My Classmate Whom I Helped Seems to Be Mentally Sick, So I've Been Trying My Best to Hide My True Identity, But It Seems Like I've Been Found Out - Chapter 1

He is My Destiny

“Hey, look! It’s Sumire Murasaki!”

“Man, she’s cute. Ah, I wish I could get close to her.”

“You know, I heard a rumor recently that Murasaki has a guy she likes. Apparently, it’s the dude who took down that street thug.”

“You mean the guy in the Momo-nyan costume? So, who is he?”

“Who knows? A lot of people are looking, but there doesn’t seem to be any information.”

“Huh. So, what if I said, ‘Actually, it was me’? Think I’d get caught?”

“Idiot! What will you do if the real guy shows up?”

“Haha, fair point.”

In the morning.

I, who had arrived at school a bit early, was spacing out alone in the classroom and overheard a conversation between a few boys who had also come early.

It seems the fact that Sumire Murasaki is searching for me is quite well-known.

She’s going around asking if anyone knows Momo-nyan’s real identity.

But considering that conversation, there’s a chance that as long as my identity remains a mystery, someone might try to impersonate me.

Perhaps some fools might do it just for the chance to be liked by Sumire Murasaki.

As I was thinking about this, sure enough, it happened.

“Murasaki-san, actually, I was the one who saved you that day.”

As Sumire Murasaki was passing right in front of my classroom, a boy approached her and said that.

It was Maeda, a famously handsome guy among our classmates.

I’ve only heard rumors that he’s a star player on the basketball team. Tall, refreshing, and popular with girls.

I see. He’s after Sumire Murasaki too.

“You were the person inside Momo-nyan?”

“Yeah, so date me.”

“…I hate liars.”

“Huh?”

“I’m sorry. I have no business with you. Excuse me.”

Murasaki, who had just brushed off the most sought-after guy in our grade within seconds, proceeded to walk past and head to her classroom.

The crowd around, who were fixated on Maeda’s confession, buzzed with surprise.

And naturally, Maeda did too.

He stepped in front of Murasaki, trying to block her path.

“Hey, why are you assuming I’m lying? You didn’t see my face, did you?”

“Because the height of a person who can wear that mascot suit is between 165.2 cm and 166.7 cm. Judging from the way the headpiece fits, I’m fairly certain about the height. Besides, with your shoulder width, it’d be impossible for you to wear it. And the way he walks is a bit bow-legged. From his movements, he probably isn’t very muscular. Does that sound like anyone you know?”

“Wh-what… anyone can wear a mascot suit!”

“No, even if I can’t see the face, I can roughly imagine who’s inside based on his movements. Besides, I’m genuinely searching. He’s my destiny. I’ve decided to find him and never let go.”

There was a strange aura around Murasaki as she spoke codly, glaring at Maeda as if looking at trash.

The atmosphere was so tense that everyone went silent.

Maeda too, lost for words by her demeanor.

“Well then, just know this. Don’t approach me again.”

With that, Murasaki headed back to her classroom.

And then, at that moment.

She glanced briefly in my direction.

She paused for a moment, looking at me in the classroom from the hallway.

Then, she walked away and disappeared from my line of sight.