V3Ch27: Colorless and Yellow Reunite

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Translator: Soafp

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I suddenly remembered those days.

When I fled to the countryside, beaten and broken by the demons, I had lost all will to live. I couldn’t even attend my new middle school and just holed up in my grandparents’ house.

The one who saved me was a girl who lived in the house closest to my grandparents’. She was a year older than me, but at that time, she felt much older to me.

Every day, she would visit me, even though I was shut inside, and would always speak kind words.

“I’ll play with you again today, little brother.”

“I’m great at cooking… I'm a genius at making instant noodles, you know.”

“There, there, Sho-chan, you’re such a good kid.”

At first, I didn’t respond. But no matter how much I ignored her, she kept extending her hand to me.

Thanks to my grandparents and her, I gradually began to recover.

Eventually, I could attend middle school and learn how to interact with others. If she hadn’t been there, my life would still be shrouded in darkness, even now.

Yet, before I could repay her in any way, she disappeared.

“It’s been a long time, Sho-chan.”

There she stood, calling my name.

The nickname “Sho-chan,” which once carried painful memories from my first crush, had become my favorite way to be called.

“It’s been a while, Kikka Nee-chan!”

Kikka Minase, my lifesaver and the person I fell in love with for the second time in my life.

As I called her name, her hand gently stroked my head.

“Yes, it’s your Kikka Nee-chan. You’ve grown so much, Sho-chan.”

This feels so nostalgic.

Back then, she used to stroke my head just like this. Some middle school boys might have gotten upset at being treated like a child, but my battered spirit loved this gesture back then.

—Now, though, it’s a bit embarrassing.

Back then, she was taller than me, but now I’ve grown much taller than her.

As I indulged in nostalgia, I glanced at Renji, who was sitting right in front of me. He blinked, seemingly trying to process the situation.

“…You knew Amatsuka-senpai?”

“Amatsuka-senpai?”

I wondered who he was talking about, but given the situation, it had to be her.

But her surname wasn't what I remembered. And “Amatsuka-senpai” was the name of the previous goddess.

“That’s the name of the previous goddess, right?”

“The person standing in front of you is that very Amatsuka-senpai.”

What's going on?

Kikka Nee-chan, overhearing the conversation, provided an answer.

“Amatsuka is my surname now. The reason I transferred here is because my mom got remarried. That’s why my surname changed.”

So the reason for her transfer was the same as mine.

Her name had come up in conversations with classmates, but no one ever called her by her first name. I guess they didn't because she was an upperclassman.

“I thought I told you when I moved, but did you forget?”

I recalled that back then, I was so shocked by her departure that all I did was cry. I hadn’t remembered the reason for her move at all.

“And speaking of surnames, yours changed too, right, Sho-chan?”

“Y-yeah.”

“I first noticed you during the sports festival. I thought you looked familiar, but I wasn't certain from far away.”

“…When did you realize it was me?”

“I was sure today. When the test results were posted, I happened to be nearby. I saw you celebrating in front of the bulletin board, and that's when I saw your name. Your surname had changed, but I would never mistake you, Sho-chan. I figured your name must have changed for the same reason mine did, so I started looking for you.”

So that's how it happened.

“Let me introduce myself properly. I'm Kikka Amatsuka now.”

“And I'm Shota Nijitani.”

After we reintroduced ourselves, I noticed, just beyond Kikka Nee-chan’s figure, the small figure of Akazawa standing frozen.

Oops.

I had gotten swept up in the emotional reunion and completely forgotten about the person responsible for my escape standing right in front of me. I’d totally neglected his presence.

And now, she'd overheard that my surname had changed.

“—I see. So you’re the one Amatsuka-senpai had mentioned.”

Renji said as he stood up.

“You must have a lot to catch up on, so I’ll leave you two alone. Amatsuka-senpai, excuse me.”

As he made his way to the door, Renji grabbed the stunned Akazawa and escorted him out. Akazawa didn't resist, and Renji forcibly pulled her out of the classroom.

Nice.

“He’s thoughtful, isn’t he? As expected of the god.”

“Renji’s my best friend.”

“So… he’s the amazing all-rounder you used to brag about?”

Come to think of it, I had often boasted about Renji to Kikka Nee-chan.

“It's amazing that you two ended up at the same high school. I'm glad you got to reunite.”

“Yeah.”

With that, Kikka Nee-chan sat down in the spot where Renji had been sitting earlier.

“But you've changed a lot. Not just your surname but your appearance too. I couldn’t be sure it was you from a distance.”

“If you’re talking about change, you’ve changed a lot too, Nee-chan.”

I might've seen her in passing a few times before.

But even from afar, Kikka Nee-chan's appearance had changed so much.

Back then, she was a plain-looking girl who wore glasses. Her style was kind of like Kuromine’s, but her personality was a lot brighter, a bit airheaded, and nothing like Kuromine.

And even though she had that plain vibe, she still stood out.

Her features were always well-defined, and I thought that with a bit of effort, she could become really beautiful. She also had a rather prominent chest that was noticeable even under her uniform, much larger than Kuromine’s.

Now, that once plain Kikka Nee-chan has become quite fashionable.

Her hair is brown, and it seems like she's even wearing some light makeup.

“Fufu, surprised? After moving here, a lot happened. So, I guess you could say I've grown too. Do I look like a city girl now?”

“…Yeah, I'd say so.”

It's comforting to know that despite her new look, her core hasn't changed.

“I was surprised that you went to the same high school, Sho-chan.”

“Me too. It’s crazy how things work out.”

“When did you move here?”

“At the beginning of this school year. It happened because my mom remarried.”

“That’s why your last name changed, huh? Same as me.”

With that, she smiled, the same smile she had back then.

“Hey, tell me what happened after I left. Were you okay?”

“It was tough at first. After that—”

We started reminiscing about the past.

We talked about the candy store we used to go to together, the old man in the neighborhood who always shared vegetables with us, and many other memories. We got lost in conversation.

Before we knew it, the sky outside had turned a soft orange.

“I’d love to keep talking, but my parents might start worrying if it gets too late.”

“Umm, Nee-san… could I get your contact information?”

I took out my phone.

“Sho-chan has a smartphone!?”

Of all things, that surprised her.

She found it amusing, but we exchanged contact information.

“…We can meet again, right?”

“Of course! We’re in the same school, after all. At least until we graduate, I'm not going anywhere. Even after graduation, I’m planning to go to university around here. I'm a city girl now, you know.”

Hearing that made me feel relieved.

“Looking forward to seeing more of you, Kikka Nee-san.”

“Same here, Sho-chan.”

With Renji’s defeat, multiple contest withdrawals, being spotted by Akazawa, and being asked to become a male god, today had been a whirlwind.

But, in the end, the best thing happened. I had finally reunited with the Yellow goddess who had saved my life.

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End of Volume 3