Chapter 16: A handsome man covers for a mob

Translator: Soafp

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It’s been a tough morning. I never thought this would happen. ……

　I’ve been getting a lot of irritated stares from the boys since this morning, and it makes me want to let out a sigh. It seems that they were not happy that Hihara-senpai asked me to go home yesterday. I know the feeling. If someone I knew was with a cute girl, I’d give the middle finger too.

　Because I’ve never had a girlfriend in my previous life. …… I’m usually pissed off when I see something like that. ……

　So maybe it’s inevitable that they would look at me like this. I’m a high school student who wants to be in love when I’m alone with someone of the opposite sex.

　But I don’t think I have romantic feelings …….

Because if you are with such a cute girl, you are aware of her as the opposite sex, even if you don’t want to be.

　I try not to be aware of it, because I can clearly smell a crime when totaled with the age of my previous life, but the person I’m dealing with is too attractive.

By the way, most of the boys in this class, including myself, are what you would call “non-achievers” in the realm of romance. There’s only one exception, but everyone else is in the same boat as me, lacking in romantic experience.

“Hey, hey, hey! It seems like Izayoi-kun is in a good mood.”

“Sasamoto, yesterday was a misunderstanding. We just happened to have a common interest and talked at the bookstore.”

Sasamoto approaches me with the mannerisms of a low-ranking delinquent. It’s probably pointless to say it, but I should clear up the misunderstanding, for my sake and for the sake of Hihara Karen.

“Ohhh! Just as I thought, Izayoi-kun! You’re saying that nothing happens even when you’re walking alone with the opposite sex? Did you guys hear that? Nothing happens!!!”

“Don’t lie!”

“This average guy!”

“Pretending to be dense!”

“You chuunibyou-twisted dictionary idiot!”

The hatred is quite intense. Well, to be honest, the last two are ones I really wish they would stop. There was overflowing animosity from the boys.

“Tax him!”

“Impose a popular tax!”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

The popular tax, huh. That brings back memories. It was a little joke that was even mentioned in a “story.” Although it was only imposed on one person in this class…

I recall there were also handsome tax, smart tax, and being fawned over by girls tax, among many others. They all apply to him alone, though.

“Hey, you guys, cut it out. It’s indecent.”

I knew he would inevitably get involved in this commotion. In ‘Masou Shoujo’ he’s a character with overwhelming popularity among women. As a result, he has achieved the feat of receiving almost no votes from male readers.

Kimchika Motoji, the son of Kimchika Company, his father’s company, has grown up in a highly privileged environment since childhood. He is 190 centimeters tall (6’2″). He’s handsome, wealthy, exudes cleanliness, and everything he says is ridiculously cool. He incorporates every element of handsomeness to the extreme.

What’s up with this guy? Ha? What’s up with this guy??

“Motoji!!! You have nothing to do with this!”

“That’s right! That’s right!!”

“We’ll just make even more noise then!!”

“Shut up!!”

The hatred from the boys is intense as well. Kimchika Motoji is disliked by the same gender in any world. He possesses that much charisma.

“Quiet. The ladies in this classroom will be scared.”

“H-he’s so cool.”

“I’m happy since morning.”

Most of the girls are heart-eyed. Damn it, I want to say such lines at least once!

“Ahhhhh!!!”

“He’s saying cheesy lines again!!”

“We’re surprised by that line too!!”

Oh! Looks like the hate is directed towards him now. If he takes care of everything like this, it’ll be all resolved. I’m irritated too, and alright, boys, say more!!

“Let’s collect taxes from this guy too!!”

“That’s right! Handsome tax, smart tax, screaming girls tax, and various others, totaling 50,000!!”

That’s quite expensive. Normally, if you were taxed like this, you’d go bankrupt, but this guy is on a different level.

Kimchika Motoji casually took out his wallet from his pocket and handed over 50,000, no, 100,000 to the tax collection box.

“Izayoi-kun, I’ve paid for your share as well.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you very much…”

He’s quite generous, huh? To him, it’s probably just pocket change. All the boys knelt down as if defeated. The girls were squealing with excitement.

“Don’t mind it. It’s like pocket tissues, around a hundred thousand.”

I should be grateful, but it just pisses me off in a normal way. Kimchika Motoji’s victory single-handedly ruined the serene morning atmosphere.

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　I’ve had a rough morning, but I make it to lunchtime without incident. As I head to the cafeteria for now, my phone vibrates. I pull my phone out of my pocket.

　I check it and see it’s from Hihara Karen. I read the message.

[Are you free during lunch break?　Do you want to eat together?]

I can say that I have almost achieved my goal of interacting with her and gaining her liking to some extent. There may be no need to increase the likability any further, but there is no need to refuse the invitation.

