Chapter 76: Dancer of the Night
Translator: Soafp
Hiiragi-san’s hosted event—the Battle of Sekigahara (not really)—was approaching its finale.
Looking around, it seemed that more than half of the attendees had formed couples and left. That muscular guy was gone too…
The remaining participants were gathered in groups, either playing games or boldly making their moves.
By the way, I didn't have to worry about the costs since it was already paid. Hiiragi-san had ensured everything was set up so we could leave anytime.
Truly impressive (as expected of Hiiragi-san, the demon lord)…
“Okay, Rio, I'll leave the rest to you.”
“Sure thing ☆ Well, it's almost time to wrap things up, so don't worry about it ☆”
And then, I found myself being dragged towards the exit by Yumesaki-san.
She was surprisingly strong. Her grip felt like it could crush a hundred-kilogram weight (that's a bit rude).
“‘You've been taken away by the fortunate day!'—kyaaa!”
“Stop with the pink thoughts, you two. I'm just taking this guy out to show some ‘gratitude.'”
That sounded way too much like a threat.
Wait, am I about to lose a finger…?
“Have a good time ☆”
“Yeah.”
“G-Goodbye (my last words). May glory be upon the next Polo (passing on to the next generation)——”
“…Where is this?”
“It's a shop I often visit.”
Looks like I didn't have to worry about losing my finger (of course).
It was already 5 PM. I realized quite a bit of time had passed as I walked alongside Yumesaki-san.
We arrived at a reasonably large music store. CDs and DVDs were packed tightly on the shelves, and Yumesaki-san navigated through them with ease.
“You said you like drum and bass or techno pop, right?”
“Uh, yeah.”
“This one—you don't have it yet, do you?”
She picked up a CD from the towering stack in an instant. It was clear she had come to this store often.
“I don't have it, but…”
“Great.”
And without a moment's pause, she headed to the register.
I didn't even have a chance to stop her—
“Excuse me. I'll take this.”
Just like that, the purchase was made. I couldn’t keep up with her rapid movements!
“We’re heading out.”
“Right (like a broken robot).”
Yumesaki-san grabbed my stiffened arm and pulled me outside the store.
I can walk by myself, you know!
“…Here. Take it.”
“Wait, you didn't buy this for yourself, did you?”
“I already have it. This is for you.”
“W-Wait—”
She handed me the bag from the register, and I froze again.
“…”
“W-Why?”
“I told you. It's a ‘thank you' for today.”
“!”
Come to think of it, she had said the same thing when we left the party venue. I hadn't really done anything.
“Was it unnecessary?”
“N-No, I'm really happy about it, but are you sure?”
“…I said it's a thank you for today, didn't I?”
“Did I do something?”
“I vented for quite a while, didn't I, Toumachi-kun? That's my apology.”
According to that logic, I should be receiving a CD every time she vents to me. That felt a bit excessive.
…But somehow, it bothered me.
“I can listen to stuff like that anytime.”
“Eh?”
“We sit next to each other after all.”
“…!”
Is this some sort of cruel twist of fate?
In my second year, we ended up sitting next to each other.
Now that I think about it—on my first day of school, I had taken my seat, and she had pulled her desk away from mine. She must have been trying not to scare me away… That's probably what was behind her actions.
“You’re so clumsy, Yumesaki-san.”
“Ugh—sorry about that.”
“I’m clumsy too, so we get along well.”
“…Is that so?”
It was evening.
The bustling crowd showed no signs of diminishing.
Holding the offered shopping bag, I turned to face her.
[I want to be friends with you, Icchi!]
That voice of my first friend still resonates clearly in my memory.
While it would be impossible for me to say it so casually like she did, I decided to take a step.
“I want to be friends with you, Yumesaki-san.”
Being myself.
Smiling awkwardly, I said it to the girl in front of me.
“…! If I’m good enough for you…”
“Nice to meet you. I only know this from manga—so, is this how we do it?”
“–Fu, that brings back memories. In middle school, that was how you greeted your friends.”
“Then it’s settled—”
I extended my fist, and she did the same, our fists meeting in a bump. A fist bump, or what we called a ‘goo touch.’
“Nice to meet you, Toumachi-kun.”
“Nice to meet you, Yumesaki-san. By the way, after this…”
Perhaps it was because we were now friends, but for the first time, I could sense her thoughts.
The cover of the CD I received earlier.
It felt as if it were pulling my hand and inviting me.
“Shall we go to the club?”
“Let’s go to the club!”
Our voices echoed on the street, resonating in our ears.
We couldn't help but laugh together.
“We have to hurry before daytime ends.”
“Heh, let's run!”
“Just don't grab my arm—”
The CD I received.
The cover depicted a nighttime dancer.
Now it danced and swayed inside the bag.
Alright.
It seems like Saturday night is far from over.
890: Username: 1
Thanks to everyone, it was the best!
891: Username: Anonymous in Love
Good for you. Did you take someone home?
892: Username: 1
No way! I'm not at that age, so stop it!
893: Username: Anonymous in Love
You're panicking too much!
894: Username: Anonymous in Love
Spoke like a true virgin.
895: Username: 1
But it was fun!
896: Username: Anonymous in Love
By the way, you messed up the self-introduction sheet, right?
897: Username: Anonymous in Love
You noticed that, right?
898: Username: 1
Eh? Wasn't that on purpose?
899: Username: Anonymous in Love
?
900: Username: Anonymous in Love
Eh?
901: Username: 1
I thought you intentionally mixed it up to make jokes during the self-introduction since you guys would probably think of that.
902: Username: Anonymous in Love
Oh, sorry, that’s right!
903: Username: Anonymous in Love
As expected of us!
904: Username: Anonymous in Love
Looks like 1 is really out there…
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3 Comments
Thank you.
Anonymous in Love:
The shuraba is approaching.
Anonymous in Love:
Anon-kun is doing really well for himself.