Lately, the atmosphere at Sōbu High had grown a little tense next week marked the monthly in-school mock exams.
Yukinoshita Yukino, once infamous as Sōbu's most notorious pariah, had a history of drawing attention and stirring resentment wherever she went. The list of people who disliked her was long and growing.
Now that Yukinoshita had transferred classes and come under the unofficial protection of a certain sharp-tongued blonde discipline officer, the outright confrontations and bullying had mostly disappeared. Still, despite her efforts to maintain a neutral presence, the occasional passive-aggressive jab behind her back remained common.
Especially when it came to the upcoming mock exams.
After all, she used to be that campus pariah the kind of presence that made waves just by existing.
"Mock exams are next week, right? I bet Yukinoshita's gonna climb a few spots this time, heehee..."
Japan, as East Asia's neighbor, hadn't wholly absorbed the exam-obsessed culture next door, but it wasn't exactly like the West either, where public school students often treated overachievers with contempt in favor of so-called "joyful learning."
In manga, the perfect protagonists whether male or female were not just beautiful and athletic, but brilliant as well. Academic excellence was practically a given among the many traits readers admired.
So yes, Japanese high school students still respected the smart ones.
"I mean, she's been serious about studying for over three weeks now. Saying she'll just move up 'a few' spots is kind of an insult, right...? I'd say... ten ranks, maybe? Haha..."
A few girls had gathered together, seizing the chance while Miura and her crew were in the bathroom and Yukinoshita had been called to the teacher's office by Ms. Hiratsuka. Their smiles were sweet, but their words were anything but.
None of them dared say these things in front of Yukinoshita. Her cold, piercing gaze was genuinely terrifying.
And they wouldn't dare say it in front of Miura Yumiko either because her glare was even scarier.
"Let's be real, I still think Yukinoshita's just trying to hook up with that guy from Class 2-G, Itō. He's hot and smart. She's just switching tactics, trying a new way to catch a guy."
"Doesn't Itō already have a girlfriend?"
"Heehee. Even better for her, right? That's totally her thing stealing what belongs to someone else."
"There really are people like that, huh? They think everything's more valuable if they take it from others~"
"Let's not say things like that anymore."
The snide laughter stopped abruptly.
The girls turned to see who had spoken, only to find a girl with peach-colored hair standing behind them.
"Oh, it's just Yuigahama..."
Their confusion was almost cartoonish. Wasn't Yukinoshita the one who stole the guy Yuigahama liked... Hikigaya or whatever? So why was she sticking up for her?
The boy in question, Hikigaya Hachiman, looked up from his desk, his dead-fish eyes full of dismay, as if to say, Seriously? Even this is somehow my fault?
"I've already explained the whole situation between me and Hikigaya-kun many times," Yuigahama said, smiling gently. "So please stop turning me into a tool for spreading your malice."
She remained seated at her desk, still smiling. "Also, whether Yukinoshita's been studying hard, what she's aiming for in the next mock exam, and how well she'll actually do none of that is decided yet. You're her classmates. Don't you think it's a little much to be mocking her already?"
"And one more thing..."
Before any of them could respond, Yuigahama continued:
"Yukinoshita didn't steal anyone from you in particular, did she? If anyone even has the right to be upset with her, it's definitely not you."
The weight in her words was undeniable. They fell heavy, solemn, and final completely out of character for someone usually so cheerful and friendly.
The entire classroom fell silent for a few seconds.
Just then, Miura and her friends Onodera and Kawasaki returned, chatting and laughing as they walked in. Onodera was the first to notice the strange atmosphere.
"Huh? What's going on?"
Miura immediately picked up on the tension around Yuigahama, her face tightening with concern. "What happened, Yui?"
Yuigahama looked up at her with a bright smile, voice airy. "Nothing, Yumiko. We were just talking about the upcoming mock exams."
"What? That's like, super easy."
Miura flopped down into her seat. "You're free after school this week, right? Come over to my place. I'll tutor you."
Yuigahama's face turned into a mask of comedic despair. "But Yumiko, I-"
"Shut it, Yui. Your scores were nearly falling into the abyss on the last mock!"
She could be pushy and had a habit of making decisions for others without asking, but Miura was, without question, a caring and attentive friend.
To Yuigahama, Yumiko Miura was the best friend she'd made since entering Sōbu High.
She just couldn't bear the thought of one day crying over something Yukinoshita had done.
The next class was a practical cooking period. According to the duty roster, Yukinoshita was scheduled to retrieve the required utensils from the storage room with another student.
Yuigahama approached Matsushita, the girl assigned to help Yukinoshita, and gently patted her shoulder. "Matsushita-san, aren't you busy with the campus broadcast station right now? I can go help Yukinoshita instead."
Matsushita had been dreading the task of hauling the heavy crate of tools, and Yuigahama's offer came as a godsend. She accepted, beaming.
Later, when Yukinoshita returned to class, Yuigahama walked up to her with a smile.
"Matsushita-san's got something to take care of, so I'll be helping you with the cooking supplies this period."
[System Recommendation: Best Option for Improving Negative Image Retrieve Cooking Tools with Yuigahama Yui]
Yukinoshita gave her a glance. "Oh."
She set her things down and silently walked to the front, tying her hair up into a ponytail for easier movement.
There was something captivating about her. With her hair down, she looked like a delicate porcelain doll but when she tied it back, an unexpected aura of strength emerged.
She really was completely different from who she used to be.
The storage room wasn't far. It was an empty space, dim and dusty, with only the two of them inside. Yukinoshita walked over to a large crate and began packing the utensils listed on the checklist with careful precision.
As she worked, the door suddenly closed behind them.
There was no other exit. No windows. No lights.
Once the door shut, the room was plunged into darkness.
In that dark, Yuigahama's voice had lost its usual sweetness.
"Yukinoshita…"
Her voice was low like a sigh.
"Blame me, scold me, hurt me whatever you want. I'll take it. Just give it all to me."
"But only to me, Yukinoshita."
____________________
NEXT CHAPTER : Her Swimming Fish
(As rumors swirl and emotions tighten, Miura begins to realize just how much Yukinoshita means to her. When she races to the supply room, heart pounding and hopes high, she throws open the door—only to find Yukinoshita in someone else's arms. In that moment, the queen bee crashes back to earth, and all she can do is cry.
Next chapter… Who will Yukinoshita choose—and who will be left behind?)
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