Chapter 15 - Criticizing Kaori (2/2)

Rio returned his intense eyes to Kaori and saw her shy reaction. She couldn't look him in the eyes because he had revealed what she considered as her most embarrassing secret. However, Rio was watching Kaori's reaction with an unamused expression.

Rio was about to give Kaori a piece of his mind. It is true that when Rio read the story, he felt nothing but amus.e.m.e.nt for Hajime's misfortune. But, it was when the event was told as a story.

Rio's current life wasn't a story—at least, in his current perspective, and he saw Hajime as a real living person just like him. Realizing this fact Rio couldn't help but feel pity for him. Rio was only helping Hajime because of his pity for the boy.

”From your reaction, I take it that you like Hajime romantically,” Rio clarified and paused for a moment. He then continued on. ”Then, I want you to stop that for Hajime's sake, Kaori.”

The four teenagers were struck dumb again by Rio's warning. Rio wasn't surprised when Kaori recovered first and glared at him heatedly. In fact, there was a minuscule hatred in her usually kind eyes as she glared at him.

”Why? Why should I stop showing off my feeling towards Nagumo? Who are you to demand that from me?!”

Kouki and the rest were taken aback by the heat and venom in Kaori's tone. It must be the first time for them to see this side of Kaori. However, Rio didn't show any sign of surprise. He always knew that Kaori was far from being flawless. In fact, Kaori was what the Japanese called Yandere type girl. And she inherited this trait from her mother—Kaoruko Shirasaki. Rio knew about this information from the After Story.

Shizuku who was very s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e and sharp probably had guessed where this headed on. She had been sending a desperate look in Rio's direction, pleading to Rio to stop. And though Rio had a plan to pick Shizuku up in the future, he wouldn't just cave in under her desperate look.

”Why, you ask? Because your blind affection for him has been giving him nothing but grief. Do you know that your action in showering him with your attention and affection just hurting him?”

Rio's cold, ruthless words were like a straight hook that punched Kaori's gut. She staggered back with an expression full of disbelief and denial.

”Impossible! Lies! There is no way I am hurting Nagumo!”

”Do you think so? Of course, you think so! How can you be so sure? Because you are blind to the truth! Do you know what everyone around you thinks about that? They think that someone at the bottom of the social ladder like Hajime is unsuited to earn your attention! The idol of everyone and the most beautiful girl in the eyes of many! Do you know what kind of hardship Hajime has endured from boys who envied his position because of your blind attention? Of course, you don't! After all, you are busy fantasizing about your puppy love for him! Do you know how he feels when everyone around him looks at him in contempt? Of course, you don't! You only have a tunnel vision on him alone and disregarding everyone else! Do you know that the bullying he experienced has gone physical? A fat chance, you are!”

Each question and answer Rio spoke out was like a brutal punch that hit Kaori's weakened spirit. The girl was staggering back and had a horrified expression. Though she was an airhead and was oblivious to everything around her for the majority of times, it didn't mean this girl was stupid. She was actually smart and could become very observant if she wanted. However, her fixation for Hajime hampered her brilliant mind. That was why she couldn't see what Hajime endured because of her.

Rio's words like a wake-up slap that awakened her up to the truth that had been eluding her, that made her question her friends as to why they seemed to dislike Hajime when she thought him as an amazing person he was.

”Enough! I wouldn't let you upset Kaori anymore!”

Rio heaved a fed-up sigh when he heard Kouki's loud warning. He turned at the wannabe hero and looked down at him with a condescending look an a.d.u.l.t would give a naughty, misbehaving kid.

Although Rio had yet to finish giving Kaori a piece of his mind, he wouldn't mind allowing her to recover from her shock while he gave Kouki a dressing down.