Chapter 16 – Yes, Just Sit Right There in Seiza

With my head feeling like it was going to pop, bang! from the shocking truth, I suddenly felt a gaze from behind. A gaze so heated it felt like it would burn a bald spot into the back of my head.

Looking back, there stood Ayane-san with a deadpan expression. And in her hands, an overflowing amount of Leo-kyun merch.

I see. I finally understand — the reason why Watase-san, Fujimiya-san, and even Nao-chan were so hostile toward Ayane-san.

The “embarrassing photos of Leo-kyun” that Watase-san mentioned must be the in-game CGs. Because on a nearby shelf, there’s a POP display saying, [Wow! Buy 3 out of the 5 types of acrylic keychains and get a serial code for a limited CG and candy!]

And the “NTR” Fujimiya-san mentioned must be about a body pillow. Because next to the keychains it says, [With this, you too can wake up in the morning next to Leo Shidora! Now comes with a serial code for candy!]

Umm… this candy is that thing, right? The candy they said they got for their XX-day anniversary of dating, right? Eh, that’s just a login bonus. I want back the time I spent imagining Leo-kyun walking around with his pockets stuffed full of candy handing them out.

— Hm? Wait? Are the pockets on the life-sized Leo-kyun panel slightly bulging? Must be my imagination.

And one of the things those two had in common was that they “offered up all their funds”… but that means gacha, right? They said they “stared at the ceiling” with Leo-kyun — but that’s the gacha pity system, right? And the “no more” thing they talked about was a “credit limit reached” message popping up, right?

Hey, what exactly are you guys doing? Leo-kyun is just data, you know? It’ll all be a waste once the service shuts down, you know? This is no good. As someone who plays decently as a free-to-play user, I just can’t understand it. More than anything, I don’t get how they think of him as a boyfriend. Isn’t that being a bit too delusional? And I feel so bad for Ayane-san, who’s being hated over something like this. I really have to do something about this.

“Oh, if it isn’t Takuma.”

“Ah, it’s Takuma-kun~.”

…Hm? Just as I was thinking I needed to give those two a lecture, I heard auditory hallucinations.

“Why are you ignoring us? I’ll stab you.”

“Why are you ignoring us~? Takuma-kun Takuma-kun Takuma-kun Takuma-kun Takuma-kun Takuma-kun Takuma-kun Takuma-kun Takuma-kun Takuma-kun Takuma-kun Takuma-kun.”

Stop saying scary things. And stop chanting my name like an idiot.

“Ah, Watase-san and Fujimiya-san. What’s up?”

“What’s up? That’s our line. More importantly, Takuma. What is that you have…”

“Ahhh! Takuma-kun has Leo-kyun stuff too! Could it be you play Love Concerto too, Takuma-kun?”

“I don’t play it. Not at all. I have no interest in it either.”

“Hold on, Takuma. I can’t just let that slide. That’s not something people with no interest should have.”

Whoa. What a pain.

“An acquaintance’s little sister likes him, you see. I’m just helping her buy them. Ah, perfect timing. You two — this is that acquaintance’s little sister, Nao Hidaka-chan. She’s transferring to our high school soon.”

Alright, this should successfully derail the topic.

“Trans…ferring? Did she skip grades?”

Guh, it’s slightly frustrating that she thought the exact same thing I did.

“No. She’s in the same grade as us.”

“Is that so? She’s awfully small for that — Wait. What she’s holding in her hands is…”

“Oh, I see! Nice to meet you~! Wait, huh? Hmmm? Could it be she’s also…”

And the three of them stared at each other. A few seconds later, they exchanged firm handshakes. I have no idea what that means.

“Wait, that woman is here too.”

“It’s true. But it looks like we were faster this time. Fufun.”

“…………Trying to buy it before me is downright laughable.”

Then, after spotting Ayane-san and complaining, they locked eyes again and firmly shook hands. Also, if you two are done paying, you need to hurry up and leave the store. You’re in the way. Ah, wait a minute.

“Hey, could you two wait for us until we’re done paying? I need to talk to you.”

“…Wh-What is this, so suddenly. That’s… making me blush.”

“We only just met… Isn’t it a little too fast?”

Are there bugs breeding in their brains?

…Oops, my bad. My tone got a bit rough there.

“Well, we’re almost done, so wait at the food court over there. The tables were full when I checked earlier, so go to the raised seating area where you take your shoes off.”

I found it too bothersome to deal with them seriously, so I just told them the location and faced forward again.

After paying, Nao-chan and I headed over to where Watase-san and the others were sitting and settled down in front of them. Watase-san was sitting sideways with both legs swept to one side. Fujimiya-san was sitting hugging her knees, even though she’s wearing a skirt — her chest being squashed flat against them. Intense. And it looks like you can almost see something, but you can’t. As expected of a girl.

Wait, that doesn’t matter right now. I only have one piece of business here.

“Alright, both of you sit right there in seiza. Nao-chan, too.”

It’s the start of lecture time.