CH 35

When I Returned From Another World I Was A Silver Haired Shrine Maiden: Chapter 35

Hashimoto Ryouka (Part 2)

「Will you listen to me talk about how the rumors spread? It will also be my personal story…」

At Ryouka’s question, I silently nod.

「I used to live abroad until last year. Since I decided to come to Japan alone, in order for me to enroll in high school, it was decided that I would go to Hirayama high since my grandfather is the chairman here.」

So Ryouka is the granddaughter of the chairman. … I was wondering why there was a club room even though there was only two people in the club.

「At the time, I didn’t really understand the language well, so it was impossible for me to be confident in myself. As a result, I hid my face behind my long hair and a pair of vanity glasses, I was spending my days hunched over so that my chest was less noticeable.」

… A figure appeared in my mind as she said that.

The school girl with unremarkable features that Ryouka was speaking of, I feel like such a girl was my classmate back when I was Ikutari.

So that girl was Ryouka… You wouldn’t ever be able to tell that from her current appearance. Even if i try to remember her details, it’s no use.

「Like that, I went through the entire first semester until I finally came to be able to talk a little bit with the people in my class. One day, everyone was talking about their experiences of being confessed to. When I was told that I would never have such an experience, I couldn’t let such a thing go, and I unintentionally let out a lie that came to mind.」

Ryouka dropped her shoulders with a pained expression. It was an expression filled with regret.

「Everyone doubted my words, they kept asking me who it was, I was at a loss for an answer. And, while I was in desperation, I recalled the name of the missing Kisaragi Ikutari-san…」

If you use the name of a missing person no one would be able to know if it was true or not. Even if by some chance they came back, there wouldn’t be anyone who would remember the story and bother to ask about it. So, it isn’t a mystery why she chose to use my name.

「After that, the rumor began to grow, it was probably someone’s speculation that was the trigger. They claimed that Kisaragi-san had threw himself into the ocean after being rejected by me. That speculation spread in no time, as it was passed between people, the speculation became belief and the rumor began to be recited as if it was true.」

Ryouka takes a breath as her words tighten.

「This is the truth behind the rumor. I am truly sorry that your brother-in-law ended up part of these disgraceful rumors…」

She lowers her head as she apologizes.

「Because I don’t care about the rumors, it’s fine. Kisaragi Ikutari brother-in-law also wouldn’t worry about it. I can guarantee that.」

「… Is that so. I appreciate you saying that.」

「However, why didn’t you tell this to Souta. That guy, he thinks that Ikutari brother-in-law was suffering alone and that he’s at fault for not helping him, he seems to have been worried about it for a long time.」

「That, such emotions from Souta-san, he’s never shown that in front of me before…」

「Maybe he didn’t want to cause Ryouka-senpai more anxiety? Because I heard it directly from Souta.」

「I didn’t know, because of me, Souta-san was made to feel like that…」

This revelation seemed to completely upset Ryouka, her face went pale.

Holding her mouth with her hand, she staggers and hits the table as she stands up from her chair.

The teacup on the table falls over and drops to the floor making a scream like sound as it shatters.

Without caring about it, Ryouka ran out of the classroom.

「Ryouka!」

I hurried and followed after her.

Ryouka seems to have to have gone up the stairs towards the rooftop.

As I ran up the stairs after her, I found the door to the rooftop wide open.

「Chii… Don’t do anything foolish!?」

I followed her and went out onto the rooftop.

The rooftop is a cobble roof made of thick concrete, it is surrounded by a 2 meter high fence, it fortunately isn’t something you can get over easily.

I immediately found Ryouka. She was gripping the fence in front of her with her right hand, her back is turned away from the entrance, she was standing there like a lost child who didn’t know where to go.

「Ryouka, Senpai…」

While trying to catch my breath, I called her name.