Chapter 36The Close Friend Speaks
(TL Note: This chapter is unique in that half of the stories in this chapters are the end of Part 1, but other half are the beginning of Part 2.)
Come to think of it, I've seen that 'enough is enough' expression from Natsukawa many times. Instead of being angry, it seems she's fed up with me... ...I knew it, she was indeed annoyed with me.
Yeah, when it comes to Natsukawa being emotional, that part always comes to my mind.
However, today's Natsukawa was different. Never before had she been so blunt with her anger. It was as if I was on a detox diet and the effects were immediate. ...Gosh~, geez... have I always been this handsome?
"Yeah, you're right. I also feel that something is strange, but... ...Look, it's about this afternoon, isn't it, is that so?"
"..."
"O-Oh... ...My back hurts..."
"Um...!"
Seeing Natsukawa's awkward expression, I knew that she must have a reason for it. Not to mention that it really smelled like she didn't want to talk to me about it... ...Oh, the smell. I'll smell it again. Let me smell it again!
"Oh... ...Um... Sajocchi..."
"W-Wait a moment!"
Just as Ashida was speaking, she was interrupted by Natsukawa.
Eh? Does she really not want to talk to me? If so, there's no need for her to force herself... ...I'm not a demon, you know? Honestly, if it's not something that will bother her, I'm not too curious... ...But, if it's something that will bother her, then tell me! I'll gladly accept it!
"That's enough, Aichi. Today, you really crossed the line."
"I-I know it was my fault...! B-But...!"
I was very happy that Ashida was on my side, but if she hesitated to say so... ...As I expected, it must be something troublesome, right? Whether it's Big Sis or Natsukawa, there are so many things I don't understand about them, but I'm not angry either. ...Okay, I guess if I withdraw myself here, then everything should be resolved peacefully, right? I am an adult after all.
"Um, you don't have to say it, you know?"
"...Eh?"
"It must be hard to say it, right? It's okay. You just want me not to talk about anything vulgar with Koga or Murata, and be careful with my choice of words to Big Sis, right? If I do that, we can settle this case peacefully, right?"
From the start, I never had any plans to spend more time with that disorganized group of girls. And unless something unusual like today happened, I wouldn't use swear words when talking to Big Sis. Putting aside my conversation with Natsukawa, every conversation today was very tiring. Perhaps, this kind of thing won't happen again in the future...
Just like what Yuuki-senpai said, if all these problems are related to my behavior, then it's just a consequence of what I did... ...Yeah, is that it or... ...Could it be that things are slowly starting to move in the right direction? It's not something that will stay like this forever.
I guess, Natsukawa, who in a sense, has always been very close to me, is just irritated by the changes that have occurred in her daily life. Yeah, I'm sure of that.
That's why, I'll just be a cushion ready to accept all the blame and catch it—
"I-It won't end!"
"?!"
Eh, what...?
W-Was she angry? She's angry, isn't she? Ashida also subconsciously leaned back in shock like me.
Isn't this crazy? I never thought that there would come a time when Natsukawa would stick to me like this. Usually, she would immediately keep her distance from me. Okay, if you insist to that extent, then I'll hold on until you feel it's enough... ...Yeah, maybe she does hate me because I keep saying those kinds of things.
Ashida looked at Natsukawa with a critical gaze. Natsukawa showed an awkward reaction, and she opened her mouth slowly.
"B-But... ...I-If I leave you alone, you'll do something weird again..."
"Cute─ No, of course that's not the case."
"Sajocchi, your true feelings. It leaked out... ...Why are you pretending you didn't say so this time...?"
A goddess? An angel? No, she is a Goddess. What kind of cute reaction is that? What should I do here? Should I 'turn around three times and bark'? I'll do that, you know? Even if it costs me money?
"Is there something strange...? For example? What would make you angry, Natsukawa?"
"Th-That's..."
"Yeah, if it's hard to say, you don't have to."
"What... ...W-Wait...! What's wrong with you!? Can't you show a bit more interest?!"
"If it's just interest, I have it. Especially in you, Natsukawa."
"Wh-What...!?"
"O-Oh... ...It's been a long time since I last heard those words from Sajocchi."
Oh, d*mn, I blurted out my true feelings unconsciously.
