Chapter 14:

Accusations

Cat's Hour ~猫の時間~


“Hime-chaaaan~”

“Urgh… here we go again.”

“Hime-chaaaaan~! Did you go here to accept my deal? Hmm?”

“No.”

“Ack. So blunt.”

“I just passed by to use the toilet. Leave me alone.”

“Hime-chaaaan!”

“Geh. Leave me be. I’m not going to accept your deal.”

We started preparing for the upcoming Sports Festival in Nekoji Academy. All of us from the Student Council have duties that we need to do for the event.

Kurokawa-senpai made a perfect plan for the event. It was fully detailed from top to bottom as if he already made the 50% of all the workload alone.

Seriously, he could have asked us to help him but… he didn’t, he was the kind of person to do everything on his own in order to spare us from working.

If I put it in my own words, Kurokawa-senpai is 50% of the student council, and the rest was divided to the remaining members.

In that partnership with Mashiro-senpai, I understood the working techniques of the third years.

Kurokawa-senpai was the superior who spoils his underclassmen.

“Are you having troubles? I’ll do it for you!”

Yes, like that. Not to mention that he was workaholic down to the bone, if he pulled that card to everyone, even Mashiro-senpai can’t do something but leave it to him.

On the other hand, Mashiro-senpai was a slave driver…

Since Kurokawa-senpai doesn’t need assistance with anything, I ended up working under Mashiro-senpai.

It was hell.

“Terushima, what is this typo?”

“Terushima, sort the documents properly.”

“Terushima, gather the information for this.”

Mashiro-senpai is a perfectionist and I was suffering because of it.

He doesn’t seem hostile to me, he’s not raising his voice when I made mistakes, he was still calm and collected.

But… every time we’re having a strategy meeting about Kurokawa-senpai’s circumstances, he was always desperate.

For him to lose his composure, he can’t afford to cut some corners with this one.

Mashiro-senpai told me that he found out about Kurokawa-senpai’s circumstances when he overheard a conversation with Irosaki-sensei by chance.

“Are you sure you’re not going to tell them about your condition?”

“No… I can’t tell them… if I do, I’ll just cause trouble to everyone. I’ll just deal with it by myself.”

Mashiro-senpai was frustrated by what he found out so he confronted Irosaki-sensei. It happened on my first day here when I first met him in front of the Principal’s Office and he was in a bad mood.

So that was it…

“Otsukare, Terushima-san.”

“Un. Be careful on your way home.”

I waved to the students that are leaving to go home as they waved back to me as well.

The classes just finished and I’m on my way to put posters of the event on the bulletin boards around the school.

After putting the posters on, I just need to check the suggestion box for letters, it doesn’t matter if it was complaint, we rarely got one so anything will do.

These past few weeks, the letter about the Ai Case is the only one we received so far.

If it has something to do with the popularity phenomenon, it was logical. The reason why we aren’t receiving any letters is the fact that the other students can’t recognize the student council.

“Hmm? There’s one today?”

I picked up the only letter on the suggestion box. I feel like it uses the same envelope from the one who informed us about Ai-san.

It might be my imagination… but, it could be that this came from the same sender as well.

Let’s just keep it for now and return to the office.

__

I was walking down the hallway while carrying the box with tools that I used for putting posters when I noticed someone sulking in front of a room. He was crouching on the floor and hugging his knees while emitting a depressing aura. The students that are passing by don’t seem to notice him.

It was Kurokawa-senpai!

I put the box down and hurriedly ran to him out of worry.

“Kurokawa-senpai! What’s wrong?! Did something happened?! Do you feel sick?!”

What should I do… if it was a grave situation, Mashiro-senpai won’t let me off the hook!

“Terushima-san…” he said in a weak voice.

“What is it?! If there’s something wrong, please tell me!”

This is bad!

“T-terushima-san… what should I do…? Uuu….”

He buried his face on his knees and soft sobs came out from him. His cat ears also popped out of nowhere.

C-cat ears!!

W-wait! Calm yourself, Hikari! This is not the time for that! Kurokawa-senpai is crying, you can’t act like a pervert now of all times!

But! His cat ears are drooping down!

Uuu… hold it in, Hikari!

I heaved a deep sigh to calm myself and sat beside him. This reminds me of that time when he tours me around the school. Something like this also happened before.

“Senpai, if it’s alright with you, can I ask what happened?” I asked him.

He didn’t answer for a while, all I could hear is his muffled sobs.

Well, what am I expecting–

“T-tuna… onigiri…”

“Eh?”

“I can’t buy tuna onigiri… Uuu, what should I do, Terushima-san…?”

That’s it?!

“A-ano… senpai… are you crying because you can’t get tuna onigiri from the cafeteria?” I awkwardly asked.

