With his eyes alternating between me and Nami, the guy eventually lowered his head and stepped forward, to try and get out of the room.

However, with our bodies blocking the way, he found himself unable to proceed.

Nami wanted to open the way but I grabbed her waist and pulled her close. She tried to reprimand me using her eyes but I only responded with a shake of my head.

If shes still going to be nice at this point, Ogawa would just remain like that. Cowering inside his own shell without even trying to take a step forward outside of the darkness where hes currently staying.

Namis kindness was like a single ray of light, illuminating the dark space of his shell. However, that ray of light came from a glowing stone. And obviously, the light it was reflecting wasnt unlimited. Sooner or later, it would eventually be exhausted.

When that time comes, the coward would remain in his darkness, without a guiding light to bring him out of it.

Thats why this situation was the best moment to knock some sense into him.

I already told him what he should do. But he probably forgot that as he focused too much on himself. On the revelation concerning his pathetic self.

Ogawa, where are you going? I asked the guy before I took a peek past his shoulder. The gang was complete except for Shizu and obviously, Nami next to me.

And since the sound of the opening door was loud, they were already looking in our direction. Or theyre already looking in this direction even before we enter.

I mean, this guy was about to go out. Thats reason enough to see him out through their eyes.

As soon as my eyes scanned the room, I instantly noticed Hina. She looked incensed as though she was angered by something or better yet, someone. Saki and Kikuchi were by her side, rubbing her back and trying to calm her down. Arisa-senpai looked worried while Izumi-senpai had a complicated look on her face while standing up from her seat.

Shes probably about to call Ogawa back but with our appearance, the words got stuck in her throat.

As for the two guys. Tadano had his brows furrowed while looking at Ogawa disappointedly while Taku, well, hes as expressionless as ever.

In any case, seeing Hina in that state, anger also welled up in my chest. Obviously, I was as affected as my girls even though I didnt know the context.

I could guess what happened but its a lot better to inform myself through this.

Raising his head to meet my gaze, Ogawa scowled but he still looked dejected or despairing. Whatever fits him most. Move it, Onoda. Im leaving.

Pfft. Are you running away again? Is that all you can do? I intentionally snickered to agitate him but the response I received was utterly disappointing.

So what? You cant dictate what I do.

Before responding to that, I looked at Nami and nodded. My hand gripped her waist tightly as I tried to communicate with her wordlessly through our eyes.

Whether she understood what I meant or not wasnt important. But considering she nodded back, I guess she got the gist of what Im about to do. She hugged my arms tightly and drew even closer.

Seeing that, Ogawa clenched his fist pathetically as anger bubbled up and popped at the same time in his head. He couldnt muster any anger at the situation. Most likely, what I told him yesterday continues to ring in his head. Hes a pathetic coward who couldnt move on.

Thats why after getting Namis agreement, I used my free hand to push him inside the room with a bit of force.

As it was something he didnt expect, the guy was pushed a few steps back before falling down on his ass.

Upon seeing that, Izumi-senpai was about to shout at me but Arisa-senpai held her off. I guess for her, what I did was unnecessary or too over the top.

Nonetheless, I lightly lowered my head to her when our gaze met before stepping inside the room with Nami and closing the door behind us.

Removing my hand from Nami, I walked forward, my eyes looking down on Ogawa thats still grimacing from the pain of falling down.

I heard a gasp of surprise from Kikuchi as well as the sound of Tadanos chair falling down as well when he hurriedly stood up right after Ogawa fell down.

But I ignored those and continued on my steps before squatting down before Ogawa.

I could talk to him while looking down but that would be in extremely bad taste. Hes already down on the ground, I didnt need to step on him further.

Thats true. I cant dictate what you do. Youre a master of your own person. I respect that. I started; my eyes entirely focused on the cowards good-looking face. Hes handsome, alright. But beyond that, hes nothing but a turtle that was running faster than a hare. All hes relying on was his natural charm. Take that off him and hed be nothing. He might be more pathetic than a nerdy otaku who already lost hope in the 3D world.

However, are you really just going to embrace being this pathetic? I continued. With every word I said, the volume of my voice grew louder.

Although this might be seen as me pulling him down further, I could see myself as a blacksmith with a hammer, forging this cowardly idiot to man up. Id hit him many times if possible but if he breaks in the end, then hes nothing but a scrap metal of poor quality who only looked excellent on the outside.

You got your girl stolen. You made your childhood friend hate you. You pushed away the remaining girl trying to understand you. What else? You refused to acknowledge your wrongdoing. I Like I said, Im a bastard. You can hate me all you want because of everything I did but Ogawa I will never be as pathetic as you. Why dont you stand up and hit me? So that, for once in your life, you can stand up for yourself. Come on!

Saying all that without hitting a pause button, everyones eyes fell on me. Arisa-senpai was a little gloomy, perhaps shes also thinking Ive gone overboard.

Nami was standing behind me so I had no idea what kind of expression she had now.

Hinas anger was abated and shes now looking at me worriedly, perhaps its because I told Ogawa to hit me. Saki was the same but her eyes told me that she was cheering me on.

Izumi-senpai was, nevertheless, speechless. Her eyes were shaking as though she was about to be filled with rage yet she was holding herself back.

As for the other three in the room, I had no time to check anymore.

it.

Thats the only word I caught from the guy in front of me.

Come again? I asked.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds

By the time everyone managed to exhale the breath they were holding, Ogawas bloodshot eyes stared straight at me as his hand angrily grabbed my collar. From being down on his ass, the guy kneeled as he tried holding me up before barking in rage. I get it! Im pathetic! Is that what you want to hear! I accept that I am. What more do you want?!

Haa Its no different than yesterday. He just had her anger burst forth.

But this was fine, I could steer him close to my desired outcome.

I told you yesterday. Apologize. Thats what you need to do. But hey, you dont want me to dictate that, right? Decide for yourself.