Chapter 39: Sanctuary

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Translator: Soafp

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I'm about to walk into the home of the most beautiful girl in school, who I just got rejected by (despair).

Why is this happening?

If this had been the old me, before my “rainbow transformation,” I definitely would’ve died from a heart attack by now.

“Uh… e-excuse me↑↓（emergency: my voice cracked twice）.”

“Please, have a seat over there.”

“O-okay↑（still in falsetto）.”

“Fufu… what's wrong?”

“N-nothing↑（emergency: my voice won't stop cracking↑↑）.”

“Fufufu… s-stop, you're…”

“cough cough!!! (on the verge of death)”

I stepped through the small gate of the house and entered through the unlocked front door.

It's fine. I'm only going in as far as the entrance.

Beyond this point is the sacred sanctuary.

If someone like me steps in, I'd probably be erased on the spot… (seriously).

“…Alright (normal voice returned).”

“I'm really sorry. I've been bothering you since yesterday.”

“I've told you, it's fine. I enjoy being with Kanon-chan.”

I sat down at the entrance and gently placed Kanon-chan's feet on the floor.

That was a bit of a relief.

“…You're really kind, Toumachi-kun.”

“Huh?”

“Come on, Kanon! Wake up! Wakey wakey!”

“…”

I heard her words clearly.

Thank goodness I've already been rejected. Otherwise, hearing that would've turned me into a hopeless fool.

“…I know you're awake.”

“Huh!? (voice cracks again)”

“…'Cause Onii-chan's gonna leave!”

Wait, she was awake?

And now, reluctantly, Kanon-chan climbs off my back, all while saying something that made me really happy.

Why does this kid like me so much, though?

Did something happen?

All I remember is watching a movie with her and spotting an ant together.

We also crossed a crosswalk together as comrades in arms.

How old am I, seriously…? (sixteen!).

“Don't be selfish. Toumachi-kun is busy too.”

No, I'm not busy at all (I'm a free man).

I could stay here forever, though only up to the entrance!

“Uuu… (about to cry).”

“Mou… I've got to make dinner too.”

Oh no, what do I do now?

Can I just leave like this? Kisaragi-san's definitely going to have a hard time dealing with this.

Ugh, whatever happens, happens!

“Uh… how about I play with Kanon-chan for a bit?”

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And now…

I've become the villain in a ○×Cure play.

Kanon-chan is waving around a “magical transformation wand.”

It's a paper stick I made for her using origami.

I obviously looked up how to make it online.

The video probably took up about 30 MB of my data, but in exchange, I got to see her smile.

Totally worth it… my data plan (regular guy smile).

“Transformation!!”

As soon as she grabbed it, her energy level skyrocketed. Now she's become a battle maniac, saying she wants to “defeat the enemy!” And so, I took on the role of the villain.

“…C-come at me (super cringe introvert villain).”

Holding a knife (also made of origami, obviously), I fully embraced the mindset of a villain waiting during a transformation scene.

If I interrupted now, I'd probably get caught in their transformation effects and meet a mysterious demise—

“○× Attack!!”

She swung her wand.

In her mind, I'm sure there are magical effects happening.

I can see it, I can see it too!

“Gwah (fake death performance as I go flying).”

“Yaaa!!”

“Ooooohh (dying dramatically as I vanish).”

Imaginary stars (the limits of my imagination) hit and killed the introverted villain.

With the final blow from the wand, the battle ended in an instant.

Thus, peace was restored—

“Kyaahaha!! I won!!”

“Ugh… dies.”

Kanon-chan, laughing joyfully, is now lightly smacking the “dead” body in front of her.

Stop it. No one wants to see a hero beating up a corpse on TV.

But I'm fully in character, so I can't get up!

“Dinner's almost rea—Kanon! What are you doing!?”

“Ah…”

Soon, Kisaragi-san appeared, wearing an apron. She was shouting angrily, but the sight of her was so overwhelmingly beautiful and homey that just looking at her made my heart feel like it was about to burst.

“…zzz.”

“Are you pretending to be asleep?”

Next to me, Kanon-chan had laid down, as if she thought she could get away with anything just by falling asleep.

“…”

“…Huh?”

“Why are you actually falling asleep…?”

Apparently, she had transitioned into full-on sleep mode. This kid is something else (in a good way).

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“Well then… thank you so much, Toumachi-kun.”

“I had fun too, so it's no problem.”

At the front door, I put on my shoes while she, still in her apron, watched me.

I couldn’t meet her gaze directly. She was too beautiful—and the apron made it even worse, like some kind of cheat code. There’s no way I could handle this (speaking as a typical guy).

“…I'll probably be in the courtyard during tomorrow's lunch break. Why don't you come?”

“Huh?”

“I'll be there with Momo. You want to get closer to her, right?”

“Well, I mean—but, is that okay?”

“There's no reason it wouldn't be.”

“!”

Her words left no room for doubt.

Alright—my lunch break plans for tomorrow are set.

I'll talk with Hatsune-san.

“See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, thanks—”

This time, I was able to look her in the eye, even if just for a moment.

Then I quickly turned around and stepped outside.

“!”

For a brief moment—

…Did I imagine it?

I felt a gaze on me for just a split second.

Something… kind of sticky… heavy.

“?”

I frowned, but shrugged it off and continued walking home.

Today, I'm going to perfect my naan bread recipe!