Chapter 4
Late at night. I was awakened by an incoming call on my cell phone.
I groped for the cell phone on my bedside table and pressed the call button, bringing it close to my ear.
Mr. Taiga….
You were sleeping?
I was sleeping a little…
Sorry, it's late at night.
It's all right. What shall we talk about today?
Whatever you want to talk about.
I understand. There is someone I like very much, and he often calls me. I'm happy when he calls me, and I'm glad I'm alive when I think that I can be of use to him, even if just a little. This person's name is Toraga, do you know him?”
“Yes, I know him.”
I said jokingly, and Toraga-san answered with a small smile.
I said jokingly, and he smiled and said, “Everyone knows him because he's so cool. I'm impressed. I'm not the kind of person I can get involved with…. Even now, I still can't believe that I can talk to him on the phone…. Even now, I'm wondering if this is all a dream.
The sound of rain can be heard outside the window. Since the beginning of June, the weather has been cloudy or rainy during the daytime and somewhat gloomy. But while I like sunny weather, I also like rainy and cloudy weather, and for some reason I find this gloomy weather pleasant.
The hydrangeas blooming on the way home are beautiful, and I like the sound of the rain hitting my umbrella. I don't like the sound of rain hitting my umbrella, though I don't like the sound of my shoes getting wet.
It's still raining outside…. What is your favorite weather, Toraga-san?
“…Sunny.
Sunny is nice, too. When the weather is nice, it's easy to go out and even riding a motorcycle is fun.
What is your favorite weather?
I like everything. Sunny, rainy, cloudy, thunderstorms, snow, but I like cloudy weather the best.
Cloudy?
Yes, I like it when it's dark and gloomy.
You are strange after all.
I don't deny it. Speaking of cloudy weather, it is said that brides in June will be happy in England because in England, June has the most sunny days.
In Japan, it rains the most in June.
That's true. But everyone wants to live up to that jinx, so many people get married in June.
You also want to get married in June?
Well, June brides are the dream of every girl. Well, I don't know if I can get married.
She's a strange woman.
That's right, I'm worried about whether or not I can get married because I'm a strange woman.
The rain outside gets even harder. The sound of the rain and the voice on the cell phone made my eyelids feel heavy again.
I resent the fact that I'm sleepy.
I let out a loud sigh, which Toramasa seemed to hear through the cell phone, and said, “I think I should go to bed. I really want to talk to him.
In truth, I still wanted to talk. I wanted to hear his voice. But, to my chagrin, I could not overcome sleepiness.
I guess I'll do that. I'd like to talk more, but I'm nearing my limit.
I'm sorry I woke you.
No, you can call me anytime. Can you sleep?
Yeah, I think I can sleep. Good night, Mr. Toraga.
Good night, Mr. Toraga.
Good night.
I made sure Toramasa hung up the phone, and I don't remember anything from there. I was very sleepy.
The next morning.
It had stopped raining, but thick clouds covered the sky.
I put my folded umbrella in my bag and headed for school.
A day seems long, but it is short.
I was dreading going to school that morning, but before I knew it, it was already after school.
After school, Ichika wanted to go to the library, so we headed to the library.
Ichika seemed to have come because she had received a notice that the new book she had ordered had arrived, so she headed straight for the librarian's office. Meanwhile, I wandered around the bookshelves, looking for books that looked interesting.
Romance, mystery, fantasy, history, nonfiction.
I picked up the ones that caught my attention from the titles, but nothing caught my attention.
After repeatedly picking up and putting back books, Ichika borrowed the book she wanted and came to me.
Did you find any interesting books?
“Hmm, I'm not really in the mood for reading right now, so I didn't find anything that appealed to me.
“Oh, that's too bad.
What did Ichika borrow?
“This? The sequel to the romance novel we were talking about the other day.
Was it The War of the Maidens?
Yes, that's right. I'm so happy, I've been looking forward to it so much!
Ichika is holding the book tightly.
One of them was Ichinose, right? He is Ichika's childhood friend and we are good friends even though we are in different classes.
I think Ichinose-kun likes Ichika. It's just a hunch.
Mariko, is it okay if I stay with him until the end?
I'm fine.
I'm sorry, Takahashi-san! I forgot my umbrella!
Ichinose-kun clasped his hands in front of his face. It was raining outside again.
The weather forecast had a 50% chance of precipitation in the afternoon, so it was a good thing I brought a folding umbrella…
Mariko, this guy is Ichinose's friend, Maeno-kun, and he seems to have forgotten his umbrella too, so I want you to put it under Mariko's umbrella.
Mariko said, “Yes, that's fine. I'm sorry if you get wet.
When I spoke to Maeno-kun standing next to Ichinose-kun, Maeno-kun waved his hand in front of his face and said, “Oh no, I'm just glad you put it in there. I'm just glad you let me in,” he said hurriedly.
