Gamers Volume 2 Chapter 6 Part1

Gamers and Flying Get [1]

TL: qbomb
Editor: Deus Ex Machina

"Sorry, but I just want to be good friends."

"Eh~, what the h.e.l.l, mou!"

When my third confession failed, I looked up and threw a tantrum. Even though I was rejected, my reaction was excessive, stubborn, and rude… but it's nothing to be worried about.

After all, the person I was confessing to was a 2D heroine inside of a monitor.

…Don't tell me that this is really pathetic. I'm aware of it myself; after all, I'm sitting here by myself, cursing at a dating sim because I don't know what to do.

But even though I'm aware of it, I can't stop shouting at the screen.

"What's so bad about me…"

Collapsing on my bed face up, I mumbled like a sn.o.bby secondary character as I vacantly gazed at the controller that dropped from my hand.

It's been five days… since I started the dating sim "Golden Tricks". As for my progress, I've captured one heroine a day. I waited until the time was right to start capturing the last heroine, which was my favorite. However, the result of the three confessions to the blond honors student, Frau Heavenly, was…[2]

I groaned while I scratched my head and pulled on my hair in frustration.

"Ah~, mou, I don't get it.. I have no idea where I made the wrong choice."

In the beginning, my goals was to capture last heroine in one go without any mistakes. But… I made a mistake sometime, and my confession scene failed.

In my surprise, I thought about the choices I made and tried to figure out where I failed. In my second attempt, where I meticulously thought over my choices and was careful about what I said… I was rejected again.

When things got to that point, I realized that I was making some fundamental mistake, and I over-enthusiastically challenged it for the third time. Using the quick save and load function, I closely examined all of Frau's reactions from each of the possible choices and intentionally tried my best to stay away from all the other heroines. My perfect confession—was a tragic s.h.i.+pwreck.

I threw myself onto the bed while badmouthing the game.

As the strangely melancholic and simplistic ending credits of the bad end rolled, I let out a big sigh.

"(…Why did things turn out like this… Of all people, why am I only bad at this character…)"

While looking up at the ceiling, I got mad at myself, Amano Keita, for being in this miserable state. It may appear over-the-top for a simple dating sim game, but…

To be honest, Frau looked similar to Tendo-san.

"(…After leaving the heroine that looks like Tendo-san for last, I was tragically rejected…)"

Actually, none of the reviews and the rumors say that Frau's route was difficult in any sense. In other words, none of the other players had any difficulties clearing her route. I was the only person stuck. I don't understand how a woman's heart works at all. …No, that's wrong. Rather than "a woman's heart", "Tendo-san's heart" would be more accurate. After all, I was able to capture the other heroines without any problems.

Even in this situation, the fact that I had to look up information on the last heroine is irritating. Having said that, going through the game once again takes 40 minutes, even if I skip through all the dialogue. I don't have a strategy in mind, nor do I have the energy to go through the game a fourth time.

"…Hah."

I let out a big sigh and turned off the console.

Feeling dead tired, I stayed on my bed and started playing a social network game.

"Amano, don't call this a love consultation."

When my curt friend responded like that, I clung onto him in a panic saying "no no no"and held him back.

It was after school on Wednesday. When I went to go spend my time doing nonsense, or in other words, go to the Gamers Hobby Club, I gathered up my courage and went to Uehara-kun for consultation, but his response was really cold.

After making sure that I had time before Chiaki comes, who was in another cla.s.s, I kept trying to get him to talk to me.

"I'm not here for anything like that. I-I think this'll help me get closer to Tendo-san. Please?"

Uehara-kun ignored me, who was desperately clinging onto him, and casually picked at his ear with his pinky.

"I mean, since you have a real girlfriend, Uehara-kun, capturing a heroine in a dating sim should be a piece of cake, right? Please teach me nicely, Uehara-kun."

"…Amano."

"Yes?"

Uehara-kun suddenly let out a big sigh and shook his finger while saying, "Oh my"… He then crossed his arms and started to talk like he was about to criticize me.

"I'm going to tell you the shocking truth starting now, which may be a bit of a surprise for an otaku like you."

I sensed that he would say some harsh words, so I looked away and tried to stop him in a panic.

"Oh… S-sorry, you really don't have to help! I don't want to hear!"

"A dating sim game—"

"Ah, ah, ah, I-I can't hear you—"

"—doesn't actually simulate real life dating!"

"Don't say it!"

Having been stabbed by the harsh truth, the herbivorous young boy trembled.

Uehara-kun looked down at me with a pitiful gaze as he continued to talk.

"So, even though I have a girlfriend—Rather, because I have a girlfriend, I can't give you advice about dating sims. Even though they look similar… they're two completely different things!"

"Gyaaaaaaaaaaa!"

When Uehara-kun told me what I had been suspecting, I put my head on my desk, feeling crestfallen….

…I then groaned.

"Then… then, all the experience I've gotten from the game about talking to girls is…"

"Sorry, Amano. Actually, the experience you got is only for your interaction level with the heroines… in reality, your interaction level with girls hasn't increased at all!"

"W-what!?"

"The opposite is also true. So, I'm not able to give you advice. You're probably way better at dating sims than I am. Yo, Simulation G.o.d!"

"What kind of disgraceful nickname is 'Simulation G.o.d'!? I-I'm not a 'Simulation G.o.d'!"

"By the way, Amano, how many gal games have you completed just during your second year?"

"Um… around 40?"

"Congratulations, Amano."

Suddenly, Uehara-kun handed me a sheet of paper. In big letters, the words "Simulation G.o.d" were written in huge letters with a sharpie. It's something like a certificate.

After Uehara-kun saw me slump my shoulders, he said "Well, it's just a joke", and continued talking.

"Actually though, I don't know even if you ask me. I don't do those kind of gal games."

"Y-you're kidding. Don't be shy and just say it honestly—"

"No, I'm serious. Really. Or rather, it's just Amano-kun. A normal boy wouldn't play gal games at all. Your sense of values are clearly biased because of your otaku nature."

