Chapter 98: Clock

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

---

“This is considered the first diary literature in the history of Japanese literature—”

Third period in the classroom.

While summarizing the blackboard content in my notebook with a pencil, I also listen to the teacher's lecture.

Recently, I've gotten really into using pencils. Unlike mechanical pencils, they don't break. If the lead snaps, I just sharpen it again. I don't use colored pens often either, so I don't need to switch writing tools.

A notebook written in just black ink. It may not look great, but it's the easiest for me to absorb the information.

Simple is best… one of my favorite sayings.

“—Now, here. Does anyone know what time corresponds to the ‘hour of the dog'? Toumachi, do you know?”

“Oh, uh, it's 8 PM.”

“Correct, correct. As expected.”

“…(blush)”

The increase in the teacher calling on me during class isn't just my imagination. According to my personal, random statistics (researched by me), it's about 40 times more than before since May (for real). About 1.5 times more than during the time of the seven colors.

Because of this frequent attention, my seriousness in class has increased significantly. No doubt, these nine colors of hair are giving me great blessings.

It's different from the time when I had just black hair. Simple is best… I feel like I want to challenge that saying now (emotionally unstable).

Kiin Ko~n Kaan

“—Alright! Class is over here. Make sure to review properly!”

When you focus, class goes by in no time. I'm tired, maybe I'll drink the coffee I brewed and brought from home (smug).

“—Toumachi!!”

“!?!!”

Suddenly, Hiiragi-san, who's sitting two seats away, comes rushing at me.

Isn't it usually the other way around? Shouldn't the demon lord be the one waiting for the hero (rude)?

Oh, right, I'm not a hero… (weak monster). At best, I'm just a little more experienced than others.

“…Why do you look so down☆”

“No, it's nothing.”

“What are you drinking?”

“Black☆ coffee… (smug)”

“Wait, from a thermos?”

“Well, I brew it myself.”

“Whoa☆ That’s kind of mature.”

“Well, I live alone, so… I cook for myself too… (blush).”

“Oh, right! Speaking of food, let's have lunch together today☆”

“Huh?”

“I've got something I want to talk about! Right, Ichigo?”

“Huh?”

“…If you don't want to, that's fine.”

From the next seat, Yumesaki-san joins the conversation. Her vibe seems much softer… unlike before when she might have suddenly yelled “HEY!!” from her seat next to mine (which she didn't). I guess people do change (who am I to say?).

“Well, I don't mind joining you from time to time.”

“So you don't want to every day☆”

“Uh (panicking for real).”

“Fuahaha!”

“I am sorry about Rio. I know you study during lunch, Toumachi.”

“Thanks… (is she an angel?)”

As I was getting flustered by the demon lord’s laughter, Yumesaki-san comes to my rescue. Could she actually be a hero of light…?

Is she going to defeat me!?

---

Kiin Ko~n Kaan

Lunch break.

Now that I think about it, I've always spent this time in the courtyard. Well, about one minute in the courtyard, then I'd head to the library.

The reason is simple: I never had anyone to eat with. Being alone during lunch is pretty rough. The only time I've eaten in the classroom was during tests—wait, that was so long ago I can't even remember (sadness).

“—Let's go to the cafeteria~” “I forgot my furikake…” “Let's stop by the store later!”

Lunch break, this noisy classroom… How long has it been since I last experienced this? When did I start avoiding this place?

Back in my first year. Right after entering school, during the first semester. The classroom walls. The hands of the clock felt unusually slow, and I…

Maybe—if I had mustered up some courage and stayed in this place back then—

“—Toumachi, your eyes are looking lifeless!”

“A-Are you okay?”

“…Huh?”

When that long-forgotten scenery began to blur before me, I realized there were two girls standing in front of me.

Needless to say, it was Yumesaki-san and Hiiragi-san.

But somehow, it doesn't feel real.

“Push your desks together☆ Ichigo, Toumachi!”

“Oh, uh, okay.”

…Wait, how do I even push desks together?

Should they be side by side? Or vertical? No, if they're vertical, they'll bump into the person in front of us.

Piling the desks on top of each other?

Is this the construction of the Demon King’s throne (makes no sense)?

Are zombies going to attack? Let’s build a barricade!

“? Come on, put it facing Ichigo☆.”

“_{Ah, yes}.”

“Fu. First time doing this, Toumachi?”

“N-No, not really (trying so hard to sound confident).”

Of course, I’ve done this at least once (reminds me of elementary school).

“Here we go…”

“Fuahahaha, you’re taking way too long!”

“S-Sorry.”

