After My Girlfriend Dumped Me, I Got Reincarnated As A High School Student. That Part’s Fine—But Why Are All My Ex-Girlfriends Here Too? - Chapter 24 – Explosive
I left the library, ready to talk to Mie—but right away, I ran into one big problem.
“Wait… where is she, anyway…?”
When I saw her earlier, I’m pretty sure she was with some handsome upperclassman.
Well, that figures. Mie always did have a thing for good-looking guys…
When I once asked her what she liked about me, she answered “your face” without even hesitating.
So maybe her new boyfriend was another case of love at first sight.
I just hope this one’s actually a good guy…
Thinking that, I wandered down the hallway with no destination in mind.
“There’s only so much I can do alone, huh…”
I sighed and looked around.
“Hey, uh—got a minute?”
“Hm? Yes?”
The person I called out to was Mizuno Yuri, a girl from my class.
Wait… have we even talked before?
Something about her felt really familiar—and not in a good way.
“Oh, sorry! I already have a boyfriend, so… if this is that kind of thing…”
Eh!? Why am I getting rejected when I didn’t even confess!?
“No, no! I have zero interest in you, not even a little bit!”
“That’s kind of rude, you know…”
Eh… what am I supposed to do with this conversation…?
“Ah! Shotan!”
“Ugh…”
Right. I remembered now.
These two were that lovey-dovey couple from before…
“Yuritan! Who’s this guy?”
“I dunno? Just someone from my class, I think…”
Wow. Okay, that reaction stung a little. Not that I remembered them either, but still!
“What do you want with my Yuritan?”
The handsome guy glared at me.
Why… why did I talk to them? I really wanted to go back a few minutes and punch myself.
“Listen, Shotan! He came up to me, and I thought he was confessing, but then he said he’s not interested in me!”
“What!?”
Oh great, this was turning into a whole mess.
“So, if he was interested, I’d be mad, but if he’s not, I’m still mad!”
What am I supposed to do with that logic!?
Before things got any worse, I decided to just cut to the point.
“Uh, listen. I totally support your love. Really. But can you help me with something first?”
“What!? You’ll support us!?”
Ugh, why do I have to say stuff like this…
“You’re a good guy, man.”
“Hahaha. Of course I am—we’re classmates, after all.”
“Thanks!”
Wow. Even though I said it in the flattest tone ever, they actually believed me.
“Seriously, though, I appreciate it. I don’t have many people I can talk to about this kinda stuff.”
Somehow, they made me exchange contact info with them before I could even bring up what I really wanted.
When I finally did, Yuri tilted her head.
“Hanaoka?”
“Yeah. Do you know where she is right now?”
“Oh, you mean that plain girl? I heard she got a super handsome boyfriend recently.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that too.”
‘Plain girl’ was unnecessary, but it definitely sounded like Mie.
“But, uh… I also heard some pretty bad rumors about that guy.”
“Bad rumors…?”
Uh oh. That didn’t sound good.
“Yeah, I’ve heard them too. Stuff like—he’s a serial cheater, and he dumps girls as soon as he gets bored.”
“You’re kidding…”
So, she got caught up with a guy like that…?
“Now that you mention it, I saw Hanaoka and that guy heading up the stairs earlier.”
“Huh? That’s not good. If they’re going to the rooftop, it’s pretty empty up there…”
“This is bad—I can’t just stand around!”
There was no way I could ignore that.
“Hurry, my best friend!”
He gave me a thumbs up.
Wait, when did I become your best friend!?
I returned the gesture anyway and ran toward the roof.
The halls were quiet—too quiet—and it made my chest tighten with unease.
“—Let me go!”
That voice… it was Mie’s.
I sprinted up the stairs. Her voice got louder.
“What’s your problem!? You should be grateful I’m even dating a boring girl like you!”
“Th-that’s not—!”
Wait, are there actually people who talk like that in real life!?
I peeked through the door to the rooftop and froze.
The guy was trying to force himself on Mie—her uniform half undone, her pink underwear peeking through her open shirt.
What the hell… is this really happening!?
And of all people, it had to be my ex!
