Insensitive Bocchi-kun ~Reluctantly Heading to School Today~ [Dropped] - Chapter 89: Repeated Incoming Calls

Chapter 89: Repeated Incoming Calls

“Today was really fun. Let’s do it again, Kento Mamiya!”

Shibuya-san said, waving at me with an incredible smile.

“Ah, thank you.”

Such a treasure… really.

“Fufu, see you later.”

“Ah, see you.”

Even so, she was a completely different person today than when she’s at school. She turned back and waved at me again with that smile. 

But why was she so drawn to someone like me?

As I pondered this, her figure disappeared as she passed through the ticket gate.

Well, I guess I should head home too.

“…”

Ah…

Before I knew it, my smartphone was vibrating intensely in my pocket. 

It must be Miki. 

She’s probably in a bad mood because I couldn’t answer her call earlier.

As I suspected, Miki’s name was on the screen when I took out my phone.

“…”

Scary…

Click

“Hello?”

“What’s the deal? Why haven’t you been answering your phone!?”

“Well, I was on the train, I even texted you that on Line.”

Just as I thought, she sounded grumpy. Is she angry?

“Oh? With that black-haired girl?”

“…”

So, Miki saw that too?

“Why are you being quiet, Kento!? Are you with that girl!?”

Ah, my ears…

“Um, I was, until a moment ago.”

Why is she raising her voice like that? She was in a pretty bad mood during that incident with Yamamoto too.

“So, what is that girl to you, Kento!? Don’t tell me she’s your girlfriend!”

What in the world is Miki talking about?

“No way, that’s absolutely not the case.”

How many times have I had this conversation today?

She’s out of my league no matter how you look at it.

Saying it out loud makes me feel a bit miserable.

“Yes, yes, absolutely… Right. Of course, the one who should be beside Kento is…”

What is she muttering now?

I can’t make out what she’s saying because her voice suddenly dropped.

“So you really have nothing going on with her!”

Again, what does she think is going on?

“Ah, like I said, there’s nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

“Fine, I get it. There’s nothing. I’ll forgive you this time. Whenever I take my eyes off you, you’re always with some girl…”

Forgive me for what?

And why did her voice suddenly brighten up?

What’s going on?

“And, you haven’t been in touch with Saori Hiragi lately, have you?”

“…”

Come to think of it, I got a Line message from her earlier too.

Why am I casually exchanging messages with top idols like Saori Hiragi and Miki?

I’ve been a bit numb to it recently, but it’s definitely too much.

“That silence means you’re in contact with her. Lying won’t help, Kento. I can always tell when you’re lying.”

And once again, her mood seems to have soured.

Is it the stress? Being an idol really seems tough.

“Well, it’s not like we’re constantly in touch. I occasionally get messages from her. I don’t know why she’s messaging someone like me, though.”

“What do those messages say?”

What kind of messages?

Why is she asking so eagerly?

“Well, for example, today, just like with Miki, I was asked about Shibuya-san…”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yeah.”

“By the way, did any other girls ask you about that Shibuya-san today?”

How does she know…?

“Yeah… for some reason, I get asked about her quite a lot.”

“Furthermore, was it the pancake girl from the other day or perhaps a colleague from your part-time job?”

“How do you know that too?”

“Haah…”

What’s with that sigh?

“So, Kento, do you have someone you like right now?”

What’s with this sudden question?

“No way, I don’t.”

I don’t have the mental capacity for that right now.

“I see.”

“Yeah.”

What is it?

“Well, I have someone I’ve liked for a long time…”

“… “

“Someone I’ve liked since forever.”

Really, what’s going on? I can’t follow the conversation at all today.

Her voice, which had just reached my ears, suddenly seemed more subdued.

“It’s thanks to that person that I was able to become an idol.”

“… “

“That person once told me, if it’s Miki, she can definitely become an idol. That Miki is the cutest in the world.”

“… “

Is that so?

_____”Miki can definitely become an idol! Because Miki is the cutest in the world.”

For a moment, I felt as if a similar memory from the past flashed through my mind, but… it must be different.

Miki is cute, and I’m sure she’s been told that by various people for a long time.

Yeah, it couldn’t be me.

She knows I’m a loner right now, too.

Even without that, there’s no way it could be someone like me… 

After all, Miki is a top idol.

The worlds where a loner and a top idol reside are obviously different.

In every way…

“Fufu, that’s how it is for now. I’ll work even harder!”

“Uh, yeah…”

“So, you should cheer for me instead of Saori Hiragi, okay?”

“…?”

“Kento? Are you listening?”

“Yes.”

I don’t know why it’s turned out this way, but well.

“Fufu, good. Kento and I are childhood friends, you know. Long-time childhood friends.”

Childhood friends, huh…

“I mean, you can’t contact Saori Hiragi, but feel free to contact me as much as you want. I’ll say it again, we’re long-time childhood friends.”

“…”

“Hey, Kento?”

“Ah… thanks.”

“Yep!”

I suddenly don’t quite understand, but well.

“So, don’t get distracted by other girls! After all, we’re long-time childhood friends.”

“No, that has nothing to do with being childhood friends… well, not in my case anyway.”

How many times has she mentioned “long-time childhood friends” now?

So many times…

“Fufu, really? I can’t trust you.”

I seriously don’t have anyone else…

“Well, never mind. I’m a bit relieved now. There won’t be a next time.”

What won’t?

“Anyway, I have to go; my next job is starting.”

“Ah, good luck.”

“Yep. Thanks. You too, Kento. Bye-bye.”

“Ah.”

Beep, beep, beep.

“…”

We talked about various things, but what was the call even about?

But, who is this person Miki has liked since forever?

It couldn’t be me…

As I thought about that, I found myself feeling strangely unsettled.

“…”

Well, I should head home for now…

Wait, now Yamamoto is calling…

“…”