"T-then where do normal boys vent their feelings of desire for girls—"

"Normally, it's AVs."

Although I felt dazed momentarily, I regained my wits and let out a sad sigh in disappointment.

"…What is with the youth of j.a.pan these days…"

"No no no, that's what I should be saying to you."

"It would be better if it was an eroge…"

"No, it's your tastes that are strange. Simply speaking, you're different. In a sense, your preferences are hardcore."

After talking like he was amazed, Uehara-kun cleared his throat and returned to the main point.

"In the first place, why are you being so stubborn, Amano? If you're coming to me for advice, just ask online first."

It was a reasonable opinion, but I said, "No," while I scratched my cheek in embarra.s.sment.

"This kind of adventure… especially for things like heroines of dating sims, feels a lot more empathetic to make my own decisions while looking over the choices instead of following a guide…"

"Hoho, so in other words, you want to learn how to become friends with Tendo-san by yourself. What a man."

My heart jumped up when he got it exactly right. I tried to deny it in a panic.

"N-no, what are you saying!? I'm talking about the game, the game!"

While trying to smooth over the situation, I reflected on my actions. I realized that I had superimposed reality onto games more than necessary, and that I had dug myself into a hole that I couldn't get out of.

I let out a sigh, thinking about how this whole situation was pathetic. Looking bothered, Uehara-kun scratched his head and started to talk again.

"If you feel troubled about trying to use your experience capturing heroines in real life, just worry about reality itself. That would work much better."

"? What do you mean?"

"I mean. …Isn't it about time that you approach Tendo herself?"

"Eh…"

My eyes spun at Uehara-kun's suggestion.

"What are you saying, Uehara-kun? Right now, I'm less than a flea to Tendo-san, so if I were to go up to her now… I still need to learn how to talk to girls. Did you forget?"

"I didn't forget. I'm telling you this because I didn't forget."

"What do you mean?"

"…What do I mean? …Hah. You…"

"Hmm?"

Uehara-kun looked at me with an expression that seemed to say, "How did you not realize yet?"

And then… he approached the crux of the matter.

"Don't you already talk to Tendo rather normally compared to other girls?"

"—Eh?"

I froze for an instant, thinking about what he said. During that pause, Uehara-kun continued to talk.

"Well, Hos.h.i.+nomori goes without saying… and I don't really know much, but I've seen you talking to Aguri. And then… I mean, you talked to Tendo when you guys met and went to play medal games, right?"

"Y-yea, we did go play medal games together, but…"

What is Uehara-kun trying to say? For a mob character like me to talk to Tendo-san normally… wait… …

"Comparatively!?"

"You just noticed!?"

I stood up from my chair with a clang and shouted, eyes wide. Uehara-kun also replied in surprise.

I-I guess that’s true. When we were playing medal games, I was nervous as always and experienced strong feelings of awe, but I feel like I was able to properly communicate. Well, though that may be true, the mood wasn't very good. Eventually, it became a compet.i.tion between the two of us. In other words, I ended up losing and showed her my disgraceful side. Yea.

I was going to tell him that, but Uehara-kun said "No, that's not what I meant", and listlessly ma.s.saged the back of his neck.

"I wasn't talking about winning or losing. Because you two played together without special reasons like 'club activities', I think you have already fulfilled the requirements to be considered as 'friends' now."

"U-umm, is that so?"

Honestly speaking, I've never thought about how close I am to Tendo-san. Every time we meet, I only think about my temper or about how I should act.

Since we're pretty much "acquaintances", I've always talked and acted like such, but… well, it's not like there's anything more than that between us. Rather, I often think that she still hates me.

Also, the reason why Tendo-san is getting close to me is… probably because she wants to get closer to Uehara-kun.

She's employing the tactic of "If you want to aim for the general, aim for his horse first" to get closer to him and be able to communicate with him. How much can you consider this as "becoming closer"?

However, I can't talk about this things with Uehara-kun himself, so all he sees is that Tendo-san and I are getting along.

"(Mou, this is why the protagonist of a love comedy that doesn't understand the girl's heart is…!)"

While I was groaning, Uehara-kun looked at me with an exasperated expression for some reason.

"…Is the hurdle of 'friends.h.i.+p' too big for you?"

"Uu…"

Leaving aside Tendo-san's love, there might be some truth to his words. There might be, but…

"But the other person is Tendo-san, you know?"

"Whether it's Tendo or a princess, in the end, it's just another person."

"But I'm like a small flea to Tendo-san, or rather, just a big slug…"

"Even if that might have been the case when you rejected her invitation to the Gamers Club, I don't think it's still like that. You know, Tendo doesn't really hate you. If she hated you, would she invite you for a walk?"

"Since she met an acquaintance by chance on the street, she probably invited me out of kindness."

For some reason, Uehara-kun said, "Are you serious…" and held his head. It seems like Uehara-kun was really always worried about my relations.h.i.+ps with other people…

"…I'm really happy that Uehara-kun became my friend."

"Why do you only say nice things to me!?"

He took a few steps back, his face turning red. Right… friends.h.i.+p between men should be more manly, yea. Manly… friends.h.i.+p between males… …

"Uehara-kun, do you want to enter a bath with me?"

"Are you serious!? You're not being serious, right!?"

Uehara-kun pushed aside the chairs and desks in front of him as he scrambled to get away from me. Our cla.s.smates that were still in the cla.s.sroom were all looking at us.

As I looked around the room and bowed apologetically to try to fix the situation—

"Oh, uh, Chiaki?"

—I called to the seaweed-haired girl, who was, surprisingly, standing at the entrance of the cla.s.sroom.

Uehara-kun's eyes widened in shock. For some reason, Chiaki's cheeks dyed red, and after looking back and forth at me and Uehara-kun…

"Um… that, that! I-I have something to take care of, so… um, um, that… g-goodbye—!"

She suddenly bolted from the room.

