Insensitive Bocchi-kun ~Reluctantly Heading to School Today~ [Dropped] - Chapter 43: Free Time ②

Chapter 43: Free Time ②

Oh, without exaggeration, the ikura (salmon roe) is shining like a jewel. 

And, even the sea urchin… it’s so… 

Amazing. 

On this school trip, my heart is pounding with excitement.

So, this is Hokkaido.

A-and, the food… it’s delicious.

For the first time… I feel glad I came to Hokkaido.

I can’t stop my hand holding the spoon.

Seriously, what is this deliciousness?

What were the ikura and sea urchins I’ve had before?

This is… the real deal.

Really, even though I’m alone, it’s the best.

While I was lost in thoughts like that, devouring the bowl of food, suddenly someone tapped my shoulder from behind, and my hand stopped.

Hm?

“Hehe, what a coincidence.”

Ugh…

When I turned around… there, standing before me was that swindler guy from earlier, —and who is that?

Wait, why is he here?

“Mind if I join you at the same table as before?”

“Eh?”

Without waiting for my consent, they took the seat at the same table as me.

What the hell is going on with these people?

Wait… huh?

As I looked at the person standing next to the swindler, she took off her hat and removed her mask, and in that instant, I couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Eh?”

“Maybe now you believe me a little?”

S-Saori Hiragi.

She’s… a famous celebrity, isn’t she?

“Fufu, hello. The president asked me to come, and wow, you’re such a handsome guy.”

W-what are you saying?

Wait, why is a celebrity here of all places? 

And… President?

This guy…?

The Saori Hiragi standing before me right now is the rival group’s No. 2, contrasting Miki, who belongs to a different group.

Yes, she’s a bona fide celebrity belonging to a popular group.

Whenever you turn on the TV, she’s always appearing on some channel, a popular figure.

And even though she’s No. 2, she’s undoubtedly the top in terms of popularity within the group, even without being the leader.

S-So, why is she with this guy…?

In that case, is this guy really… the president?

“Wait… are you… the real deal?”

Perhaps it’s because I’ve known Miki for a long time, so when we met last year after a long time, there was no excitement at all… But now, the celebrity I’m encountering in front of me is the first one I’ve encountered other than Miki.

It may not be appropriate, but I can’t help but feel excited in this situation.

I don’t have any friends… and I do quite like watching TV.

Or rather, it’s on all the time except during study hours.

“Oh, there’s no doubt she’s the real deal. They happened to be working in Hokkaido, so I brought them along to make you believe that I’m also the real deal.”

“S-so, you weren’t a fraud?”

“Who the heck would be a fraud? Hahaha!”

But if that’s the case, why would they involve someone like me even more…?

“You see, like I said earlier, if you become a celebrity, you can work with not only her but also Miki-chan from the rival group. We put a lot of emphasis on music, as you can see.”

“Seriously… Mr. President, do you have to say that in front of me?”

“Hahaha, sorry, sorry. But her popularity is truly amazing, you know. Seriously, if she had come to our company… Well, Saori is also incredibly talented, though, not to be outdone.”

Amazing.

This is definitely a conversation from the entertainment industry.

“Fufu, by the way, how about working together with me in the same company?”

And it’s incredible…

Truly an idol with a healing presence.

The smile I always saw on TV is right in front of me…

“Oh, if she’s inviting you, then there’s no other choice but for you to join us, right? You’re in the second year of high school, and it seems like you’re the same age. If things go well, you might even end up dating Saori.”

“Seriously, what are you saying, Mr. President? Fufu, well, he might be my type, but…”

As she said that, she also looked at me with a smile, looking up slightly for some reason.

What are they saying…?

She’s a member of an idol group where romantic relationships are strictly prohibited.

Seriously, what is the president saying?

And Hiragi-san too… Are they idiots?

Or rather… she’s really a celebrity.

Today is turning out to be quite something…

“So, what do you think seriously? How about joining us? I’ll let you do whatever you want, whether it’s acting or being an artist.”

No, seriously, that offer is impossible for me, no matter how you look at it.

Both of them… Are they out of their minds?

“No, that’s not possible.”

“W-what? An immediate response? Eh, well, Saori is also asking you, you know.”

“No… It’s clearly impossible, right?”

Saying that, I pointed to my own face.

“No, it’s definitely possible. don’t tell me…”

No, seriously, what kind of look are they giving me?

“Um, sorry if I’m mistaken, but you’re Saori Hiragi, right?”

