Declinare

When Minato and I decided to settle our dispute with a duel, we didn’t think something very important: Kaede’s opinion on the matter.

At the time, it seemed like a natural idea. Hasegawa’s suggestion aligned perfectly with both mine and Minato’s intentions.

To be honest, it was fun. I don’t usually practice in combat mode, so I was a bit nervous about the outcome. But when I thought of Kaede, I felt motivated to give it all.

But only in my dreams would Kaede be outside, cheering for me and waiting with a smile on her face.

In reality, what awaited me was a not-so-pleasant expression.

"Kaede…"

There was no immediate response. After a moment of silence, Kaede finally spoke, her tone filled with sadness.

"You two… are so stupid."
"Why do boys always feel the need to act this way?"

Neither of us knew how to respond.

She turned to her best friend.

"Hinata, I think you were right. Maybe I’ve been too soft on them."

"Finally realized it?"

"But in my current state, I can’t do what I feel like doing right now."
"Please, lend me your hands."

Tsuchiya knew her friend well enough to understand exactly what Kaede meant by "what I feel like doing right now." She didn’t need any further explanation.

Kaede walked calmly toward us, stopping first in front of Minato.

*Slap!!!*

The sharp, quick sound echoed, leaving the room in complete silence.

"That’s for Kaede."

Minato didn’t respond, lowering his head instead.

Next, Tsuchiya stood in front of me. I knew exactly what was coming, yet I didn’t dare move.

*Slap!!*

"That's for Kaede too."

Tsuchiya’s slap was filled with anger. She didn’t use her full strength, but it still hurt enough.

As she turned her back to me, I couldn’t keep quiet.

"What did we do so wrong? It’s not like we were in an actual fight…"

She turned around, her eyes blazing with anger.

"And why were you fighting in a video game?"
"I’m sure it wasn’t just a friendly match."

"We were settling a small disagreement."

"Listen carefully to what I’m about to say. This goes for you too, Minato."

"…"

"If you two really care so much about Kaede, then you should care more about the things that are special to her."
"You don’t have to get along perfectly, but at least try to hide the fact that you can’t stand each other when she’s around."
"It doesn’t take much effort to be tolerant of one another."

"It was my fault. I started this fight. I’m sorry for that," Minato said, taking full responsibility.

"No, I also got carried away in the heat of the moment. I’m sorry."

"Apologize to Kaede, not me. I don’t care about your apologies," Tsuchiya snapped.
"Besides, what were you even trying to achieve? A duel for what?"
"Do you two idiots think Kaede is some kind of prize to be won?"

Tsuchiya’s harsh words stung more than the slaps.

"No, it’s not like that… I don’t think either of us saw it that way," I stammered.

"It was just a stupid decision made in the heat of the moment," Minato added.

Hasegawa finally stepped in to defend us.

"Hinata! Actually, I’m the one who gave them the idea…"
"I suggested they settle it with a BladeSynth match."

He scratched his head, clearly embarrassed for having contributed to the tense situation.

"Doesn’t matter, Kenji. In the end, they made the decision."
"I hope you two think about Kaede’s feelings before doing something this stupid again."

Tsuchiya turned her back on us once more, walking away with Kaede.

What was left in the room was an awkward silence, a contrast to the excitement from just minutes earlier.

No one seemed in the mood to continue the party. In the end, everyone decided to call it a night.

As Tsuchiya had said earlier, "A party doesn’t make sense if the reason for it is outside."  Likewise, a party doesn’t make sense if the reason for it isn’t in the mood to celebrate.

It seemed Minato and I had ruined the celebration for Kaede’s return. Ironic, since it all started because we both cared about her so much.

But this was just the beginning of my downfall.

…

The next day, I couldn’t find a chance to talk to Kaede, to show her how truly sorry I was for what I’d done, and maybe get a response.

Tsuchiya made sure neither of us got near her, while Kaede did her best to ignore our presence.

In a moment like this, there was only one person I could turn to.

"Sakura, is this the end?"

"Huh?"

"Is it over for me? Does Kaede hate me after what happened yesterday?"

"Oh, so that’s what this is about," she said with a laugh.
"I don’t think she’s capable of hating either of you, but she’s definitely upset."
"I think she just needs some time to forgive you two."

"And how long will that take? Her coldness isn’t something I can get used to."

"Who knows… Look on the bright side: if she had been the one to slap you two, she’d probably feel even worse."

"She only didn’t because of the Revixit non-aggression rule against humans."