“H-hai…”

“Senpai, you’re the one who told me that the student council can get food in the cafeteria for free. Did you forget about it?”

“It’s not like that!” he raised his voice out of nowhere.

He lift his gaze and look at me with his eyes wet from tears. He was also biting his lip to keep himself from letting out a sob.

Is tuna onigiri enough to make him cry like this?

“It’s not like that… Terushima-san…” he repeated, now with a weak voice.

“What do you mean, senpai?! If I could be of any help, please tell me what I need to do!” I said to him in determination.

“No one can see me anymore… I was talking to the auntie in the cafeteria but she can’t notice me, I thought she was just busy so I stayed there longer but she can’t hear me… then…”

“Then what?”

“The tuna onigiri sold out. Uuuu…”

Is this really our student council president? It seems unbelievable.

Wait– what does he mean about no one can see him anymore?

“Senpai, what–“

“Ah, Terushima-san! What are you doing here? Why are you sitting on the floor? Did you drop something?”

A student showed up and started a conversation with me.

“Eh? What are you saying? I’m…”

I glanced at Kurokawa-senpai’s direction.

His eyes widened and his mouth agape as he froze for a moment when he stared at the student.

The others can’t see him?!

“Senpai…”

He stood quickly and walked away without saying a word.

“Terushima-san? Is there something wrong? It was as if you’re talking to someone but there’s no one here…”

So it was true, no one can see Kurokawa-senpai aside from us, the student council, anymore.

Damn, this took a turn for the worse.

“Excuse me, can you bring that box on the faculty room?”

“Ah… yes…”

“Sorry, I have to go. I’ll leave that to you, thanks!”

I need to catch up to Kurokawa-senpai. He’s not in a stable condition when he left just now.

He was shaken by the situation.

Considering his weak mental state, I can’t help but worry about him. Who knows what will happen to him?

“Senpai! Kurokawa-senpai! Where are you?!” I shouted on top of my lungs when I arrived at the forest path near the student council building.

This is the only place I can think off, I rarely see him around the main buildings so the most probable place he would go is the office and the dorm.

I turn my head to look around in hopes of finding him.

I was about to take out my phone to call Mashiro-senpai for help when I finally found him standing far away from my position.

I can only see his back.

It will take just a few steps closer to him.

And yet…

He seems so far away.

He was so close, and yet so far.

I haven’t noticed it before but… Kurokawa-senpai has a wall around him.

It was well-made that I didn’t notice it seeing as how close he was with everyone. Everything feels like a joke.

Looking at his back like this…

Kurokawa-senpai… was such a lonely person.

Is this how Mashiro-senpai felt when he overheard that conversation?

To me, it feels like Kurokawa-senpai doesn’t trust anyone, even the others from student council. Me aside, can’t he even ask others if he needs help?

It was frustrating…

“I want to eat tuna onigiri…” he mumbled.

This guy… how can he talk like that at this time?!

“Terushima-san, so you followed me here…”

“I’m worried! Of course I’ll catch up! You just left like that!”

“Sorry for worrying you…”

We are having a conversation but he didn’t even turn back to look at me.

“… but there’s no need for you to go to such lengths.”

Is that… his way of saying that it’s not my business?

“Senpai…”

“We should go back now, sorry for causing troubles. We can ask Aoi-kun or let’s make tuna onigiri ourselves. What do you think, Terushima-san?”

Kurokawa-senpai turned around and faced me. He showed a wide, bright smile.

He’s one tough person to crack. He might not be that popular but his conversational skills are top-notch. He can swiftly change a topic naturally.

It might be awkward for me to go back to that topic.

“Senpai… can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“What are ‘friends’ to you?”

He stopped for a moment and looked up, a genuine smile spreads on his face.

“Friends are my treasures.”

His voice is full of sincerity. He really treasured them that much.

But why can’t he bring himself to trust them?

For me who doesn’t have that kind of relationship with friends, it was a subject of jealousy.

“Heh. How envious,” I passively commented with a chuckle.

“That goes for Terushima-san as well.”

“Eh? Me?”

“Un. Terushima-san is a friend right… or… am I mistaken? I-I’m sorry! I was assuming!”

He suddenly returned to his frantic mode. This is the Kurokawa-senpai that I know, a clumsy yet capable person. He’s a pure boy.

“Thank you, senpai. Then, that means I’m your friend, right?”

“A-ah… that’s… of course…” he timidly whispered.

He was starting to be uncomfortable, this doesn’t seem to be a good time to press him for more.

But being called a friend somehow made me happy as well.

“That’s why I can’t put my friends to danger just for my sake… no matter what…”

It was an inaudible whisper but I’m sure Kurokawa-senpai whispered something.

What was that?

__

“We’re back.”

