The person who likes me is a yandere.

Being lectured by girls in the same grade is, in my opinion, a huge blow to one's self-esteem.

"Haha, I really do want to work hard, but..."

"While you're thinking like this, haven't you realized that you're simply not suited to be the vice student council president?"

I feel like I've been shot in the chest, and it's really painful. But I can't rule out what she said: maybe I'm really not suitable to be the vice student council president!

"Next time, I really will work hard!"

In the end, all I could say was that before I lowered my head. Tohka, with a displeased expression, quickly left the classroom.

Then, Aki Tomoya crawled out of the cabinet where cleaning supplies were kept.

"Huh? What are you doing here?"

"It's nothing, it's a small matter!"

I don't even believe what I'm saying. Being lectured by a classmate of the same age makes me feel a little uncomfortable, and I don't think it's a trivial matter!

"But honestly, if I were a good student, I think Tohka is very charismatic and also very cool!"

"Well, it's a pity I'm not a good student; my hands are still shaking a bit!"

"Hahaha, you're probably the only one who can withstand Tohka's terrifying pressure!"

To me, she was the epitome of terror. I used to find it a little scary just listening to her talk, let alone talking to her one-on-one. I never even imagined such a thing!

"Putting aside the amnesia issue, personally, I don't really like Tohka, whether it's her personality or other aspects!"

"Hey, that's your girlfriend! You really have the nerve to say that!"

"Because she's a scary person. If she becomes a policewoman, she'll even arrest people riding bicycles on the sidewalk. (Author's note: Japanese law stipulates that bicycles cannot ride on sidewalks, only on roads, but often bicycles still ride on sidewalks, since everyone is afraid of being hit by a car.) At that time, Japan will need to build as many prisons as there are people."

We walked out of the classroom while having this idiotic conversation.

After opening the classroom door, I found Tohka standing at the door.

"........."

Tohka's face bore the most terrifying expression I had ever seen.

Even more terrifying than expressing anger directly through body language or facial expressions is a cold, emotionless expression, as cold as a Japanese sword.

They must have overheard our conversation.

The three of us looked at each other, unsure of what to say, and the silence deepened.

An endless silence fell between the three of us, and then—

"........."

Tohka left without saying anything.

According to Aki Tomoya, I almost rolled my eyes at the time.

The next day, I was completely ignored by Tohka, which was incredibly awkward!

It's worth mentioning that she also seemed to be looked down upon by Kato Megumi, who has been by her side since she lost her memory. Of course, she still had a smile on her face, but I still felt that she seemed a little angry!

That despicable person who verbally attacked his amnesiac girlfriend behind her back. That's my current stance. It's regrettable, but I can't deny it. No matter how I explain, I can't go back to the seemingly unobstructed situation we had before.

My classmates started to distrust me, but fortunately, because things related to Tohka were no longer new, our relationship hasn't been criticized too much by outsiders.

If the timing had been worse, I estimate that more than half of the students in the class would have been hostile towards me.

"It's so embarrassing just thinking about it!"

So, after this situation continued for a while, I was called out by the teacher during a break between classes.

"We finally managed to get you appointed as the vice student council president, but you've let us down and made such a mess of things. It's really embarrassing. If you don't cultivate good relationships, you'll be 'gone'!"

"sorry."

Compared to Mr. Yamada, who still had the leisure to joke around, I sincerely apologized. Seeing my demeanor, Mr. Yamada's tone softened slightly, indicating that I still had ambition, which made me easier to deal with!

"Actually, it was a bit abrupt to appoint you as the student vice president so suddenly!"

"Honestly, things have gotten really bad. She completely hates me now. If someone else, like Kato Megumi, were to help, the work would go much more smoothly, wouldn't it?"

I made the decision to stay away from her without hesitation. I have no feelings for her and we have no relationship. Rather than getting in her way, I might as well disappear from her sight. That might be a good thing for her. But why do I still feel a little annoyed?

I've always felt that repairing a relationship that's been damaged once is incredibly difficult. If you become close to someone, then no matter what unpleasant things happen between you, the only option is to endure it to avoid arguments. The only thing you absolutely must resolutely avoid is a decisive crisis that could jeopardize the friendship.

Maintaining friendships is like swimming tirelessly in a boundless ocean. Once you stop to rest, you can't move forward again. So you can only desperately paddle with both hands. Even so, all my relationships still fell apart.

Therefore, for me, my only true friend is Aki Tomoya. After I expressed my thoughts with a very serious expression, Yamada-sensei asked, "How about trying a little harder?" Trying a little harder. If it's just "a little harder." As if I could already see my liberation, I breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in agreement.

Ms. Yamada then handed me a large stack of flyers that had nothing to do with the disciplinary committee's work, instructing me to tell Tohka that these were questionnaires for the upcoming school festival in a few months, and to have her compile the data. In short, she was creating an opportunity for me to talk to her.

There were also considerations that if I couldn't even handle this properly, they might really remove me from the position of deputy committee member for discipline.

Being able to escape from something terrifying—to get away from her—I think that's a good thing.

"I understand."

