Chapter 4 I who is dating with the girls on the holiday must be in β world line.

We already cleared 2 cases of the trial.

Maybe there will be more trials continue to come, or maybe we will be contacted at the beginning of next week.

The pitch-black hall is very cool thanks to air conditioning, it’s a bit chilly.

And yet right now, I’m watching an uninteresting live filming (a very boring action one). The reason is, I as an ordinary person come with my friends today.

A person, sitting next to me to the right is the blond-haired, big-breasted, bishoujo gyaru who is dozing off while having a good smell, Aizawa Manaha.  (bishoujo = beautiful girl) 

Another person, sitting next to me to the left, lowering her voice, who has a kemonomimi-like hairdo, Takatora Tenko ー Ten-nee.

「……」

Something like an otaku like me watching movie with 3 beautiful girls on the holiday like a riajuu, this must absolutely be β world line. I mean actually, because there is a movie version of the previously animated fleet girls today, I already allotted a bit of my allowance for that and yet…… Kuu……as expected, being concerned with beautiful girls is not a good thing. α world line where I lived, El Psy Congruu……

While thinking about such a thing. I remember the drink yesterday with those two.

「Ikuno, gochisousama! If there is an opportunity next time, I will treat you♪」

This fellow, just now she was about to say tribute, right!?

I look at Aizawa whose cheeks are loosen happily after drinking only a can of juice and think so. If I treated her another one, it seemed like she would be delighted to go to ogres’ island together with a dog, a monkey and a pheasant obediently.

Tatatatatatata ー Ban!

「Haa, haa……Kousuke, you was here today too after all……」

「Ten-nee……rus.h.i.+ng like that, what’s wrong?」

When I looked properly, they were juices, just like they was just bought, drops of water similar to sweat remained on the surface.

「Today is hot, isn’t it? Therefore, this, I thought that Kousuke must have been thirsty so I bought them!」

There are also three cans of juice that were carried, I’m surprised and look at Ten-nee’s face.

As if she’s embarra.s.sed, Ten-nee whose face became red hugs the juice and begins to fidget.

「So nostalgic. You remembered such an old story well. Certainly, that day was really hot, besides, there were many children collapsed beside us. A, other than that, Ten-nee, don’t just stay there, please enter」 When I call, Ten-nee nods *kokun* and comes over to my side by trotting.

She averts her face as if embarra.s.sed, tiptoes slightly and presents the juices carried on her chest.

I was honestly happy because of Ten-nee’s concern, I smiled while receiving all three.

「You guys, what are you doing……n? other than that, those juices are?」

Because Aizawa knows that Ten-nee is sending her goodwill to me, while smiling awkwardly.

「Ikuno-kun treated us」

The pet.i.te Ten-nee looks up at me with an amazed expression.

Because in the past, Ten-nee was very selfish and tyrannical, so it’s possible. But she once again turns towards the girls, glares at them sharply and shouts (roar) like a dog.

「Y, you guys, are you flocking on Kousuke!? W, why you girls!!」 (「お、お前たち、こーすけにたかってるのか！な、なんて女たちだっ!!」)

「Kousuke is my precious childhood friend! If you are bullying him then please quickly leave!」

「You are being loved huh, Ikuno-kun. But Takatora-san, it’s just a little misunderstanding」

「Un, that’s true, Ten-nee. I treat them willingly」

It seems like she thinks about me seriously as she looks up at me with worried eyes.

The time I helped Ten-nee who fell from the stairs, I said so to her. As if recalling what happened that time, after Ten-nee looked downward in embarra.s.sment, she separates from me after a small nod.

「Etto, what happened?」

Ten-nee startles, shakes her head meaning “it’s nothing” and looks downward.

「That’s true. If your condition becomes bad, I think you should go to the infirmary」

「So envious」

「So……envious!」

「Envious……Takatora-san, what do you mean?」

「O, only you guys, received Kousuke’s kindness. Although I’m his childhood friend, I didn’t get anything. Why, it’s you guys but why……」

Etto, this is, in other words, Jealousy (yakimochi), isn’t it?

「ano……if it’s good then perhaps, Ten-nee’s request, I will hear it once?」

「Un」

After thinking about it for a while, Ten-nee said briskly.

