Chapter 18: Seatmate Killer Victim’s League

Chapter 18: Seatmate Killer Victim’s League

During lunchtime, Keitaro came to replace Yui, who went over to the other girls.

The school cafeteria is usually crowded, so I had no choice but to go with him. Since it’s so crowded, I didn’t want to go to the cafeteria too much.

And when we got there, as expected, it was crowded.

You can buy bread and a drink at the store and then come back to the classroom.

But just before that, Keitaro said, “I’m going to the bathroom,” and he left.

When Yuuki went to go back to the classroom, a shadow stood in his path.

“Hi, Narito-kun, was it? Can I talk to you for a moment?”

He was a slender, tall male student.

He was wearing black-rimmed glasses with soft hair that was flowing smoothly to the side. His cheeks were taut and his lips were a little thick.

It wasn’t an ugly face, but it was a bad face. It’s hard to say which part, but overall, his face was ugly.

[T/N: Damn, Yuuki, why you gotta do him like that…]

“Well, what is it?”

“You don’t need to be so formal. We’re comrades in arms, so to speak.”

“What? Who the hell are you?”

{T/N: Yuuki! Were you never taught manners?!]

“Oh, you don’t know who I am?”

His voice was also dull.

When Yuuki was already losing the energy to talk, he was hit on the shoulder in a friendly way.

“I know. You don’t have to say anything.”

“No, what?”

“Hmmm, let me put it this way. I’m the guy who sat next to Takatsuki Yui last time.”

For some reason, Sonoda said that with a straight face. [T/N: He never introduced himself as Sonoda, so maybe Yuuki had a miraculous enlightenment. I feel like I’ve been adding in too many notes, sorry, I’ll stop]

Yuuki said, “Oh… so?” and reacted with an expressionless face.

“I mean, we’re in the same class, so you should know that much. How can you be so indifferent?”

He stared at me, looking a little unconvinced.

Yuuki blatantly averted his gaze, saying, “I’ve been caught in something strange.”

“That’s right~!”

Sonoda heaved and managed to dodge, then giggled and opened his eyes.

“What are you doing, all of a sudden?!”

“Keitaro Kick! What do you want with my Yuuki?”

Keitaro put his hand around Yuuki’s back and popped his shoulder beside his.

I quickly shook him off because it was too hot. Keitaro points to Sonoda and says,

“So, who is this guy?” (Keitaro)

“I don’t know. Apparently he’s the guy that sat next to Takatsuki Yui last time…” (Yuuki)

“…Hmmm? What, if you look closely, that’s Sonoda, right? Yes you are…” (Keitaro)

Instantly, Keitaro’s eyes became sharp.

He looked straight at Sonoda and said with a slightly lowered tone of voice,

“…You too?” (Keitaro)

Sonoda nodded slowly in response.

Then, suddenly, Keitaro took Sonoda’s hand and squeezed it.

“Oh, comrade!” (Keitaro)

“What, comrade? Which means, Hayami-kun, you too…” (Sonoda)

“Oh, you’re a senpai! In middle school this is a guy who fell prey to the seatmate killer!” (Keitaro)

And since Keitaro said such a thing with high tension, Yuuki couldn’t help but look at him and say, “Wow…”

“Don’t look so disappointed.” (Keitaro)

“I don’t know what you mean.” (Yuuki)

“You’re actually not listening to 80% of what I’m saying, are you? Oh well, I don’t know what to say, but I’m the one who gave her the nickname ‘The Seatmate Killer’ in the first place.” (Keitaro)

“That’s all you can say.” (Yuuki)

Keitaro puffed out his chest with pride.

Then Sonoda interrupted him from the side.

“Well, I, as a senior, came to give you some advice, Narito-kun.” (Sonoda)

“Oh yeah, it’s bad enough that I jumped out of nowhere. Well, I’m forming a new alliance of seatmate killer victims here and now!” (Keitaro)

Saying so loftily, Keitaro grabbed Sonoda’s hand and tried to pull Yuuki to join him.

“I’m not going to let you drag me into this without permission.” (Yuuki)

“No, no, we’re on the same side now. I mean, you’d better confess and come to terms with being rejected as soon as possible, right?” (Keitaro)

When Keitaro said that with a straight face, Sonoda took advantage of that chance.

