Chapter 96: From now on

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Translator: Soafp

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The walk home was quick.

I was probably lost in thoughts about today… and the three-day weekend.

[—“I like you, Hatsune-san”—]

I think it was good that I said those words.

Of course, it was embarrassing… but her reaction was even more significant.

[—“Thank you for today…!”—]

That moment. Just before the door closed, I saw her expression.

Her moist eyes. Her flushed cheeks. That heated gaze.

It was something I had never experienced in my life.

“Did it make her that… happy?”

Even if I murmur it, no one answers.

But my chest has been warm ever since.

“…I'm home.”

As I walk, I arrive home.

My tired voice echoes in the entrance.

First, the pain in my feet asserts itself.

“It hurts, it hurts…”

It must be the aftereffects of the secret boots.

I take them off and head to the living room.

The view returns to its original height.

Next, I take off my ear cuffs, remove my silver rings, put down my sunglasses, and hang my black jacket on a hanger.

I wash my hands—at the sink, I look in the mirror.

“!”

In that moment.

Could it be that everything until now was just a dream?

[—“I already have it. I bought it for Toumachi.”—]

The CD I received from Yumesaki-san on the shelf.

[—“The sunset from the mountain was so beautiful, wasn't it?”—]

That beautiful sunset I saw with Momiji-san.

[—“I really like you, Icchi!”—]

The conversation with Hatsune-san just a moment ago, everything could be considered nonexistent.

This pain in my feet could disappear, and all of this three-day weekend… all of it, could be as if it never happened.

It would be like magic.

These three days passed in a flash.

“…That can't be the case, though.”

At 10 PM.

While murmuring to myself, I sat in front of the computer.

□

【I think I'll change according to >>5 Pert 16】

108: Username: 1

I safely delivered my friend home.

109: Username: 1

Now I'm at my own house. Thank you all so much (bowing).

110: Username: Anonymous in Love

Thanks for your hard work.

111: Username: Anonymous in Love

What a tumultuous day…

112: Username: Anonymous in Love

But it went by in no time.

113: Username: 1

That's for sure.

114: Username: 1

…Hey, this isn't a dream, right?

115: Username: Anonymous in Love

It might be a dream.

116: Username: Anonymous in Love

Because it went so well it's unbelievable, lol.

117: Username: 1

Stop it (despair).

118: Username: 1

Honestly, I'm scared.

This three-day weekend has been too fulfilling.

The group date, the mountain, and today…

119: Username: 1

What if I wake up and everything is gone?

120: Username: Anonymous in Love

Even if it's a dream, too many things happened, lol.

121: Username: Anonymous in Love

You have a really high imagination. That bad habit hasn't changed, has it?

122: Username: Anonymous in Love

Do you still think it's a dream even with that pain in your feet?

123: Username: 1

…That's true.

124: Username: Anonymous in Love

You ran around after the train stopped and even fell, right?

If it were a convenient dream, that kind of bad luck wouldn't happen.

125: Username: Anonymous in Love

You were super anxious at first about the group date, too, lol.

126: Username: Anonymous in Love

When you were at the mountain, you almost drowned in the canoe in front of your friend.

If it was a dream, that embarrassing stuff wouldn't happen.

127: Username: 1

You guys remember well… (embarrassed).

128: Username: Anonymous in Love

Of course, we do, lol.

129: Username: Anonymous in Love

How many times do you think we heard your consultations and reports during this three-day weekend?

130: Username: Anonymous in Love

Considering that, if you say this is a dream, I'd be very offended.

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“!”

At that moment.

A vague anxiety cleared away.

I wasn't the only one who spent this three-day weekend.

Kisaragi-san, Yumesaki-san, Hiiragi-san, Momiji-san, Hatsune-san—and the people on the other side of the screen.

It was something so obvious, yet I had misunderstood.

I felt like it was all mine alone.

---

131: Username: 1

That's true.

Sorry, this is undeniably reality.

What am I saying?

132: Username: Anonymous in Love

Indeed.

133: Username: Anonymous in Love

As long as you understand.

Still, a lot happened, didn't it?

134: Username: Anonymous in Love

You really have changed, 1.

