(A Reverse Harem)
If there's anything Anri Hinomori loves more than fictional characters, it's drama. By day, she's responsible for the anonymous gossip column for her high school's newspaper, and by night, she blogs extensive, long-winded reviews o...
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IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING, THE ASSEMBLY WAS CANCELLED.
As promised, Kiryuu's article was posted all over the school prior to the start of the day. Students and staff members flooded the newspaper club for copies, until eventually, everyone had one, and it was all that was being talked about.
"How dare you!"
"Takumi is such a nice guy who didn't deserve any of this, too! Don't you dare show your ugly ass face around him again!"
"If it wasn't considered animal abuse, I'd smack you right now!"
Ambling through the hallways was like stepping on blazing stones. I might as well have had a "kick me" sign taped onto my back. But, instead of kicking me, people were throwing crumpled-up sheets of papers, erasers, and other stationeries, at my head and back. Of course, they were furious. Of course, they now had it out for me. Deep down, I assumed I'd be prepared for anything, but this drastic change in treatment churned my gut nonetheless.
I'd just crawled my way out of being invisible. I was just starting to get a sense of what it was like to make an honest effort at school—in my academics—and earn the admiration of my peers. Now, it was all flushed down an invisible drain. Let alone back to square one, I was in the negatives.
"Miss Hinomori, I'm sure you know why you're here." The chair in the principal's office was unbearably stiff. Mr. Yakumo had summoned me down to his office before even the first bell, insisting he speak with me. Understandably, considering he'd also caught wind of the article—the gossip. He intertwined his fingers on his desk. "I tried to get in touch with your father, but he stated he was unable to take the time off work to come down here to have a chat about your situation."
That was nothing new. It was a miracle he'd even answered the phone at all.
"At the very least, I left a message." His stare ebbed at my composure. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
"No, sir. I'm guilty."
His shoulders sagged. "That is quite unfortunate." He withheld a breath, mulling over my response. "I had hoped you'd at least be willing to offer a proper explanation. Was it mere jealousy that had spurred you to act, or something else entirely? No matter, I suppose. As long as you won't deny it, I'm left no choice but to accept this as the truth. Are you ready for your punishment?"
