Chapter 27: Gotoh Hitori Didn't Expect...

Originally, Bocchi didn't want to run away. But—

Her body acted before her thoughts did.

By the time she came to her senses, she found herself sitting at the entrance to the back garden of the school building.

Clearly, Nijika-chan and the others came to Shuka High to confront the "big villain" Minami for her sake.

But somehow, she had ended up running away first.

Wasn't this just causing trouble for Nijika-chan, Ryo-san, and Kita-chan?

"Re... really, this can't keep going on like this!" Bocchi clenched her hands on her chest, trying to muster all her courage.

She couldn't just leave everything to Nijika, Kita, and the others to handle.

And the opponent was that Minami...

Just thinking about him made Bocchi shrink her head.

She recalled the exchange on LINE from last night.

Her guitar wasn't enough for Minami anymore, and he seemed to look down on the "wedding funds" she had saved up...

Ugh... What a terrifyingly greedy person.

Bocchi shrank her feet.

But this time, it was okay! She had Nijika, Ryo, and Kita to help her!

With so many encouraging friends by her side!

She felt her determination slowly returning.

Yes! As long as everyone worked together, they could definitely defeat Minami and get her guitar back!

"Come on! Hitori!"

It was the first time Bocchi had cheered herself on so loudly.

That's right. She wasn't afraid!

As long as she was with Nijika and the others, with their support and help, she could definitely break free from Minami's bullying!

She took a deep breath again.

This time, she felt it.

A warmth she had never felt before stirred in her chest.

Bocchi knew that this was probably what people called courage—this was the first time in her life she had felt it so strongly.

Taking advantage of this courage before it faded, Bocchi finally took her first step forward.

Although she still lowered her head and couldn't look others in the eye, Bocchi's steps were not confused, heading towards the central courtyard of the campus.

As long as she could be with Nijika and the others... as long as they were together, maybe she could really face Minami—

"Huh?"

Bocchi stopped at the entrance to the central courtyard, frozen in place.

She had imagined countless scenarios where Minami would bully Nijika and the others, but she never anticipated this scene.

The "big villain" Minami, who had put down his flash cards and study booklet, was now talking and laughing with Nijika, who she had high hopes for. Kita was occasionally chiming in as well.

Even Yamada Ryo, who usually remained silent and a bit aloof, was resting her pale hand on her cheek, looking quite absorbed in the conversation.

"Huh...?" Bocchi once again uttered a sound of confusion, unable to understand what was happening before her eyes.

It seemed like Minami was actually the guitarist for their band.

But... but...

"Th... that position was supposed to be mine, right?"

Bocchi looked at Minami, who was surrounded by the band members, with a confused expression, her beautiful face hidden under her long bangs, filled with confusion and question marks.

Why... did it feel like she was the outsider now?

Her courage, which had just been sparked, melted away like snow under the warm sun.

Bocchi never imagined that just leaving for a little while would make it feel like she had been gone for a whole year.

Just when she didn't know what to do, Nijika, who was still talking to Minami, quickly noticed her.

"Ah! It's Bocchi-chan!"

Nijika-chan, with her cute little steps, jogged over to Bocchi and exclaimed, "Really, Bocchi-chan, where did you run off to by yourself? I was so worried!"

"Ah..."

Nijika-chan didn't care that Bocchi had fled the scene, and she immediately made Bocchi feel guilty.

Before Bocchi could speak, Nijika-chan had already grabbed her hand.

"Forget it, there's no use saying that now. I didn't expect Bocchi-chan to be such good friends with Minami."

"Ah?"

"Bocchi-chan, still trying to hide it?" Nijika-chan laughed, teasing Bocchi as she put her finger to her lips, with an expression of having figured it out. "I already know, you're good friends with Minami. Yesterday's situation was just a misunderstanding."

"Huh?"

No... Nijika-chan, what are you talking about?

Why do all the words make sense, but when put together, I can't understand a single thing?

Minami is my good friend?

Which world did this happen in?

Why didn't I know about this?

No, no! This isn't the time to think about this!

Although Bocchi didn't understand what was going on, she felt like even her small world in the band was starting to be invaded by Minami.

She tried desperately to explain, "No... Nijika-chan, you must be mistaken. It's not like that."

Her voice was stuttering, and it was clear she was really trying to explain.

Just as she said this, Minami, who was still talking to Nijika-chan, "regrettably" sighed in agreement, continuing her words:

"That's true. I think Gotoh-san is right. I've only talked to Gotoh-san a few times, but I've come to think of her as a friend, though I was too presumptuous."

He then sincerely apologized to Bocchi, "I'm sorry for not considering your feelings, Gotoh-san."

"Huh…?"

After hearing his words, Bocchi didn't know what to say.

"Minami..."

Nijika-chan felt a little moved. Such an understanding and considerate boy was hard to find in high school.

She couldn't help but speak up gently for Minami:

"Bocchi-chan, you don't need to make it sound so harsh... Since you've already talked a few times, Minami can be considered your friend."

"I agree." Kita also nodded. "Although I don't know what happened, Gotoh-san, having more friends like Minami is a good thing."

"You should be grateful, Bocchi."

Yamada Ryo also nodded.

"Huh?"

Bocchi barely opened her mouth, looking at her bandmates.

She never imagined that her trusted friends would speak up for Minami.

Weren't we supposed to resist Minami together?

How did it feel like, after just being gone for a little over ten minutes, everyone betrayed me?

Aren't you here to help me?

(TL Notes: References I'm using)