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I couldn’t hide my confusion at Mio’s words.
“Revenge? What do you…”
Revenge. It’s not a word you hear in everyday life.
You might see it in novels, dramas, or manga, but it’s not something that’s used in reality.
It has such a strong meaning, and can anyone really hold that much of a grudge against someone?
Especially Mio… No, the person here now isn’t the Mio I know… Even so, I still found it hard to believe.
As if she could see through my feelings, Mio closed her eyes once and let out a sigh.
“Well, maybe revenge is too strong a word. It’s more like a personal vendetta. But if I use a grand term like that, I’ll feel more determined to see it through… I really can’t forgive him.”
Her final murmur was very quiet, but there was something in it that still resonated with me.
Perhaps that was Mio’s true feelings. Her desire to get revenge on Kishima was real, and if that was the case, how should I respond?
“Just so you know, you don’t have to do anything, Beniyagou. This is my problem, and I’ve decided that I’m going to see it through on my own. That’s how it has to be, this time. ”
“Mio…”
“Besides, you wouldn’t be able to do anything anyway. I wasn’t expecting you to help me from the start. I know that you wouldn’t do anything even if I asked, so that’s why I’m telling you this . You’re so useless in that way. It’s hopeless.
「…………」
That way of putting it… it hurts.
It’s true, though. I don’t plan to do anything, and I probably won’t.
But even so, being told straight to my face that I’m a useless guy still hurts.
Her words were so blunt that I almost started to cry.
“噗… ahahahaha! What’s with that face, BeniyA-kun! Your face just now was so pitiful! Like an abandoned puppy! So pathetic!”
Looking at my face, Mio was laughing hysterically.
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Does this girl really like me?
She’s so harsh, it’s like she has no filter at all.
Her personality and meanness are on full display.
She’s completely different from the Mio before. She used to be much more reserved around me.
“Whew, hahahaha… ah, that was a good laugh! Man, thanks, BeniyA-kun! I feel so much better now. You really are the best!”
「…………Thanks, I guess」
I’m not happy with this way of thanking me at all.
I felt like I was being made fun of, and I couldn’t help but sigh.
On the other hand, Mio was looking at me with eyes that had regained their light, and she was nodding her head vigorously.
“I’m glad I came to talk to you. Yeah, I realize it again, I really want you. Just reaffirming that is enough for me. I feel so motivated now, I’m gonna do my best, yeah!”
“Just do whatever you want…”
I was getting tired of Mio getting all worked up by herself, and I was about to walk down the hallway when it happened.
Clack
“Hmm?”
Clack, clack, the sound of hard footsteps echoed on the linoleum.
It seemed like someone was coming down here.
This place was unpopular except for Mio and me, but we had been talking for quite some time.
So it wouldn’t be strange if someone came through here.
After all, this is a school, so there are a lot of students using it.
It’s obvious, even without thinking about it. If that’s the case, then we should leave this place quickly.
If we were seen together with Mio, who has been a topic of conversation ever since she entered school, it would be a disaster if rumors started.
We should avoid any actions that could lead to misunderstandings as much as possible.
“Mio, I’m going now”
I told her that and tried to quickly walk away to distance myself from Mio, but――――
「…………」
“Ah, whoa!”
For some reason, Mio grabbed my uniform sleeve without saying a word and pulled me close.
As a result, a faint scent tickled my nose. I recognized that smell.
It was the same smell I had smelled when we were in middle school, when we were dating and sitting close together reading a novel.
(She hasn’t changed her shampoo, huh)
Such a distant memory was dragged up, and for a moment, I almost started to cry.
“Hey, Mio, what are you—“
As if to cover it up, I raised my voice.
Immediately after, I realized my mistake.
From above, it must have looked like we were embracing.
In that position, I called out Mio’s name. It was a careless, obvious mistake.
BANG
The sound echoed sharply, indicating that the source of the noise was approaching fast—
“Ah…”
And so, the three of us locked eyes for the first time.
From the top of the stairs, looking down at us, was a petite, black-haired girl.
My classmate, my savior, a girl who had started talking to me more, who shared my hobbies, who resembled someone I used to know.
Akanishi Yuka.
“Akanishi-san…”
My voice trembled as I called out her name. I didn’t know why.
And Mio, looking at me, I didn’t notice what kind of expression she had on her face.
“Ah…”
Her eyes slightly widened as she looked at us. What was she thinking?
Me and Mio, and Akanishi Yuka.
With the three of us meeting like this, something was definitely about to start moving.