Chapter 30: Back story first half.
(Flashback during the Christmas Day, Hiratsuka Hitsuji POV)
After Gocho-sensei's sons left for a while, Rokuji-san came back after sending them off.
Now, Gocho-sensei, Rokuji-san and I took a look at the book that Hachiju-kun left behind.
"Cast away your curiosity, do not indulge into the details too much, just swiftly skim through it." said Gocho-sensei.
Under Gocho-sensei's advice, we skimmed through it.
I have to say that it almost got me.
Nebula Lores isn't just a fancy name.
It's so dark. Scary handwritings, horrible curse words, blood-mixed teardrops and fingerprints.
"Even I have to admit that it scared me very much." said Rokuji-san.
"After seeing this, do you still think it's a good idea to not train your mind to be the forgiving one?" asked Gocho-sensei.
"Yes. Nii-san, you're right. I couldn't even believe that these kids actually wrote such inhumanly evil grudges in it." said Rokuji-san.
"It's a good thing they weren't doing what was written down in it, but they better not even come up with these ideas in the first place no matter how much it can't be helped for them. Seriously, 'drop them in a pond full of liquid nitrogen', 'tear their fleshes like toilet paper'? That really reflects how bad their minds used to be and it's too horrible indeed." said Gocho-sensei.
"Well, they should lead better lives by now considering that you gave them those." said Rokuji-san.
"If only they can do better than Rei. And let's stop there since I felt like I pointed out too many bad qualities of people today." said Gocho-sensei.
Indeed, I couldn't agree more.
"But to think that my triplet nephews brought them, of all people, here instead of my cute grandniece whose face reminded me of my late sister-in-law in her youth. And here I thought I wouldn't see those three faces ever again after these past fifty years." said Rokuji-san.
"We can leave the past there. It's not like talking about it could do us any good but wasting our time." dismissed Gocho-sensei as he mentioned that he's going to take a bath and prepare to sleep afterward.
As his caretaker, I did as he wished while keeping my curiosity at bay.
The next day, I secretly asked Rokuji-san about Gocho-sensei's past.
And this is the answer I got.
Nii-san and I went to the same high school as their grandparents but our relationship is just not a good one. If Nii-san has not been like how he currently is back then, we might've pulled the same thing my triplet nephews did on others in the past as well. Maybe, once my triplet nephews turned new leaves because of those books, they could live through hardships like Nii-san and my sister-in-law Nakina-san.
Although this is the first time I heard about this part of Gocho-sensei's past, I have known that ever since I was his student.
Of all the people I know, Gocho-sensei is the only one person who I couldn't sense that he was actually troubled mentally even one bit, although he told me that the amount he has is just too little compared to most people.
Even I was as surprised as Big Sis when I heard for the first time that Gocho-sensei already married and have many children with his wife when he doesn't look like there's anyone who could properly communicate with him, and even more so when I knew that he and his wife could be together this far without got cheated on when he's probably the type that most women would get bored with easier than me.
For someone who got cheated on and betrayed like me, nothing could be even more worth being jealous of than that.
Must be nice to be able to manage your own life like Gocho-sensei.
(Flashback Ended)
(55 years ago before the start of Hachiman's second year in high school)
"Is this as far as I can…?"
I, Hikigaya Nakina (比企谷泣無), a clumsy high schooler girl who dropped her wallet during her shopping for the dinner.
It's a good thing I realized that before I went into the supermarket but after spending almost an hour searching for it and still couldn't find it, my energy was depleted for naught.
I couldn't afford to go home empty handed and without my wallet on top of that, so I decided to rest on the nearest bench to regain my health before deciding what to do next.
But what can I do besides closing my eyes and crying all alone?
Even though my name meant "No crying", I did cry too often to be the name holder.
Seriously, mom, dad, because of you two and your naming sense, people have been making fun of me since my childhood.
And these thoughts are really not helpful at all!
Then, there's something bothering me.
Is it just me being hallucinating or does this area smell tasty for some reason?
As my health regained a little, I opened my eyes and found that there's someone sitting beside me holding a bowl of rice.
I quickly scooted away from that person and checked myself.
That person is a teenage boy of average height and build, medium-short silver hair, his most prominent feature is a set of deadpanned eyes.
But he's still a stranger to me so I must be wary of him.
"Y-You… W-Who are you? W-When did you get here? D-Did you do something to me while I…" I said as I hugged my body while glaring at him.
Should I go to the police? No, I don't have enough stamina left.
