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Published at 6th of May 2020 02:24:50 PM


Chapter 27

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27
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27
One afternoon, a few days after the Star Festival ended, an unfamiliar upperclassman has called out for Tsubaki at the corridor. 




Seeing the female upperclassman that called out to her, Tsubaki's first thought is that she has strong looking eyes and she also gives off quite a strong first impression. 








Tsubaki doesn't remember doing anything against anyone from the higher batch and yet she looks at her with vigilance. But despite the vigilance she shows, it's not like she looks at her with disgust or hatred and that is why it is a lot more puzzling for Tsubaki.






"You are Asahina Tsubaki-san, right? I'm a sixth-grader, my name is Nikaido Marika. Is it alright to have some of your time now? I have something to talk about."










"Yes. I don't have anything to do today. So today's fine."










Even though Tsubaki is still puzzled about this person who introduced herself as Nikaidou Marika, she still accepted her invitation besides she has nothing do anyways. 


After accepting her invitation, she was lead by Nikaidou Marika in one of the private rooms situated in the cafeteria. 






'Could it be? A group of girls is gathered inside that room and then they'll....'  ...Or so Tsubaki thought to herself. 'Nah, that's impossible. In a prestigious academy like this, for something like that to happen'


Coming after Nikaidou, 


Tsubaki who entered right after Nikaidou, looked around and there she only saw one other person, sitting on the chair and that no one else seems to be around. Tsubaki inwardly sighed in relief while thinking that at least she won't be ganged up or something.




Upon seeing the female student sitting on the chair, Tsubaki felt like she has seen her somewhere but doesn't really remember where or when. That's why even though it is rude, she kept on staring at her.








While vaguely traversing through her memories she suddenly remembers about the girl who almost fainted because of anemia back at the Star Festival. Could it be her? She thought to herself. 


At that time she was quite flustered herself so she wasn't really able to look properly at her but she does remember the anemic female student to be quite the pretty lady who suites a princess cut and gives off a cute feeling.




"Now, please sit"








Tsubaki who was still standing by the door was prompted by Nikaidou to sit down and so she did.




"Pardon me for my rudeness. Once again, I'm Asahina Tsubaki, a fourth-grader. I didn't know you were a sixth grader"




"Yes, I'm a sixth-grader, my name is Kuze Sayoko. I'm sorry for directly calling you here like this. Mari was really adamant in wanting to call you herself."








"No. it's alright. I was also quite worried about what happened afterward but I'm relieved to see you doing well now"






"See? I told you, Mari, that there's nothing to worry about" After hearing the knowing words and smile of Kuze Sayoko, Nikaidou's expression suddenly turned gloomy.






It could not be helped since Tsubaki's reputation is quite bad that's why Nikaidou might have been worried if Sayoko meets with Tsubaki by herself.








"Well then, may I know why Kuze-sama called me here?"






"At that time, I haven't said my thanks right? Even after I returned to the hallway after getting better from being anemic, there were quite a lot of people gathered there and I couldn't find you. That's why...once again, thank you."








"I only did what is obvious. I'm not that bad to leave alone and ignore a person who is suffering at the time."






Kuze seems to have found Tsubaki's words quite amusing and so the former giggled upon hearing Tsubaki's words...




" Don't you think rumours is something that can't be relied on aren't they? "








"... ...Well it depends on the rumours itself"








For Kuze who was saved and helped by Tsubaki when she was anemic, the former's vigilance towards the latter doesn't really exist compared to Nikaidou who is still quite hesitant since she only heard of Tsubaki from the rumours.








"I'm mostly misunderstood by people perhaps it is because of my appearance and the fact that I don't talk to people much so I guess it could not be helped."








Tsubaki who said that with quite a dejected smile seems to have earned the pity of the two senpais.






"You are right. Maybe it' s because of you






"


"You are right maybe it's because you give off this mysterious feeling and how you give off an unconcerned and unfeeling impression. "




"Thanks to that all the girls at school hates me"






"And what's more you act as if you are not bothered by it"








"Well for me what they think about me is not really of any importance"






Tsubaki said in a somewhat defiant voice as she smiled. Seeing Tsubaki like that, the corner of Nikaidou's lips lifted as she seems to have found something amusing.






"But from what I've seen so far, your lady seems to be completely different from the rumors"






"That's why I told you right?" (Kuze)




Tsubaki seems to be a little bit bothered by being told that she's different nevertheless she is quite intrigued by the closeness of these two girls.






"The two of you seems to be good friends" 






"It's because we've been together since we were in kindergarten and both of our moms are alumni of this school and the best friend of each other."






"I see."








And from the looks of it, Kuze gives off a frail, sickly lady that's why Nikaidou's over-protectiveness towards the former is understandable. Tsubaki convincingly thought to herself. 






While she's still lost in her own thoughts, the other two looked at each other and seems to have reached an agreement as they both nodded their heads and looked towards Tsubaki. 








"Asahina-san. I don't know about what you actually know but what we might tell you from here on shock you but despite that, I still want to tell you this."






"Do you think you have the courage to listen to it?"








"Sure. Sure. Please do say it" Despite the tension enveloping in the room right now and the serious gaze of the two, Tsubaki who hates beating around the bushes answered her.




The two seem to be quite flustered and at a loss after seeing Tsubaki's actions as if telling them that if they have anything they want to say then just say it. 






"Sigh, I don't know if you are just courageous or you are too fearless. It's really hard to say."






"Mari. Please let me tell her myself."


Hearing Kuze's words, Nikaidou closed her mouth after saying 'sure, sure go ahead'. Seeing the latter like that. Kuze took a deep breath to calm herself, she opened her mouth and said in one breath.




   "The thing is on my mother's side of the family. They manage a hospital and the head director of that hospital is the eldest son of the family, who got married five years ago with a daughter from a previous relationship...umm...I really don't how to say this but she's..."














