V4Ch2: Midsummer Intruder Part 2

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Translator: Soafp

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[Himiyama PoV]

My face still felt hot, and my heart continued to race.

Even though he had left, I had no energy to do anything and just slumped onto the sofa.

Words echoed in my mind: “I don’t want you to be unhappy,” he had said.

I’d resigned myself to this, to giving up on dreams and romance.

I hadn’t achieved anything, and I felt I didn’t deserve to. It became routine, and I lived life in lethargy, without motivation.

“Is it okay for me to desire happiness or want something more…”

It wasn’t anyone else but him who said those words to me. If that was the case, it was a vow I wouldn’t break. I had thought it was too late. No, it wasn’t too late yet.

It scared me. Since that day, standing in front of others as an educator became frightening. The gazes fixed on me seemed to disallow my presence.

My legs trembled, my voice faltered, and my mind went blank. In such a state, becoming a teacher seemed impossible.

I stood up and retrieved a small box from the closet. Inside was the letter I couldn’t deliver that day.

“Can you give me one more chance?”

It was time to confess. I couldn’t keep hiding. Whatever he might say, I’d accept it all and move forward. I needed to settle the past, overcome it, and reach for happiness. If I don’t reach out, I will never grasp anything.

My once stagnant time seemed to be stirring again.

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[Yukito PoV]

I’m dealing with another difficult situation—Hiori-chan’s request, financial issues, romance, and quests. Why do I always find myself in such troublesome problems? Quite troublesome indeed.

I thought Hiori-chan’s friend might be a classmate, but she’s a first-year middle school girl living in Kyoto whom they met on social media. She seems troubled by family matters, and it appears to be quite serious.

Hiori-chan kept posting on social media, “My Onii-chan’s amazing!” and somehow they became close. I firmly told her to stop posting, but I think she called her Kikiyo-chan or something. It feels like I’ve heard that name somewhere recently, but maybe not…?

“Gugyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

“This girl does that old-fashioned blur that even reaction comedians rarely do!?”

Shakado’s screaming like a madman, and somehow her nose got caught by a stag beetle.

“Whoa! Amazing! It’s a hirata stag beetle, a hirata stag beetle. You did it!”

“N-No time to identify it… Help me… Help me…”

I had to rescue the stag beetle pinching her nose. Let’s put it back in its case.

The forest at night was far from silent. My handheld light only illuminated a few meters ahead. Amidst the thick darkness, I could hear the cries and breaths of countless animals and insects.

If an underage person were wandering around at this hour, it’d be subject to guidance, but this mountain apparently belongs to Shakado’s grandfather. The only ones coming in here are probably just illegal waste dumpers.

At school, Shakado firmly establishes her position as an introverted girl, but in reality, she’s a tomboy. Late at night, her parents, worried about her enthusiastically heading out for insect collecting, desperately asked me to accompany her for just one day.

A nighttime forest is quite dangerous, and it’s reasonable for her parents to worry. Although bears aren’t likely to appear, there are wild animals, the risk of getting lost, or even twisting an ankle.

They considered me suitable to accompany her because I’ve had quite a few misadventures in life. By the way, Shakado’s parents are waiting in the car parked near the entrance. Despite being extremely averse to insects, they are kind enough to indulge their daughter’s whims. Being their only child, it’s understandable that they dote on her.

Surrounded by ambient noises, Shakado is collecting traps she set up during the day. By hanging fermented fruits on trees and leaving them, insects gather. However, one cannot choose their favorites, and it’s a dreadful sight with moths and even centipedes.

Despite the swarming insects, Shakado, without any fear, was searching for the stag beetle she wanted. When she found it and was grinning, it seems it pinched her nose. Quite amusing.

“…Hihi… my nose, it is…open…right?”

Reluctantly enduring severe pain, Shakado with teary eyes and gasping breath asks.

“It is good. Now you can have a nose piercing.”

“No way… After summer break, I might… j-join… the extroverts!? … I’m scared… I’ll die…”

“Claiming to catch male bees, saying they don't have stingers, and catching them in mid-air like shadow boxing, Shakado is far scarier than an extrovert, I think…”

“Hihi… It’s an honor.”

