Chapter 4

"W-what did you just say, Qilla?" I asked nervously.

"Like I said ..... be my boyfriend"

Her words did sound like a joke. But, when I saw her eyes, they were serious but full of sorrow.

"Tell me the truth. Don't be like this. You're not this kind of person, are you?" I said.

"... hahaha, my goodness. I got caught, huh?" she said with a chuckle.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Here, I'll show you something"

Qilla then showed me a letter.

"A Love letter? Why is that?" I asked, confused.

I understand that she must get it often, but I don't know why did it come to this.

"I want you to be my boyfriend so I can reject him. You see, the person who wrote this letter has sent this to me many times even though I refused. But this time, he asked me to show if I really can not accept his feelings" she said.

"I see. But, aren't you tired of this?"

"Take it easy, I'm used to it"

No.

"That's not it" I said.

"What does it mean?" she asked.

"Aren't you tired of pretending like that all the time?" I asked.

"Huh?"

"I know you always tease other people not because you are that kind of person. But, because you feel sad, right?"

* (Stroking)

"... fufufu, you can see everything, huh?" she said, stroking my head.

"So, why are you like this?" I asked.

Qilla was silent.

*(Stand up)

"..... alright. It's okay if you don't want to tell me. I'll clean up the shelf over there first"

I immediately stood up and headed to one of the shelves. I also tidy up the books on the shelf. Without realizing it, Qilla was standing behind me.

* (Surprised)

"Uagh?!? Qilla ?! Why did you suddenly appear next to me?"

Qilla was still silent next to me. I also continued to tidy up the bookshelf. When I wanted to go to another shelf, Qilla immediately put her hand on the shelf and blocked me.

"... I've been tricked by the people closest to me"

"Tricked?"

"In the past, I had lots of good friends to me. I was always kind and honest with them about whatever I thought. You could say i'm a straightforward person. Admired, praised, that's my daily life. Because of that, a lot of guys like me, but I'm okay with that. Until one day ..... "

Qilla fell silent again.

"Why?"

"At that time, there was a guy who was very popular. My friends liked him too. Even so, I didn't really like him. So, I said what I thought about that man. Even though it was the right thing, it was all like an insult to them. Hearing that, they just laughed a little. Then, they said they had to leave because of some business. I decided to go to the library as usual. But apparently ... "

"What happened?"

"In the library, my friends and the guy were already inside. Suddenly, I was immediately got hit from behind until I passed out."

"What the heck ?!"

"When I woke up, I was tied to one of the library chairs with my clothes almost open. In front of me there were a lot of men and my friends. They planned to dirty my body so that I would not insult the popular boy. I remained silent until they were say something that makes me very angry "

"How cruel they are..."

"They said, 'Stop acting like that! Always saying something you want to say, it really pissed us off! If you weren't rich, we'd left you a long time ago, you know! Bitch like you better stay away and just disappear!! Go to your mother's grave and cry! ' Then, I just fell silent to hear that. Not because I was afraid, but because I was angry with those words. Then ... "

"Then?"

"I immediately rip the rope that tied me, and beat them all by leaving one part of their body broken. Then, I reported the incident to the principal so that they can be punished. The case was resolved so neatly that no other student knew about it. Then, I decided to pretend to be nice to anyone by slowly making them stay away from me "

Hearing that story, I could only be silent because I didn't expect that someone like Qilla could experience such a bad thing.

"You're ... scared too, huh? As expected"

Qilla then pulled her hand back. But, I immediately grabbed it.

*(Holding)

"No, that's not it! Indeed I was surprised by what happened to you, but I'm not afraid of you at all. Instead, I admire you who dared to take such actions. Even I .... can't".

"R-Ryan ?!"

"But, you're wrong if you stay like this! Better tell them the truth, than have to pretend to be nice to them! Otherwise, that's the same as what they did to you!"

