Chapter 84: Red and Silver

Translator: Soafp

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Double Heroine Edition

[Gindou PoV]

Falling in love with someone is a precious thing. Thinking of that person makes your heart race and your emotions overflow with excitement and a sweet-sour feeling, yet occasionally a hint of loneliness.

I have feelings for a male student named Kuroda Izayoi in the same class. At first, I only had the impression of “What’s with this guy?” To be honest, he looked average, to say the least. I thought he was just like any random person you’d find around, prone to sexual harassment and immediately saying inappropriate things to me. I thought he was the worst – a stalker, a pervert, the lowest of the low.

But, he was different. He never directed those kinds of glances at me, and no matter how harshly he was spoken to, he stood up for me. I saw my ideal in him. His words resonated deeply within me, even when I recalled the tough days and felt like I was about to break.

I like him. I like him a lot.

However, he ended up having a good relationship with Karen-senpai. The fact is painful. I want him to look at me. I want him to love me more.

I want to be his girlfriend.

And I want to do everything together. Cooking, going on dates, whatever it takes, even if it means climbing the stairs of adulthood. I would accept any of his preferences, even if others call us mismatched or don’t understand. Even if I have to endure being called a side dish, I want to support him. I want to be affectionate with him. I want to play games like “The one who confesses their love first loses.”

But do I have the right for that? Is it okay for me to interfere with his relationship with Karen-senpai, whom he likes? Shouldn’t I just give up? Countless thoughts race through my mind one after another. Of course, I don’t want to give up. I don’t want to be left out when he and Karen-senpai have a wedding ceremony or something. I want to wear a wedding dress. I want to exchange vows. I want to be proposed to.

But…

Sitting alone in my bedroom, I sit cross-legged and ponder. There’s no way an answer will come. I can’t possibly know what the right choice is.

Suddenly, the sliding door to my room opens. And there she is…

“May I come in?”

“What… what do you want?”

“What do you think? I’m here for a little consultation about your troubles. After all, I am your Senpai.”

“…There’s really nothing I need to consult with you about.”

Honestly, I don’t dislike this person, but right now, she’s the last person I want to deal with. Probably because whatever she says, it’ll come across as condescending sympathy. That’s just how I feel.

“Hmmm. I can pretty much guess what you’re troubled about. You’re upset that Izayoi is being taken away by me, aren’t you?”

“!!!!!!”

A provoking tone. I sense her gaze becoming sharp. I’ve probably never shown this expression of anger before.

“So, what are you going to do? Are you giving up?”

“…”

“What was all that talk about not losing in the bath?”

“…Because… it’s already… hopeless, isn’t it?”

I can’t say anything in response to her provocative words. Because, it feels like a losing battle.

“When you were chosen…. I had no choice but to give up, right?”

“…I don’t want to say it, but Izayoi probably likes you too. I’m sure of it.”

“Sounds like you’re sympathizing from a superior position.”

“It might sound that way, but that’s what I thought. The difference between you and me is whether we’ve conveyed our feelings. That’s all.”

“…”

“On that day, when we conveyed our feelings, my heart raced uncontrollably. I was unbelievably happy, and it felt so precious. Sharing our feelings with each other is such a significant thing.”

“Why are you saying all this? Sympathy from a superior position? It might seem that way. If not, then why?”

“Right now, you’re probably wondering why I’m saying this.”

“…”

I didn’t say anything, but she seemed to understand everything.

“I might not like you, but I dislike the gloomy, downcast version of you even more. I can’t stand seeing you like that.”

“…”

“You’ve got big breasts, a cute face, and oozing sex appeal, and it honestly pisses me off. The pushy heroine, holding her own, that version of you annoys me.”

Her words were strong, allowing no room for disagreement. This woman… she’s strong. Although she always seemed lighthearted… she’s a strong person.

“Besides, I can’t handle it if your approach is awkward like this. I can’t do it either.”