“I wasn’t complimenting you.”

Isn’t that too wild? Despite that, Shakado is now wearing the fluffy cap I gave her. I impulsively made it when my frustration exploded while sewing a wedding dress due to its high difficulty level. I initially intended to give it to my mom or sister, but it looked terrible on them, so I gave it to Shakado.

“…Now my summer vacation homework is secured.”

“Are you a grade-schooler?”

Shakado claims that her dream for the future is to display a life-size Nile crocodile model in her room. If encountered at night, it would be terrifying enough to make one soil themselves.

“…It was very fun being with someone… having friends, friends… especially a boy… hihi… umm!… If you don't mind… could you call me by my name too?”

Fumu, that’s right… Anya Shakado. It’s a cool name that you only see in creative works.

“Name, name…… okay, then how about Dark Knight?”

“Hii… That’s incredibly lame and unimaginative…!”

I finished collecting all the set traps. As a bonus, I also caught a rhinoceros beetle. It’s safe to say the goal has been more than achieved. Apart from that, I’ve captured various other things, intending to use them as pet feed.

“Is that so? Wait… Shakado Darkness Night, Darkness, Shakado D!”

It’s a perfect nickname, perfect for the five senses and includes the Darkness Knight element.

“I’m the fourth one…!?” (Shakado)

“What happened to A, B, and C?” (Yukito)

I finished collecting all the traps. Additionally, I caught a rhinoceros beetle. I’d say the goal is more than accomplished. I’ve captured various other insects, which she plans to use as pet feed.

“Thank you for… accompanying me today.”

“It’s dangerous to be alone, so don’t be too reckless.”

“Um, I-I want to express my gratitude. I’m thinking, what would be good? …For Mom and Dad too. …If there’s anything troubling you, I’ll help with anything… Though it’s just a little, I’m powerless… hihi.”

“I don’t care. You can always call on me for this.”

“Hiiiiii!, G-God. The warmth, the big heart!”

Shakado prays in broken sentences.

“I-I’m usually always in trouble and burdened with problems. First and foremost, I’m short on cash.”

“…Short on cash? …hihi… If it’s a small amount, I can lend you money. I don’t spend much allowance… A sad trait of an introvert. I don’t go out to have fun… How much… do you need?”

“Two billion.”

“That’s an insane scale!? I can’t comprehend it…”

Shakado prayed for me. I like that about her.

“I need to think of a way to raise money.”

“Y-yeah! …Wait a moment… hihi… a token of friendship…”

Shakado takes something from her pouch, a token of friendship (?).

“If you carry this, your luck with money will improve. I’ll… give it to you.”

“Lizard skin?”

“I collected it when a lizard shed its skin… Peeling it off feels good. I have plenty…”

“Thanks, Shaka D.”

“Oh ha, it’s like D… it’s hard to call me… It’s Kanto… *slump*…”

The Feng Shui is well-known that the skin of the reptile is good for money. I’ll graciously accept it.

After all, the target amount is two billion. Sometimes I just have to rely on luck.

“U-uhm… that! The intricate ones you always make… might sell for a lot… a high price.”

“Do you have an idea?”

Shakado opened her mouth with sparkling eyes.

“Sculptor.”

---

“Hmm… Ahh… Hah… Phew…”

“Um… Excuse me…”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Pretending not to hear the seductive and charming voice, I continued working diligently.

Not a single dot was missing on the smooth, fine skin. As the cool hand ran along the skin and a breath was gently exhaled, the body twitched involuntarily. It seemed ticklish, causing a squirming motion that lifted the skirt.

While trying to avoid staring directly at the exposed bare legs, my current position didn’t allow for it.

A few more minutes passed, concentrating intently.

“Ugh… Th-there… Oh… Mmm…”

“Sorry for your gasps, but I’m done.”

“You’re quite the technician. Good thing.”

“The meaning was so profound; I’d feel like I’d lose if I asked what was good.”

“Good thing.”

“Why did you say it twice!?”

The second time, whispered into my ear. Yuri-san is an angel, and that voice carried a divine aura.

