Chapter 23: The Way Home After School

The days of Tsutomu and Matsurika being treated like pariahs after the incident in the classroom didn’t last long. Although the combination of the top student and the school idol was eye-catching, the other students were more concerned about their upcoming exams than gossip. As the midterms approached, Tsutomu and Matsurika were gradually absorbed into the daily routine as part of the ordinary student scenery. And so, today, once again, the two of them were facing each other in the library, diligently studying for their exams.

“…”

Tsutomu raised his eyes from his notebook, careful not to be noticed. Gently, ever so gently, he raised them. He didn’t want anyone to notice. Matsurika, sitting opposite him, was groaning as she worked through the problems. It wouldn’t do her any good to offer help as soon as she seemed troubled. Think, think, think, and if she still couldn’t figure it out, then he would speak up. It was only right to observe her since he needed to choose his timing carefully. As he gazed at Matsurika, he armed himself with reasoning in his mind.

  She’s beautiful, isn’t she?

Tsutomu had been reminded of this anew since they started studying together in the library. ‘Matsurika Tachibana’ was a genuine beauty. She wasn’t just ‘as beautiful as the rumors said’; she was special, ‘more beautiful than the rumors could describe’. He wouldn’t even bat an eye if she was called a real idol, not just a school idol.

They had been in different classes in their first year, so they hadn’t had any contact at all. They were in the same class in their second year, but still, there was no contact. While his chances of seeing her had increased dramatically, Matsurika was always surrounded by a crowd of people, and there had never been an opportunity to look directly at her.

It was an indescribable surprise to him when he realized that she was the same person as the alt account he had been following for the past year, ‘RIKA’. In the photos posted on social media, he could scrutinize her body but couldn’t see her hidden face. After all that had happened, now that he was in a position to look directly at her face from close range, he couldn’t help but sigh in admiration. Matsurika’s beauty wasn’t the beauty of an artwork. It was the beauty of a woman. She constantly evoked a sense of adolescent sexuality.

  I shouldn’t…

Tsutomu found himself easily distracted by Matsurika. For the past few days, he had been aware that he couldn’t concentrate as well as usual. He didn’t normally study for exams, so this wouldn’t affect his grades that much. He was a little behind on his previewing, but he could catch up if he sat down at his desk alone at home. It was only a minor hindrance, no problem. But 

“Is something wrong, Kariya ?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

“You’ve been glancing at me this whole time.”

  She noticed!

Tsutomu’s whole body flushed hot as a strange sweat broke out. At the same time, his mind went blank, hindering his ability to think logically. This had never happened before he started interacting with Matsurika. Without a moment to compose himself, his thoughts spilled out of his mouth.

“Ah, well… That is… It’s just that you’re so beautiful, Marsurika, when I see you up close, I can’t help but…”

“I’m happy to receive your compliments, but I know you’re not just looking at my face. You’re staring at my chest.”

“O Oh.”

Tsutomu was caught off guard, having been directly called out on what he had tried to gloss over. As he adjusted his slipping glasses, he searched for his next words. His gaze wandered through the air beyond his lenses, unable to settle. Matsurika’s expression as she stared intently at the flustered Tsutomu was as usual. A faint smile graced her lips, and he could even sense her composure.

“Well, I don’t mind.”

“You don’t!?”

Matsurika’s words went beyond anything Tsutomu had imagined. He had heard she was used to being looked at, but he hadn’t expected to be given permission to openly stare. His voice, cracking in surprise, was drowned out by a cough from afar.

“Quiet, please. This is a library. Right, Kariya ?”

“Ugh, hmm…”

Even though Tsutomu knew it was a dig at him, he couldn’t think of a retort. He exhaled deeply and turned back to the problems on his desk. Time to start over. If he let himself get caught up in this beautiful girl’s pace, who knew how deep a hole he would dig himself into? The textbooks, the reference books, and even his own notes; none of it was sinking in. This was bad. Tsutomu didn’t notice Matsurika smiling softly at him as he hung his head and agonized over his studies.

 

“Man, we got a lot done today!”

“Yeah.”