"Oh, right, that’s a thing…"
"Well, it might take a little while. But Kaede’s heart is too kind. She’ll definitely forgive you. Don’t overthink it."

"I hope so…"

At that moment, I felt someone watching me… 

And that someone was… Kobayashi Yoshiko.

I still hadn’t resolved things with her.

"I’ll be waiting for you in the student council room tomorrow."

Could it be her? No… she would definitely be waiting for me.

After escaping from Sakura, I stealthily made my way to the student council room. Even though I wasn’t particularly eager, I felt it was best to end my alliance with her as soon as possible.

"Ex-Excuse me…"

I gently opened the door, but didn’t hear any response.

The student council room was quite small, with the lights turned off, and it appeared to be empty. The darkness ahead of me set the perfect scene for a horror movie.

Since no one was there, I considered leaving, but just then, my smartwatch lit up with an incoming call from Kobayashi.

As I prepared to answer, the room lights flicked on, and I was ambushed.

Kobayashi, who had been hiding behind the door, slammed it shut and then, like a trained assassin, lunged at me.

Before I could react, she was right in front of me—too close.... So close that her face nearly touching mine… No! They had actually touched!

I felt a soft sensation on my lips, like a shockwave erupting in my mouth and reaching my brain, followed by a chill down my spine. 

This couldn’t be real! This lunatic was kissing me!

I had no idea how to respond. Never had I imagined my first kiss would be something so sudden, and with someone who hadn’t even confessed to me!

In a brief lapse, my tongue brushed against Kobayashi’s lips. She clenched her teeth hard, nearly biting my tongue off.

"Arghhhhh!" I screamed in pain.

She finally pulled away, wiping her mouth on her sleeve as if disgusted by what she’d just done. It made no sense—she was the one who’d just assaulted me!

"What the hell was that?" I shouted angrily.

Kobayashi calmly walked over to the council desk, sitting down as if nothing had happened, like she was simply positioning herself to greet a visitor.

"Hey! Have you lost your mind?"

"Kikuchi…"
"Sometimes, drastic measures need to be taken."

A malicious smile spread across her face.

"What do you think of this?"

She raised her wrist, pulling up a hologram that displayed a photo—a picture freshly taken.

It was the kiss she had just forced on me.

"What’s the meaning of this? Why did you do it?"

"Kikuchi… Do you think I’m some kind of fool?"

"What?"

"When we spoke the other day, you already showed yourself as someone indecisive and untrustworthy. I anticipated that you’d change your mind, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon or what you did at the party."

"That’s exactly why I came here today! I finally realized how stupid I was for accepting your alliance. I was just confused about my feelings!"

"And what are you planning to do? Walk away and pretend we never spoke that day?"

"So what if I do? I’m not obligated to be your ally."

"As if I’d let you roam around freely after everything I told you. Sooner or later, you’d slip up and spill everything to her."

"I won’t say anything! Just leave me alone!"

"No, I’ve already learned the hard way that you don’t know how to keep your mouth shut."

"Eh…"

"You dared to try sticking that disgusting tongue in my mouth. I should sue you for harassment."

"Sue me? You’re the one who kissed me by force, you lunatic!"

"That’s just a minor detail. What matters is that now I have this photo to ensure your loyalty."

"Ensure my loyalty? What’s that supposed to mean?"

"Remember, it was you who said…
‘This can’t hurt Kaede’s heart.’
How do you think she would feel, seeing this photo after receiving your declaration?"

"You piece of garbage! I’ll make you pay for this!"

"Threats don’t scare me. I can see clearly what kind of pathetic person you are."

"Why? Why do you go to such lengths to get what you want? Is being opposed really so unbearable?"

Kobayashi clenched her fists and shouted, her voice full of anger.

"I’ve been used to being opposed! No one ever listens to me, and no one ever tries to see the world from my perspective!
But I won’t back down! Even if the whole world stands against me, I’ll fight it!
And in the end, I’ll win and prove them all wrong!"

"Your narcissism won’t get you anywhere!"

"This isn’t narcissism…
I gave you the choice to be my ally, and you dared to betray me. From tomorrow on, you’ll be nothing more than my subordinate.
I hope this helps you understand that I’m not just playing games."

Kobayashi walked past me and left the room, ignoring my complaints.

Sakura’s words echoed in my head.

"Don’t listen to that lunatic."

If only Sakura had told me this earlier… No, if I had already known the rumors about Kobayashi, none of this would be happening.

My hands were tied. For now, all I could do was go along with whatever crazy plan Kobayashi had in mind. 

In the end, she was right—I really was a pathetic person.