I didn't understand her reaction, so I tilted my head, confused. Uehara-kun, however, was opening and closing his mouth like a goldfish… Suddenly, not caring about his surroundings, he shouted out loud with all his might.

"I can't let things end like thiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssssssssss!"

While I was surprised, he immediately rushed back to his seat, picked up his bag, told me "The Gamers Hobby Club is over for today!", and rushed after Chiaki desperately.

I was still confused about the situation. When I could no longer hear Uehara-kun's footsteps in the hall, I finally realized what had just happened.

"Ah, d.a.m.n…! This is definitely that…!"

Even if I may be oblivious about myself, I have some confidence in recognizing other people's relations.h.i.+ps.

With a gulp, I rested my chin on my clasped hands and mumbled with conviction.

"This is a flag that Uehara-kun and Chiaki's love is deepening…!"

A girl who blushes and run away, and a boy who shouts "I can't let things end like this!" and chases after her. I can't mistake this for anything else, Isn't this definitely an decisive scene before the ending? Or rather, isn't this a bad ending?

"Ah… mou, what should I do…!"

I pulled at my hair for a short while.

Even though I felt uneasy… I reluctantly decided to contact Aguri-san.

Tendo Karen

"So, no matter how many times you ask, I won't go out with you. …Huh? A trial period, is it? Honestly, outside of professional relations.h.i.+ps, I find that way of thinking disgusting. 'Trial'… don't you think that's rude to the other person?

"…No, I've already said this before. I don't want to date anyone. …'Then isn't it fine'…? …Hah. I'm shocked.

"Do you even understand what I'm saying? Just to make it clear, I'll tell you my final answer once again.

"I do not want to go out with you.

"…Hah? If you win the upcoming tournament? …Hah. I don't understand someone like you.

"What do you think I am? Is it fun to look at people as an 'extra prize' at some tournament?

"It's great that you're good at boxing. I think it's respectable.

"But that's a completely different issue than my own emotions. Right?

"You want me to watch your game? You'll win for my sake? No thank you. Yes, no thank you. No, I don't dislike boxing. I am simply saying that as of now, I am not willing to sacrifice my personal time just to watch your match. After all, why would I spend my day off watching someone I barely know in a match?

"What? You want to… start by being friends?

"…No, I'm not sure about that. In the first place, what do you mean by "friends"? Since I didn't want to go out with you, you're trying to… get closer to me by any means possible, right?

"Unfortunately, I do not want to be that kind of friend.

"I'll say this honestly… I am fully aware that what I am about to say may be rude, since this is our first time meeting, but I will still be direct.

"Frankly speaking, I don't want to be friends with you.

"Our sense of values are different… or more importantly, I feel like we wouldn't click. Obviously, a friend doesn't have to have the same hobbies and preferences, but I think it's very important that their human nature is compatible.

"In that sense, and although it may be unfortunate, after having heard your confession, I do not think that I like your personality.

"So, taking all my earlier points into consideration, I—wait, what?"

I suddenly realized that Andou-san, who was in the boxing club from a different school, had disappeared from my vision.

"You're as unpleasant as the rumors said! Ah, no, please stop!"

While hurling insults, Andou san ran out of the cultural clubs building, the floorboards creaking with every step.

While sighing, I looked at his back until he disappeared from my sight. Suddenly, I felt someone pat my shoulders from behind.

"Good work, Tendo-san."

"? Oh, Misumi-kun. You're early."

Turning around in surprise, I looked at Misumi Eiichi-kun, who was standing still with an awkward and strained smile plastered on his ever refres.h.i.+ng face.

Noticing his expression and the nuance in his words, I asked him a question, feeling slightly ashamed.

"…Did you see?"

"Uh-huh. I felt guilty, but… in the corridor leading to the clubroom, it's pretty much unavoidable…"

"Yea, I guess. No, I should be the one sorry for blocking the hallway.

"Well, the only one waiting for the confession to end was me, so it's no big deal…"

Misumi-kun looked like he wanted to say something more as he scratched his cheek. When I asked him, "What's wrong?" and urged him to talk, he hesitated at first and then continued.

"Tendo-san, um… you turned him down pretty harshly…"

"Huh? Oh…"

I wryly smiled as I leaned against the wall of the hallway, trying to recover some of my depleted energy, and responded…

"I'm pretending to be a pro at love when I say this, but the worst thing you can do is to give an ambiguous answer. If you reject them gently, they'll have a strange sense of hope and the situation will become even worse…"

That was the conclusion I got from my experience rejecting countless number of people.

Misumi-kun looked impressed as he crossed his arms and muttered.

"Haha, I see. You know, Tendo-san… even I would've cried a bit when you completely rejected him."

"Uu."

I was at a loss. …I timidly asked him another question.

"Misumi-kun. Was I… really that harsh?"

Misumi-kun saw me looking uneasy and blinked in surprise.

"Eh? Yea, it was harsh, but… isn't that what you were trying to do?"

"I mean, that's true, but… …I was wondering if I've been more aggressive than necessary when I refuse these daily confessions lately."

I was trying to be sincere to those who were sincere, and harsh to the ones who were superficial, but… it's a bit of a problem if the other party thinks it's overly harsh.

Misumi-kun went "Hmm…" while scratching back of the head, feeling uncomfortable. While thinking back on the confession that just happened, he started talking.

"Honestly, when I first saw him, I didn't think so highly of him, but…"

"R-right? He looked like someone without good sense."

Yes, I wasn't wrong. My response was definitely the right one—

"But even though your compatibility may be bad, I think he had good intentions. Since Tendo-san's reply was basically a complete rejection, he got a strong impression that you were like a demon."

"Ugu!?"

An arrow deeply stabbed my chest. …C-certainly, that might be true. I didn't want to date Andou-san at all, and I didn't really like his personality, but… but, he did come to confess with pure intentions.

On the other hand, even though I was being sincere, my words of rejection may have been overkill.

Misumi-kun lightly smiled and gave me some advice.

"Before, you might've gone in while thinking, 'Reject his confession', but this time, Tendo-san went in while basically thinking 'no', right?"