That person answered my question with an unexpectedly calm expression.
"My name is Furusato Gocho. Honestly speaking, it seems either you're too exhausted to properly observe your surroundings or my presence is just too little to be noticeable that you're not seeing that I was already occupying that bench before you came, also, I didn't do anything to you at all." said that person.
Somehow I felt like it was such a sad answer despite the one who answer doesn't seem to be that way.
Furusato, huh? Is that so? Wait!
"Really? Do you expect me to believe you?" I asked back.
"I don't expect anything from you, I just answered your question honestly one by one. However, aren't you supposed to be in a hurry, Hikigaya-san?" asked Furusato.
"Huh? Ah!" I said after realizing that I was indeed in a hurry.
As I was about to go find my wallet, I got dizzy again so I fell back to the bench.
My stomach also violently growled. Ugh… and in front of this stranger too… What could be more embarrassing than this?
Then, Furusato handed over the bowl of rice he held earlier to me with a pair of chopsticks. The tasty aroma made my saliva keep erupting.
What? Are you trying to bully me or something?!
"If you don't mind, you can eat it. Don't worry, it's not poisonous and I still haven't taken even a bite of it." said Furusato.
"N-No, I don't need it. I'm not supposed to eat something that comes from a stranger…" I refused, but my traitorous saliva kept gushing out.
Furusato doesn't say anything and just puts the bowl down beside me.
What is in the bowl is revealed to be normal red bean rice.
But to me, that's enough to make my body turn traitorous to my previous statement.
I threw away all my manners and stuff that bowl of red bean rice into my mouth.
I have heard that food gets tastier when you're starving and I couldn't agree more.
Before I knew it, I had already taken three servings, which I was even more surprised that Furusato actually let me have it that much.
"Thanks for the meal." I said.
"Good for you, Hikigaya-san." said Furusato.
"Wait. How did you know my name?" I asked.
"We're classmates one year ago." replied Furusato.
Seriously? I can't remember at all. But before that…
"How did you know I was in a hurry?" I asked.
"Before you came to rest on this bench, you dropped so many hints about it that I don't think anyone who saw it could think of it as something else." replied Furusato.
Come to think of it, that's such a silly question, even though I should have known that I was too panicked to keep my desperation to myself until I used up all of my energy.
Before I could ask him why he offered that rice to me, I was surprised by what I had seen.
There's a bike for two people to ride but the back seat was occupied by a huge luggage tied with it parked beside this bench.
Judging from the aroma coming from that luggage, that's probably where the rice bean rice comes from.
"I think I already rested enough and I have to go now so please excuse me." said Furusato as he got on that bike and was about to leave.
What does he intend to do by carrying around such things? Although it's explained why he has such things and needs to rest, but that just keeps leading to new quests.
"If what you're looking for is a wallet, you can go to the nearby police station since someone seems to deliver something that looks like a wallet to the police there. Well then I will take my leave, you can return the bowl and chopsticks to me later, Hikigaya-san." said Furusato as he left.
"Wait!" I shouted but he didn't respond back.
What's with him? But before that I have to search for my wallet.
Although once I went to the police station as he said, I got my wallet back and not even a single yen was lost.
I still got scolded by my family for my mistakes which I couldn't deny at all.
However, that guy, Furusato Gocho, I couldn't read him at all.
But he did say that we were once classmates and that I could return things he gave to me to him later, maybe I could see him at school.
Finally, Monday has come. I waited for him at the entrance of school.
It doesn't take a long time for him to arrive, in fact, not even a minute has passed since I waited here for him.
It's really him. Furusato Gocho, cladded in the school uniform from the same school as mine. But today, instead of the luggage like yesterday, it was a boy who occupied the back seat.
He has gray eyes and dark teal hair with a white streak. Although his eyes and Furusato's eyes were identical, this one's eyes had a glimpse of negative emotions unlike Furusato's eyes.
His brother?
I approached Furusato in order to return his belongings to him, but then the negative glare behind him that directed to his surroundings is now focused on me.
"Rokuji. Stop that glare of yours." said Furusato.
Upon hearing that, the glare softened.
"Yes, Nii-san." said the owner of that glare.
So he really is your brother.
"I came to return this to you, Furusato-kun." I said as I returned his belongings back to him.
"Thanks, Hikigaya-san." said Furusato.
"Hikigaya-san? So she's that Hikigaya-san." said Furusato's brother.
Then he got off of the bike, walked toward me and bowed.