Mid-morning during summer vacation. To say what Yuri-san and I were doing at home is definitely not something to be disclosed. I’ll repeat, it’s definitely not something to be disclosed.

“Beautiful. You’re really skillful.”

“It’s easy.”

“Thanks.”

Finishing the top coat on each toe meticulously, from the big toe onwards. The deep purple, like dragon bile, shone brightly.

What exactly was I doing? I was doing my sister’s pedicure.

Having finished my summer homework early, I thought about learning something new. One of those things was nail art. I hadn’t studied enough to get a formal qualification, but it was enough for family members. While marveling at Yuri-san’s beautiful feet, I decided to praise my own work.

“By the way, I wanted to ask…”

“What?”

“Why did you bother changing into a skirt?”

“It’s called a service. You said you didn’t need money, and if I don’t do something like this, then what? Do you like it?”

“Archangel Uriel, I appreciate your kind gesture.”

“It’s fine. Your gaze felt good.”

“What are you saying?”

On purpose! I was so nervous when doing the toenails and glimpsing into the skirt.

It was unusual for my sister, who doesn’t usually wear skirts at home, but apparently, she did it intentionally. Thank you very much!

“But seriously, studying nail art? I thought you were just kidding…”

“Eh, really?”

“I mean, obviously. I didn’t expect you to take it seriously.”

“What a thing to say…”

“Well, Mom would be pleased, right? Maybe you should do it for her when you come back?”

“Of course, that’s… huh?”

Looking at the clock, it was past twelve. There might be a need to hurry a bit. Actually, I have plans for later. I was invited by the refreshing handsome guy.

“I’m going out for a bit.”

“Sure, take care. Be wary of strange women. When you come back, I’ll give you a very pleasant thank-you.”

“Not necessary.”

“Ha?”

“Yay! (Dash)”

After tidying up in a rush, the younger brother swiftly left the house.

Left alone in the house, Yuri murmured heavily while watching her brother’s departing figure.

“Studying… always doing everything alone. That is why you――”

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Under the blazing sun, that refreshing handsome guy waiting at the station’s rotary was also dazzling. Seems like he’s being hit on by a group of girls. Are you the queen bee scattering pheromones around?

“My eyes are blinded.”

“Quite a statement for a first meeting. If you were here, you should’ve helped, I was in trouble. By the way, why do you look like some midday IT company employee?”

Eh, is there something odd? It’s an orthodox casual style with a jacket and pants, but it’s midsummer, so it’s hot. By the way, the refreshing handsome guy was in quite a relaxed outfit with a T-shirt and jeans.

“Anyway, semi-formal attire works in any situation, doesn’t it?”

“Are you an idiot? I just invited you to hang out.”

“You should’ve said that first. I’ll gouge your eyes out with a sculpting knife.”

“What did you think I was here for?”

Just bickering back and forth under the summer sun is draining my energy.

“Let’s just move…”

“Right.”

We met up at the station and quickly took refuge inside the facility.

“What kind of games do you usually play, Yukito?”

“Right… I’ve complained about the crane game setting where you can’t win prizes, and other than that――”

“No, I was stupid to ask.”

“You’re realizing that just now? A loner like me wouldn’t normally play with friends.”

“It’s awkward to answer that! Let’s just take it easy.”

“But well… it’s hot, and I’d rather not stay outside.”

“How about going to my place? It’s close by.”

“Ha?”

Me, at the refreshing handsome guy’s house? That’s just like a regular high school student…

“Alright, let’s go!”

“You suddenly got really enthusiastic. What happened?”

“Oh, wait a second.”

“Hey, where are you going?”

If I’m going to someone’s home, I need to have the necessary things.

After accomplishing my purpose, I headed to the refreshing handsome guy’s house. As he mentioned, it was indeed nearby. About a ten-minute walk from the station. A splendid gate. The majestic single-family house proudly displayed the nameplate “Miho.”

“It’s exactly as I imagined. This is why the protagonist…”

“Don’t suddenly curse. I don’t get what you’re saying.”

As I opened the front door, an incredibly beautiful older sister came out from inside.