"Oh… when you say it like that, I guess that's true."

"Or rather, it seems like it's become a habit. You would 'walk in and reject his confession, then give him a reason', or some pattern like that."

"…Yea…"

Something came to mind. …Oh, right. Ever since rejecting confessions became something ordinary, my thoughts unconsciously became "reject them from the beginning and keep things stable."

Misumi-kun still had a gentle smile on his face.

"I don't think it's very good to make too many habits. Even though you reject because of your original feelings, it seems like you're going in reverse."

"So you're saying that I start with the fact that I'm rejecting other people, then tell them my feelings as if I'm giving an excuse afterwards?"

"Yup, that's what I mean."

"That's certainly… an unfavorable thing to do as a person."

Lately, I… the person known as Tendo Karen, have been aware of that issue and could understand what he was talking about.

"(It's like the time when Amano-kun rejected my invitation to the Gamers Club… I can be really stubborn at times. I wonder if I'm just unable to adapt to the situation.)"

I've been arbitrarily deciding "because of this, this is probably true" for a lot of things.

Because Amano-kun likes games, he probably won't reject my invitation to the Gamers Club.

Because he plays games for fun, he probably doesn't care about winning or losing.

Because I'm going to reject their confession, it's probably better for me to start off with a complete rejection.

I thought I looked perfect at a glance because of my resolute actions, but… rather, my flexibility was lost and I became unable to react to situations

"(…My shameful actions when Amano-kun refused my invitation to the club are a perfect example of this…)"

Even now, my cheeks turn hot when I think back on that incident. Everything that happened was because of my stubbornness.

When I became depressed after having reflected on my past actions, Misumi-kun followed up in a panic.

"No, um, I wasn't saying that you should completely change how you live. Um, how should I put it… I was just saying that you should be aware of it…"

Misumi-kun stared off into s.p.a.ce for a while, then looked like he hit upon a good idea.

"How about trying to increase your awareness?"

"Increase my awareness?"

"Yea. From my perspective, it seems like you always put on this facade of "the ideal Tendo Karen", for better or for worse. Well, during clubtime, it somewhat disappears."

"Ah…"

"Whenever you have a conversation, how about taking off that facade, then feel what the inner Tendo-san is thinking? I think doing things in that order would be better."

"In other words… first, talk with my true feelings in mind and then try to apologize afterwards… right?"

"Yea. In Tendo-san's case, I think that would be better."

"…I see."

I put my hand under my chin while I thought over what he said and agreed with his words. However, Misumi-kun was muttering something at the same time.

""…If you don't, you'll never get closer to Amano-kun, no matter how much time pa.s.ses…"

"Huh? Did you say something?"

"No, it was nothing. …If you couldn't even hear that, then you definitely wouldn't hear Amano-kun… Ah, it looks grim…"

Misumi-kun said something again, but I couldn't hear what he said, so I guess it doesn't have anything to do with me.

After having finished talking for now, we went to the clubroom and started playing our respective games. However…

"Start by being honest with my feelings. Be honest with my feelings. Be honest with my feelings. Don't start with a rejection. Don't start with a rejection. Don't start with a rejection…"

I unconsciously repeated the same words over and over throughout all of club time.

Uehara Tasuku

"S-s-sorry, I seem to have jumped to a wrong conclusion…"

"Yea, completely wrong."

I let out a sigh in exhaustion while standing next to the apologetic Hos.h.i.+nomori.

We were walking side by side towards the downtown area, with the school building dyed by the rays of the setting sun behind us.

Hos.h.i.+nomori usually took the bus in front of the building, but it looks like she has some shopping to do today. So, I walked with her and cleared up her BL suspicions, and thus we arrived at the current situation…

I stole a glance at the girl walking next to me and sighed in my mind.

"(…In the end, I'm walking with Hos.h.i.+nomori again. How strange.)"

Usually, I would hang out with my girlfriend Aguri every day after school, but our relations.h.i.+p got strained a short while back.

That's still how things are these days. As soon as I realized my love for Aguri, our time together rapidly decreased, and somehow I started spending more time Amano and Hos.h.i.+nomori.

"(This can only be G.o.d's hara.s.sment…)"

I'm not a devout person, but I can't help but think that this foolish situation is someone's foolish prank that is changing our fates.

"(And what does this G.o.d even want to do in the end? Even though the thread of destiny clearly links Amano and Hos.h.i.+nomori, he's still creating other opportunities between Amano and Tendo, as well as me and Hos.h.i.+nomori.)"

Oh, and Amano and Aguri recently. …What a complicated mess. What kind of youth report is this?[3]

I noticed that my serious middle school self with his hair parted to the side within me was looking at this and laughing through his nose. No, my middle school self. I know. I wish that a ghost shark would quickly come and attack these party people in this love web at a beach resort.

However, I want you to look at this situation again, my old self. You'll notice something right away.

All the characters in this love rectangle or whatever—none of them have had their first kiss yet.

If I said in the style of Kitano Takes.h.i.+'s movies, it would be "Everybody, virgin". What is this, Miura Jun's world view? Ah, yes, yes, did you know that the word "virgin" originally applied to girls as well, my old self?[4]

…Hey, don't look at me with those eyes, my middle school self. This is far from being a youth report or a high school report; don't say that this is on the level of a middle school student's diary. That'd be rude. …to the middle schooler's diary.

Anyway, it's like we are currently mixed up in these really ridiculous, soap opera-like circ.u.mstances, and then producing relations.h.i.+ps using love tips from something like "Sawayaka 3 k.u.mi".[5]

I put my hand to my forehead as I felt a headache coming. Hos.h.i.+nomori noticed and looked at me in worry.

"U-uehara-san, are you alright? Are you sick or something…?"

"Hmm? Oh, no, it's nothing. It's just that… I was suddenly hit by the cruelty of this world."

"Oh, so you were being attacked by something after all."

Hos.h.i.+nomori came to a conclusion by herself and nodded. I no longer have the strength to fix her misunderstandings.