Being able to have dinner with a cute girl is something that makes me very happy. Moreover, she invited me to have lunch with her. Have I ever been invited to dinner by a person of the opposite sex?

　No. Not at all.

　Good, let’s go.

Just as I was about to reply with a message that I would like to share a meal with her, I was approached by a voice.

“Kuroda-kun. Do you have a minute?”

　When I turned my eyes, Noguchi Natsuko was there. She didn’t have much to do in the “Story,” but she and Gindou Kohaku got along quite well. Her visual appearance is also quite nice. She has short black hair and is positioned as an ordinary pretty girl.

　However, she is very perceptive. Her intuition is unbelievably ……. She is also a kind of “psychic”.

In this world, aside from “Masou Shoujo” and “Demons,” there are various other fantasy elements, and one of them is “Espers” or “Psychics.” However, being an “Esper” doesn’t amount to much. Compared to “Masou Shoujo” there’s a vast difference, and they don’t possess any direct or overt abilities.

　In “Story,” Gindou Kohaku and the others fight without revealing their true identities, but only Noguchi Natsuko seems to have sensed their true identities.

I remember well how Gindou Kohaku was in a panic when her true identity was exposed. What does Noguchi Natsuko want from me?

“What’s wrong?　Noguchi-san?”

“You know. Are you free for lunch?”

Two girls ask me out twice in the same day?　Is this the time to be popular?　

　Did I finally have my longed-for period of popularity in my second life after reincarnation?

　No, calm down. What am I supposed to do if I’m distraught here? Let’s play the herbivorous guy and get through this.

Maybe, probably, definitely, she wants to ask me out for lunch, too. What should I do?

Hihara Karen has invited me to dinner. I don’t want to crack the relationship by refusing.

Okay, let’s put Hihara Karen first here.

“Uhm, I’m going to have lunch with Hihara-senpai …….”

“Great!　You’re free, right?”

“Eh?”

Didn’t she hear me right?　No, I’m sure she can hear me. At this distance, there’s no way she could have heard me wrong.

“Well then, let’s go to the cafeteria with Gindou-san and the three of us!”

“Eh, no.”

“That’s fine with you, right ……?”

“Ah, yes.”

　I think I felt a chill for a moment. Well, I’m sure Hihara Karen won’t think anything of it, even if I decline to have dinner with her. We’re getting to know each other better.

　Should I call her to say no?

[I’m sorry, I have a prior engagement.]

　As soon as I sent the message, I received a reply.

[I see. Then it can’t be helped. See you tomorrow!]

It seems like I’m quite taken aback by the emails that make my heart flutter. And to think she is inviting me again tomorrow… I’m weak against this kind of proactive approach. When she invited me yesterday, I was actually quite nervous. I hope I managed to hide it well.

Although the facade cracked a bit at the end, I wonder how it was before that. I want to maintain a calm atmosphere as much as possible, but I’m not sure how long that will last. Since I’m quite older when I consider my past lives, I want to exude a sense of maturity.

Putting away my phone while fluctuating between joy and anxiety, I stepped out into the hallway. It seemed like Noguchi Natsuko and Gindou Kohaku were already waiting for me.

The three of us walked towards the cafeteria. I was walking next to Gindou Kohaku, with Noguchi Natsuko on her other side.

Walking in line, with Gindou Kohaku in the middle, our steps in sync. Come to think of it, since the previous stalking incident, we haven’t really interacted at all. Although we’re in the same class, it feels like we see each other every day, in a way.

“Um, it’s been a while, Izayoi-kun.”

“Ah, yeah, we’re in the same class, no?”

“Y-Yes, that’s right… Ahaha…”

Could it be that she forgot about me? It’s unlikely since we’re in the same class, right? Well, I don’t have a face that would leave a lasting impression…

“Oh! Sorry! I forgot I brought my own bento! You two go ahead and eat together. See you later!”

Suddenly, Noguchi Natsuko left, using her bento as an excuse. Now it’s just me and Gindou Kohaku, alone. Even though it’s a recent development, there’s a nostalgic feeling about it.

“Shall we go then?”

“Y-yes.”

　The two of us headed for the cafeteria anyway. When we arrived at the cafeteria, we were the center of attention. Yesterday, I was with Hihara Karen, and today I am with Gindou Kohaku, so there will be a lot of whispering in various places.

　Both girls are among the most beautiful girls on campus. There will be more strange rumors. I can’t wait to see what more rumors will come out of this!　Crap, this is confusing. ……

“What do you eat, Izayoi-kun?”

“Uhm, curry, I guess.”

“Well, then I’ll have that too. ……”

　After we both order curry, we sit down and face each other. I thought she was cute when I saw her from the front. I was sure I was used to seeing her to and from school in the past, but I still feel a little nervous when we face each other from the front.

