You Girls Are Way Too Obsessed With A Lone Wolf Like Me - Volume SS: 9 and 10

Volume SS: 9 and 10

SS⑨: It’s the Lovers’ Plan, So… It’s Okay, Right? by Subculture Girl

During a break at the cultural festival, I planned to rest alone, but for some reason, I ended up hanging out with a trio of close friends.

And for some other reason, I’m now wandering the festival alone with Hatori.

Walking side by side with a beautiful girl in a maid outfit draws an insane amount of attention from passersby.

“Man, that guy’s girlfriend is way too cute! How much good karma do you need to land someone like that?!”

“No way! A guy with that kind of deadpan face doesn’t just earn good karma!”

“He must’ve made a deal with a demon! Like, ‘Take my emotions in exchange for a beautiful maid girlfriend!’”

“Ugh, so jealous… I’d give half my lifespan to marry a maid…”

Dear Demon Lord, take all their lifespans and give me some normal human emotions, please.

Hatori, meanwhile, seems to feel guilty about the situation.

“Sorry… Because of me, you’re getting all this attention, Himemiya. And, um… people even think we’re a couple…”

“It’s not your fault. If anything, I’d be the one causing you trouble if we’re talking like that.”

In response to my words, Hatori firmly denies it with, “It’s not a bother at all!”

Then, with her face turning red, she continues, “If anything, I’m happy… It’s like a perk… A memory I’ll cherish forever… A-anyway! I’m really, really happy right now…!”

What’s going on? Am I going to die today or something?

I might actually have made a deal with a demon. Or maybe Hatori, blushing and acting all flustered in her maid outfit, is starting to look like a succubus in disguise.

One last memory, huh?

“Hey, you two lovebirds!” a familiar voice calls out.

It’s someone from the photography club, I think.

“How about a two-shot photo to commemorate your festival date?”

“Huh?” “A date!?”

I glance at the flyer they’re pointing to, which has a brutally honest catchphrase printed in huge letters: “Memories fade. So capture them in photos.”

Who’d want to take a picture after seeing a flyer like that?

“…A photo… That sounds nice,” Hatori murmurs.

There’s one right in front of me.

“Hatori, memories are always in your heart—” “Two customers, right this way!!!”

Hey, club member, don’t interrupt when I’m trying to say something profound.

We’re half-dragged to the photography club’s room. Despite their C-tier catchphrase, their setup is annoyingly professional. They’ve got projectors, a giant screen, and everything, as if saying, “We can recreate any scene!” It’s infuriatingly impressive.

Once we’re positioned in the shooting area, the photographer loudly declares:

“We’ll be shooting with the Lovers’ Plan!”

“…What?” “The Lovers’ Plan!?”

Ignoring our stunned expressions, they press on with, “You two, get closer, closer!” and start snapping photos, fully assuming we’re a couple.

“It’s the Lovers’ Plan, so…!”

Hatori, are you saying that to me or to yourself…?

As if possessed, Hatori closes the gap between us. When our shoulders and hands brush, the photographer cheers, “Nice job, girlfriend!” and gets even more enthusiastic.

“Now, hold hands like lovers!”

“Because it’s the Lovers’ Plan!”

Hatori grabs my hand firmly in a lover’s grip.

“Next, link arms!”

“Lovers! Lovers’ Plan!”

Hatori clings tightly to my arm.

Suddenly, a church appears on the screen behind us.

And then:

“Now, go for a hug!”

“B-because it’s the Lovers’ Plan! …Ugh, it’s too embarrassing! I can’t do it yet!”

What’s with that “yet,” like you’re planning to hug me someday?

Her hands cover her bright red face, and my wry smile is perfectly captured in the photos.

Don’t go preserving weird memories like this.

No need for photos—this memory is etched vividly in my heart.

And so, happily ever after?

SS⑩: The Lone Guy Reflected in My Eyes

The cultural festival is over, and we’re at Café WELL.

With the after-party and our contest victory, almost everyone in the class is beaming with smiles. Of course, I’m no exception.

But what about the guy who played the biggest role in bringing smiles and victory to our class?

As if saying, “I’m just a stranger here,” Himemiya-kun sits alone at the corner of the counter, leisurely savoring the aroma and taste of his coffee.

