Chapter 32: —-I love it!
Translator: Soafp
“…Phew”
It’s 5 a.m.
I wake up before the alarm goes off and start heating up yesterday’s Indian curry.
Meanwhile, I microwave the naan (which was a failure).
“Thanks for the meal.”
After finishing that, I boil some water and brew coffee. Starting from roasting the beans (proudly).
“Three points.”
Ugh, terrible! Instant coffee still tastes better. Both the naan and coffee need more practice.
《Anonymous Movie Review Blog》
[This review really helped, I was curious about the movie!]
[I’ve never seen such a detailed blog review, leaving a like for sure.]
[LMAO, reviewing such a bad movie with so much seriousness is hilarious.]
“…Thanks for the comments.”
While sipping coffee, I reply to the comments on the blog I had set up. I had casually written something after some chatter in the thread, but the unexpected responses caught me off guard.
It’s a little satisfying.
Of course, it’s only thanks to the original work that the blog got attention, but still.
After some origami, reading, and finishing the preparation for today's lessons…
“Uwaa, no way! I’m running late!”
I realize it's time to head to school. Quite late, actually.
I rush to the station, board the train, and walk to school.
The stares are still uncomfortable, but—I'm used to it by now (at least, I hope).
—”No warning for that? His name's Toumachi, right?” “He placed 5th at the end of last term.”—
I hear murmurs on my way. My name is getting around. Being popular is tough (sobs).
Surprisingly, this hair color has been allowed. Thank you, Reiwa era.
And now, I kind of like my rainbow-colored hair. It's… beautiful.
“Hey, it’s Toumachi!”
“Huh?”
As I pass through the school gate, a familiar voice calls out.
I turn around to see Hiiragi-san waving at me, and—
“…”
Yumesaki-san, looking away sharply.
“Good morning, Toumachi!”
“O-oh, good morning.”
“…Ou.”
“Hello…”
Her sharp gaze shoots in my direction. Yumesaki-san’s intensity is off the charts.
But today, it feels a bit softer.
“Hey, Rio, don’t say anything weird, alright?”
“Eh, I wonder what I should do~”
“…”
Listening to their conversation behind me, I head to the classroom.
No way would I try to join in. I’d probably die (introvert life).
“Hey, Toumachi! Tell me about yesterday!”
So she asks. Yesterday… she must mean the club, right?
…Where do I even start?
“Ichigo wouldn’t tell me anything!”
“…!”
I glance back at Yumesaki-san, who's glaring daggers at me.
Oh no, if I say anything, I’m dead.
《——”You were pretty cool out there”——》
Of course, she probably only said that on a whim. It'd be cruel to bring up her embarrassing moment. I need to change the topic, fast (mission mode). A new topic—quick!
“H-how was the group date yesterday?”
“Huh?”
“…How do you know about that?”
As soon as I drop the word “group date,” Yumesaki-san’s glare sharpens dramatically.
Am I dead?
“Aww, ouch.”
“Uh, I overheard when we parted yesterday… Did I say something wrong?”
“It was a disaster in every way~☆”
Hiiragi-san winked and smiled.
So cute (so cute).
Then I got a glare from Yumesaki-san. Scary.
“We met with some college students, but after we got together, they ordered a ton of drinks and got drunk. Their voices got loud, and they were just getting all hyped up by themselves.”
“…He-Heh.”
Just imagining it feels like hell. But maybe those guys had their reasons too.
For example—
“Hey, Toumachi, what do *you* think of guys like that?”
“…”
As I'm pondering, an unexpected question hits me.
Hmm, what do I say here?
If I say something wrong, Yumesaki-san might kill me (desperately). In times like this, think of the forum responses. This was back when I still had a crush on Kisaragi-san. The content of the “How to Be Popular” thread on the love board…
637: Username: (‘∀`)
I WANNA BE POPULAR AHHHH I WANT A GIRLFRIEND I WANT A GIRLFRIEND
638: Username: (‘∀`)
Start by talking to women first, okay?
639: Username: (‘∀`)
But like, how do you even *talk*? (Struggles with conversation department)
640: Username: (‘∀`)
Just show empathy for starters.
641: Username: (‘∀`)
That's easier said than done. It’s not like you should just agree with everything.
642: Username: (‘∀`)
???
643: Username: (‘∀`)
For example, what if she's complaining about her friend or boyfriend?
644: Username: (‘∀`)
…Wouldn't it be fine to just say, “Yeah, totally, I get it”?
645: Username: (‘∀`)
No, no. Especially if it’s about someone close to her, you shouldn't just blindly agree. If you're not close with her yet, it’s even worse.
Instead, throw in a personal story, even if it's a lie, and offer a solution. That way, she'll think, “Wow, they've been through the same thing!” and feel like you're on the same team.
646: Username: (‘∀`)
Ha?
647: Username: (‘∀`)
And empathy's all about balance. It's not about agreeing with *everything*, just nod along when it seems like that's all she wants. Too much agreement and she'll label you as a lightweight.
It's a common mistake, but just being a yes-man isn't good. It makes you seem unreliable, and it actually lowers your favorability. Listen carefully; girls are complicated.