With the desks doubled in size (naturally), Hiiragi-san moves diagonally next to me. It’s a bit cramped, but is it okay like this…?

“Oh, it’s fine☆, since I only have this.”

“Eh?”

As I was thinking that, Hiiragi-san pulls out a tiny salad. Maybe it’s because she’s a model? It fits the image perfectly.

“Is that really enough for you?—Whoa!”

“Th-That’s huge.”

“Haha! And to maintain that figure with that diet, amazing☆!”

On the opposite side, Yumesaki-san plops down a large bowl of beef rice. Probably the size right below the extra-large serving. Her lunch totally fits her image in a way… She’s definitely eating more than me.

“And what about you, Toumachi?”

“U-Uh… just this…”

“What the heck is that? There’s something drawn on it…”

“Not cute at all☆.”

I grabbed some leftover bread from the fridge this morning from the supermarket, which had a picture of some not-so-popular villain character from “〇×Cure” plastered all over the package. There’s even a sticker inside.

“You’re eating three of those?”

“Fuahaha! Toumachi, even your lunch is so unique☆.”

“…”

Why does this happen on a day like this!?

---

Three tiny sweet curry buns with the villain’s smug face printed on them (amazingly priced at 30 yen each).

And as a bonus, I get three character stickers. I really should have thought this through when I picked them out thinking I’d be eating alone (regret).

I can't believe I was happy that they cost less than 100 yen total. If only I could go back in time and stop myself…

“Is it good? Is it good?”

“…It's delicious (shame).”

“Fuhaha, I see!”

I didn’t expect to be put through this embarrassing situation. It's a recipe for awakening something (not in a good way).

“—So, what’s the thing you wanted to talk about?”

“Wa!?”

“You flip the switch so fast.”

Both of them widen their eyes.

Now I feel a bit embarrassed about getting serious all of a sudden.

“W-Well, never mind☆. You remember Kitani-san and Furuta-san from the other day?”

Wait… who?

Oh, right. The ones from the mixer who relied on the magic drink.

“Yeah, I remember. They're the two from your part-time job, right?”

“Yup☆. They felt bad about last time and took us to a pretty nice restaurant☆.”

“Hmph, you don’t have to say it.”

“Ooh…”

So they’re from Hiiragi-san's modeling agency? Must be her seniors at work. With just the four of them, I bet their collective attractiveness rating surpasses 70…

If I joined in, I'd probably disappear into the background.

“And so, Ichigo has really softened up ‘since then’☆. She was talking and having fun with everyone☆.”

“I see.”

I can definitely see that Yumesaki-san has changed since that mixer. The intimidating aura has lessened a lot.

“So then, they suggested Ichigo should try modeling☆.”

“…I see.”

“Right☆. What do you think?”

“I think it's a great idea (immediate answer).”

I mean, Yumesaki-san is super put together. She’s more on the “beautiful” than “cute” side. In a good way, she has this androgynous vibe. Plus, she has a great figure. Honestly, at that mixer, she was probably more dashing than I was.

If someone told me she was a model, I wouldn't even doubt it for a second.

She's even a little taller than me.

…Who's calling me short? (Getting defensive).

“See, I told you so!”

“St-Stop it already.”

Hiiragi-san bursts into laughter.

Meanwhile, Yumesaki-san turns away, her face turning red.

“I-I'm not cut out for something like modeling…”

“And that’s exactly what she's like now!”

“I see.”

I get it now.

In short, Hiiragi-san wants me to help encourage Yumesaki-san too. But if she really doesn't want to, it'd be bad to push her too much.

“I-I'm not really into that kind of thing…”

Yumesaki-san’s cheeks turn even redder. Her voice is small, her gaze cast down.

[――“…Do you enjoy dancing?”――]

In the club.

On the dance floor, her hesitant expression—it looked a lot like that.

…But saying the wrong thing could be disastrous this time. It's a job, after all, involving money.

Think. Come up with the right words to gently encourage her.

From the ‘Romance Board—Guys Wanting to Be Popular’ thread (for the second time)—

---

195: Username: (‘∀`)

I got a message from a girl on LIME! She’s a college student, and she’s thinking about joining a basketball club. What should I say?? I have no idea (quiet voice).

196: Username: (‘∀`)

That’s great! It means you’re getting close!

197: Username: (‘∀`)

I guess just support her, right?! If I tell her not to, she’d definitely hate me!

198: Username: (‘∀`)

Calm down. If you’re that close, maybe try to talk about it more deeply.

199: Username: (‘∀`)

Don’t just rely on LIME. If you can, talk on the phone. And remember, the important thing is her words, not yours.