The surroundings gradually became more busy as we headed towards downtown. Suddenly, I started talking about a topic that I've been thinking about for a while now.

"By the way, what do you think of Amano lately—"

"I wish he'd get on a Capcom helicopter already."[6]

"Still want to kill him, huh."

Their fate seems to be in a direct retreat. Definitely not going well in any way.

As soon as I brought up the topic of Amano, her mood immediately became worse as she continued talking.

"I still can't understand how Keita has a super cute girlfriend like 'Aguri-san'."

"O-oh, I don't understand that either…"

In a different meaning from Hos.h.i.+nomori, though. I tried to keep talking, but she went "Right!?", and took initiative of the conversation.

"This is really strange! Even now, when I remember Keita's useless, self-confident expression while he talked fondly about his love, I'm so irritated, irritated!"

"…I-is that so? …H-hey, Hos.h.i.+nomori. Are you sure you weren't misunderstanding…"

"It was the first time seeing a boy look so d.a.m.n proud while talking about his girlfriend!"

"? Huh? What's wrong, Uehara-san? You don't look very good."

"No… it's nothing. Yea. …Let's change the topic."

"Haa, well, it's fine, but…"

Hos.h.i.+nomori replied, looking curious. I let out a big sigh, prepared my heart, and asked her another question, but from a different angle this time.

"Then, what do you think about Tendo?"

She replied while playing with the curly tips of her hair.

"Tendo-san? Hmm… What, you ask? We're cla.s.smates, but we never talk, so… well, if you were to compare us, I would be like a pile of trash…"

"Wow, even your self-awareness is the same."

"Um, but, I do respect her. Since we both like games, if she became my friend one day, even though that thought is more or less… but, that would be really amazing! P-p-please forget what I just said!"

"…Go out with Amano already. Please. It's not even on the level of just being 'suitable'."

"? Um, how'd you reach that conclusion from this conversation?"

Hos.h.i.+nomori tilted her neck, looking completely lost. "Well, is that so? I don't understand." I don't feel like explaining if she said that. No matter what I say right now, I know that it won't affect how these two view each other.

After walking in silence for a bit, it was Hos.h.i.+nomori who spoke up first this time, though looking uneasy.

"U-uehara-san, what do you think? About… Tendo-san."

"Huh? My… impression of Tendo?"

I blinked in surprise from the unexpected question and repeated her question. Hos.h.i.+nomori looked down in embarra.s.sment, and nodded slightly. …Well, I don't really see why she asked the question, but…

No, wait. Perhaps…

"(As a person who's close to Amano, is she asking because she unconsciously views Tendo as a rival?)"

Hos.h.i.+nomori seems to have misunderstood Aguri as Amano's girlfriend for some reason (…haha, right?), but on the other hand, the radar of her mind must have perceived Tendo as the true rival.

If that's the case… There's only one response I can give.

I suddenly stopped, drawing Hos.h.i.+nomori's attention.

I fearlessly smiled, and—with all my power, I will fan the flames of rivalry within her heart!

"I think Tendo Karen is the best girl there is. No boy can avoid falling in love with her!"

"As I thought, Uehara-san thinks that of Tendo-san…!"

Hos.h.i.+nomori's face became pale after receiving some kind of shock.

"(Oh, isn't this a pretty good response? It's proof that she's aware of Amano.)"

After looking at her state and confirming my thoughts, I unintentionally let out a laugh.

"Fufu…"

"Ugh! That delightful smile on Uehara-san's face… it's… it's my first time seeing such an expression…"

Hos.h.i.+nomori was unsteady on her feet, which was a reaction somewhat beyond my expectations. Hey, isn't that great? As I thought, she's actually very conscious of Amano.

Feeling satisfied, I patted her head to cheer her up from her depressed state.

"Cheer up, Hos.h.i.+nomori. If you ask me, you're a great girl. You won't lose to Tendo at all."

"Hah… but… Well, if Uehara-san is happy… wait, what!? Fuee!?"

Hos.h.i.+nomori flushed a deep red from my words, and backed away in a panic. …Oh, s.h.i.+t. Was it bad to carelessly touch the hair of a shy girl? No, when I thought to cheer up Hos.h.i.+nomori, it seemed like she had a complex about her hair, so I touched her hair to rea.s.sure her…

"(Aguri's the type to cling onto me, so lately, my sense of distance with girls seems to have gotten a bit strange.)"

While I was reflecting on my actions, Hos.h.i.+nomori's eyes started spinning around in circles, and her body temperature shot up, as if steam would start shooting out of her head at any moment. At last, it seemed like she reached her limit. She squeezed her bag, lowered her head, and…  

"E-e-excuse me for today!"

"Ah, hey, wait—"

She dashed away even before I could stop her. …Like Tendo, is it some kind of trend for beautiful girls to leave by das.h.i.+ng away? Something like Zenryoukuzaka.[7]

"…Hah."

Feeling tired all of a sudden, I let out a sigh. I inadvertently turned around, and for the first time, I noticed that we were walking on the sidewalk right in front of a family restaurant.

"(s.h.i.+t, was I seen by a customer?)"

No, far from just being seen, the customers sitting on the side facing the road would've probably heard the conversation. Even though I felt embarra.s.sed from that possibility, I didn't have to worry about the part of the restaurant I glanced at. The table I saw had a gla.s.s and a cup of coffee, but there was no one sitting there. Did they already go home, or did they go to the drink bar…? Either way, it seems like our exchange wasn't seen.

I let out a sigh of relief. While thinking about what I should from now on, I quickly left the restaurant.

Amano Keita

"… …D-did he leave? Hurry up, Amano-chi, look!"

"Wait, don't rush me, Aguri-san! … …Oh, it looks like he left."

I peaked out from under the seats to check that Uehara-kun was leaving, and put my hand over my chest in relief.

]Aguri-san also peeked out from under the table to look outside.

We absentmindedly kneeled on the floor of the family restaurant for a short while. …And then.