*(Blush)

Qilla immediately looked down. Then, she leaned against my chest. Slowly, she cried. All I can do is let it be.

"So I have to stop acting like this kind, gentle, like-to-prank and friendly student, and become a scary, rude, straightforward and unfriendly student?"

"It depends"

"Depends? On what?"

"If it is the real you, then act like that. But, if not, then stop. Because the one who knows the most about ourselves, is none other than ourselves" I said while stroking Qilla's head.

* (Stroking)

"Y-you know what, Ryan? You can't act like this to just any woman, you know?"

"Haha ~~ if it's to help others, I'm willing to do anything for that"

"Fufu ~~~That's why Niendya ..."

"Hm? Did you say something?"

"No, it's okay. But, are you sure you want to stay like this?" she asked.

Indeed, if other people saw us like this, there would definitely be a lot of rumors circulating.

"If that calms you down, that's fine with me," I said.

"Fufufu ~~~ you!"

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After a while, Qilla returned to her usual self.

"So what about the letter?"

"I'll answer honestly, even though it would hurt him" she said seriously.

"Good. Now, meet him and say what you want to say. I'll be waiting here"

"Eh? You don't have to wait for me, you know?"

"We are still in a meeting for the club, right? As long as the time is available, I will wait here."

*(Smile)

"Uhk ?!"

"Ryan? What's wrong with you?"

"I-it's okay. Come on, you have to meet him, right?"

"Hmhm. I'll be going now!"

Qilla left. Earlier, I was very surprised if Qilla could smile like that. Her smile was so dazzling.

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After a few minutes, Qilla came back. When she entered the library, her face looked very happy as if she was free from all her troubles.

"So, how about it? Feeling good?" I asked.

"Hm ~ (Nod)"

"That's great. Everyone can be free from problems if there are problems. You can accept, leave, forget, and you can deal with them. Nobody knows which way is right, because the right way is our own way."

"As you say. I solve this problem my way. Even though i got a little help, hehehe" she said with a smile.

"So, how about the meeting? Keep going?" I asked.

"Yes, we continue"

Qilla and I continued the meeting in the Library Committee Room. Suddenly, Niendya came up with a gasping breath.

"Are you okay, Niendya? You look really tired" asked Qilla.

"Ah-I ... hah .... I immediately ran .... from the Volleyball Club"

"Hey hey, sit down first" I said.

*(Sit)

"Here, please drink it" said Qilla while serving a glass of tea to Niendya.

"Ahh ... so good! So, during the Volleyball Club meeting earlier, we were all tested first. When it was my turn, I managed to get a perfect score" said Qilla.

"Isn't that great?" I asked.

"No! Not at all! They immediately praised me like I was a savior! You know that annoys me the most, right Ryan ?!" she shouted.

True. Although Niendya is very good at sports, she really feels annoyed when people praise her too much.

"That's right. You once told me, in middle school you never showed your talent in sports. Turns out that is the reason" I said.

"I didn't think that someone like Niendya could feel annoyed because of something like that," said Qilla.

"How rude. I also have weaknesses, you know" said Niendya.

"But, what makes you decide to enter the sports club now?" asked Qilla.

"Guhuk!"

Niendya who was drinking immediately choked.

"Hey, are you all right?" I asked.

"Cough-cough, n-no problem. I'm okay" she said.

"Fufufu ~~"

"Why are you laughing, Qilla ?!" said Niendya who was annoyed at Qilla.

"It's okay, really. Oh yeah, can you help me, Ryan?" she asked.

"Hm? Of course"

"Can you get the library key in the Staff Room? I forgot to take it earlier"

"No problem"

So I went to the Staff Room.

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*(Sit)

"Niendya" called Qilla.

"Yes, what's up?"

"Ryan is a good person, huh ~~" said Qilla with a smile.

"Hm? Ah, that's right. He's been a good person since we were kids"

"I wonder, why no one wants to date him, huh?"