「A date?」

「The other day, you had a date with Aizawa Manaha after school, right? Therefore, I want a date too…… uu, no good?」

「It’s fine. If it’s good then no problem」

Ten-nee, seemingly relieved, breaks out into a smile. Her child-like face loosens, looks very cute.

「U, un……I don’t have any problem with that. Tomorrow is also a rare day-off from the club activities……」

But, a date with Ten-nee huh? Recently, we returned home together until halfway several times, but I was looking forward to it because I thought we properly created the time to talk about various things in the past. (最近、何度か途中まで一緒に帰ったことはあったけど、 ちゃんと時間設けて昔のこととか色々話したいって思ってたから楽しみだな。) 

「Then, Aizawa-san. Let’s meet at the same time in front of the station tomorrow too」

「It’s true. But, to grant Takatora-san’s wish, Ikuno-kun has to go, right? Besides, the negotiation was carried out in this room. In other words, it becomes a request to the literature club. Therefore, it’s our duty to watch over the dateーーis it wrong, I wonder?」

I’m sure that in short, she don’t want me and Ten-nee together alone.

「Besides, Takatora-san, other than you two, shouldn’t it better to have someone else, right?」

「……t, t, that」

But certainly, if she’s still nervous until that, inviting other people should be better. If so, because she could relax, I’m sure that the date will become fun too.

「O, only the first date……is special, you guys can go. But, from the second is no good……because, the second time, I will properly……have a date with Kousuke」

ーーsuch a thing happened, and I came to the theater with three beautiful girls.

But the story is not sharp and the content is too harmoniously scheduled, so I don’t feel like becoming interested at all. (けれど話にメリハリがなく內容が予定調和過ぎるせいで、一向に面白くなる気配がしない。) Thanks to that, the nodding off Aizawa who is right next to me finally falls asleep, she leans on my shoulder softly. Perhaps she is tired from her part-time job and study.

S, sleep talk? Aizawa, is like a filial daughter even in her dream huh?

「Ku…...mumuu〜〜〜」

「Fua〜〜. S, somehow, I feel sleepy a little」

Bustling about with a small voice, Ten-nee who stretched herself unnaturally also leans on my shoulder.

Ten-nee is feigning asleep and doing her best not to get exposed. But of course, it’s found out.

「……」

Both Aizawa and Ten-nee are beautiful girls whose appearance are cute, so this is the so-called “flowers in both hands” situation. Besides, these two are subtly different from the b.i.t.c.hes I dislike. Aizawa is only a target I should be cautious for the time being, and Ten-nee doesn’t restraint me actively like she was in the past.

「……」

Receiving the light emitted from the screen, the smile which is colored with various colors is considerably eerie.

Ha, hahaha……this, surely I will be told something after this.

Then, after seeing the movie, the four of us went to a karaoke boxーー

「Takatora-san, nice singer! And momos.h.i.+ro (桃白) is really great, right〜」

From a while ago, these two are singing, I and s.h.i.+nonome are in a state of listening quietly.

Even I feel unpleasant, and unwillingly begin to talk.

「It’s the same for you, right? But, rather than thatーー」

s.h.i.+nonome who finally opens her mouth after a long time has a gentle tone. But the moment her mouth comes close to my ear,

「Why was it necessary to flirt with girls while only watching a movie, I wonder?」

While keeping her smiling face as it is, she whispers with a cold voice that makes my backbone freeze. Because of that, my whole body got Gooseb.u.mps

「It, it can’t be helped, right? Because, these two leaned on my on their own」

I’m unable to say anything after she hit the bull’s eye.

「In front of me who will become your master, being *deredere* to other girls……If I’m not mistaken, I certainly told you not to do that before」

「Why must I be told that much? I still haven’t become your pet yet in particular, right?」

In order not to be noticed by the other two, while s.h.i.+nonome quietly puts her hand on my thigh and caresses it gently,

「Therefore, it’s no good……what an arrogant att.i.tude, your desire to monopolize is too strong you know!? I mean, s.h.i.+nonome is not a fragile person who becomes anxious like that, right?」

The girl wearing the navy blue one-piece looks like a powerless girl. But in fact, gentle but firm (外柔內剛 means outside – appearance is soft but inside – heart is tough) 

I was about to say while laughing, but I shut my mouth.

