Chapter 4: Temptation and invitation

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Translator: Soafp

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Deciding which lectures to take was a real struggle for me.

(There are so many options, after all.)

I didn't have any close friends or upperclassmen to rely on, so I had to figure it out on my own.

(I wish you had relied on me.)

That was impossible.

I didn't have anyone I could trust.

For a while after starting college, I couldn’t walk around campus without getting approached by recruiters.

Since I had no intention of joining any clubs, it was nothing but a nuisance.

That day, after my lecture ended and I was about to head to work, some upperclassmen were waiting outside the classroom.

At the entrance ceremony, it was easy to spot freshmen because we were all in suits, but how they identified us at this point, I have no idea.

(It's all in the way you carry yourself.)

You mean, they could tell by how nervous we looked?

In that sense, I was completely overlooked.

I just didn't care.

I thought I'd be able to walk right out of there.

(You were too naive.)

It was pure bad luck that I got spotted among over a thousand students.

(I wish you’d see it as fate.)

“Hey! You, the freshman over there!” (Hori)

I instinctively turned around when I heard a familiar voice.

“Oh, it's you, the weakling from the other day!” (Hori)

What a rude person.

(He didn't mean any harm, you know.)

That only makes it worse.

“You haven't joined a club yet, have you? We've got an event tonight. You should come. You're free anyway, right? Be at the club building by 7 PM. There'll be signs, so you'll know which room to go to. Don't be late!” (Hori)

He said his piece and disappeared.

(Eh? That's it?)

Yeah, he didn't even mention what the club was about, let alone its name.

(How were you supposed to go, then?)

Exactly, and I had work that day, too.

It was pretty presumptuous of him to assume I was free.

(Seems like he needed a bit more guidance.)

Definitely.

Thanks to that, I didn't even have to bother turning him down for my first recruitment attempt.

---

“Hey, Hori-kun. You said you invited Haru-kun earlier, right? Is he here?” (Natsu)

Hori looked around to confirm that Haruto wasn't present, beads of nervous sweat forming on his forehead as he turned to face Natsuki.

“Eh? He's not here. I definitely told him the room and time. Maybe he got lost or something?” (Hori)

At that moment, Hori realized his mistake.

He hadn't told Haruto the name of the club.

He had told him to come to the club room in the building and that he could find the room by looking at the directory.

But without knowing the name of the club, Haruto wouldn't have even known where to start looking.

“Hori-kun, you're making a ‘whoops' face. Why don't you just tell me the truth? I won't get mad.” (Natsu)

Knowing there was no way to cover this up, Hori confessed what had happened.

“Sorry, Natsu-san. I forgot to tell him the club name and what we do.” (Hori)

Natsuki sighed at his admission but still appreciated that Hori had at least tried to reach out to Haruto.

“Well, it can't be helped. Did you at least get his contact info?” (Natsu)

“No, I didn't. I mean, it's not like I need a guy's number.” (Hori)

Natsuki had anticipated this answer, but his reasoning still made her sigh.

“N-Natsu-san?” (Hori)

“If that's how you put it, then you must have asked for the contact information of the girls. Fine. If it comes to that, I'll ask my sister. I know where she lives, after all.” (Natsu)

(At that moment, I had forgotten how you had confused me with her and got all worked up.)

It was just an insignificant thing.

(How you phrase things…)

It wasn't a big deal.

(Don’t be too hard on me…)

I’m your childhood friend too, right Natsu? I’m surprised you don’t know my contact information.

(I'm better at maintaining friendships than you are.)

Then you should have just ignored me.

(No way. I was so glad to see you again.)

“A little bit… there are various circumstances.” (Natsu)

“Good-looking people always have so many secrets.” (Hori)

“Hahaha, well, that's true.” (Natsu)

Natsuki knew from experience that if she tried to contradict Hori, he would come back with an even more flattering retort. So, she decided to let it slide.

---

Ding dong

The next morning

Someone was knocking early in the morning.

(What an annoying person.)

Indeed.

I had just fallen asleep after working a night shift until 3 AM.

(Ah, yes.)

I had no friends visiting or appointments with any services, so I decided to ignore the door.

(Muu!)

What's wrong?

(Nothing at all!)

Ding dong

Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong

“It's still only 7 AM. Could it be the landlord?” (Haru)

I checked the camera just in case and saw the neighbor's face up close.

(…)

Beep

Thinking it was the landlord, I pressed the button without speaking.

I managed to avoid making any noise.

“Haru-kun, good morning! Let's go for a morning coffee!” (Natsu)

You seemed unusually cheerful, so you were probably drunk.

(Yes. I'm sorry.)

I tried to ignore her and turn off the camera.

“Hey! Haru-kun! I know you're watching. Come on out!” (Natsu)

You were shouting suddenly, causing quite a disturbance.

I had no choice but to open the door and deal with it.

(Ehehehe. Ignoring people isn't good.)

Although shouting isn't the best approach.

“Please stop shouting, Senpai. It's disturbing the neighbors.” (Haru)

“Hehehe, good morning, Haru-kun. Let's go have some morning coffee. In Aichi, it's all about the morning!” (Natsu)

You smelled of alcohol.

(Ugh, it's rude to mention the smell in relation to a woman.)

If you think so, you should have taken better care.

“Please go by yourself. I need to sleep since I have work this afternoon.” (Haru)

“Aww, come on. A girl's inviting you out. Let's make it a date!” (Natsu)

A girl, huh.

(It's fine, isn't it?)

“We're not in that kind of relationship. Please leave. It's a nuisance.” (Haru)

(I knew it was a nuisance.)

If you were aware, you should stop.

(You wouldn't respond unless I was somewhat pushy. That's why I relied on a little alcohol.)

“Haru-kun? Yes, I'm your ex-girlfriend's older sister, but it's been over two years. We're not strangers anymore. Let's get back to how we used to be.” (Natsu)

“Eh? Over two years? Natsuki-san, what are you talking about? It’s been a year. I can't forget how badly I was rejected so easily!” (Haru)

So you knew.

(You didn't know, did you?)

“Please don't involve yourself with me anymore!” (Haru)

I slammed the door shut.