"Well, he always liked just one person until the 3rd grade of junior high school"

"Oh yes? Then, is she dating him?"

"That ..." said Niendya with an anxious face.

"What's the matter? He got rejected?"

"He was rejected, but ...."

"Do you mind telling me?"

".... huft, let me tell you"

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"I see. So that's the reason why he said that .."

"Hm? Ryan said something to you?"

"Fufufu ~~ It's a secret ~~"

"H-hm..is that so?" said Niendya haltingly.

"And you. How about you, Niendya?"

"No, he didn't say anything to me" said Niendya.

"That's not what I mean. Are you interested in anyone, Niendya?"

"E-eh? N-n-no, really. I don't like anyone!" she said with a slightly trembling hand.

"Ara? Is that so?"

"W-w-why the heck?"

"No, I just wanted to ask," said Qilla.

"Is there someone who likes Ryan right now I wonder~~" he continued, peering at Niendya.

"I-I don't know"

"If there isn't, it will be good for me ~~" said Qilla.

"H-hm? What do you mean?" Niendya said doubtfully.

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"I think I'm starting to like Ryan ~~"

"Nhagh?! ​​??"

"... just kidding! Hahaha ~~~ did that surprise you?" asked Qilla.

"N-not at all!"

I came back.

"Hm? What's wrong? Why are you guys making such a fuss like this?" I asked.

"Fufufu ~~ I'm just joking with Niendya" said Qilla with a laugh.

"Joking? Oh yeah, how about we just start the meeting? Niendya is already here too" I said.

"Oh, that's right. Okay I'll get started"

After preparing the meeting, Qilla wrote something on the board.

"The first is the goal. The aim of this club is to maintain, organize and repair all things related to the library"

"Got it" I said and Niendya.

"Second, club finances. In this case, the school provides this club with more funds. This is because the library will affect the needs of the school. So, we have to manage our expenses properly. Do you understand?"

"Understand"

"Hm, what I'm gonna tell you are more like a rules. First, because we are a club, we also have to participate in school events related to school clubs. Second, for the same reason, every club must enter at least one competition of any kind even if it is not related to club activities. So the club can be considered active, not just an empty club. Third, you can do anything here as long as you get my permission as President, or your permission as Vice President, Ryan. Hm ... I guess that's all "

"Okay, I'll remember" I said.

"Oh! There's one more thing"

"In your club activities and daily activities at school, make sure you stick to the rules. You will be in danger if two school organizations are watching you."

"Huh? Organization?" asked Niendya.

"Student Council and Disciplinary Commission"

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Both of them are just organizations. However, they could cause you many difficulties at school if you break the rules. I suggest that you stay away from members of that organization," said Qilla.

"All right. We'll remember"

After that, we discussed many things related tp the club activities.

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"Good! Now let's go home!" Niendya said.

We are getting ready to go home soon.

**

We decided to go home together. Previously, Qilla had always kept a distance from us. With 'that' incident, Qilla finally opened up more and more to me, and Niendya.

"Ryan !!"

Suddenly, a girl called me from the front of the school gate.

"Hm?"

She then approached me. As it turned out, she was Tiara.

"What's wrong, Tiara?" I asked.

"Ryan. Can I ask you a favor?" he asked.

"I'll help as best as I can"

"Are you busy this weekend?"

"I don't think so. I have no activities at all."

"Good. Then, please accompany me," she said.

"Huh?" said Qilla and Niendya together.

"Oh, it's okay, really. Just tell me the location and time when in class tomorrow"

Besides, I don't know what I want to do on the weekend. Usually I just sleep and exercise all day.

"HAH?!?!!" shouted Niendya and Qilla.

"Alright. See you"

Tiara left. When I turned to look at Qilla and Niendya, they looked angry at me.

"Umm ... did I do something to make you angry?"

"No, nothing!" they replied in unison.

That afternoon, they continued to stare at me until the bus stop.

To be Continued ...