"…D-dear customers?"

"Oh."

When we heard the waitress' cramped voice, we finally noticed how suspicious we looked. After sitting back on the seats in a panic, we looked at her with awkward smiles, as if to say, "There's nothing to see here."

"…P-please take your time—"

She was clearly suspicious of us. Trying to avoid getting involved with us as much as possible, the waitress quickly walked away from our table.

We kept smiling as we watched her leave… and when she disappeared into the kitchen, we both let out our breaths.

"Hah."

We both collapsed onto the table. When my gaze incidentally rested on the coffee cup, I said, "Oh".

"Was it fine… for our cups to be on the table?"

I talked while I was still collapsed on the table. Aguri-san replied, also in a similar position.

"Isn't it fine as long as he didn't see us?"

"Ah, I guess…"

We talked back and forth while looking at the ceiling, feeling out of it.

The reason being…

"(Uehara-kun is definitely cheatiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnngggggg!)"

After all, enough proof of cheating just appeared right in front of our eyes.

"(Saying that Tendo is the best girl, then smoothly patting the head of another girl… Uehara-kun, you're impossible…! If this were the KISUMAI BUSAIKU rankings, you have the potential to get first place every time!)"[8]

I can't even say anything anymore. I propped my head using my arm.

On the other hand, Aguri-san was still looking up at the ceiling, muttering something.

"Yuute imiya oukimu kouho riiyu ujitori yamaa kirape pepepepe pepepe pepepe pepepepe pepepe pepepe pepepepe pepe…"[9]

"A spell of restoration!? Or rather, what generation are you from, Aguri-san!?"

"? What are you saying? Aguri was just mumbling the words that came from the bottom of my heart in this nothingness…"

"What are the chances of that!?"

A heaven-sent child of the gaming industry was sitting in front of me, naturally spewing out spells of restoration as a means of recovery from a shocked state. It's a miracle. But the sad part is that this person has absolutely no interest in games. It's a useless miracle.

As if it was the effect of the spell, Aguri-san finally returned to her normal state and started sipping her now lukewarm oolong tea.

"Haa… the scene we just came across is rather refres.h.i.+ng…"

"Yea, definitely. Rather than worrying about trusting or doubting others, it probably feels more relaxing."

"Hey, can you not talk like you understand, you hikki otaku bocchi boy?"

"Yes, I'm sorry."

I sat up in my seat. Lately, there's one that that I've learned about human relations.h.i.+ps. That is, no matter how much time and effort you put in, there are some relations.h.i.+ps where it is impossible to get close.

Having been influenced by RPGs, I mistakenly thought that spending long amounts of time together would help a group of people trust each other and become friends.

"Amano-chi, more juice."

"Yes, right away. …Um, which one?"

"Oh, right. This is a chance for me to show my sense by picking myself. Excuse me."

—I feel like this power relations.h.i.+p will stay this way for my whole life. We'll never become lovers, close friends, or anything of the sort. This is the limit to how close we can get.

I went to the drink bar, got a mixed fruit juice drink, and put it down in front of Aguri-san after returning to our table.

"Mixed juice, huh. …And your reasoning?"

"I thought you'd like something bittersweet."

"12 points."

"So low!?"

"Feelings don't always match with what someone wants to drink; that's what a maiden's heart is—"

While talking, Aguri-san started to drink her mixed juice through the straw. As I sat down, I asked her a question.

"Then what was the correct answer?"

"A short caramel macchiato from Starb*cks."

"That's an unreasonable demand!"

"Your inability to think of such things is related to why you're bad at games, Amano-chi."

"Don't talk like you know about games, you riajuu girl!"

I also get mad if you say something like that! However, Aguri-san completely ignored my words and looked out the window as she kept sucking on her straw.

I let out a sigh, then realized that I didn't get my own drink. Reluctantly, I drank my coffee that had become cold. The bitter taste was strong, but it strangely matched how I was feeling right now.

Both of us looked out the window in silence for a while… then, Aguri-san started to talk as if she was talking to herself.

"Even then, Aguri loves Tasuku."

I didn't say anything and sipped my coffee again. …It's really bitter.

"…What should I do…"

"What should I do, huh."

I bitterly smiled and repeated Aguri-san's words. …As a loner, I didn't think that love troubles were so worrisome.

Especially the fact that the simplest solution of "Throwing away your feelings" is the worst idea.

It would be better if Uehara-kun was a hopeless boy…

I let out a sigh and started to talk.

"I'm not trying to stick up for a friend, but… I don't think that Uehara-kun doesn't mean anything bad, you know? He wouldn't ever try to hurt Aguri-san."

"That goes without saying, Amano-chi."

Aguri-san laughed and talked proudly.

"Tasuku is really good at taking care of people. That's why Aguri came to like him… He also attracts other rivals like Amano-chi."

"I see you counted me as one of Uehara-kun's heroines without hesitation."

"Eh, am I wrong, then?."

"… … I'm sorry, it terrifies me that I couldn't deny it immediately."

Uehara-kun might be stolen away! If Uehara-kun makes another gaming friend, I'm certain that I would say "Kii—! Who is it!?". I now recognize that I have some of those feelings against Chiaki. That seaweed girl is a beast. She's going to steal my position as his "well-informed game buddy".

"Amano-chi, Amano-chi, don't bite your nails with such a terrifying expression."

"Ha! Sorry, Aguri-san. What were we talking about? Were we talking about my top 1000 picks for game music?"

"We weren't talking about that, I have no interest in it, and never bring it up again for all of eternity."

"I thought we were talking about where to rank Chrono Cross…"

"We weren't."

"Personally, I want to include all the songs from Final F*ntasy 13…"

"Amano-chi, Amano-chi, can I say something?"

"What is it, Aguri-san. I won't stop talking about games so easily! The only thing that can dampen my pa.s.sion for games is something appropriately—"

"Gross."

I fell silent as my heart shattered from those five letters. Even an apology doesn't come out. I stayed silent, my hands shaking. I felt like crying.

