The Guy Who Doesn't Want to Be Found vs. The Girls Who Want to Know Who He Is - Chapter 32

Chapter 31: Escape Drama with the Three Fools

“”Stopp!””

“Hey, hey! Didn’t you say yourselves that persistent guys don’t get popular?”

“You’re the exception!”

“That’s right! Playing with a pure man’s heart!”

Galt and Gelato give me intense looks as they chase after me. Seriously, learn your lesson already—how many times have I escaped from you guys? I run through the city, exasperated, looking for my next escape route.

“Right! There’s that place over here!”

I turn right at a corner and slip out of their sight.

“Sorry, old man! Can you hide me?”

“Oh, Glenn’s being chased again today?”

“Yeah, that’s right, so could you let me hide here for a bit?”

I decide to hide at a stall I visited on a day off some time ago. By the way, my escapes from those three fools are quite well known among acquaintances. 

Apparently, there are even bets being placed on it. Come on, help me out before doing such things.

“That’s fine, but what did you do this time?”

“I didn’t do anything. I’m innocent.”

Why does everyone assume I’m guilty? That’s completely unfair.

“So, it’s their jealousy again this time?”

“Yes. And it’s a nonsensical kind of jealousy again.”

Last time, the chase started because I was playing outside with Rena. But that was only because Gordon asked me to take care of Rena, and she wanted to go out.

Even when I explained this to the three fools, they wouldn’t listen at all. Why won’t they ever listen?

“Phew.”

“Glenn, you’re really having a tough time, huh? Here, eat this and cheer up.”

“Old man! Thank you!!”

I sighed, and perhaps out of sympathy, the old man gave me some freshly grilled skewers. Wow, I could almost fall for this awesome old man!

“Where did that Glenn go!?”

“!!… Munch munch!… Gulp.”

I swallowed the skewers he gave me and hid again. They’ve made it all the way here.

“Just wait, I think I know what he might do.”

Then Nine starts looking around and walks off. I hide so they can’t see me, praying they won’t come this way.

“There you are, Glenn~”

My prayers didn’t work. Nine found me immediately, and the other two quickly surrounded me.

“Well, well, the crime of playing with our hearts is a serious one, huh?”

“Glenn? Got any last words?”

Galt and Gelato approach, cracking their knuckles. I look desperately at the nice old man who’s my last hope.

“Old man! Help me!!”

“Hey hey! How about some fresh skewers!? Cheap and tasty!”

No use. The old man is ignoring me and calling out to other customers. Is this really the same nice old man from before? I look at him skeptically.

“So, have you decided on your last words?”

Then Galt, Gelato, and even Nine slowly close in on me. This is bad!! I need to think of an effective way out!!

What can I use… What can I use…

“Ah! …Are those Moon’s Droplets over there!?”

“”What!? Where!?””

I pointed towards the back of the city, and the three guys fell for it amusingly. They started desperately scanning the area, looking for them. It’s good they’re so gullible.

“Where are they? Exactly where!?”

“Hey, Glenn! Where are… the Moon’s Droplets…?”

Nine turned around to ask Glenn, but Glenn was nowhere to be seen. As Nine stood frozen, the stall owner tapped his shoulder and pointed.

“Glenn’s over there.”

“…Huh?”

And there, where the stall owner pointed, was Glenn. He had slipped through their encirclement while the three were busy searching for Moon’s Droplets and made his escape.

Once he was a safe distance from the stall, Glenn turned towards the three fools, gave a thumbs up, and said with a smile,

“Sorry! It was just a lie to escape!”

““…””

Then Glenn turned his back and started running. The three were frozen for a moment, but soon started chasing after him. Their faces were too dark to see clearly.

“”…Kill that guy…””

“No, that sounds scary!”

I’m too scared to even look back. Their choppy speech and invisible expressions made it clear that getting caught would be bad news. 

I shuddered at the thought of what might happen if they caught me.

“You guys are so persistent! Just give up already!”

“If you just let yourself be executed quietly, all this would be over.”

“If you don’t resist, we’ll make your execution quick and painless.”

“Come on, stop running already.”

We’ve been running and arguing for a while, but it seems they still intend to “execute” me. Don’t these guys have any compassion?

“Why? I haven’t done anything wrong!”

“Shut up, you evil hoarding the treasures of this town!”

