Chapter 2326: One Question

Chapter 2326: One Question



Ignoring the guy, I tried to walk away but he was persistent. Even when I hastened my steps to leave him behind, he followed.

There's no reason for me to answer an interview that will surely be full of rumors about me or the girls. It's one thing to be curious about it but to write it in an article for the whole school to read? That's a no.

"Again, I'm

'm not interested," I sternly said without breaking my stride.

I'd rather spend my time meeting the other girls who sit down for an interview with this guy.

"Wait, wait! Onoda, please!" The newspaper guy pleaded, nearly tripping over his own feet as he tried to keep up. "This time, I'll stick to the facts. No embellishments, no sensationalism. Just a straightforward interview about your rise to popularity!"

I paused mid-step, turning slightly to look at him. His determination was evident, but so was the desperation in his eyes. He probably had a deadline or was under pressure to get some "scoop."

"I didn't rise to anything. People just can't mind their own business. You included." I narrowed my eyes, close enough to feel like I was glaring at him.

If he couldn't be reasoned out with words then threatening him should suffice.

Obviously, he might just write about that. The headline would probably be, "Onoda: The mysterious playboy is a delinquent?!"

Such stupidity.

The guy's face fell as he braced himself against the pressure of my gaze. He's clearly older than me and he probably had received the same treatment before. Hence, he quickly recovered.

Holding up his notepad, he continued, "Then let me clear the air! You can set the record straight, Onoda. Think of it as damage control. Don't you want to stop the rumors?"

I tilted my head, pretending to consider his words. "Hmm... Nah. Rumors are like background noise. You either tune them out or let them fade on their own. Either way, I don't care about rumors. Let them buzz. Will they even know the truth?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Wait. You said one question! I promise I won't bother you after this," the newspaper guy pleaded, his voice trailing after me as I walked away.

I stopped and turned around. With my eyes narrowing to a slit again, I urged him to start.

"Alright, shoot your shot. I don't guarantee I will be telling you a face but the moment I read your article and see how you twisted my words, you should find yourself a hole to crawl in," I warned, my arms still crossed as if I was holding back the urge to just grab him by the neck. The newspaper gulped down as a bead of sweat trailed down his forehead. He took a moment to gather his thoughts before he blurted out his question.

"A-alright. Here goes... Why do you think so many girls are drawn to you, Onoda? Is it your confidence, the way you carry yourself, or something else entirely?"

Of all the things he could have asked, this was what he picked? So, he was already convinced that I was related not just to Akane. He's just here to confirm it. What a sly bastard. "Drawn to me, huh? I never thought I was so popular that you think they're drawn to me. But anyway, it's none of those things," I answered flatly. "People are just nosy, that's all. They see someone who stands out a little and they can't help but make it their business. Simple as that. Say, if you see me standing here and a girl approaches me, will you think she's drawn to me because I'm attractive?"

The newspaper guy nodded eagerly, his pen poised over his notebook. "I-I suppose so. You do have that... certain charm, Onoda."

"See, you can't rationalize it yourself."

"What do you mean? Will they have another reason to approach you?"

"Exactly. They might want to borrow notes, ask for help with a project, or just say hello because they recognize me. It doesn't always have to be about attraction. Or you know, they're my close friends. Have you thought about that possibility?"

He nodded as he scribbled down my words. This guy... he's really not catching on. I couldn't decide if he was playing dumb or genuinely thought he was getting somewhere.

Anyway, I should end this here.

"Alright, that's all I'm giving you. If you have any more questions, save it. I have a schedule to keep," I told him firmly.

His pen froze mid-scribble, and he looked at me with a mixture of confusion and disappointment. "Wait. That's it? You're not even going to acknowledge that you have... I don't know, charisma or something?"

"I'm narcissistic enough to claim I have the charisma to draw the flies in. But you do you. You'll write it in your article anyway." I smirked, watching the newspaper guy's shoulders slump slightly. Then I suddenly remembered something, "Oh, wait. I might have a scoop for you. You should hang out at the third-year area, you'll catch a cuck trying to justify his kink." The newspaper guy looked up with sparkling eyes, eagerly waiting for the juicy details, but I just walked away, leaving him hanging.

With Ohori-senpai and the girls leading the charge, it wouldn't be long before that cuck exposed himself. But with this guy also going there, it might even eclipse the article he would

write about me.