I don't want to tell you that I thought Maeno-kun looked like a chipmunk when I saw his slightly brown hair and the way he looked.
The four of us walked down the hallway to the shoe box.
It was after school and raining, so there were not many students left in the school. There are few students walking down the hallway, and with the sound of the rain, it feels quiet.
When I got down to the first floor, I heard a man and a woman talking near the shoe box.
They were talking happily, and our voices naturally became quieter.
And when we realized who the man and woman were, we completely shut our mouths.
The woman was saying something to the man with blonde and orange hair mixed together, shaking her fluffy and silky blonde hair that did not show any humidity even though it was a rainy day. Her voice sounded angry, but I guess she wasn't that angry by the look on her face. She seemed to be talking happily from the side while occasionally faintly tapping the man's arm. And a man standing near those two men and women.
The man with black hair in an all-back position was watching them as usual, wrinkling his brow and folding his arms.
The trio was the heroine, Hanamiya-san, Toraya's childhood friend, Huangya-kun, and Toraya.
My heart skipped a beat and I broke out in a funny sweat when I saw them.
The fact that the heroine was involved with these two people meant that one of them was someone she liked.
And that's not all. A love triangle event means that both of them are in love with the heroine.
I had decided that no matter who the heroine chose, I would support her. But somewhere in my heart, I thought the heroine would choose Ao-san, the most popular student council president, so I was shocked to see that she was involved with both of them.
Hanamiya-san is cute. Anyone would fall for her smile. It would be strange if she didn't.
Telling myself that, we passed by the trio.
For a moment, I thought my eyes met Toramiya's. However, I quickly remove my gaze due to the unspoken agreement not to talk to him at school. So I had no idea what expression Toraga had on his face.
I put on my shoes and took out a folding umbrella from my bag.
I put it in the open umbrella with Maeno-kun, and as we passed the gate, we let out a big sigh of relief, as if we could finally catch our breath.
'That's third-year students Kurotetsu-senpai and Saionji-senpai, isn't it!'
Ichinose-kun, who was under Ichika's umbrella, spoke up excitedly.
Ichika also spoke up as if riding along with him.
I was so surprised! I never thought that Hanamiya-san and the seniors knew each other. Didn't they seem to get along really well?
Right, right! Oh, seriously! Tanaka's guy was aiming at Hanamiya-san, but even if he didn't do anything, he still got his heart broken, he's a hard guy!
Tanaka-kun is from that baseball team? I can only say don't worry about it.
I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to get him to talk to you. I definitely can't do that.
“I can't either. I'll have to come up with some reason and run away on the way.
The two, who were still excited about the scene they had just witnessed, were exchanging their opinions with each other.
I just couldn't say anything and just followed Ichika and Maeno-kun without saying anything.
That information is old. Misuzu has been replaced by Shiratori, who is now free.
Both of them are very beautiful senpai! I'm sure she's free now. I don't understand how a popular guy would break up with her so soon!
Someone said Kurotetsu-senpai had a fight with someone from another school the other day.
I know about that too. I heard he was a student at Karasuyama High School.
“Wow, Karasuyama High School, famous for its delinquents? And they won, right? That's amazing.
I bet those people don't understand the problems of ordinary people like us…
I agree.
How do you two know so much information? What? I'm stuttering.
I knew Ichika had a certain amount of information because she often talks to various people and gets along well with seniors, but she knew that much in detail! I had no idea!
Ichinose-kun has great information too…. What is it with you two? I've never heard of such a rumor…. Who gave you that information?
And Karasuyama is that high school for delinquents, right? You mean you got into a fight with those people? Eh, strong…. Toraga is strong…… I knew he was strong, but the game world and the real world are totally different. I actually know that high school and I know that the people from Karasuyama are strong people in fights, so it's even more so.
As I was listening for more information about Toraga, Maeno-kun started talking to me.
You two know a lot of things, don't you?
I've never heard of such rumors. I've never heard of such rumors, so I wonder where he gets his information.
I know, I thought so too! I'm so uninformed, I thought I was the only one who didn't know.
Maeno-kun puts his hand on his chest and talks to me with a reassuring smile on his face.
He has a cute face, so that kind of gesture really suits him. He is so cute. It's a shame to leave him as a man.
I'm not well-informed either, so maybe we're the only ones who don't know about it.”
“…Are you saying that everyone is trying to keep us in the dark? That's so scary! That's very scary!
“Maeno-kun, you stay the same from now on…I'll get the information from Ichika…”
“Wow, that's not fair! I'll get information from Ichika. I'll get information from Ichinose too!
Maeno-kun was easier to talk to than I expected.
After that, we talked about manga and the TV show we watched yesterday, and we ended up at Ichinose-kun and Maeno-kun's destination.
