When I Picked Up A Stunningly Gorgeous Downer-Type Beauty In Front Of The Entrance. - Chapter 29: Deliver the printout to the neighbor-san who skipped school… only, right??

Deliver the printout to the neighbor-san who skipped school… only, right??

So, after school.

Returning to the apartment building, I paced nervously in front of Sajou-san’s door, propping my chin on my hand in a thoughtful pose.

Wandering aimlessly.

I pressed the intercom button.

Just that simple action felt like pressing a self-destruct button, squeezing my heart with intense tension.

“Pressing the intercom… hand over the printout… That’s all. Just that…”

Muttering to myself, I walked in circles, a behavior that would surely make me look suspicious to anyone nearby.

However, at this moment, I couldn’t afford to worry about others’ perceptions. I didn’t even notice that the printout I held in my hand was crumpled.

“Oh… I’m in trouble… I’m starting to feel sick.”

I stroked my stomach area. My stomach was screaming in a level of nervousness I had never experienced before.

What should I say when I see Sajou-san after such a long time?

Should I just ask, “How have you been?”

Or maybe, “Why did you suddenly stop coming?”

But that might come off as accusing, and my voice, dry from nerves, might give off a cold impression.

I don’t want that. I lamented the imperfection of language, unable to convey my true feelings.

But then again, it’s not like your thoughts can be transmitted as they are.

If everyone in the world were connected like a network and thoughts were transmitted as they are, I’d have the confidence to never leave my room for the rest of my life.

Words are incomplete, and that’s why they are complete, I arrived at a somewhat incomprehensible conclusion… What was I thinking about?

Right.

I was thinking about what to say to Sajou-san.

However, upon reconsideration, even if I press the intercom, I don’t know if Sajou-san will answer. It might be her mother or her father.

As for her father, I’ve never seen or heard of him, so I doubt he even exists.

But if it’s her mother who comes out, like that suited guy from last time, saying “Hello” to Sajou-san’s mother’s guest (how mysterious), I’d be at a loss… Wait? No matter who comes out, I’d be in trouble. Am I stuck? Is there a glitch in the probability?

In any case, Sajou-san stayed at my house because she didn’t want to be at home.

The possibility of her coming out was extremely low.

But then, where is she? I couldn’t even begin to guess. Just a month ago, it was my place, but it feels like ages ago.

I really don’t know anything about Sajou-san, and this realization hits me hard.

Maybe I should just stuff it in the mailbox or something.

But I hesitate. My timid thoughts flicker in the back of my mind.

However, the content of the printout doesn’t allow for that.

An invitation to a meeting with three parties.

I think it’s pretty dangerous to drop this bomb on Sajou-san and her mother, who are currently in a state of cold war.

If it reaches Sajou-san herself, that’s fine, but if her mother gets her hands on it, I have no idea what might happen.

If Sajou-san’s mother tries to bridge the gap in an attempt to get closer, it might result in a decisive rift. I can only imagine the worst-case scenarios.

Maybe I’m overthinking it.

I think so. But considering the possibilities, I couldn’t take any risks.

Especially with those clumsy mother-daughter duo. They’d make full use of any advantage they could get.

In that case, I still need to hand it directly to Sajou-san… What should I do?

My thoughts are going in circles. And it’s not like I’m drying off my wet body in a sea of tears.

“There’s also the teacher’s request…”

Handing over the printout and reporting on Sajou-san’s condition.

I couldn’t help but feel burdened by the favor. Nevertheless, trying to uphold it faithfully, I wondered if I was just being a good-natured person or if it was just the Japanese tendency to avoid causing trouble.

However, once I accepted it and went this far, it was as good as agreeing, even if I hadn’t officially. With that, a sense of obligation arose, hindering my escape.

I’m so conscientious. Or perhaps, weak-willed.

I began to worry about my future, thinking that I might be well-suited for a corporate slave.

“Alright. Let’s do this.”

It felt like the moment right before facing the final boss in a video game, where you’re asked, “Are you prepared? Once you proceed, there’s no turning back.” Even though everything was definitely ready, I always ended up selecting “▶No” out of worry. Maybe I was afraid of what might happen.

But this wasn’t a game, it was reality.

There were no save points or load options. No chance to start over.

“Here goes…”

Summoning my resolve, I raised my index finger.

I was about to press “▶Yes” for “Are you prepared?” with trembling fingers, and then… and then…

“…Um, actually, maybe tomorrow would be better. Yeah.”

I chickened out.

“I-It’s not like I was told to give it to her today or anything. It’s fine if it’s not right now, even tomorrow would be okay. Even the day after tomorrow, or a week later, it wouldn’t make a difference, right?”

Right?

I wasn’t sure who I was trying to justify myself to, but a mix of inexplicable guilt and peculiar relief made me break out in a cold sweat.

Pretending not to notice the turmoil in my heart, I spun around like a tin soldier, pivoting 180 degrees on one foot.

Just as I was about to move away from Sajou-san’s door,

“Squish!?”

The door swung open forcefully, slamming into my back.

And then, I found myself passionately kissing the hallway floor. Ouch…

Rubbing my nose, which had taken the brunt of the impact, with teary eyes.

It’s definitely red. Is there nosebleed? Am I okay?

If you spend 10 or 20 minutes dilly-dallying in front of someone’s house, these things can happen. It’s entirely my fault, and honestly, I must look suspicious.

So, I’m not blaming anyone, but I am curious about who opened the door.

Was it Sajou-san? Her mother? Or maybe the ☆3 highest rarity suited guy?

In a pitiful position on all fours, sticking my butt out toward the door, I glanced over my shoulder to confirm who had opened it—huh? A voice escaped me.

I widened my eyes to the point of pain.

It was just so unbelievable.

“Huh? It’s you, Onii-san. What are you doing in front of someone’s house like that? Sticking your butt out and all. Stalking? Do you want to get kicked?”

A girl with silver hair shimmering like a snowy plain. She had an unmistakably youthful, bewildered face that undoubtedly belonged to a younger sister.

Still in shock from encountering this character who hadn’t even been implemented, let alone reached the highest rarity, I felt a sharp pain as my sister’s pointed pumps stabbed into my butt.

I-It hurts!!