Clearing up his stigma.
Ishigami had decided to do this since he had to say that Onodera's words made him uncomfortable, and he was sure that the others would also talk to him mockingly like that. He wasn't like Ishigami, who could ignore the injustice that happened to him so he could make a girl happy due to her ignorance.
After all, who wanted to live while being persecuted like this?
Wasn't it better to live peacefully?
Thankfully, Ishigami had evidence to prove his innocence, which could help him to expose the true criminal who had falsely accused him.
At the same time, he thought of one figure who could help him to solve all the situations that had haunted him.
Still, if he had to be honest, he didn't care about their talks since sooner or later, they would part away in life.
High school was only three years, and after that, everyone would be on their own and become strangers.
Moreover, he could become a NEET, relying on his parents and older brother to live in the future, so there was no need to be afraid of living in poverty.
If there was a problem, he just didn't like when he thought he had to live like a criminal, yet those who had accused him and those whom Ishigami had saved could live happily.
If it was the previous Ishigami, then he might think that there was nothing that he could do, and he was okay with it since he wanted to protect that girl, but he was different since he didn't want to live like this.
'Still, who is the name of the girl again?'
Ishigami tried to think of the name of the girl whom Ishigami tried to save in middle school, but in the end, he couldn't, so he didn't bother.
This was one of the things that he had to do, and the other was his bangs.
He had to say his bangs were annoying, as they were so long and made it hard for him to see. However, he also knew that it was all due to trauma and a way for him to protect himself from the outside. His bangs were like curtains that helped him to close the ugly world before him.
Still, once again, he was different, so he swept up his bangs so he could see better.
As expected, his sight became better, and he could see everything clearly. The bangs that helped him hide from reality before him were no longer needed by him. At the same time, he thought of cutting his hair short since he wasn't used to long hair, which should also be his new beginning.
Yet, some people saw this action; their lips squirmed, but they couldn't say anything openly.
Ishigami continued to learn even if what he could understand was limited, but when the break came, he didn't intend to stay in the class, as he was ready to start his plan to erase this stigma of his.
However, when he stood up from his seat—
"Ishigami..."
Ishigami turned and looked at Onodera, who suddenly called him out. "Hmm?" He didn't show an unpleasant or cold expression, only curiosity.
"I..."
Yet, when Onedera faced his gaze, she couldn't say what she wanted to utter. Frankly, she should act cold, mock him with everyone like before, but somehow as she saw his silent hard work, she felt her heart was tightened, filled with guilt, thinking how childish her action be.
However... the words that she wanted to say couldn't come out, and she... just didn't know what to say.
"What's wrong, Onodera-san?"
His voice was gentle and polite, which made her even feel guilty.
"No-Nothing..."
In the end, Onodera couldn't say what she wanted to say.
"Is that so? Then, I will leave first."
"Okay." Onodera nodded. "Sorry for stopping you."
"It's fine. You don't need to worry." Ishigami waved his hand and left the class with ease.
Yet, Onedera couldn't feel at ease at all. She kept wondering why she couldn't say what she wanted to say, and this thought would probably haunt her until tomorrow.
'Ugh...'
Still, her actions were noticed by many, and they felt doubt, strangeness, and curiosity.
Ishigami was a loner and a misfit, but Onodera was one of the pretty girls in the class who was also quite popular and had many friends.
So, why should she stop him so suddenly?
Yet, for a few of them, after they looked at Onodera, they looked at Ishigami's back, and their gazes filled with doubt.
However, those things had nothing to do with Ishigami, who went to buy sandwiches and drinks before he visited the student council to implement his plan.
Still, as he was on his way, he saw a petite and slender girl with fair skin and beautiful long black hair, which she tied on the back with a cute ribbon.
Even from a distance, one could see how different she was from the rest, whether it was her beauty or the way she walked.
Well, this girl wasn't his type, though, and when he thought so, suddenly, the girl turned and looked in his direction.
Did she feel his rude thoughts?
He was startled, but he quickly reacted and greeted this girl politely, "Shinomiya-senpai."
"Ishigami-kun."
The girl politely nodded at his greeting, yet she was also curious since she could feel that this junior of hers and the member of the student council were quite different as it was rare for him to initiate a greeting or even appear in this area.
Still, Ishigami felt that his change was nothing compared to the identity of this girl.
Shinomiya Kaguya.
The vice president of the student council and also his senior.
Her total family worth was two hundred trillion yen.
Trains, banks, cars, etc., with easily over one thousand child companies, the Shinomiya Group counted as one among four Zaibatsu, and she was the daughter of the leader of the entire group.
Moreover, she also excelled in theater, musicals, martial arts, and countless other subjects.
Still, such a perfect girl also had a weakness, but Ishigami didn't dare to talk about it since he didn't want to be sent to Siberia to plant a potato.
"Are you going to the student council too?" Kaguya asked.
"Yes." Ishigami nodded. "Are you going there too, Senpai?"
"Yes, I have some jobs to do there," Kaguya observed him discreetly, then asked, "It is me, or do you seem to change a little?"
"Is it?" Ishigami pretended to be confused when he heard her question.
"Yeah." Kaguya nodded, feeling that this junior of hers really had changed somehow.
"Is it a bad change?"
When she was asked such a question, Kaguya didn't answer his question immediately, paused, and then shook her head. "No, I think it is good." Compared to the usual gloomy junior, this change wasn't bad at all. Still, this change made her curious, though.
Still, she suddenly noticed that he appeared to be hesitant for a while, which made her ask once again, "What's wrong?"
"Senpai... are you free after school?"
"Well..." Kaguya was dumbfounded when Ishigami asked her this question, but due to her curiosity, she nodded. "I am free. Is there a problem?" If it was another man, she might not agree and would reject the invitation, but it was different with Ishigami as they knew each other. Moreover, she also did a background check from his birth until now, so she knew he was safe and gentle, especially when she also knew the truth behind his accident.
After a moment of hesitation, Ishigami said, "There is something that I want to talk with you about later after school. Can you meet me later, Senpai?"
"...okay?"
Even though Kaguya was curious, she decided to wait until the class was over, wondering what Ishigami wanted to say, but then... one thought suddenly crossed her mind.
'Is he going to confess to me?'
When Kaguya thought so, she was stunned and secretly glanced at Ishigami, who changed the hairstyle into a mid-parted long hair like a young Kimura Takuya with long hair.
While she had to admit that Ishigami was handsome, she had to apologize since her love had already been given to a certain someone whom she couldn't name. So, If Ishigami confessed to her, then of course, she would have to reject him.
Still, as he was her junior, she knew that she had to be gentle so she wouldn't hurt his heart.
As she made up her mind to do so, they had arrived at the student council.
Only if Ishigami knew what was on the head of this young woman would he be sure that he would stare at her speechlessly, thinking that, like her family's wealth, her imagination was rich.