See you tomorrow. Ichika waved her hand and we parted, and then Ichika spoke to me with a smirk on her face.
She said, “Didn't you and Maeno-kun seem to be getting along very well?”
Ichika and Ichinose-kun will beat you to it.
We are childhood friends, so it doesn't matter! The actuality that you can't get a girlfriend is that you can't get a girlfriend. How are you doing?
“Well, I don't know…”
We're already in our second year of high school. Summer will be here soon, and you want a boyfriend before then!
I don't want a boyfriend. I'm going to spend this summer alone.
What are you talking about with your JK brand on your back? I'm going to take the entrance exam next year, so this is my only chance. I'll get a boyfriend, so if I do, don't whine about it later!
I won't say it. Ichika, don't be in such a hurry to get caught by a bad guy and cry, be careful.
I'll do my best to be careful.
I couldn't help but laugh. I had no choice but to laugh.
We laughed and went to our respective houses.
We took off our shoes, wet socks and uniforms, and changed into loungewear.
I checked the refrigerator to make sure there was enough food in the fridge, grabbed a drink, and headed back to my room.
I didn't want to lie on the bed without a bath, so I lay down on the floor using a cushion as a pillow.
I fumbled with the cell phone in my hand and noticed that I had a text message and an incoming call.
I wondered what the message was, and saw that it was from Toramasa.
I looked at the text in a panic, wondering if something was wrong, and there was a short sentence as usual.
'Boyfriend, huh?'
The e-mail came after the phone call, so he must have called to tell me this.
I hurriedly replied to the e-mail.
I'm all about Toraga. I can't think of liking anyone other than Toraga right now. I can't even think of a boyfriend, and I don't need one if I can stay by Toramasa's side.
I didn't want my feelings to be misinterpreted.
I don't.” “No, I don't.”
I wanted to withdraw it right away, so my text was unusually short, just like Toraga's. I think this makes me sound cold.
I thought I should have written more words. I thought I should have written more words after I hit the reply button.
I immediately received a call from Toramasa, and I picked up the phone right away.
No, that's not him! He's not my boyfriend!
I said before he could say anything.
I said this before Toraga could say anything else.
I know I've told you many times, but I love you! I can't imagine liking anyone else but you! It's impossible for him to be my boyfriend! I can't imagine him as my boyfriend! I can't imagine it!”
The other end of the phone was silent.
I waited for Toramasa to say something.
After a few seconds, Toraga opened his mouth.
He was speaking very loudly.
Oh, I'm sorry…”
It seems that I had become loud in the heat of the moment. I'm sorry…
You're not my boyfriend, and you're going home together under the same umbrella?
That was because Maeno-kun said he didn't have an umbrella, so I put it in there.
Is his name Maeno?
Yes, Maeno-kun. He was cute, like a chipmunk.
There was another couple, wasn't there? Shouldn't the man and the boy have used the same umbrella?
I think the boy Ichinose-kun is in love with my friend Ichika…. So I thought it would be better to share the same umbrella.
I should have just let him get wet in the rain.
I'm sorry if you catch a cold from that!
Toraga was annoyed and spoke in an irritated tone.
The way he said it, it sounds as if he is jealous of Maeno-kun. Perhaps I think that because that is what I desire. I still wanted to think that maybe he was jealous of me.
I want to dream, just a little, that I am a mob. I wanted to be jealous of Toraga, not jealous of his romantic feelings, but jealous of his friendship.
It's none of your business.
Because Ichika asked me to let Maeno-kun in, you know? If I catch a cold because of that, it's obviously my fault!
You like me, don't you?
Yes, I've said it many times, but I love you more than anyone else. I love you more than anyone else in the world.”
Then don't be so friendly with other guys.
You're mine.
You're mine.
You're mine.
My heart pulsed painfully at Toraga's words. The most important thing to remember is that you should not be afraid to ask for help.
I'm not sure if it's a matter of being jealous or not, but I'm not sure. Is this jealousy? A friend? Is it jealousy that I don't want someone I know to be stolen from me?
I was a mob in the game, and we were never really involved at all, you know?
In this life, I was a character in a game, and now the person I love recognizes me and thinks I'm his, even if just a little bit. Isn't that great?
I'm so happy.”
Those were the words that came out naturally.
“Toraga-san said it's mine…”
I was so happy that I cried.
With that one word, I felt as if my existence had meaning.
I wonder if Toraga also felt this way when the main character recognized him?
That would make me happy, wouldn't it? I think he would cherish the heroine for the rest of his life. I can really understand how Toraga is feeling right now. I'm so happy.
When I heard you crying, I felt like an idiot.
I was crying from happiness, and Toraga, who had been silent for a long time, clicked his tongue and said so.
