Chapter 4 – Game and Reality

　I retired to bed early so that my skin won’t get wrinkles from the stress. The next day, I woke up in a good mood.

　The unpleasant figure who crushed my efforts is standing on the other side of the door at the entranceway, just like yesterday

“Kii, good morning.”

　Why.

　It’s scary that nothing seems to get to him even though I rejected him that strongly. Gross.

“This, I bought it yesterday. I thought it’d suit you. This gem has the same colour as your eyes. Will you accept it?”

　Perhaps he’s confident; what he holds out with a happy-looking smile is a necklace.

　A key-shaped charm with a blue gem inserted in it is attached to a silver chain. It’s cute.

　Certainly, it’s to my liking.

　And that’s scary.

“No thank you.”

“Kii!?”

　『To think I can receive such a wonderful thing from senpai, it feels like a dream』I reflexively jumped at it, but then I came to my senses and let go, apologising with a reddened face. Was he expecting such a development?

　He’s paying attention to his smartphone, so is he trying to check the favourability rating?

　… My mood sure turned sour right from the morning. Ignore. Ignore!

“Ah, Kii! Wait, this.”

“I don’t need it! …… ah.”

The necklace dropped on the floor from the impact when I shook off his hand that was persistently trying to pa.s.s it to me.

　The silver chain tangled up, and the key-shaped charm landed in a mess.

“……”

　Silently picking up the necklace, he looked towards me with an extremely lonely appearance, like an abandoned puppy.

　I had never been looked at with such eyes before.

　What I had seen had been nothing but serene smiles.

　… What should I do?

　p.r.i.c.k, pain ran through my heart.

　Is it simply guilt, or…

　No good, these eyes are no good, don’t look at them.

“… I see you won’t accept it.”

“I will not. However… I’m sorry.” ごめんなさない gomen nasanai

　… I must escape.

　Although I don’t know why I must do so, I’ve an inkling it will be bad if I remain here like this.

　As for what will be bad, I can’t express it well.

　I broke off into a run as though to shake him off.

　Even though I know he’s the most despicable sc.u.m.

　That there’s no meaning in the things he do.

　That the likes of『a gift for a girl』is nothing special.

　That there’s nothing to be concerned about.

　Things more horrible was done to me, so the likes of that extent…

　… Even though I thought so.

　I turn back, but he isn’t there.

　Even though it’s something to cheer over… for some reason I’m not happy.

　My heart still hurts.

　The pain will not fade.

　On the contrary, the thing stabbing into my heart sinks deeper whenever I recall his sad-looking face.

“Why do I have to feel this way…”

　I give a small sigh to the asphalt my eyes are gazing at as I hang my head down.

※※※

()

　Breaktime in the interval between lessons.

　The chances of b.u.mping into that guy at this time is comparatively lower.

　It’s terrifying how I used to think『It’s lonely when we can’t meet』around this timing.

　I’m really glad that my eyes are opened now.

　I haven’t recovered from the damage this morning, but I decided to pay it no mind.

　It’s my loss if I do.

　I warned myself that it was『that kind of tactics』and I can’t be moved by them.

　I was on cla.s.s duty that day, and was requested by the homeroom teacher to move the notes and print-outs from the staff room to the cla.s.sroom.

　There’s no problem weight-wise, but the piled-up print-outs seem like they’ll slip off anytime and it made walking difficult. Just as I was troubled…

“Kii!”

“Yikes.”

　… It’s him.

　I had let down my guard thinking he wouldn’t appear. And because of that, I gave a response of rejection as though a certain scurrying black pest[1] had appeared.

　I almost dropped the things I was holding as a result. Close shave!

　When I adjusted my posture, that guy stretched his hand out towards what I was holding.

“I’ll lend a hand.”

“No thank you!”

The heck?

　He doesn’t appear concerned about what happened in the morning.

　Even though I’m suffering so much… I’m like an idiot.

　I can only let out dry laughter, haha.

　For now, I must escape from gross-man who’s saying terrifying things as he approach…!

　Ah sheesh, I want to punch him!

　What should I do? Any ideas? I look around while thinking so, and found a boy who’s from my cla.s.s nearby.

　His name… what is it?

　He’s terribly ‘average Joe’, and is much like the exemplar of background characters.

　Short black hair, neither ikemen nor unsightly, not too flashy, not too plain…

　A true『Cla.s.smate A』.

“The A-kun there!”

“Ei-kun!?”

When I called out to him, Cla.s.smate A-kun was surprised to the point that he seemed like he would spring up.

　Come to think of this, this might be the first time we spoke?

“Sorry. Hold half of this, and come with me to the cla.s.sroom!”

　For me to suddenly hand him what I was holding, he appeared bewildered.

　It may be incredibly pushy, but I’m about to get caught by gross-man who is distracted!