135: Username: Anonymous in Love

A month ago, when you decided on your hobbies, you had zero plans for the weekends, lol.

136: Username: 1

…Have I really changed since then?

137: Username: Anonymous in Love

Of course.

Were you born with rainbow-colored hair or something??

138: Username: Anonymous in Love

Lmao.

139: Username: Anonymous in Love

↓I pulled this from the past logs↓

1: Username: 1

Just for reference:

Black hair.

Average build.

Second-year high school student, attending a prep school.

Average-looking (I want to think I'm not ugly).

No hobbies, no special skills.

140: Username: Anonymous in Love

Wow, that's nostalgic!

You really were no good back then, lol.

141: Username: 1

Let's rewrite this to reflect the current me.

142: Username: Anonymous in Love

Just for reference:

Rainbow-colored hair (nine colors).

Average build, tall (in secret boots).

Second-year high school student, attending a prep school.

Average-looking (I want to think I'm not ugly).

23 hobbies. Special skills include studying (first place in the year!) and dancing and making curry.

143: Username: Anonymous in Love

As a second-year high school student, regarding my looks, it's already hopeless, and it doesn't matter if I lose weight or gain weight.

In essence, I've changed completely!

144: Username: Anonymous in Love

(Changing height is usually impossible, though.)

145: Username: Anonymous in Love

A lot has happened.

146: Username: 1

Have I really changed…?

147: Username: Anonymous in Love

Too little, too late!

---

“Changed, huh…”

I release my hands from the keyboard.

Have I—really changed?

What does it even mean to change?

What did I want to become by changing?

[—“I'm sorry, who are you?”—]

I can't forget, at the train station.

At that time, Kisaragi-san didn't even remember my name.

“…”

I hated being nothing.

I hated not being able to do anything.

I didn't want to end up not being recognized by anyone, without friends.

Not being able to do anything and ending up like that was what I disliked the most.

I thought about that—and that's why I started this thread.

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148: Username: Anonymous in Love

So, what are your thoughts on having changed?

149: Username: 1

…I don't really feel it.

It's like I don't want to acknowledge it…

150: Username: Anonymous in Love

Huh?

151: Username: 1

I found many important hobbies.

I think I can dance and make curry better than average people.

I made friends.

I even became first in my year.

Thanks to everyone, I was able to bring an important friend out from OG today.

152: Username: 1

Without a doubt, I think I've changed.

153: Username: Anonymous in Love

The answer is already there.

154: Username: Anonymous in Love

What don't you accept about it? Lol.

155: Username: 1

…I still dislike it.

If I think “I've changed” now, then it'll all end here.

156: Username: 1

What's that about?

157: Username: Anonymous in Love

What are you trying to say in the end??

158: Username: Anonymous in Love

You're being so convoluted~.

159: Username: 1

I still want to change more.

I want to change even more than now.

I don't want to end it here.

160: Username: 1

…Um, well, what I'm trying to say is…

161: Username: 1

I still want you guys to stick with me… is that okay?

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“…”

After typing that response, I felt scared to hit the “refresh” button.

If I had “changed,” then this thread might be over.

During this three-day weekend, I had been consulting everyone constantly. Today, I relied on them entirely. I thought I had caused a lot of trouble.

Maybe—just maybe…

Thinking that, I pressed the heavy “F5” key—

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163: Username: Anonymous in Love

There's no way it's over, lol.

164: Username: Anonymous in Love

Hey, I was worried that the thread might end!

I'll still keep hanging out with you.

165: Username: Anonymous in Love

What are we deciding next? Should we add special skills?

166: Username: Anonymous in Love

Just keep going until 1 is satisfied, lol.

167: Username: Anonymous in Love

This three-day weekend was just too much fun.

168: Username: Anonymous in Love

I feel a tremendous sense of unity—a hot unity I've never experienced before.

169: Username: 100

We haven't even done the curry challenge yet, so I don't want it to end.

170: Username: Anonymous in Love

1 doesn't have to think he's changed for life.

171: Username: Anonymous in Love

100 years later, 1-san: “Making excuses to Enma through donations.”

172: Username: Anonymous in Love

Don't just randomly drop 1 into hell, lol.

