Chapter 6: The Past of Ayaka, The Spicy Girl

After seeing them together, Ayaka was overwhelmed by a fierce jealousy and rage. It was as if all her spontaneous plans had been instantly destroyed. She ran out of the library, shouting, "Akira, you idiot!"

The shout was loud enough to make some students turn their heads. Reina, realizing the girl's flustered and jealous expression, turned to Akira in confusion.

"Hey, Akira-kun, do you know that girl?" Reina asked in her flat voice.

"Yeah, I know her. She's Ayaka Shirogane, my high school classmate," I replied. "You should just ignore her. People like her are very annoying."

That stupid Ayaka. Why did she have to shout like that in a library? I tried to focus on my book, but for some reason, I felt bothered. It seemed my peace was truly gone.

Meanwhile, Reina, with an unusual sense of guilt, started to chase after Ayaka. She found Ayaka on the rooftop, sitting and staring at the cloudy sky. Tears were beginning to fall from her eyes.

"Why are you here?" Ayaka asked in a hoarse voice, still filled with jealousy. "Did you come to mock me?"

"No. It's about what happened in the library. You misunderstood," Reina replied. Her expression was still flat, but there was a hint of sincerity in her voice. "We only just met yesterday. Besides, it's not possible to be on a date right after meeting, is it?"

Ayaka remained silent, but she knew Reina was right. Her tears stopped falling.

"Reina-chan, I'm sorry for accusing you. This is all my fault," Ayaka said, her voice sounding genuine. "Maybe this is also my fault... back then, when Akira was a victim of bullying in school."

[High School Flashback]

At that time, in the middle of the schoolyard. Akira, who was still overweight, was surrounded by a group of popular students.

"Look at this pig, does he want to go on a date?" one of the students sneered.

"As if this fat pig could ever date a beautiful girl!"

They laughed triumphantly. The laughter echoed across the yard. I, Ayaka, saw everything from a distance. I wanted to help Akira so badly, but I was too scared. Scared of being ostracized, scared of being hated. All I could do was stay silent, watching Akira bow his head and accept the humiliation.

[Back to the Present]

"If I had defended Akira back then, maybe he wouldn't be this cold and would stop avoiding so many girls," Ayaka said, starting to cry again. "I even doubted him when he first came to campus. I even thought he was still the same person."

"I truly regret it, Reina. What should I do?"

"I don't know about matters of the heart. What's clear is, make him smile again. Maybe that will soften his heart a little," Reina replied, offering an unexpected piece of advice.

"But how? I've tried several times, but he keeps pushing me away. He even gives me a cold stare as if he doesn't want to be bothered," Ayaka complained, feeling hopeless.

"You have to try harder to chase him. Keep fighting. Because someday, he will surely stop running."

Suddenly, Ayaka regained her spirit. She realized Reina wasn't a rival, but a friend. "Reina, you're the best! From now on, I will keep fighting!" Ayaka exclaimed, hugging Reina. A surprised Reina simply stood still with her usual flat expression.

"Oh yeah, there's also something I want to tell you, Ayaka-san?"

"What is it?" Ayaka asked, intrigued.

"Actually... I've also started to like Akira, after seeing that we both enjoy reading books."

Instantly, Ayaka froze, as if she couldn't believe what she had just heard. Her hug on Reina loosened. Her face, which had just become cheerful, now turned pale again.

[Separate Scene]

Inside his car, Akira suddenly sneezed.

"What's wrong, Akira?" asked Inui, who was driving.

"I don't know," I replied. "I feel like someone is talking about me."