NTR Kousuke

Chapter 169

Chapter 169: Closed Room

?? "What are you planning, dragging me to a place like this, senpai?"

Her chestnut-colored hair flipped outwards as the girl in front of me laughed, looking amused.

I had dragged this girl into an empty classroom.

There's a mountain of things I want to ask! About the letter, about Airi-senpai, whose idea was this? Why is this happening? Finally, I've found a clue. Or maybe something that leads to it!

"...Who even are you?"

In response to my question,

?? "Well? Who knows?"

Is she planning not to answer seriously...?

The girl looked amused,

?? "Hehe, why don't we chat for a bit? Like, for example, about your favorite strategist...?"

This girl is just suspicious as heck...!

She keeps going on about strategists or whatever...?

There's no way someone would ask something like that the first time they meet!

(No doubt about it)

My patience is at its limit—the days I've spent agonizing over those letters and Airi-senpai's actual crisis. What the heck! Get to the point already!

I pressed the girl in front of me who kept trying to dodge the conversation.

"...Forget that! What are you up to! Did you send the letter? Or do you know who sent the three letters? Which is it?"

...My tone was rougher than usual.

The letters, fine, whatever. It doesn't matter if I worry about them.

But! Airi-senpai! Why would anyone do this to someone who works so hard for others like Airi-senpai?!

I was furious.

?? "...Letter? Letter? Three letters? Hoo? Sounds like another fun power word...♪"

Is this brat messing with me?

Or...?

"...Just spit it out! What do you know? Tell me everything you know!"

?? "Eek!"

The girl flinched with a jolt!

I feel like it's been a while since I raised my voice this much.

But that just shows how desperate I am!

The girl, flustered and panicking a little,

?? "Senpai? Listen? Please listen?"

"I'll listen, so just tell me everything! What's your goal! Why are you doing this! Why?!"

?? "!! Hey?! Don't shake me?! Stop it?!"

I grabbed the girl's shoulders and gave her a little shake, determined not to let her escape, which clearly flustered her.

This is the moment to push! Momentum!

The girl, who had been flailing from being shaken, snapped a bit and—

?? "...Listen to what I'm saying!!"

"You listen!!"

I yelled even louder, cutting over the girl's angry shout, and was instantly filled with guilt...

?? "...Uwaaaah... don't be so mean... I, I don't know anything... I just came to ask Kousuke-kun senpai... that's all... But still... Uwaaah...!"

There's no way crying will get her forgiveness... Wait, is she actually crying...?

I'm sure any guy would feel the same, but when a girl starts crying right in front of you... you seriously don't know what to do...!

?? "Papa... Mama... Japan is a scary place..."

This sniffling, whimpering junior girl... She said she doesn't know anything, but...

Is it really possible for such a suspicious girl to approach me like this at this timing, acting all mysterious? I had to harden my heart—

"...Don't think you'll get away with it just by crying."

?? "Why? So cruel! You can't just do this to a girl and expect to get away with it, you know?!"

Don't hug yourself and look all tragic.

The girl, with tears in her eyes, backed away.

...Wait? I'm not actually doing anything to her, okay??

?? "...!"

Just then, the girl looked past me at the exit and gasped,

Who? I mean, if someone saw me making a girl cry right now, I'd have no way to explain myself—this is bad...!

I turned to look behind me!

"...No one's there?"

Directional misdirection technique (misdirection)?!

The girl who'd been crying just a moment ago now wore a bold grin as she put her hand on the door at the opposite exit,

?? "My name is Hinako Ootori. You'd better not let your guard down, you know? Girls can fake-cry as much as they want. Especially if they're strategists... right?"

That girl introduced herself as Hinako Ootori.

Fake crying? Strategist? There's a lot I want to ask, but this is finally a clue I've grabbed!

I definitely can't let her get away!

Hinako "Hehe, adieu!"

And then this so-called Hinako spun around and headed for the door at the front of the classroom...!

Rattle! Rattle!

Hinako "!! Huh? Huhhh?!"

She couldn't get out... The lock here is a bit tricky, so it's hard to open if you're not used to it.

That dumbfounded look on her face was starting to annoy me.

...Should I smack her on the butt like I used to with Nozomi?

*Back in third grade, when a wild Nozomi ignored repeated warnings and broke Kousuke's precious, expensive model, Kousuke got Sho's permission to smack her once on the butt.

Hinako "...Just kidding♪"

We exchanged silent glances for a few seconds.

Hinako—or whatever her name is—mumbled "sorry" with a strained smile...

Seriously, what is her deal?