I knew it, the habits I've had for years wouldn't go away so quickly... ...Seducing Natsukawa has almost become second nature to me. In that sense, I guess it would be much better for me to keep my distance... ...However, staying too far away isn't good either. I don't know how to draw a straight line properly here.
Up until now, haven't I always failed to stay humble? Even with Inatomi-senpai's case, I ended up discussing it with Shinomiya-senpai... ...Really, 'I' do have a problem with myself.
All I know is that I messed up, so I'm waiting for her insults. First of all, this case about Natsukawa is indeed my fault...
"Th-Then─."
"Huh...?"
Hmm...? Th-That wasn't the reaction I was expecting. Wouldn't she call me unclean and disgusted with a haggard face, and go clean her hands afterwards like she usually does? Eh, why does she seem so determined─?
"─Then... ...C-Come visit my house!"
"..."
...Eh?
...
...-@$#%??!!
"A-Aichi... ...are you planning to kill Sajocchi...?"
"...? Oh...?! ~~Oh~~~!!!"
"Hey...! Both of you, stop squirming!! I'm the most embarrassed one here! Hey, stop it! Listen to me!!!"
(TL Note: This is the end of Part One. Don't forget to purchase the Official Light Novel version, on this December 2024, right here. Now, we're going to move to the beginning of Part Two, let's go.)
*
O filthy temptation that eats away at my soul, with the power of words vanish instantly and return me to reality.
Haha~~~...!
Math, Japanese, English, Physics, Chemistry, History, Social Studies, Politics, Economics, Moral─
"...Okay, it's empty."
"What's empty?"
Forcefully, refilling my consciousness with reality, I managed to keep my tension under control... ...If you're an old man like me, this is just a trivial matter. I'm fine now. No matter what Natsukawa meant by those words, I can ─Oh, this is bad, I'm remembering it again─.
"...Fuhihi."
"Ugh, disgusting..."
"..."
At the family restaurant at night. In a local place like that, I created the greatest theory in shock treatment. Especially effective was the verbal abuse from my classmates. Although I was flying high in the sky, those simple words dragged me down to reality instantly. In return, I lost a few drops of tears from my eyes... sob, sob.
"Hmm, see, it's my fault, sorry. I was just having hallucinations."
"Yeah, I can't blame you for that... ...Aichi said so in an ambiguous way."
"So, what was that about? Even now, I still feel the urge to scream out loud."
"You'll only disturb others, don't do that."
HUFT HUFT...!
Instead of a scream, it sounded like a deathly growl. Even though I couldn't shout this out loud, I had to do something else to resist my urge to scream.
Even though Natsukawa's words have no special meaning, just hearing them... ...Oh, how happy I am.
"So, Sajocchi, listen up. About today that..."
"Eh? We're still not done? Look, Natsukawa is hiding her face with her hands right now."
"It's okay, this is Aichi's limit right now. At this rate, the conversation won't go anywhere."
Eh, what do you mean? Does she have mental problems? As Natsukawa's number one fan, ignoring her even though she's right next to me hurts my heart. Can I stroke her head? I can't, huh? What a devil!
"So, let me get straight to the point. Aichi wants to introduce you to Ai-chan."
"I see... ...Hmm?"
Eh, who...? Ah, Natsukawa's little sis? Their names are so similar that I couldn't digest what that meant for a moment. Seriously, though, Ashida's naming concept needs to be questioned. She made her name almost overlap with Natsukawa's. This is Airi-chan, isn't she? Airi-chan... ...sounds like the name of a famous soccer player's wife.
(TL Note: If I were to guess, the person the MC is referring to is 'Nagatomo Airi'.)
...Wait, what?!
"Eh, why? Didn't she herself say that someone disgusting like me, who can also have a negative influence on Airi-chan, shouldn't come near her?"
"Gosh! How could Aichi really feel like that!"
"Eh? I'm not disgusting?"
"Which one is right or wrong, let's put that aside first!"
"What I should be feeling...?!"
This girl... ...Why don't you just deny it? ...Right now, I don't know if I should be happy or sad.
...Eh, don't tell me that I'm actually... ...Impossible, right? It's common knowledge that I'm a human, right? I have two pairs of hands to hold the rice bowl, okay? I can pick up and use the toilet paper in the restroom properly, you know? I can dry my hands after washing them, you know?
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
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