“Itadakimasu”

“I-Itadakimasu”

Neither of us spoke, and we both put the curry in our mouths. I decided to do something about the awkward atmosphere. I’m mentally older than her.

“Do you like curry?” (Izayoi)

“Y-Yes. As much as anyone else.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

　…… Awkward. Can I take it as a refusal to have a conversation?

“Uhm, what is your favorite food, Izayoi-kun?”

Apparently, it’s not a refusal. The fact that she continues the conversation from her side must mean that.

“I guess so. I like curry, hashed rice, stew, and fried chicken.”

“I see. It’s delicious. ……”

“What do you like, Gindou-san?”

“Uhm, I like parfaits.”

Ah, come to think of it, she used to love sweets. I remember her eating sweets quite often.

As I recall the details of the old “story,” she started asking me more and more questions.

“Why did you choose to enroll in this school, Izayoi-kun?”

“Um, it was just a random choice, I guess…”

Perhaps it was because there was a possibility that this world was the worst possible world where you “Masou Shoujo” would suffer and be killed. I came to Mina no Iro High School to avoid the bad ending and prevent that from happening. But if I were to say something like that, she would just think I’m crazy.

“I see. Then, uhm, what subject do you like the most?”

“Eh? Ah, physical education, I guess?”

“I-I see. And, uhm, what subject do you dislike?”

“English and math, I guess?”

Is this an interview? Like an entrance interview?

The questions keep coming one after another, and they all seem like something you would be asked during a high school entrance exam. I vividly remember the high fever I had during the entrance exam for Mina no Iro High School and the struggle I went through during the interview.

“Okay, then, um, how should I put it…”

“What is it?”

“Do you have someone of the opposite sex you’re dating right now?!”

W-What does this mean? If I answer normally, it would be “No, I don’t have anyone”.

But the question is, why did she ask me this?

Oh, wait! Nakaguchi Natsuko was with us!

In other words, maybe she’s interested in me because of my previous actions?

No, but if that’s the case, it would be embarrassing. It’s not on that level—it’s more like a matter of life and death. But could it be a sign for Gindou?

No, wait! Nakaguchi Natsuko was with us!

So, it’s possible that she has a crush on me and asked Gindou Kohaku about me.

That would make sense. It could be embarrassing for her to ask directly if she has someone, so she asked Gindou. Ah, which one is it? Which one could it be?

The Gindou route?　The Noguchi route?　Or just a misunderstanding?　Am I overthinking it?

If there was a flag raised for either of them, it’s a bit resistant to imagine a high school student and someone in their thirties mentally getting together… But there might be a chance… No, that’s not possible, right?

But… just once, to be with her… No, that’s not possible, right?

Some people ask me in a normal, small talk kind of way, so I’ll answer safely first here.

“No, I don’t.”

“I-Is that so♪”

　Aaahhh!　Stop that attitude!

It’s kind of a thought-provoking attitude, isn’t it!　Don’t lead me astray!　

　Calm down. Let’s get this straight once and for all.

If it’s the Gindou route, it could be interpreted that she’s glad I don’t have a specific person in mind.

If it’s the Noguchi route, it could be that Gindou Kohaku is happy to be able to give a good report to Noguchi Natsuko .

If it’s just a misunderstanding, then it would mean I’m overreacting to her slight attitude on my own. It’s possible that she just laughed casually with a response like, “Is that so?” in a normal way.

　…………Not now. Let’s just say it’s a safe assumption that I’m mistaken. Yeah, let’s do that.

　I’ve decided not to worry about this any more.

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[Natsuko PoV]

“How did it go, Gindou-san?”

“Well♪ I was a bit nervous and took a roundabout way before asking the main question, but for now, it seems he doesn’t have a specific person♪”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Yes♪”

Seeing Gindou-san looking so happy, I feel glad that I helped. Since it seemed difficult for her to initiate the invitation for a meal, I took the initiative and asked.

Even though she was teasing and seemed so confident yesterday, when she actually faced Kuroda-kun, she couldn’t do anything. Her face turned bright red, and she kept saying it was impossible.

[Sorry… I got carried away… Please handle this situation gracefully.]

After that, I excused myself, leaving the two of them alone to naturally progress with their meal.

Once it was just the two of them, Gindou-san mustered up the courage and managed to ask a meaningful question. I also advised her that it’s important to take a roundabout approach if needed and to prepare herself before taking any action.

“Kuroda-kun also got quite flustered♪”

“That’s good. Start by making him aware of your feelings.”

“Yes♪”

For now, things seem to be going well. It might even progress smoothly and they could start dating easily, considering Gindou-san’s beauty that could captivate any guy… After all, it’s Gindou-san.

But I have a fleeting sense that it won’t be as straightforward as expected, yet I choose not to worry about it.