Confrontation

“Really? You know who wrote the notes?” Yuta stared at the nurse with optimism.

“One person comes to mind based on your description. Her name is Kaguya Nakano. But I never took her for the type of scum that would harass people like this...”

Hitomura straightened. “Kaguya?”

“W-What is she like?”

“She’s quiet. Doesn’t have any friends. She spends a lot of time studying here. Whenever I needed something, she was always willing to fetch it for me. If it’s really her doing this…” Ms. Sasaki clicked her tongue in irritation.

“Is Kaguya the only student in the school to match that description?”

“Why? Do you know her?”

“Yes, actually… She’s one of the girls in the anime club.”

“Anime club?”

“She may not look like it, but she’s a huge anime fan. I tried to court her once, but…” he wiped away a fake tear from his eye, “she said I was too dramatic.”

“I think she had a point…”

Ms. Sasaki cleared her throat to get the students’ attention. “Before you whine about how you got rejected, we need to discuss the matter at hand. I think I have a picture of Nakano somewhere around here. Let me see…” She left the bedside to search her desk. In the bottom drawer was a photograph taken the previous year. The nurse returned to Yuta’s bedside and showed him the picture, pointing to a blue-haired girl that stood in between Ms. Sasaki and another girl. “Is this her?”

Yuta grabbed the photo and took a closer look. Her hair was shorter in the picture, but it was definitely the same person. “Yes, that’s her.”

Ms. Sasaki retrieved the photo from Yuta. “She’s one of the last people I would have expected to pull something like this…” She cracked her knuckles and her eyes were cold. “I’m going to knock some sense into her later.”

Hitomura shuddered, knowing full well what invoking the nurse’s wrath meant.

“Can you tell us anything about her, Ms. Sasaki?” Yuta slid off the bed, landing firmly on his feet. His feet ached when they hit the floor.

“She was always reserved. Even though she’s spent so much time here, all I know about her is that she doesn’t talk much and she takes studying very seriously. Though, not as seriously as you.”

Shiori took a step away from Yuta to give him space. “W-Who was the other girl… in the picture?”

“My niece. She tried to be friends with Nakano, but she was unable to establish any kind of relationship with her. It’s like she closed her heart off to people.”

Yuta rubbed his chin. “Does your niece still go to this school?”

“No, she graduated last year.”

“Do you know why Nakano kept coming here?”

“If I had to guess, it was to get away from people.”

Hitomura chuckled. “In other words, she’s a dandere…”

Yuta rolled his eyes. “I don’t know what that means, but I doubt what you just said is true.”

“If you’re done talking now, please get out of my office. I don’t intend to sleep at the school.”

“Oh, right… What time is it?”

“Six twenty-three. You were out for a few hours.”

“Six twenty-three…” Yuta’s eyes go wide. “Shoot! I have to get home!”

He was supposed to help his family with the restaurant starting at six thirty.

That night, Yuta made a plan to confront Nakano. The first step was revealing her identity to the student council president.

…

The president sat behind his desk, drumming his fingers against the wood. Kanna stood by his side, as usual. “Kaguya Nakano, you say? You’re positive about this?”

“Yes, I overheard her talking with Ichinose’s friends about the notes and I saw her when I was pushed down the stairs.”

“Nakano is on the student council.”

Yuta’s eyes widened at the revelation. “Seriously?”

“That would explain how she was able to slip the note in one of the drawers of my desk.”

“What’s your plan for dealing with her?”

He took a moment to think. His fingers stopped hitting the desk. “Of course, I can’t blindly trust what you say. I don’t doubt you, but it’s unfair to only hear one side of a case.”

“She’s going to lie, you know.”

“That won’t be much of a concern. Kanna here is good at detecting when someone lies.”

“And what will you do after that?”

“Assuming she’s guilty, I will have her removed from the student council, and will make her apologize for her actions.”

Yuta blinked. “...That’s it?”

“What more can I do? I’m not going to assault her. That would make me just as bad.”

“I don’t know, but don’t you think you’re letting her off easy?”

“I’m sure Minori will punish her in her own way.”

‘That is true…’ He sighed.

“What about you? What will you do?”

“Me?” Yuta grinned. “I'm going to give her a reason not to hurt Shiori anymore.” He turned on his heel and walked out of the student council room. 

Yuki was able to tell Yuta which class Nakano was in, since they were in the same one.

As soon as the dismissal bell rang, Yuta hurriedly made his way to class 3-B. Nakano was exiting the room right as Yuta arrived.

“Nakano!” Yuta marched forward, never taking his eyes off her.

Upon seeing him, she nervously lowered her head and tried to blend in with the crowd.

He put his hand on her shoulder and spun her around to face him. “Why did you write those notes?”

“What notes…? Who are you?” She blinked uneasily.

“Don’t play dumb. I heard you on the roof yesterday. I saw you when Ichinose’s friends pushed me down the stairs.”

Nakano’s eyes darted around. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about… I’ve never been on the roof.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

“I’m not lying! Please, let me go…”

“Not until you confess to your crimes.”

Many students were giving him judgmental looks as they passed by, believing he’s harassing an innocent girl.

“W-What crimes?”

“You know what crimes. And you know I know, so there’s no point in feigning innocence.”

Once the halls were somewhat empty, Nakano looked him in the eye.