Classroom of the Elite: I Have the Ability to Read Minds! (COTE)

Chapter 85: Kei: I Won't Give Up!

Chapter 85: Kei: I Won't Give Up!

Kei whispered those words while tightly hugging Yuto's arm.

Beneath his arm was the scar her bullies had left on her.

Even when bathing, Kei did not dare touch that scar, because it would make fear rise inside her.

But when she realized Yuto's arm was pressed against it, she did not feel fear or resistance. Instead, she felt a certain longing.

She wanted Yuto's arm to keep covering that scar, as if it could suppress all her fear and despair.

"It's already in the past."

Yuto gently stroked Kei's honey-colored hair with pity.

Through Kei, Yuto saw traces of the old Airi, the girl who had once been frightened by delinquent thugs.

But back then, Airi had Yuto beside her to support and protect her.

Kei, who had been bullied, had no one beside her. Only the people who hurt her.

Under Yuto's gentle touch, Kei lightly rubbed her head against his palm.

After forcing herself to endure everything alone for so long, it was as if she had finally found someone she could rely on.

"Kei, you're actually pretty strong."

"What do you mean?"

Kei, who was still hugging Yuto's arm, raised her head. Her lively, fawn-like eyes were filled with confusion.

Could someone like her really be called strong?

Facing Kei's puzzled gaze, Yuto patiently explained, "Even after suffering that kind of bullying, you still stood back up and enrolled in this high school to walk toward an unknown future."

"If it were someone else, she would have hidden away in the countryside long ago and never come out again."

Airi, who was holding her phone, lightly nodded.

She was the "someone else" Yuto was talking about.

Then Airi's lips curved slightly, revealing a happy smile.

Although she was not as strong as Karuizawa Kei, she had Shimizu Yuto, her childhood friend, beside her. He had protected her properly.

"I'm not strong at all," Kei said weakly while tightly holding Yuto's arm. "I'm afraid of others learning about my past. I'm afraid of being bullied again."

"I'm just... a parasite. A weak creature that can't survive alone."

"To keep myself from being bullied at this school, I planned to place my hope of survival on someone else."

"So, Yuto... I want to ask you to pretend to be my boyfriend. I want you to become the pillar that lets me keep living at this school."

After saying that, Kei held Yuto's arm with all her strength, as if afraid he would disappear if she loosened her grip.

Kei was afraid.

Afraid that Yuto would reject this humble request, this desperate plea.

Yuto did not pull away from Kei's tight embrace. Like he was comforting a frightened rabbit, he gently stroked her honey-colored hair.

Perhaps sensing his warmth from that gesture, Kei's body gradually stopped trembling.

"Kei."

"Mm..."

"Because I have a girlfriend, I can't pretend to be your boyfriend. But I can promise you that I'll protect you from being bullied from now on. I'll make sure you don't need to live like a parasite anymore," Yuto said seriously.