"I'm sorry for my earlier attitude. Please forgive me." said Furusato's brother in an apologetic tone.
"Eh? No, no, I don't mind that. Right? Furusa—huh? He's gone?!" I said and turned my attention to Furusato but he's no longer there.
That was fast! He already reached the bike park while I was distracted!
And when I shifted my attention back to his little brother, he was gone as well.
"What's with them, seriously?!" I shouted internally.
I've gathered some information about those two siblings.
Furusato Gocho, he's from class 2-1 (I'm from class 2-3), his academic ability is considerably high while his physical ability is so-so.
From what I have heard, he's a weird boy who barely has friends and is the one with the largest amount of rumors regarding himself in all of the second years.
Like he could defeat his opponent with his killer technique called Five Trillion Words (五兆言葉 / Gochokotoba), which is clearly just a pun of his first name, or the rumor that he might be the cursecaster as most people who involved with him met their misfortunes, what a stupid rumor it is.
Other than that weren't sound stupid but not enough to convince me that he's that kind of person, such as a rumor that said he pushed the girl down the stairs and not even apologized to her during his elementary school day, or that he made the student council vice president cried and not even apologized to her during his middle school day.
As for his brother, Furusato Rokuji, he's from class 1-4, his academic ability is so-so while his physical ability is the best throughout the first year but is also rumored to be the accomplice of his brother.
In other words, they were labeled as dangerous students but since there's no evidence so they remain in the school.
Ugh… the more I found out about them, the more questions popped up in my head.
Should I approach them or avoid them?
At least the big brother did help me out last time, I shouldn't be such an ungrateful bitch and treat him like a pest, right?
I guess I should just start talking to him during the lunch break.
Yes, let's do that and then I could ask him more about what is bothering me.
Three days have passed since then and I still couldn't even do as planned.
Not because I was invited by my friends during lunch break, but that guy, Furusato, never showed up at the school canteen at all. No, to be more precisely, he doesn't show up anywhere during lunch break.
So I have no choice but to secretly sneak out and tail him during lunch break.
I almost miss him. Seriously, what urgency do you have to make you leave the classroom that quick?
But come to think of it, it doesn't look like he's in a hurry, in fact, it looked natural.
So, in other words, he doesn't have anyone to talk to so he left right away, what a sad reason.
But what I don't understand is why did he go straight to the library.
It might not be that strange (but still a rare case) if someone is going to spend their lunch break there but to go there to either read the book or sleep in a sitting position at the corner the entire time until the lunch break is over WITHOUT EVEN EATING LUNCH!
Yes, you heard right. He doesn't even bring his lunch there to begin with.
And it doesn't look like he even had one to begin with either.
What a weird guy.
Then why don't I go after him after school?
Because I have to go shopping for dinner so I would be too busy to tail him.
—
The next day, after I had a quick lunch, I secretly sneaked out of the canteen and proceeded to the library.
There he is, today he slept like a baby.
But when I got close enough, his mouth opened.
"Do you have business with me, Hikigaya-san?" asked Furusato.
"H-How did you know?!" I asked back.
Even the librarian deserted this place and I made sure my voice footsteps quietest, why did you still know?
"It's you, right? The girl with medium short black hair with outstanding strained hair who followed me for five days straight. So it wouldn't be strange if my first guess would be you, right?" replied Furusato, still not opening his eyes.
He knew it?!
"Wait. I remembered you have never looked back even once so why would you know it was me." I said.
"I noticed your presence from the reflection of the windows while walking, also, I have a witness, or two in my case." said Furusato as he opened his eyes.
As I was about to ask him that, my shoulder was tapped.
It was his brother, Furusato Rokuji.
"You're not the one who could stalk others, Hikigaya-san. But unlike Nii-san, you're not observant enough." said the younger Furusato.
"W-When did you get here?!" I asked while freaked out.
"Ever since your footsteps started to turn unnaturally quiet and the movement turned into suspiciously one." said the younger Furusato.
That's pretty much from the beginning.
But wait, if this guy is one of the two witnesses, who's another one.
Then I felt something touch my strained hair.
After I reached for my hair, a sound of wings flapping could be heard from the top of my head.
It is revealed to be a small and slender long, narrow tail bird. The upperparts are brownish-gray with black-and-white barring. The underparts are pinkish with black bars on the sides of the neck, breast and belly. The face is blue-gray with bare blue skin around the eyes. There are white tips to the tail feathers.
"And that's the first witness of you stalking Nii-san. A zebra dove named Nana. Isn't it cute?" said the younger Furusato.
