Living with the Arrogant Queen from High School is Surprisingly Not Uncomfortable

Kasahara did not tell me the result of her confession that night. I remember falling asleep that day, feeling restless and anxious.

Why did Kasahara tell me about the boy’s confession to her at that time? And why did she hesitate to tell me her response? Even now, after graduating from high school, I still don’t have an answer.

However, that day made me realize that I needed to get rid of my recent indecisive feelings. But that’s not to say I was ready to confess to Kasahara. Perhaps, at that time, I was still unaware of my feelings for Kasahara while being so indecisive.

The turning point was probably the cultural festival.

The post-festival party. Traditionally, the chairperson of the festival committee would host the party. At the party, there was a campfire, boys and girls dancing wildly, and, given the end-of-festival atmosphere, it was a very festive time.

I turned down the role of hosting the party. It was mostly due to my personality. If a twisted person like me were to take on such a major role, the atmosphere would undoubtedly turn sour. Therefore, it was not an escape but a strategic retreat.

Instead, it was Kasahara who took over as host.

Under Kasahara’s command, the students who stayed for the after-party enjoyed their precious time.

As for me, I was waiting for time to pass, wanting to go home. There was no way someone like me could enjoy the festive atmosphere. The only reason I didn’t leave was because of my position.

Alone, I watched the revelers from a distance in the schoolyard.

In the dark night, everyone was laughing in front of the campfire, which glowed orange in the center.

That’s when it happened.

“Kasahara-san,”

A boy called out.

The person he called was Kasahara. Suddenly, the festive crowd turned their attention to the boy and Kasahara, who was hosting the after-party. Probably by this point, they understood what the boy was about to do to Kasahara. Whistles, cheers, encouragements, and the start of video recording on smartphones filled the air with a sweet atmosphere.

“What?”

Kasahara was her usual self. Always smiling, kind, just like the girl she was.

With Kasahara’s response to the boy’s call, the crowd grew even more excited.

And there I was, in a corner, feeling like I was going crazy.

The reason why the boy called out to Kasahara.

What was about to unfold between the boy and Kasahara.

And the expectations of those around them.

This is unfair.

I was furious.

The crowd’s expectations. The situation. It’s almost impossible to reject a confession made here.

…Then it happened. I thought to myself.

I should have confessed to Kasahara.

It was a surprise to me.

I was aware that I had special feelings for Kasahara that were more than just friendship. But I didn’t think it was affection. I didn’t think the time would come when I would fall in love with someone.

“I’m sorry. I have someone I like.”

Kasahara, with a bitter smile, turned down the boy’s confession.

The boy, after having his confession rejected by Kasahara, was visibly frustrated, but he was laughing along with everyone else.

I thought at the time, how could he laugh so easily?

But, I found myself admiring the boy a little.

…The post-festival party. In front of the campfire. A perfect situation. There, confessing to the person you like. And being able to laugh off being rejected, without any hard feelings, with your friends.

I respected him, a person whose name I didn’t even know, and regretted my own actions.

I hated regret.

After the post-festival party, the students went home.

The festival committee members were supposed to go home after checking the fire site.

“Kasahara, do you want to go home together again today?”

To my surprise, the words came out smoothly.

I wasn’t even nervous.

“Sure, I understand.”

Kasahara accepted my offer.

And so, we saw off the other festival committee members as they went home.

“…That’s a bit surprising.”

The two of us stood in the schoolyard, enveloped in darkness. Kasahara spoke.

“What is?”

“I didn’t expect Yamamoto-kun to ask me to go home together.”

“…Indeed.”

The two of us stood in the schoolyard, enveloped in darkness. Kasahara said,

“What is?”

“I never thought I’d be asked to go home together by Yamamoto-kun.”

“…Indeed.”

I gave a bitter smile. Up until now, I had always been passive. Going home together because Kasahara had suggested it. Feeling nefarious feelings inside just because I heard that Kasahara was confessed to.

That was all there was to it.

“I’m sorry. You probably wanted to go home with Hayashi and the others.”

“No, they probably went home first. Really, everyone is so harsh.”

“…Yeah.”

I wasn’t nervous.

But I wondered what I should say.

As I gave vague responses, I thought.

…However, I soon realized.

There was no need to dress up.

It’s fine just the way it always is.

I’m no good to begin with. If that’s the case, I should just say what I want to say… It’s fine just the way it always is.

“Kasahara, I… I like you.”

In the schoolyard that had been noisy until just now, my voice echoed well.

And yet, Kasahara didn’t reply at all. There was no way she hadn’t heard.

If so, it means it wasn’t good.

Well, that can’t be helped. There was no chance. That’s all there is to it.

…Strangely enough, I felt refreshed. It was because I had no regrets, even if I was turned down.

“I do too.”

In the silent schoolyard, I felt like my hearing had gone for a moment.

I didn’t hear what Kasahara said. No, that’s not right. I heard it. But I couldn’t understand it.

“Huh?”

“I also… like you, Yamamoto-kun?”

“…I see.”

“Yes.”

“…I see.”

My senses were dulling. Even though I had become mutual with Kasahara, they were dulling more and more. I couldn’t feel it. That I was in love with Kasahara.

“Shall we go home?”

“…Yeah.”

Even though we were mutual, the atmosphere between us was completely different from before. We had completely warmed up to Kasahara, and there was no awkwardness at all. But now, it was beyond awkwardness, it was strained.

“Hey, Yamamoto-kun?”

“Hmm?”

“…Can we call ourselves lovers, I wonder?”

“…Yeah.”

Well, I guess so. We were mutual, after all.

“I see.”

“…Yeah.”

“I see, I see.”

“…So, lovers… what do they do, I wonder?”

“I don’t know.”

After a while, we gave each other a bitter smile.