The two of us returned to the office and I didn’t got the chance to discuss about the strange phenomenon that other people can’t see Kurokawa-senpai.

I was thinking of contacting Mashiro-senpai as soon as we returned but he’s nowhere to be found here.

Where is he when there’s something important going on?!

“Oh. Welcome back, kaichou.” A bored voice greeted.

To my surprise, it was Mikejima-kun seated on his desk and sorting papers.

What kind of strange wind blows that made this no-show guy work? Did he eat something strange?

“Tsukasa-kun! You finally showed up!” Kurokawa-senpai exclaimed in delight and walked up to Mikejima-kun’s direction.

“Yeah. I heard from Aoi that you’re busy preparing for the Sports Festival. I just dropped by to lend a hand or something.”

“Thank you!”

I just walked to my desk and proceeded with my work while the two is having their conversation.

“By the way kaichou, Aoi made tuna onigiri on the dorm. You like them, right?”

I stopped moving my hands when I heard that.

What’s that guy planning?! I can still feel hostility from him even if he doesn’t directly talk to me.

He’s really bad news.

The way he said the tuna onigiri to Kurokawa-senpai is definitely hinting at something.

“Uwaaah! I’ll go there now! I’ll be back!”

Oh my god!

Senpai! Don’t leave me here!

Ah… he went out.

Damn it! This damn calico intentionally made Kurokawa-senpai leave!

There’s no other people here aside from the two of us. He’s really planning something bad!

If he’s going to start a fight, I doubt that I have a chance considering the difference in physical strength.

Running away might be a nice idea… but his desk is closer to the door, he can easily stop me if I did something suspicious.

I opened a book to cover my face and stare at him inconspicuously.

As soon as he was sure that Kurokawa-senpai left, he stopped his work and pulled out a handheld console.

Eh…? This guy… he’s playing a game as soon as Kurokawa-senpai left?!

Is that for show?! He really doesn’t plan to help us?!

This damn bastard!!

I don’t care about it anymore! I’ll just continue my work! Hmph!

In the middle of working, the guy purposely played a game in full volume which made it harder for me to concentrate.

I could hear sounds of buttons being pressed, the background music, and voiced lines from the game.

Argh! Damn it! This is irritating!

While I was screaming inside my mind, he stood up and slammed the console on the table. It created a loud sound that made me flinch.

Wait! Did he destroy the console?! Is that a threat to me?!

I’ll pretend that I saw nothing. He might just be pissed by the game he’s playing. Definitely nothing to do with me.

“Oi.”

Eek! Is he talking to me?!

I’m just imagining things, right?!

Ignore it. Ignore it.

“Are you deaf?”

No. Endure it. Don’t mind him. Kurokawa-senpai will return…

Hah. How long would I have to endure?

“Bitch.”

Am I… hearing that right?

My brows furrowed out of reflex and I unconsciously sent a glare to his direction.

“What do you need, bastard? I don’t want to start a fight, but aren’t you going too far?” I snapped.

“Heh. So you’re showing your true colors now? Seems like you’re done playing dumb.”

“What the heck is wrong with you?! If you’re thinking that I’m going to let you have your way after you insult me, dream on.”

I slammed my hands on the table causing a few pieces of paper fall over to the floor.

He also glared back at me. For some reasons, I’m not scared of him, I’m pissed more than anything.

I never get along with this bastard and I don’t really care for shit. But to insult me in front of my face… GO TO HELL!

He clenched his fist tightly as he glared at me as if he wants to kill me right here and now.

"How shameful can you be?! Seducing Tsuki-senpai like that! What cheap tricks are you planning?! Oi! Terushima!"

“Hah?! What the heck are you saying?! Are you alright in the head?!”

“Are you still playing dumb?! What now?! After getting Tsuki-senpai, you’re going after kaichou?!”

“What the fuck?”

What in the world is he saying?! I never did those things! What kind of bullshit is he spouting?!

Just when I slightly got along with third years, I’m seducing them?! In what kind of cave did this bastard came from that he doesn’t have any common sense?!

“Not doing this to earn our favors? Hah, don’t make me laugh! You’re tainting the name of the student council with your acts!” he pointed his finger to me in conviction.

“Oi, oi, give me a break! I know that you don’t like me but what kind of bullshit accusations is that?!” I rebutted to him.

The two of us are raising our voices since earlier. No one wants to back down, I can still go on! I won’t back down from this scumbag!

“Do you think I’m going to confront you with baseless accusations? Terushima, I told the others that I didn’t make you quit the student council before but I remember warning you not to get close, right? I should’ve dealt with you earlier.” He lowered his voice in a threatening manner, emphasizing each and every word.

“Is that a threat?”

“Yes.”