Is there such a bird in Japan?
"Two months ago, We found it injured and took it home to heal it, ever since then it got attached to us and secretly followed us everywhere. Then one day, it came to me, chirping like it's an emergency so I followed it just to see you stalking Nii-san. Isn't it smart?" said the younger Furusato.
"Now that's enough. Hikigaya-san, what business do you have with me?" asked Furusato.
"Well, there's so many things I've wanted to ask you about ever since that day." I said.
"Go on." said Furusato.
"I have heard from the police station that the one who delivered my wallet to them seemed to have his appearance similar to you, is that you?" I asked.
"I did deliver the wallet to them but I honestly don't even know who is the owner of it. Since what you're looking for seems to also be the wallet, I think there's a chance that wallet could be yours so I told you about it." replied Furusato.
"You should've told me right away…" I muttered.
"It's only 'there's a chance that wallet could be yours', not 'definitely yours'." replied Furusato.
This guy…
"And why did you feed me with those red bean rice back then?" I asked.
"Because you're completely worn out back then, not to mention that it is already obvious that you're hungry back then, am I wrong?" said Furusato.
"Ugh… What I meant is that why did you go that far for someone you didn't know like me?" I said.
"Firstly, this question and an earlier question aren't having the exact same meaning. Secondly, is it better to leave someone like that? Lastly, even if it's just a little, I have to pay off the debt I owe someone." said Furusato.
I kinda understand the first and second part, but what's with that last part?
When did he owe me something? I couldn't remember at all.
With that, lunch break is over.
—
"So that's why you've been coming after Nii-san ever since then, huh?" said the younger Furusato.
Today I received a letter saying that he will be waiting for me at the rooftop.
Although the sender's name isn't mentioned, the fact that the letter is delivered to me via a zebra dove already gives me the idea who it is.
I went there as I was told to, the younger Furusato waited there for me.
It seems like he knew that I was bothered by the answers his brother gave me last Friday so he called me here to clear things up.
Although he's warned me I might regret knowing something but I don't care and urge him to say anyway.
It appeared that the red bean rice I received was originally made by the older Furusato for his mother to celebrate her recovery at the hospital, but he saw that I'm in more need of food at that time so he gave me some portion of it.
I would be lying if I said I didn't feel bad about it, it's more like I tainted their celebration or something.
But as for whether his brother owes something or what, he only said that his brother did owe me something but it seemed like I appeared to forget about it myself and said that I should try to remember that myself instead.
About the fact that I didn't see him having lunch, it appeared that the Furusato brothers have an extremely small appetite so he only has two or less meals per day and it's up to them whether to skip lunch or dinner.
However, his real objective is like a give and take, since he answered my questions, now I have to answer his questions.
It is really simple; why did I stalk his brother?
It appeared that he already had it in his mind that I didn't have ulterior motivation, but he still couldn't help but confirm it himself.
"Come to think of it, where's your brother?" I asked.
Today I went to the library but there's no one there, except that zebra dove waiting for me.
"Nii-san? Well, he was called out through a letter like you are. And it appeared that bi— person would meet with him after school at the school backyard so I will go observe them there." said the younger Furusato with a slightly colder tone.
A crude word almost slipped but enough to scare me.
I was worried that he might've done something bad so I decided to risk getting home late and be there to stop this guy from doing so.
"You seriously showed up, huh?" said the younger Furusato.
"You're not gonna do anything funny. Not on my watch." I said.
His eyes flashed a cold glare then shifted his gaze away.
"It's you who shouldn't do anything funny, Hikigaya-senpai." said the younger Furusato.
"What?" I asked.
Someone walked toward the backyard so we hid ourselves.
It seemed that three first year girls came here.
Among those three, I know one of them.
A cute girl with shoulder-length flaxen brown hair and light brown-honey eyes.
She's one of the three prettiest girls in our school, which was known as three rain angel, and this girl is also the prettiest among the first year, Kanetaki Shigure (金滝時雨), nickname: Foxy rain angel.
(A/N: Figuratively speaking, Kanetaki Shigure is more like Iroha's clone)
It seemed the two girls who are with Kanetaki are her close friends.
Why did someone like her here? Don't tell me…
"The one Furusato is going to meet with is…" I said.
"It's Kanetaki. And there's a heart mark on the invitation letter too." said the younger Furusato.
I deadpanned at that. Are you serious right now?
The two girls left Kanetaki alone and hid themselves nearby.
