What’s on Her Mind
March 30Ibuki was frustrated.
The reason was obvious—an incredibly boring movie and the annoying couple sitting next to her: Ayanokoji and Karuizawa.
Feeling irritated, she left the cinema early, let out a deep sigh and checked her personal points balance on her phone.
"…Totally spent."
For a second-year high school student, the monthly personal points were more than enough as an allowance and saving money wasn’t supposed to be difficult.
But Ibuki was the type to spend as soon as she had money and never think about the future. So she was constantly broke.
The thought of having wasted her time on that movie made her anger flare up again.
Although new points were deposited at the start of the month, the end of the month was always challenging.
"At least if the movie had been enjoyable…"
Her frustration boiled over.
"Ughhh—so annoying!"
How could she get rid of this frustration?
As she wandered aimlessly, she spotted something—a trash can placed in the Keyaki Mall.
Without hesitation, she took a few quick steps and kicked it, ignoring the stares of people around her.
She thought she’d feel a little better afterward.
But…
The trash can only wobbled violently but it didn’t fall over—probably because it was heavier than expected due to the amount of trash inside.
It was a half-hearted kick, neither too strong nor too weak.
The trash can stood there as if mocking her, having barely moved from its original position.
"…Even you’re messing with me?"
Rather than relieving her frustration, it only made things worse.
At first, she just wanted to kick it. But now, her goal changed—she had to knock it over.
If she could send the trash flying, that would be really satisfying for her.
"You damn—!"
This time, she aimed with more power and speed.
She imagined the trash can as someone she despised.
She took a stance as if delivering a finishing blow, ready to take down Ayanokoji— I mean the trash can.
Just then—
"What are you doing, Ibuki?"
A male voice, tinged with slight anger, interrupted her just before she could strike.
She froze and turned toward the voice.
Standing there, arms crossed, was Katsuragi, frowning in surprise.
"You… why are you here?"
"What do you mean? It’s not unusual for me to be at Keyaki Mall during break."
"Yeah, it is."
"You seem irritated, but kicking a trash can over isn’t something I can condone. If you don’t act with discipline, it won’t benefit our class."
"Benefit the class? What’s the big deal about kicking a trash can?"
Ibuki had no intention of causing trouble and that was the impression she gave.
Katsuragi took a step closer.
"If a student is caught misbehaving by the school, we’ll lose points. Whether it’s a school day, a holiday, or even spring break, the rules don’t change. You should have learned this over the past two years."
"Ugh… always lecturing."
"Lecturing? No, this is just common sense and proper conduct as a student. Besides, Ibuki, you—"
"Tch."
Seeing that Katsuragi was about to launch into a long lecture, Ibuki clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"My damn luck to get caught by a pain in the ass."
She waved her hand dismissively, trying to shut him up.
"Fine, fine. I was wrong, okay? Bye."
As she tried to walk away, Katsuragi grabbed her arm.
"What now?"
"You kicked the trash can, so now put it back in its place."
"Hah!? Who cares about a little position change?"
"I care. And if I care, the school might care too."
He pointed at a security camera.
"You’re so stubborn. The school isn’t watching every second, especially not over random trash cans."
"Maybe not. But it’s better to be safe than sorry."
Saying that, Katsuragi pulled her back toward the trash can.
"…This is stupid."
But since she wanted to get this over with, she begrudgingly moved the trash can back.
"There... satisfied?"
"No. It was originally about 20 centimeters to the right."
"What?!"
"Move it 20 centimeters to the right."
Katsuragi repeated himself firmly.
Ibuki clenched her teeth in frustration but sighed and adjusted the trash can as instructed.
"Any… more… problems?"
"Hmm. Well, I suppose that’s fine now."
Satisfied, Katsuragi straightened his posture and even bowed slightly toward the camera.
"Are you an idiot?"
Ibuki couldn’t help but blurt out a retort but Katsuragi ignored her and started walking away.
She could have just let him leave but something bothered her.
"Hey, your goal’s already been achieved, right?"
"Goal?"
"Sakayanagi lost to Ryuen and got expelled. You don’t have to keep acting so uptight anymore."
"…I see. That was one of my objectives, yes. But I had hoped to achieve it with my own hands."
Katsuragi stopped, crossing his arms and lost in thought.
"But that doesn’t mean I’ve lost my purpose. I still aim to graduate from Class A."
"You want the special privilege too?"
"Of course. Who wouldn’t? But more importantly, it’s about leading the entire class to victory—not just myself."
Katsuragi wasn’t originally part of Ryuen’s class.
In fact, they had been enemies for a long time.
