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 4

The Cat’s Out of the Bag

I’ve had a tendency to be a bit hunched for as long as I can remember.

Whether it’s because I lack confidence or whether my spine was naturally bent from the start, I don’t know.

Either way, I’m hunched over.

And now, my back is curling up even more.

“I-Is that so? I’ve never really noticed.”

“And are you even 168 cm tall? Are you lying to me?”

“L—lying? No, I’m not lying.”

Murasaki peers intently into my face.

Her large eyes are wide open, yet somehow they don’t meet mine.

It’s as if her pupils are dilated, a gaze that’s both strange and unsettling.

I lose my words, taken aback by her eyes, and she lets go of my hand and sighs,

“No, I’m sorry. Maybe I’m overthinking it? I got a little too anxious. Sorry, Takizawa-kun.”

“I-it’s fine.”

“But I really do think he’s a student at this school.”

“Do you have any evidence for that?”

“Well, half of it is just a hunch. But our school has a strict rule against part-time jobs, right? So, jobs that keep you behind the scenes, where you don’t show your face, are popular. A friend of mine was recently handing out balloons in a costume on the roof of a department store.”

Her deduction is spot on.

I too wanted to buy a game but didn’t have the money, and since part-time jobs are against the school rules, I chose a mascot job to work without getting caught.

Now, I have other reasons for not wanting to get caught, but let’s set that aside.

Her ability to deduce things is unnaturally high.

This is nothing but troublesome.

The more I talk to her, the more I interact to her, the closer she gets to the truth.

I need to keep my distance somehow.

“Then Murasaki-san, I have something to do, so I’ll be going now, okay?”

“Ah, sorry for keeping you.”

“No, no, I’m the one who should apologize for not being able to help. I hope you find that person.”

As if it’s someone else’s problem.

I calmly say this and attempt to leave, directing my feet towards the school gate.

However, again, my arm is grabbed.

“Ah, what? Murasaki-san? I have something to do after this.”

“Hey, what do you have to do?”

“Hm? That is…”

Of course, I have nothing to do.

I, who barely have any friends and go straight home after school, couldn’t possibly have anything important to do after school.

But I didn’t expect her to ask for details, and I’m at a loss for words.

Of course, she doesn’t miss my agitation.

“Why won’t you answer? Wait, are you lying?”

“No-no, it’s not a lie.”

“Is it something you can’t reschedule? I want to talk to you a bit more.”

“With me? No, that is…”

It’s not like my brain was slow, but being invited out of the blue by the school idol on top of already being flustered, I couldn’t possibly come up with a clever lie.

While intently gazing at me, Murasaki, with her beautiful face, asked, ‘Is it not okay?’ and I inadvertently replied,

“…it’s fine, I guess.”

I had to reply.

I was worried that if she found out I was lying, it would make her suspicious.

“Really? I’m sorry, it’s just that you Takizawa-kun, are really easy to talk to. There are a few things I want to ask.”

“Oh, if I’m good enough, I’ll listen to what you have to say. Is that okay?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Is that so? So, what is it?”

Even at this point, I still asked such a question, struggling in vain and hoping to quickly end this conversation and wrap things up.

Then, with a giggle, Murasaki continued.

“I’ve figured out that the person inside Momonyan is a member of the go-home club——”