Tsutomu and Matsurika left the school building just as the end of day chime rang out. Around them were other students who, like them, had been studying for their exams until the last minute, but… every one of them seemed distant. It seemed like they were being blatantly avoided. Even Tsutomu, who was insensitive to people’s feelings, could tell.

“It feels like they’re keeping their distance from us.”

“You’re just noticing now?”

Matsurika’s voice was thick with exasperation. Gossip about Tsutomu and Matsurika had been making its rounds in the school. From the other students’ point of view, they were no doubt curious. It was just that with the exams approaching, no one had the time to be nosy. They also knew it would be bad to foolishly incur Tsutomu’s wrath. It was this delicate balance that created the current sense of distance.

“…Well, I guess it’s fine if they don’t bother us.”

Tsutomu lost interest in the other students and looked up at the sky. Summer was still a long way off, but the days were gradually getting longer. It was that time of day that could be called the twilight zone. If the club activities hadn’t been suspended, the school would have been even livelier.

“Look forward to tonight.”

“Hm?”

Tsutomu’s ears caught the sound of her sudden murmur. He looked to his side and saw Matsurika holding her smartphone in her white hand, moving it up and down. Her off-key humming and cheerful smile were charming, but… the expression on her face wasn’t the charismatic one she displayed at school. The girl with black hair swaying beside him was more underground, more bewitchingly decadent.

“I haven’t done it lately.”

Tsutomu saw the corner of her lips curve up in a smirk and understood what she meant. ‘Matsurika Tachibana’, the girl who reigned as the school idol, had another side to her. She was about to upload a photo to social media as ‘RIKA’, the popular alt account that posted erotic photos.

“Wouldn’t it be better to wait until after the exams?”

Tsutomu said what was on his mind. Since he had discovered the true identity of ‘RIKA’, he had been suppressing the urge to pester Matsurika, who was studying hard for the exams, with, “Why haven’t you posted recently?” But now that she was so eager, he couldn’t muster any strength to refute her.

“I need a change of pace.”

“A change of pace…”

“There are followers who are looking forward to it. Just like someone.”

“Hm.”

Tsutomu was at a loss for words, having been caught staring at her chest while they were studying. No matter what he said, he knew he would be bowing down and saving the new image as soon as it was posted. Matsurika, laughing at his troubled expression, suddenly thought of something. “Hmm, well, it’s fine”, she said to herself, seeming to come to a decision, and beckoned Tsutomu closer with her white fingers. It seemed like she had something she didn’t want other people to hear. Tsutomu looked around and saw some other students. Just like when their relationship had been discovered, he considered the possibility that someone might be watching them, in which case Matsurika’s caution was only natural.

“What is it?”

As Tsutomu leaned closer, Matsurika brought her lips close to his ear. The air between them grew sweet as the distance between them closed. Even though they weren’t touching, he felt… or thought he felt Matsurika’s body heat.

  My head is spinning…

“I realized something after I started that… It seems like I have that kind of hobby.”

“That kind?”

“It feels good when people watch me.”

“Really!?”

“Shhhhhhh!”

Once again, Tsutomu’s voice cracked. Matsurika hurriedly put her index finger to his lips, silencing him. Tsutomu closed his mouth and glanced around. No one had noticed his strange behavior. He looked back at Matsurika, gazing intently at her from head to toe. He had often been surprised by this girl, but this was another bombshell of a statement.

  Exhibitionism… Matsurika is…

Tsutomu’s wandering gaze finally settled on Matsurika’s jet-black eyes. Caught in the rays of the setting sun, they seemed to draw him in like a shining darkness.

“…Does it make you happy to hear that?”

“Happy… well, I mean, I’m definitely happy, but how should I put it… You’re kidding, right?”

“Well, what do you think?”

The girl walking next to him giggled and continued on ahead. As Tsutomu was captivated by her swaying, glossy black hair and white legs, he realized he had been suddenly teased. Matsurika, looking back, said a single word.

“You’re lewd, Kariya .”

“Matsurika!”

“Fufu, you’re not scary even when you’re angry.”

“Ugh…”

Tsutomu, who feared neither teachers nor students, was always at the mercy of Matsurika. Though he was forced to face that pathetic fact… it wasn’t all that unpleasant.

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