Chapter 155: Gunshots

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Translator: Soafp

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[Rio Side]

“Ugh, I still think Cherry Brown looks better on me.”

“I can’t tell the difference in hair color, though.”

“With that attitude, you won’t make it as a model☆.”

Class 2-A, just like any other day.

Hiiragi and Yumesaki were chatting, just as they always did.

“…He is late. Where’s that guy?”

While gazing at the empty seat that was “always supposed to be there.”

“Do you think Tomato’s okay, Strawberry-kun?” (Ichigo = Strawberry)

“…If I were his mother, I'd be worried.”

“But isn't he just going to dye it black for one day?”

“He probably won’t do that, though.”

“What's with that ‘Well, I know something you don’t…' attitude☆?”

“Y-y-you!”

Hiiragi teased Yumesaki, laughing.

“Seriously, he's late again.”

“Library? He's not with ‘that girl' either.”

Hiiragi glanced to the right and slightly forward. There was Hatsune talking to a classmate from the same club.

“Something's up with that, huh☆.”

Hiiragi couldn’t help but notice how she kept glancing this way—more specifically, toward “his seat.” Her unhappy expression made it clear something bad had happened.

…By the way, she knew that recently, Momo Hatsune’s popularity among boys was rising.

(She's become cuter, after all.)

“Huh?”

“Nah☆ But Tomato better show up soon or really—”

Ding-dong

“Oh, the pre-bell rang.”

“Is he seriously late again?”

“…”

When Hiiragi glanced slightly forward earlier, the person who sat in front of Hatsune was absent—

“—I made it!”

“Fufu. You didn't need to rush like that.”

“Haa, haa. Why are you so relaxed, Kisaragi-san?”

“Because I'm used to this time.”

“…I see. So you're just used to it.”

And then, two people appeared.

They seemed to stomp in with a sound effect of thumping footsteps.

“I-Icchi… good morning.”

“Oh. Good morning, Hatsune-san.”

“Are you okay…?”

“Eh? Oh yeah, I'm fine. I just had a light chat with my family… See you!”

Acting as if nothing was wrong, He dashed to his seat after responding to Hatsune.

“…Hmm.”

Hiiragi couldn't help but notice that his uniform looked distinctly different.

Usually, it was neat and tidy.

His shirt was untucked, and his collar was wrinkled.

Thud!

And now, he slammed his foot into a student’s desk.

“Ouch! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!”

“…”

“…You really slammed your foot hard, didn't you?”

Hiiragi remained silent, chuckling.

At this point, it was like he was begging to be teased.

“Seriously, you're so obvious…”

“Is something off with him?”

“Ichigo, he can stay as he is☆ It's funny, so I'll let it slide until noon…”

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[Toumachi PoV]

“I really think Cherry Brown suits you, Hiiragi-san. The previous Blue Black looked good too.”

“—Stop evading☆ Just spill it☆.”

“Aah.”

It was lunchtime.

I was abruptly interrogated during lunch.

Up until now, everything had been normal.

We were just having a good time discussing Hiiragi-san’s job.

I thought I'd get to hear more about the photographer’s past, who changes completely the moment a camera is in hand (I'm curious).

By the way, this was in the cafeteria.

This massive potato stick in front of me was disappearing at an alarming rate.

“This would taste great with curry (my inner Indian whispers…)”

“Hey.”

“Aah.”

“So, you met your family looking like that☆?”

“Yeah…”

“And then you snuck out of your house in the middle of the night to escape to a girl’s place☆?”

“W-who says ‘a girl'? (virgin) “

“If I was your mom, I'd be totally put off☆.”

“(I'm about to cry)”

“Hey, Rio…”

“Yumesaki-san (I'm touched).”

“I'm put off too, you know.”

“　”

As expected of those two. They really hold nothing back.

But it's helpful; objective opinions are important.

Still, thinking of Hiiragi as a mother… I guess that's true. If she gets married someday, for instance. I envy her kids (that's super creepy).

“Hey, Hajime! It's lunchtime☆!”

“Wah! (child regression)”

“Stop playing with your food, you guys.”

The potato sticks swayed hypnotically in front of me.

“What kind of person is Hajime-kun's dad☆?”

“…He's a really impressive guy who works in America… but he can't stand up to my mom… and he's a pathological qualification enthusiast… ah, ah.”

“Seriously, are you for real right now?”

“Heh☆ What about your mom?”

“She's quiet and kind… but surprisingly strict sometimes… also, she has light brown hair… she's short… and she works in translation—”

“You did a great job introducing them☆.”

“Babu (like a baby).”

Ah, I'm starting to feel all fuzzy and nice.

The Demon King is fearsome.

Right now, I'd spill anything—

“So… why didn't you go with your parents?”

That gentle voice reminded me of that time.

[—”Are you serious, Hajime?”—]

[—”We needed to be together all along.”—]

[—”Dad said he'd quit his job if it was for you.”—]

It was during the summer of my second year of junior high.

When I decided to stay in Japan.

[—”I understand, but I don't want to worry you.”—]

[—”I don't want to rely on my family any more.”—]

[—”By the next summer vacation, I'll prove that I'm okay.”—]

During the Golden Week of my second year.

After declaring that with no basis whatsoever.

By the summer vacation of my third year, I had indeed established some basis and distanced myself from my family.

They must have visited yesterday, still believing in that version of me back then—

“–Oi, oi! Is something wrong?”

“Get away, Rio. I'm gonna wake him up.”

“Eh?”

“Ora!”

Smack!

“　”

The potato sticks were pushed aside, and in front of me were clasped hands.

A loud noise echoed throughout the cafeteria.

“—What was that?” “Was that a gunshot!?” “Take cover!!—”

“Did you wake up?”

“　”

The moment I realized I had been blindsided, I finally let go of my consciousness—

Smack!!!

“Did you wake up?”

“Yes, yes, yes (desperate).”

“Twice in a row… that's just unbelievable…”

Piercing gazes.

For now, I should probably just leave the cafeteria!