“I won’t back down just because of that. I’m not guilty of anything so I have nothing to be afraid of.” I gave him a firm look of determination.

“Not guilty?! You really won’t admit it, you act all innocent while you’re actually a snake, seducing the third years, am I right?! What would you do after that? Have the two of them fighting?”

“Annoying.”

This is tiresome. I can’t stand reasoning with this stupid bastard.

“How dare you?!”

“You’ve been throwing these accusations on me but where is your evidence? Do you even have proof? Just so you know, I’m not compromising my work, not like a certain someone who doesn’t show his face,” I said in a serious tone. “Whether it was the student council or the class you’re in, you’re ditching just because you don’t like me? My, I didn’t know that you’re such a coward.”

His expression falter for a second and he was slightly taken aback by what I said.

I think I went overboard… nah, he started it. He reaps what he sow.

He regained his composure after that.

“What are you doing on the back of dorm that time? Surely, you remember that much, right?” he confidently said.

Eh…? He’s talking about that time?

He was watching?!

“Hoh. Why did you fell silent? Did I hit the bull’s-eye?”

I nonchalantly squinted my eyes at him as if saying that it was an idiotic point.

It was idiotic but… in outsider’s perspective…

Damn it! It really looks like how Mikejima-kun thought!

This is a freaking misunderstanding!

“Oi, calico, stop this idiocy,” I tiredly said.

“Wha–!”

“If you have questions, ask Mashiro-senpai. I can’t humor you, maybe the two of you can understand each other.”

I sighed in disappointment and walked around to pick up the fallen papers. This is a useless chat.

He still stood in his place and doesn’t have any intention to back down. He was really determined to convict me.

Haah… so stupid.

“That… with kaichou…”

“Knock it off. Are you really that determined to accuse me? We just happened to run into each other on the way here.”

Except that Kurokawa-senpai has something going on.

He bit his lips in frustration and furrowed his brows at me.

“If something happened to kaichou, I won’t let you off! I will kick you myself even if Tsuki-senpai will get in the way!”

“Sure,” I simply said. “Though, I’m not sure about that.”

Mashiro-senpai might kick me himself if I can’t fulfill my end of deal. Un, I can already see it happening.

He just looked down in frustration, he doesn’t say anything.

I returned to my seat silently.

That was such a heated exchange, I thought I could finally land a slap on his face, good thing I didn’t do it.

Good job holding back, Hikari!

However, he still has that look of dissatisfaction in his face. What the heck? Not going down on reasonable discourse?

Want a taste of slap?

Wait…

That’s not it…

The cat ears twitched…

His face is turning pale, his hands are shaking…

And he was gasping for air.

“Oi!”

Not long after that, he fell on his knees and covered his mouth with his right hand while catching his breath.

“Mikejima-kun! Are you okay?!”

I called out to him and was about to approach him when he raised his voice to me.

“DON’T GO NEAR ME!”

I took a step back.

“Haa… haa… urgh…”

These symptoms… a panic attack?!

Crap! What should I do?! I definitely caused this! As if I know that he will have a panic attack!

“Stay there, I’ll call for help!”

I don’t know what to do!

I don’t like him but there’s no way I could just leave him there! It was an emergency!

I ran outside.

I’ll go to the dorm, I might run into Kurokawa-senpai if I go there. I’ll ask someone for help!

Please… anyone! I’m begging you! Please help Mikejima-kun!

“Terushima-senpai? Why are you in a rush? Did you run here?”

Haibara-kun!

“Terushima-san, are you okay? You’re out of breath, is something the matter?”

Kurokawa-senpai!

“Haah… haah… please help! Mikejima-kun! He… he… panic attack…” I tried to speak between a series of pants.

I don’t know if they understand what I said given that I was also running out breath.

Kurokawa-senpai’s hands slipped. The plate with onigiri that he’s carrying fell to the floor as it shattered into pieces.

He grabbed my shoulders and worriedly asked me, “Terushima-san! Did you touch Tsukasa-kun?”

Touch?

“N-no… I didn’t. We just have an argument but I didn’t touch him.”

Kurokawa-senpai turned to Haibara-kun and quickly commanded, “Aoi-kun, go where Tsukasa-kun is! Call Tsuki-kun and Asahi-kun as well!”

“Hai, kaichou!”

Haibara-kun quickly left us there.

“Terushima-san, please don’t go near Tsukasa-kun for a while,” Kurokawa-senpai seriously said to me.

“As I thought, it was my fault, right?!” I blurted out.

“No, Terushima-san is not at fault! It’s just that… Tsukasa-kun has fear of women…”

Kurokawa-senpai looks away from me.

“Sorry, I have to go now. I’ll explain the details later.”

Eh…?

Mikejima-kun has…

Fear of women?

Hades
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kazesenken
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Akahana
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