Why Is the Prettiest Girl in School Trying to Talk to a Loner Like Me during Lunch Break? - Chapter 99: Operation C

Chapter 99: Operation C

“……”

(After yesterday’s discussion with Momo and Class Rep, a shocking truth was revealed—Andou-kun and I haven’t made much progress as a couple.

Honestly, in my mind, we’d already met each other’s parents and visit each other’s houses regularly, so I was thinking ‘We might even register our marriage right after graduation!’ But apparently that was terribly naive… Momo and Class Rep were right. Even though Andou-kun and I are supposedly dating, I often find myself thinking ‘Something’s missing here~ But what could it be?’

And the answer is ‘skinship’!

That’s right—looking back, Andou-kun and I are supposedly dating yet we have shockingly little physical contact as ‘lovers’! We’re a ‘couple,’ so we absolutely must make progress this summer vacation! Well, the root cause is that both Andou-kun and I are far too ‘reserved’…

I was satisfied merely with becoming a ‘couple,’ but thinking carefully, Andou-kun isn’t the type to actively push things forward. That’s precisely why, how should I put this…? Right! I need to take the ‘lead’!)

“Until noon… only ten more minutes!”

(If things proceed as usual, Andou-kun should arrive at my house soon… Normally we’d do homework, read light novels, eat dinner, and that would be all. But today will be different!)

“Class Rep’s assigned goal… Fufufu, Andou-kun! I won’t let you leave today until we’ve achieved it!”

(Specifically, ‘The ABCs of Love!’ Class Rep said to at least achieve ‘A,’ but what I want from Andou-kun goes beyond that! That’s right—a ‘hug’!)

“Prepare yourself, Andou-kun! I’ve arranged multiple seduction operations for today’s date! Ahahahaha!”

Ding-dong~♪ ← Doorbell sound

“Hyau!?”

(W-what was that? Oh, the doorbell—which means… Andou-kun has arrived!)

Click!

“A-Andou-kun. Welcome♪”

“Good morning, Asakura-san.”

(Very well, time to initiate ‘Operation Seduce Andou-kun #1’!)

“A-Andou-kun…”

“What is it, Asakura-san?”

“Actually, today? Mom and Dad aren’t home…”

“?”

(How’s that! This is the number one seduction method I found online—the ‘My parents aren’t home today…’ operation! Apparently, inviting your boyfriend over when your parents are absent is an ‘OK’ signal, though I didn’t quite understand what the article meant! According to the internet, this will make your boyfriend unable to control his libido and you’ll become lovey-dovey! Now then, Andou-kun’s reaction is—)

“Oh, your father isn’t here? I just finished reading ‘The Ryuuou’s Playing House’ and learned a new ranging rook strategy I wanted to try against him…”

(He’s actually ‘disappointed’!? I-impossible! Your girlfriend tells you ‘We’ll be all alone today♪’ and you’re disappointed her father isn’t present? What kind of reaction is that!) Thud!

(Asakura-san seems rather strange today… Perhaps she’s nervous because her parents aren’t home? I should avoid excessive contact to help her feel more comfortable. Although, haven’t her parents been out numerous times before…?)

“Well then, Andou-kun. Shall we proceed to my room?”

“Of course. Please excuse the intrusion.”

(D-don’t think you’ve won just yet! Fufufu… ‘Operation #1’ may have failed, but that was merely the weakest strategy I found online… I still have Operations Two and Three in reserve… P-prepare yourself!)

Operation #2: ‘Appeal seductively by showing skin in light clothing’

“Phew… it’s rather hot today. Perhaps I’ll remove my jacket? Ufufu!” Sexy~ attack!

“Ah, then I’ll turn on the air conditioning.” Beep!

WHOOOOSH! ← AC sound

“S-so cold… I’ll put it back on after all.” shiver shiver

Operation #3: ‘Appeal with homemade cooking while secretly adding turtle extract’

CRASH!

“Kyaa! The turt—I mean, the bottle containing our family’s secret traditional extract broke! W-wait, where did I place the salt…? Hyaaah! The p-pot is boiling over—IT’S HOT! Ow, ow, I’ve burned myself!”

“Asakura-san, please calm down… Is your burn alright? Let me see—yes, if we cool it with water and ice it should be fine. Please leave the rest to me and go rest.”

“Eh? But Andou-kun, you can’t possibly cook—”

“Let’s see… you were preparing pasta? I can manage that. The salt should be in this cabinet here. The water’s already boiling, so I’ll add the pasta first… Meanwhile, I’ll consider the sauce and presentation. Based on the refrigerator’s contents—I know, I’ll prepare a simple spaghetti with tomatoes, mizuna greens, and mozzarella.”

