Don't Call Me By My Username! - Chapter 7

Chapter 7 – Coincidental? Reunion

“Hah.”

It has been a week since that nightmarish incident.

I was still dragging that incident with me, but even so, I tried to throw myself back into my peaceful daily life.

The view I could see from my room, the trees in the yard, the people, the cars, nothing had changed. But I felt as if I was the only one who had become terribly dirty, which was depressing.

I had no recollection of how we parted ways after that.

When I came to, I was already on the train going home. I likely went home in a mostly dazed state.

It seemed as though Kazuki had sent me something, but I didn’t even feel like looking at it, so I ended up leaving it unread.

I couldn’t possibly tell him.

I couldn’t say that I was molested by a man . . . I wish all the things that happened on that day were just a dream.

Such a convenient thought even came to my mind.

I should just forget about it. About that guy, and what happened on that day.

We will never see each other again, after all—

“Yo, Takumi! Why didn’t you check your messages . . . ? I was worried.”

Kazuki rushed to me as soon as I arrived at the school.

That reminds me, what happened to Kazuki that day? I wonder if that guy’s friends did anything bad to him?

“Sorry about the other day. When I was on watch. Massu asked me for directions . . . The next thing I know you weren’t there.”

“What?!”

He clasped his hands together and said “My bad!”

I couldn’t help but yell at him.

That bastard . . . He was totally bluffing when he said Kazuki might be having some tea with his friends! I couldn’t believe him.

“I heard he’s directionally challenged.”

“Hmm, is that so.”

My voice sounded so emotionless that it even surprised me. For me, I couldn’t care less about our assistant homeroom teacher Massu, or Mr. Masuda, or about the information that he has no sense of direction.

“What’s with you? You’re so unresponsive. Anyway, how was it over your side on that day?”

“No— not much . . . He was an ordinary guy.”

I was prepared for it, but I got nervous when the topic was brought up. The more I thought that I had to act natural and not let him know how shaken I was, the more my stomach churned.

“Really?”

“For the photo, umm . . . I couldn’t bring it up so I don’t have any, though . . .”

“That sounds kinda fishy.”

Kazuki’s doubtful manner made me want to yell, “It’s your fault in the first place!”.

But there was no way I could tell him the truth. I didn’t have the courage to talk about it.

“Morning. I heard Mrs. Sudou went into labor during the winter break, so a new teacher is coming today . . . Did something happen?”

The person who came in and broke the awkward atmosphere was my best friend since childhood, Hagiwara Yukiya.

“About that, you see, Takumi was . . .”

“Kazuki! I’ve said that nothing really happened. It’s nothing important. Rather than that, what’s the new teacher like? Is it a woman?”

I interrupted Kazuki, who seemed to want to say something, and half forcefully changed the topic. I wasn’t interested in the new teacher’s information, but at this point, I had no choice.

“Hmm, maybe? I don’t really know the details.”

“Is that so?”

Everyone in the class was fidgety and looking restless, they were all talking about what kind of teacher would be coming.

Well, to me, it didn’t matter who the teacher was. It has nothing to do with me even if they were on maternity leave or if there was a new temporary teacher.

It wasn’t like the class would be dismissed with a change in teachers, and I didn’t think it will make my mood any better.

I needed a change of mood, but a heavy lump in my heart kept a lid on the feelings that were about to surface.

Kazuki seemed as though he still wanted to say something, but he didn’t ask me any more questions after that.

On one hand, I was relieved to see him talking with other classmates, but on the other hand, I was worried that he might go around telling everyone about what happened the other day.

What would I say to Kazuki if he started speaking about it again? What would I do if Kazuki told many people? The more I thought about it, the more depressed I felt.

Even the presence of my classmates, who were talking peacefully, felt so irritating and a loud sigh escaped me as I took my seat.

“Takumi, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

As I was thinking about all sorts of things, cool and refreshing eyes looked at me with concern. He stared at me with a face so serious that I felt as if a hole was about to open on my face, so I quickly averted my gaze.