“That’s your true feelings, huh…”

“Yeah, that’s my truest feelings. Because I’m selfish. I’ve always been like that. So, please, go on and approach him the way you always do. I will win fair and square against my rival, Kohaku, and reach the epilogue. This is my ending. That’s my main heroine path.”

I widened my eyes. She pointed her finger at me, but her hand was trembling slightly.

I see… This person seems full of confidence, but it’s not quite true. This encouragement might put her at a disadvantage. It might make her unchosen. But she’s doing it for me?

Fair and square…

“I didn’t expect you to say something so much like a Senpai…”

“Well, because I’m a Senpai!”

“I hadn’t really seen you in that light before… but today, I realized you’re someone dependable.”

“Haa?! After all I’ve done to comfort you? What a way to talk!”

I don’t want to lose to her.

“You’ll definitely regret it… comforting me.”

“Impossible. After all, I’m the main heroine, so I’ll win.”

“I’ll overtake you soon, so be sure to prepare a tissue for wiping snot and a handkerchief for tears.”

“You’re such a cheeky junior.”

I stood up and left the room. No more hesitations.

“Senpai, thank you.”

“Don’t get the wrong idea! It’s not for Kohaku, it’s for me!”

“Why are you blushing, then?”

“I’m not blushing!!”

She’s turning bright red, so it’s immediately obvious that she’s lying. Being friends with her… no, it’s impossible. She’s a rival.

The gap has grown significantly. I have to make up for it. That’s why…

— I’ll confess.

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[Izayoi PoV]

I immediately returned from the different world. I temporarily entrusted the intermediate power-up items to Mel. Despite the continuous “Who the heck are you?” look from Mel, I brushed it off casually.

“Izayoi-kun! Can you spare a moment?”

As soon as I returned, Kohaku grabbed my hand and led me to my room on the second floor.

“May I borrow your room?”

“C-come in.”

Lately, she seemed a bit down, but maybe it was just my imagination? Or is it because we’re alone together in my room…

“Let’s sit on the bed together.”

“Yes.”

We both sat on the bed I usually use, though there wasn’t much space between us.

“Let me get straight to the point. I, Gindou Kohaku, …I…I…I like you, Izayoi-kun!”

Is this a bit sudden…? When she directed her unwavering gaze towards me and confessed like that, my face turned warm. Her motives…

“I want to go on dates, be lovey-dovey, and get married! So, please, be my boyfriend!!!”

Such strong determination… It hit me like a bolt of lightning. Her face was so close, her beautiful skin tinted with red, and I started feeling warm too. I like her. I can say it here.

But then, there was that incident with Hihara Karen…

“Please don’t think about Karen-senpai right now!! What’s in front of you is Gindou Kohaku!!!!”

She held my face to ensure I couldn’t look away. Our eyes met.

“What do you think?! Do you like me?! Will you be my boyfriend?! Give me a clear answer!! I won’t let you escape after saying all this!!”

I can only see her. This is the most forceful I’ve ever seen her… But she’s so captivating…

“I like you…”

“…!”

“I like Kohaku. I want to be lovey-dovey too!”

“――Mmm.”

Suddenly, she pulled me into a kiss…

Her lips were really soft. I ended up being pushed down by her… She straddled me and looked down at me.

“I like you. I really do. I want more… I want more and more.”

“Eeh!? Wait, this isn’t right. We’re in my house, and everyone else lives here too…”

“As long as we don’t make any noise, there shouldn’t be a problem… I’ll cover my mouth too…”

What lies ahead? I already know. Her eyes were kind and enchanting, drawing me closer.

Or maybe it’s because we’re doing this while covering our mouths…

[Mmm, mmm, mmm]

She and I were in disarray. She’s desperately covering her mouth in an embarrassing position… Just imagining it is dangerous.

“…Izayoi-kun, you don’t want to?”

“If I had to choose between wanting or not wanting… I might want to.”

“Then, let’s… It’s a bit embarrassing, but I’m prepared…”

“I won’t!”