I felt like this might be some sort of prank instead of the beginning of a love story for some reason.
After a moment, Furusato Gocho showed up.
"You finally came, Furusato-senpai~" said Kanetaki with a (fake) wink.
Ugh… How can someone be this sly, I wonder?
"So, why did you call me out here, Kanetaki-san?" asked Furusato.
"Eh~ Isn't it obvious, senpai?" said Kanetaki.
Any guy would get a pinkish idea by now, but it looks like Furusato is an exception.
"No. Please explain, Kanetaki-san." replied Furusato.
Does he really have no idea at all, or he just played a dense guy act?
Is it just me or Kanetaki's eyebrows twisted and she seemed to get a little annoyed.
"That's cruel, senpai~ Making a girl say that~ you meanie~" said Kanetaki, acting shyly.
However, Furusato is still as calm as ever.
"I have no idea that it is something that embarrassing, please forgive me. Well then, I will take my leave. Please excuse me." said Furusato as he bowed and left.
Wait. How does things turn out like that?
"Eh? Wait? Senpai?" asked Kanetaki, confused.
"What's wrong, Kanetaki-san?" asked Furusato.
"What's wrong, you said?! I pretty much called you here to say that I liked you and asked if you could go out with me but you are just going to leave without giving me the answer, wouldn't it be wrong for you to do that?" said Kanetaki, no longer acting.
Last time I checked, you didn't say anything like that at all.
"Firstly, I believe there's no such thing like you saying that you liked me and asked if I could go out with you before. Secondly, I'm not just going to believe that someone actually likes me right away just because they said so or go out with them just because they asked me to. Lastly, if you didn't mean it when you call me out to say that you like me and ask me if I could go out with you then I was afraid I couldn't play along with it. Any questions?" said Furusato with pure calmness.
Upon hearing that, Kanetaki froze there and had her sweat streaming out all over her face, indicating that Furusato's words were true.
However, the two girls who left Kanetaki alone earlier, showed up.
"You're cruel, Furusato-senpai! Shigure-chan mustered up her courage just to confess to you, y'know?" said Kanetaki's friend #1.
"That's right! How dare you make fun of a maiden's heart like that, you're the worst as the rumors said you are, senpai!" said Kanetaki's friend #2.
Normally, I would have joined them right away.
But I felt like something was wrong.
Especially Furusato, he is still as calm as ever, it's almost like he's a mannequin or something, unlike his brother beside me who acts reasonable as he already glare at those three girls with murderous intent and clenched his fists until they're turned red.
"What's wrong? Why aren't you saying anything?" said Kanetaki's friend #1.
"That's right! Apologize to Shigure-chan right now, you heartless senpai!" said Kanetaki's friend #2.
These girls! I have never thought that they would dare to go this far.
As I was about to go there to slap some sense into them, the younger Furusato stopped me from doing so.
Why did you stop me?! Aren't you supposed to want to knock some sense into them more than me?!
"Well, that can wait. But before that, I have a question." said Furusato.
A question at a time like this?
" [Seriously, that guy's face when he was rejected is the best!]
[I know right. I was hoping to see that kind of face again, especially when my mom cut my allowance because she found out that my grade dropped]
[Ah… I totally understand that. Hiding it from the parents really built up a lot of stress, maybe we can recreate it again]
[Yeah. How about we play a game? The loser will have to confess to that um… Furu… Furusato-senpai and turned him down right afterward?]
[Ehhh? But doesn't he have many dangerous rumors? Is it fine?]
[Don't worry. No one would think of him as a good guy anyway so everyone would definitely on our side]
[That's right! He's a perfect victim for us to blow off our stress!]
[What should I do? Although I don't want to confess to that senpai, the one who did it will get to see a closeup look of his face. Should I win or lose~?]
You see, I happened to overhear these conversations last Friday and wonder whose dialogues are these. Do you three have any ideas?" asked Furusato.
Those three girls are now sweating and their faces have turned pale.
There's no need to ask whose dialogues are those, their faces spoke it all.
If what he said was true then these girls are the worst among the worst.
I could feel the anger rise within me and even more so to his little brother beside me, I swear that he looked like he's about to transform into a werewolf without needing a full moon.
No, it's more like his long composure started to visibly loosen.
You knew this beforehand yet you're here? Are you an idiot?
"I-I don't know what you're talking about."
"T-That's right. N-No idea at all."
"Y-Yeah. And that doesn't have anything to do with us at all."
Yeah. It really sounded convincing coming from you three swines.
