"Mr. Loner" and "Ms. Tsundere" Meets "Ms. Kouhai"

And so, here I, Kazuhiko Kazushi, stood in front of my shoe locker. Why, you ask? Because there was a love letter tucked inside! I couldn't be mistaken; it had a heart sticker sealing it shut. This was clearly a love letter. Though... who would give something like this to me?

For now, I needed to figure out who was behind this. Maybe it was just a prank? That was a high possibility, or it could be a punishment game. Yeah, definitely. That had to be the only reason. Let's leave it at that. That didn't mean I wasn't going to read it, though.

I took the letter and started heading straight for the nearest boys' bathroom to read it alone, when—

"Good morning, Kazushi-kun. I wonder what you're holding right now?" Furumi stood in front of me, blocking my only escape. I could run behind me, but she'd definitely end my life later if I did that.

We ended up in an empty classroom to talk, as our relationship—even our friendship—was still a secret. Pretty sad for me, isn't it?

And yeah, there was no hiding this. So, I told her about the letter.

"I guess there's no hiding it from you... It's a love letter," I said, feeling like I had no other choice.

"A love letter? You? Fufu... To think someone would like you," she said, a mocking remark escaping her lips.

That hurt, okay?! Don't say it like that... I knew it myself, you Tsundere-san. But, well, that was reality. That was my position, so it was understandable she'd say so... Even so...

"That hurts, okay?! No need to confirm it. I don't even think this love letter is about someone confessing her feelings for me," I retorted, defending myself against her mockery.

"Hmm? What do you mean by that?" she asked, wondering what I was getting at.

"Well, I just can't think of anyone who would genuinely confess to me. So, in conclusion, I think this came from a punishment game or a prank. I know I'm so average that no one would possibly like me."

After I said that, Ms. Tsundere mumbled something I didn't quite catch again. "...you don't need to belittle yourself like that though... surely, there's someone who would like you..."

"What did you say? I didn't get that," I asked, curious about her low murmur.

"I said... It can't be helped! Let's meet that girl then! If it's a prank or punishment, I'll help you through it. You don't deserve that. Hmph." She said that, but I was sure that wasn't what she'd mumbled earlier. I just shook my head and moved on.

But she sure was a tsundere, huh? That's cute.

"Quite a tsundere you are." The words slipped out. A mistake.

"Huhh?! What do you mean?!" And just like that, I got slapped. Ouch.

"That hurts, okay?! It's your fault for not being honest," I countered.

"Hmph. Whatever... Sorry for slapping you." Well, at least she apologized.

"Anyways, let me see that letter for you," she said, snatching it from my hand. Ugh, that was my love letter. Why did she take it like it was hers?! As if I could say that aloud. So I let it go. I mean, I couldn't go against this violent girl. That slap had traumatized me. Never again, me.

She opened it and read the entire content. I hadn't even read it yet. That was unfair.

"So yeah, according to this letter, the girl behind this wants to meet you at the rooftop later at lunch break. I'll meet you up there at the stairs later," she informed me, handing the letter back. "Well, see ya later. I'm gonna head first. Don't be late, okay?! Hmph." With that, she walked off to our classroom. We definitely couldn't be seen together, or rumors would spread.

Sigh. That's just how we were. I headed straight to class afterwards.

....

Time passed. The bell screeched, signaling lunch break. As planned, I went to the stairs leading to the rooftop first, waiting for Furumi. Not long after, she arrived.

"You ready now, Kazuhiko?" she asked, sounding genuinely concerned. I wondered if she was just acting or if she really felt it. But, well, that shouldn't be on my mind right now.

"Yeah, don't worry. I'm counting on you then, Furumi," I replied.

"Hmph, you should be grateful. Even if that turns out to be a prank or a dare from a punishment game, you won't be hurt once they reveal it. I'll pretend to be your girlfriend," she said, as if reassuring me.

She was quite a nice girl. If only she were truly honest with her feelings, that is.

And so, I left Furumi behind. She would be watching me from afar until a certain event unfolded.

As I entered the rooftop, I saw a girl. Based on her necktie, she had to be an underclassman. Although I was sure I'd never had any interaction with this girl, for some reason... she seemed familiar, and it scared me.

"Ya, Kazushi-senpai! You came as I requested." she said.

The girl standing in front of me was cute and meticulous, with long orange hair and two pins in her hair. I really thought... I had seen this girl before.

"I don't know why you know me, but... What is it that you wanted to talk about here?" I asked, confused by the situation.

"First thing, my name is Kisara Mihashi. A first year, at that." she said, smiling at me. Though, I didn't like that smile for some reason... She was hiding something.

Still confused, I asked, "Then?"

The girl in front of me smiled cheekily and said... "Then, Kazushi... No... Kazuhiko-senpai! Take responsibility and be my boyfriend from here on out!"

Then it hit me. The girl standing in front of me said something very familiar to the girl waiting behind that rooftop door. And also... I realized that... She was the girl I accidentally kissed at the city library the other day!

"Ehhhhhh?!!!!"

I lost consciousness, unable to hold myself together again... Not again... Even as I was passing out, I heard "that" girl and Mihashi calling out my name. Quite a feeling of déjà vu, isn't it? I passed out. I'm quite pathetic... Haaa...