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Chapter 2 – The Trigger\n Volume 1 \n<hr class="wp-block-separator is-style-wide">\nEnami-san didn’t even look at us. There was only one thing I decided after that. That was not to let Enami-san know that the four of us were going to study together. In other words – since we met by chance, let’s study together.\n
Nishikawa seemed to have secretly found out where we were and our eyes met for a moment.\n
Enami-san and Nishikawa were ushered by the waitress to a seat for two, some distance away from us.\n
We still had to pretend not to notice the two of them. I took my gaze away from the two of them and dropped it to the study tools at my side. I looked at my textbook and tried to write something, but my hand is not moving. I looked at the examples and tried to think of something, but I couldn’t get it into my head. I wonder what’s wrong with me.\n
I glanced at the two of them. They didn’t look at us but seemed to be having a chat. However, it was Nishikawa who was doing most of the talking, while Enami-san only occasionally spoke back. She neither laughed nor got angry, but just listened nonchalantly.\n
I quickly removed my gaze so as not to be recognized.\n
In front of me, Fujisaki was concentrating on her studies. Her pen was working well. She barely sipped the cappuccino she had brought from the drink bar.\n
I, on the other hand, was so thirsty that I had almost run out of melon soda. It’s not that I’m nervous about talking to Enami-san. It’s just that I’ve been feeling strange all day.\n
That nightmare has been chilling me to the core.\n
–It’s about time.\n
The timing of Nishikawa’s talk to me was after a pause of about ten minutes. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Nishikawa stand up. I pretended not to notice and grabbed my pen again.\n
The sound of her feet suddenly stopped.\n
As if noticing for the first time, I raised my head and looked at Nishikawa.\n
“Ah, what a coincidence! The class-reps are here~”\n
Her voice was unusually loud. Even the completely unrelated customers were reacting.\n
But I couldn’t speak right away. Fujisaki smiled at her.\n
“Huh?　Nishikawa-san, ……. It’s a strange coincidence that we meet at a place like this.”\n
 I was worried that the reply was a bit stiff, but I was glad that she replied instead.\n
” That’s right. Are you two studying? As expected – you ordered a drink bar and are very motivated.”\n
“We didn’t come here to eat after all. What about Nishikawa-san ?”\n
“That’s the thing. We’re studying too.”\n
“We?”\n
I thought that since this was just an act for Enami-san, there was no need to be so precise. Probably, this conversation would not be heard by Enami-san.\n
“Right. Risa-chan and I are studying together.”\n
Then, in line with Nishikawa’s gaze, we looked at Enami-san. Enami-san seemed to be concerned about Nishikawa, who suddenly started talking to someone else, and our eyes met. However, she quickly reached for her drink.\n
From there, Nishikawa and Fujisaki exchanged a few words, bringing them to the point where they decided to study together. I don’t know if they were trying to be discreet, but they wanted to get through the performance. After the conversation, Nishikawa returned to the original table and told Enami-san what had happened.\n
However, she immediately shook her head and appeared to be arguing about something.\n
It couldn’t be helped. We stood up from the table and walked over to Nishikawa and co.\n
“Um, Enami-san, …….”\n
Fujisaki tried to talk to her, but she didn’t respond, as if she hadn’t heard.\n
Once again, standing by Enami-san’s side, I felt that she was very intimidating. I guess this is the power of beauty. Her dark brown hair was not dry at all and followed gravity in an orderly fashion. The skin peeking out from under her hair was white and clear. Her eyes are bright and her lips are a beautiful cherry color. It was an incredibly complete look.\n
She just sat there, drinking her drink in silence, her brow creased in a grimace. And yet, I felt a strong aura that was hard to touch.\n
The surrounding customers seemed to be taking notice of Enami-san. The men nearby, who seemed to be university students, were talking secretly about something. I also noticed that the lady sitting next to me was also looking at her.\n
This was Risa Enami.\n
Being in the same class with them, I took them for granted, but this presence was still special.\n
“I heard that the class-reps came to the diner to study too. That’s why I think it’s better to study together with the two smart guys.”\n
However, Enami-san’s response was curt.\n
“Impossible.”\n
Just one word. She sipped her tea in silence as if we weren’t even worth a second glance.\n
“No, don’t say that. You don’t have to force yourself to talk to us, it’s just that since we’re here, let’s study at the same table. If there’s anything you don’t understand, I might be able to help you.”\n
Nishikawa followed Fujisaki’s lead.\n
“Isn’t it fine? I can vouch for the fact that they’re both good guys. I often ask them to lend me their notebooks and stuff, and they’re so easy to understand, they’re really useful!　Sometimes this kind of thing isn’t so bad, right?”\n
Enami-san’s mood was getting worse. She sets down the cup in her hand with a clatter. The saucer shakes. The liquid surface of the tea is making waves.\n
“I said it’s impossible”\n
These words are directed at Nishikawa. She doesn’t reply to any of our words but looks only at Nishikawa. Even though we were standing next to her, we weren’t even in her line of sight.\n
“Risa-chan……”\n
Nishikawa sighed.\n
I knew it was impossible. It’s been like this for a long time. I’ve seen it so many times. In the first term, men who were attracted to her looks were relentlessly talking to her and getting trodden on. Girls like Fujisaki, who approached in the school to get to know each other, were annoyingly bounced off with her hands. Everyone, except Nishikawa, was silenced by this cold attitude.\n
I hate her, I suppose.\n
No matter how beautiful she is, I can’t help but feel disgusted with her from the bottom of my heart.\n
…… It’s a kindred hatred. I know. I used to be like that once. Getting pissed off like an idiot, treating everyone around me as an enemy, and being obnoxious and rude a lot.\n
Words were bubbling up from deep inside my chest. They were raging, about to be blurted out through my throat. No, I thought. I shouldn’t be involved. I shouldn’t use this to try and quench my emotions.\n
I repeatedly took deep breaths. However, the palpitations did not subside.\n
It warped and twisted. My mind went blank.\n\n
(Sorry~.)\n
The words from that moment. The way the eyes squinted. The small smile on that face.\n\n
There was no leeway for me, as the nightmare was still gnawing at me. Every time I held on, the words would rush out. I tried my best to hold on to them in the back of my throat, but they broke through and finally made it to my mouth.\n