CH 5

Chapter 5 – Next Morning in the Classroom

The next day, I woke up in the morning and checked my cheek where I was kicked yesterday in the bathroom mirror.

There appeared to be no bruising and the only injury was a cut lip.

I think I can cover this up.

Last night, when I got home, the pain was so bad that my cheeks were burning and my head was pounding.

In the morning, I still have some cheek pain and a headache, but it’s a lot better than last night.

I got ready for school and left the house after a hurried breakfast.

My mother and sister Haruko looked at me worriedly, but I pretended not to notice.

When I arrived at school and entered the classroom, Urushibara-san was already there.

I entered the classroom quietly, making no noise and avoiding eye contact, and took my seat.

As usual, I took out my phone, started up the game and did the daily rounds.

It’s a task I do every day, so I proceed mindlessly.

As I stared at the screen of my phone, I felt someone standing next to me, but since no one in this class would have anything to do with me, I assumed that the person next to me had some business and continued playing the game without worrying about it.

But then…

“Moriyama-kun, are you injured?” A woman’s voice said, and at the same time, she touched my left cheek, where I was kicked yesterday.

I was so startled by the suddenness of it that I said, “WHAA!?” and jumped off the chair and fell on my back on the floor.

“Kyaa! Are you okay!?”

“Ah! So it was Urushibara-san… I’m sorry…”

“I’m sorry for talking to you so suddenly too!”

I’ve been thinking since yesterday that I shouldn’t cause her any more trouble, so I tried not to come into contact with her, but Urushibara-san came to me.

And in the classroom.

This is bad. This is very bad.

If a shady loner like me were to have a conversation with a popular girl like Urushibara-san, I’d attract everyone’s attention.

And then people will probably start to get annoyed with me again.

When I stood up and turned my head towards Urushibara-san, I saw that my classmates were paying attention to me.

I knew it…

I panicked and quickly said, “I’m fine now. I’m sorry for the trouble I caused you. I’m sorry.” bent 90 degrees to my waist, bowed my head, rushed out of the classroom to the toilet.

I didn’t expect to be approached by Urushibara-san, and I was caught off guard.

Still, it was a bad situation…

After all that attention, I’m sure there will be others who will get involved.

And I will end up being a nuisance again.

I had managed to live peacefully until yesterday, until I got into trouble for trying to help Urushibara-san…

I was alone in the toilet cubicle with my head in my hands when I heard the pre-bell chime before homeroom.

I returned down the corridor with heavy steps and entered the classroom just as my homeroom teacher was about to enter the classroom.

As I headed to my seat, oblivious as usual, I suddenly felt a gaze and looked in the direction of that gaze.

The owner of the gaze was Urushibara-san.

We made eye contact.

Moreover, Urushibara-san looked like she was about to cry, anxious or sad.

She didn’t have the usual dignified honor student look at all.

I thought hard after taking my seat.

This situation is really bad.

From someone else’s point of view, it’s as if I’m making Urushibara-san sad.

Just what should I do?

No, I can’t turn this situation around.

If I could do that, then I would’ve gotten along well with the people around me from the beginning.

I don’t have to live my life avoiding my surroundings like I do now.

I couldn’t stop sweating, which I hate so much.

When I was despairing that I couldn’t do anything about it, homeroom ended and I was immediately approached by a classmate, Haruyama-kun.