While having that exchange with the man who appears to be the president, a sudden voice of a girl was heard from the adjacent seat. 

And there were two girls of about the same age sitting there.

They’re probably from a different school, but could they be on the school trip too?

That’s the feeling I get.

“Ah, yes. I’m Saori Hiragi.”

Before I knew it, she kindly shook hands with those girls. 

Oh… celebrities. 

“Sorry, can we also take a photo?”

Is that okay?

In my mind, I have the image that celebrities don’t really take photos together much.

Hiragi-san quietly observed the president’s face. 

“Hmm, a photo… W-well, it’s fine, right? There aren’t many people around yet. Go ahead and take it.”

Indeed, it’s still a bit early for lunchtime, so there are only a few people around, including those girls and some elderly folks.

“Yay.”

The two girls seemed quite delighted. 

Certainly… their excitement is understandable. 

Good for them…

“Come on, let’s take a photo together too.”

Huh?

Hiragi-san gestured to me to join. 

For real… 

“Hey, I’ll take the photo. Girls, give me your phones. Saori too.”

Taking a photo with a celebrity…

“Alright, say cheese.”

Whoa, Hiragi-san. She’s getting really close to my face. 

Truly a celebrity.

I wonder if she’s used to taking these kinds of photos. 

“Thank you so much!”

The girls genuinely seemed happy.

“Can we upload this on social media or something?” 

One of the girls spoke up. 

That’s probably not allowed, right…?

“Hm? Sure, go ahead. Feel free to post it.”

Huh, you sure…?

So easily…?

“Come on, Saori, you should also post it. Actually, you must post it.”

“Okay.”

“You don’t mind, right?”

The man who appears to be the president asked me.

“Well… if that’s what you want.”

I don’t have a reason to refuse. 

But, are you ok with me? 

__________ And a few seconds later.

“Fufu, it’s done.”

Saying that, Hiragi-san showed me her phone with the caption “With students on a school trip in Hokkaido” along with our photo.

Oh… I’m in a photo with a celebrity. 

“Well then, even if people start flocking here after seeing it, it’s not good. It’s about time we go.” 

“Fufu, yes. Actually, this might turn into something dangerous.”

“Heh, yeah… it might.” 

What are the two of them mumbling about? 

Well, they’re finally leaving, huh? 

It seems like the man who seems like the president and Hiragi-san have already left. 

The girls from earlier are also gone.

For now, I said things without really understanding, but it was a good experience… 

As I was thinking about that, Hiragi-san unexpectedly came back into the store and started heading towards me.

“Fufu, I forgot to ask. Can you tell me your name?”

Mine?

“It’s Mamiya…”

I instinctively answered. 

Well… there’s no need to hide it. 

“Fufu, Mamiya-kun, is it? Here you go. It’s my personal contact information. Definitely get in touch, okay? It would be great if we could work together.” 

Eh?

What does she mean?

The girl in front of me had a beaming smile that can be seen even through her mask.

And in front of me, who was dumbfounded, she finally left from this place… 

What on earth is going on…? 

It’s clearly strange. 

No, it’s way too strange.

Wait, huh… 

Could this possibly be… a prank…? 

Like those pranks where they trick regular people that have been popular lately.

It’s absolutely impossible for me to be scouted by the president of an agency in a normal situation. 

The president wouldn’t personally scout someone… 

And those two girls who suddenly approached me had impeccable timing.

A celebrity wouldn’t normally post pictures with ordinary people on social media… 

And then there’s the contact information she gave me at the end. 

Ah, it’s so unrealistic, like something out of a manga. 

This is definitely a TV show… It has to be TV.

Certainly, on TV, they often prank people like me, who are unremarkable. 

As someone who enjoys watching TV, I can understand that.

I’ve been tricked… 

But well, at least I got to meet a celebrity.

Ah… 

But I hope it’s not going to be broadcasted. 

I wouldn’t like that. 

And usually, for successful pranks, they bring a sign that says “Prank Successful,” right? 

Isn’t it a bit late?

__________ After that, I went to the ramen shop I wanted to visit, bought souvenirs for Linlin and the others, and it’s already evening now. 

I’ve returned to the hotel, but those people with the “Prank Successful” sign haven’t shown up at all…

Seriously? Aren’t they a bit too late…?

Could it be that my reaction wasn’t funny enough, so they scrapped it? 

Well, if that’s the case, it’s fine too. In fact, it’s probably better that way… 

But I wish they would say something, even just a word…

Well… It turned out to be a memorable experience though.

But to think that I would be the one being pranked… A prank…