Chapter 91: “I’m here to help.”

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Translator: Soafp

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[Momo PoV]

“――♪”

Listening to off-key singing, I simply waited for time to pass.

After enduring an hour of lectures and bragging, the two of them started singing again as if nothing had happened. 

Naturally, I didn’t sing. I just remained there. No, just being there wasn't enough. I had to give the impression that I was listening; otherwise, I would be glared at.

…What a terrible holiday. 

If these people hadn't found me, I would have just exited the movie theater by now.

I hadn't decided what to watch today, but surely anything would have been enjoyable. 

Watching a movie with Icchi is fun, no matter what it is. 

…I hope there aren't any movies with a deadline today.

At least until next week—

“Hey, Hatsune, go get some juice.”

“And clean this up, too.”

“……Yes.”

I gathered the remnants of the scattered fries and stacked the empty drink bottles, placing them on the tray. 

Then I headed out of the room.

“…………Hah.”

A big sigh escaped me, but thankfully, it wouldn't be noticed this time. 

What am I even doing?

If I had known it would be like this today, I wouldn't have worn this stylish little wristwatch. 

It was 6 PM. 

Three hours had passed since then.

“……”

With practiced hands, I poured the juice. 

Coke and orange soda. 

There was none for me.

“――♪”

I returned to the room. 

I didn't want to go back, but the later I was, the more I'd get scolded again.

It couldn't be helped. It was only today that I had to endure this.

Once it was over, 

I could surely return to my daily life and play with Icchi again—

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“――♪”

It was past 7 PM. 

Listening to the unbearably irritating singing made my head feel like it might explode.

I wondered when I could go home. 

Despite being bad at singing, they kept having fun, which was even worse. 

The end seemed nowhere in sight.

Yet, I could do nothing. I simply clapped along, as if I were dead, to the rhythm.

[――“If there's nothing to do, just clap along, Tall Girl!”――]

This was also because I had been scolded. 

They wouldn't even allow me to do nothing.

“……!”

Suddenly, I grabbed the hem of my clothes and bit my lip. 

If I hadn't been found by these people, 

I would surely be discussing movie reviews with Icchi right now, 

at the restaurant he picked. 

We would be having fun, just the two of us—

“――Hey!”

Together, we would enjoy the night. 

We were supposed to be talking side by side—

“――Are you ignoring me?!”

“Kyah!?”

In that moment, I had inadvertently zoned out.

“……W-What's this…?”

“It's your wake-up call, you idiot.”

“Go get the juice.”

My clothes. 

I was hit by a small amount of warm juice. 

A sickening sensation washed over me.

“Ah—”

The white blouse I had prepared for today 

was now stained orange.

“Hahaha, you're such a mess.”

“Go get it already!”

“……!”

I reflexively wiped it with a wet towel while responding. 

It wouldn't come out; it wouldn't come out. 

The stain wouldn't budge.

“Hurry up and go!”

“……Y-Yes.”

I gave up, opened the door, and stepped outside. 

The scenery felt unusually heavy.

“……Ugh… Ugh…”

Before I could even reach the drink bar, I crumpled down. 

I felt nauseous.

Maybe I would be like this forever. 

At night, 8 PM, 9 PM, 10 PM. 

Until those people were satisfied.

Even if we meet again, it would be the same. 

I had been marked.

…Ugh. At this point, I just wanted to break down. 

My heart was filled with the worst feelings—

――Picon!

“!?”

My phone rang at my side. 

I desperately opened LIME.

Hajime Toumachi

The name at the very top. 

Below it, there were missed calls from the basketball club.

My finger moved there instinctively.

Hajime Toumachi: “……Have you gone home yet?” 18:00 

Hajime Toumachi: “Are you still at karaoke?” 18:45 

Hajime Toumachi: “Did you go home already?” 19:20 

Hajime Toumachi: “Sorry for the multiple messages. Are you turning off your phone?” 19:40 

Hajime Toumachi: “……Have you gone home yet?” 20:00

“……Icchi…”

A desperate string of LIME messages. 

I hadn't noticed because I was inside the karaoke room. 

And then— 

I had just stopped caring.

Momo: I'm still here, but it's okay.” 

Momo: “I'll be home soon.”

Hajime Toumachi: “……Are you really okay?”

“……!”

How nice it would be if I could just spill everything in my heart.

But—I ended the call there. 

Saying “I'm not okay” wouldn't change anything. 

It would only trouble him.

And—I myself could do nothing about it.

Even if time passed, I would just get scolded for being late.

Really, there was nothing I could do.

…A good amount of time had passed. 

I needed to hurry—

“――Yah!?”

Then, as I stood up and ran towards the drink bar, 

I turned a corner and collided with someone. 

In front of me was a body that was “larger” than mine.

“……I-I’m sorry!!”

The person I collided with fell just like I did. 

I saw them trying to stand up.

“……”

On the ground lay a fallen pair of sunglasses. 

Wearing a black jacket and heavy black boots, they stood up. 

Silver rings adorned their fingers.

“!……”

…“It's over.” 

Clearly “that kind” of person, taller than me, with piercings in their ears.

…Scary. 

Much scarier than those two. 

The worst, the absolute worst. How did it come to this?

Misery— 

It had gone too far at this point—

“――Huh?”

――Thoughts like that passed through my mind.

“It doesn't seem like you're okay…”

Until I saw those kind-looking eyes, I had thought that. 

Those eyes that only he possessed.

“Sorry for being late.”

His voice was raspy and hoarse, but it was familiar. 

It was his.

“I came to help you… or something.”

To Icchi, who smiled in a troubled way, 

I remained in a dreamy daze.

My heart felt incredibly warm. 

I was utterly confused.

My mind went completely blank.