I Married the Girl Who Used to Bully Me - Chapter 3

“I’m not going…”

The voice was unbelievably low, almost a whisper.

Yet, it seemed Misaki had definitely heard it.

Her eyes widened, a giant “?” floating above her head.

“Ha…? What?”

“I said I’m not going. Can’t you hear me?”

My voice wouldn’t stop trembling.

No more holding back, no more being just a pack mule, no more being part of the background.

This—this is my will.

Misaki’s expression froze for just an instant.

“Wait, are you jealous? If you didn’t want me to go, you could’ve just said so. Then I wouldn’t.”

“Just leave me alone!!!”

The words tore from my throat. The shaking wouldn’t stop.

The words spilled out like a storm, unstoppable.

“Why can you say things so lightly?! Do I mean nothing to you? I’m always the one holding back, always smiling and you’re fine with that?!”

The moment I spat it out, Misaki’s face twisted for a second. A mix of shock and confusion.

“I’m not just some pack mule. I’m not here to be fawned over or used as someone’s stupid joke! You can laugh with whoever you want. But I won’t take being treated like I don’t matter anymore!”

The words burned through my throat. I could feel every wound in my chest throbbing. To cover the pain, I kept going.

“And I have my own family problems. My dad hits me, every night it’s ‘invest this,’ ‘sparring that,’ until pain just feels normal. My studies, making friends—all of it got wrecked there. If I told you, you’d just laugh or pity me!”

I saw Misaki’s eyes glisten for a second. But I couldn’t tell if those tears were pity, regret, or just another one of her empty smiles.

“So please just stop using me when it’s convenient. I’m human too. I have expectations, I get hurt, I get angry. Don’t break the me who’s been silent all this time!”

Misaki opened her mouth like she was searching for words, but nothing came out. Only her eyes stayed wide. The air froze.

“I meant it when I said I’m not going. I’m not carrying your stuff today. Misaki, if you hate me, let’s just end it. I’m leaving.”

“W-wait!! Hold on!”

Misaki grabbed my shoulder in a panic, her nails digging in painfully.

“Let go!!”

The moment I shook her off, her face twisted; eyes flashing with shock, anger, and just a hint of fear. The classroom air grew heavy, everyone’s stares piercing through me.

“Eek!! W-what’s with that tone? You never stood up to me before.”

Misaki fell back onto her rear. Just my luck.

“Hey, what the hell are you doing?!”

A low, furious voice cut in. I turned to see Akiyama Sosuke standing there—the class ace, the center of everything. His sharp glare pinned me down.

Worst timing. Worst situation. Just my luck.

“Did you hit Misaki? Hey, you okay, Misaki?”

Sosuke rushed to her side, offering his hand.

“I-I’m fine.”

Misaki answered weakly, letting him help her up. The scene looked straight out of a hero-saving-the-damsel story.

“You’re the worst!!”

Sosuke’s shout stabbed into my back. But I didn’t turn around.

“Be happy.”

That was all I spat out before walking away. I think Misaki shouted something—”wait,” “it’s not like that,” something like that. But it didn’t reach me anymore.

Only my footsteps echoed. With every step away from the classroom, something in my chest ached like it was being crushed.

But at the same time it felt strangely light.

Like a chain that had bound me for so long had finally snapped.

The evening sun streaming through the hallway window was blinding.