You Girls Are Way Too Obsessed With A Lone Wolf Like Me - Volume SS: 11 and 12 (Final)

Volume SS: 11 and 12 (Final)

SS⑪: [Special Edition] From Spring to Summer

On the way home after school, I watch a dog walking with its owner and think to myself:

“Collars must be tough, huh?”

I fully understand that dogs wear leashes or retractable collars because letting them roam free is dangerous.

But from the dog’s perspective, don’t they think, “Am I a prisoner or what?” or “Why can’t I stroll solo like a cat?”

The whole point of a walk is to amble at your own pace. That’s just common sense.

Why am I even thinking about a dog’s feelings?

Oh, right. That’s why.

The humanitarian and the subculture girl walking on either side of me feel like owners holding my leash.

I had planned to enjoy some reading at a local café after school, but naturally, Misaki and Hatori tag along, practically dragging me with them.

Apparently, they promised to hang out with my little sister, Yuzu, at my house.

I didn’t make any such promise, though.

Misaki, in a chipper mood, tilts her head toward me, her expression contrasting my deadpan face.

“Something wrong, Himemiya-kun?”

“Don’t worry about it. Just realizing the world’s full of things that don’t go your way.”

“Give up and hang out with us?” Hatori says with a smile, making me wonder what kind of nerves she’s got.

They say knowing when to give up is key in life, don’t they?

As I’m reaching this profound realization, I hear loud, clattering footsteps from behind.

“…?”

I don’t know why.

But for some reason, a guy from another school is sprinting at full speed.

He’s closing in fast, and even I’m a bit taken aback.

It’s only natural. He’s panting heavily, his face a mix of despair and rage. Despite his seemingly harmless appearance, it makes him all the more intimidating.

Misaki and Hatori aren’t immune to the fear either. Both girls instinctively cling to my arms.

In that moment, the guy, who’d been staring straight ahead, suddenly locks eyes with us—or rather, glares at me, tears in his eyes.

And then:

“Tchhh! DAMN ITTTT!!! I wanna have a harem too! I wanna get all lovey-dovey! WAAAHHH! Stupid handsome jerk! Jerk! JERRRRK!!!”

“““…”””

Like a super-express train of regret, the pitiful guy zooms past us in a flash.

“That guy… did something bad happen to him?” Misaki wonders.

“No idea, but I don’t deserve to be insulted like that,” I reply.

At least he didn’t try to pick a fight.

“Sorry!”

“Hm?” ““?””

It’s one thing after another.

Chasing after that guy, a breathless girl calls out to us.

She’s petite, but her sharp, resolute eyes exude a strong sense of justice.

“Um! Have you seen someone around here wearing the same uniform as me?”

“Yeah, a crazy guy in the same uniform just blew past us.”

The situation seems urgent. After a quick bow, the girl starts to run off.

But then:

“Wait, hold on!” Misaki calls out, stopping her.

“? Uh, what’s wrong?”

“That guy seemed really upset. Are you sure you’ll be okay going after him alone?”

Hatori seems to share the concern, adding, “Um… he was yelling about wanting a harem and, uh, getting… lovey-dovey…”

The phrase “lovey-dovey” that Hatori musters up has a devastating impact. Her own face flushes, and Misaki and the girl’s faces turn red too.

Stop blushing, all of you! I’m the one who’s most awkward here!

Still, I can’t entirely dismiss Misaki and Hatori’s worries.

That guy did seem pretty pathetic.

“Ha…” I let out a heavy sigh.

It’s obvious this is heading toward a situation where I have to tag along.

It seems urgent, and if there’s something serious going on, it could be bad.

No time to overthink this.

“Fine, I’ll—”

“I’ll be fine on my own,” the girl interrupts.

Her words make me clamp my mouth shut.

Misaki and Hatori, who were about to speak, close their mouths too, just like me.

Her expression and demeanor are so sincere, her voice so compelling, that we can’t help but listen.

“Natsu-kun is my benefactor. He’s a bit shaken up right now, but this time, I’ll be the one to support him. So don’t worry.”

Even a lifelong loner like me can tell right away.

This girl is in love with that guy.

“…Got it.”

If that’s the case, there’s nothing to worry about. In fact, us tagging along would only get in the way.

“Sorry for holding you up,” I apologize, and the girl’s large, clear eyes narrow into a bright smile, as if relieved that a misunderstanding about her beloved has been cleared.