But now, he claimed to care more about the class than anyone else.
To Ibuki, it all seemed like fake kindness—hypocrisy.
"Really?"
"Absolutely."
So it wasn’t hypocrisy.
He was determined to move forward with Ryuen and guide their class to success.
"That’s why you keep tutoring people?"
"It’s not tutoring—it’s responding to their requests for help. I can’t ignore those in need."
"So if someone asks for help, you’ll always do it?"
"More or less."
"Then let me kick you a few times."
"…What?"
"I’m pissed off and I need to kick something."
"That’s a strange thing to say. But unfortunately, I’d rather not be kicked."
"Then who can I kick?"
"Preferably someone who enjoys being kicked. That way, it benefits the class."
"…Alright."
"Aside from that, if you need 'actual' help, I don’t mind assisting you."
"Hmm..."
Ibuki realized something—whether Katsuragi’s kindness was real or fake, he was easy to use.
Testing her theory, she made a request.
"Then buy me a meal."
"Why did we jump from kicking people to this?"
"You said you’d help and being broke is a real problem."
She showed her phone screen, revealing her balance.
"…You had more money when we first enrolled."
"Not to brag but I am completely broke."
"That’s not a thing to be proud of."
"Then buy me something. Good food will help me to relieve my stress."
"I see."
Katsuragi nodded, then looked at her seriously.
"No."
"Huh?! Why not? Aren’t you supposed to help classmates in need?"
"Only when they’re truly in need."
"I have zero points!"
"If you’re really desperate, you can eat the school’s basic meal plan. You’re not actually starving. And you’ll get points in April. I see no urgent reason to help."
Ibuki glared at him.
"But I want to eat better food."
"Then budget better next month."
"I am budgeting! Girls have a lot of expenses!"
"If that’s the case, ask a fellow girl who’s good with money for a advice."
Before she could argue, Katsuragi walked away.
She had thought he’d be easy to manipulate, but now she regretted it.
"That guy… Ugh, now I’m even more hungrier."
Holding her stomach, she sighed.
"Guess I’ll head back…"
Realizing there was no point in staying at the Keyaki Mall any longer, she decided to return to the dorms
1
Instead of going back to her own room, Ibuki headed straight to another room and knocked hard on the door.
"What do you want?"
The person who answered, looking mildly annoyed, was Horikita Suzune, a student from a different class.
"Mind if I come in for a bit?"
"What if I say no?"
"…Then forget it."
Seeing Horikita’s less-than-enthusiastic attitude, Ibuki turned around immediately. But before she could leave, Horikita called out to her.
"I was joking. Come in."
"Then just say that from the start."
Without hesitation, Ibuki stepped into Horikita’s room.
"Let me guess, you’re here for food? It is the end of the month, after all."
"Don’t just assume things."
"Am I wrong?"
"…Well, this time, you’re right."
Horikita sighed and started preparing tea.
"It’s still early. Just relax for a bit. I’ll call Kushida over later, too."
"Her too? That girl never stops talking. It’s exhausting."
Kushida was always full of information about the school and could talk endlessly.
"And you’re any different?"
Horikita gave Ibuki a pointed look.
"Hah? Don’t lump me in with her."
Despite her protest, an hour later, Kushida arrived, bringing the group to three—Ibuki, Horikita, and Kushida.
Lately, they had been spending more and more time together.
For Ibuki—no, for all three of them—it should have been an unpleasant situation. And yet…
"If it weren’t for the food, I wouldn’t even be here…"
Ibuki muttered under her breath.
"Did you say something?"
Horikita, who was standing in the kitchen, turned around to ask.
Ibuki kept a straight face and didn’t respond. Instead, she lay flat on the floor, staring at the ceiling she had grown so familiar with.
She started thinking.
This kind of life… will not continue.
She shouldn’t let herself get comfortable with this.
Ibuki didn’t want to admit it.
She had grown closer to Horikita and Kushida—two people she had once disliked the most.
And this place had become… comfortable.
She was becoming too aware of that fact.
That’s why she needed to leave before it was too late.
Being alone was the only way she could be truly happy in the end.
That was just the kind of person she was.
Even if she didn’t leave on her own, one day, Horikita and Kushida would eventually leave her behind.
She knew that.
Her selfish personality would inevitably push them away.
She should just go now.
She shouldn’t come back.
That thought crossed her mind for a brief moment—
But then, the delicious aroma of the food filled the room and all those thoughts vanished in an instant.
She was broke right now, so she didn’t have a choice.
She could think about leaving… next time.
As she ate, the frustration she had felt earlier mysteriously disappeared.
Credits
Translator: @NemesysIO
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