"Even if it had nothing to do with you three, I really can't leave the owner of those dialogues like that. To be honest, last Friday wasn't the first time I heard such dialogues coming from them, you see. And they've been chatting like that with so much fun without even being aware of their surroundings enough, what if someone they talked about coincidentally passed by and lashed out on them for it, or even blackmailed them. I hate to imagine how bad their fates are going to be in the future since, you know, there's no guarantee that everyone wouldn't break the law, not to mention that those three won't always be saved in time every time their dialogues caused troubles to them. Seriously, this is the second time already that I asked someone about the owner of these dialogues. Well, let's hope that the third time would be with someone who knows. Ah, that's right. What was it again that I have to do after asking you three questions of mine?" said Furusato.
Upon hearing that, those three girls had their faces not only covered in their sweat but also growing even paler and they instinctively stepped back one by one.
"E-Eh? N-No, no, it's fine."
"Y-Yeah. Don't sweat it that much."
"W-Well, I-I don't m-mind it at all."
"Maybe I still haven't said enough to ring any bell after all. It's kinda selfish of me to request this all of sudden but if you happen to meet them, please tell them for me that they need to stop speaking like that about others or doing such things they've spoken before they do something irreversible, especially that there's no guarantee that their other victims of their speaking would always choose to do this. Also, you three too, not every upperclassmen or teachers would appreciate your choice of attitude toward me before so you three should better at least tone down those attitudes before the worst case scenarios would occur, understand?" said Furusato.
You're saying that much and it is still not enough? I felt like this is where the rumors about him having a killer technique called Five Trillion Words coming from.
"Y-Yes, we will definitely tell them that if we meet them and we will behave ourselves from now on so please excuse us, senpai." said Kanetaki as she and her two friends quickly left.
After those three girls left him far enough away, we came out of our hideout and met with Furusato.
"Nii-san is as amazing as ever, to be able to handle those sc— girls like that." said the younger Furusato.
"I agreed. I have never seen anyone settle that situation this way and it worked before." I said, genuinely awestruck.
"That's supposed to be the only option of action. It's neither amazing nor not amazing at all." said Furusato.
"The only option of action?" I asked.
"Nii-san wouldn't take any kind of action that could be related to wrongdoings, that's why. All he could do is treat them with kindness." explained the younger Furusato.
"Is that so?" I said.
But he is still amazing to be able to do that for real.
This guy really has a monster-class mental endurance.
"But it's strange. To think that's enough to make those girls back away." I said.
"Normally they wouldn't. If I have to guess, then it must be that they've done something that they couldn't afford to let even a single bit of detail about that to leak, and it is probably believable even if someone with bad rumors like Nii-san said it. Since people used to fear something that was unknown to them, those three were feared for Nii-san's unbelievably good memory and how he could perfectly repeat everything they've said that day, not to mention that the fact that they didn't know for real about how much Nii-san know about them put pressure on them, on top of that, they couldn't read nor understand his mind since it is unlikely to them that Nii-san would say something like he doesn't mind their actions, causing all sorts of confusion and pressures on their minds to the point that they don't know what to do except backing off." said younger Furusato.
"That's really scary. I almost feel sympathy for those three." I said.
Furusato approached his little brother and examined his hand.
"You're hurting your hand again, huh?" said Furusato as he pulled out a bandage and some kind of medicine and started healing his little brother's hand that was bleeding from gripping out of anger ever since we eavesdropped on him.
Be able to show your kindness to those with malicious intentions like that to that extent is one thing, but to think you still have that much kindness left for your brother as well.
It's either he's a real hopeless brocon or his kindness just has no boundaries at all.
"You're really so kind, Furusato. How could someone like you even be subjected to those rumors in the first place, I wonder?" I said, genuinely curious about that.
"People always reap what they sow sooner or later, and they mostly don't even thoroughly know how much sowing they have done up until the present time. This is an absolute fact that exempts no one." replied Furusato.
"Even if that was true, Nii-san. I still find it hard to accept that you deserve all these." said the younger Furusato then he got pat on the head in return.
"You just have to deal with it in a better way, especially since it's originally my problem. Now let's head back, you too, Hikigaya-san, before you break the curfew." said Furusato.
"Ah… AHHH! That's right!" I screamed.
With that, I quickly left the school and made it in time.
"Hey, Nakina~ When will you get a boyfriend?"
"Everyone else already has a boyfriend, y'know~?"
"Or are you aiming to have a girlfriend, no way~"
I could only wryly laugh at my female friends and tell them I still don't want one like always.
