Chapter 164: Interview Request

Chapter 164: Interview Request

After school.

Instead of going home, I waited in the classroom for Senior Ayabe.

At first, I thought it would be more appropriate for me, as a junior, to visit her, but I decided to stay put in case we missed each other.

However, even after 10, and then 20 minutes, she didn’t show up.

‘She couldn’t have run away again, could she?’

If so, I would have to visit the third-year classroom directly tomorrow.

Slide!

But it turned out my worries were unfounded, as Senior Ayabe eventually showed up.

“Um, sorry. Did I keep you waiting long?”

Her face was visibly tense.

To reassure her that there was no danger, I quickly stood up to greet her.

“No, I didn’t wait long.”

“Is... that so?”

“Come in and have a seat.”

“Okay....”

An awkward silence filled the classroom.

Although I had been stalked for the past few days, this was the first time we were actually talking, so it was inevitable.

‘Why was she following me?’

Senior Ayabe, a third-year, exuded the vibe of a modern high school girl.

Her permed black hair and upturned cat-like eyes.

The cardigan casually draped over her uniform was truly fashionable.

She seemed like a social butterfly in a different way than Rika, and with good grades, too, she seemed almost perfect.

As I observed her, she stared back at me intently.

Finally, Senior Ayabe was the first to speak.

“You’re not as bad as I thought.”

“What?”

“Well, from the rumors and all, I thought you’d look like some kind of terrifying goblin.”

“......”

Her words were laden with prejudice.

“So, why have you been following me these past few days?”

“Ah, about that...”

Embarrassed to answer, Senior Ayabe twirled her hair with her fingers and avoided my gaze.

“Actually, I’m preparing the school newspaper for the last time for this cultural festival.”

“And?”

“It’s my last cultural festival in three years of high school, so I want it to be more noticed than ever before.”

“You want it to be noticed?”

What did this have to do with me?

But Senior Ayabe wasn’t finished speaking yet and added,

“So, would you mind giving me an exclusive interview?”

“...An exclusive interview?”

“I think it’s not a bad offer for you. I’ll give you the chance to clarify the rumors about you that are circulating around the school. Publicly.”

“That is....”

It wasn’t a bad idea, actually.

I wasn’t sure if it was because of the love comedy world, but strange rumors about me sprouted like mushrooms, even if I just breathed.

Of course, there were rumors based on fact, but they were just a fraction, and most were misunderstandings and slanders.

“I’m honestly sorry for following you around these past few days. Rumors aren’t entirely baseless, so I observed from a distance just in case, to see if an interview would be okay or not.”

I waved my hand at her honest apology.

Responding to Satoru’s question, who joined us for lunch today, I showed them the chat messages.

About thirty expected questions were listed, with a note saying to cut anything difficult.

After reading the listed questions, Satoru let out an exclamation.

“Wow, it looks like they plan to ask about every rumor about you.”

I nodded and popped a rice ball into my mouth.

“It’s actually good. I can clarify things properly this time.”

“To be honest, it’s a bit strange. Even though you have a scary face and a muscular body when you’re quiet, you’ve never really done anything bad. There were no such rumors in your first year, right?”

“I wasn’t as bulky back then.”

“That’s... true.”

All kinds of ominous rumors about me started when I rapidly gained muscle in the second semester of my first year.

My reputation as a top student didn’t help much once that happened.

In a way, I gained muscles but lost people.

But I had no regrets about my choice.

“Anyway, I need to prepare well. I don’t want to end up with embarrassing history due to weird answers.”

“Yeah, good luck.”

Satoru, about to devour his pork cutlet rice bowl, asked me as if he just remembered something,

“Speaking of which, the school trip is coming up soon. Who are you planning to team up with?”

“Me? I haven’t decided yet.”

“It’s better to decide early. It might be hard to find someone on the day itself.”

“Who are you planning to team up with?”

“Me? I’m popular. I have many invitations.”

“Co-ed won’t work... because of the lodging. We have to stay in the same room.”

“That’s obvious.”

I scratched my cheek and said,

“It seems like it’s only you and Ryuji.”

“...You really don’t have friends, huh?”

“Tch.”

It was a biting comment, but I couldn’t refute it.

I had a few (same-sex) friends.

Most guys start with formal speech when they meet me.

How could we become close in such a situation?

At the gym, I met macho guys with a common interest in muscles, but at school, there was nothing like that.

“It’s fine. I’ll talk to Ryuji, so don’t worry. What are friends for?”

“Satoru...!”

“What? Why are you staring at me like that? It’s scary, so stop it.”

“Thank you...!”

I said that, sincerely expressing my gratitude.

Honestly, there was no one else who treated me without prejudice like he did.

And having received my thanks, Satoru, looking embarrassed, averted his gaze and then, as if he couldn’t take it anymore, forcibly shoved a rice ball into my mouth.

“Eh! Just eat your meal quietly!”

And Karen, who had been listening to our conversation, said enviously,

“I wish I could be in a group with Rika.”

“But you’re in a different class from us.”

“Tch!”

At Sasha’s very realistic remark, Karen grimaced and clutched her chest in pain.

Indeed, it was impossible to change the fact that they were in different classes.

Anyway, realizing once again that many events, such as the school trip, cultural festival, and sports day, awaited in the second semester, I decided to properly conduct the interview this weekend.