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

Hayashi’s gaze fixated on me, conveying a silent plea.

“Answer me.”

“Answer me.”

“…Answer.”

Feeling the pressure of Hayashi’s stare, I let out a sigh.

“I was disliked by Ishida.”

I admitted to Hayashi.

The moment she heard my words, Hayashi gave a grunt of understanding. Her satisfaction at my confession confirmed what a heartless person she was. What was worst was that she had no realization of the wrong she had done to me.

“Don’t you think you’re disliked by too many people?”

And then, Hayashi had the audacity to say something like that.

Anyone else would have gotten angry.

“Well, there was the incident at the cultural festival.”

“But just the cultural festival wouldn’t have caused so much dislike, would it?”

I was at a loss for words.

I guess she’s right.

“There were a lot of incidents.”

“……I see.”

Hayashi looked down, seeming somewhat saddened.

With her glasses on and sitting in a girl-like manner, the current Hayashi didn’t at all resemble the ‘queen’ nickname she was given back in high school.

“But why were you disliked by Ich-chan as well? Ich-chan, just like Akari, was kind and smart. I didn’t see her as someone who would dislike people?”

Ishida was indeed beautiful, and not just in looks, but also in personality.

Ishida and I were in the same class during our first and third years. In the first year, I was with Hayashi. In the third year, I was with Hayashi and Kasahara, and we often hung out together.

Ishida, along with Kasahara, took care of Hayashi quite often. I still have a strong impression of that.

Just being able to take care of Hayashi back then is proof enough of her kindness… This is an episode that can’t be left out when talking about Ishida’s beautiful personality.

“Probably, it was because of her intelligence that she was disliked.”

However, the reason why I was disliked by Ishida surpassed Hayashi’s understanding.

“……Throughout the three years of high school, I never once gave up the first place in the grade.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes. I wanted to boast and fulfill my need for self-affirmation, but I didn’t have any decent friends at that time. Far from satisfying my need for affirmation, it was difficult to convey that to those around me.”

“You actually think quite small, don’t you?”

“Anyway, that’s why I kept the top spot in the grade, and there were those who were jealous and hostile towards me.”

“Was that Ich-chan?”

I nodded.

“After each test, Ishida would find a secluded place and approach me for about a week. She would say things like ‘Give me a break’, ‘I won’t lose next time’, ‘How do you get such good grades, let’s study together in your room next time, just the two of us’. Anyway, she kept trying to bring me down.”

“……Huh?”

“What’s wrong, Hayashi?”

“Sorry. ……Um, sorry. ……Huh?”

“What’s the matter, all of a sudden. Are you not feeling well?”

“……Huh? Let me sort this out.”

“Huh? Okay.”

“You were always the top of the grade.”

“Yeah.”

“And Ich-chan?”

“……I think she said she was always in second place.”

“I see. ……Did you ever have a conversation with her outside of after tests?”

“Huh? ……Ah, occasionally. If I felt her gaze on me, I might initiate a conversation.”

“How did Ich-chan react then?”

“I wonder if she had a fever. She always turned red and left me.”

“……Huh?”

“Huh?”

“……So you were begged to study together after each test?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you ever agree to that?”

“Do you think I would? I’m not that kind of person.”

“……So, you two talked like that all the time?”

“Not all the time. ……It was from the end of the second semester of the third year. I guess she thought she couldn’t beat me, so she stopped interacting with me.”

What on earth is this girl next to me talking about?

Hayashi closed the graduation album in front of her and lay down on the bed. Then, she pulled the blanket over herself, as if she were chanting a prayer.

Hayashi’s smartphone started to vibrate.

“Hey, your phone is ringing.”

“……Pick it up.”

Hayashi, who usually takes good care of others, sometimes acts like a spoiled child like she is now.

I guess she’s reacting to being domestically abused by her boyfriend for nearly half a year, so I’ve been responding to her whims.

Well, until today she hasn’t asked for anything too unreasonable… except for that one incident in the hotel.

“Here.”

Hayashi took the smartphone from me.

She still seemed a bit off.

“Hello. Oh, Mom. ……Yes. Yes, send it.”

It seemed that the person on the other end of the phone was Hayashi’s mother.

I thought it might be a call about her father’s condition, but it didn’t seem to be the case. I was somewhat relieved inside.

“How’s Dad? ……Oh, I see. Yes. Huh? ……No, I wasn’t worried.”

Liar.

“Yes. Huh? ……You’re so noisy. Seriously, so noisy. ……Uh. Can I hang up now? I’m hanging up. Bye.”

The last part sounded like she hung up the phone forcibly.

I wonder what her mother said to her. Well, I know it wasn’t about me.

As soon as she hung up the phone, Hayashi emerged from the blanket.

“Hey, Yamamoto.”

“Huh?”

Hayashi had a serious look on her face.

I heard her words and thought that her father must be okay, but… a bad premonition ran through me.

“Ich-chan got married.”

“What?”

Involuntarily, a strange voice escaped from me.