Probably because Ureshino was this gluttonous boy who believed in love above all, and reminded her of some anime character. And they hadn’t actually checked with everyone to find out if it was true they weren’t going to school.

The others were silent and Ureshino continued.

‘It’s stupid. You’ve all dropped out of school, yet here you act like normal people. But you’re fooling yourselves. You people have no intention of ever going.’

Kokoro nearly let out a shriek, but stifled it.

Aki was silent. It was her turn to go bright red, and she glared at Ureshino with a look that could kill. Her cheeks might be bright scarlet, but below the neck she was as white as a ghost.

‘But I am going,’ declared Ureshino, pointing at his chest. He looked around at each of them. ‘I’ll be back at school after the break. You guys can stay here for ever, for all I care.’

‘That’s a little strong, don’t you think?’ This was from Rion. He got to his feet and stood facing Ureshino. ‘It’s really fun here!’

‘Not for me, it isn’t!’ Ureshino suddenly raised his voice, his face twisted. Rion flinched, and Ureshino, seeing his opening, spoke hurriedly: ‘I mean, you guys are always making fun of me, aren’t you? You always have. Always. I don’t know why, but no one takes me seriously. And you think you can get away with anything because it’s me.’

‘That’s not true!’ Kokoro interrupted.

But deep-down she was shocked. What he said was true.

Because it’s only Ureshino, it’s OK to make fun of him. Kokoro herself thought it was allowed. He switched his love interest so easily, jumping from one to the other, and the girls found this comical. And that had helped the girls to become close.

They’d never taken Ureshino seriously.

I sort of knew, but couldn’t admit it. And now all I can do is apologize.

‘If we made you feel that way, I’m really sorry. But—’

‘Ha, ha, ha – give me a break!’ Ureshino exclaimed, and Kokoro took a step back.

‘You too!’ Ureshino glared at Aki, then turned to look at Subaru.

‘And you! And you! And you!’

He glared at each one in turn, and finally turned to Rion.

‘You too, with your nothing-to-do-with-me look on your face! And yet all of you are the same as me – people hate you, they bully you, you have no friends.’

‘Ureshino, calm down, will you?’ Rion said, and rested a hand on his shoulder.

Each of us has our own reasons, Kokoro thought.

Ureshino shook off Rion’s hand. He looked ready to break down in tears. Despite his aggressive tone, he seemed to be pleading for help. It was hard to watch, yet Kokoro couldn’t drag her eyes away.