Chapter 7: Smooth hand feel

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Translator: Soafp

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“It's only been a few days since you said that, but… that was fast.”

“Did you say something?”

“No, nothing…”

Two days after the first Spider Incident, I was called out by Nakazato right after lunch. The meeting place was the rooftop — honestly, there's no better spot for a private talk.

“Sorry for calling you all of a sudden, but could you come with me? Of course, if you're busy, we can do it another time.”

She had approached me while I was talking with Touya and the others. Even though I was having a good time with them, she'd said it gently, with a considerate smile.

Naturally, I was surprised to be called out so suddenly — but even more shocked were my friends… and the other guys who saw it happen.

(Not like I had a reason to say no anyway… so here I am.)

When the second most beautiful girl in class asks you to come with her, it's not easy to turn her down.
Even if I did, Nakazato herself probably wouldn't make a big deal out of it, but who knows what kind of rumors would start spreading afterward.

“Sorry for calling you out like this.”

“Nah, it's fine.”

If only I could've said something cool like, “It's an honor to be summoned by a beauty like you!”

Then maybe I'd sound like one of those popular guys.

But I'm not handsome, not someone who stands out in class — so I'll save lines like that for the day I actually get cool enough to say them… I'll get there, right?

“The reason I called you out is, well…”

“…Something bad?”

“Eh?”

I blurted that out without thinking, and Nakazato blinked in surprise.

“Ah, no, it's nothing like that. Don't worry. I just… wanted to hear your voice again.”

“That's… um, you said something like that two days ago, but why?”

“Who knows? Why do you think?”

Nakazato smiled softly and stepped closer.

(What does she mean she wants to hear my voice!?)

Of course, no one's ever said something like that to me before.

When she mentioned it two days ago, I had no idea what she was talking about — but hearing it again face-to-face makes it feel way more intense.

(…She really is beautiful.)

She's known to not have a boyfriend right now, which explains why she gets confessed to so often.

My vocabulary when it comes to praising girls is limited to “beautiful” or “cute,” but I'm sure she's got something beyond that — a real charm that words can't capture.

“I guess saying ‘who knows’ was unfair. The truth is, I kind of have a thing for voices — like, I'm a voice fetishist. And your voice… sounds a lot like the kind I like.”

“Uh… huh.”

“Do you think that's creepy?”

“No, it's not that… it's just, I don't exactly have a cool voice or anything.”

“Being a ‘cool voice' doesn't matter. It's about what kind of voice I like.”

(…Is this conversation actually happening right now?)

Before I realized it, she was standing right in front of me, staring straight into my eyes with an unreadable expression.

“Hey, try saying something.”

Feeling nervous under her gaze, I decided to just say something generic.

“Uh… hello, I'm Masato Kamiki. Nice to meet you.”

“Pffft!”

“Hey, don't laugh!”

S-seriously!? I actually tried my best and she laughed!?

Still, even though she was giggling into her hand, I didn't feel angry — maybe because even that expression suited her so well.

“Sorry, sorry! But really, your voice is nice. I guess I've just recently started to like voices like yours.”

“I see…”

“Mind if I touch your arm?”

“…Sure.”

Nakazato gently placed her hand on my arm.

“Oooh~”

“……………”

Uh, what exactly is happening right now?

Her fingers brushed over my arm, tracing down to my hand. There's no way my heart wouldn't race at this.

“Do you do any sports or something, Kamiki-kun?”

“No, not at all…”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. I mean, I do the usual stuff in PE, but I'm not in any clubs or anything.”

“…I see.”

She was still touching my arm — seriously, what am I supposed to do here?

Her touch was soft and delicate, and though I was confused, I couldn't say I disliked it.

“…Well, I guess I don't need an answer right now.”

“Nakazato?”

“Haha, sorry! That probably sounded weird, huh? You came just because I asked, and I ended up making things all awkward.”

“Well, yeah, it was surprising. Definitely a first for me.”

“Ohh, so I'm your first time?”

“Don't say it like that!!”

“Haha~!”

Ugh… every little gesture she makes is too cute, it's frustrating!

Still, it's surprising — I didn't know Nakazato could be this playful.

A few minutes ago I was nervous as hell, but thanks to her tone and smile, I somehow relaxed.

“Do you… do this kind of thing with other people too?”

“Of course not. Besides, I had a boyfriend until just a few days ago.”

“Huh… wait, you had a boyfriend?”

I thought she didn't have one… well, yeah, makes sense.

A girl this beautiful not having a boyfriend would be a fantasy.

Still, the fact she said “had” caught my attention.

“A lot happened, you know? Some trouble, and apparently my boyfriend was involved behind the scenes.”

“That sounds rough…”

“Right? You should've seen my face when I found out he was part of it.”

“Yeah…”

“…Well, honestly, I didn't really care that much.”

“…Huh?”

Shouldn't you have been sad or angry or something?

Her expressions kept shifting — smiling, serious, neutral — it was kind of fascinating, but her words didn't quite match.

“I realized something — girls, no matter the era, still dream about the cool prince who comes to save them. Never thought I'd realize that in high school.”

“…I see.”

“So yeah, once I'm sure about how I feel, I'll try for my next love ♪”

She winked, holding up a peace sign with a playful smile.

Honestly, I don't know much about Nakazato, but whoever dumped her made a huge mistake.

“Sorry for the weird talk, and thanks for listening, Kamiki-kun.”

“Nah, it's fine.”

“Alright, let's head back then ♪”

Hopping lightly, Nakazato left the rooftop, and I followed behind.

Just in case, I took out my phone to check if the NetoraSensor app had reacted — nothing.

“Good… looks like everything's peaceful today too!”

Guess there won't be any NTR incidents at school, huh?

Still, since I know now that this app really works, even its strange little reactions get me curious.

“…………”

Nakazato's hand… was so soft.

That random thought crossed my mind as I finally started walking again.