Suddenly, a group of 6 middle schoolers sat down at the table nearby, their voices audible from where we were sitting. There were three boys and three girls. A boy, whose uniform didn't really suit him, stood up and told a joke. The girls laughed at his joke, saying "Stop that, you~".

"Amano-chi, Amano-chi, don't make such a gloomy expression."

"Eh, was I?"

"Yea, yea. Your expression was full of NEET-like hatred and envy."

"NEET-like is too much, but… well, I certainly did have some negative emotions there. Sorry. I was just wis.h.i.+ng that those students who came to a family restaurant with girls would explode."

"Amano-chi, your true feelings are leaking out. But I mean, you are at a family restaurant with a cute girl right now."

"Eh… … …."

"Eh, why are you making such an annoyed look? I'm the one that's annoyed."

Aguri-san glared at me in dissatisfaction. I thought for a bit and replied.

"No, sorry. Somehow, the 'family restaurant riajuu' is so different than what I had imagined."

"What is this new term, 'family restaurant riajuu'?"

"Just as it sounds like. I use it mainly for middle to high school students who frolic around in family restaurants."

"Wait. Amano-chi, have you never gone to a family restaurant with a friend other than Aguri…"

"I'm somewhat sorry."

She somewhat apologized. I let out a sigh and continued talking.

"Well, I am somewhat jealous that these boys and girls are laughing and having fun, but more importantly, I always think, 'do they even have enough spare cash to spend at family restaurants?' or 'just go eat at home' and feel hatred for these students who come to eat at family restaurants."

"Aren't you being excessively nitpicky!?"

"I've never thought that my thoughts were 'excessively nitpicky' in my whole life."

"No, but you're talking with a cute girl at a family restaurant right now."

"Like I said, why are you making such an annoyed expression? I'm the one that's annoyed!"

Aguri-san then glanced at the group of middle school students and sighed as she went "Well…"

"Aguri understand what Amano-chi is saying, though. Actually, Aguri was also kind of like Amano-chi back in middle school."

"Right!'

"But not all students who go to family restaurants are like what Amano-chi thinks. For example, look at that girl at the end of that seat."

I reluctantly turned towards the middle school students that Aguri-san was pointing at. As I glanced over in that direction, I saw a plain girl who was awkwardly smiling.

"For example, that girl is similar to Amano-chi, if anything. But unlike Amano-chi, she is able to go along with the flow, and she can be one of the 'family restaurant riajuu' that you talk of. The amount of effort she put in is amazing. Then, Amano-chi, do you think someone like her should also go explode?"

"That's…"

Aguri-san smiled as I struggled to reply.

"The Amano-chi right now and that girl are similar. There are a lot of things in the world you can't understand just by glancing at the situation."

"Aguri-san…"

I teared up, feeling moved from her unexpected adult-like behavior.

However…

"Wow~! Look, look, it's a belly b.u.t.ton… it's so risque!"

"Stop, you're the worst, hahaha."

"I really think they should go explode!"

I hit the table when I saw the middle school students finally take off their clothes in high spirits!

"Amano-chi, Amano-chi, you're too loud!"

"Look, Aguri-san! The 'plain girl' you were talking about is completely the opposite! Look! She's poking his belly b.u.t.ton without any restraint! Kii—!"

"Ok, ok Amano-chi! Aguri understands, so stop making matters worse!"

"I'm not making matters worse! I'm right! Absolutely right!"

"That's what I mean by making things worse!"

Aguri-san tried to calm me down as I flared up in anger.

And then, while roughly breathing, I was about to sit down, having somewhat calmed down…

"Ahaha."

Aguri-san let out a laugh, looking like she was enjoying herself.

She laughed by herself for a bit while I still felt envious of those middle school students.

While wiping tears from the corners of her eyes, she continued to talk.

"Thanks, Amano-chi."

"W-what are you talking about?"

Feeling slightly startled, I averted my gaze. However, Aguri-san continued to talk as if she saw through everything.

"No, it's nothing."

"Is that so?"

"Yea."

We both looked out the window as we conversed.

I wonder what she realized. Looking refreshed, Aguri-san suddenly said "Ok then!" in a loud voice.

"Leaving aside Aguri and Tasuku, how about her, Amano-chi?"

"Her?"

"You've resolved yourself, right? About Tendo-san."

I started to sweat and averted my eyes without answering the question. Aguri-san let out a sigh on purpose.

"…Amano-chi, don't you have any motivation? Shouldn't you be taking action?"

"Even if you say that…"

Feeling down, I glanced at Aguri-san. For some reason, she looked seriously angry. …I think that this part of her is really similar to Uehara-kun. Suddenly, I wondered if this was how it would feel to be helped for a marriage interview by an old, married couple—

"Amano-chi, are you thinking of something rude right now?"

"Of course not. I was just thinking about how Aguri-san is nice for helping out."

"I see. Then, Amano-chi, you should go make a move on Tendo-san soon."

"I take back my words. You're a demon."

I then wondered if this was how it would feel to be pestered by an annoying relative that was trying to persuade me to do a marriage interview.

Aguri-san shrugged her shoulders and continued.

"Amano-chi. Aguri was originally a really plain girl, but I changed myself with great effort. In the end, I was able to go on the attack against Tasuku and reached this point, you know?"

"So you're at this point after your boyfriend practically cheated on you, I see—"

She pinched my cheeks with all her strength. It wasn't like one of those gentle, love comedy-like pinches on the cheek; it was strong enough to have left a mark. Scary. Girls are scary.

As I rubbed my cheek with tears in my eyes, Aguri-san glared at me.

"In other words, just because you put in the effort to improve yourself doesn't mean anything will change!"

"No, but you can raise flags with heroines just by raising your parameters in Tokimeki Memorial…"

"Amano-chi. Just think about it. A girl who gets closer to a boy as soon as his looks or his parameters improve… Amano-chi, what would you think of her?"

"At the very least, I wouldn't want to be her friend."