Determined to catch up to her “prince” (or perhaps a weirdo), she starts running again.

Well, then. She’s out of sight, so case closed.

“…Hey.”

A penalty? No, a reward?

Misaki and Hatori, who had stepped away, are now clinging to my arms again. And this time, they’re half a step closer. Their pleasant scent tickles my nose, and, well, various parts of them are definitely making contact.

The biggest impact, though, is how close their smiling faces are.

“You really are kind, Himemiya-kun♪ You were ready to help that girl,” Misaki says.

“You’re so dependable, Himemiya. That was, um, really cool!” Hatori adds.

Even someone as emotionally reserved as me can’t help but feel flustered when praised at point-blank range.

“…Flattery won’t get you anything,” I grumble, and the two of them giggle without missing a beat.

And so, with both of them still clinging to me, we start walking—not toward the café, but to my house.

You Girls Are Way Too Obsessed With A Lone Wolf Like Me…

SS⑫: The Lone Guy and the Three Masked Girls

In the private room after school.

The shouts of club members and the crisp sound of a well-hit ball echo from the field. A refreshing breeze flows through the room, and sunlight bathes the space so brightly that fluorescent lights seem unnecessary.

I set my half-read paperback on the table, take a sip of ice-cold canned coffee, and can’t help but mutter:

“Being alone is the best…”

Who says being alone is bad? I’m perfectly fulfilled as a solo act.

—Bocchi

In front of the vibrant blue sky visible through the window, even a blatantly plagiarized poem feels profound. Scary stuff.

Now, back to my book. I reach for the paperback when—

“Cleaning’s done! ♪”

“…Right.”

Something even scarier has arrived.

It’s well past two-thirds of the day, yet she’s brimming with energy. Those charming, round eyes are practically bursting with “I’ve still got plenty of steam!” vibes.

The communication monster, Misaki Karin, has appeared.

Her charming eyes narrow into a mock glare.

“Himemiya-kun, you’re thinking I’m some annoying pest again, aren’t you?”

“Not annoying at all. Just that you look like you could work 24 hours straight.”

“What’s that supposed to mean!?”

What does it mean, indeed.

She’s as energetic as ever. If she’s got that much stamina to burn, she should head to the local park and play kickball with some elementary schoolers.

Maybe she’s not in the mood to frolic at the park, or perhaps she’s outgrown that phase. Instead, Misaki plops down in the seat across from me.

“By the way, Himemiya-kun.”

“Hm?”

“Haven’t you noticed something different about me?”

Her forward lean and expectant expression practically scream, “Notice already!” But she doesn’t need to make such a show—it’s obvious.

“You’re wearing a mask?”

“Correct! ♪”

She beams as if I’ve solved a riddle even a kindergartner could answer.

Though the mask hides half her smile.

As expected of the school idol, even with more than half her face covered, her stunning features shine through. The plain white non-woven mask might block droplets or viruses, but it can’t contain Misaki’s delicate beauty or her radiant, carefree aura.

It’s like something out of a Shonen Jump manga—a powerful character sealing their strength with an eyepatch or mask. If I told her, “You’d fit right in as a badass character,” I’d probably get obliterated in one hit.

We’ve spent enough time together at school that I can tell just from her eyes: she’s posing the second question, “Why am I wearing a mask?” And they’re also threatening, “If you don’t answer, I’ll stare at you forever.”

Why’s she wearing a mask, huh?

“Let’s see… You got tired of interacting with all the students and neighbors—”

“Nope, not tired.”

“You’re fed up with smiling at everyone—”

“Not fed up.”

“You’ve made so many expressions you forgot your real face—”

“Ugh, no! Stop thinking from your perspective, Himemiya-kun!”

What is this, some ultra-hard quiz?

“Himemiya, you’re teasing Karin too much.”

“Nyahahaha! Himemiya’s hilarious as always!”

Backup arrives? Hatori and Kurashiki enter the private room.

With the trio of best friends assembled, the private room—once my sanctuary—loses all traces of its former peace. I’m heartbroken to admit it’s become their hangout spot.

“Erena… This immoral guy’s bullying me,” Misaki whines, leaping into Hatori’s arms for comfort. Hatori pats her head soothingly. What a beautiful friendship—and what outrageous slander against me.

Kurashiki seems to see me as some pitiful creature.

