I Married the Girl Who Used to Bully Me - Chapter 17

“Mmm… ugh…”

Today, too, I entwined my body with Misaki’s. Every day, every single day. It had practically become a habit. Honestly, Misaki was only good for her body. Her personality didn’t matter as long as she had that body, it was enough.

“I’m going on a date with a girl now.”

As I said that, I flicked my cigarette away. The ember missed the ashtray and landed on the floor.

“Eh… a girl…?”

“Yeah, got a problem with that?”

Misaki let out a small gasp.

“N-no, it’s nothing. Um, well have fun on your date, okay? And what about food? If you need anything, I can make something. Oh, and if you’re short on money, you can use mine. I have some from my part-time job. And, you’ll come back today, right…?”

“I mean… I-I’m not really bothered or anything but, um… if anything comes up, don’t hesitate to tell me, okay? And don’t push yourself too hard.”

“I’m not jealous or anything but I might be a little worried. Sorry, I’m being weird, aren’t I… ugh…”

“Shut up.”

Honestly, I wish Misaki would fix this habit of hers. Whenever she gets like this, she starts muttering to herself. Right now, she’s repeating some nonsense like, “One chocolate, one happiness…”

What the hell is that? At the very least, I don’t remember anything like that. No, it’s not even worth remembering.

I watch Misaki muttering to herself with an expressionless face. No, it’s not that I don’t have emotions, it’s just that she’s not worth them anymore.

I open the door and leave, heading to my date.

Come to think of it, the video of Chinatsu I spread online really blew up.

As a popular influencer, Chinatsu’s face was undeniably cute. That’s why she was involved in so many activities and that’s exactly why the fire only grew bigger.

On top of that, her high school classmates who hated her, jealous girls who resented her for being cute, and even middle-aged women got involved, fueling the flames with no sign of stopping.

Chinatsu’s family background, her real name, even her home address; all of it was exposed. Probably spread by her so-called friends and hangers-on jumping on the bandwagon.

After that, Chinatsu stopped showing up at school. Her house was identified, and graffiti was scrawled on it. She couldn’t even leave her home.

Meanwhile, I defeated the guy they called the strongest in our grade, and now everyone praises me. I’ve even gained a few underlings, and that former strongest guy now follows me around.

And Misaki’s bullying? Completely gone.

“Heyyy, Itsuki-kun!”

A girl with a bob cut and dyed brown hair approaches me with a smile. She goes to the same high school as me. Rumor has it she’s got a crush on me. Well, if it means another convenient person in my life, I don’t mind. That’s why I nodded when she asked me out.

“Hey, let’s go.”

“Yeah! Where to?”

“Anywhere.”

“Okay, then today, I’ll take you to my favorite spots! Let’s gooo!”

With that, she cheerfully walks ahead, and I follow at a leisurely pace. We visit an aquarium, a Kantai Collection-themed spot, and various other places—all locations where her smile shines the brightest.

The sun begins to set, dyeing the sky orange. We sit on a bench. The sea breeze is a little chilly, but somehow pleasant. Around us, laughter, the sound of waves, and faint lights fill the air.

“Hey, you confessed to me before, right?”

When I say that, she looks at me.

“Yeah…”

“I’ll go out with you.”

She hesitates before speaking.

“Hey, did you have fun today?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“…You’re lying.”

Her gaze pierces through me. In the depths of her eyes, I can see a flickering emotion—something questioning.

“Hey Itsuki-kun, there’s someone you care about, isn’t there? Someone you like?”

For just a moment, my heart stirs. I think of Misaki. But no, she’s just a convenient presence now.

“Yeah, now that you mention it there’s a girl I just remembered. She’s important to me.”

“—!”

“…Thanks for today. And let’s just pretend my confession never happened, okay?”

Her words are calm, but she falls silent for a while.

She takes a deep breath, and when I glance at her, her eyes look like they’re about to cry. The city lights make them sparkle beautifully.

“Itsuki-kun, you’re handsome, cool, and everyone likes you. That’s why I was so happy when you agreed to go out with me.”

“…That’s exactly why trying to date someone else while still hung up on someone is the worst. If there’s someone you truly care about, you can’t start a new love until you’ve settled those feelings.”

“Nobody would feel good knowing the person they like is still comparing them to an ex. That’s why you have to face them head-on. That’s the courtesy of love.”

She slowly stands up.

“See you. Goodbye, Yamamoto-kun.”

With that, she quietly leaves. I’m the only one left behind.

Misaki, huh…

I don’t know if I really like her. No, I don’t want to know.

My head hurts.

I need cigarettes and alcohol.

Let’s just go home.

When I open the door, I hear a faint sound.

There, I find Misaki, crying.

“Welcome back! How was it? That was quick. Did you stay over or anything?”

“Shut up. Got any cigarettes or booze?”

“Yeah, but no. Drinking will ruin your body, I don’t want you to die.”

“Shut the hell up! Just give it to me.”

I’m irritated. I don’t want to think about anything right now. I just want to lose myself in pleasure. Otherwise, I won’t be able to stay as me.

“Eat something first, okay? Calm down a bit.”

“Tch, fine. Hurry up and give me food.”

Anything, just anything. I just need to put something in my mouth.

“Okay, it’s ready.”

In the living room, a colorful spread of dishes is laid out.

“You made all this…?”

“Y-yeah. You like karaage, right? I wanted to make you happy.”

“Ah, thanks.”

“Eh… hehe. Let’s eat.”

After that, we eat in near silence. Occasionally, Misaki timidly asks, “Is it good?” I just nod and give short replies.

Misaki’s cooking is, as always, flawless. Now that I think about it, she used to give me homemade cookies back then.

Back then…

Why are these old memories resurfacing now?

The pain of separation, the lingering resentment—it’s all because of my own memories. What I inherited at the core of it all is hatred.

“After we eat, want to take a bath? I mean, just this once, we could go in together? I could wash your back or um, is that okay? I-I mean, if you don’t want to, it’s fine.”

“Do whatever.”

“Eh… yay.”

Misaki murmurs softly, then hesitates before speaking again.

“Um… about your date today?”

“We broke up. It’s fine now.”

“Eh… oh. I see. Yeah, of course.”

Happily, Misaki takes another bite of food.

Watching her closely, I can see her wounds slowly healing, steadily recovering.

She’s getting prettier.

We head to the bathroom together.

The cramped space barely fits two people, forcing us uncomfortably close.

In the steam-filled room, the proximity between us feels natural.

“Hey, Itsuki you should quit smoking and drinking.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s bad for you.”

“If I die, you won’t be able to live, right? It’s weird coming from me, the one who bullied you but I’ll do anything instead. Like, um… instead of cigarettes, you can s-s-suck on my chest?”

“…Hah?”

“N-no, I mean I’m big, right? So, is that okay? But if not, it’s fine! Yeah!”

Flustered, Misaki rambles, and I can’t help but laugh. The sight is just too ridiculous. Misaki’s eyes widen in surprise.

“Wow, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you laugh.”

“It feels like we’re back to how we used to be.”

“Nah, that’s not it. I’m getting out.”

Don’t remember. I desperately clamp down on the lid, making sure that me doesn’t come out.

It’s fine. Right now, I can still play the role of me.

As long as the weak me doesn’t show his face, I can stay in control.

Then, Misaki suddenly hugs me.

“I love you! It’s weird coming from me, the one who bullied you, but I really do.”

“Don’t leave me! Don’t throw me away!”

She’s crying, her voice so genuine it’s hard to believe. Maybe it’s the weird mood today, but I let her stay like that.