Does This Love Suit Your Taste? - Volume 1 Chapter 1.1

Terrine 1

“Enough already!! Kiminami Toui!!”

During the Japanese history class, the roar of Kondo-sensei, who is also in charge of student guidance, dominated the space and pierced the ears.

The cause was the blue medallion earring dangling from my left ear.

This was the result of not heeding the warning to take it off.

Ignoring my name being called, I turned my face toward the window, where a faint reflection of myself appeared.

Earring, a violation of school rules.

The red pin above my forehead holding back my bangs, a violation of school rules.

Hair in a two-tone wolf cut with only the nape bleached, a violation of school rules.

Loosened tie, a violation of school rules.

The bright red hoodie, a violation of school rules.

I am aware that I am dressed like what is commonly referred to as a ‘delinquent high school student.’

“Don’t make me say it again! Take off that earring!”

Kondo-sensei has been interrupting the class and shouting at me persistently since earlier.

But this earring has a special meaning to me. That’s why I don’t want to take it off.

Narrowing my eyes, which often appear innocent, I shift my gaze back to the class, only to be met with numerous eyes seemingly urging me to quickly take off my earring.

And among them, a cocky guy from the class named Kazama stands up and faces me.

“You, take off that earring already.”

As if he thinks he’s some hero of justice, his intervention just makes things more annoying.

But that doesn’t mean I want to solve it by taking off my earring.

When I turned away again, Kazama didn’t miss a beat and pointed a finger at me.

“Also, you should at least look them in the eye when you talk to someone.”

Irritated by Kazama’s attitude, as if he’s dealing with a child, I click my tongue. In response, Kazama smirks at me with a look of exasperation.

“See? Don’t you realize you’re bothering everyone?”

The word ‘bother’ irks me, and I frown.

“…How exactly is my earring bothering any of you?”

Kazama then looks down on me with disdain and brushes back his neatly trimmed straight mash haircut.

“Don’t you get it? The class has to stop because Sensei is paying attention to you. Isn’t that a bother?”

“The one stopping the class is that Sensei over there. If you want to continue with the class, why don’t you talk to him? It’s not my fault.”

“What!? Kimina—”

“You’re Kazama, right?”

Before Kondo-sensei could scold me for my words, I glared at Kazama.

“What’s the reason my earring is a bother to you?”

“I’m telling you… Earrings are banned in this school. Just take off the earring already… Sensei is angry because you’re not following the school’s rules…”

“So, if it’s a school rule, you would strip naked right here, right now?”

“W-what are you talking about… There’s no way I’d do that. Don’t change the subject.”

“I’m not changing the subject. You’re the one who brought up the school rules. That example is a bit exaggerated, but I’m saying the premise of ‘follow the rules because they’re rules’ is what’s wrong in the first place. You get it?”

Without a moment’s delay, I continue.

“In fact, it’s you who’s been changing the subject this whole time.”

“What…?”

“There are tons of people with piercings out there. Are they causing trouble for anyone? Is it against the law? Is it ethically wrong? No, it’s not. So what’s the problem? I don’t understand why, but you guys say it’s not allowed? Come on, say it. I’ve been asking all this time, ‘Why shouldn’t I wear this earring?’ How is my earring causing any trouble to you?”

“That is…”

“Oh? Kazama-kun? Weren’t you supposed to look people in the eyes when you talk to them?”

Kazama grits his teeth and falls silent.

Surely now he understands how justified my argument is.

“Kazama, you haven’t said anything wrong. It’s just that this problem child’s head is the problem…”

Unable to bear Kazama’s silence any longer, Sensei hung me up like I was a symbol of evil, followed up with an ‘Alright’, and clapped his hands together.

“If that’s your attitude, then I understand. We don’t need a problem child(問題児) who can’t even follow the school rules here. Get out of the classroom right now and go home! Do whatever you like!”

Here it comes, Sensei’s favorite catchphrase.

Reluctantly taking Sensei’s words at face value, I weigh my options once more.

Leave or remove the earrings.

But no matter how I think about it, I can’t understand why I should stay here by taking out my earrings.

It’s still unclear how wearing the earring is harming anyone, and I just can’t agree with the argument of ‘remove it because it’s the rule.’

And then the teacher hurries me along, ‘Come on, come on! Off you go!”

With that much said, I can’t argue. I grab my bag and stand up from my seat.

As I started walking from my seat by the window at the back of the room towards the rear door, Sensei’s eyes, which were bloodshot a moment ago, widened in surprise, and sweat beads were on his forehead.

“Wait, Kiminami… where do you think you’re going?”

“I can’t take off the earring, so I’m going home.”

“You idiot! Who actually leaves? Just take off the earring! If a teacher told you to die, would you die?”

I’m dumbfounded at the way this guy over forty throws a tantrum like a tsundere girl.

“I’m not gonna die. That’s why I’m not taking off my earrings either. Rather, you should be thankful I’m leaving when you tell me to. Well then──”

“Wh-what did you say…? Hey! Wait a minute! Stop, Kiminami!”

Chasing after me as I stepped into the hallway, Sensei burst out of the classroom.

His shouting voice echoed through the school building, causing students and teachers from other classes to poke their heads out, wondering what was going on.

And if you listen carefully────

“There goes Kiminami Toui again… he never learns.”

“That delinquent is always alone. How did he even manage to advance to the next grade?”

“He should just quietly listen to what the teacher says…”

Such whispers could be heard here and there.

My classmates and even Kondo were all looking at my back. People often say ‘to each their own’, but to me, they all seemed to have the same face.

Seeing all these identical faces together, I couldn’t help but find the pressure to conform in a group utterly ridiculous.

Sensei let out a relieved sigh when I stopped walking and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with his hand.

“Listen, Kiminami, don’t move from there… For now, I’ll overlook your earrings… so at least quietly attend the class… I’m the one who’s going to get scolded later…”

“Sensei, but didn’t you say it yourself that I don’t have to die?”

“Ugh…”

“Alright, then that’s settled.”

“You, Kiminami!! Kiminami Touiiii!!!!!!”

My name echoed throughout the school.

As if the corridor was my own runway, I start running under everyone’s watchful eyes.

◇

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TN: Terrine (title) is a french dish.