Insensitive Bocchi-kun ~Reluctantly Heading to School Today~ [Dropped] - Chapter 96: Turning Point (End of Vol. 03)

Chapter 96: Turning Point

Today had been a whirlwind, to the point that I didn’t even know what was what anymore. 

But there was one thing I did realize. Could it be that I’m actually…cool?

I still couldn’t quite believe it myself, but the reactions from those women and the happenings on social media seemed to tell a different story. 

No matter how I looked at it, it felt like that was the conclusion.

Lost in these thoughts, I found myself staring at my own reflection in the mirror since I’d gotten out of the bath.

“…”

Thinking back on my experiences with Yamamoto and the others, it sort of made sense. 

My Twitter followers were increasing in real-time.

So this is the new me…

With glasses in one hand and tousling my still-damp hair with the other, I continued to gaze intently at my face in the mirror.

Could it be…?

I had thought I was the same person whether I was attending school or looking at myself right now. But it occurred to me that the atmosphere about me might indeed be changing.

As I took this opportunity to look at myself anew, I strangely found myself thinking that way.

And so, I even took multiple selfies with my smartphone to compare myself with my usual self later—a thing I’d never do normally.

It’s possible my mood is strange in various ways right now.

Ah…Miki.

I noticed a video call coming in on my phone—it was from Miki, my childhood friend and a top idol.

“…”

It’s probably about that matter. This might be a good opportunity to ask her as well.

“What’s up, Miki?”

“What do you mean, ‘what’s up?’! Why did you suddenly start using Twitter like that…Wait, what are you wearing?”

“Ah, sorry. Just got out of the bath.”

“Yo—you’re naked! Kento, you’re naked!”

“So, what?”

What’s got her so flustered?

I’m not completely naked; I’m wearing pants.

“A-ah, right. What I wanted to ask was why you suddenly started using Twitter. It’s not like you!”

And why is she angry?

Well, I do know it’s not like me.

“Ah, it’s a little experiment.”

“Experiment?”

Yes, an experiment.

“Yeah. So, Miki… Do you think I’m cool?”

“W-what? Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”

Well, that would be the natural reaction. But right now, I want an answer. So the words just naturally slipped out.

“Look, I want to know, honestly, how do you see me, Miki?”

With that, I stared intently at Miki on the screen. I really wanted an answer from her.

“W-what’s gotten into you, Kento? What’s going on?”

I’m wondering that myself, but…

“It’s important. Tell me, Miki.”

I kept staring into Miki’s eyes.

“You’re cool, alright? You’re really cool, Kento. Haven’t I been saying that forever? Since way back.”

Then she answered, her face flushed, from the screen.

“I see. Thank you…”

That’s right. Miki has always thought so.

“…”

What am I even doing…?

When I think about it calmly, even though she’s my childhood friend, she’s still a top idol. I’ve just done something pretty bold.

Feeling embarrassed all of a sudden, I quickly end the video call on my smartphone.

She tries to call back, but I ignore it. Too embarrassing.

My mood really must be off today.

“But then again…”

Miki, who’s living in a world full of handsome guys in the entertainment industry, said it. So it must mean something.

“…”

Summer vacation is almost over. Maybe I should take some time to think about various things—about my future direction.

And what was the deal with that foreigner today? I really don’t want to meet him again.

“Yeah.”

But school might get fun. Maybe.

It all depends on what I do next.

Right now, I’m at rock bottom. It can’t get worse than this.

“So, should I give it a try…”

But thinking like that, maybe those girls really do think of me as…

No, but still…considering everything up to now, and Miki earlier… No, she’s a top idol, that can’t be it. But Hiragi-san also seemed to think highly of me for some reason…

“…”

Maybe I should just go to sleep.

“…”

Not good. I can’t sleep.