“Kii!”

“Let’s go! Right now!”

　We advanced with me urging him on, and somehow evaded contact.

　There’s no sign of pursuit. Just as I patted my chest, the cla.s.smate who was walking beside me while holding the papers, spoke up.

　Ah, sorry.

　I forgot about your existence for a moment.

“I was surprised that Torida-san called me『Ei-kun』.”

“I apologise for the abruptness?”

　I felt apologetic that his name doesn’t come to mind even though he’s my cla.s.smate.

　A little more and I think I can recall…!

“It-it’s fine. Really! Rather, I’m happy, actually… Can I also call you『Kii-chan』?”

“Eh?”

The moment I wondered how it come to this, I remembered.

　That’s right, his name is Itou Eita.

　I said『A-kun』, but he heard it as『Ei-kun』.

　It’s so coincidental that I wonder whether it’s a good or bad thing?

“C-can’t I?”

“Sure thing. Ei-kun.”

“Thank you! Ki-kii-chan!”

　Maybe he’s shy. His bashful look is cute.

　Besides, I’m happy to be getting along well with a cla.s.smate.

　It may have started with my discourtesy, but I’m glad it was sorted out well.

“Is that be okay?”

“Is what?”

“Kagurazaka-senpai. He seemed like he had business with you.”

“It’s okay. Because I don’t.”

“I-is that so.”

　Perhaps the curt way I spoke stunned him; he’s giving a slightly-strained courtesy smile.

　I couldn’t stop that from coming out of my mouth, but he’s probably being strangely considerate because he knows that we[2] were on good terms until recently.

“Did you guys have a fight? You weren’t getting along well recently, right?”

　The question that was asked meekly, was one that gave me a bad premonition.

　Had the people around us noticed the change between us?

　… I don’t want to attract too much attention.

“S-sorry! Sounding like I’m prying. It’s just that, it’s becoming a rumour.”

“Rumour?”

　Rumours and the like, please give me a break.

　Rumours don’t circulate with accurate details, and it’s perturbing that they say whatever they want for the fun of it.

“That Kii-chan wasn’t on good terms with Kagurazaka-senpai anymore. To tell the truth, the guys were rejoicing.”

“?”

“Ah, because Kii-chan is popular! For some reason, all the popular girls in this school likes Kagurazaka-senpai. It’s dull for the other guys, or so to speak…”

　It’s my first time hearing I’m popular.

　Ohh… I’m a little… Nah, I’m quite happy.

　I feel like I’m about to grin while laughing『Dehehe』.

　I’m also technically a capturable target with a storyline, so it might not be strange to be more or less popular?

　It doesn’t ring a bell because it’s about myself though…

　At any rate… it’s also the first time I find out that the male students are envious of that guy.

　Come to think of it, I don’t have a close male friend other than that guy.

　Perhaps that’s why it’s news to me.

　I do chat with some, but it’s only that guy whose relations.h.i.+p I had with was one whereby we would meet up during holidays.

　… It’s upsetting somehow.

　I feel like I’m finished in some way.

　I don’t need a『boyfriend』, but I do want male friends I can chat with.

“Also, there’s compliments on how your atmosphere changed and you became prettier, Kii-chan.”

“R-really!?”

　That’s delightful, really delightful.

　This means that I’ve rid myself of the cunning imouto label right!?!

　I wonder if I can take it that they do acknowledge things outside of twin tails!

“Un! I-I… think so too.”

“Really? … I’m happy to hear that.”

“Gasp!”

　I couldn’t repress my happiness, nor the grin that crept up my face.

　Ehehe, how embarra.s.sing.

　I’m getting all shy.

　It’d be perfect if only the memory of『that guy and I are on good terms』will disappear too though.

“What’s wrong?”

“N-nothing!”

　For some reason, Ei-kun’s face is completely red.

　Could it be, he has never spoken much to girls?

　I’m the same.

　I’m not considering that guy as someone of『the opposite gender』anymore; he’s a creature known as sc.u.m.

　The number of boys I’m on good terms with is zero.

　It seems like I’ll become good friends with Ei-kun.

“Nn?”

　The corridor of another building that could be seen from the window.

　My eyes caught a person with cream-colored hair who halted his movements.

　It’s that guy.

　U-uwaah…

　He has a crease between his brows, and is glaring in this direction.

　What is he looking at, this person.

　Gross as expected.

()

　It is Tuesday.

　At any rate, gross-man is probably working on upping the favourability ratings today, too.

　The one whose favourability rating can be raised easily today is the older sister type uppercla.s.sman, Tatsumino s.h.i.+ori.

　She has a mature look with her long, wavy violet hair and golden eyes.

　She’s a character I like a lot.

　Beautiful even when I look at her in person, how admirable!

　I must saveth her from the demon’s clutches at all costs!

　s.h.i.+ori leaves for school very early in the morning.