Chapter Eleven: Boring and Simple

Afterwards, I told Tohka about it, and she simply accepted the job with a nonchalant attitude.

After school, we borrowed someone's desk to start organizing the survey questionnaires. Although we were supposed to be organizing them together, there wasn't a single step that required both of us to work on together. If we wanted to have a conversation, we had to find topics ourselves.

Unfortunately, she didn't say a word, she just kept her head down and worked silently!

We both just quietly kept our heads down and worked, neither of us wanting to speak first and then feel awkward.

The distance between us, measured in steps, is just a few steps.

Even though we're so close, I feel like I'm all alone right now.

It's like sitting on a packed tram without feeling like anyone's with you. She and I were simply in the same classroom, sitting in the same chairs, doing the same work.

Therefore, there are not two people in this classroom, but rather two "one people".

When people feel lonely, they don't realize that their skin becomes much more sensitive than usual.

Ultimately, the skin of the human body becomes like an invisible extension of the body, sensitively exploring the space within a few tens of centimeters around us, searching for foreign objects called "others." It is more sensitive than any other organ; even the slightest touch will cause it to swell and redden, bringing a burning pain that torments our hearts.

This unseen "domain" surrounding my body, as part of the body, is often referred to as a barrier between the mind and the last tool people use to protect themselves from loneliness.

That's why I deliberately keep my distance from her. The reason I unconsciously chose a seat far away from her is also to protect this vulnerability in human emotions, to prevent Tohka from touching my sensitive areas. And initiating contact and being contacted are based on the same principle. Therefore, I've decided never to interfere with her.

Actually, it's not just with Tohka; I do this in all my life, regardless of who the other person is. But the box we live in called "society" is very small. There isn't enough space to ensure that people maintain a certain distance from each other.

One's own or another person's "personal space" offers only two choices: to infringe upon it or to be infringed upon by another. One can only choose to infringe upon or be infringed upon, choosing either oneself or another person's space.

Faced with this situation, we can only choose to endure and get used to it. We numb ourselves, as if we've become indifferent to the physical and mental pain caused by unreasonable, heartless, and meaningless touching, or by being touched in our "territory." At least we're no longer "alone."

By numbing part of his body, he could finally "stuff" in some foreign objects.

People have given this painful process a very beautiful name, such as friendship or family affection.

The words used definitely hurt both the speaker and others. Perhaps everyone thinks this is a good thing.

—But I still retain that pain somewhere.

Something as cold and soft as snow appeared in my brain.

If we finish work like this and both of us go home in silence, then our unreliable relationship, which we call "lovers," will truly disappear.

Is this really a good idea? — I started to think about it.

This was a question that had been lingering in my mind since before summer vacation even started, but Tohka was just too terrifying, so I did nothing. Our relationship was only superficial, and my position became increasingly awkward.

Everything described above has disappeared... What? It's just a small matter.

What's there to hesitate about? We're finally free, aren't we?

The work was finished quickly.

"I'll go get it for the teacher."

As Tohka spoke, she stood up, took the completed questionnaire, and walked out of the classroom.

"Phew, I'm so tired!"

It felt like a heavy burden had been lifted off my shoulders.

Without thinking, I pressed my face against the desk. Drip, drip—I stared blankly at the rain falling outside the window, motionless. The damp classroom was quite nice. Taking a deep breath, the scent of ancient wood filled my nostrils. There was also a faint human fragrance mixed in.

The classroom, usually packed with students, felt strangely different now that it was empty. I remained motionless, gazing out the window at the scenery. After a while, the figure of Tohka, carrying an umbrella and walking towards the school gate, came into my view, and I couldn't help but stand up.

I went back without saying goodbye. The feeling of relaxation lasted only a moment before it vanished, followed by a sudden racing heart.

I finally managed to calm my wildly beating heart.

On the other side of the window, Tohka stood alone at the bus stop, clutching her phone. —I guess I'll never have the chance to talk to that person again.

"Ha, let's go home."

I accidentally discovered a wallet on the table that Tohka was using.

The white and pink water droplet pattern makes it a cute wallet. Wait, was there really such a thing there until just now? I couldn't help but start thinking, and then I remembered that Sakura-san had indeed put the wallet in that spot.

In that case, this must be hers.

"Ok?"

Isn't this a bit troublesome?

I quickly turned to look out the window and saw her board the bus I'd been waiting for. Before I could even call out to her, the bus drove away.

"........."

This……

I pedaled my bicycle at the fastest speed I've ever seen.

I thought I was riding very fast, but I still couldn't catch up with Tohka. No matter what, a bus is a car, and I even started a few minutes late. I definitely couldn't catch up by following the same route.

Tohka's house is in the same direction as mine, so I'm sure I've taken the same bus route. I need to think about the exact route for a bit, but I think I remember it.

I took full advantage of the bicycle's small size and ability to turn around easily, and used a shortcut to catch up with the bus in the direction it was going.

After cycling for twenty minutes, I finally spotted the bus I was looking for. The bus had already passed her house and was still moving forward, but if my prediction was correct, then everything would be fine.

Luckily, the bus arrived at the station quickly, and I abandoned my bicycle and ran onto the bus.