This was the last kind of scene I ever wanted to see.
But there was no way I could just walk away.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Before I knew it, I’d thrown the door open.
Mie’s eyes went wide in shock.
“Huh? Who the hell are you?”
Wow. He actually said “huh?” out loud like a cliché thug.
I’m not good at fighting—and dying once didn’t suddenly make me better at it.
So, what could I do?
The answer was simple.
As the guy stepped closer, I swung my long leg up and kicked him hard right between the legs.
“Guh—!?”
Guess having long legs finally paid off for once.
“Come on! We’re getting out of here!”
I grabbed Mie’s hand and pulled her to her feet.
“W-wait—!”
“Stop right there!”
He tried to chase us, but there was no way he was getting up that fast after a hit like that.
Even my weak kick must’ve done serious damage.
We bolted off the rooftop and ducked into an empty classroom nearby.
As soon as we got inside, Mie jerked her hand away.
“Ah—sorry…”
She sank down to the floor, hugging her shoulders, trembling.
She must’ve been terrified. If I’d been even a minute later, she might’ve ended up with scars that would never fade.
I quietly took off my jacket and placed it over her shoulders.
But she shoved it away.
“Why’d you help me…?”
She glared at me.
“Would you rather I didn’t?”
“That’s not it, but still…!”
I knew what she meant. She didn’t hate that I helped—she just hated that it was me.
“Where the hell did they go!?”
A voice yelled from the hallway.
“…!”
Mie’s shaking grew worse. Her face went pale.
Honestly, I wanted to get the hell out of there too.
She didn’t want my help anyway—it was just unwanted charity.
But still, I grabbed her hand again and pulled her behind the teacher’s desk.
“W-wait—!”
Like I could just leave her!
The space was cramped. If anyone looked from the blackboard side, we’d be found immediately.
But I didn’t care. I just waited, listening as the shouting and footsteps slowly faded away.
For a while, Mie said nothing—just sat there trembling.
I placed my jacket over her shoulders again. This time, she didn’t resist.
She must’ve been really scared—and lonely.
When things finally went quiet, we both let out a small breath of relief.
Wait… hold on a sec.
What is this situation?
I mean, yeah, I acted on instinct, but…
Right in front of me—my ex, trembling, barely an inch away.
I could smell her shampoo, the same scent she used to have—it hit me with a wave of nostalgia.
And her shirt was still half-open, her pink bra faintly visible…
If anyone saw us like this, it’d definitely look bad.
“S-sorry… I’ll go check if it’s safe outside—”
“Don’t go…”
She grabbed my arm.
Uh… what do I even do now…?
“You went and helped me on your own, so don’t you dare leave me alone now…”
That faint accent in her voice—I’d forgotten how soft and comforting it used to sound.
I sighed and sat back down beside her.
“Sorry… about everything.”
“I don’t forgive you.”
Instant reply.
But I expected that, so I continued.
“Back then, I was a mess. I said a lot of terrible things I didn’t mean. I wasn’t thinking about you at all.
And by the time I realized that… we weren’t even talking anymore. I’ve wanted to apologize ever since.”
“I see…”
“It’s pathetic, I know. Even now, it’s just an excuse. If this hadn’t happened, I probably wouldn’t have had the courage to say it.”
“Yeah.”
“So, if it’s okay, maybe we could—”
“That’s impossible.”
Why do I keep getting rejected today…?
And both times it wasn’t even romantic rejection, just—circumstantial.
Guess that makes me a “loser hero.” A make-ro. …Wow, that even sounds cursed.
“I—I don’t plan on forgiving you. But… thank you. For helping me.”
“O-oh. Sure.”
Then, the classroom door suddenly creaked open.
“!?”
We both froze.
Crap, crap, crap!
Did he find us already!?
Damn it… at least let me get Mie out of here—!
Footsteps came closer… and stopped right in front of the teacher’s desk.
I leaned forward, covering Mie’s body to protect her—
“Yuta… what are you doing?”
There stood Shima—her eyes dead, no light in them at all.
Honestly… that was even scarier than the guy from before.