「Ara, perhaps you suddenly remembered something, I wonder?」

「So? Regrettable. I thought that you would want to become my pet when you saw my charm, which is my small weak point as a girl.  But well, this is an excusable thing. Because, I’m really a flawless human to the point of unimpeachable. Not having any weak point is natural」 (少しは弱いところがあった方が女の子として可愛げがあって、あなたもペットになりたがると思ったのに。)

「But it can’t be helped, right? Because it’s the truth. But because of thatーー」

「You must consider how you want to become mine」

「Fufu, say whatever you want. In the not-so-distant future, you can’t stop wanting me. This is unmistakable, wanna bet?」

Because, s.h.i.+nonome Ibuki is a cunning neat-type b.i.t.c.h who achieves her goal using schemes based on precise calculation. Don’t have any chance of success, perhaps I couldn’t say that far.

Thinking that it would be bad to be seen by the other two, I says so with a red face.

「……」

I understand that this girl is the b.i.t.c.h I dislike, and I won’t willingly need her. Despite how much of an almighty, awesome girl s.h.i.+nonome is, it’s impossible to force me to do as she wants.

Ten-nee just finished singing, and pa.s.sed the mic to Aizawa.

*hirahira* Aizawa waves both hands in front of her face  and smiles awkwardly.

「Un, that’s correct……but hora, today is Takatora-san and Ikuno-kun’s date after all,

Aizawa seems to worry for me and Ten-nee. A good girl, as expected.

Hearing those words, Ten-nee seems to remember that this is a date.

Aizawa looks at Ten-nee and *watawata* (SFX for arms flailing around, trying to cover a mistake. ) 

「U, uun……It’s fine particularly. Don’t worry」

「Etto, o……other than that Ikuno! Won’t you sing something soon? Coming to the karaoke so you might be nervous at the beginning, but after the time has pa.s.sed until now, it is already fine, right?」

「Ikuno-kun, I don’t know any popular song so I can’t help you, but because Aizawa-san also did her best, you should try to exert yourself to make the date look exciting, right?」

I couldn’t say that I don’t know anything but anime songs.

I must be having a face which lacks confidence. Aizawa smiles pleasantly to encourage.

「It’s surely so. But Aizawa-san, you look at Ikuno-kun frequently, don’t you?」

「You……by any chance, like Kousuke?」

Aizawa seems to be surprised by the extraordinary statement, but I’m the same.

「But! If she didn’t always look, the remark like the one before wouldn’t come out」

「It’s not always true, isn’t it? Because my seat is in front of Aizawa diagonally, if you think about that then it’s not a strange thing particularly」

Being gazed by the doubting eyes, Aizawa who looks absentminded blushes. And thenーー

She shouts with a loud voice.

「a」

She did her best to make the date interesting but with that, it’s indeed pitiful with that.

「T, then, hear my song! The cruel devil’s sauté!」 (殘酷な悪魔のソテー) 

Although it’s embarra.s.sing and my throat hurts, I somehow finish the song and take a breath.

「Ikuno-kun, your voice is unexpectedly good. But sure enough, the chosen songs were anime songs」

「……that’s true」

In the end, as if everyone knows that I can only sing anime songs……

「Is that so? Un, I will wait, Kousuke♪」

I leave the door and head toward the toilet. But, Aizawa runs after me,

「Are, Aizawa also go to the restroom?」

「The thing a while ago, I intend to apologize」

「Yes, it is」

Aizawa averts her eyes from me, while being restless.

I see. Simply because she thinks of Ten-nee, she said it like that.

I smile and said to her. Upon hearing that, she seems to be relieved a little.

「I see…… But sorry, it’s a lie but I thought you would be hurt by that」

When I ask, Aizawa once again looks downward and murmurs.

e, what did she say?

「Aizawa, sorry. What did you say?」

Aizawa laughs 「ehehe」 as if trying to gloss over.

「Other than that, Ikuno. I intend to order some drinks when I return, but what’s good? Because you did your best to sing, I guess you must be thirsty, I want to order everyone’s at once so please tell me」

The beautiful girls I have met up to now were also gentle to me. But it was a hypocritical perquisite to request some rewards ー but it’s different in her case. (でもそれは結局何か見返りを求めることが前提の偽善だった) 

Perhaps, is Aizawa really the beautiful girl whom I idealize?

ーーmanga, why she hasn’t returned it yet, I wonder……?

