Aren’t You Too Sweet Salt-God Sato-San?

TL : Listless

Editor : KhanMc

Can’t be helped. There’s nothing I can do about this.

It wasn’t just a simple picture. There is a depth in it.

Every time I look at it, I can vividly remember the feeling of that moment, over and over again.

And when I think about the fact that I was also feeling the same way as Oshio-kun at that moment, I can’t help but smile.

[Ehehehehehe…]

I think the current me is unpleasant.

But I wasn’t aware of this. Not knowing that having your first love come true is so joyful.

Just thinking about the future with Oshio-kun is enough to keep me awake until morning.

From now on… Yes, that of course includes tomorrow’s shaved ice date.

[I’m looking forward to it…]

I’m really, really looking forward to it.

Tapping my feet together, I was somehow able to calm my impatient feelings.

At any rate, it’s the first date after we both have conveyed our feelings to each other.

Talking about a lot of things, taking pictures together… maybe something like that…

[No, no, no!]

I force myself to shake off my strange delusions and resume staring at my phone.

I will dress up in my best clothes tomorrow, makeup too… I’m not very good at it, but I’ll do my best, using makeup videos from “I Tube” as references.

Right now, this comes first.

[Yes!]

Shaking off the excessive thoughts, I tapped the “Post” button on the right side of the screen.

This would upload a photo of me and Oshio from my phone to Minstagram. As I looked at the loading screen spinning around, happiness warmed my heart with warmth.

It has been a dream of mine for a long time.

Uploading a photo of myself with the person I love to Minsta, just like a normal high school girl.

Haa, if it’s a dream I hope I never wake up…

Just as I was thinking that, the words “Upload complete” appeared on the screen of my smartphone. Then,

[…Huh?]

An incomprehensible phenomenon occured on my smartphone.

[Eh? What? Why?]

I panicked and fiddled with my phone, but there was nothing I could do.

Just then, there were two knocks at my door.

[Hiiii], I reflexively let out a short scream.

My mother would never knock on the door. This sound, without doubt…

[Koharu, come out of the room immediately. I have something important to talk about.]

I had never felt sweat running down my neck so cold before in my life.

♠️

[Haaaaaaa…]

I was sitting on the terrace of cafe tutuji after the restaurant had closed, with the lights faintly illuminating the place.

I plopped down on the cool table and let out a deep sigh, which I already lost count of how many times I’ve had done.

[How long will you be like that, cheer up…]

Ren said while sipping the iced coffee through a straw.

After all, he is my best friend. Albeit rotten to the core.

Even though “Cafe tutuji” and “MOON” are in opposite directions, he still stays with me until late hours to comfort me.

I’m grateful for those feelings but…

[I’m sorry but… I don’t think I’m up for it yet. Thank you though, you can go home Ren.]

[Yeah, no. I’ll have nightmares if I do.]

A slurping sound emanated from the straw and filled the air.

He’s quite blunt with what he says, but I can see the color of concern from him.

[You’re overworked.]

Seeing me sticking to the table like lick, my father breathed a deep sigh.

[I did say that you will grow after getting injured, but as expected that’s a little… What should I do, Sota? Should I make you a herbal tea?]

[I don’t need herbal tea, the one father brews is bad.]

There was no reply. When I looked to see thinking it was a bit strange, father was taking the Most•Masculine•Pose.

……? just what the hell does it mean… No, does it even matter?

[…Everyone is amazing. You will probably forget this anguish someday, but I can’t endure it anymore, knowing that I absolutely can’t go out with the person anymore even though she is living in the same world as me!]

It would have been so much easier if the screen would have gone dark with the words “GAME OVER” the moment I failed to confess my feelings to Sato-san and the whole thing would have ended.

However, reality is different.

Even if the confession to my first love ends in failure, both Sato-san and I will go on with our lives.

And from now on, in a world where I will never be able to date Sato-san, I will continue to get along with her as a friend.

I’m sure that she will make many friends and even have a cool and handsome boyfriend in the future.

I’m in a position to warmly watch over her as a friend.

Not even a finger can touch her…

[Ugh…]

Gastric juice rises up and I curve my back.

[Hey, hey…]

Ren immediately rubbed my back.

[ You must have thought of something strange again! Quit it! It’ll be painful even if you just think about it!]

[But… I…]

[Calm down! Think calmly if your first love is really worth it or not! What’s with you getting carried away like this…]

[Carried away…]

[That’s right! just watch some AV and sleep for 8 hours and you’ll be able to forget all about it! Open your smartphone, Sota! I’ll send you one I recommend on MINE right now!]

[Okay Ren-kun, you can’t tell Sota about that! Father will never allow it!]

[Read the air, Muscle.]

As I watched the unexpected battle between Ren and my dad, I moved my languid arms and pulled my phone out of my pocket. Then waking it from sleep mode, I saw a message notification from MINE on my home screen.

[…?!]

I opened my eyes wide. The message on MINE was from Sato-san.

The message had arrived 20 minutes ago, and it was a short one liner.

“Help me, Oshio-kun”

[Sato-san…]

I unconsciously called out her name. Ren and Father turned to me, startled.

[Hey, what is it this time?]

Ren called out to me, but I didn’t pay attention to him.

I hurriedly opened the MINE application and sent Sato-san a message.

“What’s wrong?”

“What do you mean by help me?”

“Sato-san?”

I sent a few messages in succession, but they didn’t get read, let alone replied.

I don’t know what “help” here means, supposing she is currently in a critical situation right now…

As my frustration grew, I couldn’t stand it any longer and called her.

Please, pickup… Please be safe—–

And when the phone ringing was about to reach 100 times, it’s interrupted.

—–picked up.

[What happened, Sato-san?]

The first thing I did was ask if she was fine.

But what came back from the other end of the call was not the voice of Koharu Sato.

[I’m sorry, but I’m probably not the “Sato-san” you think I am. I’m Sato Koharu’s father, Sato Kazuharu.]

A voice came out of the phone, surprisingly cold and intimidating enough to make me shudder.

[Sa-Sato-san’s father…?]

I repeated the words of the man on the other side of the phone.

[That’s right.]

He replied quietly but clearly.

Every word he uttered intimidated me with its obvious mass. It was the first time I experienced such a dreadful feeling just from a person’s voice.

However, that is irrelevant for now.

I forcibly opened my mouth…

[W-Why is Sa… Koharu-chan’s Father in a phone call…]

[I would rather you not call me father.]

[……]

I was at a loss for words.

However, if I were to close my mouth as it is, I have a hunch that I wouldn’t be able to open it again…

[…Why is Kazuharu-san answering Koharu-san’s phone?]

[I thought it would be bad if there is something urgent, so I picked it up. If there is something urgent, I will call Koharu over but there is no need to explain the reason why. So if it isn’t urgent, I will end the call.]

Completely unapproachable, but naturally I couldn’t back down either.

[…I don’t understand why I must use you as an intermediary in my private exchange with Koharu-san. Please explain the reason.]

Not wanting to be outdone by the other side, I calmly but strongly appealed my intention to protest.

He would cut the call here. That’s what I thought, but…

[It’s because I took Koharu’s smartphone in my custody.]

[…Huh?]

[Don’t make me repeat twice, I have taken custody of Koharu’s smartphone.]

[Why is it that…]

[It’s a family matter. It’s irrelevant to you.]

[It is relevant!!]

Despite the fact that the other party is Sato-san’s father… No, perhaps that’s why. I unconsciously raised my voice in response to his cold attitude.

[I’m Koharu-san’s friend. If you are also her father, then please explain.]