"The woman who is the mistress of the former director of the Kurahashi corporation and the daughter she brought is supposed to be my sister from a different mother, Mio-san right?" 

 Kuze, who seems to be hesitating on how to continue from there was abruptly cut off by Tsubaki.



It isn't something that can be said easily that's why her hesitant actions are easily understandable since she is telling it to Tsubaki, who is directly involved in a complicated situation.



But it doesn't matter much since matters regarding that mother and daughter are investigated from time to time by the Mizushima family, like who they're with right now. What's more, Tsubaki's mother and father explained it simply to Tsubaki that's why she's aware of the current situation of Mio and her mother.




"So you knew about it"




"Well, their movements are thoroughly known by the Mizushima's. And things related to their family. But of course, they only did it to investigate and have no plans on doing anything and those things are only known by the Mizushima's"




"Of course even I know that the Mizushima's won't do anything unreasonable. And about that Mio-san, Asahina-san are you acquainted with her?"



"..only until when I was four years old. We haven't spoken a word after that."



After hearing Tsubaki's words, Kuze frowned as if she had given up as she sighed. Even Nikaidou shakes her head while saying "sheesh". 


"I did think of that but still. You and your mother both forcibly left and since you were both completely hidden in public there's no way you can do something against Mio-san."




"So you mean to say, Mio-san has been saying things. And from the looks of it, it seems like she's been spreading that I did something to her, like perhaps bullying her. Maybe something around that."  

After saying that and the affirming look Kuze gave her, it seems to be about right.


It has passed already and for sure there's no way the truth about what happened back in the Kurahashi estate can be known to all. Perhaps a person who doesn't know about the truth of the matter will not blame Mio's mother but put all the blame to Kurahashi as the cause for everything.


And then they'll spread out words that the mistress child is being bullied by the legitimate child. It's the usual sort of thing. 


There's really no differentiating between rich and poor, to a person, somebody else scandal is an immediate favorite. It would not even matter whether its the truth or not, it is all good as long as they find it interesting.  


That's why whether Mio acts like the victim and spread it to everyone, they'll go along with her as long as it's interesting. And since their side doesn't react or do anything about it, the more it escalates.




"I also thought like that. I'm really sorry about you, Asahina-san but during the Star Festival when you helped me, I thought that maybe I had the wrong impression about you."




"Well with Asahina-san usual attitude it just seemed more credible. So it could not be helped" 

Hearing the words of the two girls all Tsubaki can do is to answer with a dry laugh. She can't really say anything in defense against Mio's lies due to her usual actions and words.



  But it is unthinkable that the main conversation would be about Mio's lies as Tsubaki can feel that this is only like a light jab before they go to the main subject.


"By the way, is that all that you want to tell me Kuze-sama?"



"To be honest, if you were like the person that Mio-san says you are, I don't really care if you two destroy each other but you are just completely different from the person I've heard from the rumours. That's why keeping my mouth shut at this point is just something that I can't do as it would only hurt my conscience."



"I thought we're done after you confirmed my relationship with Mio-san"




With a stubborn look in her eyes, Kuze vehemently denied it and with a serious expression, she said, "Asahina-san please don't let your guard down against Mio-san. That girl's head is filled with the thought on how to destroy you."

Well, of course, Tsubaki thought after logically considering things.



And the matter between hers and Kyousuke's engagement may have long been heard by Mio. She can just imagine Mio gritting her teeth in annoyance and anger because things won't go as well as she had originally planned. 



In the first place, the whole thing about their engagement is a lie known by everyone close to them and to others, their engagement is the real deal.





"So you came all the way here to tell and warn me. Thank you so much but there's nothing to worry about. I'm quite good at showing my bad side"




"That I can understand after seeing your usual behavior. But the current Mio-san is way too obsessed about getting back at you. Well, the problem also lies with how my uncle can't seem to handle her but recently even our relatives were whispering about it."



"Not like that uncle of yours can actually control that girl. since he's quite the 'yes man' of Mio-san's mother"



"Mari, saying it like that is bad."




"But I'm just stating the truth"




Even though Kuze gently chided Nikaidou perhaps deep inside she agrees to Nikaidou's words as well.  


Tsubaki can easily imagine both Mio and her mother saying 'I want this' or 'I want that' while asking for too much. So she's not surprised if even their relatives are saying things about them.






For Mio's mother, the most important thing for that woman is to win against Tsubaki's mother. Even though she was close to the downfall of her mother back in the Kurahashi house, it was still incomplete.




And when her mother remarried to Asahina Kaouru, she can't be satisfied with just getting married to someone even better than the person her mother married. Maybe unless they're in the same field and her own mother is suffering then Naoko will never be satiated.



Since she's being ignored by her then she's become much more obsessed. From a different perspective, it could also mean that it is the win of her mother.  



Well, they do say rich people do usually fight against their kind, most of the time.



"Senpais (how do you even pluralize that in English.**OTL) Just like what I've mentioned before. If some tragedy befalls to us, parent and child then both the Mizushima and Asahina won't just standby anymore. But currently, we can't nor do we have any plans on doing it right now. Though I'm not sure what will happen once we've reached middle school/junior high. Right now I'm just hoping and praying that Mio-san won't be such a disappointment by that time."




After hearing her words, Kuze and Nikaidou looked at each other and she can somehow hear the two whisperings in a low voice,

"Eh? Isn't it impossible" (Kuze)



"Nah~ there's just no remedy for that anymore" (Nikaidou)



Seeing the two of them like that, perhaps there's really no more hope for her anymore.





She only has two more years left to do all the necessary preparations or else there's gonna be hell to see once middle school starts, Tsubaki thought to herself as she braces herself for what's to come.





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