Chapter 003.9: To Replace Me Part 4

“Right. When did you become so popular?”

“I'm not popular.”

“Apparently, you are. Remember those vendors were fawning over you? And the crowd that formed just because of you?”

“That is because I am the vice president of the SSG.”

“That's part of it. But that's not all there is to it Eli-chan.”

“They wanted to use my position.”

“Huh? Fufufufufu. Are you thinking that the only reason they're praising and fawning over you is just because they wanted to use you?”

“En...”

“Well I don't think so. Perhaps there are those that really think like that. But as I said, that's not all there is to it. You're popular because they like you Eli-chan.”

“.......”

“Although I don't understand what made you so popular, but it's really the fact Eli-chan. The universe isn't black-and-white. There is a gray as well. And in fact, there's a lot of colors— Both bright and dull.”

“I don't... I don't know what you're talking about.”

“Oh hell. In other words, you're not just popular because of ulterior motives. But also because you're just really likeable Eli-chan.”

I don't care. You're the one I wanted to like me. But that's impossible. Because you don't trust me.

“Did you know that our classmates made a fuss when I said that you'll be singing? You weren't there to hear it yet they did genuinely desired to hear you sing.”

“Because you were there. So of course they'll praise me to make a good impression in front of you.”

“They don't don't know my status Eli-chan. And they don't even believe in our relationship.”

“I see. They found out then.”

“No. I'm saying that they're being sincere.”

“.........”

“Come on. I actually find it normal you know. You're pretty, adorable, kind by default, reliable and responsible. Who wouldn't like you?”

Eh?

“D-Did you just praise me???”

“Oh I did.”

“Ehhhh~!”

“Uwaah. This is deja vu.”

I got praised. Again. Twice in one day. Arehh~!

Oh no! I can't hold back my excitement. He complimented me after all and I can't help it!

He said I'm pretty, adorable, kind, reliable, and responsible. He likes me~! Ahh.. This won't do. I feel so happy.

But this is wrong. We already broke up. So this is inappropriate. He's for ma'am Iris after all. This is an affair!

“I-Is this alright?”

“To what?”

“To praise me..? Uh, to flirt with me..? You know because we alre—”

“What are you talking about? Of course it's alright.”

“But this is wrong.”

“Why would it be wrong? You're my girlfriend.”

But we already broke up. I feel like this is wrong. I shouldn't be happy. He is owned by somebody else after all. But I am happy.

“Can you praise me again..?”

“Of course. Fumufumu. Eli-chan, my Eli-chan is beautiful, kind, and reliable. A good fighter as well.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes.”

“You aren't lying to me?”

“I am not.”

“Why? Didn't you have no trust in me?”

“When did I even say that I don't?”

“But you lied to me.”

“Eh? That doesn't mean I don't trust you. And when did I lie?”

“So you really trusts me?”

“Oh hell I do trust you. Very much in fact.”

“Hehehe... I am sorry.”

“For what? For being childish? It's fine I like it.”

So he actually really likes me.

Perhaps I was wrong. No. I was wrong!

He didn't lie to me. Because Mark wouldn't lie to me. Because he trusts me. He has a trust in me!

I was just mistaken. I just overthought. It was just purely my own confusion.

Now I feel bad. I shouldn't have doubted him. Oh no! I almost did something I'll regret. I almost give him to somebody else.

I should apologize to him fast and get him back again.

“Mark. Say ‘ahh~’.”

“Oh you're feeding me?”

“En.”

He opened his mouth then chewed.

“How is it?”

“It's already delicious yet the fact that you're feeding me made it even more tastier.”

“Hehehe. You're flattering me.”

“I just stated a fact.”

“Mark?”

“Yes?”

Right. I wanted to know what he thought of when I sung earlier.

“How was... How was my performance this morning..?”

“What? Oh. You singing at the flag ceremony?”

“En.”

“Oh hell.”

Eh? Why does he look troubled? Did I actually messed up? Did I disappointed him? Oh no. I need to apologize!

“I'm sorry...”

“What are you saying sorry for? I should be the one apologizing.”

“Why?”

“Are you being rhetorical? You already know the answer yet you still ask. It's that some sort of test isn't it? The ‘I-rather-know-it-from-you-than-from-somebody-else’ thing right? Fufufufufu. I'm really sorry Eli-chan.”

“B-But why are you being sorry?”

I am having a bad feeling about this. I don't want to hear it.

I opened the mineral bottle Mark bought earlier to soak my throat.

“It's because ma'am Iris asked me to pick something up from the gate with other boys. Have you seen the new locker in our room? That's what we picked up. So I am really apologizing to you. I heard you singing anyway. You really have a good voice.”

“What does... a locker got to do with our current topic...?”

“Well it's the reason why I couldn't hear you sing in the flag ceremony first-handedly—”

*Thud!*Splash~!*

Eh....?

I dropped the water bottle and some spilled on my uniform.

But I have no care about it.

Wh—

What did he just say..?

He didn't listen to me?

Why?

Did he lie to me?

But he said he trusts me.

So why would he lie to me?!

It only means that he doesn't really trust me.

And everything he said were all nothing but lies!

I-I don't know why he did that. I don't know why he praised me... But it's all a lie!

You lied to me Mark! You lied to me! You lied to me! You lied to me! You lied to me! You lied to me! You lied to me!!

YOU LIED TO ME!

It also mean that you don't want to get back together with me. Because you're a liar!

“Wait. Why are you suddenly crying Eli-chan?”

Because you lied. You're a liar. I was wrong all along. You lied to me!

Why do you need to play me like this? Why do you need to play with my feelings? I'm already prepared to let you go and end it all as soon as possible. But then you came to give me false hope!

You're a liar! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I HATE YOU!

“Eli-chan what's wrong? Stop hitting yourself!”

“Shut up and don't touch me!”

“Alright but stop hitting yourself!”

“I said shut up!”

“Alright. I'm sorry. Let's talk this out okay?”

“No... NO! I don't want to talk to you anymore! I hate you! I already hate you! I don't want to hear your lies anymore.”

“Oh hell alright. But stop hurting yourself. And we might be the only one here but who knows if somebody will come. Do you want to damage your popularity?”

“I don't care! Just shut up! And I said I don't want to talk to you anymore. I hate you and we're done!”

But I'll make sure to give you somebody better than me before I disappear in your life.

I wiped my eyes and turned to leave. Mark didn't stop me. I can just feel his gaze behind me.

But I don't care!

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|Voracity's Note |

Right. I'm pretty much energetic so I might update 4 times next week. Well, who knows. Just saying.

And by the way, I edited my prologue. Thought the previous one was boring.