Insensitive Bocchi-kun ~Reluctantly Heading to School Today~ [Dropped] - Chapter 88: The Autograph I Acquired

Chapter 88: The Autograph I Acquired

Heh, a lot happened, but it was really amazing.

Sensei’s signature… heh.

They even drew my face… It’s a treasure for life, no doubt.

As I was thinking this, I was on my way home, swaying on the train, while looking at the autographed paper of Kase-Sensei that I got from Shibuya-san.

Ah, I could look at this forever.

A smile naturally spread across my face. Couldn’t stop it.

I’m seriously grateful, Shibuya-san.

I’m too excited; I probably won’t sleep tonight.

“Fufu, Kento Mamiya. Today was fun, wasn’t it? You really do love their work, huh? I never thought you’d show me such a smile.”

“Ah, thank you.”

I was too happy; it was overwhelming.

Shibuya-san also had an amazing smile.

Would something good happen to her as well?

Ah, but this is truly the best. I feel like I’m soaring to the heavens.

“…”

Um, I’ve been thinking this for a while, but isn’t she sitting a bit too close?

Even though there’s plenty of empty seats, why is she sitting so close… our skin is touching…

“But you know, I also started reading it after that, and it’s really interesting. I usually don’t read manga, but before I knew it, I’d read up to the latest volume.”

“Huh? You read it?”

Shibuya-san read that ‘White Gambler’?

“Yes, I particularly like the boy who’s like a sidekick next to the protagonist. At first, he’s hopeless, but as he keeps trying hard next to the protagonist, he unexpectedly becomes a smart, cool guy.”

“Oh, yeah. That’s right. You understand the appeal of that guy.”

She’s really reading it, and thoroughly at that. Quite surprising, actually.

“Yes, I stayed up late reading it last night. So I haven’t slept at all.”

“Ah, I can relate. You just lose track of time when you’re reading.”

“Yes, but well… I was also looking forward to today, so that’s another reason I couldn’t sleep. Fufu.”

She said that and looked into my eyes again, smiling warmly.

Ah, maybe something had happened to her. 

She looks truly happy when she smiles.

I’m fully satisfied, and I want her to have fun too.

But it’s true; her expressions have become richer lately.

I used to know her as someone with a strong, dignified look, so her smile still feels a bit odd to me. 

Not in a bad way, though.

I wish she’d keep smiling like that at school too.

“So, would it be okay if I take a little nap? Is that alright?”

Ah, that’s totally fine. Sleep away; I’ll wake you up.

“Yes, that’s fine.”

Guess I’ll immerse myself again in this signature from Sensei.

“Thanks. Then, let me take a quick nap.”

“Sure, take your time.”

Wait… what?

No, hold on, what?

What is she doing…?

My shoulder feels a bit heavy… why?

Yes, for some reason, she’s now leaning on my shoulder, eyes closed.

What?

“S-Shibuya-san?”

No response.

Wait, is she asleep? That was fast.

I gently shake her shoulder, but still no response.

Huh… what’s happening here?

What if someone from school sees us like this?

Oh, no, I can’t move. Putting any more force would be bad too.

“…”

Huh, seriously? We still have quite some time before getting off…

Will it stay like this the entire time…?

Wait, no way…

But, she smells really good…

This is making me feel…

Bzzz Bzzz Bzzz

Huh? A call?

It’s rare for my phone to ring…

With that thought, I slowly pull my vibrating phone out of my tracksuit pocket.

And on the screen, the name “Saya Yamamoto” was displayed in large letters.

Yamamoto, huh…

I wonder what’s going on.

For now, I can only respond with a message since I’m on the train.

“Is something the matter? I can’t take a call; I’m on a train.”

“Oh, I see. Are you with Shibuya-san by any chance?”

“Yes, I am.”

Why does she know that…

Is it the TV…? That’s the only explanation. Right.

So she saw it…

“Is it from the TV?”

“Yeah, something like that…”

“…”

As I thought…

“By the way, which program?”　What show is it, by the way?”

