Chapter 118: IF “Hello” Part 2

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Translator: Soafp

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The rain fell steadily.

It tapped against the window, making a soft pattering sound.

Amidst this, the keystrokes stopped.

“What do you mean by ‘idiot'…?!”

That response ignited a fire within me.

Even though I had been worrying so much—another emotion wrapped around me.

So this is what it feels like to have a flushed face. I thought to myself, feeling it cool just a bit.

25: Username: 1

What do you mean?

26: Username: Anonymous in Love

You’re a virgin, right?

27: Username: 1

Uh…

28: Username: 1

Yeah, I am.

29: Username: Anonymous in Love

It’s hilarious that a guy who’s out chasing girls at clubs is still a virgin.

30: Username: 1

Sure, but what are you trying to say…?

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Called an idiot, and now a virgin.

Even if it's just an online forum—it made me angry.

31: Username: Anonymous in Love

I'm just stating the facts. You're a weirdo.

32: Username: Anonymous in Love

Your hair is rainbow-colored, which already puts you far from normal.

Plus, you're a creep crossing the street in a park searching for ants.

Your hobbies include watching bad movies seriously and having an unyielding spirit about curry.

On top of that, despite going to clubs, you still have zero immunity to women (a virgin).

You’re a total mess. Even if it was just a decision made from a silly internet joke, it's 1 who made it a part of himself.

It's become so natural that it's weird.

You're an outrageous weirdo.

33: Username: 1

What are you even trying to say all this time?

34: Username: Anonymous in Love

So who wants friends with a guy like that?

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“…!”

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35: Username: Anonymous in Love

There are so many weird elements about you that I know of.

You've probably done even more bizarre things in real life, right?

Are you really going to start avoiding friends just because you're going to clubs?

Are you going to drift away just because of a little dance presentation?

There's no way that's true, you idiot.

If they thought you were coming to them for “that kind of purpose,” then those friends would have been gone a long time ago.

36: Username: Anonymous in Love

Don't pretend to understand when you're not a psychic, kid.

You didn't go around asking them, did you?

You're just letting the voices of random people affect you and pushing yourself away.

Are you seriously going to ignore the voices of the important people in your life just to take those worthless jerks' words seriously?

37: Username: 1

But, that's…

38: Username: Anonymous in Love

You said you wanted to change, right?

You've already changed quite a bit—both in terms of growth and in terms of being eccentric.

39: Username: Anonymous in Love

Isn't it because you're such a unique 1 that you have those friends?

Was that trust really so flimsy?

Were the memories with your friends over this past month that thin?

Rumors spread and become entrenched if you don't deny them, even if they're complete lies.

If you keep running away like this, eventually you'll lose all your friends.

If you're okay with that, then I won't say anything.

But is that really how you want things to be?

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“—!”

The responses flowing on the screen.

They played like a slideshow in my mind.

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42: Username: Anonymous in Love

Now you have to decide.

Choose between this toilet graffiti or the voices filled with speculation around you.

Don't rely on a random number for this.

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“…that, can't be—”

With trembling hands, I moved the mouse.

【I think I'll change according to >>5】—the thread title came into view after my blurred vision cleared.

Oh, I've been through so much.

How did that become invisible to me?

I got this hair color because of my first random number.

I talked to Kisaragi-san. I found 23 hobbies.

I ranked first on the tests. I went on group dates, and when I took Hatsune-san out—I’ve always relied on this place for strength.

“I want to change”—I thought that, and I had been doing this with the residents all this time.

“I want to change”—they kindly treated me as I struggled.

“—I should still have time.”

If I hadn't started this thread.

If I hadn't changed.

Then right now… I wouldn't be here, starting this.

“Ugh.”

I mustn't make a mistake.

This time, I won't stray from the path.

To the anonymous person I don't know.

With gratitude.

With determination.

I pressed the Enter key.

43: Username: 1

I'm going now.

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[Anon PoV]

“…Damn it.”

After confirming that reply, I couldn't help but laugh.

I never thought I would get this passionate about it.

I don't want him to give up.

I don't want him to be affected by the boring voices around him.

It might be strange to invest so much emotion into a high school student I've never met, but…

“If I were ten years younger…”

I stood up and murmured.

Imagining the figure of “him,” a friend walking next to me in the same school, the same grade, the same class.

…Such an impossible scene made me think.

It was absolutely impossible, but I could vividly imagine it—such an “IF” story.

When I stopped typing, I noticed the surrounding sounds had disappeared.

Startled, I looked out the window… the rain had already stopped.

“Seriously, no way.”

Is it really possible for a rainbow to appear here?

I couldn't help but smile at 1:30 PM.

Surely, he is desperately running right now.

Not looking at the sky, just running straight ahead.

“Good luck, 1.”