Okami's POV:
She leaned in closer, just enough for only me to hear, and whispered, "I love you! Hehe~"
My entire face turned red as i immediately leaned back, flustered. Even my ears were burning.
Grinning mischievously, she tilted her head. "Hehe, seems like the wolf shouldn't be off guard in the bunny's presence either."
She flashed me a teasing smile, showing her teeth playfully. "Hehehe~"
Ahh! She really caught me off guard… How come my fragile, shy bunny takes such bold steps here and there?!
I sighed, running a hand through my hair, still feeling the warmth on my ears. Thinking back to what she said—our first encounter… Yeah, she had been bold enough even then to try and befriend me.
---
Flashback: Two Years Ago
"Okami, let's go," Rentarou said as we got ready for our first day of college. Unlike him, I wasn't excited at all. I simply nodded, grabbing my bag, and we left his apartment.
After being abandoned by my family, Rentarou was the one who gave me a place to stay. He lived alone, so he said he'd be more than happy to have me around. I owed him more than I could ever express.
---
As we reached the college gate, I told myself—This is a fresh start. I'll move forward, let time heal everything.
But the moment I stepped through, my breath hitched.
I saw them.
Girls from my high school.
Ahh… No… not again.
"Okami!" Rentarou smacked my back, snapping me out of it. "Don't worry, everything will be fine, man. Just believe in yourself."
Believe in myself?
That's the one thing I can't do… no matter what.
"Let's move, we'll be late," Rentarou said as he gave me a push from behind, urging me forward.
We walked ahead, but something felt off.
"Eh? Where are we? This is the Department of Management Studies, not Literature!?" Rentarou blurted out, looking around in confusion.
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "You moron… You got lost on the first day of college?" I muttered under my breath. "It's not here. It's over there, in that building." I pointed towards the right direction.
"Ohh! Haha, my bad," Rentarou laughed, scratching his head as we changed course.
As we made our way to the Literature Department, we passed by three girls in the hallway. They were chatting away, full of energy, their laughter echoing through the corridor.
Huh… must be nice…
As we entered our classroom, my eyes immediately landed on a familiar face from high school. My stomach twisted. I knew it… this isn't going to go well.
"Oi, Okami," Rentarou nudged me, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Don't forget what you're here for. You want to achieve your dream, right? So don't let anything else get to you."
I nodded absentmindedly, but… I don't know why, at this moment, all my goals and dreams felt like they were fading away. Everything I wanted… everything I worked for… suddenly seemed so distant. Maybe… maybe my books and pen are the only things I can truly have for the rest of my life.
---
"Whoaaa!!!" Rentarou stretched dramatically as the second lecture finally ended. "Just two lectures in, and I feel like I've gained enough knowledge to become a poet!"
I shot him a blank look. "Baka. You still have a long way to go."
"Ah, yes, yes, don't kill the mood, man! Feel my emotions!" he said, clutching his chest as if he were a tragic hero in a drama.
Just then— Creeeeewl
A loud stomach growl echoed from him.
Rentarou groaned. "Ahh, man! I'm hungry! We didn't even have breakfast this morning!" He turned to me with pleading eyes. "Let's go check out the college cafeteria!"
"Yeah, let's go..." I said, forcing my feet to move.
As we stepped into the cafeteria, Ifelt it immediately—eyes on me. The weight of their gazes pressed down on me, suffocating. I tried to ignore it, focused on the menu, but their whispers slithered through the air, wrapping around me like chains.
"Do you know? He was in my high school. His own family abandoned him."
My chest tightened. My heartbeat pounded against my ribs, each beat louder than the last. Not again… why? Why is this happening to me?
"That's not all. I heard he tortured his girlfriend so badly that she ended up in the hospital multiple times. And after using her, he just left her..."
Huh…? What…? My body went rigid. A cold sweat dripped down my neck. My breath felt stuck in my throat. Their words dug into my skin like needles, freezing me in place. If only… if only I didn't exist at all…
"Okami! Ignore them!" Rentarou's voice cut through the haze as he shoved a tray of food into my hands.
I followed him mechanically to a corner seat, far away from the others, isolated. Safe. Or so I wished.
I took a bite. Tasteless. Empty. Like me. Like my existence. The whispers didn't stop. They never stopped.
"Ahh, look at his cold eyes and that expression! He's totally emitting a toxic aura."
My expression? Like it even matters. It's not like I'd look good even if I smiled.
"See? He could have tortured his girlfriend until she ended up in the hospital multiple times… Poor soul."
Yeah… they're right. I'm just a horrible person.
"Okami!! Okami!!" Rentarou's voice snapped me back. His eyes burned with frustration. "Eat your damn food, man. Don't let that shit get to you."
I clenched my fists, nodded, and forced myself to take another bite. Even if it tasted like nothing.