“Yes, yes, you’re right, Hayami-kun. It’s the hope that makes you suffer. You’re lucky to be greeted every day with a smile.. when you’re next to a smart person, you’re able to sneak in some tips and tricks when you don’t understand what they’re saying in class, and they show you their homework… and to top it off, my notebook is beautiful and perfect. I was told that smart people are different… you’d fall in love with them!” (Sonoda)

“It’s kind of a clever move, isn’t it?” (Keitaro)

“I’m glad I studied!” (Sonoda)

“You’ve got to work for it.” (Yuuki)

“I’m glad I’m a skinny kid who sacrificed so much!” (Sonoda)

“Good for you.” (Yuuki)

Sonoda started to close his eyes in some kind of dangerous way and started to reminisce, so I tried not to provoke him too much.

Keitaro, who had been listening in silence, sniffled as he giggled.

“What the hell, Sonoda. That’s how far you’ve fallen? You’re utterly pathetic.” (Keitaro)

“Yeah, how can someone fall in love with this guy?” (Yuuki)

“Yeah, well, smiling and greeting people is a given, if you start counting other things, it’s hard to say…Is the eraser the decisive factor?” (Keitaro)

“Eraser?” (Yuuki)

“It was when I accidentally dropped an eraser. As soon as it rolled down by her feet, she picked it up right away, blew on it, cleaned it, and handed it to me with a smile, saying, ‘You dropped it. I wiped it off, here!'” (Keitaro)

“Jeez.” (Yuuki)

“I thought, ‘This could work. I did it in the spur of the moment. And that was on the tenth day of sitting next to her, by the way.'” (Keitaro)

“That’s early…” (Yuuki)

“Then she said, ‘Oh, I’m sorry but it’s impossible. I’m really sorry,’ and she couldn’t have been more annoyed! I’m starting to feel sorry for myself, and I want to die!” (Keitaro)

As if remembering the image at that time, Keitaro held his head and began to make a strange noise “Un, un”.

Sonoda repeatedly rubbed his chin while looking down.

“Hmmm, it’s different from my time… ‘I don’t see it that way. I’m sorry. It’s awkward, so let’s just pretend it didn’t happen.’ and she smiled… something I was already used to.” (Sonoda)

“So Sonoda didn’t get anywhere.” (Keitaro)

“That’s not true, Hayami-kun, it simply wasn’t the right time! So, after thinking, I came up with a theory.” (Sonoda)

“What? Don’t waste your time.” (Yuuki)

“My theory is… she’s playing a game where she makes the boy who sits next to her… fall in love with her and play with him!” (Sonoda)

“Sonoda is awesome!” he said with an excited voice.

Yuuki smiled and glanced at Keitaro.

“What is it, Yuuki? I thought you couldn’t laugh, but you’re laughing now.” (Keitaro)

“I’ve noticed. I’ve noticed it already.” (Yuuki)

“Oh, do you agree with me, Narito-kun?!” (Sonoda)

“I didn’t agree with anything. I told her. Well, I was shaken up as well.” (Yuuki)

“You’re really a brave man… But I see, it makes sense, doesn’t it? So you’re saying that we were teased and played around with… That’s what I’m talking about.” (Sonoda)

“No, I don’t think it’s like that. She shows me homework and stuff.” (Yuuki)

“That’s a big move.” (Keitaro)

“No, you’re right, Narito-kun! I think she must be a very nice girl at heart. There must have been some traumatic event that forced her to be like that, perhaps. Maybe it’s ongoing… Whatever it was… the poor thing.” (Sonoda)

According to Sonoda, it’s either because of her tragic past or because of the troubles she’s currently experiencing that she’s playing such a ridiculous game.

In other words, he’s mentally ill.

It’s a good thing that he’s the top in his class…

“In the first place, I’m not really trying to go for Yui-tan— or Takatsuki Yui for anything. Because…” (Sonoda)

Sonoda suddenly thrust his arms up into the air and shouted loudly.

“I don’t have a shred of regret for being played with! Thanks for the bliss! Thank you for the dreams, for the hope!” (Sonoda)

“Wha… you… I certainly agree with you! I was happy then, that’s for sure! Every day was a blessing!” (Keitaro)

They both crossed their arms stiffly and suddenly started to get excited.

It was really loud, so I pretended to be a stranger and tried to run away, but they grabbed me by the shoulder.

“At best, they’re teasing you and making fun of you!”

“Yes, yes, be happy while it lasts!”

It was extremely hot when two people were coming at you. I wanted to eat as soon as possible.

With that in mind, I glanced at the end of the corridor and saw three girls coming down the aisle towards me.

And then my eyes met with the person in the middle of the trio, Yui.