Apparently the Gal who Bullies me Likes me

Chapter 1

Beautiful Black-haired Girl

I go to "Eisho High School" which is famous for those who can't get into any other schools, it is said that if you can write your own name you will be accepted in this school. This school is famous for the gatherings of local delinquents.

I had no choice but to go to this school because I didn't study hard and got bad grades.

The day of the entrance ceremony.

I checked the class list posted at the entrance of the school and went to my classroom. I was very excited but when I went to the classroom and opened the door I am surprised to see a bunch of guys and gals with blond hairs, piercings, shaved heads, and key chains on their bags, all of whom looked like delinquents.

My seat was at the very back of the classroom by the window.

As the class was gradually gathers, a girl with a striking aura entered through the door at the front of the classroom.

Yes, that was Kyoko Tachibana, one of the group of the five gals who would later bully me.

The whole class was looking at Tachibana. I am also staring at Tachibana as she took a seat next to me.

I was so lucky to sit next to such a beautiful girl! But now that I think about it, it was the beginning of hell.

A few days after the entrance ceremony, Tachibana, who was sitting next to me, had already become friends with the delinquent girls in our class, they always gathered around Tachibana's seat.

It did not take long for me, the plain guy sitting next to Tachibana, to become the target of their bullying.

They bullied me in different ways like, using my smartphone without my permission, sending me to buy something without them paying, putting thumbtacks on my shoes or writing on my desk.

Most of the time after school they will call me to the Physical Education warehouse to  made fun of me and because of that I couldn't go to the art club on which I'm a member of.

And now, it's near the end of June and the rainy season is ending.

Tachibana one of the gals who are bullying me, at first, but now for some reason, recently she's being kind to me, she is paying for the juice that they asked me to buy and she is carrying the half of it.

"What about club activities? Don't they say anything to you?"

"I've only been there a few times, and people think I'm a ghost member."

"Hmm."

Lately, she's been trying to ask something about myself

There's a short pause of silence after that Tachibana said "Are there girls in the art club?"

"Most of the member are all girls."

Tachibana said something really soft and I couldn't hear it.
 
I opened the door to the gym and I went inside.

"Don't let Kyoko have it all" One of the gals in the group yelled

The one who yelled is "Rina Umezawa", she is the bestfriend of Tachibana in their group.

She has long blonde hair, brushed bangs, and a skirt so short you could almost see her panties.

At a glance anyone can recognized that she is the typical "modern" gal.

This gymnasium warehouse contains vaulting boxes and mats that are no longer used in gym class.

For some reason, there is also a sofa.

Someone in their group must have brought it here.

The teachers at the school have given them permission to use the gymnasium as a place where they could hangout.

The reason for this is maybe because Tachibana's parents are rich and are funding Eisho High School? Maybe it's an investment? I'm not sure, but they seem to have some kind of connection to the school.

Because of this, the teachers are very fond of Tachibana.

And because of that, they turn a blind eye to me being bullied by them.

Tachibana and Umezawa are sitting on the sofa, and the other three are sitting on the mat or on the jumping box.

And as usual I'm standing near the near the edge of the gym warehouse waiting for them to released me

"Your earrings are so cute!"

"Did you change your makeup?"

It seems they are talking about fashion. Since these guys started bullying me I have become a little more knowledgeable about girls' fashion as I can hear their conversations even if I don't want to.

After a while silence falls over the gymnasium, as if their conversation has settled down.

(This is not good) As I was thinking this, one of the group members said.

“Hey, Kato! Do something interesting."

It’s a ridiculous request, but this happens every day.

"Yeah, come one, hurry up and do it"

Umezawa said that while sitting on the sofa.

At times like this, I can only stand in silence confused on what I’m going to do, which is really pathetic.

While I was standing there confused, Tachibana said “"Ah, I forgot that I have to leave early today. Sorry."

"Oh, you're leaving already?"

Tachibana begins to prepare to leave. Seeing this, everyone starts getting ready to leave.

As they were leaving Umezawa said to me "You should clean up.".

I am always made to clean up the candy wrappers and juice cans that litter the gym after they left.

I can't go against them. I am so scared that I use honorifics even though we are the same age.

The sun hasn’t set yet, and there is still light around.

In the distance, I can hear that the baseball team is practicing.

The gym feels very quiet after they leave.

As I was cleaning up the trash alone, suddenly the door to the gymnasium opened.

“Yo”

It’s Tachibana.

“I thought you went home already?”

"Yeah, I just forgot something"

“I see”

She starts to look around.

I start to search with her, but I think she is lying about having forgotten something.

Because I didn't find anything that looked like something that she had forgotten when I was cleaning up. Also yesterday and the day before last, she also came back and said that she had also forgotten something.

Tachibana always glances at me while pretending to look for something she has forgotten.

When her eyes meet mine, she hurriedly averted her gaze.

Tachibana may not realize it, but it is too obvious.

I don't know why Tachibana is acting like this.

Is it possible that she has feelings for me? I have thought about it, but I don't think that's possible.

"Are, it seems it's not here"

Tachibana's way of saying it is too unnatural and it makes me laugh.

"I also can't find it here..." I said that the same way that she did.

Sometimes I like being with Tachibana.

Although she is one of the group of gals that I hate so much because they bully me, there is something different about Tachibana.

Maybe it's just my imagination.

"Oh! here it is"

Tachibana then puts a lump in her bag that I can't see.

"All right! let's go home"

Tachibana says that to herself.

...

Dusk. The school building is lit orange by the red glow of the setting sun.

I am heading to the bicycle parking lot but for some reason, Tachibana is following me.

I remember that she is commuting to school using the train.

While walking I’m hearing the sound of her loafers clacking behind me.

When I turned around, Tachibana also turned around to see what was going on.

Tachibana. I'm looking at you!

I almost laugh at that strange exchange.

When I arrived at the bicycle parking lot, Tachibana was staring at me as I removed the security chain from my bicycle.

"What is it?" I ask her.

"We're going in the same direction right? So give me a ride"

"You're not going to ride the train?"

"It's fine so don't worry about that"."

Tachibana throws her bag into the basket of my bicycle.

...

In front of the school gate, Tachibana sat on the back of my bicycle and I started pedaling the bicycle.

"It's heavy."

"Are?"

Tachibana stares at me.

Students going home from club activities are looking at us

I wonder if they think that we are dating.

Tachibana is a beautiful girl and she really stands out. There is probably no one in our grade who does not know Tachibana.

After a while, Tachibana said “I’m fine here”.

Tachibana gets off the bike.

"Ja ne, see you tomorrow" Tachibana murmured regretfully.

"See you tomorrow"

I stare at the back of Tachibana's head as she walks away

Her black hair was being blown by the wind was very beautiful, and there was also a faint scent of Tachibana's sweet perfume around her.