"Then, from your point of view, is Tendo-san someone like that?"

"Definitely not!"

I strongly hit the table. Aguri-san continued, looking somewhat taken aback.

"Then you understand, don't you? Regardless of how much you improve yourself, if you don't talk to Tendo-san, nothing will come of your efforts in the end."

"I get what you're saying, but…"

If I don't talk to Tendo-san, I probably won't be able to get closer to her.

Even then, I… feel like I've gotten better at talking to other people lately (at least, enough to stop my rehab), but does that mean I can talk to the most popular girl in Otobuki High School?

In other words, isn't it the same thing as trying to challenge the last boss like a hero after feeling satisfied by becoming level 3 from defeating slimes?

As I was about to say my doubts out loud, Aguri-san crossed her arms and sighed.

"Amano-chi, what level do you feel like you should be?"

"Huh? That's… well… about level 60?"

"Then, when do you think you'll reach that stage at the rate you're progressing at?"

I couldn't say anything. Certainly, If I waited until then, my high school life would have ended.

With a somewhat sympathetic gaze, Aguri-san continued to speak.

"You know, Amano-chi, life isn't a game."

"I agree. Even then, I think that games are an amazing, fun representation of life—"

"You're too loud, shut up."

"Yes, I'm sorry."

"Amano-chi. Are relations.h.i.+ps between two people defined by things like what 'level' they are? After earning 'good points' with someone, it doesn't mean that they automatically become your friend starting from that point in time."

I was startled. Aguri-san is sharp in these areas. Even though Uehara-kun jokes around that she's a "stupid girl", she does her best to enjoy the real world, unlike me… She really understands the truly important parts.

"Amano-chi. In this world, 1 plus 1 doesn't equal 2."

"Yes."

I replied seriously to Aguri-san, who also spoke with an earnest gaze.

After a pause, Relations.h.i.+p Master Aguri-san made a declaration as I waited for her next words.

"1 plus 1 is… love!"

In that moment, the serious atmosphere of our conversation instantly vanished.

"…Hah… love?"

"It's love!"

…I guess what Uehara-kun said is true. I mean… I don't know what she meant by those words, but it felt quite lacking. She's kind of slow.

Also, her words have some kind strange indecency to them. 1 plus 1 is love. …It sounds like one of those sayings that you keep saying because they sound wise, but are actually pretty stupid when you think about it.

I made a vague smile so as not to dampen her spirits since she looked really proud.

Aguri-san nodded and continued by herself.

"Unlike games, lovers don't just pop out of nowhere."

"I'm taking you at your word, Aguri-san, but that doesn't happen in games either…"

"Shut up! That's not the point here! Amano-chi, you have to do something!"

"No, in the first place, I just want to be friends with Tendo-san… no, I just want to be recognized by her…"

"Same thing. No matter what your goal is, you have to talk to her or else nothing's going to happen."

"…Yes, but…"

I hung my head, feeling restless. Actually, I'm completely aware of my own cowardice and my indecisiveness. I know, but… it's still scary for me to try, knowing that I'll fail. It's like saying, "Alright, let's climb Mount Everest!" after buying a light down jacket from Un*qlo. That's what I'm trying to do just because I got the chance to talk to her a bit. There's so much risk involved.

Nonetheless, our conversation was going in circles. Aguri-san didn't look like she was going to give in anytime soon.

As a last resort, I changed the topic.

"Um, Aguri-san, how did you confess to Uehara-kun?"

"Eh? You're asking that? You want to hear about that? Wow. Um…"

"(Oh, dear.)"

When I saw Aguri-san bashfully playing with the tips of her hair and clearly about to launch into a long speech and talk fondly about her confession, I felt weary.

After about 30 minutes of introduction, she finally reached the confession scene.

I returned to reality and paid attention to her story, having ended my game of 'mental tetris'.

"And then, Aguri mustered up all of her courage, called out Tasuku, and said this!"

Aguri-san said with a boastful expression.

"'Uehara-kun, please go out with me.'"

"…Heh?"

I accidentally let out a tiny voice. Aguri-san interpreted that as "I didn't hear you" and said it again.

"I said, 'Uehara-kun, please go out with me', Amano-chi."

"…That's… really?"

After talking on and on about Uehara-kun, her simple confession was anticlimactic. I was dumbfounded.

However, Aguri-san just nodded to my question and continued talking.

"Well, I heard that Tasuku liked less serious girls. But, even if that wasn't the case I probably would've said the same thing."

"Isn' that way too simple for such an important confession—"

"It's the opposite, Amano-chi."

"Huh?"

Aguri-san smiled maturely unlike her age.

"The most important things are the most simple, and so they come out naturally."

I didn't say anything. Aguri-san continued in an unusually kind tone.

"That's why, Amano-chi, if you really want to become friends with Tendo-san, or to become closer… your honest feelings should naturally come out without forcing it."

"…Is… is that so?"

I've always made Tendo-san angry. But perhaps, I might not be so hopeless… unlike Aguri-san, I might have been trying too hard to get of rid of all good will towards me.

"Aguri-san, I…"

I gripped my empty cup with both hands and drank the remaining bitter liquid that was left in the bottom of the cup.

With determination, I made a declaration to Aguri-san, my friend that I respect.

"Tomorrow, I'll challenge Tendo-san, even if I fail!"

Flying Get means pre-ordering and obtaining items such as books, CDs, and DVDs before the date they officially go on sale. Frau means woman in German. So, her name means "heavenly woman". In these next few paragraphs, there are a lot of parts where I think there are references, but I don’t really watch/read too many series, so I have no idea what they refer to. If anyone knows, please comment! The j.a.panese word used for “virgin” here (童貞) typically refers to boys/males. Sawayaka 3 k.u.mi is a j.a.panese educational TV show geared towards kids. Capcom loves cras.h.i.+ng their helicopters. Zenryoukuzaka is a TV show about female idols running. KISUMAI BUSAKU is a TV show about males trying to prove how cool they are. from Dragon Quest when they were actually used.