200: Username: (‘∀`)

Please speak in Japanese!!!

201: Username: (‘∀`)

Listen up.

In most cases like this, she’s already made her decision.

If you push too hard, it could backfire—especially if it’s a big decision. Instead, take your time and listen to her.

Share her feelings, and make it easy for her to talk.

—You're supposed to become her “home.”

202: Username: (‘∀`)

Dude, what are you even talking about?

---

…Close call. I almost focused too much on pushing her forward.

First, I need to create an environment where she feels comfortable talking.

“Well, if I were in Yumesaki-san’s shoes, I'd probably feel uncertain too.”

“Eh☆?”

“I mean, it's hard to imagine yourself working as a model.”

“Is that so☆?”

“Yeah. It's only natural to feel anxious. After all, you’re getting paid too.”

If you think of normal jobs like working at a convenience store or a kitchen in a restaurant, modeling is clearly different.

“…Yeah, Toumachi's got a point.”

Little by little, Yumesaki-san starts lifting her gaze.

“Of course, I'm interested since it's Rio's job…”

Bit by bit, her words begin to surface.

“So it's not that you don't want to do it.”

“…Yeah.”

“I see.”

The answer was already there.

I could easily say, “It’s fine, you’ll be great,” but as a good friend—right now, it's more important to…

I take out my phone.

“I'm setting the timer for one minute (suddenly).”

“Huh?”

“What?”

“During that minute, decide if you'll do it or not.”

“W-Wait!”

“Toumachi, you're being pushy!”

“Start!! (loudly)”

The clock’s already ticking. Now, I just have to wait for her answer—

“I-I'll do it…!”

“That was fast☆!”

Even though I expected her to take longer, she gives her answer in just five seconds, her expression now lighter, as if a weight had been lifted.

“Mou… you're pushy, Toumachi.”

“I'm sorry (prostrating).”

“Don't bow like that! I'm not mad!”

“Fuahaha, good thing we asked Toumachi for advice☆.”

“N-No problem at all (respectfully).”

“Ichigo, you are surprisingly a bit of a chicken☆.”

“…I'm aware.”

The two of them are back to their usual selves.

That's the gal duo I know (who am I to say?).

“Well, today marks the day Ichigo became a model☆.”

“I haven't even started yet! I still need to audition, don't I?”

“Ichigo will totally pass!! So let's celebrate by going to the cafeteria and grabbing some tea and sweet bread!”

“You always buy that… And didn't you just ruin your salad diet?”

“I had fiber, so I'm invincible☆! Come on, let's go!! I'll explain what being a model's like!”

“You're acting weird…”

“Haha… H-Have fun.”

They're like a whirlwind (I'm slightly overwhelmed).

Standing up, they head out of the classroom, full of energy. More so than when they started talking.

Is it thanks to me?—no, I shouldn't get carried away.

Yumesaki-san had probably already found her answer within herself.

――”Hey, about the next class,” “I got a 5-star in the gacha!,” “That’s actually a dud.”

Suddenly, the voices of my classmates fill my ears the moment I'm alone.

At my now quiet desk, still stuck to Yumesaki-san's, my eyes shift to the classroom wall, as if avoiding something.

White and black, the familiar clock.

From the distant ticking hands showing 1 PM, I can hear the faint sound of time passing, even though the classroom is bustling.

Tick-tock.

Tick-tock, slowly ticking away.

“…”

Perhaps it's the two empty chairs in front of me.

It feels lonelier than that time way back during the first term of my freshman year.

Even though we were just talking so much a moment ago.

“Guess I should get going.”

Two-thirds of the lunch break is over. But there’s still a third left.

I fidget with my bag, searching for my usual textbooks.

…Not sure if there will be any open seats, but I might head to the library—

“――Hey, you're not coming?”

“Huh?”

“You can’t just eat that little, Toumachi☆.”

“Out of money?”

“Ah, no—it's not that—”

“Hmph, come on.”

“You're slow☆! Things are going to sell out!”

“You really like saying that, huh?”

Yumesaki-san pats my shoulder, while Hiiragi-san hurries me along.

Even now, I still can't quite process it.

“…”

Having lunch during the lunch break.

Going to the cafeteria with someone. Buying something there.

It's the first time in my entire high school life.

“Toumachi?”

“Hurry up☆.”

If they knew how I felt right now, the way they acted like this was “normal” would definitely make them pull away.

So, I decided to act like this was “normal” for me too.

“…I was just looking for my wallet. I'm coming now.”

I said that, and then dashed towards them.

Now, I no longer hear the ticking of the clock.