Chapter 63 - Overthinking Is A Weakness Of Our Age

I was looking at the figure of Yasurouka who was leaning on the wall, looking outside as a gentle wind was tugging on her hair stands. She was in a conflict with her mind, and it was clear on her face.

From what she said, it looks like even though she was present at that event; she had little information about this. But why did she think of the possibility of Kizhashi cheating on Gaisen? As her friend, this was a really far-fetched conclusion for her to arrive at.

"Um, where were you then this thing happened?"

"I was in the washroom. Everything was normal even when I returned to the karaoke room. It's just this morning that this whole drama happened." She said,

"So you were in the washroom… anyone else was with you?" I asked, as in situations like this, the several witnesses play a huge role.

"No, I was alone."

"So in the room it was just Kizhashi-san and Nishimiya-kun?"

"No… Uyeno-san was were there too." She replied.

"And she didn't think of raising her voice at that time?"

"Yes exactly, I was thinking the same thing, too. Why didn't they say anything at that time?" She said, The only reason I can see which stopped them from creating a drama there was the presence of Nishimiya. Or, could it be that they couldn't do anything at that time that's why they decided to humiliate Kizhashi in front of a bigger audience.

"Tell me one thing, why was Nishimiya-kun the only boy among you girls?"

"Oh, no no… you got it wrong… Isobe-san's boyfriend was there too."

"Ah I see." So, Nishimiya wasn't alone. So it makes sense, since it was Uyeno and her boyfriend, and the same Isobe and her boyfriend. So it probably a triple date considering the fact if Gaisen was there too.

"Actually this whole thing was their own plan, but Nishimiya-kun invited Koi and she was feeling awkward to go alone that's why she told me to tag along with her." Yasurouka said.

Kizhashi invited her but not Gaisen? Things make little sense here. Kizhashi's behaviour does have discrepancies.

"Why wasn't Gaisen there?"

"He was busy with some family affairs so he couldn't come." 

"Oh, so it was kind kf a triple date thing… but then Nishimiya-kun inviting Kizhashi-san out of the blue is suspicious indeed." I pointed out this to see what Yasurouka would deduce.

"No it's... you know normal since they are just friends, as Gaisen-kun was their mutual friend."

"Still… inviting your friend's girlfriend instead im him on a plan with your girlfriend is weird." I had different motives at that time, so I kept persuading her.

"Yes, that's why I'm doubting her a bit now. But this feels so wrong." She said while averting her eyes from me.

So it took only this much to convince her that Kizhashi was cheating on him? Even after being friends for so long, she still doesn't trust her enough to actively deny my claim. 

"Doesn't she tell you everything?" I asked.

"She does… but you know there are some things that can't be told to everyone."

"Yeah, like cheating on your boyfriend. Understandable." I said that in a sarcastic tone which Yasurouka didn't really like.

"I'm not in the mood to joke with you." She looked at me with an annoyed look and rolled her eyes.

"Anyways… What does Gaisen-kun think about this?"

"He was unexpectedly calm about this."

"Huh?" Gaisen doesn't think anything of her girlfriend being close to other guys? Well he is open minded so it's not really surprising that he won't control his girlfriend's freedom.

"Yeah like I told him about this but the surprise in his voice felt really fake." Her choice of words were becoming more and more direct. 

It felt like somewhere in her mind there was something which really wanted to believe that Kizhashi was cheating Gaisen. But her conscience was preventing her from believing this and she was feeling guilty.

"You want to say Gaisen-kun knows about her cheating on him?" I was using the word 'cheating' as a key to keep her mind in the state of conflict it was. 

"I never said that… Can we change the topic? I don't want to think of this." She finally gave up.

"Changing the topic won't make something true disappear." 

"I know… but it's just… you won't understand." She looked at me for a moment and averted her eyes again.

"If you don't tell me how can I?" I said in a soft tone while tilting my head.

"I… uh… it's nothing. Just me overthinking stuff again." She shook her head as if she was trying to get something off her head.

I was finally getting a hold on her problem. And after what she said last week, things are becoming clear. It was finally time for me to get active.

"You overthink about your self worth, don't you?" I asked while looking her in the eyes.

"What?" Her expression changed completely.

"You have an inferiority complex." I become even more direct. She won't tell me her problem so I'll just have to make her tell me about it.

"What are you saying?" She looked away from me, even though I know that my statement has ignited her flames of curiosity.

"Only if I was as pretty as her." I said and looked at her to make sure that all her attention was on me and continued, "Is what you think on those sleepless nights, don't you?"

"I do… don't know what you're talking about." Even though she said that, I could read the face like an open book in front of me. As I was about to continue, the bell rang which indicated the end of lunchtime.

"Well, it seems like lunchtime is over." I said, ending our conversation there. 

"Wait what were you saying!? Hey!" She said while following me back to class but I couldn't bother to answer her questions.

"Now's not the time. We'll talk about this later." I said, but she wasn't satisfied with how things finally turned out.

I know that she will keep thinking about this now and at this moment I need her mind to be in more conflict than it already is.

Once she'll be vulnerable enough, I will play my final move and it will be my checkmate. The incident this morning really helped me out a lot if I was to be honest.