The Reason Why The Cool Beauty Who Repeatedly Ignores Messages Replies Only To Me. ~The Lonely Beauty Wants To Know The Lonely Me〜 - Chapter 9

Episode 9: Getting to the Heart of the Matter on a Cafe Date

I sat down on the chair opposite Saeki and promptly made the photo that had been boldly taken (without permission) disappear right then and there.

“That takes care of that.”

“You seem rather relieved, but… the photos I took earlier are automatically sent to the cloud, so they’ll remain there forever. Don’t underestimate digital tattoos.”

“I don’t need to hear that from the person who took the photos! Besides, only you can see them, so it’s not like it’s a digital tattoo or anything.”

“Only me… can see them.”

Saeki’s expression seemed to loosen for a moment, but she quickly hid it with her hand.

“…H-how amusing.”

“What is?”

Saeki occasionally makes incomprehensible remarks. Her personality is a bit peculiar, and she’s actually quite a beauty… this girl.

When I glance at Saeki, she immediately meets my gaze and doesn’t look away. She’s strangely confrontational. Is she also annoyed that I’m a bit late?

“Are you mad because I’m a bit late?”

“Oh, have you ever gone on a date with a girl before?”

“W-well, no.”

“Oh, I see…… Well, that’s fine then.”

I thought I’d be scolded more harshly, but surprisingly, the conversation ended smoothly.

“A-Aren’t you angry?”

“I’m just glad that… it’s me.”

“Ha?”

“Isn’t it nice that your first time is with me?”

Saeki said with a slightly proud expression. I don’t even know what’s supposed to be nice about it, and she always seems to talk down to me… but I’ll endure it for now.

As I suppress my anger in my heart, the female waitress from the cafe comes to our table and asks, “Have you decided on your order?”.

Saeki seems to have called her over without me noticing.

“…Milk cocoa. ”

I always pictured Saeki as someone who enjoys coffee or tea, but milk cocoa?

“Then, I’ll have a coffee.”

Following Saeki’s order, I also ordered a coffee.

“Oh, so you can drink coffee.”

“Huh? W-well, yeah.”

“…You’re trying to act tough.”

Saeki muttered quietly and took a sip of her water. I’m not trying to act tough.

I suppress my anger and get to the point.

“So, um, about the cultural festival… we need to decide soon. I’d prefer not to interact with the others in class as much as possible, so I’d like you to take charge if possible.”

“…I don’t like it.”

I thought so. Knowing Saeki, I expected her to say that.

I knew she would refuse, but I thought it would be smoother if the popular Saeki took the lead instead of me, who is unpopular and disliked by those around me…

“You can talk to the others like you do with me when we’re having a conversation like this.”

“…Then you should do the same. You should talk to other people.”

“Well, yes, it’s just that.”

Saeki’s response is so strong that I stutter.

“Since both of us find it difficult, I think it’s better to ask Machibari-san, the class representative, to decide… or rather, ask your friend Machibari-san.”

Saeki’s tone changes sharply at the end.

I wondered if she was attacking Machibari because they have a bad relationship…

It’s uncertain, but it’s possible that there’s some tension between Machibari and her due to the incident with the Modern Japanese notes from the other day…

Either way, it’s none of my business, and there’s no need to dwell on it.

“Okay, then, if something happens, I’ll ask Machibari. Is that okay?”

“……”

“Why are you suddenly silent?”

“…Nothing.”

Another sullen response… I can’t read what Saeki is thinking at all.

She gets upset when Machibari’s name is mentioned…

Saeki closed the book on the table and traced the cover of the book with her finger.

“By the way… What do you usually do on your days off?”

“Is there a need to ask that? We’re talking about the cultural festival right now—”

“Sigh… You’re not someone who values atmosphere, are you? Just finishing work and leaving right after meeting someone, there’s no point in coming to a cafe, is there?”

“That’s why I said there’s no need for us to meet up at a cafe, didn’t I?”

“…Are you talking back to me?”

“I-Is it really that bad?”

As I responded, Saeki directed a sharp gaze towards me in silence.

She’s not suddenly going to become talkative like yesterday, is she…?

I tensed up, waiting for Saeki to speak.
“…Well, it’s not that bad, I suppose.”

I was about to be pressured by Saeki’s presence and forced to apologize again, but somehow managed to endure it this time.

“But since we have time… I think it’s okay to talk about something other than the cultural festival.”

Something other than the cultural festival, huh?

In that case, should I try asking about that?

“…In that case, may I ask one thing from me as well?”

“Just one thing? Since it’s from you—are you planning to ask some obscene question?”

“As if. And stop pretending to know everything about me.”

Saeki tried to interrupt the conversation, so I cleared my throat once.

If I’m going to ask about that, there’s no better time than now.

Maybe she’ll tell me easily if I ask now.

I gathered my courage and confronted Saeki about “that”.

“Saeki, could you tell me the reason why you don’t leave my Lime messages on read?”

I finally reached out to Pandora’s box.