Chapter 68: Just a little bit more

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Translator: Soafp

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Humans are intelligent creatures.

When everything goes too smoothly, it makes us anxious instead.

“Momo comes over often because she feels lonely.”

“I see, but… I’m a guy, you know…”

“? Does that matter?”

“(Confused)”

I’ve thought this before, but Kisaragi-san is either really oblivious or just genuinely not interested in guys.

She never talks about relationships or anything like that. But still…

“I just thought, with you, it's okay.”

“…”

Please don't say lines that can cause misunderstandings like that! 

Are you the oblivious protagonist of an otome game? 

You could definitely build a reverse harem (respect). 

I'd probably be the first low-level minion to get knocked out.

“Kanon can play with you too…”

“…Ah.”

“In fact, it was Kanon who first asked for you to come over.”

That made sense. 

Kanon-sama (age 5) would totally say something like that.

I felt genuinely happy. Just… purely happy.

“Oh, but…”

“Hmm?”

“You're good at curry, right?”

“Well, yeah… (Call me over anytime for curry).”

“Next time you come over, I want you to make it again.”

“I'll even bring naan! (overly eager).”

“Haha, I'll look forward to it.”

She smiled. 

Still, I couldn't bring myself to look directly at her face.

But—at least now, I could speak more naturally.

“Yeah, leave it to me.”

---

It's 9 PM. 

The surroundings were pitch black.

“See you.”

“Bye-bye, Icchi-nii!” 

“Goodbye, Toumachi-kun.”

The door closed. 

The warm light slowly faded.

Clunk.

“…Time to head home.”

I muttered, and my words quickly vanished into the night air.

“…”

I walked down the empty street, all alone.

“…Haa.”

A deep breath escaped. 

Looking up at the sky, I reflected on today's events.

First place on the test results. 

An invite to a group date from Hiiragi-san and Yumesaki-san. 

An invitation from Momiji-san.

And Hatsune-san—no, let's not think about that yet. It's too embarrassing. 

Finally, the warmth of dinner at Kisaragi's house.

“This is way too much.”

I groaned. 

Everything was just going too well.

At some point—what if everything flipped upside down? 

That thought crept into my mind.

“…”

Without thinking, I started running down the deserted street. 

I ended up at the usual park.

Out of breath. 

But the memories of today still wouldn't disappear.

I sat down on a bench.

“A three-day weekend, huh?”

After the test results were announced, the schedule was set: Saturday, Sunday, and Monday off.

Saturday is the group date. 

Sunday is hiking with Momiji-san. 

And Monday is still wide open.

I pulled out my phone and started typing.

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900: Username: 1 

I want to ask something.

901: Username: 1 

If I’m too happy right now—

902: Username: 1 

What would happen if I wished for even more?

903: Username: Anonymous in Love 

What’s with the sudden question?

904: Username: Anonymous in Love 

You’re just making yourself anxious for no reason lol.

905: Username: Anonymous in Love 

It’s not like every billionaire in the world ends up broke, right?

906: Username: Anonymous in Love 

People really do get anxious for no reason, huh.

907: Username: 1 

Yeah, but I can’t help thinking about it.

908: Username: Anonymous in Love 

That’s a particularly common mindset for Japanese people.

909: Username: Anonymous in Love 

1 hasn’t had a good school life up until now, right?

910: Username: 1 

Yeah. 

911: Username: Anonymous in Love 

Then think of it as now being your turn to receive that good luck to make up for the past. 

912: Username: 1 

I see… 

913: Username: Anonymous in Love 

Since things are going well, you should keep riding the wave and do as much as you can! 

914: Username: Anonymous in Love 

Just because good things keep happening doesn’t mean it’s all gonna reverse. 

915: Username: Anonymous in Love 

Though, of course, don't get too carried away, haha. 

---

“…I see.” 

I stared at the thread. 

At that moment, I made up my mind. 

---

916: Username: 1 

Thanks. I think I'll be a little more greedy. 

---

After leaving that reply, I closed the forum and pressed the phone icon under ‘Contacts.' 

The recipient: Momo Hatsune. 

“…H-Hello!” 

“Ah, good evening…” 

After three rings, her voice came through. My throat felt dry. 

It was like she was standing right in front of me. 

“Getting a call from you? Something wrong?” 

“…Well, um…” 

“I thought you needed some space after all that.” 

“Please don't bring that up (embarrassed).” 

“I’m just teasing~” 

“Thank goodness (relieved).” 

“Haha, so what's going on?” 

Ah, I knew it.

I couldn't do it.

I got nervous at the crucial moment, my legs froze up. 

But… 

I think more than anything, I'm seeking a fun future. 

“Would you like to hang out somewhere with me on the next Monday of the three-day weekend?”

“—Heh?” 

“If you don't want to, that's fine (nervous).” 

“Of course I want to!” 

“!” 

Can I really accept that rejection of my doubt? 

Am I not getting ahead of myself? 

–This me… 

–This introverted guy… 

–This crybaby… 

Was it really okay to invite her? 

…Just kidding. 

“I want to walk home with you again.” 

“…Yeah!” 

“Let’s talk then.” 

“Got it!” 

“…Well then.” 

“Okay!” 

“…Huh?” 

“Aren't you going to hang up?” 

At that moment. 

For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to take the phone away from my ear. 

The message I had typed earlier on the forum echoed in my mind. 

“Just a little more…” 

“Eh?” 

“I want to talk with you some more, Hatsune-san.” 

“! I-I was thinking the same thing…” 

“…I see.” 

“…Yeah. I'm happy.” 

A smile naturally appeared on my face. 

With my phone in hand, I began walking home. 

If we're going out, I can’t keep my hair like this. I need to buy some clothes, too. 

Another expense coming up. 

“Guess I'll make an appointment at the salon!” 

“Haha, you definitely need to cut those bangs~” 

“Yeah, they've gotten way too long—” 

Oh man. 

I'm such a foolish creature. 

All that anxiety from earlier had somehow turned into excitement. 

---

919: Username: Anonymous in Love 

…Hey, don't you all sound way too wholesome? 

920: Username: Anonymous in Love 

… 

921: Username: Anonymous in Love 

“Redemption”…perhaps? 

922: Username: Anonymous in Love 

Honestly, eating 18 bowls of rice was a bit overkill. 

923: Username: 1 

If anything, I feel super grateful for that. 

Really, thank you! 

924: Username: Anonymous in Love 

(Wait, what is this guy even talking about?) 

925: Username: Anonymous in Love 

Y-You're…welcome? (confused) 

926: Username: Anonymous in Love 

You are scarring me!