~Several minutes later~

“Finally, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and… voilà☆
‘Tomato and Mizuna Mozzarella Spaghetti ~With Olive Oil~’ is complete♪”

“……” stunned

(Also, Andou-kun… you’ve completely mastered our kitchen, and why are you more skilled at cooking than I aaaaaaam!)

Operation #4: ‘Might makes right! Resort to direct action! All or nothing!’

(If it’s come to this, I’ll employ the final strategy I discovered online—the one stating that if you charge into a man’s chest and say ‘Hold me…’ he’ll fall instantly.

Here I go!)

“Andou-kuuuun!”

“…!?”

(What! Asakura-san is charging at me while holding a fork!? I-is this an assault? I should dodge for now…)

“Hold me!”

“……” Whoosh!

【But he skillfully dodged】

(He—he dodged meeee!? Very well… then once more! No, as many times as necessary!)

“A-Andou-kuuuun!”

“Wait! The fork! Mind the fork!” Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

【But he skillfully dodged】
【But he skillfully dodged】
【But he skillfully dodged】

“W-why do you keep dodging meeee!”

“Asakura-san! First, please put down that fork!”

~Several minutes later~

“I understand now… so you were attempting to seduce me to advance our relationship…”

“Well, isn’t it strange! We’re ‘lovers’! During summer we should be more… you know! Getting passionate and such… since we’re dating!”

(So this explains Asakura-san’s unusual behavior. I suspect Class Rep or Momoi-san put certain ideas in her head. Because…)

“Asakura-san, allow me to be clear—I have absolutely no intention of attacking you in this house.”

“Fweh!? A-Andou-kun, that’s… why not?”

(Could it be because I lack appeal? Is it the breasts!? You prefer larger breasts, don’t you!?)

“Obviously because it would be disrespectful to your parents…”

“Eh? To Mom and Dad?”

“Precisely… Normally, even though we’re dating, it’s quite unusual for a student like myself to constantly visit your house. Yet your mother and father never object even though I come daily and spend time in your room, correct? In fact, they often leave us alone like today.”

“That’s true… now that you mention it, that happens quite frequently.”

“That’s evidence of your parents’ ‘trust’ in me. That I won’t make advances on you in their absence… or rather, ‘He probably lacks the courage anyway!'”

“That’s a rather insulting form of ‘trust’…”

(Well, I cannot exactly deny it, so I have nothing to say…)

“Nevertheless, I refuse to betray the ‘trust’ your parents have placed in me. Therefore, I won’t attack you simply because we’re alone in the house.”

(Oh, Andou-kun…)

“Incidentally, you’re not using that as an excuse for being a wimp, are you?”

“……” Gulp!

“……”

“O-of course not…?”

(This is bad, this conversation is heading in a dangerous direction…)

“Then embrace me!”

“A-Asakura-san!? As I explained, that’s—”

“Embrace me regardless! Hug me! Don’t you love me!? I feel foolish for anticipating something every time we’re alone! The truth is, I want you to tell me you love me more frequently! During summer vacation as well, I wanted to see you from the very beginning… but you never said anything… and I held back countless times thinking you might consider me an ‘annoying woman’ if I spoke first… But I’m anxious! If you don’t desire me… Honestly! Why won’t you attack meeee!”

“Eeeeeeeeeeh!?”

“I’m anxious about whether you truly love me! P-please… I’ll do anything for you, just don’t cease loving me…”

“Asakura-san.”

(I see, Asakura-san has been carrying this ‘anxiety’ throughout summer vacation. And I failed to notice her feelings… I kept making excuses about being a ‘loner’ or a ‘wimp’ instead of properly considering my ‘girlfriend.’ It’s my fault she’s crying… Stopping these tears would be simple.

I merely need to give her what she desires. If I simply wanted her, those tears would cease instantly.)

“Uu… hic! sob… W-where’s my handkerchief…”

“A-Asakura-san, please use mine.”

“Th-thank you… uu” HOOOOONK!

“My handkerchieeeef!”

(However, I cannot do that. What I should do as her ‘boyfriend’ isn’t to stop her tears, but to eliminate that ‘anxiety.’

If I allow myself to be swept away by emotion here, that ‘anxiety’ will remain as a small thorn in her heart. She’ll believe I only desired her because she ‘cried’ at that moment…

To ensure she doesn’t think that, I must show her my genuine ‘feelings’ and ‘sincerity.’ That’s my responsibility as her ‘boyfriend’ for making her cry.)

“Asakura-san.”

“What is it… Andou-kun?”

“Let’s go on a ‘date.'”

—

Translation Notes:
1. “The Ryuuou’s Playing House” (りゅうおうのままごと) – parody of “The Ryuo’s Work is Never Done!” a shogi-themed light novel
2. The fork charging scene parodies Dragon Quest battle messages with “But he skillfully dodged”
3. “Turtle extract” (すっぽん) is a traditional aphrodisiac in Japan