　Even though she’s not from the Horticulture Club, she waters the flowers planted in the courtyard.

　Flowers and s.h.i.+ori, together they create the best combination.

　One can only call this the ultimate beauty.

　The flowers are probably also delighted to be watered by s.h.i.+ori.

　… Come to think of it, gross-man said something similar in the game.

　He likely said it in reality too, gross.

　In any case, it’s my chance when s.h.i.+ori is busy watering the plants.

　Sneaking into the cla.s.sroom that was empty except for s.h.i.+ori’s bag, akin to what I did for Akari, I sneak in a letter with photographs into her bag.

　I placed it where she will see it the moment she opens her bag, so she should be able to notice it immediately.

　She’s the daughter of a conglomerate’s president.

　After graduation she plans to support the company while attending university, and her dream is to contribute to her family.

　Rather than a dream, it’s already a fast-approaching fact.

　This should be the time she enriches both mind and body in lieu of the coming changes to her environment, but her head is full of gross-man as Akari’s is.

　To her who, in particular, has a strong sense of monopolization, simply seeing gross-man talk to other girls is aggravating.

　Having gross-man take up her entire field of vision, she did not give a hoot about this situation where her other matters had taken the backseat and how her close ones are worried about her.

　I also wrote,『Please hold dear the people who truly cherish you』in the letter, but I wonder if those words will reach her?

※※※

()

“Fuu.”

Having hid my figure from the sc.u.m, cla.s.s ended safely today too.

　Ever since I recalled the memories from my previous life, I’ve been living an oddly tense life.

　I tidied up as my shoulders drooped from fatigue, and left the cla.s.sroom.

　My friends invited me to hang out, but it’s dangerous to let my guard down in school.

　I regretfully reject the much-appreciated invitation and head to the entrance alone.

　My head is full of s.h.i.+ori.

　Perhaps only a letter and photographs are not enough.

　Maybe it will be better if I make full use of my knowledge of the game and deal another hand.

“You over there!”

“Eh?”

　Even as I was surprised, I turned towards the voice that suddenly came from behind.

　A truly timely person, a violet-haired G.o.ddess with her arms folded, stood there.

“s.h.i.+ori-senpai.”

　Ahh… sure enough, how beautiful!

　She’s s.h.i.+ning!

　A G.o.ddess hath descended before me!

“It’s you, isn’t it? The one troubling Aoi!”

“Eh?”

“Pretending to withdraw yourself in order to attract his attention, I have seen through you.”

“N-no way…!”

　It can’t be, there’s no visible signs at all that the letter is effective.

　Rather… to think that the G.o.ddess had been tarnished by evil this much!

　I had predicted this to some extent, but witnessing it right before my eyes, the damage is huge.

　I beg you, don’t become a disappointing beauty…!

“I don’t have such an intention! Please believe me!”

“I can’t possibly believe that. You’ve been hanging so much around Aoi until recently. It’s strange that you’d change your mind all of a sudden.”

“That’s…”

　Certainly, it’s just as she says.

　I don’t have the confidence that I can give an explanation that will convince her.

　『I regained my memories from a previous life』it’s unlikely she’d believe something like that.

　Unable to find the words to say, I couldn’t open my mouth.

　Ahh… but, I want to somehow make her understand!

“I wonder if you can say『I don’t love you』in front of him?”

“I can!”

“That’s right, you canno… eh?”

　I gave an immediate reply.

　I had no hesitance with regards to that; it was an immediate reply at the speed of light.

　It’s s.h.i.+ori-senpai’s turn to be quiet now.

　There’s a frown on her beautiful face, and she appear doubtful.

“s.h.i.+ori!? Kii!? Glaring at each other so intensely… stop it, both of you…!”

　When I gazed at s.h.i.+ori-senpai, hoping she’d believe me, gross-man made his appearance while spouting absurd words.

　Gross.

　Perhaps it’s dangerous to be near s.h.i.+ori whose favourability rating increases easily today.

　He has an expression that said『Please don’t fight over me』, but it really is kind of cold.

　It’s cold enough that one can almost see a snow storm brewing.

“Aoi…”

　Ahh, how can this be…!

　The beautiful G.o.ddess, s.h.i.+ori-sama, also joined in the cold theatrics.

　She gazed at gross-man with desolate eyes that seemed to say,『You saw something embarra.s.sing… however. I don’t want you s.n.a.t.c.hed away from me!』

　Ummー… I don’t have to join in, right?

“You arrived at the right time for me to unravel s.h.i.+ori-senpai’s misunderstanding.”

　In order to stop the snowstorm, I opened my mouth and stepped in.

　I spoke as I approached s.h.i.+ori-senpai step by step.

　I halted right before s.h.i.+ori-senpai, who was on her guard as she wonder『what will I say to her』.

