Does This Love Suit Your Taste? - Volume 1 Chapter 8.4

Riz au Lait 4

After school, Rira was called out by Kazama and was on her way to the back of the gymnasium again.

It was because of the environment she was raised in. Without realizing it, she had always lived for others.

That was normal for her, that was her common sense.

She had a strong consciousness that being self-centered was despicable.

However, along the path of her life, the man who appeared before Rira made her own way of living seem foolish.

She had been trying to live up to the expectations of the people around her at school, giving dreams to countless people through the media, and even throwing away her own youth with the intention of getting married.

Yet that man just sneered at her determination and adamantly said ‘no’ without any care for what others thought.

That was what Rira couldn’t tolerate.

Why was she living for others while he lived for himself?

Why did her good-girl self, ready to give herself up to him, get rejected by a problem child who only thought of himself?

She was so angry she couldn’t stand it.

That’s why Rira tried to strip him of all his freedom.

Intending to vent the frustration she had been holding back from her own selfishness, she demanded his submission.

She wanted to say, ‘serves you right.’—but couldn’t.

As she spent more time with him, she realized his true nature.

What was inside him was different from mere selfishness.

He advocated not just for his own righteousness but for the importance of the individual. He even affirmed Rira’s whims.

Originally, the reason she was angry at Toui’s self-centered attitude was not because it was wrong. It was nothing but jealousy, envying his way of life.

Amidst realizing her own pitifulness, these thoughts came to her mind—

『I don’t need your fake kindness! I hate everyone! They’re all my enemies! Just disappear! Go away!』

『I hope that from now on, Rira-chan and the adults will consider Toui’s feelings a little and the future of this place…』

All that was left was to be painfully aware of the shallowness of her actions.

She and he shouldn’t be together. Otherwise, she would surely taint his honest heart.

(I guess I ended up being hated… Though I think I was never liked to begin with)

…the truth was, there were still lingering feelings for Toui deep down in Rira’s heart.

Like a flame slowly dying out, it seemed as if her own emotions and her relationship with him would gradually fade and be extinguished.

With no time to soothe the aching in her chest from the regret, she found herself already near the back of the gymnasium.

Wondering what Kazama wanted to talk about, she masked her anxiety with her usual skillfully crafted fake smile and stepped forward.

“…Kazama-kun.”

“You came… I’m glad.”

“Of course I came! So, what did you want to talk about today?”

Rira forced a smile, and then, unexpectedly, Kazama didn’t delve into the anticipated main topic.

Instead, he quickly approached Rira and took her hand.

“Let’s change the location, this isn’t the place. Come with me.”

“Wait… huh, where to—”

After being led away from behind the gymnasium by Kazama, Rira looked up at the place they had arrived at and was struck speechless.

—It was the old school building.

A place filled with memories for her—a territory she had never let anyone invade.

For most students, it was a place they never set foot in.

His grip was firm, and in the somewhat bizarre atmosphere, Rira felt a sense of dread.

Then, at the classroom where Kazama stopped, Rira realized that bringing her here was no mere coincidence.

…It was the classroom where she always met Toui.

As soon as they entered, Kazama first locked the old-fashioned lock on the door.

“Just to confirm, you’ve cut ties with Kiminami, right?”

“Huh…? Ah, y-yes…”

“I see… hehe, I’m glad! Ah, you finally understand…! That guy can’t make Rira happy!”

And then——

“——Huh? Wait… no!”

Kazama aimed for Rira’s lips.

Rira dodged just in time, avoiding the worst, but Kazama still smiled refreshingly at Rira’s frightened figure and pushed her down on the desks lined up by the classroom window.

“I like you, Rira.”

“What…”

“I’ve always liked you, Rira… It’s not that problem child who will make you happy, Rira. It’s me!”

Rira has always tried to accept whatever comes her way as much as possible, but even she has never been ambiguous when it comes to confessions.

She has always been sincere, telling people she doesn’t like that she doesn’t like them.

…looking at this situation, it seems like she won’t be able to stop what’s happening if she doesn’t reject this quickly.

If things continue this way, there’s a possibility she could be unilaterally violated.

“Wait, stop. Sorry… I’m not thinking about that kind of thing right now…”

“No, I know. That’s why it’s okay if you don’t understand now. You’ll come to like me eventually, or rather, I’ll make you fall for me.”

(Ugh…)

However, the conversation is not getting through.

Hearing Kazama’s terrible reasoning made her realize even more how righteous Toui’s way of sticking to himself was.

Toui is just living his life believing in himself.

He just hates being told what to do by others, but he doesn’t harm anyone for his own sake.

In contrast, Kazama believes that his own thoughts are the justice, common sense, and order of the world.