Chapter 124: Phone

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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[――”Huh? Is that Toumachi?”――]

[――”Ichigo, you’re way too groggy!”――]

[――”Wait, where even is this? And why am I not in pajamas…?”――]

[――”You’re hopeless☆”――]

After that, they quickly left the infirmary.

Yumesaki was still groggy from just waking up, her eyes half-open and drowsy.

[——”Well, we’ll be heading out to work now☆”——]

[——”Take it easy, Toumachi… Also, today was really awesome, seriously.”——]

[——”C’mon, Ichigo, let’s go already!”——]

It was all so hectic, but their unchanged selves reassured me again.

[——”I heard your dance today was amazing. Even the gym teacher was shocked.”——]

[——”Th-thanks…”——]

I reported to the teacher in the office, who told me to take it easy over the weekend.

Then I left the school building, heading toward the nearest station.

“…”

This familiar road home suddenly felt endearing.

Just yesterday, I hated it so much. It’s strange how people can change so quickly.

——Ping!

My phone buzzed with a notification.

I wondered who it could be, and when I checked, there it was——

Shiori: “Are you alright?”

Shiori: “Are you okay…?”

Shiori: “I hope you’re feeling okay.”

Hajime Toumachi: “Sorry, sorry! I just woke up! I’m fine!”

…This is a first. Sending an “I just woke up” message to a friend.

Is this what it means to be outgoing? (Probably not.)

Now that I think about it, I never really sent messages to friends on LIME either (ouch).

But, somehow… I'm happy.

It feels nice to have people care about me.

I really want to go back and smack the old me from just yesterday.

Shiori: “Do you have a moment to talk?”

Hajime Toumachi: “Yeah, sure.”

And then, just as I was thinking that, I got another message.

Followed by——

——Riiing!

“W-wait, hold on…”

A surprise. She was calling me.

I thought Momiji wasn't into phone calls, so I panicked even more.

“Uh, h-hello? (nervous introvert mode)”

“Ah, um, T-Tomato-kun!!”

“My name is Toumachi Hajime (calm).”

“Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to—”

——Beep!

“…Eh?”

It turns out, when someone else panics, it makes you oddly calm.

So, does that mean if two introverts are together, they’ll balance each other out and become more composed?

I need to submit a research paper to the Introvert Association (I won't).

——Riiing!

“Hello, Momiji?”

“I’m really sorry… I got so flustered when I messed up your name.”

“No, no, it’s okay. What’s up?”

The local demon lord tends to do that on purpose, so it's fine.

…Anyway, it seems like she managed to reset herself, calming down a bit.

Her voice on the phone sounded slightly higher than usual.

“The dance was so cool!”

“! Th-thanks.”

“You’re amazing, Toumachi-kun!”

“Uh, thanks… (embarrassed).”

Her voice was so energetic through the phone.

Thank goodness this was over the phone, or I’d be blushing so much I’d shrivel up.

“I messed up my steps… it was so embarrassing.”

“You were cool too, Momiji-san.”

“Huh?”

“I don't think I could've recovered like that if it were me.”

“N-no, that’s not true…”

Her voice grew even quieter with modesty.

I wonder if Momiji-san realizes just how incredible that was.

She noticed her mistake and corrected it with her own strength.

That's way more impressive than me, who barely managed to get through with everyone’s help.

And surely, that’s something the old her wouldn’t have been able to do.

“Momiji-san, you were really amazing. Watching you made me feel like I had to give it my all too.”

“! Th-that's…”

In an attempt to hide my embarrassment, I gazed at a flower as I passed by.

Looking at a rare green hydrangea, I opened my mouth to speak.

“So, um… thank you.”

“I-I feel the same! Oh, and…”

“Hm? What’s up?”

“Um, if it’s okay with you… Can I call you by your first name, Toumachi-kun?”

“Huh?”

“I already call Rikka-san by her first name, and I want to call you that too.”

“Of course. I’d be happy if you did.”

It was an unexpected suggestion.

I never thought Momiji-sa—no, Shiori-san would ask me that.

“Then… n-nice to meet you, Hajime-kun!”

“Nice to meet you too, Shiori-san.”

“Kuku… well, I should get back to work now.”

“Yeah, good luck.”

“Thanks! Hajime-kun!”

And with that, the call ended.

“‘Hajime-kun,’ huh…”

Her words echoed in my head, and I knew that if I let my guard down, I'd definitely end up smiling like an idiot.

I better get myself together before getting on the train.

Don't want to come off as a creep (too late).

“…Hm?”

And then, I saw another message from someone else.

“Of course, it had to be them.”

Looks like I've got no choice but to do that tonight.