CH 23

In the bleak atmosphere, I managed to avoid it until lunchtime. During other breaks I managed to avoid the conversation since we were moving between classes, but it was now lunch break, and since we didn’t have to move or anything, it was very difficult to avoid it.

I tried to leave the classroom when the bell rang, but I couldn’t overcome Hatsune’s power and was meekly caught.

“Hey, So-kun, why are you running away? Hurry up and tell that woman that you belong to me.”

Then, Tsukiai came from the seat in front of me.

“It’s so sad that you have to force him to say things like that.”

“What are you talking about? I’m not forcing him, I’m teaching him because he doesn’t seem to know how to express his love. If teaching is called forcing, then this world is at its end.”

“I don’t want you to associate it like that, in the first place the reason why he doesn’t know how to express his love is maybe because he doesn’t? And if he did, he would’ve said the two or three words—-”

They’ve been arguing like this for a long time. The two of them are already on a track. Even though I know that, I don’t have the power to stop them.

“C, calm down both of you—-”

「「Whose fault do you think it is?」」

“Sorry…”

…I still don’t have the power to stop those two. If I had to guess, I’d have to say wherever I belong to Hatsune or not, and that would be the end of it, but either reply would ruin my life.

“I mean, why are you just sitting around? Why don’t you say something?”

“Yeah whether your Hatsune’s or not, anyway, why don’t you reply?”

“U, um…”

What’s the right response here? “I don’t belong to Hatsune” or “Hatsune belongs to me!” I don’t want to say either. What should I do?

“W, well… Hmm, I’m Hatsune’s—”

The moment I said that, Hatsune’s face lit up and Tsukiai glared at me.

“We’re more than friends, but less than lovers”

…I was trying to get Tsukiai in a good mood, so I made that remark. As evidence of this, Tsukiai’s glare weakened a bit and Hatsune looked at me as if she wanted to lock me up right now.

“So-kun? What do you mean, less than lovers?”

“N, no, because I haven’t answered you yet…”

“But what is less than lovers?”

“No, what…”

I remember reading an article somewhere. It said that men and women have different views on love, and that the goal for men is to be in a relationship, in other words, to have a lover, while for women, it starts from there….

From that point of view, what I’ve just said might be considered by Hatsune to be a statement that she hasn’t even made a start… There’s no way she didn’t stand at the start, but I’m not her lover… What should I do?

“Lovers—It’s like we are lovers but we aren’t…”

“It’s no use trying to cheat and avoid it, I can’t wait until summer vacation starts, so you’ll have to decide here and now/”

Eeh. What is the point in making a decision? Well, it’s my fault for putting it off, but… If you’re asking me to decide here… A relationship where we can be friends and not have to be lovers… That’s right!

“Then how about being temporary lovers? Then you’d be my lover—”

“No way!”

She said that and took out the dramatic syringe.

“W, wait! Hatsune—-”

“If you want me to wait, then answer quickly.”

What to do, what should I do? I don’t feel like I can make the right decision in such a tense situation. What to do—-

“Are you seeing someone else, by any chance?”

“Eh?”

And she’s already putting the needle of the syringe to my skin. I mean why isn’t Tsukiai seeing this and trying to help me!?

“You’re so worried because you have another woman, right? Right? If you weren’t you wouldn’t have to worry about it, right? Who is it? Hey? Who is it? Can I see her? Hey?”

“No, there’s no other girl—-”

“So you can choose me without hesitation, right? Come on, say it. I’m all yours”

Th, this is bad… She’s pretty pissed. I don’t think she’s going to listen to anything I have to say. I mean, talking with a syringe stuck in your skin is almost like an interrogation…

“…I see, you want to get thirsty again, don’t you?”

“Eh…”

“You want me to make you thirsty so I can control wherever you live or not like I did that time?”

I’m not that kind of a masochist! I don’t want to go through that again. I don’t really want to…!?

“Ha, Hatsune? You should reconsider—-”

“Ah, should I buy some torture devices? Hmm, what should I get?”

“…….”

Sh, she’s crazy…. No, she was crazy before, but she’s now even crazier… Maybe it’s better to divert the topic for now.

“Hatsune, your breakfast was really good today, thank you for everything.”

“Thank you. Well, you want a girlfriend like that, don’t you?”

“…It’s a beautiful today, isn’t it—-”

“Yeah, well, you want a girlfriend like that right? I mean I’m already your girlfriend, right?”

“…….”

…No matter what topic I change the subject to, it all switches to the original topic.

“Hatsune…U, um.”

“What? We’re just going out? You don’t even want to start? I’m not forcing you to get married, okay?”

“B, but—-”

“Okay, fine, tell me why you can’t go out with me. I’ll fix it.”

“!?”

The Hatsune of before would never have said something like this. Maybe Hatsune is trying to change. But… It’s a pathological jealousy that can never be cured.

No, I don’t think it’s a good idea to assume that Hatsune is trying to change, just based on her past experiences. I’ll face Hatsune too.

“Um, you know…You’re too jealous… Or maybe I just want to be allowed to talk to girls for a little bit…”

“Why? To have an affair?”

“No! I’m just trying to make friends…”

“You want someone other than me?”

“No, because if Hatsune and I were to get married, Hatsune would be the bride and I would be the husband. If that happens Hatsune will have a lot on her plate, and I’ll feel lonely if I’m alone.”

“W, wife…?”

Hatsune mumbled something, closed her eyes and suddenly started giggling, “Ehehe.” To be honest, it was a little creepy, but oh well.

“..Okay, so what’s your definition of a little bit?”

!? Hatsune accepted my suggestion!?

“U, um, how about having 3 conversations?”

“…Three times, so if you break that promise, what should I do?”

“…Ah, y, yes, I, I won’t break it, but if I do, you know.”

“…I understand! Okay!”

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!! I’ll be free from Hatsune for a little while, and I’ll be able to talk to other girls—-

“But I have a condition too.”

“A condition…?”

I was scared, but I had to ask. It’s the kind of thing I can’t put my hand back into.

“Bathing together and sleeping together every day, how’s that sound?”

…It’s pretty embarrassing, but if it makes her happy….

“I understand, let’s do it.”

“Then we’re lovers now?”

“Oh, about that, can we do a trial run for a week or so and get back to you afterwards?”

Otherwise, it would be pointless. If I found something I didn’t like about her again and couldn’t find happiness, I would have a second chance.

“Hmm, I’m a little unhappy, but okay.”

“Thank you!“

…I still didn’t know why Hatsune chose to take baths and sleep with me… …Those are a devilish combo…