Volume 4 - CH 1

My wake-up time on weekdays is 7:00.

Earlier, I said that seven hours of sleep is considered good for the body, and I’m abiding by it.

On the eve of the first weekday since the release of the new Monster Hunting game, I want to praise myself for going to sleep at 24 o’clock. Like an office worker in Marunouchi, I want to reward myself by buying myself a sweet treat that would make a 1,000-yen bill fly off the top of my head. 

“Hmm…”

Even so, I’m so sleepy.

I wonder if those who are strong in the morning have any tricks up their sleeves. Maybe I should ask someone like Asshimar next time.

Thinking about that, I brushed my teeth.

“Hmm…”

……I haven’t eaten breakfast yet.

──

I changed into my school uniform and left the house, munching on a maple bread stick for breakfast. 

“Oh… Fujima-kun, good morning.”

“Hmmm… good morning”

Even though it was a little later than usual, I ran into Akari again. I’m afraid it’s a coincidence.

“Fu, what did you do on your days off, Fujima-kun?”

“Game”

I answered Akari’s question in a nonchalant manner. I can’t speak much because I’m weak in the morning. 

“I didn’t know Fujima-kun was a gamer. As a matter of fact, Asami-chan recommended it to me too…”

The games Akari refers to are so-called smartphone games like Buzzdora and RAIN Simsim. I have no intention of making fun of smartphone games, but as someone who has played console games such as Monster hunter, Penoresona, the Atelier series, and PC games such as CIV5, it’s not enough for me to show off my family’s expertise in the field.

“I got beat up pretty quick….”

“That’s not a good match. When you go to that dungeon…”

But you have to be a gamer to be familiar with light games. I can keep up with Akari’s story as long as it’s a game. “As long as it’s a game” is a pretty sad thing to say, isn’t it? 

And even though I said I can’t speak much, what about me speaking out when talking about games?

“That’s it, that’s it”

Akari happily talked about games, even though she wasn’t exactly a gamer. I walked slowly on the way to school, nodding back and giving the occasional piece of advice.

──

“Yuma, are you going to karaoke today?”

“Karaoke? Umm…well.. what about you, Asami?”

“Hmm, if Kana is going, then I’ll go.”

“Let’s go? We haven’t been playing much lately.”

After school.

Today’s class is finally over.

Monster Hunter is waiting at home.

When I picked up my bag and stood up,

“Asshimar! Fujima! Do you want to go to karaoke too?”

Takagi shouted outrageous words from the back of the class.

“Hey…! I’m sorry I can’t, maybe next time you invite me!”

Is Asshimar in a hurry or is she trying to run away? Woah! She ran into the corridor.

“Haaa. What about you, Fujima?”

“Ah, no, really, I’ll refrain from doing that.”

There’s no way I’m going. He said that he only knows anime songs and Western hard rock and metal. Above all, Takagi invited me, and handsome guys B and C, who advocated karaoke, looked really disgusted.

“I see. See you next time! Then what should I do? What about Kana?”

What are you doing next time? I won’t go to karaoke, and in the first place, I won’t go anywhere with those two.

Then, before leaving the classroom, I remembered and turned my heels.

“Akari”

“Ha, yes!”

When I approached Akari’s seat by the window and called out to her, she was startled. Sorry for talking to you so suddenly. I’m sorry for asking you to send RAIN to girls or the other way around because I’m nervous? 

“Did you learn [Enhanced Fire Arrow Firebolt Skill LV2]?”

“Eh, you mean Arcadia’s skill book, right? I learned LV1, but I haven’t learned LV2 yet…”

“I picked it up the other day, but neither I nor Asshimar can use it, so if you don’t mind, why don’t you take it?”

Akari was hesitant, but she shook her head when I said thank you for always collecting sand for me.

“Should I go get it?”

“I’m the one who suggested it, and I’m sorry about that. Can’t we meet up somewhere?” 

“Huh, I’m meeting up with ……!” 

Eh, what? Why are you reacting like that? Everyone will be paying attention, so please don’t raise your voice too loudly.

“If you don’t want to—”

“I don’t mind! I, I’d like to meet up with you, Fujima-kun…”

I flinched at Akari’s upturned eyes. However, such a wavering of the heart is only for a moment──

“Ah, eh, ah, well then, let’s go to the fountain square at around 8:30 the next morning in Arcadia.”

“Alright!”

Yes, a lie. It was a lie for a second. I was so upset and stuttered. I chewed on it.

I feel that Akari has a kind of cuteness and teasing that can bewitch men. A forever virgin forever like me is likely to go crazy. I said “forever” twice. 

“Meeting with Fujima-kun… eh, hehe…”

When I shifted my gaze from Akari, whose face was bright red, I saw handsome guys B and C staring at me from the back of the classroom.

“You’re a lazy bastard.”

“…? Fujima-kun, what did you say?”

“Nothing. I’m sorry I talked to you.”

“What? There’s nothing wrong…”

I didn’t listen to Akari’s words until the end, and carried my bag over my shoulder and went out into the hallway.

I wonder if the words ‘I’m sorry’ were directed at handsome guy BC for interrupting his invitation to karaoke, or was it an apology to Akari for making her feel degraded in the eyes of her friends by talking to me – I’m not sure.

I already know that Kedoin, Akari, Takagi, and Suzuhara don’t have any particular thoughts about my status or anything else.

But handsome BC has a clear hostility towards me. And these guys are good friends with each other.

Even though I admit my fault, I still can’t trust them somewhere in my heart, maybe it’s because he’s hanging out with them.

Every time I get involved with Akari, Kedoin, Takagi, and Suzuhara, I wonder if handsome BC is behind them.

──Ah, I see.

I guess that’s what they meant by ‘lowering their status’.”

“Even if I try again, I still have a bad personality.”

My small, self-deprecating murmur was as lonely as a withered cherry tree, and disappeared like petals dancing in the still slightly cold spring sky.