After Capturing and Confining a Beautiful Yandere Stalker Girl, I Somehow Started a Sweet Life With Her - 39

Chapter 39: A True Confession

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When I first heard Miyako-san say we were going to karaoke, I was filled with dread, wondering what would happen there. I imagined all sorts of things, like being subjected to some outrageous sexual harassment from Miyako-san or being pressured to give unreasonable command to Neiko-san. However, the reality was so different from my imagination. We just sang songs together like normal, while waiting for the scores to appear excitedly. Miyako-san, who had told me that creating the right mood for the night time was important, didn’t ask me to do anything special. We were just having fun like normal. Then, after there was only 30 minutes remaining, I told the two of them that I needed to go to the bathroom. 

“Well then. I will come too. A dog shouldn’t stray away from their owner, right?”

Neiko-san said as a matter of factly, like it was the most natural thing to do. I knew she was just joking around though. I deliberately made a face of disbelief and released the leash I had been holding in my hand.

“I won’t be able to do anything if Neiko-san comes with me to the men’s restroom and the date will be ruined.”

“Of course, it’s just a joke. Go ahead then.”

“Excuse me.”

I gave a small bow and left the room. Though I didn’t know where the restroom was, but I easily found it. I did my business, washed my hands and when I was about to return to the room, it happened..

“—!?”

In front of the entrance to the men’s restroom, there stood Neiko-san. It seemed she had been waiting for me there. I hadn’t expected her to be there, so I was genuinely surprised. I flinched and ended up letting out a strange sound. 

“Ne-Neiko-san…?! Why-Why are you here…?!”

I asked and instead of answering me, she fidgeted while fiddling with the leash in her hand. It didn’t seem like she was hoping I would hold the leash. At least, it didn’t seem that way to me, but for some reason, I couldn’t ignore her. So I took the leash from her hand and… I didn’t pull the leash. I just stood there next to her while holding the leash. After all, it would be too pitiful if I didn’t do that. A girl wearing a collar complete with a leash, wandering around, looking all sad without anyone holding the leash. Of course it’d look suspicious to anyone looking and I felt the urge to do anything to change that. 

“…Just… The…”

“Hm?”

Neiko-san, who had been fidgeting, seemed to say something. But her voice was too quiet, I couldn’t hear it clearly. I wanted her to say it again, so I tilted my head to the side without saying anything. She noticed my gesture. Understanding my intent, she repeated her words. 

“Is it alright if we talk for a bit? Just the two of us?”

“Just the two of us?”

“Ye-Yes… I already got permission from Mom…”

She said that and I could imagine Miyako-san alone in the karaoke room. No, considering Miyako-san’s mental fortitude, she must be singing alone instead? In any case, I felt a bit bad for Miyako-san, but since Neiko-san had gotten her permission, I decided to go with Neiko-san. 

I nodded. 

“Alright, but it might be better to go somewhere else. Someone might come if we stay here.”

“Yo-You’re right…! I’d prefer to go somewhere else too…”

Neiko-san agreed in a barely audible voice. Seeing her like that, my chest started to feel uneasy. What I needed to say… I had intended to say it to her at the end of this date. Neiko-san should have known about that, but maybe I was being too selfish. She, too, had her own timing. 

Maybe now…? 

I wondered. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. 

“We-Well then. Let’s go. Do you have any place you want to go in particular? Or anywhere is fine?”

“Y-Yes… I’m fine anywhere.”

Neiko-san nodded.

“I… I will follow you, A-kun…. To wherever you go.”

She awkwardly said, just like always. It was a line that Neiko-san always said without any hesitation, but for some reason, those words seemed to hold a special meaning now. 

I took a deep breath to steady my racing heart and gently held Neiko-san’s hand. Then, I took a step forward. Step by step, moving forward without any destination in mind. We just moved forward in order to have our conversation.

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“…Well, how about here?”

In the end, we chose to sit near the reception area of the karaoke box. There were slot machines and a small crane game machine nearby, and a couple of chairs beside them, so we both sat down there.

“…”

“…”

Even though we were sitting side by side, but neither of us had the courage to start the conversation. I could tell Neiko-san wanted to say something to me, but her words couldn’t come out of her lips. It seemed the words she wanted to say required courage to say and she was in agony precisely because of that. 

At least, that was how it looked to me. 

“…Neiko-san.”

“…!? A-Ah, y-yes…!”

I called out to her and she immediately flinched. She looked up at me. Her expression showed signs of confusion, anxiety and… Distress. She quickly cast her gaze downward. 

“I-I’m sorry… I ended up not saying anything…”

She murmured quietly. 

“It’s fine. You don’t need to apologize. I’m in no rush. It’s okay, you can take your time. I will wait until you can tell me what you want to say.”

I figured I shouldn’t stare at her too much either. If I stared directly at her, it might be harder for Neiko-san to speak. I lowered my gaze slightly and looked at my own knees.

“Umm… Well… I…”

“…Yes?”

“…I…”

“…”

She stammered on her words, as if it took everything she had to squeeze them out. Eventually, with great effort, she finally said it. 

“I… I like you, A-kun.”

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