The trio of girls' faces twisted in anger.
Their glares sharpened as they raised their voices at me.
"What do you mean, hit rock bottom?!"
"I mean exactly that. Sneaking around behind someone's back to talk trash and trying to drive a wedge between me and Shinonome. No matter how you slice it, you're being absolute trash."
"N-No, I was only saying that for your own good, Hatsukade—"
"And there it is. The classic line selfish people use—claiming it's 'for your sake' just to stop something they personally don't like. You guys are seriously the worst."
"Kh...!"
If they wanted to talk behind people's backs, they could do whatever they wanted.
Everyone needs to vent their grievances once in a while.
However, saying that directly to me—someone who was on good terms with Shinonome—made their malice painfully transparent.
"You just wanted to get me to badmouth Shinonome, right? Sorry to disappoint, but unlike you guys, once I've let someone in, I intend to believe in them to the very end."
When I said that, Shinonome, who was standing behind me for some reason, let out an agonized squeak as if she'd taken critical damage. "L-Let me in?!"
"W-Well, it's not like I don't trust Hatsukade either, you know~. A-And I totally overheard you calling me cute, hehe."
Why was this girl acting so giddy when she was the one being badmouthed?
Look at that; she rubbed them the wrong way even more, and now their faces were practically boiling red.
"W-What is wrong with you two?! You were at each other's throats not that long ago, so why are you acting all buddy-buddy now?! It's disgusting!"
"The only thing disgusting here is your messed-up attitude."
"Excuse me?!"
"A normal person would just say, 'I'm glad you guys made up,' and leave it at that. The fact that you're denying it just proves you want Shinonome to be isolated."
"T-That's not true!"
"You pulled the exact same thing during the overnight field trip. When Katsurama and Shinonome got into that fight, you went and snitched to the teacher about things that never even happened. Shinonome was the victim, yet you framed it as if she were the villain."
The girls uncomfortably averted their eyes, refusing to meet my gaze entirely.
They really were a pathetic bunch.
When they felt they had the upper hand, they chattered on eloquently, but the moment things turned against them, they clammed right up.
"...That's just how it looked to me."
"You really think you can play it off with a lie like that?"
"I-It wasn't a lie!"
"If that's true, it's even worse. It only looked that way to you because you spend all your time hunting for other people's flaws. Seriously, what are you so bitter about? You didn't even suffer any direct harm, yet you treat someone like a sworn enemy. And when that person trips up, you celebrate that they've dragged themselves down to your level. Tell me, what's so fun about that?"
"Stop making wild assumptions and picking fights! There's no way we're on the same level as Shinonome!"
"Yeah, you're right. Shinonome is far more charming than any of you."
"Kh!"
"My bad. Let me retract what I said earlier."
"Khhh...!"
Why do people insist on picking fights with other people's lives like this?
It's probably because where they are right now isn't where they want to be.
In short, they're unsatisfied with their own lives.
That's why they succumb to twisted jealousy and envy, obsessing over everyone else.
As long as they're doing that, they don't have to face their own shortcomings.
All while remaining completely blind to the fact that they've lost their way.
"Phew. Well, whatever. I like to think I've mellowed out quite a bit lately."
"Haaah?!"
If it had been me right after starting high school, I probably would have brushed these pests off as beneath my notice.
However, I've learned a lot recently.
After all, I've done a complete one-eighty to the point where I can honestly say I'm fond of Shinonome and Sakura, both of whom I used to despise.
"I think you'd all be better off living a little more honestly."
"What are you—"
I lightly patted Suzuki on the shoulder.
"I mean it. As long as you aren't being spiteful, all three of you are cute."
"!?"
"You just haven't realized your own charm yet."
It was only because they kept showing such a hideous side of themselves that they came across as awful people.
Maybe deep down, they were hiding an awkward cuteness just like Shinonome... or maybe not. Probably.
"W-What is wrong with you?!"
"I'm your classmate."
"That's not what I meant!"
"Look, if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm always open for advice. Resorting to underhanded drama like this means you guys probably need some emotional support. I'm willing to help."
"~~~?!"
"Though I really don't want to hear you badmouthing Shinonome, so give me a break on that front."
Come to think of it, if I had handled things more gracefully back then, maybe I could have stopped Katsurama before things escalated into such a disaster. I didn't intend to be the kind of guy who repeated the same mistakes.
Even though I genuinely meant to encourage them, Suzuki began trembling violently and shrieked at me.
"Don't get full of yourself! L-Like anyone would ever ask you for help!"
"Calm down. Let's take a deep breath first. I'm sure we can find some common ground."
"Drop dead!"
With that, the three of them turned on their heels and scrambled away down the hall.
"Hmm. I hope that helps them turn over a new leaf."
"Yeah, not gonna happen."
As I watched their retreating backs with a refreshing sense of accomplishment, Shinonome suddenly kicked me in the shin.
"What was that for?"
"Kh, what is with that ridiculously supportive act of yours?! There's a legit chance Suzuki might end up falling down the exact same route I did... No way, absolutely not!"
Her face twisting into a conflicted scowl, Shinonome pouted.
"If you ever get stabbed one day, I'm not defending you, got it?"
Why wouldn't you? That's a serious felony.
Looking thoroughly displeased, Shinonome stomped away, sticking her tongue out as she glanced over her shoulder.
"Blehh!"
"..."
I was pretty sure I had just stood up for her.
A girl's heart really is a mystery.