CH 5

Chapter 5 – Yandere and Her Feelings

“Oi, Takenaga. Tsubaki-chan is here.”

“Leave her alone. She’ll get tired of it and go away.”

“You’re so cold. No one is that devoted nowadays.”

“Devoted? Haha, all you can see is what’s shown to you.”

“I think you also have a big mouth.”

“Shut up. Your noodles are getting soggy.”

“Whoa, no good!”

Tsubaki is in the cafeteria, not eating and staring at us. It’s quite an odd sight, but perhaps it’s not so noticeable in the spacious cafeteria, and no one is paying any attention to Tsubaki. Except for us.

“By the way, Takenaga, what would you do if Tsubaki-chan said to you, ‘Go out with me, or else die’?”

Moroboshi, who had finally finished his ramen, looked up at me with his glasses fogged up.

“Of course I’m going to die.”

“Hahaha! I knew you would say that!”

“That said, don’t use such an ominous example. She could really say something like that.”

“I don’t know. To me, Tsubaki-chan seems like a clumsy girl.”

“No, no, no, she’s extremely dexterous. The other day she made her own pen-shaped GPS.”

“That’s not what I… Well, whatever. It’s time to go to third period.”

“Alright.”

Even at that moment when we stood up, Tsubaki was still staring at us. It’s about ten minutes from the cafeteria to the Literature Department. Will she make it in time for her third period?

> < > < > < > < > <

The incident happened later that night.

“Ah, senpai. Did you notice?”

“How could I not notice? Also, why are you coming in from the balcony?”

“The light in senpai’s room was off, so I thought it was about time.”

My heart was racing and beating loudly. I tried to stay calm, but went crazy instead. Why did someone try breaking into my room? This is an apartment building, and I live on the fourth floor, so it’s not like someone could break in from the outside.

It just so happened that I was unable to sleep today. As I was idly thinking about tomorrow’s part-time job, I heard the sound of my sliding door quietly opening and the curtains shook. Just when I thought I was imagining things, an eerie shadow slowly wriggled in. If anything, I’m glad that it turned out to be Tsubaki.

“How did you get in?”

“…By the power of love.”

“Answer me.”

“Hmm, how you ask, I just came in through the balcony of the room next door normally…”

What do you mean by normally? No, rather than that…

“You… What did you do to Yoshimoto-kun?”

“Senpai, what are you mad about?”

“I told you to answer me!”

I was surprised at how loud I was. I could forgive her if she was just messing with me. However, she mustn’t harm anyone who’s not involved. If Tsubaki has fallen that far, I will never forgive her.

“Ah, you surprised me. Angry senpai is cute too. If it’s Yoshimoto-san, he hasn’t been here because he went camping with his circle since yesterday.”

“In other words, you didn’t mess with Yoshimoto-kun.”

“Isn’t that obvious? If I get caught doing something so trivial, I won’t be able to see senpai.”

“Hah… You’re hopeless.”

I feel a little better now that I know Yoshimoto-kun is safe. If something had happened to such innocent people, I wouldn’t be able to face the world. Well, it’s weird that I feel too responsible… No, wait…

“Then how did you get into Yoshimoto-kun’s room when he wasn’t there?”

“Well, there are many ways to do that.”

“You’re causing trouble for Yoshimoto-kun, after all!”

I’m sorry, Yoshimoto-kun… I’m the reason a strange woman passed through your room…

“So what do you want?”

“Ah, right. I know it’s sudden, but senpai, please go out with me. Otherwise, please die.”

My heart jumped again. No, wait a minute. What Moroboshi said during the day has come true. What’s with the timing? And if I make a mistake in responding, I’ll die immediately, won’t I? At the very least, let me write a farewell note.

“T-Tsubaki…? You’re kidding, right?”

“Do you think I’m joking?”

I have to get out of there even if I have to storm out, but I’m cowering and can’t move. I see, so this is what a deer on the verge of being hit by a car must feel like.

“Senpai, isn’t it time for a response?”

Tsubaki’s hands are on my neck. Is she serious? It’s too dark to see her expression, but I can feel Tsubaki’s slender fingers gradually digging into my neck.

“Are you sure, senpai? At this rate…”

At this rate… What will happen? I’m given a choice between giving my life or my soul. Not many people at the age of 21 are faced with such an extreme choice. I must be the first in history to do so. No, for now, I need to respond.

“It’s so much easier to just say, ‘I’ll be your boyfriend,’ right? No need to hesitate, you know?”

Haa~, haa~, Tsubaki’s breathing also became ragged. Even at a time like this, she’s being creepy. But I don’t think I can buy any more time. I have to squeeze out some words as soon as possible.

“I…”

“You…”

“I…-fuse”

“You want to be my boyfriend?”

“I refuse.” (T/N: Chad MC)

Gugh, Tsubaki’s hand became stronger before finally…pulling away.

“Haa… Senpai is really stubborn, isn’t he? Well, I like that part of you.”

“Ugh… Gugh… I… I don’t like you. You’re a coward, and you gave me two stupid choices.”

“Not everyone is as strong as senpai. I kind of realized something today. See you at college.”

“You’ve caused so much trouble for people and you’re not even apologizing?”

I grabbed Tsubaki’s arm as she turned to leave. Surprisingly, her arm was so thin that it didn’t seem like she had been playing with my life just a few moments before.

Tsubaki turned around. It was too dark to read her expression clearly, but she looked frustrated or as if she were about to cry.

As I was stunned, Tsubaki slipped out of my restraints and hurried to the front door. Left behind, I spent the rest of the night wondering what to make of Tsubaki’s expression, until I fell asleep again.

(T/N: Damn, the chapters are getting longer and longer >.<)