Chapter 43: Rewarded lightning

Translator: Soafp

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Yesterday was quite eventful, but fortunately, the misunderstanding was cleared up. However, I can’t help but think that I have way too many lucky pervert moments.

Could it be that I’m a “superpower” user? In this world, just like Noguchi Natsuko’s “intuition” corresponds to “superpowers,” could “lucky pervert” also be considered a “superpower”? I’m thinking strange things. Let’s forget about it.

There’s still one more week and a few days until the final day of midterms. I need to make sure not to cause any unnecessary disturbances. I absolutely won’t let any more lucky pervert moments happen.

As I was walking alone along the school commute route, Gindou Kohaku came up next to me and greeted me. She still had her twin tails. Well, she looks adorable, so it’s great, right?

“Good morning, Izayoi-kun.”

“Good morning.”

“…”

“?”

When I returned her greeting, she looked at me as if expecting something. Eh? What could it be?

“Well, yes… That wouldn’t be so convenient, right?”

As I continued walking, I bumped into someone at a corner. The impact made the other person fall. It seemed like she came from the other direction, but I apologized just in case… and it turned out to be someone I knew.

To be precise, it was Hihara Karen, chewing on a slice of bread.

“Hey, watch where you’re going!!”

“Ah, sorry.”

“…Is that all?”

“I guess you won’t ask for compensation or anything…”

“I don’t need it. Well… That wouldn’t be so convenient, right?”

I extended my hand to help Hihara Karen up, and the three of us started walking together. I managed to calm them down whenever they almost started a fight…

---

It all started with a single statement from Gindou Kohaku after school. As we were leaving the classroom and heading towards our shoe lockers…

“Izayoi-kun, let’s have a study session.”

“A study session?”

“Yes, the tests are coming up soon. We need to study.”

“Yeah, you’re right. What should we do?”

“Let’s do it! A study session! I’ll teach you!”

She leaned in closer to my face. Ah, she’s cute.

“No need for that!”

“Oh, it’s you again?”

Suddenly, Hihara Karen was here too, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. Two twin-tailed beauties.

“I can get nearly perfect scores if I just review the textbook once. I’m a genius, so leave it to me.”

“I can also get a perfect score if I listen to the class.”

Yes, these two are academically gifted. Or rather, all of the “Masou Shoujo” can study extremely well. At the very least, they scored an astounding 85 points.

“You’re a second-year student, right? Then please don’t interfere with the first-year’s test situation.”

“It’s not about the grade level. It’s about who can teach better for Izayoi’s sake, don’t you think?”

“There’s some truth to that, but I’m better in the subject for this test.”

“No, I’m better.”

“G-Guys, let’s not argue…”

While the two were arguing, I intervened and headed towards the shoe lockers. At that moment, Kikawa Moegi briefly looked at us and quickly averted her gaze. Her eyes seemed envious, and her back looked somewhat lonely and small.

…She might have felt somewhat excluded by recent events. This can’t go on. It’s not just about keeping the distance between them; it’s even more important to prevent Kikawa Moegi from becoming lonely. Actually, it’s something that I don’t want.

What should I do? I want to say something thoughtful, but… Even if I say it, it won’t have much effect. I don’t think my words as a guy will resonate. But maybe these two can make a difference? If they, who share a common destiny, work together, they might be able to do something. So first, I need to create a space for them to talk…

“Let’s have a study session. The four of us, including Kikawa-senpai.”

“Eh? The four of us?”

“I want to do it just with Izayoi-kun.”

“The four of us! Let’s do it! At my house!”

“Eh?! At Izayoi-kun’s place?”

“I-is that so?! W-Well, in that case…”

“Then, I’ll bring the fourth person!”

I dash and run. I brake suddenly and stand in front of her as if I’m passing her on the way home. She looks surprised.

“W-What is it?”

“We’re going to have a study session at my house. Please come!”

“S-Sorry, but I have plans…”

“Please come!”

“No, I have plans…”

“What kind of plans?!”

“W-Why are you coming in so strong?”

She’s a bit nervous after my assertive approach. I’ll push through. It’s a little painful for my conscience, but she’s timid. She feels somewhat obligated, and if I continue like this, I’m sure I can convince her.

“What kind of plans do you have?!”

“Um, w-well, I have work…”

“I’ll wait until you’re done!”

“But, it’ll be around nine o’clock…”

“Then, the study session will start at 10 p.m., and we’ll have an overnight stay!”

“T-That’s impossible! You’re a guy, right?!　I can’t stay at your house!”

“Actually, I’m planning to have Gindou-san and Hihara-senpai stay at my house too.”

“Haa?! You can’t do that?! A young man and two women in one house!?”

“I’m thinking of going straight for Excalibur.”

“What?! ‘Excalibur’!?”

