I Married the Girl Who Used to Bully Me - Chapter 16

Since then, we’ve been attending classes without any major issues.

That said, Misaki is still the target of bullying. Wads of paper are thrown at her, slipping past the teacher’s notice. Strangely, though, not a single one comes my way. Probably because those bastards don’t want to provoke my inferiority complex.

They’re convinced Misaki and I are dating. Because of that, they’ve assigned me the role of the “boyfriend who can’t protect his girlfriend.” Ironically, I don’t even have to play that part.

I plan to abandon Misaki too.

When lunch break arrives, amid the classroom chatter, Chinatsu rushes over to Misaki.

“Hey, pig. Come here. You don’t want those videos leaked, right?”

“Y-yes…”

Misaki lowers her head slightly and obeys silently. The stares from everyone around sting, but I do nothing, just watching.

“Hey, Misaki.

You think you’re hot shit now?”

Chinatsu immediately kicks Misaki behind the gym storage shed, irritated by her lack of reaction.

“Look at you. The queen of middle school, now reduced to this.”

Behind Chinatsu, her boyfriend and a few other guys, along with the usual group of girls, surround them.

“You don’t want this video getting out, right?”

Misaki’s face pales at those words. Yes, it’s a video of her in her underwear.

“And we’ll mess with your precious boyfriend too, you know?”

“Ugh…”

Chinatsu smirks coldly as she continues.

“Hey, take it off, strip for us.”

“W-wait, isn’t that going too far?”

One of the guys protests, but he falls silent under Chinatsu’s sharp glare.

“She’s got a nice body, and she’s still a virgin, right? Might as well let you guys have some fun. How about 30,000 yen an hour?”

Misaki trembles slightly, speechless. The pressure in the air is suffocating.

“Alright, let’s get started… strip.”

“One chocolate, one happiness. I-I’ll let you do whatever you want to me, just don’t lay a hand on Ikkun.”

“Fine, fine.”

Misaki slowly removes her uniform. Her white bra comes into view.

◇◇◇

Misaki’s Perspective

At this point, nothing matters anymore. I just want to throw everything away. If only I could be free, that wish stirs deep in my chest.

But I know what’s coming. The guys will toy with me however they please, treating my body like an object. No, they’ll turn me into an object. And I might even have to start selling myself. I understand all too well what’s about to happen to me.

But I think it’s fine. No, I tell myself it’s fine.

Because I was the one who bullied Ikkun back then. I still can’t forgive myself for what I did. This is my punishment. The pain, the humiliation I deserve it all.

I’m sorry, Ikkun. It’s all my fault. I wish I’d never existed. Why did things turn out like this? I don’t even understand myself anymore.

I want to die. But if I do, Dad would be sad. He still doesn’t know I’m bullied every day. His company went bankrupt, and he’s barely scraping by to keep me in school. So I go, even if I have to cry the whole way.

And I want to see Ikkun. But what would he think? Would he be sad for me? Would he save me? Probably—

I adjust my clothes. I wish no one but Ikkun had to see me like this…

Screeeech— The sound of the door opening makes everyone turn at once.

Huh…? Standing there is the person I love more than anything, the one I can’t stop thinking about Ikkun.

My chest tightens. Just meeting his eyes makes my heart feel like it’s about to burst. I try desperately to steady my breathing, but it’s no use.

(Ikkun… Why are you here…?)

“Oh, you came to save her? How noble.

Hey, senpai, deal with him.”

“Tch.”

Chinatsu’s boyfriend, leaning against the wall, turns toward Ikkun. He’s the strongest guy in our grade; someone no one dares to oppose.

“We’re busy here. If you don’t want to get hurt, get lost.”

“…I told you before, didn’t I? Don’t start shit in my territory. You’re in the way, disappear.”

“Pfft, cocky for a junior. Guess I’ll teach you a lesson.”

No, Ikkun. Run! You can’t win!

Before I can finish the thought, the senior swings a right straight at him.

But Ikkun doesn’t even flinch. He dodges effortlessly, the fist cutting through empty air as the wind rustles around him.

“Y-you… That move…!”

The senior’s eyes widen. The so-called strongest in our grade actually looks shaken for a moment. Beside him, Chinatsu can’t hide her frustration.

“What are you doing?! Hurry up and beat him to a pulp!”

“Shut up, I know. I’m getting serious now.”

“Hurry up!”

The senior’s gaze sharpens. He throws another punch at Ikkun. But Ikkun remains calm. Without so much as a twitch, he sidesteps smoothly and counters with a sharp strike of his own.

“Guh…!”

The force of the near-miss against the senior’s face makes the air freeze for a second. The feared strongest in the grade takes a step back. Chinatsu pales, and her lackeys gasp.

No way! Ikkun was always this strong? But back then, he was timid, a crybaby, always scared…

But looking at him now, his body is toned, powerful—completely different. I’ve seen him naked before, but he’s nothing like he was back then.

I see. He’s not the weak Ikkun from before anymore.

He was bullied but he grew stronger. I’m sorry, Ikkun.

“Last warning. Get lost. All of you.”

“Tch, you’re not getting away with this!”

With the strongest senior down, the guys scramble to flee. Only Chinatsu and the girls remain.

“You got that video earlier, right? The one of you bullying Misaki.”

“Hey, you if you don’t delete it, I’ll leak all your girlfriend’s nude pics.”

“Yeah? Fine. Then let’s leak them together.”

“Huh…? You’re seriously okay with that?”

“You’re fine with it, right, Misaki?”

I look into Ikkun’s eyes. Cold, emotionless. Terrifying, so much it makes me shake. But those eyes are my own doing. I made him like this.

So, I’ll do anything. If Ikkun tells me to sell my body, I will. If he tells me to die, I will. Anything. I don’t want to let go. The hand I once let go of, I never want to lose it again. I don’t want him to hate me.

“…It’s fine. If that’s what Ikkun wants.”

The answer was already decided. To anything Ikkun says, my reply will always be “yes.” I’ll do anything. Anything.

“You…”

“Ugh, gross. So, what now? You want my body?”

“Don’t need it. The condition is that all of Misaki’s photos and videos get deleted. Just to be safe, I’ll do it myself.”

“…Fine.”

Chinatsu and the others reluctantly hand over their phones. Ikkun smashes them to pieces without hesitation.

“W-what the hell?!”

“Shut up. If you resist, I’ll leak the bullying video. But hey, you’re a pretty big influencer, right? It’d go viral in seconds.”

“You, I’ll kill you for real. Let’s go.”

Chinatsu storms off.

“Too bad, already leaked it. Sucks to be you.”

Ikkun turns to me. I’m still half-undressed.

“Get dressed. We’re leaving.”

“O-okay. Let’s go.”

I put my uniform back on. This feeling, it’s warm. I know Ikkun only sees me as convenient. But even so, it’s fine. He can throw me away. As long as I can stay by his side a little longer, that’s enough.

“Th-thank you…”

“Huh? What’d you say? More importantly, lend me some cash. I’m hitting the pachinko parlor. I’ve got a good feeling today.”

So, from now on, just like before, I’ll stake my life for Ikkun.