Chapter 9 A Loners View on Relationships

After all that, I was fortunate enough to have another weekly gathering with Asanagi-san, so I decided to apologize to her for eavesdropping on her confession the other day.

Ah, that happened, huh? Its fine, dont worry about it. You just happened to be there and didnt actually tail me, right? In that case, it was completely on me.

I thought her mood would worsen if I brought that up, but instead, she just dismissed it lightly as she ate the pudding she bought at the convenience store.

You sure?

Well, I dont mind being asked out. The reason why I snuck out instead of announcing it to everyone was out of consideration for the other person After all, someone might start unpleasant rumors between both of us, like Nitta from our class, she would do something like that.

Nitta would be that girl you usually hang around with, right, Asanagi?

Right. Well, I dont know if she would gossip about me, but she did gossip about other people, as you could expect.

As I promised, I decided to hide the fact that I had run into Amami-san and Nitta-san there. Its completely on them to decide what they would do.

Of course, I also hid the fact that I got Amami-sans phone number.

Then again, its Asanagi-san we are talking about, she would notice Amami-sans antics easily.

I wonder if I should ask you this, but

Mm?

Asanagi arent you rather popular?

Mmm Well, not really? Im not as popular as Yuu.

If getting confessed by five people in less than half a year was an average number (according to Nitta-san), then how many confessions did Amami-san get?

What wrong? Are you jealous, Maehara?

Not really Well, I just thought that being popular sounds troublesome

Hmm Why?

Maybe its because Im a loner?

Even if she asked me why I couldnt really answer her.

In my case, I was bad enough at socializing that it was hard for me to ask my classmate to befriend me. I dont think someone like me should shamelessly talk about matters concerning love and relationships.

Try to explain it. Dont worry, Im not going to laugh at you.

Theres the Im not going to laugh at you line If anything, youre just raising the hurdle for me.

Haha, its fine, its fine. Just tell me whats on your mind, Maehara.

Fine

Well, even if shes going to laugh at me, Asanagis the only one here, so it should be fine, I guess

Well, to me, I cant understand it, being popular and stuff. I mean, people will look up to you when youre popular, right? They would try to get to know you better and somehow form a special relationship with you?

Mhm, thats true.

Of course, being popular isnt necessarily a bad thing. It proves that you have a special charm that attracts people, its better than attracting malice at the very least.

However, being popular isnt all sunshine and rainbows.

Case and point, the boy who confessed to Asanagi-san the other day.

There are all kinds of people around you, including those you have no interest in and those you secretly hate Dealing with those people would be troublesome, no? They dont even care about you, so why must you be mindful of them?

Even Asanagi-san had to be careful back then when she replied to that boys confession. Sure, they might be people who would straight up say, I dont like you or Youre gross and dismiss such confessions outright, but Asanagi-san wasnt one of them. Besides, it would create an unnecessary grudge.

Peoples emotions, their likes, and dislikes were tricky to deal with.

When I think about it, I feel glad that Im not popular. Sure, its hard to be a loner, but that means I dont have to worry about such things.

Thats quite a lonely thought.

I know. Well, I guess thats why Im a loner.

Unless I change this way of thinking, I will probably keep on leading this boring lifestyle for a long time.

Ive been trying to find the courage to take a step forward but I always fell short.

There, a loners perspective on relationships.

Mm. That sounds like what a virgin would say.

Oof.

That actually hurts. But shes not wrong, so I cant refute.

Well, I dont hate the loner Maehara, on the contrary, I like him. Of course, only as a friend, dont misunderstand that, okay?

Of course. Me too, I like Asanagi, but, only as a friend, you shouldnt misunderstand that either.

Oh, really? Youre saying something like that now? Acting cocky even though you are a virgin.

What? You wanna go? Sure, I wont hold back today, Ill give you ten, no, a hundred rounds for you to beat me. Ill make sure to turn you into swiss cheese.

Im ready whenever. Youll fall to my godly aim anyway.

So cocky even though you just barely know how to play.

Asanagi and I put an end to our relationship talk as we turned our gaze toward the game screen once more.

I think this is more suitable for me than complicated things like other peoples likes and dislikes.