“Ah, well, it’s a term for when two people have high affection for each other and… you know.”

“‘Excalibur’!? I don’t really understand, but that’s not allowed! I don’t really understand!!”

“Isn’t there anyone who can stop us? If this continues, the two will ‘Excalibur’. Someone, please stop us… Haa!”

“T-That’s so forced…”

For now, I’ll have her come to my house. She’s lonely by herself. Her feeling of exclusion and the loneliness of being different from other girls. I can’t fill that void. As a guy, I can only make her uncomfortable.

“Are you sure?　Even if those two fall into my evil hands?　If Senpai does not come to my house ……Gufufufu”

“You… you’re so vulgar… Fine, I’ll go.”

“Great, then let’s go!”

I informed the other two who were waiting a little distance away.

“So, let’s head to my house with the four of us.”

The four of us start walking towards my house.

---

We arrived at my house, a typical two-story home. The colors were a bright yellow and calm brown. Now, before bringing the three of them inside…

“Just a moment, please. Give me five minutes, no, ten minutes.”

“Okay, understood.”

“Sure, take your time.”

“…”

I opened the door and hurriedly started tidying up the room. It wasn’t very messy, but a clean and tidy room would be better.

I hid the adult magazines that were left in the living room somewhere, picked up some trash, and sprayed air freshener… Perfect.

I opened the front door and invited the three of them in.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Please come in, it’s just an ordinary house…”

“Y-yes, thank you for having us…”

“So this is Izayoi’s house…”

“…”

Except for Kikawa Moegi, the other two had slightly nervous and embarrassed expressions. However, Kikawa Moegi had a complicated look on her face.

I led the three of them into the living room. It was a very ordinary room with a dining table, sofa, and TV.

“Oh! I forgot to buy snacks. I’ll go get some!”

“It’s fine, no need to worry.”

“That’s right.”

“No, I want to eat, so please wait for a moment.”

I left the living room.

Please, let this work out.

---

[Moegi PoV]

The three of us sat on chairs around the dining table, waiting for him to return. Karen-chan was sitting next to me, and Kohaku-chan was sitting across from us.

I had been pushed into this situation against my will. He even threatened me with doing something inappropriate, but it was probably just a bluff.

And he knew that I knew he was lying to me. The truth was, I didn’t want to come here, but given the mistakes I had made, coming here seemed like the only choice. Honestly, I feel so far away from them even though they are so close. I feel so lonely.

“I can’t seem to calm down…”

“Yes, it’s making me feel uneasy.”

“How about you, Moegi?”

“It’s hard to say…”

“Really? But hey, are you okay? You seem a bit down.”

“Yeah… I wonder if I’m okay?”

I couldn’t hide the pain of loneliness well. It seemed like I was exuding a sense of discomfort. I had been hiding it in front of them all day, but in this space, I couldn’t help but feel the pain directly.

“…What’s wrong, Moegi?”

“It’s nothing, really.”

“…Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”

“But…”

They were worried about me. Maybe I should go home? I could use feeling unwell as an excuse. Staying here would only make it harder…

Just as I was about to choose to go home and try to convey that, Karen-chan’s phone received a message. She checked her phone and stared at it silently. I wasn’t sure what she had received, but I decided I should leave.

“Um, I think I’ll go home because I’m not feeling well…”

“Is that so… Shall I walk you home?”

“Thank you, Kohaku-chan. But I’ll be fine.”

I got up from my seat. The desire to get away from this place dominated my thoughts. But even if I left here, the loneliness wouldn’t be filled. Whether I stayed or left, I would still be alone.

With a forced smile, I headed towards the door of the room…

“Wait.”

I heard her calling my name. It was Karen-chan.

“Moegi, sit down.”

“Sorry, but I’m not feeling well, so I think I’ll go home now…”

“Just sit down.”

“No… but…”

“Just for a little while, sit down.”

Her strong gaze robbed me of the option to escape. I sat back down in my seat. Our eyes met.

“Do you have any worries or troubles?”

“Eh?”

What’s happening all of a sudden? A sudden counseling session. She wasn’t joking; she was serious.

The truth is… I want to say it.

“Do you have something bothering you?”

“Well, there’s nothing in particular…”

That’s a lie. There is something. But I can’t say it.

“Really?”

“Yeah, there’s nothing.”

If I say it and it’s affirmed… I know it myself.

[The gap.]

The difference from the other girls. I know it. But I don’t want her to point it out. If she affirms the “gap,” I might break.

And what I fear the most is…

[Rejection.]

Being rejected.

I don’t want to be alone. Even though we’re apart, I don’t want to be further apart. I can’t bear the thought of loneliness accelerating any further.

“So… what is your worry then?”

“Eh?”

“Just by looking at your face, I can tell you’re going through something.”

“L-Like I said there’s nothing…”

In the next moment, she grabbed my cheeks with both hands and forcefully brought our faces closer.

