I’m a Telepath, but It’s Tough Because the Cool Beautiful Girl Next to Me Is Having Pink Thoughts - Chapter 25

Even though I knew that those people’s evil plans were closing in, there wasn’t much I could do. There were things I should be doing, like planning an escape or gathering information, but the landlady was much better at that kind of stuff than I was.

After all, the experience we’d each gone through was completely different. Saying she had more practice escaping sounded weird, but… well, it was true, so there was nothing I could do about it.

So, for now, all I had to focus on was the minimum preparation and getting through the things I had to do.

And today was one of those things I had to do.

“Good morning, Itsumi-san!”

I was staring at the cars passing by on the pedestrian deck near the station for no particular reason when Tatsuki’s voice came from the side.

Her tone was flat and emotionless as usual, but if I listened closely, I could tell. She sounded almost excited, though she didn’t say it outright.

“Good morning. You’re in a good mood today.”

“Of course! I’ve finally been waiting for this day!”

I could see it in her eyes. How much she’d been looking forward to today.

“I have to see the new stage of ‘TheVam’ with my own eyes!”

“Haha, you’re right.”

I smiled a little at the determination in her voice, almost like a sense of mission.

Today was the opening performance of her favorite play, or rather, “The Vampire Next Door.”

The reason we were here in this unfamiliar city station, and why we had bought expensive tickets, was all for this.

“Tatsuki-san, do you go to the theater often?”

“Well… when I was little, my parents took me a few times… but I haven’t been at all in the past few years.”

I figured she might have gone at least once, given her refined upbringing, but it seemed I was wrong.

“So, besides comparing it with the original story, I just want to enjoy the play itself.”

“Yeah, I haven’t really seen many plays either, so maybe I’ll do the same.”

“Right… hehe, it’s more fun to share new experiences with someone else who’s also new to it.”

Tatsuki smiled warmly. Honestly, if anyone else saw her like this, I think every single person would fall in love with her.

“…We still have some time before the theater opens. Shall we walk around a little?”

I checked my phone, and it was true. We still had about an hour and a half before the doors opened. I had left plenty of buffer time, but maybe this was a bit too early.

“Sure… though I don’t really know this area well.”

“Me neither. But that’s why it’s fun, I think.”

Probably… That came from her lack of experience. But it’s true that sometimes not knowing anything makes small discoveries even more exciting.

“Then… let’s just wander around for a bit.”

“Yes!”

When I suggested it, Tatsuki nodded happily, like she’d been waiting for me to say that.

It was the middle of a weekday, and we left the station, passing by the busy crowd at the gates, and started exploring the area around us.

—

“People really are everywhere.”

“Well, it’s a city, even on a weekday.”

Tatsuki was right. Right, left, in front, behind, people, people, people. Walking side by side, it felt like we could get separated in an instant if we weren’t careful.

Maybe we should leave a little extra time to get to the theater.

“Itsumi-san… um, can I hold your arm?”

“Hold my arm? Sure.”

I agreed without fully understanding what she meant. By the time I realized, it was already too late.

“Um… Tatsuki-san?”

“I-It would be terrible if we got separated…”

And just like that, Tatsuki had wrapped her arm around mine.

She explained herself immediately, but holding hands would have been enough, right? I wanted to tease her about that.

Her eyes were darting around everywhere. She didn’t look calm at all, completely unlike the usual Tatsuki.

“H-he’s so close… I can feel his body heat…”

Yeah, my mind was anything but calm. Pink… or maybe just plain embarrassed. Let’s not even think about why she did this. There was no way I could answer that.

“Ah… alright, let’s just go like this.”

“Y-yes…”

We couldn’t just stand still in the crowd, so I started walking with her, still holding on. She shivered a little at first, but then walked along without letting go.

Of course, walking through a crowded street like this was awkward. Being pressed this close while trying to control our feelings made it really hard to walk. Not that it was a real problem.

“W-walking like this… we… we look like a couple, don’t we…”

“Tatsuki-san? I can hear you.”

“Eh, um, I’m just joking…”

Her poker face completely fell apart. She was smiling sheepishly, and the tips of her ears were bright red.

Forget what I said earlier. This is a problem. Even if she’s only showing a little, I feel it too.

Hearing these little flustered whispers from Tatsuki and feeling her intense telepathy… It’s really hard to handle.