Surprising, right? This beautiful sister… is actually the refreshing handsome guy’s mother. We had greeted each other once during a school visit before, and she seemed to like me quite a bit.

“Ara, Ko-chan, weren’t you going out to play?”

“Ah, Mom. It’s hot, so I thought we’d play at home.”

“Is that so? Hello, Yukito-kun. But why are you dressed like a salesperson?”

Seeing her puzzled expression, I decided it was necessary to introduce myself again.

“I’m Yukito Kokonoe. I don’t have a business card, but please have this.”

“Ara, how polite of you. Um… a business card?”

“Listen to him with a grain of salt. Maybe about 20% of what he says is enough.”

The rude refreshing handsome guy. I handed over the pastries I bought at the station to his mother.

(You, normally you don’t have a business card!)

(Idiot. They say appearances are 90% of it, right? First impressions matter! But, honestly, isn’t that discrimination?)

(Why suddenly bring up such a socially conscious question?)

“During our first meeting, you looked so young that I mistook you for his older sister.”

“Ara ara, you’re quite good at this. Besides, this, wasn’t it expensive? I feel bad. You really don’t need to mind.”

“No, no, it’s just a small gesture. Please accept it.”

“Is that so? Fufu, then shall we eat it together? I’ll get it ready, so wait a bit.”

Saying so, the beautiful sister (or mother) went back inside.

“Hey, why did you bother preparing something like that?”

“It’s impolite to come empty-handed.”

But, I also like hand bras. [TL: It is a pun]

“Nobody goes through this much trouble just to visit a friend’s house.”

“…Friends…?”

“Don’t tell me you’re going to say something lonely like we’re not friends.”

“Yas.”

“Oi.”

“Kidding, kidding.”

He shook my shoulders playfully. Right, the refreshing handsome guy is a friend.

“Well, shall we play some games or something?”

“Sounds like a student.”

“We are students, after all.”

We climbed the stairs and, immediately to the right, entered the refreshing handsome guy’s room. It was refreshing. Besides the bed, there was a 32-inch TV and a desktop computer. There were NBA posters on the walls, manga and novels lined up on the bookshelf, reflecting his personality, quite intriguing. Hmm, quite different from my room.

“Don’t you have posters of your mom?”

“If I had those, it would be too scary. What’s with that suspicious thing… Wait, is that about you!?”

“Hey, don’t misunderstand. I also have a poster of my sister!”

Currently, there’s a B1-sized poster (Maid and Service Edition).

The maid mother, wearing fashionable glasses, continued to be called cute and lovely, saying, “I’ll quit my job and become your personal maid!” causing chaos in the Kokonoe family.

“The direction of the misunderstanding is extremely wrong.”

The refreshing handsome guy started up a handheld console placed on the dock. Click.

Come to think of it, I remembered visiting the Shakado’s forest just the other day.

“Yukito, it’s here, so it’s this one.”

“Is that so? Then our friendship ends here.”

“Indeed, it’s a friendship-breaking game, but let’s say three years for now.”

“Remember the fiscal year in March.”

“Why are you so serious?”

The game the refreshing handsome guy chose was a nationwide railway game famous for breaking friendships. It’s a party game where the objective is to obstruct the opponent and reach the destination first.

“In this game, my older sister is the strong one.”

“What? You have an older sister, Kouki?”

“She’s a university student, though. She’s usually out, but she always beats me up.”

“You’re struggling too. Somehow, I’m starting to feel a sense of closeness to you.”

So, the refreshing handsome guy also has a sister. Unexpectedly, such conversations were rare, making it refreshing.

“You’re lucky. Yuri is kind. I don’t know anyone else as wonderful as her.”

“Is your vision cloudy? Just the other day, her panties…”

“Hey, wait! What about her panties!?”

It’s sad and interesting that the refreshing handsome guy also gets curious, quite like a high schooler in his teens.

“They were green.”

“Don’t say that! I did want to know, but that’s not something you say aloud!”

“Well, I guess I should be glad she was wearing them.”

“What happened! I’m curious, so please don’t leave it hanging like that!”

“Shut up. Roll the dice quickly.”

“—-You’re already a stirring up trouble!”

And so, our friendship was shattered to pieces.