’m scared to see Kou-kun.
(Even so…)
I have to show Kou-kun how I am now.
My hair is straight instead of braided, but I can still be my old self, I have to show him that properly.
By doing that, Kou-kun might feel a little more at ease.
No.
(He should)
I told myself that and tried to speed up, but――――
“Oh, isn’t it Mis?”
A voice calling my name came from behind me.
“Kijima-san…”
“You’re late today, aren’t you? Aren’t you a little later than usual?”
Kijima Saeko.
The person I least wanted to see right now spoke to me languidly.
“I overslept a little…”
“Hmm. Is that why you’re wearing glasses today?”
**Sharp.**
**She seemed to notice my change immediately.**
**She approached me with quick steps as I frozen.**
“Y-yeah. That’s right.”
“I see, I see. I thought Mischan was serious, but I guess there are times like this. I understand because I’m not a morning person either.”
**Smiling, Ms. Kishima stopped right in front of me.**
**The scent of her perfume wafted faintly to my nose.**
“Ms. Kishima is too. Then…”
“But, you know. Glasses aren’t very popular with guys.”
**As she said that, she reached out to my face.**
“Ah…”
“Sure, there are guys who like serious girls. But most guys prefer girls who don’t wear glasses. Look, there aren’t any idols who wear glasses, right?”
**My glasses were removed.**
**With my poor eyesight, I was helpless when this happened.**
**The outlines became blurred, and the world grew hazy.**
From Noble mtl dot com
“Ah, um, my glasses…”
“As a producer, that’s not good. After all, idols have to look good.”
**She ignored my plea.**
**She could hear me, but she wasn’t listening to what I was saying.**
**My glasses were being twirled around in the palm of her hand.**
“Contacts.”
“Huh?”
“Contacts. You have them, right?”
**This time, her tone was forceful.**
**She wouldn’t let me say no.**
**I couldn’t resist her unspoken pressure.**
“Y-yeah. I have some in my bag, just in case…”
“That’s good. Put them on in the bathroom before you come to class. If you’re late, I’ll make something up to the teacher. You won’t be marked tardy.”
**When I honestly admitted that I had them, Ms. Kishima said this in a bored voice.**
**She wanted me to come to class looking like I always do.**
**It was a one-sided demand from Ms. Kishima.**
“B-but I…”
**I couldn’t do that.**
**Because I promised Kou-kun.**
**I promised him I’d wear my glasses tomorrow.**
**So, I’ll reject her demand.**
**And if possible, I’ll go back to being my old self.**
“Ah, um! I!”
**I made up my mind and was about to defy Ms. Kishima, but**
“――――What? Do you have a problem with that?”
Facing her strong gaze, my small determination vanished like mist.
“Wh, what…”
“Oh, did you misunderstand something? Just because you got a little prettier, you thought you could defy me or something?”
Her voice was mocking, completely different from the sweet tone she had used earlier.
It wasn’t a playful atmosphere; she was looking down on me for real.
That was her attitude. My mind went completely blank as I faced her sudden change.
“Th, that’s not…”
“Listen, I could crush you anytime I want. But when you were plain, no guy would look at you. So I’m just giving you a boost. Unlike an idiot like Mihara, I use my head to form groups. You’ re smart, so I thought you’d understand that much.”
Saying that, Ms. Kishima snorted.
She treated even her friends in the same group with contempt and insults at them without hesitation.
The person standing there was completely different from the friend I had known until now; she was like a different species altogether.
She probably didn’t feel any guilt for hurting others.
I realized that clearly. At the same time, I couldn’t help but understand that her blade was pointed at my throat.
“So, just listen to me. You’re smart enough to know that it’s better for you, right?”
No or I’ll crush you?
Faced with her silent threat, I roared slowly in despair.
There was no option to defy her.
“Why did it turn out like this…”
After school.
I wandered around the school building, feeling lost.
In the end, I went back to class after changing back to contacts as Ms. Kishima had told me to, and I was greeted by the usual welcome from Ms. Kishima’s group.
I couldn’t look at Kou-kun’s face.
I couldn’t bring myself to look at him.
I had broken my promise to him.
Even if it was just a one-sided promise, I had still betrayed him.
I hated it.
It was a mistake to want to change.
I didn’t know what was right anymore, anything at all.
“Someone tell me…”
What should I have done?
I wandered around the school building alone, trying to find an answer that I couldn’t find, but there was no such thing anywhere.
“Oh? Misaka-san? What are you doing here?”
As I continued to walk like a zombie, someone spoke to me.
Who could it be? Oh well, anyone is fine.
I simply turned around.
“Shidou-kun…”
“You’re alone today. Then, you should go home with Tsujimura…”
Shidou-kun smiled.
Could he tell me the answer?
He’s a good guy. He was also the student council president, so he must know a lot about things.
Yeah, he’ll probably be fine.
If he gives me an answer, then with that――――
“Hey, there’s something I’d like to talk to you about. Is that okay?”