Chapter 105: Hedgehog (5)

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Translator: Soafp

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“Alright, everyone, today we’re going to continue working on your group choreography.”

“When there’s five minutes left, make sure to gather back here.”

“I'll be checking your progress *thoroughly*, so no slacking off. Be serious!”

“Alright, free time!” 

“Let’s share our music!” 

“What did you bring?”

After finishing warm-up exercises and running, each group received a school-issued tablet containing their chosen music. The tablets were usually used for English listening exercises or IT classes, but using them in PE felt surprisingly modern and convenient.

“…”

Needless to say, I was alone. Isolated.

In this creative dance class, everyone practiced in groups. Though in a way, being forced into a duo or trio would've been worse.

There's that awkwardness of feeling like a burden, the air of people going out of their way to include you. Honestly, being alone might be the ultimate freedom.

Or so an expert would say, wouldn't they? It's starting to sound more depressing (excerpt from The Introvert Association Journal).

So, as everyone around me excitedly showed off their music, I sat there staring at the tablet given to me. I only had one song, given to me by Yumesaki during the last long weekend.

It wasn't an album, just a single, so there was no decision to make.

“This song’s awesome!” 

“Looks hard to dance to.” 

“Isn’t this a bit too flashy?”

“…”

There really was no decision to make (just making sure to emphasize this point). The groups around me happily debating their song choices added to the contrast. But not everyone was like that.

“…No, not this…” 

“What should I do…?” 

“Ah, just like that.”

Here and there, a few people were working solo. Their level of focus was on a whole different plane. Must be the dance club kids. Probably receiving tips from their club.

Still, thanks to these serious individuals, those of us working solo didn't stand out too much. I appreciate that.

Alright, time to get moving. I know a lot of choreography already. All that's left is fitting the pieces together like a puzzle. Which, of course, is the tricky part (speaking from a beginner's perspective).

…But yeah, I already finished (smug face).

“Alright, let’s do this.”

I stood up.

The chance to dance at school, even for a class, felt like a dream come true for a hobbyist like me — at least that's how I tried to see it.

“…”

I stepped into the routine. But no matter how hard I tried to focus, even if I covered my ears, my sixth sense remained sharp.

More than just a little sharp, actually. The moment I started dancing, I could feel eyes on me, watching intently.

…It made things awkward. Embarrassing. Maybe it was weird for someone who wasn't in the dance club to take it this seriously.

Ugh, I'll just try not to think about it.

“Look at him… showing off… why's he trying so hard…”

And especially from those glaring at me from the other side, I turned my back and kept dancing.

I hated that feeling, like I was being judged or submerged in negativity.

---

The chime rang. Lunch break.

Having had PE in the morning, my stomach was growling. But as usual, that didn't matter much. I headed straight for my trusty fallback — whatever sweet bread was left over.

But today was different—

“This… this is amazing… (moved to tears)”

A week ago, as the leader of the Half-Price Bread Search Team (which was just me), I'd made my way to the clearance section of the supermarket. Among the containers of discounted bread, I spotted it at the very bottom.

A “Green Curry Bread.” The appearance alone was questionable, but as a connoisseur of all things curry, I had to try it.

Price: 200 yen after the discount. Originally 400 yen. At that point, it's less “sweet bread” and more “artisan bread,” right? (Or something.)

“This is incredible… (fifth time).”

I couldn't believe I'd never come across such a delicious curry bread before. Starting this hobby of collecting leftover bread turned out to be a blessing. Life is worth living after all (overstating things a bit).

Alright, next time I find one, I’ll buy it before it gets discounted. Freshness is key, after all. Gotta get that fresh flavor.

Yeah, it’s settled. I'll head to the store this weekend.

But then again, there’s that fact—curry tastes even better after resting for a day. Maybe this bread reached peak flavor through some divine timing.

To test this theory, I should buy it… even if it's full price.

The Half-Price Bread Search Team will deploy again tomorrow—

“What are you eating?”

“?!?!?” (slips off the bench)

Suddenly, a voice from behind me. I reflexively swallow what I was chewing. That last bite… tragic (half-crying).

Looking up, I noticed a few students peeking at me from the school building. They did the same thing when I showed up with rainbow-colored hair a month ago. Come on, it's been a month. Get used to it already (dictator mode).

Being popular is hard (hollow inside).

“A-Are you okay, Icchi?”

“My back…”

“I never thought you’d actually slip off the bench.”

As an introvert, I'm not used to people suddenly talking to me. Even though I've been having more conversations lately, I still lack the necessary social defenses.

Maybe in about a hundred years, I'll be immune to it (probably won't live that long).

“Sorry for bothering you while you were eating lunch.”

“It's fine (talking quickly). But don't you usually eat in the classroom?”

“I wanted to talk to you, Icchi.”

“Huh?”

“I heard you made Kanon-chan cry?”

“…”

It was just pretend crying! (lowest of the low).

---

Just before 6 p.m.

School was over, and now I stood in front of her house. I'd already eaten dinner. For no reason, I tied my shoelaces again and checked my phone.

“Haaah…”

Hajime Toumachi: “I'm at your place.”

Ayano: “The door’s unlocked.”

Hajime Toumachi: “Got it.”

After staring at the phone for about five seconds, I took a step forward.

Up the stone steps, I reached the front door and opened it with a heavy *click*.

“Um, h-hi.”

“Fufu, you’re too tense.”

I bowed slightly. I took off my shoes at the entrance and slipped on the house slippers I had brought with me.

“So… where's Kanon-chan—”

Trying to make as little noise as possible, I tiptoed further inside—

“—!?”

There she was.

In the living room, bundled up tightly in a massive blanket.

“That… that lump is her, right?”

“Yes. The moment you arrived, she hid under that.”

Just as Hatsune had said. At lunch, she'd warned me—

“Kanon-chan usually acts like that, but…”

Two eyes peeked out from under the blanket.

“…but when she's in a bad mood, she goes into ‘tsundere mode.'”

It was like the blanket emitted a spiky aura, as if daring me to approach. ‘Come closer and I'll stab you.’

“Fshhh…”

“Is she a… hedgehog? (hallucinating)”

Her defensive stance (or so it seemed) left me frozen. What was I even supposed to do?

“Fufu, I’ll go make dinner.”

“Right…”

Like it was an everyday occurrence, Ayano casually walked away. I was officially stuck (despair).

“Rumble, rumble, rumble!!”

“W-whoa…”

And just like that, the hedgehog (level 5) advanced toward me. With nowhere to run, I had no choice but to face her.

“Fshhh… fshhh…”

“Ah—”

She popped her head out of the blanket for a second, only to hiss at me and retreat again.

What was I supposed to do here? Maybe I should just get on my knees and beg for forgiveness…

No, wait—I came prepared for this exact scenario.

“How about we fold some origami?”

“…”

“Or maybe we could draw?”

“…mm.”

“Do you wanna play ○× Cure?”

“…”

“Ah—”

Each time I pulled something out of my bag, her face peeked out of the blanket a little more, only to retreat again right when I thought I had her.

“Mm!”

“Huh?”

Suddenly, she threw the blanket off and picked up her study materials. Still in tsundere mode, but at least we could talk normally now.

“I'll finish my homework first!”

“Understood! (kneeling in submission)”

Kids in kindergarten nowadays are already studying like this, huh? Impressive.

I should learn from them…