“Poor thing, being called immoral. Wanna cry on my chest, Himemiya?”

“I’m not crying, and I don’t care. Everyone’s got their own sense of ethics and morals.”

“Nyaru-huh~ So Karin’s tears don’t faze you at all as you charge down your own path?”

“Exactly.”

“What’s that supposed to mean!?” “Maybe it could… faze you a little?”

An overly skewed sense of morality can make you self-centered, so watch out.

I’m starting to get bored of poking fun at Misaki.

“You’re wearing the mask because you were cleaning, right?”

“Huh?”

“Knowing you, the cleaning fanatic, you were probably tidying up some dusty spot. Something like that.”

“! …Correct.”

Nailed it.

Maybe because I answered so easily, Misaki’s puffed-up cheeks (barely visible under the mask) deflate, and her face flushes slightly.

“Jeez, if you knew, don’t string me along—just answer!”

“Sorry. I like playing games, but I also enjoy watching the reactions.”

“Don’t have fun at my expense…!”

Nice one, Misaki. She caught the true meaning behind my words.

Just as I’ve come to understand her, she’s got me all figured out too. Guess I’ll have to be sneakier with my verbal jabs from now on.

As I’m mulling over this utterly pointless thought—

“Transform!”

As if declaring, “I’ve still got two transformations left!” Kurashiki pulls something from her chest pocket and holds it aloft like a magical wand.

It’s a mask.

Like Misaki, she must’ve been helping with cleaning, so she has one too. With the same momentum, she slaps it onto her face and strikes a smug pose.

Though half her smug face is hidden.

Now transformed into a masked girl, Kurashiki turns to me.

“They say girls look cuter with masks. So, what do you think? Am I cute?”

A modern-day slit-mouthed woman, huh?

If there’s one masked girl, might as well assume there’s ten, right?

“Himemiya-kun, Himemiya-kun! Am I cute too?”

Not one to miss out on the fun, Misaki—still masked—joins in, standing next to Kurashiki to form a duet.

Of course, it doesn’t stop at a duet.

“W-what about me? …Am I cute?”

When did she get in on this? Hatori, now a masked girl too, joins the lineup, forming a trio.

The best friend trio, Masked Girl Edition, is born.

It’s just a prank, but they’re serious about getting an answer.

The masks fit snugly over their faces, making their already petite features look even smaller and sharper. Misaki’s charming round eyes, Kurashiki’s striking cat-like eyes, Hatori’s clear and resolute gaze—all pair perfectly with the masks. I can’t help but acknowledge they’re popular, beautiful girls.

And because I can’t deny it, I let my honest feelings slip.

“I think you’re all cute.”

“““R-really!?”””

“Yeah. When you’re all quiet, you’ve got that total beauty vibe.”

“““…”””

I shouldn’t have been so honest.

Where did those pretty-eyed masked girls go?

“Erena, got any spare masks?”

“Yup, got some. Ruri, can I borrow your red pen?”

“Sure thing. Let’s go with the thick marker!”

After some ominous chatter, the masked girls—now more like masked suspicious characters—grab both my arms. And then, with a cry of “Take your punishment!” they force a mask onto me.

When they hold up a hand mirror, sure enough, there’s a big red “X” drawn on the white mask, as if to say, “Shut up.”

No way they’re letting me take it off. If I tried, they’d probably rip my mouth open vertically.

“Mission accomplished! ♪” The trio high-fives and launches into their usual lively chat session.

Take off your masks, then!

Silence is golden, eloquence is silver.

Apparently, my words aren’t even worth aluminum.

With a self-deprecating sigh muffled by the mask, I return to my book.

Man, I really want to drink my coffee.

Afterword

It’s been a while! Author here!

Haruichi’s laid-back vibe is as strong as ever, and the tight-knit trio of Hanari and friends is just as lovable as always.

For me, writing in the Lone Wolf world again felt nostalgic and was an absolute blast!

I’m incredibly grateful for the warm messages I still receive. Allow me to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks.

Not long ago, I received a handwritten fan letter from someone. It was long enough to be submitted as a book report, passionately detailing how they discovered the Lone Wolf novel, their favorite scenes, and more. Honestly, it made me think, “Writing Lone Wolf was so worth it.” I was deeply moved!

With gratitude to all kinds of readers, I wrote these SS stories. Another reason? I wanted to write a piece that’s all about the charm of masked girls (lol).