If Aizawa is truly a good girl, she’s supposed to return the precious manga she borrowed immediately according to her own words.

I think so while already knowing the answer somehow.

And, while harboring that doubt, I did my business (aka go to the toilet), returned to the room and sang my favorite anime songs, the karaoke date with Ten-nee was enjoyable.

「Kousuke, Karaoke is really enjoyable, right!?」

「Un, I also had fun after a long time. Other than that, Ten-nee, where are we going next?」

「Uーn, that’s right. But, it’s already getting dark……the next is the last one, right?」

「Gomen. It’s already this late, huh? Then, ettoーー」

「That’s right! Lastly, why don’t we go to a cafe? After all, we haven’t had anything except juice since lunch」

As if having forgotten the date, Ten-nee innocently answers like usual. (enter) It looks like we are playing normally.

Then, Aizawa who walks behind us together with s.h.i.+nonome looks around *kyoro kyoro* (sfx for turning head left and right repeatedly)

「Maa, certainly as Aizawa said…… Uーn, wellー」

「Ikuno-kun. Then there is a good place」

Aizawa seems to realize what s.h.i.+nonome wants to say, and 「a」 she lets out a bright voice.

Being told by Aizawa, I realize after thinking for a short while.

If I’m not mistaken, certainly when we solved Clair’s case, she said she would give us a service next time we come.

And, it’s decided that the four of us will head to the cake cafe 『Garnir』.

「ーーThe other day, thank you. Thank to you, I was able to reconcile with him♪」

It looks like senpai is helping to make cakes as she is wearing an ap.r.o.n.

「You seemed to be able to reconcile with your beloved boyfriend-san, that’s really good」

「No, we don’t do anything big in particular」

「I almost didn’t do anything, but it is good that we, as the literature club, seem to be helpful a little」

When I begin to talk, Senpai’s face looks perplexed.

「ano, you may be bothered but…… Do you still, do ecchi play in the clubroom?」

ーーtte, she saw when I hugged s.h.i.+nonome who sat on my knees if I recall correctly. And

「That is really a misunderstanding. Hahaha」

Looks like my creditworthiness from senpai is zero, as usual.

「Oi, Kousuke, those two also decided (the order) but which do you want?」

Ten-nee is boyish and has big-sisterly disposition (姉御肌), but her liking to sweets is really girl-like.

「Then, the price will become half as my grat.i.tude for the other day. Please take it slowly」

A short time later, senpai’s mother brings out the cake for us. On top of that, because she even treated us cold lemon tea, each of us received it thankfully while holding back. (それぞれ遠慮しながらもありがたく頂いた。) 

Ten-nee who finished eating the cake, puts both hands on her cheeks, happiness aura scatters from her melted look. Somehow, it feels like her cat-ear-like bunches of hair is shaking *bikubiku*, seeming happy.

Seems like it also suits the ojousama’s mouth, s.h.i.+nonome wipes her mouth with a napkin with satisfaction.

「I see! It’s good to see that everyone is pleased♪」

「But, I feel bad that even I also receive the service. I didn’t lend my hand to solve Amami-senpai’s problem particularly and yet……this too, is thanks to you guys. And, sono…..」

「Today, I was bad. It’s your rare day off and yet I get you to keep company…..for the time being, I’m grateful to you two…… Therefore……t, thank you」

Ten-nee must have disliked these two because she thinks they are b.i.t.c.hes who have some kind of plan and approach me. But she properly says her grat.i.tude.

「Takatora-san, don’t worry about it. Because it was fun for us too」

Maa, it’s true in s.h.i.+nonome’s case.

Meanwhile, Ten-nee still looks downward and while a side of her face is basked in the evening sun. (they are sitting at a window-side table) 

「Something to talk? To us?」

「Literature club, I think that I want to request a certain thing」

Because we truly didn’t think of being requested, we couldn’t return any words for a short while. But s.h.i.+nonome who smiled fearlessly asks first.

「T, that is……」

Because Ten-nee has fallen silent, we watch in uneasiness.

If so, there is a chance to hear who on earth is the person called 『Hanikamu Iyo』 .

Thinking so, I’m going to ask but,

「You guys, do you believe in “curse”?」

「Un」

It’s eerie enough for me to forget the matter that I was going to ask.