After Accidentally Helping a Famous Streamer Who Forgot to Turn Off Her Dungeon Stream, I Began to Go Viral as a Legendary Explorer ～ The Introverted Me Accidentally Dominating with My Mysterious Skill 'Ignore Rules' - Chapter 13: Operation Reinvent the Introvert

Chapter 13: Operation Reinvent the Introvert

“Well~, what a coincidence♪ To think we’d end up in the same school and the same grade!”

“Ha, haha… Right.”

It was after school. Miyu Ayatsuki and I were sitting face to face in a café near the school.

“Hm? What’s the matter? You seem really nervous.”

“N-no… It’s nothing…”

Despite my words, my heart was pounding like crazy.

It was my first time visiting a café, and certainly the first time going out alone with a girl.

I wondered if this was what people called a date. Then I stopped myself from thinking any further.

There was absolutely no way a guy like me, who was far from good-looking, could be on a date with a girl.

“So, Tsukushi-kun, what will you have?”

“Eh…”

“Come on, I said I wanted to treat you. Choose anything you like.”

“Ah, alright…”

Truth be told, this café didn’t serve hearty meals like ramen or katsudon. To be honest, everything looked the same to me, but I couldn’t say that out loud.

“In that case, I’ll go for the Chocolate Pancakes with Tropical Land. What about you, Ayatsuki-san?”

“Sounds good! I was actually considering the same thing♪”

“Alright.”

Afterward, I called the waiter and ordered drinks and pancakes.

People who struggle with social interaction get incredibly nervous during situations like this, wondering if they can speak properly. Somehow, I managed to place my order without stumbling over my words.

“Hmm…”

While lost in thought, I noticed that Miyu Ayatsuki was staring intently at me from across the table.

“Is something wrong, Ayatsuki-san?”

“Well, I thought I’d heard your name, Tsukushi-kun, somewhere before, and it turns out you’re in class 3, right? I’ve actually known about you for a while.”

“…”

Well—of course she would. I’d been forced to kneel in the hallways, made to shout in front of crowds…

I’d been subjected to a lot of bullying from Goyama. I had become infamous, but not in a good way. It was really something I couldn’t help.

“I’m sorry… I know I’m not the most handsome guy.”

“Oh, that! I actually have a suggestion for you, Tsukushi-kun.”

“Huh?”

“You seem to have good features but your hairstyle is a bit messy… It’s really a waste!”

“A waste… What do you mean?”

“It means you could actually be handsome!”

No way, what is she even talking about? There’s no way I could be considered handsome.

The reason I hadn’t bothered with my hairstyle was that I knew how desperately unattractive I was. Even if a shady guy like me were to style his hair, it would only draw ridicule from the class.

People who are socially outgoing might not understand, but this was the survival strategy of an introvert like me.

“Here is your Choco Pancake with Tropical Land.”

As we were talking, the waiter brought us our food.

The pancake was stylish, topped with a rich chocolate sauce and an array of colorful fruits. It was a bit difficult to eat, but the taste was undoubtedly delicious.

“You know, I was actually… frustrated.” 

Ayatsuki said with a somewhat serious expression, after swallowing a strawberry.

“When the Red Dragon appeared, you risked your life to protect me. Even though you were gasping for breath, you still protected me.”

“Uh, yeah…?”

“That’s when I realized—Tsukushi-kun, you’re not someone who deserves to be ridiculed. You’re actually very cool… way better than someone like Goyama.”

“Haha… You can’t be serious.”

What’s going on? Why is she praising me so much?

Miru Ayatsuki is a highly popular streamer, after all.

If it got out that she was involved in bullying, it wouldn’t look good for her reputation. So maybe that’s why she’s going out of her way to support me like this.

“…Tsukushi-kun, are you thinking about something negative?”

“Eh? I, I don’t know. Haha.”

“…”

Ayatsuki stared intently at me again, then suddenly stood up, exclaiming, “I’ve decided!”

“Let’s go to a beauty salon together! I’ll pay for it, and then we’ll show everyone just how amazing you are!”