Volume 1 - CH 16

(TLN: Tonkatsu is a Japanese dish that consists of a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet. )

“I’m sorry, but I have to decline.”

An immediate response.

Seemingly combining her displeasure towards Senpai and her delight in my rejection, Nanami-san approached Senpai and initiated a conversation herself.

“Ah, barato-kun… Sorry to intrude on your private time. As I mentioned earlier, I have some business with Misumai-kun, who happens to be your boyfriend.”

Since yesterday’s match, Senpai has changed the way he addresses Nanami from “Nanami-kun” to “barato-kun.”

It must be a way for him to establish a clear boundary after losing the match and accepting that he has given up on her.

I would have preferred if he had shown such resolve a bit earlier, though.

“What do you want from me? The match was already settled… There’s no need for you to talk to me now, right?”

“Please don’t say such lonely things… Well, to put it bluntly, I want Misumai-kun to become friends with me. So I thought we could exchange contact information.”

…How did the conversation turn into this?

“With the handicap aside, I respected you for defeating me, the captain of the basketball club. You proved yourself to be a worthy man for her… That’s why I wanted to become friends with you.”

He sees it as a proper result of the match, even though he resorted to dirty tricks. It seems that’s how Senpai perceives it.

Hmm… This person is simple-minded, for better or worse. It pricks at my conscience, just a little.

“Moreover, if we become friends, maybe I can get closer to barato-kun as well.”

…I wish he would stop pricking at my conscience.

Actually, the fact that he said that to me confirms it. This person is definitely a bit of an idiot.

“…Shibe/shibetsu-senpai, to put it bluntly, He is a person who is solely focused on basketball… In every other aspect, He is a disappointment… But that’s what arouses the maternal instincts in girls and makes him popular.”

Suddenly, Nanami-san’s voice reached my ears in a whisper.

The breath accompanying her words sent shivers down my spine in a way that was different from surprise.

What is this?! What’s this pleasant, tingling sensation?!

I almost dropped my lunchbox, but I managed to hold myself together. That was close…

Being near her voice is more powerful than talking on the phone… When her breath brushes against my ear, it creates an indescribable tingling sensation… It could become addictive.

Once again, I’ve made a new discovery today.

“So, Misumai-kun, what do you think? Will you become friends with me?”

“Well… if you’re okay with me, I’d be happy to. However, I won’t give up Nanami-san to you, no matter what.”

“I understand that already. I made the challenge yesterday out of lingering feelings, but I’ve decided to search for my next love.”

Searching for the next love… Does that mean he doesn’t have any feelings for Nanami-san now?

However, it could also mean that he’s trying to move on and establishing a friendship with me is a way for him to mark that new beginning.

In that aspect, it’s very manly and sportsman-like. It’s a side of him that I don’t possess.

I exchanged contact information with Senpai… I suddenly remembered that my profile picture is still a game character, but Nanami-san seems fine with it, so I’ll leave it as it is.

Senpai’s profile picture was of a basketball.

“Well then, I’ve achieved my goal, so I’ll take my leave… Oh, by the way, Misumai-kun… Have you ever considered joining the basketball club?”

“No, thank you. If I join a club, it will reduce the time I spend with Nanami-san, right?”

This line feels like something from a certain work. It is my true feeling, but I’m not fond of the athletic club atmosphere to begin with. Joining a club would be out of the question…

It feels a bit awkward to use Nanami-san as an excuse, but when I quickly glance at her face, she smiles happily, so it should be fine.

“I see. I envy you. If there’s anything, feel free to contact me anytime. I might not be able to respond immediately due to club activities, but I welcome invitations to hang out.”

“Thank you very much. I’ll keep that in mind. Nice to meet you.”

Senpai said that with a refreshing smile and left.

Several female students followed him from the rooftop, so… it seems that Senpai’s new love may be found sooner than expected.

“…It’s not that I’m anxious or anything, but it’s not fun when you only pay attention to Senpai,” said Nanami-san as she pouted and turned her face away. What a cute thing to say.

But somehow… just somehow, I felt a tinge of unease in the way she looked at me.

Maybe it’s just my imagination, but if I were to say the line I thought of yesterday, it would be now.

…Am I really going to say it? Even though I came up with it myself… Honestly, it’s a bit… no, it’s quite embarrassing… But… if I’m going to say it, now is the only chance.

“Nanami-san, don’t worry. Even if someone like Senpai, who’s always trying to snatch you away from me like a prize, appears again… I will never… no matter what I have to do, I won’t let you go.”

…Wow, even I think that line is too cheesy…

Uh-oh, my spine is starting to feel cold. No… I have to stay calm… At least until I hear her response. Stay calm, me… Hang in there…

“Youshin…”

I heard Nanami’s voice. She murmured just my name… and then…

“Pff… Hahaha! What was that line? It’s so cool! You’re way cooler than Senpai, but… it’s so obvious that you’re forcing yourself, your face is all red!”

I touch my cheeks as I’m told. Apparently, without realizing it, my entire face had turned bright red. Being pointed out only makes it even redder.

…And there she is, laughing. Laughing at me…

“Oh come on, that’s only natural. Any girl would be happy when her boyfriend says such cool things? But… it’s so obvious that you’re trying too hard, your face is beet red!”

Ugh… I’ve been hit with a counterattack again… In this situation, I clearly have no chance… I don’t feel like I can win.

We ate our lunch side by side, and my face is burning red while Nanami’s ears have turned bright red.

Maybe I picked the wrong timing to say it… I thought to myself, but suddenly, she poked my side.

“…I guess I packed a little too much for my lunch. Will you eat it for me?”

She said it somewhat awkwardly, and then she offered me a piece of tamagoyaki from her lunchbox. (TLN:tamagoyaki – rolled omlette)

“They were really excited to have their homemade lunchboxes eaten by their boyfriends for the first time in a while, so they’re probably going out of the school again.”

“Those two boyfriends are also quite mysterious… Well, whatever. So, should we continue our conversation?”

“Yes!”

As I looked at my girlfriend’s beaming smile while we were tightly pressed together… I thought it was worth the embarrassment to say that line to her. Or at least, that’s what I thought…

Days later… I ended up becoming a bit of a topic of conversation as the guy who shamelessly said embarrassing lines on the rooftop with a straight face… It’s a completely different story how I ended up regretting it, just a tiny bit…

Interlude: Nanami-san at that moment

“Hey! Why are you so close to me like this?!”

“I don’t even know why… But I just felt like being close to you, so I guess it can’t be helped, right?”

Should I… maybe link our arms? But then our chests might touch and it would be embarrassing…

…Youshin, you’re warm.

TL notes: Check out my other series ‘You ‘Can’t Be a God Writer,Right?’.

Genres: high school romance,harem