The faint sound of rain hitting the window woke me up.
"Ah… is it morning already?"
The rainy sky was so gloomy that it didn't feel like morning. I checked the time on my phone.
(It's only 6:30. I can take my time getting ready today.)
I glanced at the calendar and noticed today marked June's start. June was my least favorite month because of the rainy season.
"Yesterday was such a mess, and now it's this kind of weather. Just my luck."
Yesterday after school, I discovered that Yuria Ichinose was an otaku from the next town's arcade. Based on our conversation on Lime, it didn't seem like things had become awkward between us, but our relationship changed.
When I learned Airi Miyama's secret, too, things got complicated. If our changed relationship gets exposed in the classroom, others might notice, which could be a big problem.
(I wonder if Ichinose will refrain from talking to me in class as Miyama did.)
Knowing Ichinose, I doubt she'll chat away openly…
"Well, worrying about it won't change anything for me."
Since I had lunch with Miyama in the cafeteria, my peaceful life was already disrupted. Whatever happens, happens.
"Hey, Ryota! Wake up! Your sister ate all your breakfast!" My sis said with a cheerful tone.
"Why are you telling me now?!"
There wasn't any breakfast left. It was only 6:30.
***
I walked to school under the drizzling sky, and at the entrance, I felt a lot of eyes on me.
"Hey, that unpopular guy had lunch with Miyama in the cafeteria."
"No way! Those three beauties in Class 2-1 are famous for not letting any guys get close. Amazing."
"Haa, haa, my Airi-chan…"
"Did they already hold hands or something…?"
Looks like everyone knows I had lunch with Airi Miyama.
(Is there some information broker at this school…?)
As I headed to the classroom, I could feel the jealousy and admiration from my peers. Just three days ago, I was in their shoes… how did it come to this?
It's not like I put in any special effort or got transported to another world. Yet, my world changed because of a common school event: the seating arrangement.
Even in the classroom, the stares didn't stop. Everyone was whispering about me, from the introverted guys to the extroverted ones.
My peaceful life was shattered… yet despite my disappointment, a new feeling was starting to grow inside me.
(Oh no… what is this feeling of guilt?!)
Until recently, I was at the bottom of the class hierarchy. Now, just from having lunch with Airi Miyama, I'm at the top tier in the class.
On the surface, it might seem like we just had lunch, but I also know the secrets of Miyama and Ichinose and share that connection with them. For an introverted otaku virgin like me, this forbidden feeling is overwhelming.
(Is this how harem protagonists feel…?)
Instead of fear, I feel a sense of superiority under the envious gazes of the popular guys. It's not so bad.
Airi Miyama, Yuria Ichinose, and Rui Kuroki are so well-guarded that even the popular, handsome boys can't get close. The reason is probably what Miyama mentioned yesterday about Ichinose disliking boys.
Ichinose (who is rumored to be lonely) seems to lead Miyama and Kuroki. If she dislikes boys, it makes sense that other guys can't approach them.
Miyama probably sees me as a convenient guy who buys her meals, and Ichinose is just an otaku friend. While my status might be slightly better than other guys, it doesn't mean I've become a ladies' man.
(The road to being a harem protagonist is long…)
"Ah, good morning, Ryota-kun."
A soft voice came from my right side as I savored the supreme feeling of guilt in place of breakfast.
"Hehe, you seem to be enjoying yourself today, Ryota-kun."
Sitting to my right was the epitome of a Yamato Nadeshiko—Rui Kuroki, greeting me. Her jet-black, glossy straight hair, small, refined facial features, and graceful demeanor. As always, her perfect aura was overwhelming.
"Did something good happen?"
"N-no, not really."
No matter how high my tier rank might rise, I, being an introvert, couldn't look her in the eyes and responded curtly.
Compared to Miyama or Ichinose, Kuroki was still difficult for me. Kuroki, the perfect and beautiful girl, had an equally ideal personality. However, I couldn't trust her because of that.
Humans are inherently creatures with hidden sides. Both Miyama and Ichinose had hidden aspects of themselves.
But… I couldn't sense any of that in Rui Kuroki. That made her eerie; I had always felt the strongest aversion towards her.
(Maybe it's because I've seen too much of her success since middle school and got sick of it.)
"Oh, by the way..."
Sitting to my right, Kuroki hung her bag on her desk and spoke to me again as if she remembered something.
"Yesterday, I happened to see your account recommended on Lime."
"What…?"
I froze when I heard that, realizing there were too many reasons for it.
"We were in different classes since middle school, and I don't think we have many mutual friends… hehe, I wonder why?"
A cold sweat broke out on my forehead. At that moment, I glanced at Kuroki's eyes and saw a darkness deeper than her proud black hair.
(What was that… Kuroki's eyes…?)
"Oh, good morning, Rui-chan."
"Morning, Rui."
"Good morning, you two. What's up, Yuria? Were you feeling lonely and walked to school with Airi?"
"N-no, it's not like that."
"Oh, liar! Yuria said she wanted to walk to school with Airi!"
"Stop it, Airi!"
As usual, the top girls of the class, the gyaru, the busty girl, and the black-haired girl, had their heartwarming conversation. While the surrounding classmates smiled, I alone felt a chill down my spine.