“I think nothing of this person. That’s why I can say this.『I do not love someone like this!』I’m not doing this because I want to attract his attention. Actually, rather than this person… I prefer s.h.i.+ori-senpai!”

“Ehh.” “Eh?”

　The voices of the two overlapped.

　Even the stunned expressions on their faces are the same.

　d.a.m.n you lowly sc.u.m, I won’t forgive you for being『the same』as s.h.i.+ori-senpai!

“I… want to be a woman as elegant and dignified as senpai!”

“Pardon?”

　Even while knowing it’s disrespectful, I took s.h.i.+ori-senpai’s hands in mine and locked eyes with her.

　I admire you a lot!

“I want senpai to remain as the lovely s.h.i.+ori-senpai! Yet, recently…”

　Thereupon, I directed my gaze towards the sc.u.m.

　With the meaning of『Wasn’t it this guy’s fault that things went wrong?』.

“What is『truly precious』to senpai?”

“… Eh?”

“Senpai. Right now, does senpai… have anything you are proud of about yourself? Have you cherished the people who truly cherish you?”

“!?”

　It’s the wise s.h.i.+ori-senpai we’re talking about. She should be somewhat aware of her situation that worries her closed ones.

　Even though I, who almost confessed to him, have to right to say this so self-importantly, I sincerely hope that you will open your eyes.

“That’s a lovely pendant, isn’t it.”

“!”

　I looked at the pendant around s.h.i.+ori’s neck as I gently let her hands, that I had been holding, go.

　From the knowledge of my past life, I know what this pendant is.

　She inherited this pendant with a violet crystal from her mother.

　Its first owner was s.h.i.+ori’s grandmother, the founder of the conglomerate.

　Her grandmother gave it to s.h.i.+ori’s mother, who married into the family, with the words『Do support my son who will be succeeding me』. After which, her mother gave it to s.h.i.+ori, telling her『It’s up to you to support your father』.

　It’s a pendant filled with the feelings of people s.h.i.+ori holds dear.

“s.h.i.+ori?”

Even though gross-man called out to s.h.i.+ori, she did not move.

　She hangs her head as she holds the pendant tightly.

　She had most likely seen the letter in the morning.

　Please, remember and realise that the people around you are worried about you.

　After looking down in rumination for a while, senpai let out a small sigh and turned her back towards us.

“Aoi… I am sorry. I will take my leave for today…”

　s.h.i.+ori-senpai departed with an apologetic smile.

　While this might not have completely opened her eyes, it should impacted her somehow.

　At the very least, she probably won’t be spending today with the sc.u.m any more.

　It’ll be fine if it’s s.h.i.+ori. I want to believe so.

　It’s already a huge success to be able to thwart his upping of her favourability rating this week.

“Kii, why… about me… Can you tell me the reason…”

　Beside me who is seeing s.h.i.+ori-senpai off pleasantly, the sc.u.m stood unmovingly with a downcast look.

　Fufu… the G.o.ddess hath left, it’s my victory!

　Since I’m in a good mood now, I shall talk to you just a little.

“It is because I realised that there is no『heart』in your words.”

　Truth be told,『I know you tried to capture me! d.a.m.n sc.u.m!』I wanted to rebuke him.

　However, I won’t do that.

　I don’t want to know the likes of his circ.u.mstances.

　Although I don’t know whether he had reincarnated or not, it’s a fact that he used his smartphone to capture us.

　If I pursue in that direction, I will end up having to hear his explanation for it.

　I don’t want to hear something like that.

“Have you really been looking at me?”

“Of course!”

　That’s a lie.

　What you had been looking at is『data』.

　That isn’t『me』.

“Then… pray tell, are you aware of what I do on days other than Fridays?”

“… Eh?”

　Answer without looking at your smartphone if you had really been looking at me.

　… It’s useless even if you refer to it though.

　Tell me about the me who isn’t there in the data, the me you had been looking at.

“… T-that’s…”

　His gaze was swimming around the tiny screen.

“… Enough already.”

　As expected, I am an idiot.

　A part of me had been slightly hopeful.

　Something like tears will not surface.

　Only a faint laugh did.

“W-wait, Kii!”

“Please don’t touch me!”

　I strongly shook off his hand that tried to hold me back.

“Isn’t it about time you stopped?”

“Kii…”

“… No one will be able to see ‘you’ at this rate, you know?”

　Go ahead and enjoy your『game』in school now.

　But, after graduation… what will you do in the future thereupon?

　If you look at nothing but data and refuse to face people properly, no one will remain by your side.

　Perhaps you’ll be alone by the time you notice.

　Who will think of becoming family with a person who will not face them?

　He forget to even blink, and is stupefied.

　Even his mouth remained shut.

　I have no obligation to pay him any heed.

　I left him as he is and took my leave.