“I think it was Pirunandesu!.”

“…”

Seriously? That ultra-popular daytime show?

“So, why were you at the beach with Shibuya-san?”

Why?

Because I could get an autograph from Kase-Sensei…

But Yamamoto definitely wouldn’t know about “White Gambler.”

“Well, there are various reasons.”

Yeah, various reasons. But to think we ended up on Pirunandesu…

This is bad… A lot of people might have seen it. But Sakaki and the others probably didn’t watch. 

Those guys would never watch a news program. 

And if I think about it, other people would normally be busy around noon…

“Can you tell me a bit more about these ‘various reasons’?”

Wait, she wants to know in detail? Why is she curious about that?

Well, it’s not like I can’t tell her.

“It’s not that kind of relationship with her, right?”

That kind of relationship?

“What kind of relationship?”

Huh?

“Like, you know… a romantic one.”

What?

“There’s no way. Absolutely not.”

What is she talking about…? There’s no way there’s anything like that between her and me.

I’ve been made to realize this many times, but the worlds we live in are fundamentally different.

“Really?”

“…”

She is still leaning on my shoulder though.

“Of course. Why would I lie about that?”

Ah, of course.

“Good to hear. So you’re on the train, heading home?”

“Yeah, that’s the plan.”

…Good to hear?

“Can we meet up later?”

Meet up later?

Ah—

“Hey, Kento. What are you doing behind my back again? I’ll have a serious talk with you tomorrow. Be prepared. I hope you’re not in that kind of relationship with her…”

Linlin… Wait, again with ‘that kind of relationship’?

There’s no way. How many times do I have to say it… What’s gotten into Linlin?

And what does she mean by ‘be prepared’?

Wait, whoa

“Ken-chan, who’s that beautiful girl? I’d like to know more. Could she be my rival?”

Hiragi-san too…

Why are celebrities messaging an ordinary person so often… Is that even okay?

And what does she mean by ‘rival’?

“…”

“Hm? Kento Mamiya, are you messaging someone?”

“Ah, yeah, just some stuff…”

Suddenly, a series of messages on LINE…

Wait, is she already awake?

She wasn’t waking up just a moment ago.

Well, it’s better for me if she’s awake.

Before I knew it, her face was very close to mine.

“Fufu, Kento Mamiya. I’m sure you know, but… you can’t be messaging other girls while we’re on a date.”

Huh? Wait, her face is really close… Did she say we’re on a date?

“On a d-date?”

What is she talking about?

Moreover, why is she resting her head on my shoulder even after waking up?

“Yes, that’s right. We’re on a date. So it’s not allowed. You have to be focused on me…”

Saying that, she looks up at me from a very close distance.

Focused on her? What is she suddenly talking about?

“At least, um, could you move your head…”

My heart can’t take this if it continues.

I don’t intend to misunderstand, but this is definitely something else.

“Fufu, what? It’s fine because we’re on a date.”

“But other people are watching…”

Again with the ‘date’…

What is she trying to say?

“Fufu, I don’t mind.”

Before I know it, she smiles at me again.

It’s an uncharacteristic smile for her, reminiscent of a little girl, in a good way.

Her face is beet red.

What’s with that expression?

“So, do you mind, Kento Mamiya?”

Huh…?

What kind of question is that now?

And why has her face gotten even redder than before?

“I don’t mind, but…”

“Then, can I ask you to stay like this for a little longer?”

“…”

Huh?

No, seriously, why is this happening?

What’s going on? This situation…

This is weird…

It’s as if it’s really…

Is it my imagination, or is the smartphone I just put away still vibrating in my pocket?

No, it can’t be my imagination.

This persistence… it’s probably from her.

But for now, what should I do about this situation?

The air conditioner is on, right? It’s a train, after all.

But… it’s hot. Her body is still close to mine…

What is really going on?

And the gazes… they’re intense.

Wait, it’s still buzzing…

What should I do?