Chapter 89: [Now is the time to act]

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Translator: Soafp

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100: Username: 1

There's a secret boots specialty store in the prefecture. 

I'm on my way there now.

101: Username: Anonymous in Love

Oh. 

I'm looking at clothes right now, but I really can't tell unless I try them on…

102: Username: Anonymous in Love

Found it! This perfume has a mature scent! 

Seems like the flashy types would wear this (just a stereotype).

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103: Username: Anonymous in Love

Ah, this should be available anywhere. Sounds good, right? 

You can definitely find it at Don Quijote (just a stereotype).

104: Username: Anonymous in Love

Hmm… it's tough to scare people…

105: Username: 1

I've arrived. I'm going to buy the secret boots for now.

106: Username: Anonymous in Love

Take care.

107: Username: Anonymous in Love

Hmm, hmm… What should I do about the clothes…

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Life doesn't always go as planned. 

That's why it's important to take things slowly. 

You shouldn't just act impulsively when you suddenly get an idea.

…But sometimes, even if you know this, there are moments when you have to act.

I'm sure this is one of those times.

“…It's so far!”

Secret boots aren't sold in regular shoe stores. 

It seems they're usually bought online, and I have to go seven stations to find one. 

Anywhere else would be out of the prefecture. I guess I'm lucky.

“…Huff, huff—”

I've arrived at the nearest station. 

It's already past 4 PM. 

It'll take two hours for a round trip.

If I'm hesitating, I need to move my feet!

“…‘Magic Shoes'… Is this the place?”

I've reached a small shoe store. 

It must be the right one. It has to be.

“Excuse me—do you sell shoes that can make you taller?”

“Eh?”

I unexpectedly called out to a person who seemed to be a nearby store clerk. 

I know I'm panicking, but I couldn't help it.

“…E-excuse me—”

“—We can do up to 15 centimeters. You too can achieve your dream of being in the 180s… Would you like to try them on?”

“Eh?”

It seems I was right after all. 

The clerk's vibe is kind of similar to a hairstylist!

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“Thank you for your purchase. Are you planning to wear them right away?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Understood. Please put your old shoes in this bag.”

The clerk seemed to sense my urgency and moved quickly. 

It might also have helped that I was the only customer there.

“Are you okay? It can be tough to get used to them at first, so this is about the limit, I think.”

“…Y-yes. I'll manage somehow.”

“Take care!”

“Thank you… oh, wait—”

It's been a while since I bought shoes, but I never expected it would turn out like this. 

The shoes themselves give an 8 cm boost, and the insoles add 4 cm. 

A staggering total of 12 cm increase.

“—Woah…”

The moment I stepped out of the store—the world had changed. 

I'm taller than most passersby.

Of course. 

Now I'm over 180 cm tall.

“Let's go.”

I put my old shoes in my bag and checked the way I should go. 

I can't linger in this afterglow. 

Next is the clothes—

“—Ouch!”

I thought, and then I stumbled as I stepped forward. 

Okay. First, I need to get used to walking.

When I face that OG—I need to be comfortable enough that they won't realize I'm wearing secret boots.

…If they find out, it'll be hell!

Hajime Toumachi: “…Did you go home already?”

For now, I'll just enter that LIME. 

While almost tumbling over multiple times, I made my way toward the station.

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“…No way, seriously…”

And then. 

In front of the station, at the ticket gate—announcement display

Due to vehicle troubles, we are currently suspending operations— 

Resumption is planned around 5 PM— 

Transfer transportation is—

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“…There's no way this is happening—”

I slumped down. 

The current time is 4:30 PM. A 30-minute delay… and, of course, it will be crowded right after resuming operations. 

It's likely to get delayed further—arrival will be past 7 PM.

I still haven't gathered any clothes or accessories.

“—Ugh…”

What should I do? Should I take a transfer to another line?

But it's quite far from here. 

Should I just buy clothes around here?

…Ugh, damn it.

“I'll run.”

Standing still here isn't going to help. 

If I wait any longer, time will just keep passing.

Then I have to run and catch a train that accommodates transfer transportation.

I opened my phone and the map—it looks like it'll take about 30 minutes to walk from here. 

If I run, probably about 10 minutes. 

I looked around, but there were no taxis.

“…”

I have no choice.

At the front of the station, I stepped aside, took off the secret boots, and changed into my regular shoes. 

I can't worry about what others think.

“—Ugh—”

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“Haah, haah…”

I checked the route on the map app while running. 

Even if it's said to be 10 minutes of running, that's only if I don't get lost.

Of course, my GPS went haywire just at this moment, and by the time I realized it, I was heading in the opposite direction.

Just when I thought I managed to correct my course, 40 minutes had passed in no time. 

At this rate, I'll arrive at the transfer station after 5 PM. It might be even later.

“…Damn it, what the hell—”

I lamented while running. 

Nothing was going smoothly.

…Perhaps, I might end up in this half-hearted state. 

After boasting so much, I might not be able to save her. 

Today could end without anything happening.

“—Ugh…”

I ran through the back alley, back onto the main street—shaking off the worst thoughts as I went.

I stopped to look at the map.

I finally passed the halfway point.

“I have to hurry—!!”

Taking the closest shortcuts. 

In a rush. Pressed for time. 

I entered another narrow alley—and before I knew it, I was careless about watching my feet.

“Ugh—!!”

I fell spectacularly over a small bump— 

It was truly an embarrassing tumble.

…Ugh, enough already. 

Everything is just going wrong.

“Ow…!”

Life is full of things that don't go well. 

That's why you should take it slowly. 

You shouldn't just act impulsively when you suddenly get an idea.

…But sometimes, even knowing this, there are times when you have to act. 

I thought this was one of those times.

“Damn it… Ugh, come on—!”

My dirty pants. 

Blood was seeping through, and it hurt. Not only that, but I was starting to feel tired too.

“…”

Still, I got back up. 

And when I glanced to the side, I noticed a small shop.

“Tachibana Vintage Clothing Store”—clothes lined up in that place.

A soft scent wafted, reminding me of a particular perfume. 

This is… 

From that time—

“—Eh!?”

That voice. 

I could tell from the surprised expression and tone.

Inside the store. She appeared.

“Eh. You're ‘Strike While the Iron is Hot'—right?”

The person who stepped out was—

[“…Grappling Combat (Israeli martial arts), right?”]

She was the girl I met at the group date.