648: Username: (‘∀`)
Man, 2D girls are still the best.
649: Username: (‘∀`)
>>648
Don't give up, lol
…That was close. I almost went for the overly empathetic route.
First, I need to understand their relationship and the story better.
“…What's up?”
“Oh, uh. What were their names again?”
“Huh? Kitani-san and Furuta-san.”
“I see… And where did you meet them?”
“Eh? Furuta-san is Rio's senior at work. Kitani-san is his friend. They both seemed so nice and serious, too…”
“Got it.”
I'm starting to get the picture. Hiiragi-san had a good impression of the two of them.
So—
“Yumesaki-san didn't know them at all?”
“Eh? Yeah.”
It's starting to click. Now, I just need to gently explain it to Hiiragi-san.
I'm too nervous to say it myself though (scaredy-cat).
“…They must've been really nervous. Probably why they drank so much.”
“Hmm? But Furuta-san works with Rio, so it makes sense for Kitani-san to be nervous, but why would both of them… Ah.”
She finally realized it.
That's right. The reason they were like that was because of the person standing next to Hiiragi-san.
“What?”
“Uh, I think… It's probably because of Ichigo.”
“Huh? Are you saying it's my fault?”
“A-ah… Not in a bad way…”
Her voice drops, growing more menacing.
Scary (scary).
And seeing Hiiragi-san in a tough spot like this? A rare sight.
“Toumachi will explain!”
“Eh?”
And just like that, the ball gets thrown to me.
Yumesaki-san is glaring at me intensely.
Brace yourself, Toumachi.
I'm not saying anything bad. In fact, it’s a compliment (losing my language skills here).
By the way, I prefer light soy sauce (nonsensical).
“T-take this with a grain of salt, but…”
“…”
“Ah, well, Yumesaki-san, you are incredibly beautiful, and your gaze is so intense that… I think they were probably just intimidated.”
“…!”
“So, I don’t think they meant any harm. They probably just wanted to loosen up and have a good time with you, even if it meant relying on alcohol… that’s what I think.”
I said it.
I emphasized that the two guys weren’t bad and also made sure to consider Yumesaki-san’s feelings.
Yumesaki-san, who has a gal × yankee vibe, is seriously intimidating. Just making eye contact with her can make you shrink.
For someone like me, who's at max introvert level, it's basically petrification on the spot.
Those two guys couldn't speak as they wanted and just reached for the magical aid that was right there — alcohol.
“… Hmph, is that so?”
Yumesaki-san muttered as she gazed out the window. Her face, once filled with frustration, was now calm. She was stunning.
Conversations are tough…
“Amazing, Toumachi! You managed to calm Ichigo down!”
“… Thank god.”
I probably burned all the calories from my breakfast just now.
Introverts burn ten times more calories than extroverts during conversations (according to the Introvert Alliance forum).
Soon after, we arrived at our classroom.
… Is it seriously still before class starts? (In true gal fashion.)
“… Oh!”
“Huh?”
“Now, now, tell me about yesterday!!”
As soon as we stepped into the classroom of 2-A, Hiiragi-san shouted that.
“Don’t say unnecessary things.”
“Y-Yes.”
“Feel free to share all the unnecessary details☆”
“Yes?”
“It’s not yes, you little!”
“Ah! (Brain freeze.)”
“Ha, hahaha! Toumachi, you're so funny!”
Surrounded by the devil (Hiiragi-san) and the delinquent (Yumesaki-san), I made my way to my seat.
Whether the stares of our classmates being cut off was a blessing or a curse…
Ding, ding, dong, dang—
“Alright, everyone, homeroom is starting, stand up!”
After a few minutes, the bell I had been waiting for finally rang.
“See you later☆”
“Yeah… huh, huh…”
And finally, Hiiragi-san moved to the other side of Yumesaki-san's seat. Until the homeroom started, I was bombarded with questions.
When did I join the club?
When did I meet Yumesaki-san?
Did we dance together?
I answered everything vaguely while carefully avoiding ‘death by glare’ from Yumesaki-san, who shot me looks that screamed, “Talk and I’ll kill you (paraphrased).”
I’m exhausted.
It’s like I burned through ten naan. I need someone to turn right and make some curry for me… (hallucinations incoming).
“…Huh?”
In that daze, I turned to my right and found Yumesaki-san sitting right there.
It was obvious, but… normally, she’d be sitting much farther away.
Usually, she would be closer to Hiiragi-san's seat.
“…What?”
“N-No, it's nothing.”
Even after homeroom ended and the first period was about to begin, her seat remained just as close.
It felt like a different kind of school life was starting… one I hadn’t experienced before.
You must be logged in to comment.
4 Comments
Him returning to an empty home is pretty sad. I don't believe these Japanese novels about kids living at home alone because their parents work overseas. I can understand living alone because your family is broken, like drugs or whatever, or a single family where they're working nights. I've seen that. But a caring family that lets their teenage son live alone and rents him an apartment? Lol, nah.
Tsundere yankee
Thank you.