“You have something, don’t you?”

“N-No, I don’t.”

“If you don’t tell me, I’ll just kiss you like this.”

“What!?”

“And I’ll use my tongue, it’ll be a deep and intense one.”

“You can’t just say that out of the blue…”

This is the same method he used two days ago to force me to talk about my worries. She kept staring into my eyes, as if she wouldn’t let me escape.

“Say it. Until you do, we’ll stay like this.”

“Hahaha, I really don’t have anything…”

“Then, let’s stay like this.”

“Hahaha, you’re making things difficult.”

She remained in that position for a long time. I thought she would release me soon. But she stayed like that.

One hour.

Two hours.

She kept her strong gaze fixed on me. I couldn’t look away, and we both couldn’t even blink. As a result, tears started flowing from both of us. Still, she continued to gaze at me, unwavering. I think Kohaku-chan was probably watching too, although I couldn’t tell because I couldn’t look away…

“Uhm, can you please let me go now?”

“Impossible. I won’t release you until you speak up.”

“Why would you go to such lengths?”

“There are various reasons, but the main one is that I understand how much you’re suffering, Moegi. I can’t just leave you alone.”

“What do you mean?”

“I talked about it the other day, but I mentioned that I had shared my worries with Izayoi and found a resolution, right? Those worries had been weighing on me for many years, unable to share them with anyone, carrying anxiety, impatience, and fear. I know how painful it is. Seeing you today, I was reminded of myself. That’s why I can’t just leave you be.”

Can I say it? Is it okay to say it? What will happen? Will I be accepted?

That I’m different…

“I don’t know what kind of worries you have. But unless you speak up, nothing will change. I understand that it’s scary. But you need to take that first step; otherwise, it will remain like this forever.”

“I don’t want to. I’m scared. It’s fine as it is. I…”

“I understand. I know that speaking up may lead to even more pain than what you’re experiencing now. I understand your fear of taking that step. But trust me. Believe in me. I will accept any worries and any loneliness.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Absolutely?”

“I promise.”

Scary, scary, scary. But with her, can I say it? Can I be accepted even though I’m like this?

Can I say it? She continued to gaze at me, never looking away.

“I… I’m tall, and I… I have biases against men.” (Moegi)

“…But other girls are not like that. They aren’t as tall as I am, and they don’t have the same mindset as me. So, I feel like I’m different, like a separate existence… and that loneliness, that solitude… it’s been so hard.” (Moegi)

Tears slowly began to overflow.

“Am I… ‘different’?”

“That’s not true at all. Kohaku also thinks the same, right?”

“Yes…”

Kohaku-chan also affirmed it. Oh, Kohaku-chan is crying too?

“We’re all human, so it’s natural to have differences. In this world, there isn’t a single person who has the same body and mindset. Everyone is different, and everyone is good in their own way. Moegi-senpai, you don’t deviate from that at all. I guarantee it.”

“Of course, me too.”

“Thank you…”

The words from both of them resonated more than I had imagined, filling the void of loneliness. Warm feelings overflowed.

“From now on, when you feel lonely, tell us. Even if we’re apart, at least give me a call.”

“I’ll call you too, Moegi-senpai. Let’s exchange contact information.”

“Yeah!”

The atmosphere became pleasant, and everyone was crying.

“Kohaku is crying too.”

“Since the two of you were staring at each other without blinking, I thought I would join in.”

Doing the same thing, crying together. That makes me happy.

Then, we heard sniffles coming from somewhere.

“Hick, Gusu…”

“Ah, wait, that voice… Izayoi-kun?”

“So he was here after all…”

When Karen-chan opened the living room door, we saw Izayoi-kun, his face covered in tears and mucus.

“Izayoi, weren’t you supposed to go shopping?”

“Sni-sniff, I-I was… w-worried, a-a-and when I saw… it was such an i-incredibly m-moving d-d-d-development…”

“Yes yes, thanks. Izayoi also sent me a concerned email…….”

An email? What’s that about?

“Karen-chan, what’s this about an email?”

“Izayoi was concerned about your strange behavior, Moegi, so he wanted me to listen and give advice. He asked me because he’s a guy and he thought he might make you uncomfortable, so he approached me instead.”

“I see.”

“That’s right, thank him too.”

His face is all messy, Izayoi-kun. I see, so he was also worried. Maybe he’s different from the guys I’ve met so far.

“Thank you.”

“Y-You’reeeeeeeee w-w-welcomeeeee…”

“Izayoi-kun, your language has become quite a mess.”

“Izayoi-kun is truly kind.”

“When you both say ‘cool,’ I kind of understand it a little.”

Everyone in this room is crying. Crying is not something we usually do when we’re happy.

–But, I’ve somehow become fond of this atmosphere.