Too bad that these nosy girls are my only friends here, otherwise I wouldn't have to force myself to laugh like that.
"Then you don't have someone in your mind at all?"
Was my denial not enough to convince you?!
"Not quite." I replied, slightly annoyed.
"Not quite. Not the usual 'not at all?' And no poker face this time too. Heh~"
Don't. Give. Me. That. Smirk!
There's someone in my mind lately, but not in the way they think.
Of course he has piqued my interest, but like I have mentioned, not in the way they think.
It's just that he seemed different from others, like when you compared the conversation I had with him with the one I had with others, somehow the one I had with others felt plain for some reason.
"Good for you, Nakina. I'm glad that the day where you would introduce me to your charming prince who would help you live up to your name meaning won't be just my pipedream any longer."
Why do you think I would introduce him to you if I have one?
And how many times do I have to say that I don't have one?
Also, leave my name alone, will you?
Normally, I would have let my straight character slip but a certain conversation coming from another group inside the classroom piqued interest.
"Did you think it was possible?"
"No, definitely not, especially when the other party is Furusato."
Another new rumor about him? Is it coming from Kanetaki and her friends?
"Of course. There's no way Amai would feel that way to someone like him."
Seems like those three aren't related.
But to think that he got involved with not one but two rain angels.
Momomori Amai (桃森雨衣), she's my classmate and one of the three rain angel, and she's the prettiest among the second year, nickname: Sweet rain angel.
She has fair skin, light orange hair that is almost always seen with a loose side bun, and peach-reddish eyes. A kind and cute type too. No wonder why she's prettiest among the second year.
(A/N: Figuratively speaking, Momomori Amai is more like Yui's clone)
"Yeah. That guy should just have gone back to his hometown like his surname implied instead of being with the sweet rain angel like her. By the way, what does he look like anyway?"
And you people should go apologize to his entire family at once!
Also, what's with that last line?
Seriously, is making fun of someone's name really that fun?!
After that, more people started to join in that conversation.
Hearing these, the sour mood I once had during my eavesdropping on Furusato came back to me.
I would like to slap some sense into them but choose not to.
As far as I remembered, Furusato's younger brother was even more furious at those girls bad mouthing at his brother than me, yet he managed to refrain both me and himself from causing a scene even though his fangs were already visible.
Once my friends went to join that toxic conversation, I left.
I don't know whether Furusato is actually a good person like I have witnessed with my own eyes or is secretly a bad person like how people talk about him.
But there's one thing that I am certain of; Listening to them is torturing.
During the lunch break, after I finished my lunch, I headed toward the library.
However, unlike the last time, one of my friends that teased me this morning followed me quietly. How annoying.
If it weren't for Furusato pointing out how I was found out, I might have not realized that I was stalked.
It's not like I could get more peace by going back anyway so I proceeded to the library as I originally planned to do.
But today, a person I thought would have no reason whatsoever, showed up in front of the library at the same time as me and our eyes met each other.
Momomori Amai.
A popular social butterfly like her, being here, the library where almost everyone deserted it, and alone. That's a rare sight.
Then, I caught a glimpse of the reflection of the window showing that the stalker who followed just disappointingly deadpanned at me.
Just leave already, you damn stalker!
While I was playing a straight character internally, it seemed like Momomori was already in the library and I ended up eavesdropping on her conversation with Furusato.
"L-Long time no see, Gocchi." said Momomori.
Gocchi? Is that Furusato's nickname? That's hilarious.
"Good afternoon, Momomori-san." said Furusato, putting down his book.
"There's no need to be so formal, Gocchi. Even though you used to call me Ama-chan in the past." said Momomori.
What? So the two of them were childhood friends? That's new.
First Gocchi, now Ama-chan. Although I could picture Momomori used to be like that, even Furusato of all people would be like that too is truly unexpected.
"I indeed used to address you that way in the past, but not anymore. By the way, do you perhaps have a business with the library?" said Furusato.
Her actions should be obvious that she came here to see you though.
"A-Are you still angry about that? A lot happened, but you shouldn't worry about it! I-I thought I was pushed down the stairs at that time, there were many bad rumors about Gocchi even now and then, but I don't believe them! Hehe, because I believe in you!" said Momomori.
Pushed down the stairs? So she's the girl in the rumor regarding Furusato pushing down the girl from the stairs during elementary school.
"You're still not answering my question yet, Momomori-san." said Furusato.
