A Story About a Blonde Gal Angel Who Excessively Praises My Cooking. After Asking Me to Teach Her How to Cook, Feelings of Mutual Love Began to Grow - Chapter 106

“…I’m exhausted…”

After taking care of Amatsuka, I finally left her house, and it was already dusk. I didn’t really feel like going home, so I slowly walked down the road.

“Today was tiring. Really.”

Up until a moment ago, my mind was completely preoccupied with Amatsuka. But now that I think about it, I’ve left Manoka alone.

“Maybe I’ll take a break.”

I sat down on a bench in a small, rundown park along the way. Drinking a canned coffee, which I normally wouldn’t touch, and brooding over the evening made me feel a bit pathetic, but it couldn’t be helped at the moment.

“…Bitter…Should’ve gone with the slightly sweet one.”

The things I’ve been putting off have come back to haunt me, tightening the noose around my neck. Manoka, Amatsuka…and Kurose.

Nothing has been resolved with Kurose either. Everything is just being maintained as it is.

“Oh, Takeru-kun.”

“…Nao…Nao-san.”

Naoto-san, dressed as a woman, spotted me and approached. Sometimes I wonder if this person is also stalking me. Though in reality, he probably doesn’t have time for that.

“What brings you here, Nao-san?”

“Just out for a walk.”

“A walk?”

“When I get stuck while writing my novel, I go for a walk.”

“Is that how novelists are? Aren’t there better ways to relieve stress? It’s still hot, even if it’s the end of summer.”

“Well, yes.”

This person always wanders around like a graceful lost cat.

“Then, why are you here, Takeru-kun? Did you get rejected?”

“Nao-san, do you really think I would confess to anyone?”

“…No, not really.”

“Exactly.”

There’s no way a background character like me would do something like that. Even as a background character, I know my place.

“But you look like something’s bothering you.”

“…Oh, you know, just a teenage boy trying to look cool, sitting on a park bench at dusk, drinking canned coffee.”

“If you’ve got a case of chūnibyō, you’ve certainly taken it in a twisted direction.”

“Yeah, it’s pretty pathetic.”

“If you’re doing it knowingly, then you’re in pretty deep.”

We both chuckled lightly. This person always goes along with these farces, but I still don’t quite understand why. Why do they humor me with such meaningless conversations?

“By the way, thanks for the help with the festival. It was a big help.”

“No, no. I made good money, so thank you.”

“Tomitsugu-chan looked pretty frustrated about losing.”

“She must be upset about losing to a stay-at-home husband.”

“I don’t think it’s about being a stay-at-home husband. She just doesn’t want to lose to you, Takeru-kun.”

“…Isn’t that the same thing?”

“It’s all in how you look at it.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Why is she so adamant about not losing to someone like me? Maybe it’s not that she dislikes losing to a background character. Not that I have any intention of holding back.

Besides, I don’t feel like it’s much of a competition. Even during the festival, it was just about sales.

“Hey, Takeru-kun.”

“What is it?”

“Would you consider taking Touka as your bride?”

“Wha–! *Cough, cough*…”

Oh no, the coffee just came out of my nose…

“…What are you saying all of a sudden?”

“Sorry. Here, a handkerchief.”

“…Thanks.”

Kurose as a bride? Why is Naoto-san bringing this up? The conversation is moving too quickly.

“…Did something happen?”

“No, nothing. Not yet.”

“…That sounds like something will happen soon.”

“Something will happen. Touka is a very complicated girl.”

“…Hearing just that, it sounds like you’re trying to dump a troublesome girl on me.”

“Yes, but you’re the only one who can handle her right now.”

The burden is heavy. Even though I don’t know what Kurose is carrying, I can already tell it’s a heavy load.

I realized this on this very bench.

“I’m not mature enough to carry someone else’s life with them. I’m just not that much of an adult.”

“I know. That’s why I’m not going to deceive you or manipulate you. I won’t even ask you to repay any favors.”

“…That’s what makes you scary, Nao-san. Your tricks are ruthless.”

“I don’t lie.”

“That’s exactly what makes you dangerous.”

“*Hehe.* Isn’t it? I’m honored you think so.”

“I wasn’t complimenting you.”

I’ve always thought that Naoto-san’s ability to manipulate conversations is beyond that of a con artist. It’s almost absurd that someone like him isn’t a villain.

“Well…there’s a lot to Touka’s situation. But I just don’t want her to end up like me. That’s why I’m asking.”

Naoto-san looked down at his palm. His hand, bathed in the light of the setting sun, seemed even smaller than mine.

“I don’t want Touka to become a murderer.”

“…Is that something you should be saying here?”

I don’t know much about Kurose or Naoto-san. I know too little. And I’m not the kind of person who can handle learning more.

Not wanting her to end up like him. Not wanting her to become a murderer.

Just from that, I can more or less guess what he’s trying to say.

“This isn’t the place. And now isn’t the time.”

Naoto-san, who had just spoken about something so ominous, gazed peacefully at the sunset.

“I won’t ask why you’re here or what you’re thinking. If you ever feel like talking, I’ll listen.”

What I’m troubled by and what Naoto-san is dealing with are probably on completely different scales.

“When a man is alone, it’s usually like that.”

“…When you say it like that while dressed as a woman, it gives off a really ‘cool lady’ vibe.”

“Even in this outfit, I’m still a man, you know. Of course, it does.”

Naoto-san smiled mischievously as he stood up.

“…Soon, I want you to hear about Touka’s past. I won’t force you, but…”

“…I see.”

“Well, I’m heading home. Hinata’s probably waiting, hungry.”

“Yeah, it’s about dinner time now.”

With that, Naoto-san smiled and left.

I could only give a vague response.