Statement: The author's native language is not English, but I will try my best to preserve the meaning of the original Japanese text. Also, this is intended solely for sharing and exchange with like-minded individuals. Please contact me immediately if you have any concerns about copyright infringement.
>Part1
[Seaside/Daytime]
To clear my head a bit, I decided to take a walk on my day off.
Because of what happened with the midterm exams, I haven't had much time to myself lately.
It's nice to take a walk down a different path than usual once in a while.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka: Is that...
Along the way, I suddenly noticed a familiar face sitting on a bench.
Ryuen kakeru: ...Ah, it seems that matter is going smoothly.
That was definitely a C-class...
Ryuen kakeru: ...Uh?
As I was looking at it like that, our eyes met.
I naturally averted my gaze and tried to project the image of an ordinary student casually taking a stroll.
Ryuen kakeru: ...Hmph.
As expected, he probably perceived me as an insignificant student.
He didn't seem to pay me any attention and quickly went back to his phone call.
Ryuen kakeru: Alright then, just do as I say. Don't make the same mistake you did last time, okay?
Ryuen kakeru: ...Well then.
It seems the call ended just as I walked past the bench.
Ryuen kakeru: ...
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka: ...
Looks like we're going in the same direction, so we'll walk side-by-side, keeping a little distance between us.
This is kind of awkward.
When heading in the same direction as someone else, what's the right thing to do? For now, just be confident.
Ryuen kakeru: ...
I secretly glanced behind me, it seemed like he weren't paying any attention to me at all.
...I'm probably worrying too much.
While I was thinking about all that, we came to a fork in the road and went our separate ways.
>Part2
[Shopping mall/Daytime]
As I was walking around the mall wondering what to have for lunch, I came across a stall selling delicious-looking sandwiches.
Then I bought a drink and looked around. It was busier than I expected, but there was an empty bench nearby.
I settled down and immediately started to taste the sandwich.
This is quite tasty. The portion size is also pretty good, so it seems I made the right choice.
???: Um...
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka: ...?
Meanwhile, someone sat down right next to me.
Normally I wouldn't pay attention to it, but that voice bothered me for some reason, so I glanced sideways to see who it was.
Ryuen kakeru: ...
What kind of coincidence could this be...?
And what's more, he's holding the same sandwich as me.
Ryuen kakeru: ...What?
He seemed to have noticed my presence as well and looked a little suspicious, but quickly lost interest.
I shouldn't be too conscious of it either. I'll just eat my sandwich in silence, trying to act like I'm not paying attention.
Ryuen kakeru: Tsk...
I sensed a slightly irritated atmosphere.
I wanted to leave after finishing my meal, but the sheer size of the sandwich proved to be my undoing.
Ryuen kakeru: ...What do you want?
I can't believe I actually got talked to—
...or so I thought, but it seemed to be an incoming call. He took out the phone and pressed it to ear.
Ryuen kakeru: Of course I haven't forgotten. Do you really think I'd run away?
I took the last bite of the sandwich and washed it down with my drink.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka: ...Whew.
It was a perfectly good sandwich, but now, I couldn't really appreciate the taste.
However, this many coincidences is giving me a bad feeling.
He still seemed to be talking about something, but I got up from the bench and left.
>Part3
[Shopping mall-back alley/Daytime]
Due to a series of coincidences, my steps naturally led me down less crowded paths.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka: ...Well, I doubt he'd come to a place like this.
This is a dimly lit alleyway, and there's no particular reason why anyone would come here.
But just as I was about to turn the corner, I stopped abruptly.
???: Guh.
When I secretly looked around, I saw several male students lying on the ground.
Ryuen kakeru: Heh heh, no matter how many of you gang up, you're still just weaklings. Did you really think you could do anything by surrounding us in a place where there were no cameras?
Amidst the sounds of several people groaning in pain, one person stands on both feet, looking down at the male students.
Male student: Ryuen... ngh.
Ryuen kakeru: What's this? You've got quite the cocky look on your face, don't you?
Male student: Ngh...
It appears the matter has already been settled.
Not that it really matters, but one thing I do know is that it's not good for me to be here.
Just as I was thinking that and about to turn on my heel—
Ryuen kakeru: Hey, is someone there?
This is bad, it seems I was noticed. I can hear footsteps approaching.
Ryuen kakeru: There's nobody here...
Ryuen kakeru: But I thought sensed someone's presence...
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka: It seems I've managed to pull it off, for now.
I poked my head out from behind something and made sure no one was there.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka: Give me a break...
I went out to clear my head, but I feel like I'm actually more mentally exhausted.
>Part 4
[Seaside/Daytime]
I was walking back to the dorm. I only intended to take a short stroll, but it's gotten this late.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka: Well, some days are like that...
Ryuen kakeru: ...
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka: ...
I happened to bump into him just as he were coming out of the convenience store.
...It really was just a coincidence.Inevitably, we'd take the same route home. Feeling the awkward atmosphere, I walked a little distance away from him.
Ryuen kakeru: ...
I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, and he seemed quite satisfied, in stark contrast to my own mood.
Since I witnessed what happened in the back alley, I’ve technically crossed paths with him more often.
But from his perspective, they probably just see me as one of those ordinary students he keep running into.
In other words, this is an awkward space just for me.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka: Sigh...
Ryuen kakeru: Uh...?
Sensing that I was being watched, I tried to act like an average student who hadn't had a single good day.
Since that's actually what happened, my portrayal of the character is perfect. It's making me sad to think about it myself.
I can't wait to reach the dorm entrance. Or maybe, we'll be alone together in the elevator too?
— Так ты скрывался за кулисами, обладая такой силой? И каково же это? Смотреть свысока на мелких сошек изо дня в день? Держу пари, ты получал безмерное наслаждение, ведь так?
— Я никогда и не думал смотреть на кого-либо сверху вниз. Потому что успехи или неудачи других не имеют ко мне никакого отношения.
Вероятно, ему не понравился мой ответ. Рьюен рассмеялся, откинув свои волосы назад.
— Это никак не может быть правдой. Ведь люди – это лишь алчные создания.
