Himeouji 2 (Patreon)

2 - The Prince’s Downfall

RAW

High school life is approaching its second year, it was the end of October where autumn is deepening——.

Himeouji, who was commuting to school by train, was arrested on suspicion of molestation that day.

The sensational news quickly spreads throughout the school, and rumors about him start to circulate everywhere.

“... No, I didn't do it. That's a false charge.”

Asked by several of her friends, Himeouji,  who answered weakly, was quite worn out.

It seems that the other party had been threatening to sue, and he must have been detained for a long time.*

However, as a result, Himeouji was never sued.

Maybe his family didn't want to make a big deal out of it, they decided to settle the matter with the victim out of court, and that was the end of the case—— or so it seemed.

Of course, that could never happen.

…

“Ah—, that’s… the fallen prince… fufuu, it’s so amusing…”

“Even though he molested someone he insist it was a false charge, honestly, I’m disappointed”

From that day on, such whispers were spoken in low voices everywhere at school.

Yes, those who once surrounded him with near-faithful feelings, each and everyone of them have all turned their backs on him and are now treating him as a sex offender.

The fact that the Himeouji's house settled the case out of court probably also roused anger from the girls’ hearts.

They ignored the victim’s feelings, and silenced her with money—— that's the image that has been created.

Even the three people who were particularly close to Himeouji, they moved away from him like a receding wave, and there is already no one by the Himeouji’s side.

The student council too, dismissed—— fired him, that’s what I heard.

Despite one-sidedly scouted him, they now one-sidedly dismissed him, how is truly selfish

Nevertheless, whether it was the dismissal or the fact that people have left, he doesn't seem to be bothered by them.

What actually bothers him is probably the malicious words whispered and the ridicule he heard from afar, not directly to himself

“The hell? He still comes to school? He’s mental…”

“Isn’t he thinking someone would comfort him? He’s just clinging to the past glory”

“A criminal’s past glory? Things like imprisonment history?”

“Hey, stop… pfft, that's hilarious… pfft…”

“————I said, I didn’t do it!!!”

Once—— having reached the end of his patience, Himeouji raised his voice and complained.

But that would only result in a colder gaze toward him.

The audible contempt and ridicule grew in number and cruelty, and finally after a long time, a teacher, hearing the commotion, said the unbelievable words.

“I know it's frustrating to hear the rumors, but don't hit other students, isn’t this the consequences of your own actions? If you can't stay quiet, you can quit at any time.”

These were not words directed towards an exemplary student who had once been praised as an honor student and encouraged everyone to follow his example.

Biting his lip with a sorrowful face, Himeouji didn’t talk back, didn’t resort to violence, he just silently left the classroom behind.

That’s obvious, if I was in the same position, I wouldn't want to be in this place even for a second longer.

(Those guys, are they serious… aren’t they being too much of piece of trash)

Yuuma was so stunned by this that he could not even interject a word.

It's true that I chased every distant whispering voice I heard and tried to stop it——I didn't do anything like that.

If someone had openly denounced him in front of me, I would have stopped him, but the devious students harassed him from afar the whole time.

That is because they can make any number of excuses later.

That's why the teacher's words and attitude were so unexpected that even the idea of stopping him flew out of my head.

The teacher received praise from the surroundings, especially from the girls, and even broadly grinned, mooning.*

I want to say out loud which one is the sex offender.

“Uwaaah, he finally seriously snapped… no, I guess he snapped back?”

“If he gets desperate from this, he'll do more than molest.”

A boy who was around me started talking to me like that.

These are friends who used to be close to Yuuma, and acknowledged and praised Himeouji even while looking at him with frustration.

I never thought they would say such a thing.

“Oi——don’t say something like that”

A deep, low voice that surprised even me was overflowing from my throat.

“Eh, what’s wrong Hanio?”

Hanio is something of a nickname for Hanyuu Yuuma.

Although, I don't want to be called that after this.

“What? Are you covering up that downfall?”

What else could it possibly sound like?

“So what if it is?”

“Nonono, isn’t that impossible? He’s a criminal you know? A molester even”

“Did you actually see it?”

If you see it with your own eyes, and then rebuke him for it, I can accept that.

Because it was settled out of court, it didn't appear in any articles or reports, so we still didn't know anything about the situation.

If someone was there and knew the situation, and then denounced him based on the truth——then even Yuuma would surely acknowledge that.

But my former friend in front of me is not like that.

“He said he didn't do it, right?. Even when such a good guy denied it with that kind of face, why can’t you believe him?”

Everyone at this school should know what a good natured person Himeouji is, and how trustworthy a person he is.

That's why he was so adored and popular.

Over several years of association, every girl he got along with, without exception, was deeply in love with him, to the point where they had their heart stolen by him.

That existence, his relationship, and the trust he has built——.

Seeing everything disappear like a mirage, Yuuma was beyond surprised, and in a sense, even terrified.

My childhood friend who was so close to me, my sister whom I adored, my senior whom I respected, my other friends and acquaintances——I can no longer think of them as anything but different creatures.

(T/N: I wanted to add asterisk (*) to every sentence that I’m not sure has the correct wording, but I stopped because there’s too many of them. Instead, I mark the one I’m not sure what the meaning is.

This release is for tomorrow. Because I probably won’t release anything tomorrow.)

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