Chapter 92: The final stage of the recapture operation

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Translator: Soafp

“……”

“……Um….”

Hatsune-san was frozen in place. 

…Well, it's no wonder.

She had just screamed at karaoke, her voice raspy. 

Plus, I was in this intimidating outfit. 

I had bought and put on the perfume recommended in the thread. And this ear cuff, my height, and the sunglasses. 

It would be great if they could recognize me with this face… 

By the way, the facial recognition on my phone didn't work (for real). 

Thanks to the sunglasses.

“Why did you come…?” 

“Can you save that question for later?”

“!”

“For now, I just want to know if you want to get out of here.”

Time was limited. 

To be honest… I wanted to get out of this place quickly. 

She must feel the same way.

“……I want to get out. But—”

“I understand. Just leave the rest to me.”

I could guess how uncomfortable Hatsune-san felt. 

Now that she had been caught by the OGs, she had to think about her future too. 

If I took her away carelessly—she would likely face worse consequences in retaliation.

That's why I dressed up so thoroughly. 

To have an appearance that wouldn't lose to anyone.

“……You don't seem like the same Icchi.” 

“Thanks.” 

“Ugh…”

I replied to her as she shrunk down. 

I didn't have any composure left. 

But I knew what I had to do.

Following the script discussed with the thread members—I would reclaim Hatsune-san from now on.

Absolutely.

“For now, just wait outside the store. It'll be hard to do anything with you here.” 

“Eh…?” 

“Is that okay?” 

“Y-Yeah, I understand…” 

“What's the room number?” 

“31… but—”

“Got it. I'll see you later.”

I turned my back on her. 

Alright, let's go.

The reclaiming operation was in its final stage—

---

They say a person’s first impression is made in three seconds. 

According to a certain psychologist, about 55% of impressions come from sight, 38% from sound, and 7% from language. 

In short—appearance and voice are crucial.

---

503: Username: Anonymous in Love 

Got it? 

Needless to say, the first impression is the most important. 

When you burst in, don't rely solely on your looks; wrap your emotions around it.”

Imagine the thing that angers you the most. 

Enter while expressing that anger. 

Your voice will naturally lower.

---

I recalled the advice from that thread. 

In front of the door. 

I checked my reflection.

“……Cough. Aah, aah.”

I made a dry sound, envisioning it.

Imagining a bottle ship, 80% complete, being destroyed by those unknown OGs. 

The yard scattering. The mast being torn apart. The bottle shattering.

…Ah. 

Just imagining it made me feel like I was losing my mind. 

But seeing Hatsune-san's soiled clothes earlier had probably angered me even more.

“――Good evening, can I have a moment?”

“!?” 

“W-Who are you—”

Inside the karaoke room marked “31.” 

When I opened the door, there were two people with their eyes wide open. 

It must have been a fun time; the room was a complete mess.

They were sitting down, singing, so I forced the song to stop on the device. 

Silence filled the room.

“Eh, eh…?” 

“Ah…!”

Their thoughts were clearly scrambled. 

They looked completely flustered, unlike when I saw them at the burger joint, visible through my sunglasses.

“Eek!” 

“W-What is it…?”

---

504: Username: Anonymous in Love

After you burst in, close in on them before they regain their composure. 

Look down on them thoroughly. 

Use your sunglasses to maintain a sense of intimidation.

Don't let them realize you're younger. 

You're always above them.

Be aware. 

Right now, you're scarier than anyone. 

Talk to them with confidence.

---

I recalled it. 

That's right. 

I would talk to them confidently with this appearance—

“Today, I had plans with ‘Hatsune' from the afternoon, you know?”

“Eh?” 

“Ah… That's a lie…”

“You guys messed up my plans with her, right?”

“That’s not it—”

“……That’s not it?” 

“Uh…?” 

“I-I'm sorry…”

The two looked down. 

I had completely gained the upper hand.

---

505: Username: Anonymous in Love

Don't use harsh words. 

Take your time and press them slowly. 

If they have something to feel guilty about, that'll hit harder.

---

That last piece of advice. 

Now, it was just about talking to them calmly and quietly.

“So, you're OGs? From the basketball club where Hatsune is?”

“…Uh, yeah, that's right…”

“So, you were trying to teach her various things…?”

“That's a good thing, right?”

“……!”

“Y-Yeah…”

“Your eyes are wandering.”

“!?”

“Ugh…”

As I leaned closer to them and said that, the two of them looked down again. 

They were completely different from when we first met.

…That's why it infuriated me. 

Their reactions could change so drastically depending on the person.

Well, their insides were the same anyway—

“I have a lot to say.”

“First of all, you forcibly stole my time with Hatsune. You lied to her saying it would ‘end soon.' You made her keep doing karaoke.”

“……You also spilled juice on her clothes.”

In reality, it was probably Hatsune-san who wanted to say this, not me. 

But for her sake, who suffered the most, I had to say it.

“I know ‘everything.' So what do you mean with ‘that’s not it’?”

“…Uh, well…”

“Well… no?” 

“……N-No.”

“Then how are you going to take responsibility?”

“!”

“……Eh?”

“My time with her. Her stress. The dirty clothes. How will you make it up for me?”

“……I-I'm sorry!”

“Ugh…”

I kept pressing them. 

I never thought they would cry. 

A sigh escaped me involuntarily.

…Let's end this. 

Their heavily made-up, tear-streaked faces were nothing but unpleasant.

As for her clothes— 

I was angry, but I would hold it back. 

If I went “too far,” the plan would fall apart.

“Hey.”

“……”

“Ugh…”

“Hey. Will you listen to me?”

“……”

“Y-Yes…”

“Can you promise not to harm her again?”

Tears streaming down their faces, they nodded eagerly. 

If only they had been this honest from the start.

“And— 

Don't show your faces at the basketball club anymore. It's unpleasant.”

“……!”

“Eh…?”

“You guys, who are ‘finished,' have no right to interfere with her now… Got it?”

“Y-Yeah… I understand…”

“……”

“Really?”

“……Yes!”

“Yes…”

They nodded weakly. 

This was the finish. All I had to do was reinforce it.

“Okay, then. Don't forget this.”

“……Yes.” 

“I understand.”

“Is this enough? For the payment?”

“Eh?”

“W-We can't accept money!”

On the table, several cups with a little juice left in them. 

French fries scattered on the paper—such a messy place.

I forcibly made space and placed a 5,000 yen bill there without it getting dirty.

“This much is only natural. It's a thank-you for Hatsune's four hours.”

“……!” 

“W-We can't accept this—”

“You said you were ‘teaching her various things,' right? You mentioned that. It would be a problem if you didn't accept it.”

“Eek…” 

“Eh… U-Um, that's not—”

“Well then. Remember your promise, in light of this 5,000 yen.”

As they tried to pick it up to return it, I ignored them. 

Honestly, it felt a bit wasteful, but—

Thinking of Hatsune-san, it was a small price to pay.

“—If you break it, I will definitely not forgive you.”

In front of the door. 

After saying that, I opened the door and left the room.

Looking at the clock—it was already past 8 PM.