This guy genuinely loves his alone time. You can tell just from his profile or the way he carries himself that he cherishes it from the bottom of his heart.

When we first met, I thought he was just a shy boy who couldn’t fit in with the class.

But I was wrong.

I vividly remember how mad he got when I said being alone must be lonely. When he snapped at me, I hate to admit it, but I was shocked, thinking, “What’s with this guy!?”

At the same time, I’d never met anyone like him before, and I was overcome with an urge to know more about him.

From that day on, I found myself naturally watching him more often. We started spending more time together.

The more I learned about Himemiya-kun, the more time we spent together, the more I realized he’s someone with a strong sense of self.

Above all, I learned he’s kind. He’ll almost always lend a hand to someone in trouble, no matter the cost to himself.

For people our age, who often prioritize social connections, that’s no easy feat. Yet Himemiya-kun makes it look effortless. He might struggle behind the scenes, but he never shows it.

I think he’s a truly wonderful person.

No, he is a wonderful person.

Maybe I’ve been staring too much.

“Hm? Something up?”

I must be turning into “Himemiya-kun’s fool.” Even his blatantly annoyed face looks cool to me.

“If you’re telling me to join the class circle, that’s a tough ask.”

“With you, Himemiya-kun, it’s not that it’s tough—it’s that you just don’t want to.”

“I’m not good with pointless arguments,” he says, tilting his coffee cup, ready to retreat into his solitary world again.

Normally, I’d leave him be, but sorry, not today.

“…Why are you sitting next to me?”

“Because I want to talk to you a ton!”

It’s your fault, Himemiya-kun. You saved me so dramatically and coolly when I was lost.

“A normal girl wouldn’t be able to leave you alone after today, Himemiya-kun.”

“What are you even saying…?”

His exasperated expression is nothing but a reward to “Himemiya-kun’s fool” like me.

“The cultural festival was a huge success, but how was today for you, Himemiya-kun?”

“Tiring.”

“…Can I get a response with more than three syllables?”

“Thanks to a certain do-gooder, I ran around unnecessarily, so I’ll definitely be sore tomorrow.”

“…I’m really, really sorry…”

“Haha.”

“? Himemiya-kun?”

At first, I thought I was imagining it. It’s Himemiya-kun, after all.

But it wasn’t my imagination.

When I look up, I see him clearly—his cool eyes narrowed, smiling confidently, reflected perfectly in my gaze.

He doesn’t even give me a moment to process it.

“Just kidding. I’m tired, but it was a pretty unforgettable day.”

“!”

Ugh…

He’s so unfair. He says things so effortlessly that most people couldn’t bring themselves to say.

It’s such a sneak attack. How many lifelong memories is he going to give me in just one day?

I can feel my heart pounding wildly. It’s like I can hear a strong, rhythmic knocking from deep inside—thump, thump.

There’s a slight breathlessness, but no discomfort at all.

In fact, this intensity feels incredibly good to me right now.

I’m overflowing with an uncontainable amount of joy.

“Hm? Why do you look that happy?”

If only I could just say, “Because I love you,” how much easier would that be?

Of course, I absolutely can’t. That would only make things easier for me while burdening Himemiya-kun.

I’ll only confess my feelings once I’m sure I can be someone who supports him.

I know it’s a long road ahead. But I have to work that hard to become someone worthy of Himemiya-kun.

The confession will have to wait.

That said, I hope he’ll forgive me for indulging just a little today.

“Sorry, Himemiya-kun,” I apologize in my heart, then pick up his coffee cup without permission and take a sip.

“Why are you drinking my coffee…?”

“Ehehe♪ I just really wanted to try it, I guess?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I’m kind of happy.

Because in his sighing expression, there’s a hint of embarrassment mixed in.

They say first love tastes like sweet-and-sour lemons, but mine tastes like bitter coffee.

But it’s not just bitter. There’s a deep richness and vibrancy that fills my mouth, and even a subtle sweetness I can sense.

It’s kind of like a certain lone guy.

Maybe I think that because I like this lone guy, Himemiya-kun, way too much.

I’ll keep taking steps closer to him, one at a time.