Most guys wouldn't make such a reply after such a cute girl confesses that she trusted you that much.
Furusato is really a weird guy.
"Oh, you're mad because I didn't talk to you for a long time? Well that's because I was too nervous to talk. I mean, I'm sorry about that time, I was so scared. But when I got to high school, I decided to change! I got the courage, things must be different this time." said Momomori.
Like with Kanetaki and her friends, Furusato still stayed stoic all the time.
And he doesn't bother answering her questions either (even though he answered mine).
He gives no damn about her story at all.
I kinda pity Momomori now.
"You're still not answering my question yet, Momomori-san." said Furusato for a second time.
Um… you're not going to pull any punches?
"Um… to be honest, I'm here because I want to meet Gocchi. Since you were always seen reading books, I figured out you might be here and I hit the jackpot." said Momomori.
"Is that all?" said Furusato.
"N-No, that's not all. It's that I missed the time we used to spend together, so I thought maybe we could…" said Momomori, shyly.
Suddenly, I felt that someone was right next to me, releasing hatred aura.
It's Furusato Rokuji, with a jet-black dark expression.
You're scaring me, damn brocon.
"If you're talking about me being your friend or starting over with me then I have to politely decline that." said Furusato as he bowed to her.
"I knew it. You're still mad at me after all." said Momomori, saddened.
I have no comments on this since I could not read him either.
"Please, give me a chance. I'm sure this time will be different. I knew I really did betray you but my feelings for you are real I swear so please forgive me." said Momomori as she cried.
Most people would have immediately comforted her and maybe wipe her tears when they're at it. But Furusato…
"If you want my forgiveness, I can give you as much as you want. If you want a chance, I already gave it to you long ago. However, if you want me to be your friend or start over with you then I still have to politely decline that. It's not like I'm mad at you or anything, at least the one who is mad at you isn't me." said Furusato.
"The one who was mad at me?" asked Momomori.
I think I know who that was, especially when he currently showed up behind the questioner.
"That's me, Momomori-paisen." said the younger Furusato with a cold tone.
Momomori freaked out and fell on her back.
I don't know what kind of face he made but it must be a really frightening one considering Momomori's reaction.
"Rokuji. Fix your face." said Furusato.
The younger Furusato did as his brother told but it seems that it's still not enough to make Momomori completely recover from her shock.
"Things would be different this time? Your feelings for Nii-san real? To be able to parade these groundless words without shame, is this the form of the courage you've been talking about?" said younger Furusato, causing his brother to sigh.
"N-No, Rokuji-kun. I totally meant it, I definitely meant it. Please trust me…" said Momomori, panicked and started to cry.
"If that's really the case, to betray Nii-san, make him hurt, suffer, writhe in pain, fall into the pit of despair while you're exempt from those must be the form of your so-called feelings then." said the younger Furusato, coldly.
Momomori shook her head in denial while heavily crying.
"Or did you mean that things were different from our childhood because Nii-san has to deal with these stupid rumors right off the bat without having to get betrayed first?" asked the younger Furusato.
All she could do is deny his statement over and over again.
As a result, she dashed out of the library while using her hands covering her crying face.
"Rokuji. Prepare for getting a huge lecture tonight." said Furusato.
"Wait. Isn't he trying to protect you? Shouldn't you have to go easy for him?" I asked.
"Although he's got angry for my sake sounds good to you, but that's actually not a proper reason for offensively speaking to someone regardless of whether that person deserves it or not. In fact, there's no such thing like proper reasons for offensively speaking in the first place. Such action is unsuitable, inappropriate, undeserved, neither something a good person is supposed to do nor applicable as a good person and undeniably the symbol of uneducated, unloving, unkind, rude, delinquency and barbarism. As his brother, I definitely don't want my precious little brother to choose to become a bad guy and do such terrible things like this regardless of whatever reason that makes him do it. Before he ends up doing something irreversible, he must be stopped." said Furusato.
Then Furusato gently reached for his brother's cheek and caressed it. What a scene.
"Just because I could overcome all of those painful pasts doesn't mean that I'm happy to know that you're going to do something that would result in you suffering like the past me in the future." said Furusato.
The younger Furusato fell on his knees and apologized to his brother.
Normally I would have commented that this scene is somewhat unhealthy but I choose not to.
Why? Because despite the fact that Furusato's wordings sound unhealthy, I could feel that it's an absolute pure sincerity.
A/N: Chapter 30 for you readers. I hope that this isn't too unexpected. Also, Happy Birthday to Isshiki Iroha.