LMLCG – Episode 11 – Misunderstanding

Friday…

Even though it was the last day before the weekend, something happened that weighed heavily on me.

It all started when the teacher instructed us to carry some materials to the classroom for the afternoon class.

Since I was on duty, along with two others who sat near me, the three of us were chosen for the task.

I think there was already some resentment at that point.

They looked at me as if to say, “This is your fault,” which from my perspective, was completely unreasonable.

Not wanting to waste even a bit of my lunch break, I got frustrated with how slowly they were moving and said,

“Let’s hurry up or we’ll lose more of our break.”

Since I was already isolated, I didn’t care how they saw me.

But they had already decided this whole thing was just my fault, and when I said that, it must’ve really pissed them off.

Suddenly, I was rammed from behind, and all the materials scattered across the hallway.

Angry, I turned around, and one of them grabbed me by the collar.

“Don’t get cocky, you piece of shit.”

He spat the words out like trash.

I shoved him off, and we locked eyes in a tense standoff.

“…What are you doing?”

Senpai was there.

But it wasn’t the usual kind Senpai who was always with me. It was a cold, stern gaze staring straight at us.

How long had she been there? Did she just arrive?

“We were just trying our best to carry everything, and he suddenly stopped to block the way~”
“Then he told us to hurry up in a really nasty way~”

Like breathing, they rattled off lies one after another, and I was too stunned to respond right away.

“…Is that true?”

I was… shocked.

After hearing their story, Senpai questioned me without hesitation.

And that piercing gaze, she was already doubting me, her tone like she was interrogating me…

I thought Senpai understood that I wasn’t the kind of person who’d do something like that.

I thought, at the very least, she didn’t see me in a negative light.

The flower bed… Her grandmother… I knew the kind, gentle side of Senpai that others didn’t.

And unlike the rest, Senpai actually saw me for who I was…

…Or maybe that was just what I wanted to believe.

But now, the Senpai standing in front of me looked at me no differently than anyone else. As if none of that had ever mattered, she gave me that same cold stare she gave everyone else.

In the end, there’s no one who truly sees me for who I am…

Call it sulking, call it childish, I honestly didn’t care what anyone thought anymore.

“I’m sorry. Sorry for the trouble. It was my fault.”

I crouched down, picked up the scattered materials, and left the scene.

“Ah…”

I thought I heard Senpai whisper something, but I just kept walking back to the classroom.

I felt like those guys were laughing at me, but even that didn’t matter anymore.

Rustle, rustle

I heard something scattering in the hallway.

Curious, I climbed the stairs and saw three boys glaring at each other on the landing.

I immediately spotted Takanashi-san, but unsure of the situation, I decided to ask first.

“What are you doing?”

The two boys with smug grins gave off such an unpleasant vibe that I found myself glaring at them unintentionally.

“We were just trying our best to carry everything, and he suddenly stopped to block the way~”
“Then he told us to hurry up in a really nasty way~”

They quickly gave their side of the story, but I didn’t believe them.

Frankly, I didn’t think Takanashi-san was the kind of person to do something like that. I had already half decided it was a lie.

However, since I didn’t actually witness the incident, I couldn’t say that out loud.

Other students were watching too, and without clear proof, denying their story would be improper.

And… as the student council vice president, I must treat all students fairly.

True or not, since I had heard their story first, I had no choice but to ask Takanashi-san as well.

I didn’t want to, but I forced myself to treat him like I would anyone else.

“…Is that true?”

I hated myself for taking that tone with Takanashi-san.

But I thought he would deny it immediately.

If I could hear that, maybe I could talk to him and figure out a way to solve the issue…

But… then… Takanashi-san’s expression shocked me.

I had never seen him look so sad before…

And then, his face took on a look like he had just given up on something… and he walked away quickly.

“…What a hassle to get dragged into~”

Their flippant remarks didn’t matter in the slightest.

“Go back to class.”

That was all I said before hurrying toward the flower bed.

I hoped he would be there, but of course, he wasn’t.

And then…

Even after school, I checked again…

But Takanashi-san never came.