What do you mean by that?
Nothing.”
The way he said it was so blunt. The tone of voice became softer and the words were somewhat reassuring. The tone of his voice softened and became reassuringly gentle.
You're not mad at me anymore?
Ah….
I'm glad…”
I was relieved.
Even just being angry at someone is mentally taxing, but being angry at the person you love is even more mentally taxing.
When I felt relieved, I got hungry.
I'm hungry now that I'm relieved.”
I said jokingly, hoping to soften the somewhat awkward atmosphere.
Then Toraga suggested, “Wanna go out for a bite to eat somewhere? I let out a strange voice and said, “Heh! I let out a strange voice.
No, it's true that I had gone to a family restaurant with Toramasa at first, right? But that was forced or coerced, and it had nothing to do with my will. I didn't even know about the pancakes until I went there.
…Does that mean I'm being invited to dinner by Toraga for the first time? Huh? No way! I'm definitely very nervous and scared, but I want to go! I want to see Toraga live for the first time in a long time!
I want to go!
“Well, what about the location?”
I'll leave it to you, Mr. Toraga! I'll follow you anywhere!”
As he said this, a voice on the other end of the phone sounded as if it was trying to hold back laughter.
I guess I'll have to stop after all.”
When he told me this, my joy was replaced by despair. What Toraga says is absolute. If Toraya said he would go, I would gladly follow him, but if he said he would stop after all, I would have no choice but to obey him.
What a disservice. Oh, wait, I'm pretty depressed. I was expecting to see Toraga in the flesh until a while ago, so now that I know I won't be able to see him, I feel like a living corpse. Ugh, it's hard. My life is already zero due to the attacks from my guesses…. Please don't draw any more monster cards…. Someone…someone please give me a potion. I don't care if it's herbs.
I'm going to bed now because I'm a bit deeply traumatized. …… Good night…”
Your reaction is really interesting.
I'm glad you're pleased. …… If Toramasa-san is happy… then one or two of my heartbreaks are nothing. ……
Yeah, yeah. If it makes Toraga-san smile, I'll even show him how to do a bungee with no strings attached. I'll do anything as well as a comedian on a variety show. What shall we do next? Diving in a fire ring? Kiss a bear? Or eat a snake dish…. I can do anything now….
The difference between now and then is staggering.
I hear Toramasa laughing on the other end of the phone. Oh my God, he's so cool.
I'm starting to feel a little revived after hearing that voice. I'm not sure what that means, is Toramasa a white magician who can use recovery magic or something? The damage I just received from Toramasa is disappearing…. What is this, candy and whip? A whip and candy? Is he some kind of new type of Kamaitachi, where you let your opponent get hurt and heal yourself?
By “stop,” I mean, do you want to stop going somewhere to eat?
“…? What do you mean?
'You're likely to meet someone you know at this time of night, aren't you?'
No one knows about our relationship that we don't get involved with at school.
The first family restaurant was really a good thing because I didn't happen to know anyone there, and when we had pancakes, we went to a place a little far from the high school I go to, so I didn't meet anyone I knew when we met alone.
I didn't think that much about the possibility that we might meet someone I knew, and I responded with a stupid “I see! I replied, “I see! I'm an idiot! Don't stretch the end of your words! Are you a kindergartener or a …… high school student? I see! I see! Short and brisk like a military man!
As I was having this conversation with the other me (in military mode) in my mind, Toramasa spoke out over the phone, “So come to my house.
So come to my house.”
It was the second time I heard those words, but a different shock hit me than the first time.
Last time, Toramasa had called me when he was unable to make a calm decision. This time, however, he made a calm decision to invite me to his house…I don't think he was going to do anything. It is a woman's intuition to think so. I dropped my cell phone on the floor and slammed my head against the wall without knowing why.
I am supremely confused. My head hurts. That means I am not dreaming. But maybe this is a dream. I hit my head a few times and put the phone, which I had dropped on the floor, to my ear.
I'm sorry, I was a little confused.
I heard something. Did you hit the wall or something?
No, I was just hitting my head.
Don't do the head. What if he gets any weirder?
Oh, Toraga-san is worried about me!
I'm mainly worried about my head, though. What are you going to do?
I said, “I'm going!
I answered immediately, “I'm going! I answered immediately and raised my right arm to the ceiling.
I have not a single regret in my life. …… With tears in my eyes, I prayed for world peace.
Huh? You have no idea what I'm talking about? Don't worry, I have no idea what I'm talking about either. But you know what? You have to feel this with your heart.
Go to the house of your guess. That is the realm of God. It means I am about to enter the realm of God. I may die…but I cannot refuse this invitation. If I don't go now, I will definitely regret it.
After I finished talking with Toraga on the phone, I took a bath in a second and changed my clothes in a second.