But soon his hands extended and clasped my cheeks with both hands, practically forcing me to turn my head to face him.

“You don’t look okay at all.”

“—Gh.”

Our foreheads were pressed together and our gazes entwined.

My head was locked in place so I couldn’t turn my head away, and I unconsciously gulped my breath.

It was always like this. Yuki could see through me most of the time.

Yuki and I had known each other since kindergarten, so he seemed to be able to tell immediately if there was even a subtle change in me.

I remember when I was bullied in middle school, Just by looking at my eyes, he asked, “You’re hiding something, aren’t you?” then proceeded to beat up the bullies.

There were times when he offered to treat me to a parfait when I wanted one, and there were other times that he could understand me even if I didn’t say anything out loud.

“I’ve always told you not to keep everything to yourself if you have a problem.”

I was very happy that he’s being caring to me. But those feelings were painful for me now.

To begin with, Yuki was tall and good-looking, unlike me. He always looked calm and cool, but he was also a good athlete and was rumored to be a promising rookie in the basketball club.

It seemed that it was a well-known fact that he was often summoned by girls. Though, he seemed to have turned down all confessions and the affections that he received.

Yuki was a dear friend of mine, so I didn’t want him to know even more. I’d rather just keep quiet about it than speak the truth and get despised.

“Takumi?”

“I’m fine, really.”

“But—”

Yuki’s well-shaped eyebrow furrowed in worry.

“I’m really okay. It’s not a big deal.”

I tried to give my best smile to Yuki, who looked unconvinced.

Yuki was still mumbling as though he wanted to say something, but it was interrupted by Mr. Masuda’s entrance into the classroom. He hurriedly straightened his posture.

It made me want to thank Mr. Masuda for coming in with perfect timing, making this conversation end without Yuki prodding me too much.

“As some of you may already know, we have a new teacher coming in today as a temporary teacher in place of Mrs. Sudou, who is on maternity leave.”

I could see a glimpse of a shadow in the hallway. The height was around 180 centimeters.

At once, the chatter grew louder, and my restless classmates looked so childish that I almost swore at them for being so silly. All the while, I started preparing for the first period.

“Don’t make a fuss just because he’s handsome, okay?”

With a statement that seems to predict what is about to happen from the assistant homeroom teacher, a tall man slowly entered the classroom.

So it was a male teacher . . .

Contrary to the disappointed boys who slumped their shoulders, the shrill voices of the girls rose in unison.

“The girls are really something.”

Yuki muttered half-heartedly and let out a quiet sigh.

“Handsome, you say . . .? You’re setting the bar too high. Ah, hello. I’m your new teacher starting from today, Kaji Akira. My subject is Japanese history . . .”

“—!”

Surprised by the familiar low voice, I reflexively looked up.

Standing there, was the figure of the perverted guy I had met that day.

He was wearing a suit now, but there was no way I could mistake that well-proportioned face.

Why is he here?

“Takumi?”

“It— it’s nothing.”

Suddenly, I felt my eyes meet Akira’s and I quickly hid behind my textbook.

Why? How?

That was all I could think about.

My heart was beating so intensely and I couldn’t hide my turmoil.

“—kumi. Watase Takumi. Hey, are you present?”

“Takumi. He’s calling for you.”

Yuki elbowed me and I stood up from my seat in a hurry.

“Ye- yes!”

The room all quieted down at once, and Mr. Masuda let out a sigh.

“I’m just taking attendance, so you don’t have to stand up. Are you still sleeping?”

“Ah . . . I’m sorry.”

The moment I sat down, the whole classroom was filled with laughter.

“. . .”

“Are you okay?”

“Maybe I’m not okay after all.”

I plopped down on the desk while feeling Yuki’s concerned gaze peering at me, as well as the gaze of someone else entirely.

Want to read more chapters and support us? Please consider becoming a patron to read up to 12 chapters in advance!