CH 28

Chapter 28: Getting Closer

I may have gotten caught up in the moment. During spring break, I regained my past life’s memories, met Sara, and got swept up in various other things. Despite all that, I was able to overcome them all fairly well. 

I prevented the rain encounter with Sara and Aoi. I even became friends with Sara. Her isolation from her school was also resolved. Studying together went really well. Yes, so many things were going well, so I got careless and forgot about the one thing I should never ignore. That was my blunder.

I still don’t know how far this world is linked to the game world, but from what I’ve seen so far, there are at least various settings and basic scenarios that will occur the same as the game. Until now, that event did not occur because there was no contact between Aoi and Sara, but I can’t relax, and hope they will never meet again. I can’t leave it as is.

In order to avoid the bad ending, the most peaceful and happy solution was to have Aoi and Koharu go out with each other.

“Aoi and Koharu will begin to go out after the school festival. Until then, I have to watch over those two without disturbing their romance, and in some cases I will need to cooperate with them. Of course safely.”

However there are no events that I can actively support. 

The remaining events before the school festival should be a summer vacation pool date, a firework display at a nearby park with only one other heroine, and a summer vacation study camp. Being conscious of each other in their swimsuits, the sparks when staring at the fireworks together, and a push-down happens at the homework camp. All leading to a confession at the school festival after.

I want them to each succeed by all means. Because Sara and I, the Sub-heroines, are quietly pushed into the background.

On the note of Koharu. For some reason, she has seemed to have been hostile since the day of club activities, but if she finds out that Sara and I won’t ever be rivals, she may relax a little bit. I want her to make an effort to get Aoi’s heart as much as possible, rather than being wary of me being a possible rival.

To be honest, I’m scared to get involved with Koharu. She didn’t do anything to “Shiori” in the game, but the situation of the game and this world are so different, plus there is a difference between the game “Shiori” and me. In the first place, my knowledge of the game is not useful at all because Koharu, for some reason, entered the art club, and now has direct contact with me. I don’t know what kind of relationship is best for us.

However in order to avoid that bad ending- – – there is no other choice.

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Basically, Koharu is always with Aoi. Since they are in the same class, have the same break time, and club activities. 

She was enjoying painting in club activities, and she was still talking with Aoi and the other first years about what to do at the school festival.

When looking at her like this, she’s not as good as Sara, but Koharu is still a cute ordinary girl. With the exception of me, she is friendly with everybody. She isn’t intimidating even if Aoi is involved, it’s still a mystery why I am the only one. That’s why I’m contemplating having a talk.

Aoi is just like the game no matter how you look at it. She is popular in the art club because of her positive personality, along with her high social skills. She talks to anyone without hesitation, and helps anyone in need. Even when she is unsure, she is still enthusiastic about any task. It’s all to be expected of a main character. Her charisma seems to captivate not only the game heroines, but everyone around her. Though to me, it just scares me.

Due to her always being with Aoi, it becomes hard to talk about it because she is rarely alone. A chance is the time she goes to the bathroom or to buy some drinks.

There are a lot of images of girls going to the bathroom together, but at least during club activities, each person has their own schedule and opportunities to leave, so they take their own breaks alone. Of course I do too, but today I was always ready to put my work down so I could chase after Koharu. I was quietly waiting for that time. Just before the last 30 minutes of club activities, Koharu then stood up and left the art room.

I didn’t chase immediately, but after waiting for a bit, I casually left the classroom and quickly walked towards the nearest bathroom. There I found Koharu washing her hands. Okay, I got there just in time.

“Wakashima-san, is this a good time?”

“. . .What is it?”

A strong expression met me. It was completely different from when she was with Aoi and everyone else. Why is she so vigilant with me? I haven’t done anything wrong?

“Yeah, it’s about that expression. I’ve always felt like Wakashima-san hated me, but I have no idea why. If there is any misunderstanding, I’d like to work it out.”

“. . .Do I need a reason to hate something?”

“It couldn’t be helped if it’s instinctual, but surely it isn’t?”

“No, it is. From the first time I saw you, I thought it was impossible to get along with this person. – – -Now if you’d excuse me.”

While giving a gentle face, she said that clearly and precisely. Is this really them feigning friendliness, or are they just going overboard? I can’t accept either option, but it’s quicker and more helpful than them trying to deceive me by saying “no, I don’t hate you.”

One-sidedly, I grabbed her arm to stop her from slipping by me. Koharu shouted “Please Let go!” Despite that I held firm.

“What is it? Geez! I hate you, and I’m not going to get along with you! That’s final!”

“I can’t accept that, I don’t understand why!”

“I don’t care if you don’t understand! I don’t want you to, and it won’t solve anything! It’d just make us feel uncomfortable. Pretend you don’t notice anything. I hate you! Hate! Since I first met you, I hated you to death! I still think about what it would be like if you weren’t there!”

Goose bumps spread throughout my body. “Weren’t there!” bounced through my head. That line from “Koharu” was used during Sara’s bad ending.

I thought I was just disliked, but knowing this amount of hatred towards me was frightening. If she had her knife, would she stab me with it now?

I thought Sara was in danger, but I finally realized that I was the only one she focused her hate on. It’s never safe.

Although impossible, if I go out with Aoi in this state, I will probably be stabbed.

“Is it because of Shimamoto-san?”

Immediately her resistance ended. It was as if the on/off switch was flicked. Still her hair was messed up, and her glaring eyes were blazing into me. That distorted demon-like expression was terrifying enough to make me tremble.

“. . .So, you know?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize, you’ll just make this miserable.”

“Let me do this much. Seeing as I’m the one that has distrubed your heart this much?”

Koharu kept staring at me without confirming or denying. However the expression was a little softer than before. Can we talk a bit now?

This is the time to stand. To win the future, not only for Sara but also me.

“Hey. Wakashima-san. Why don’t we have a girl talk?”

Please tell me everything. Your true feelings, those not from Aoi’s point of view. But yours. A ridiculously disturbed love.

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TN: When she says “girl talk(恋バナ)” it carries the meaning of “talking about your love interest” 

Also seems like she does hate Shiori. I do wonder if they could come to a compromise.

Anyways, the next chapter soon, I’m already working on it.