"Eh? Is There a Hospital That's Open at This Time of Night?!" "There's No Public Institution That Would Accept You, Senpai." "A Prison Maybe?" "..." "I Want to Know Defeat." "Ao Only Needs Me." - Chapter 010: The Endless Night Was the Only Thing That Hid My Tears

Chapter 010: The Endless Night Was the Only Thing That Hid My Tears

I’m at a loss for how to deal with the stalker standing before me.

It feels like when you toss away the manual without reading it, and now you’re stuck with the initial settings.

If you’re going to rely on customer service, you might as well throw it away.

“What are you doing here? Didn’t you come to eat my leg?”

A simple question.

I used to sleep wishing my leg would be eaten in bed, but waking up to find it still there left me disappointed every time.

I asked the question with that feeling in mind.

“The truth is… I’ve liked you, Saitou-senpai, for a long time now! Please go out with me!”

My question has turned into a planaria, splitting and regenerating—though instead of multiplying, it’s more like reproduction.

Well, I’ve learned something new.

But seriously, what should I do?

If it were just a planaria, there wouldn’t be any harm to it.

“Wait, what about the whole Hiiragi matter? Is this really the same song, with that intro and your chorus? Where’s the ghostwriter!?” (T/N: 1.)

Let’s address the first question that came to mind.

Everything has its order.

That’s how problems get solved.

There’s no tunnel without an exit, no rain that doesn’t stop.

“You’re so unfair… hurting another girl besides me… That’s cheating.”

The conversation has entered an infinite tunnel arc.

Here I said there was no rain that wouldn’t stop!

I cursed myself for forgetting to bring an umbrella.

Blame it on the blue sky.

But justifying infidelity is a man’s specialty.

So, it should be my specialty too.

Though, I don’t even have a girlfriend, so can it even be considered cheating?

“It’s a misunderstanding! I’ve always been looking at you. Besides, at that time, we weren’t even dating yet!”

We’re still not dating even now though.

I’ll try to clear up this misunderstanding by being as gentle as possible.

And maybe you could clear up my misunderstanding too.

“I’ve always been watching you, and you’ve never looked at me. You’ve even been touching Hiiragi-san’s cheek at that time in the library!

Do you like someone who’s ‘below-average’ that much? I don’t like it when my partner cheats!

I won’t tolerate it, whether it’s in the past, future, family tree, or history.” (T/N: 2.)

Wha…!

What did she just say?!

Unforgivable.

I approach her with anger, like a thunderbolt.

“Apologize!! Hiiragi is ‘above-average’!!! Apologize!! What do you even know about Hiiragi!? We’re breaking up because of irreconcilable differences!”

There are things that people can’t compromise on, and this is one of them.

“You’re the one who should apologize. Hiiragi-san is ‘below-avreage.’ 

Even if I really like you, that’s one thing I won’t back down on. 

I’m the kind of wife who would push her husband to stop him from going down the wrong path.”

She stands firm.

Won’t pushing make him keep going?

No, I can’t let myself get caught up in her pace.

You can’t survive if you get hung up on the little things.

“Don’t mess with me…! What do you know about Hiiragi’s feelings, you beautiful woman! 

By the way, what’s your name? Where did we meet?”

I try to argue with a passionate heart and a cool head.

Though I’m probably failing at that.

“I’m not messing around! 

I’m being serious! 

I’ll call Hiiragi-san right now to confirm! 

My name is Nakai Miyo. We sat next to each other at the entrance ceremony, remember?”

I think she’s a first-year student because her tie is viridian.

Why was I sitting at the entrance ceremony with a junior? Wait why am I even at the entrance ceremony.

“Oh, that time…”

I should do the template class reunion thing.

Reunions usually revolve around money and love.

Maybe they should write “don’t come if you’re not that confident in those areas” on the invitation.

“Wait, what am I listening to right now? Is this a prank call?”

Looks like she really made the call to Hiiragi.

She’s the embodiment of a woman who keeps her word.

“Hello, Takane-chan.”

Weren’t she referring to her with her last name?

What kind of relationship do they have?

“W-why does Nakai-san know my number…?”

They’re not friends?

Who is this girl?

And how did Hiiragi recognize her voice right away? She should work in that field—I’d vouch for her.

“Fufu, that’s not what you should be asking me right now.”

It’s true, there should be a more pressing matter.

“No way! This is one of those situations again where I’m talking to people that can’t be reasoned with!”

Takane hangs up with a snap.

After finally getting some rest at home, it seemed like she was about to end up in the hospital again.

I’m worried about her.

“She hung up…”

She looks dejected. Seeing a sad girl makes me want to cheer her up.

I’m always on the side of those in need.

Or not.

“I know her address, so let’s go together.”

I already have Hiiragi’s house pinpointed thanks to the GPS I planted on her phone, and I’ve exchanged contact info with her too.

I’m a paragon of kindness.

“Yes, let’s. I’m sure the baby in my belly wants to meet Takane-chan too.”

When did I…?

A stepchild…? 

The baby is excited to meet Takane-chan, she says…?

Hiiragi and this girl’s!?