I’m a Telepath, but It’s Tough Because the Cool Beautiful Girl Next to Me Is Having Pink Thoughts - Chapter 18

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After a while, Tatsuki put her pen down and stretched.

At the same time, I lost my concentration and glanced at the clock on the wall.

“It’s already six o’clock…”

“It’s been quite a while since we started studying.”

The sky was darkening outside the window, and the lamp near the school gate was already lit.

“Shall we take a break?”

“Yes, let’s.”

She reached into her backpack and took out a bottle of soda.

I also pulled a drink from my bag, though mine was a plain water bottle and nothing special.

“Itsumi-san always brings a water bottle. What do you drink?”

“You notice? Just water. I bring an empty bottle and fill it at school.”

I thought to myself that it was kind of cheap, but when I don’t have money, I have to be willing to set aside pride.

“Um… I’m sorry about that.”

“Don’t apologize! That just makes me look pitiful.”

Tatsuki must have remembered my shabby apartment from the last time she visited.

The image she got through telepathy made it look even worse than it really was.

“Well… I can’t exactly deny what you’re imagining.”

“No! I didn’t mean to make you feel bad!”

She was flustered as she quickly waved her hands.

“…But, I mean, this isn’t meant to be weird, what do you usually do at home?”

Tatsuki blurted out her question.

I wanted to tell her she clearly had another motive, but I decided to let it go.

“Hmm… well, I do chores, study, and… sleep?”

Listing what I do at home made my life sound really boring.

But since I didn’t have any hobbies or passions right now, it was pretty normal for me.

Still… maybe being poor makes my heart feel poor too.

“Sleep… sleep?”

“…W-well, sleeping’s a valid hobby too.”

She tried to cheer me up, but I couldn’t help imagining something embarrassing again. I’m with a woman on a giant bed. But that’s not the size of the bed she actually sleeps on.

“Forget my boring life… What about Tatsuki-san? You always read, so I guess you really like books?”

I changed the subject, partly to distract myself from the awkward telepathy incident and partly out of curiosity about her reading habits.

“I’ve loved reading since I was little.”

Tatsuki responded with a cheerful and sincere smile.

There was nothing hidden behind it.

Her thoughts were completely normal, nothing strange at all.

I felt a little let down, but that was fine too; at least it meant I wouldn’t have to suffer another embarrassing daydream.

“Hmm, what kind of books do you like?”

“I read all kinds, but lately… romance, I guess.”

She was slightly embarrassed as she let her usually composed face soften.

It wasn’t strange for a girl her age to feel shy admitting that she liked romance novels.

But seeing her expression break like that, something her pink fantasies couldn’t even shake, and felt kind of funny.

“Eh, really? That’s unexpected. I thought Tatsuki-san would be into something more serious.”

“I get that a lot, but that’s not the case at all. And the thing I’m most passionate about—”

Her voice started to glow with excitement, and she reached into her bag.

Even though she rummaged around, it looked neat, and she quickly pulled out what she was looking for.

“This!”

Tatsuki held it up to show me with a slightly excited expression. It was a small novel that fit in her hands.

“…‘The Vampire Next Door’?”

“Yes, it’s usually called ‘TheVam.’”

She was dead serious, which made me almost laugh. Even though I wasn’t very up-to-date, I’d at least heard the title somewhere.

I faintly remember seeing big promotional displays for it at bookstores and convenience stores.

“I really love this book. At first, I thought it was just a romance, but before I knew it, I was completely hooked.”

“Really~ Is it really that good?”

“Yes! Totally!”

She nodded so quickly that I felt her excitement. I might have never seen her so passionate before.

“Ah.. I-I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine. I can tell you really like it.”

She looked down while blushing.

“I think that title didn’t get adapted into something? Maybe a movie or something?”

“Yes… kind of. Right after the tests, it’s being made into a stage play…”

Ah, that’s what I’d heard, a stage play.

It’s not common for a book like this to get adapted like that. But at the same time, Tatsuki’s expression clouded a little.

“You look disappointed.”

“…Well, I love the book so much… that if the adaptation doesn’t capture the feeling perfectly, I just can’t accept it…”

I could understand that.

A book has a charm that movies or plays often can’t replicate.

A stage adaptation might let you experience the story in a new way, but if it falls short, the disappointment hits even harder.

“I really want to see it because I love it, but I can’t shake off this worry…”

“…Well, there’s not much you can do about that.”

“Ugh, you’re right…”

Tatsuki slumped her shoulders.

Upon seeing her show her emotions like this was rare. She really must love this story.

“Ah, that’s it—”

She suddenly turned to me, her eyes sparkling with a mix of hope and anticipation.

Then, through her thoughts, she surprised me again.

“Itsumi-san. Would you like… to go see TheVam stage play with me?”

“…Huh?”

I was so stunned that words barely came out. But she kept going, as if determined to explain herself.

“If the play isn’t as good as we hope, I think I’ll be really frustrated. But if you’re there, maybe I can vent my feelings…”

“No, I…”

I could only mumble as I was lost and confused. But Tatsuki didn’t stop, and she pressed on.

“And, you’re the only one… I can ask for something like this…”

I wanted to argue.

Surely plenty of people would go if she asked them.

…Or maybe that’s why she asked me, someone who wouldn’t be the center of attention.

“Oh, I’m sorry. If you don’t want to, it’s totally fine—”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll be free after the tests anyway.”

I answered quickly, hoping to lift her gaze.

“Really?”

“Yeah… of course.”

“Thank you so much!”

Tatsuki’s eyes shone brightly.

I wondered why she was so happy, but to her, this was clearly a big deal.

“Finally!”

Her inner thoughts cheered.

“Ah, well then, shall we exchange contact info?”

“…Eh?”

Her question made me let out another awkward and nervous sound.

“It’s useful for making plans and coordinating schedules. We still have over a week, and we’ll see each other in person, but it’s convenient to keep in touch just in case.”

Her reason made perfect sense. After all, it’s normal to “exchange contact info” when we’re planning to hang out. Still, I couldn’t hide my surprise and confusion at the idea of actually exchanging numbers.

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

I avoided her curious gaze and pulled out my old, ancient phone.

Opening the chat app, which only had the landlady and Chihiro as contacts, I displayed my QR code.

“Um, sorry if this is clumsy.”

She was awkwardly holding her new, high-tech phone up to scan it.

…Then, right after, my phone made a little ping notification sound.

“All good.”

She checked her screen and nodded.

“…You know, Itsumi-san might be the first boy I’ve ever exchanged contact info with.”

“Ah… haha, me too.”

She smiled shyly, while I could only manage a stiff and awkward grin.

If anyone in our class found out about this, I might never be able to live it down…