Chapter 59: I didn’t push.

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Translated and Edited by: luccayn.

Common Honorifics:
-san: A polite suffix, but not excessively formal.
-kun: A common suffix among friends and younger people.
-chan: A common suffix among people you're close with, mostly used for feminine nicknames and girls, since it's cutesy and childlike.
-senpai: A common suffix and noun used to address or refer to one's older or more senior colleagues in a school, workplace, dojo, or sports club.

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“Yo, Saori. How's it going?”

“Same as always—absolutely fantastic, Shinji.”

She wore a plain white long-sleeve T-shirt with a single-point design and blue skinny jeans. The simplicity of her outfit, completely devoid of frills, was almost excessive, yet it paradoxically suited her girlish appearance perfectly.

“Who are they?”

“My volunteer buddies. I started doing activities like you, and these guys gathered around. I welcomed them with open arms.”

I see.

If she’s imitating me, then this is more about maintaining her sense of self-worth than genuinely helping others. I wonder if her companions realize that.

“You don't need a reason to exist. Unlike you, we were born into normal families and raised with normal love. Privileged people like us naturally just want to help those in need.”

Is that so? I don't understand even a bit of that.

“Oh, you're not going to argue back?”

“I don't care. Do what you want to do.”

“…If I had the power to do as I pleased, I'd be doing this alone.”

Saori murmured in a voice only I could hear. When I looked at her, she smiled wryly and tilted her head. For a moment, I felt a small pang of guilt for poking at her feelings so soon after our reunion.

“So, what do you want?”

“Oh, right! I've got a little problem. Someone asked me for advice: ‘I want to confess during this trip. Can you tell me the best place to do it?'”

That's a pretty cheerful request. Heartwarming.

“But none of us four have a boyfriend or girlfriend. Heck, we're not even interested in romance. So we have no idea how to set it up so the client's confession will succeed.”

“Just recommend a random power spot or something. Like Yasaka Shrine—it's famous for matchmaking.”

“Do you really think a god is going to handle everything for them?”

“Then how about the observation deck at Higashiyama Park? The view's supposed to be stunning, and they use it a lot for drama shoots.”

“We've thought of that much already.”

“Which means this isn't about whether the confession succeeds—it's about the client's determination to go through with it, huh? This client must be one of your closest friends.”

Michiru chatted with the girl on the other side, while the two guys listened to me, nodding in apparent interest. Judging by how much they seemed to know, Saori had probably been sharing stories about me again—just like when Kumoi came to my place.

“What would you do if it were you?”

“I'd take their family hostage and threaten to kill them if they don't agree to date.”

“Wow, amazing idea. Truly genius.”

“Don't give me that sarcastic cheerleader face, will you?”

“Half of that was a joke. Anyway, if you want absolute success, then you've got to create absolute conditions for success.”

“And how are we supposed to pull that off? If we could, we wouldn't be struggling.”

“Let me ask you something. Have you gathered all the information? What their crush likes, conversation options, psychological strategies, rivals, weaknesses—all that?”

Saori fell silent, looking up at me with a sour expression. Seems like she hadn't done her homework.

“Hey, Michiru. Don't you think it's a bit naive to aim for a guaranteed confession success without laying the groundwork first?”

“M-me? Uh… yeah, I guess. Whether it's naive or not, though, it's definitely not like Shinji's usual approach.”

Hearing that, Saori's face twisted with frustration as she glared at me in silence. I snorted, unimpressed. Her habit of hiding her true feelings while trying to one-up others was the problem here.

“F-fine! That's why I'm asking for your help, Shinji!”

“Then just say so from the start, you squid.”

“Squid?! Why a squid?! I've always wondered, but how is ‘squid' even an insult?! What did squids ever do to deserve that?!”

Watching Saori lose her temper, I couldn't help but think how amusing it was. It wasn't the thrill of outsmarting someone smarter than me—it was the sheer joy of seeing her typically composed self reacting so animatedly.

Yeah, teasing Saori is the most fun.

“If you want guaranteed success, don't focus on the location. Focus on making them fall for each other. Make the target fall in love so the confession will seal the deal. That's way more effective and satisfying than some gimmicky plan.”

Not wanting to overdo it, I decided to throw her a bone and share my thoughts. Saori and the others froze for a moment, looking startled before bursting into awkward smiles.

“…Why didn't we think of that?”

“Smart people tend to overcomplicate things. When you only chase results, things rarely go smoothly.”

“But there's no time. Starting now is impossible—”

“I fell for Saori in an instant.”

Even I was surprised at how gently I smiled. If there'd been a mirror, I'd have made sure to remember the look for when they needed a portrait for my obituary.

“Falling in love is like that. Saori, just set the stage so the client can push their crush off the metaphorical cliff.”

“Heh. You really do love using violent metaphors.”

“But you get what I mean, don't you?”

Saori reached a hand toward me for a moment but quickly pulled back and turned to leave.

“I'm going. When night falls, you better listen to my report.”

“Yeah, I'll be looking forward to it.”

With that, they headed toward the bamboo grove in Sagano. Kind-hearted people, no doubt. I'm sure they'll come up with a wonderfully gentle plan that I'd never dream of.

Maybe I'll spare a thought or two wishing their client's love succeeds.

“Shinji-kun.”

“Hm?”

“Saori's gotten a lot cuter, don't you think?”

“Yeah, she has.”

If she's going to sulk over my reaction, why say it at all? This idiot Michiru had me sighing, so I reassured her that her worries were unfounded.

“…Hehe.”

Michiru looked back once before stepping closer, brushing against my side as if intentionally. As we walked under the clouds drifting over the Arashiyama sky, her shoulder bumped my arm again and again, her hair's scent hanging in the air.

I didn't push her away.

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