Chapter 117: IF “Hello” Part 1

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Translator: Soafp

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[Anon PoV]

“Ah. I woke up at a weird time…”

The clock read 1 AM.

I had just finished my night shift, returned home, and now I was awake.

It was a bit past noon.

Of course, I'd go back to sleep, but… I was hungry.

As I heated up the leftover curry in the pot, I glanced at the sky.

It was pouring rain, which hadn't been in the weather forecast.

“Is it already the rainy season…?”

I hated this time of year; it was muggy and uncomfortable.

Back when I was a student, I especially disliked it because my hair would get frizzy.

…Student, huh.

Thinking back, I didn't have any of those sparkly memories that people around me talked about.

I didn't have a girlfriend either.

I spent my days just trying to blend in the shadows of those so-called “popular kids.”

Who was the genius that came up with such a word?

Well, putting aside the old wounds.

…Maybe that's why.

Looking at that thread was oddly enjoyable.

I could relate it to my past self.

If I could just be like them—that's what I thought.

“……But curry is best after sitting overnight.”

I carried my empty plate to the sink, let it soak in water, and reveled in my sense of satisfaction.

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333: Username: 1

Listen up! Curry develops a unique “depth” when it sits overnight, allowing the flavors of the meat and vegetables to meld together.

The spices also mature as they cool down, deepening in flavor.

Just letting it sit overnight creates this; it's almost too perfect to be a coincidence.

In other words, curry is a food created by the gods!!!!!!!!

334: Username: Anonymous in Love

ΩΩΩ “……”

335: Username: Anonymous in Love

1, you've gone curry crazy because of the comments…

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Thanks to such replies, I'd gained some unnecessary knowledge.

Is that guy a curry expert or what?

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500: Username: Anonymous in Love

1, don't drink too much coffee.

It's tough if you become caffeine addicted at a young age (100 losses).

501: Username: 1

Thanks!

I recently bought decaffeinated beans.

So I'm okay.

502: Username: Anonymous in Love

It sounds bad, but how is it?

503: Username: 1

I'm drinking the “supercritical carbon dioxide extraction” kind, so I think it tastes about the same as regular (smug face).

504: Username: Anonymous in Love

So cool…

505: Username: 1

But it's expensive!!

Thanks to that, my wallet is feeling lonely.

This is what they call cashless living (laughs).

506: Username: Anonymous in Love

Huh?

507: Username: Anonymous in Love

Isn't it better to take in caffeine? LOLW????

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While putting decaf coffee grounds into the filter, I remembered.

This is the way to go before bed.

“Like drawing an ‘o’…”

After pouring the hot water, I picked up my mug.

It smelled great.

I think I did pretty well today.

“……Phew.”

Sipping my coffee, I powered up my computer.

Maybe I'd watch a movie before going back to sleep.

Ah, but before that, just a little bit—

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[Premium Ryunen Login Page]

ID: nanasi

Pass: ●●●●●

《Logged in》

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[Love Salon @ Thread List]

1: What kind of person do you like? (987)

2: I saw a girl I like in the BL section, but she had a face I'd never seen before… (7)

3: I love natto! Natto bacteria x45 (11)

4: What do you think about love letters? (364)

5: I fell in love at first sight with an interviewer (15)

6: 【Other than pasta】 Teach me a dish that's good for dating 【Other than pasta】 (239)

7: Isn't it hard for working adults to find a partner? (5)

8: Let's share what we love about our crushes, in 1364 points (888)

9: I want to set up my senior (29) with my other senior (31) in the 10th thread (293)

10:【I think I'll change according to >>5】 (1)

11: My ex-girlfriend is way too cute… (5)

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“Mn?”

I glanced at the thread list in the Love Salon. It was unusual for a thread to pop up at this time.

It didn't even have a part number. I was pretty sure it was Pert 22. Plus, it only had one reply. A fake?

“Well, it's probably not fake…”

Almost reflexively, I opened the thread.

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【I think I'll change according to >>5】

1: Username: 1

Is anyone there?

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Thinking logically—right now, it’s during class after the lunch break.

Is it a holiday? Even so, it's rare at this time.

Maybe that's why no one had replied.

This wasn't an active thread to begin with, and most people were likely at work or school during this time.

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2: Username: Anonymous in Love

I'm here, but what about you, 1? School?

3: Username: 1

Um, I took a day off.

4: Username: Anonymous in Love

Oh, why? Are you feeling unwell?

5: Username: 1

It's more like a “skipping school” kind of deal.

6: Username: Anonymous in Love

Huh?

7: Username: Anonymous in Love

Are you really the same old 1?

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The one-on-one thread continued.

The 1 I knew would never skip school.

He'd been practically perfect with no tardiness or absences for two years—he used to brag about that.

He was a serious guy. Too serious, sometimes to the point of worrying me.

Something must have happened.

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8: Username: Anonymous in Love

What happened, 1?

9: Name: Anonymous in Love

You need to tell me now.

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And then.

That hunch of mine turned out to be spot on.

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10: Username: 1

I'm scared of going to school.

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The slight drowsiness I had vanished.

I typed in a reply to that thread.

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After that, replies continued to flow.

It was just a thread between 1 and me.

I could imagine the expression on his face just from his words.

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12: Username: 1

All my friends are girls.

I understand that I'm not the type for those kinds of relationships, and I never even thought about it.

But the people around me thought differently.

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He talked about how he hadn't had a chance to talk to his friends lately. He felt like he was being avoided.

He reflected on how he only had female friends and the looks from others.

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15: Username: 1

I don't mean to brag, but I thought I was doing pretty well.

I know I'm only slightly better than a novice.

Still, I had this tiny bit of hope that guys might talk to me.

But the result was the opposite.

You guys were right.

“Not even in the dance club,” or “trying so hard to be popular”—nobody was really watching the dancing.

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He shared how he had stood out negatively in dance class—how the boys made fun of him.

He never intended to, but people thought he had “that kind of purpose.”

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22: Username: 1

So yesterday, someone found out that I was going to a club.

That made the rumors even more credible.

I felt like everyone was looking at me with disdain, and I had no idea what my friends thought of me.

Just thinking about it was terrifying.

I was scared to reply to messages.

I don't know anything anymore.

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He recounted how he'd been seen going to the club yesterday, which only worsened his reputation.

“……”

It was unusual for 1 to say something like that.

His words were not the straightforward, bright ones he was used to.

He sounded dark, pouring out nothing but complaints—I could tell he was really struggling.

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23: Username: Anonymous in Love

Hey, 1…

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And that's precisely why I hit the enter key.

To a boy whose face I didn't even know.

Towards him, who must have been wearing a lifeless expression.

Just a tiny bit, I wanted to help change that.

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24: Username: Anonymous in Love

Are you an idiot?