173: Username: Anonymous in Love

If you're okay with this graffiti on the bathroom wall, feel free to rely on us as much as you want.

---

“…That was unnecessary worry.”

I laughed and murmured.

It seems like this thread isn't ending yet.

School starts again tomorrow.

Maybe I should type one last response before ending it.

---

174: Username: 1

Thank you, everyone.

I look forward to your continued support.

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…Or so I thought, but I wanted to ask just one thing before leaving.

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175: Username: 1

By the way, is it normal for friends to say they like each other or love each other?

176: Username: Anonymous in Love

Eh?

177: Username: Anonymous in Love

Wait, what are you talking about?

178: Username: Anonymous in Love

What do you mean by that?

179: Username: Anonymous in Love

First, explain the situation that made you think that, lol.

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“Eh…”

I stared at the speeding thread.

It seems that the shortest three days of my life will last just a little longer.

---

890: Username: Anonymous in Love

It's now 2 AM (time announcement).

Shall we have a talk after 1-kun goes to sleep?

891: Username: Anonymous in Love

Wow, yesterday was really something.

892: Username: Anonymous in Love

I'm grateful to have come across this thread in real time.

893: Username: Anonymous in Love

I never thought 1 would try that hard.

894: Username: Anonymous in Love

I wonder if he's okay with his allowance as a student.

895: Username: Anonymous in Love

Well, he did say he's working part-time.

896: Username: Anonymous in Love

…So, honestly, what do you think about 1 from a “friend” perspective?

897: Username: Anonymous in Love

Well, um… ///

898: Username: Anonymous in Love

I might feel a little bad, but I'm definitely grateful.

899: Username: Anonymous in Love

I'm just happy about it, though.

900: Username: Anonymous in Love

I think I might end up liking him ///

901: Username: Anonymous in Love

When someone goes that far for you, it makes you envious of 1's friends.

902: Username: Anonymous in Love

Yeah, he said he's never had a friend before.

And they say they love each other, right? This is…

903: Username: ┌(┌^o^)┐

Is it a homo…?

904: Username: Anonymous in Love

Ladies, please go home.

905: Username: Anonymous in Love

Hey, did 1 ever mention his friend's gender?

906: Username: Anonymous in Love

…Now that you mention it, he didn't.

Why didn't you guys ask? (Ultimate boomerang of fury.)

907: Username: Anonymous in Love

No way, it's definitely the same gender, right?

908: Username: Anonymous in Love

Yeah, right.

909: Username: Anonymous in Love

If it were a girl, he would've said so.

Wait, are you saying a girl told you she likes you? You made delicious pasta? (Confused.)

910: Username: Anonymous in Love

He only said “friend.”

911: Username: Anonymous in Love

Hey, wait a second.

Didn't he mention an OG? [Old Girl]

912: Username: Anonymous in Love

No, no, no!

That just means a senior! It's not confirmed.

913: Username: Anonymous in Love

Hey, lol.

If 1's friend is a girl, that would be crazy!

914: Username: Anonymous in Love

Well, if it were me, I'd fall for her, lol.

915: Username: Anonymous in Love

Can you get lost, old man?

916: Username: Anonymous in Love

But yeah, he would probably end up liking her, just not in that way.

917: Username: Anonymous in Love

They couldn't stay just friends anymore…

918: Username: Anonymous in Love

Should we drop this thread?

I feel like it wouldn't be good if 1 saw this.

919: Username: Anonymous in Love

Yeah.

This is definitely not something we should be talking about.

920: Username: Anonymous in Love

Let's write without 1 noticing… Posting is strictly prohibited!!

921: Username: Anonymous in Love

Noted.

922: Username: Anonymous in Love

Have a good night.

923: Username: Anonymous in Love

Bye-bye.

924: Username: Anonymous in Love

I feel like a lot of things are “coming” from now on…

925: Username: Anonymous in Love

We'll keep watching over you like a clear blue sky forever…

926: Username: Anonymous in Love

So don't just go and die, lol.

927: Username: Anonymous in Love

Well then, everyone, goodbye~

928: Username: Anonymous in Love

1, do your best with everything!