Explaining the situation to Chabashira and Hoshinomiya didn't take much time.
Actually, Hoshinomiya had told her class that she and Chabashira were alumni of this school, and former classmates.
Also, she mentioned that she couldn't graduate from class A, which she regretted.
Thus, I conjured some half truth half lies, mixed them upp, and gave them an explanation, believable enough.
Hoshinomiya seemed like she was satisfied with my answer, but Chabashira wasn't convinced.
Yet, she let me go, without saying anything.
Although, dealing with Hoshinomiya's persistent questioning, about why, how I liked Chabashira romantically, was annoying, somehow I was able to slip out.
But, judging from Chabashira's expression, she wouldn't let this matter go, but put me in a difficult spot later on.
Well, that matter would be dealt with, when that time comes.
The problem now was, the stares, and judging eyes.
Apparently, Horikita controlled my voice recording from spreading to other classes, cause she believed, it would be harmful to put our weakness in front of others.
I am thankful for that, because I would have been questioned by school management again, if this recording had gone public.
Still, the stares inside my own class, became unbearable.
Even my own friends Ike, and Sudo, were keeping their distance from me.
Well, that's understandable.
Human relationships are quite fragile than you think.
Well, not each one, but the ones that Yamauchi had built in this school, was definitely fragile.
At one point, I entered the classroom, and the murmurs started, where I felt like they were all talking about me, even if they weren't.
Now, in my mind I knew that it doesn't concern me a lot, as they wouldn't be able to affect me.
But, the memories of my high school days kept coming back to me in a rush.
Everything became blurry around me, and I couldn't hear anything at all.
The chatter or murmur of the students, the ocassional gazing stares seemed distant, as if the voice of the ghosts of my past life kept echoing in my ears.
I just stood there, helpless, trying to cover my ears, but the echo just got louder and louder, and louder.
The ringing sound intesnified, as it became unbearable by the seconnd.
And, suddenly, a blurry face revolved in front of my eyes.
Someone, I knew very well, yet I had forgotten.
The face I couldn't remember, but her voice was all so familiar.
I used to hear it everyday, yet there was not a single peck of her memory in my mind.
As much as I tried to remember, the ringing sound, and the headache worsened.
Then, the next moment, everything was gone.
I had been brought back to reality, where I found myself, standing with my ears closed, as everyone staring at me, from their seats, and on the podium, stood Chabashira, looking at me with eyes filled with concern.
"Yamauchi, go to the nurse's office, if you are not feeling well.", she said.
I nodded, and stepped out of the class, and went straight to the nurse's office.
***
The palpitations in my heart, and the sweating had stopped.
It was an anxiety attack, is what they commonly say.
The moment you realize, you have forgotten someone so important to you, its not exactly a pleasant feeling.
A different type of pain, quite undescribable, yet so much painful.
Everytime I try to forget about my past life and those traumatic days, memories filled with those days would come back to haunt me.
I put down my blazor, and laid myself on the bed.
I shifted slightly on the thin mattress, trying to steady my breathing, when the distinct sound of rustling fabric came from the adjacent bed.
I turned my head, expecting to see a generic classmate or perhaps an empty pillow. Instead, I was met with a pair of wide, very much awake eyes.
It was Chihiro.
"What are you doing here?", she asked.
"Isn't this the infirmary? I came here because I didn't feel so well.", I replied curtly.
"...What's the matter? You seem frustrated...."
"....Its nothing."
"Oh....okay. Hey, listen.....are you free this saturday?", she asked with an anticipating expression.
I was surprised for a second, but went on to aske her for reason.
"Maybe...why are you asking?"
"Well, I haven't thanked you properly for what you have done. Our class has been stable lately, as Honami chan came clean with what had been bothering her. She also mentioned to me, that you were the one who helped her overcome the situation, and wanted to thank you. Honestly, I am quite greatful to you."
As for what she is saying, we have to go back to yesterday night.
....
The fact that Sakayanagi had been attacking Ichinose, and she gave the cure to Ayanokouji, it was quite the double sided play, from her.
As a result, Ichinose became quite smitten with Ayanokouji, such that, it was difficult for her to grow herself.
Now that the plot had changed, I have no idea if Kamuro had slipped in the info of Ichinose being a shoplifter to Ayanokouji, so there is no guarantee that he would come to help Ichinose.
Even if he did, he would bend her wills to his own benefits, for the greater goal he had, involving the entire school, in his scheme.
If I had to name one part that I hated about this volume, it was this part, where, Ayanokouji just try to manipulate a broken girl.
And I wanted to change that part.
Well, if I would even succeed or not was a different story, though.
But, I had to try, to make her face herself, and give her a path to walk on.
So, here I was in front of her room, at nightly hours.
Honestly, I thought it was quite a bad idea, to do this sneakily, and quite risky too.
So, as soon as I heard a voice after knocking on her door, I begged Ichinose, to let me come in, as it would be bad for me, if someone else were to see me right now.
She opened the door hesitantly, as I knew she would.
"What do you want at this hour, Yamauchi-kun?", she asked, with whatever confidence or energy she had left in her voice.
The room was kept clean, and I tried to not look around too much.
I sat on the chair, after asking for her permission, as she sat on her bed. I put the drinks I had brought hurrily, on the table nearby, and looked at her in the eyes.
".......I have a confession to make, Ichinose."
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Next - The Third Confession [2]
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