Somehow, I’m being treated as an evil person. I really think these guys should get their heads checked, especially how they completely change when a woman is involved.

“Ah! Is that…?”

While escaping, I catch a glimpse of someone in a moment they can’t see. To me right now, that person looks like hope itself.

Chapter 32: The Final Escape

“Hey!”

“Huh?… Glenn?”

When I called out, the person noticed me. It was Stella, a member of the Moon’s Droplets we were just talking about.

Instead of her usual short outfits, she was dressed more casually in a hoodie and jeans, but it was definitely Stella.

“Sorry! There’s something only you can help me with.”

“Is it really that important?”

When I mentioned that I needed a favor, Stella looked serious. Yes, she was the only one who could save me now.

“Yeah, I’m really relying on you.”

“Eh? Really?…Okay.”

Stella looked confused by my words. What was she feeling? Now’s not the time to worry about that. The sad trio of monsters is closing in on us.

“I need you to say something to the trio of guys who will be here soon.”

“Eh?…”

I told Stella what I wanted her to say. She looked shocked and froze for a moment. But then she sighed heavily.

“Please, think of it as helping me!”

“…Alright.”

She initially sighed, but after I pleaded with her, she reluctantly agreed.

Thank you so much! This practically saves my life.

“There he is! Over there!!”

“We won’t let you escape!”

“Give up!”

“Yikes! They spotted me!”

When I looked back, the three fools had noticed me and were running towards me. But it was too late. Stella was here to help!

“Please, Miss Stella!”

“Okay, got it.”

Then Stella stepped forward and looked at the three fools. She said the lines I had told her to say in advance.

“Are you Glenn’s friends?”

“”What?””

Their momentum halted. That makes sense. Being addressed by such a pretty girl would definitely shock them.

“I’ve heard a lot about you guys from Glenn.”

“Really? He actually talked about us?”

“And isn’t she Stella from Moon’s Droplets?”

Of course, I hadn’t actually talked about them at all. I just asked Stella to say that.

“But, the stories I heard seem quite different. Were you really chasing Glenn around and trying to be violent?”

“N-No, that was…”

“There’s been a misunderstanding!!”

“I was trying to stop these guys!!”

While Galt and Gelato were trying to explain themselves, Nine claimed he was trying to stop them, apparently wanting to be seen as different from the other two. But that’s a bit of a stretch.

“I really don’t like violent people.”

“”Ugh!!””

Shocked by being called disliked, the three of them practically collapsed, as if they were spitting blood. Well, it did feel like I went a bit too far.

I clasped my hands and prayed for them to live strong.

“Saved. Thank you, Stella.”

“I’m still not quite sure what’s going on here.”

That’s understandable. Anyone would be confused if suddenly asked to say something like this. I’d be startled if it were me.

“Should we just leave those three alone?”

Stella asked this while looking at the three guys who seemed like they had collapsed after spitting blood. But they’re fine. Their vitality is tougher than cockroaches.

“Yeah, they’re okay. They’ll be running around again in a few minutes.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Yes, that’s how it is, so we don’t need to worry about them. Oh, speaking of which, I remembered I had something else to ask Stella.

“Perfect timing. I need to pass you a futon.”

I decided to hand over a futon while I was here. I need to go back to the inn anyway, so she’ll have to wait a bit.

“I’ll bring a spare one, so just wait a little.”

“Hmm, in that case, to avoid extra trouble, can I come with you?”

“Ah, sure? I don’t mind either way.”

Stella thought for a moment and then asked if she could come along. It’s easier for me if it saves me a trip.

“Then, I’ll come with you.”

“Alright. Let’s go then.”

“Okay.”

We started walking towards the inn. Fortunately, the inn where I’m staying isn’t far from here. It should take less than a 10-minute walk.

“By the way, Glenn, I heard that you once toured the city like this with Liz.”

“That’s right. Though by touring, I mean we just went around eating at different places.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, she really enjoys the food I make. It definitely makes me happy as the cook.”

“Huh… Well, Liz does eat a lot.”

“Haha, that’s true.”

Stella and I walked to the inn, making small talk along the way.

“Ah, we’ve arrived at the inn. Just wait here for a bit.”

“Okay, got it.”

After reaching the inn, I asked Stella to wait for a moment. I went back to my room to get a spare futon.