Every part of her is so endearing. But this is really… Oh, she’s cute. And her breasts are big, even bigger than before?

“For now, let’s have some tea. Let’s create a calm atmosphere!”

“Muu, we could have gone upstairs…”

If she keeps coming at me like this, straddling me, I’ll lose control. In a weird way… Just as I’m thinking that, the door slams open.

“What the hell are you two doing!!!!!!”

Karen…

“You’re going too far!! How much are you skipping ahead!!”

“It’s fine, right? We like each other. Izayoi-kun seems to like me too. You’ve given him a little push too, haven’t you?”

“That’s not a valid excuse! Are you an idiot? I might have given him a push, but I haven’t kicked him away!!”

As Karen approaches heavily, she tries to pull Kohaku off me. But she resists like a wild horse.

“Let go!”

“No!”

“Show gratitude for earlier!”

“No!”

It’s troublesome having her struggle on top of me… I need to become a sage! Me.

After Karen finally separates Kohaku from me, we all face each other again.

“Well, uh…”

“Izayoi-kun, please choose me. You won’t regret it.”

“What to do is up to Izayoi. Do as you like.”

I ended up confessing to both of them. But I’m in the worst situation where I haven’t decided who to choose. What should I do?

“Please give me some time to think…”

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[Hihara Karen PoV]

I probably won’t regret any outcome, or well, I might regret it. If I’m not chosen, I’ll regret having stubbornly pushed my excellent underclassman. But even so, I wanted to fight fairly and win. It used to be a concern that it might interfere with the battle against the demons, but now I don’t care.

Love over the fate of the world!!

I believe it. That he’ll choose me. He said he needs time to think. Two days have passed since then.

He’ll surely choose me… right!? Please, choose me!! I even went to the shrine during these two days!! I, who rarely goes to such places, went!! I even drew a love fortune!!

The result was “You’ll be surprised by an unexpected outcome.” I thought he might reject me, but that probably won’t happen. I’ve been repeating this thought over and over.

And finally, I was summoned by Izayoi with the message, “I want to talk.”

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[Gindou Kohaku PoV]

Will I be chosen? I don’t know. Can I beat Karen Senpai? Isn’t it impossible? Those are the things I’m thinking about.

Surely, even if I’m not chosen, I won’t regret it. The days that led up to this were happy… I won’t say clichés like that. I wouldn’t like it if I’m not chosen. I’ll probably cry. Cry and most likely shut myself in.

Izayoi-kun. Choose me!!

I climbed the shrine steps barefoot hundreds of times!! Even when people stared at me weirdly, I kept going!!

I will definitely be chosen. And after two days since the confession, he finally called me.

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[Third person PoV]

Two girls were summoned by Fried horse mackerel. The location was his room. It was still twilight. The girls placed their hands on the door with nervous anticipation.

“No matter what the outcome is, don’t hold a grudge, okay?”

“Of course.”

“I’ve had a lot of fun until now. Thank you.”

“I’m the lucky one to have met such an amazing senpai.”

Truly, it was like a scene from the ending of a romantic comedy manga. The girls praised each other and entered Fried horse mackerel’s room.

Fried horse mackerel’s eyes were filled with determination. The girls had resolved themselves for both the possibility of being chosen and not being chosen.

“There’s something I have to tell both of you. I’ve been indecisive and I’m sorry for that!! I’ve made up my mind!!!!!!”

The girls swallowed nervously. They didn’t know what the outcome would be. But they believed. They believed that they would be chosen… They focused on his actions. Would he reach out his hand? Would he kiss them? They had various expectations. Then, suddenly, Fried horse mackerel knelt down on the ground. He lowered his head to the floor and raised his voice.

“I… I love both of you, Gindou Kohaku and Hihara Karen!! Both of you, please become my girlfriends!!!”

“”Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhh!?””

It was an unexpected outcome. Summer vacation was coming to an end. The second term was about to start. From here on, the romantic comedy would accelerate…