Chapter 33 - Why Apologize?

"What are you doing?"

Yukino said bluntly, "Are you blind? You're really asking such a mentally challenged question. If you're not using your eyes, please donate them to someone in need!"

When the girl named Ueno wanted to confront Shouko, the boy just stood by, looking hesitant.

People like that, who don't care about the other party's difficulties, are unforgivable!

"Damn it! You all..."

The spiky-haired boy was already conflicted and depressed. After Yukino's harsh and cruel attack, he instantly became enraged.

However, the boy still restrained himself.

But Yukino didn't let him go.

Should she forgive others?

People like that don't deserve forgiveness at all!

Yukino sneered, "What, are you angry out of shame?"

"Because you're weak and incompetent, you're useless, but you don't have the courage to change. As a result, you can't do anything. All you can do is this."

"Shut up!"

Yukino's words were like needles piercing the boy's body, causing his expression to change slightly.

He was breathing rapidly, clenching his fists, and struggling with the pain and anger Yukino's words had caused in his heart.

And it was clearly the result of feeling shame and anger after being struck in a sensitive spot.

"Men like you are utterly worthless!"

Yukino coldly said, "Even a simple paramecium is more useful than you."

"I told you to shut up!"

The people around suddenly exclaimed, but it was the boy who, enraged by Yukino's words, took action.

The fact proves that a venomous tongue does indeed have the power to attract hatred.

Yukino had been prepared for a long time and was about to retreat as soon as the boy moved. However, at that moment, Shouko, who was being held back by Yui, suddenly broke free and rushed in front of Yukino as if she was preparing to block her.

Yukino almost instinctively grabbed Shouko and pulled her back. In doing so, she could only watch as the boy's slap came towards her.

"Am I going to get hit?"

Yukino's eyes widened slightly, feeling as if time had slowed down at that moment. As the slap approached, she instinctively closed her eyes.

*CRACK*

A sharp sound was heard.

However, the expected pain didn't come. Yukino instinctively opened her eyes and saw Haruto standing in front of her, grabbing the other party's wrist.

His back wasn't particularly strong, but it clearly provided a sense of security to those around him.

"Yukino-chan, are you okay?"

Yuigahama rushed forward and asked nervously.

"I'm fine."

Yukino took a deep breath, stepped forward, grabbed Haruto's arm, and said, "Kuromori-kun, don't mess around..."

No matter what, they shouldn't hit anyone here, otherwise it would be troublesome if it was reported back to Sobu High, and Haruto might even be expelled from school.

Haruto pushed the spiky-haired boy away, causing him to stumble backward and nearly fall to the ground.

"Ishida."

The girl with long, straight black hair quickly supported the boy, glaring angrily at Haruto, and sneered, "Are you also friends with Nishimiya? Haha... What, is it popular now to be friends with someone who was once bullied?"

"Sorry, I don't understand what you're talking about."

Although the girl with the long, straight black hair was pretty and had a nice voice, for some reason, her laugh was irritating.

Haruto firmly said, "When we see injustice, we draw our swords to help. Is there a problem?"

"You..."

"Ueno, stop talking, let's go."

Shoya opened his mouth and looked extremely dejected and sad.

Ueno gritted her teeth but could only help Shoya leave.

At this moment, Shouko ran over. Seeing that she wanted to chase after them, Haruto reached out and directly grabbed the girl's wrist.

He didn't know the relationship between Shouko, Shoya, and Ueno, and he didn't need to know.

Judging by the fact that Ueno wanted to hit Shouko just now, and Shoya didn't stop her in time, as well as what the girl had said—

Shouko continuing to interact with them might not be a good thing.

"Forgive me! Forgive me... for causing you trouble."

"Please... let me go."

"Sorry."

Shouko looked anxious and kept bowing. Although she didn't speak, it was clear that this was what she wanted to express.

'Apologize? Why are you apologizing? Causing trouble? Although I know that people in this country don't like causing trouble for others, and when they are helped by someone, most of them will say, "I'm sorry for causing you trouble" instead of thanking you...'

'As a result, the phrase "I'm sorry for being human" is even used, shocking the entire online community, but... Why do you have to apologize right now? Did you do something wrong?'

Haruto didn't understand.

So, he firmly said, "Don't let go—"

In a world that was silent, a sound suddenly came, initially faint, but gradually becoming clearer.

Was this the sound?

Shouko suddenly widened her eyes and instinctively touched her left ear, but she didn't feel her hearing aid.

For some reason, she had placed the hearing aid in her school bag instead of wearing it.

But why—

Shouko looked up and stared at him in surprise.

Haruto continued, "Everything you say next will be used as evidence in court, so you have the right to remain silent."

She truly heard it—very clearly.

There was also the sound of the wind, which was so gentle, the sound of water trickling, and unknown birds flying in the sky, making loud noises.

Shouko stared blankly at the boy, and two streams of tears suddenly flowed down her face.

She immediately raised her hand to wipe away the tears, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"Kuromori-kun, please don't show your disgusting side at this moment."

Beside them, Yukino pulled Shouko and looked at Haruto with very disgusted eyes.

Haruto remained silent and said, "It was just small talk."

Hearing this, Yukino suddenly showed an expression of disgust as if she was looking at something irrecyclable like kitchen waste: "Do you need to hold a girl's hand while having small talk and not let go?"

Haruto nodded and said, "It's necessary."

If he didn't hold Shouko, he wouldn't be able to hear her at all.

Yukino waved her hand as if shooing away a fly: "Go ahead, but don't scare Nishimiya-san here."

Haruto's head was full of black lines: "Someone like me has a high head-turning rate when walking down the street, okay?"

Although he wasn't particularly handsome, if he dressed up a bit, he would at least be more handsome than those idols.

"Huh..."

Yukino glanced at him, then shook her head, showing a bit of disgust.

"..."

Seeing the two of them start to argue again, Yuigahama suddenly felt a bit envious and said, "Yukino-chan, your relationship with Kuromori-kun is really good."

"..."

Seeing both of them look at her, Yuigahama stuck out her pink tongue, tilted her head, and smiled, acting both mischievous and sweet.

Beside them, Shouko widened her eyes and looked at the three of them with curiosity.

Is this their voice?

Did she really hear it?