Gamers, p.120
Gamers!, page 120
Then, …I’m definitely taking the opportunity, that chance-
“…I’m doing it.”
-I'm betting the determination of a passerby like me. I can never miss a chance like that.
“Eh?”
Aguri-san froze when I suddenly changed my mind. …Even I freaked out for a bit as well. Actually, my body is shivering. Retail is the least suitable field for me to work in.
However, even so…
“Please.”
I clenched my fists on my kneecaps that are already full of sweat.
Then, I slowly raised my face as I tried to muster up my courage and answered her.
“If you don’t mind a guy like me, please let me challenge it…and take that retail job.”
*
So, we’re preparing for the school trip…
…No.
The preparations for the final “collapse” are slowly being completed.
Chapter 4 – Amano and Aguri and Deadly Party
* * *
I have a girlfriend, a handsome friend, and sometimes I’ll talk about relationships with my friend’s girlfriend. I was even confessed by another girl recently.
All of you know…the name of this refined man who stood above all normies already, right!
Hello, I’m the popular normie guy that’s about to go viral, Keita Amano.
Hiya, what a pain. Why am I in pain? …Of course, it’s the activities that all normies look forward to. The schedule of the school trip is so packed that I’ve been busy!
HAHAHAHA!
Even though this is just the end of the first day. Eh? You’re asking me what did I do on the first day? Hoho, I went to Osaka. An Osaka trip.
Eh? You want me to say what did I do precisely?
…Uh, hmm, sigh, …why does it matter, let’s forget about that. Yep.
A-Alright, it’s time for me to go. It’s because I’m swamped.
Eh? You’re asking me isn’t this narration ending too quickly?
No, no, no, it’s hard to blame the guy.
After, if we’re talking about reality, it’s the first night of the school trip right now. We’re in the 6-person room allocated for the groups-
“But we didn’t have fun in Osaka today because of someone.”
“He can’t even figure out how should we transfer to the next train, really?”
“Gamers (laugh) are super useless.”
“Sigh, I’m really envious of those 5-person groups, the room is more spacious.”
“Hey, hey, hey, he’ll hear it if we’re talking too loudly. The guy is hiding at the corner and trying his best to stay on his phone.”
-I can’t even escape to my imagination, what a hostile environment.
*
“AHAHAHAHA!”
I left the unbearable room. Once the door closes, I can hear Kaburagi-san and his friends’ laughter.
“…They’re actually happy.”
I mumbled with a sigh. Then, I plopped my head down as I walked across the corridor. …The yukata provided to the guests to wear in the rooms is way too large. A tiny guy like me can’t move properly with it.
“Ay, even though it’s actually my fault for getting onto the wrong train…”
Well, if I want to look for a tiny excuse, they did walk slowly on purpose, which ruined my transfer plans. Then, they made fun of me because I was freaking out. The same thing repeated again and again, …at last, I made a mistake at transferring to the next train. This is the full background.
Even so, I’m undoubtedly the guy that made a mistake in the end. I think I’ve said this before, as long as “someone is dragged down with me,” I feel really upset. Especially for a person like me, …unless I absolutely believe that I’m right, otherwise I don’t want to confront others.
…I get it, nothing can be solved if I don’t clear everything up. However, I can also predict an end where no one benefits.
“…Sigh, how embarrassing…”
I sincerely hate how “powerless” I am. It’s like I’m being possessed by an evil spirit, I feel so heavy.
The first day of the school trip. Honestly, it’s…way tougher than I’ve imagined, to the point where I don’t want to think about what happened today. It’s so depressing that I still feel tired despite just took a bath and went back to my room for a break.
I waited for the elevator at the end of the corridor deflatedly. During this time, there’s seems to be a group of 7 girls loudly talking as they walked here.
They lined up behind me and started whispering.
“Eh, I remember the elevator here is pretty narrow, right?”
“Ah, …it’s only for 6 people at a time, right?”
“That’s not good.”
“We can squeeze in, even though Nozomi’s weight is quite…”
“Shut up. However, even if we’re squeezing in, look…”
When they finished that sentence, I can feel someone’s staring at me fiercely from behind. To be precise, it’s 7 servings of girls’ looking at a lusty wolf. Although I’ve never been one before.
My forehead began to sweat. Then, I mumbled as I secretly left the scene while walking stiffly.
“…Ah, …c-crap, I left something in the room. …Yeah, yeah, yeah, …jeez.”
I brought up a useless excuse as I quickly walked away. Then, the elevator came, and I can hear the girls stepping into it as they talked.
…Alright.
“… Where're the stairs?”
Right now, I think I finally realized why I’m not getting fat despite being an otaku. However, I guess I’m just overthinking this. After all, I’m a normie king. …This is the 8th floor, but the lobby is on the 1st floor. Yep, I just need to walk down. It’s okay, there’s no problem, I’m absolutely okay. I feel like the lights on the stairs keep blinking. Of course, there’s no one around. Honestly, this is super scary, but it’s fine.
“I got a bunch of time, anyway…”
I mumbled pathetically to myself as I slowly walked down the stairs. Just as I’m unlocking the screen of my phone to lighten up the mood, the group chat window that I used appeared.
“…………”
I’m even more depressed. Since I don’t really invite people on my own that often, my heart turns cold when I mustered my courage to talk to someone, and all of them rejected me. I really want to cry. I really want to die. I really want to drag Aguri-san into hell with me.
I put my phone into the pocket as I walked down the stairs quietly.
…Although I guess everyone knew it at this point already, this is how I went through my first day of the school trip.
The seats in the buses are arranged in groups as well. So, I didn’t even get to talk to Uehara-kun, not to mention Tendou-san. As for the 5 people in Kaburagi’s group (excluding me), I think they switched to “treating me as entertainment” mode. Their mischievous waves of laughter lasted for hours.
Recently, I entirely believed that I’m a normie. However, once I took a step out of the Game Hobby Club, I immediately became a loner again. Uehara-kun and Tendou-san, who can basically strike up a conversation with anyone, is way out of my league.
“However, …I put a lot of effort in my own ways too…”
Actually, around a week before the trip, I tried to look for opportunities and muster up my remaining courage to try to talk to Kaburagi’s group. …It ended badly.
Perhaps it’s because I’m acting like a servant, right now, they utterly despised my dignity as a man. They gave me an even more explicit attitude. I’m falling deeper and deeper into this abyss.
I deeply sighed as I passed through the stairs between the 3rd and 4th floor.
“…Sigh, …I really…”
Should I say I didn’t improve, how should I put it? In the end, I still don’t understand what did I do wrong, nor how I should self-improve. This is the lethal part.
For example, right now, …should I just try my best and get closer to Kaburagi-san’s group in my room? Should I just wait and take the elevator calmly? …I don’t get it. What would Uehara-kun or Tendou-san do…
“…For some reason, even though I can’t think of a real solution. I remembered the two conquering these obstacles with ease…”
Crap, I’m getting even more depressed. Although I, a guy that can’t befriend anyone in high school, have started worrying over the school trip since year 1, this is way closer to hell than I’ve imagined. I wouldn’t have come if I knew it-
“…No.”
-Just as I’m about to regret my decision, I slapped myself on the face.
“What am I talking about? I’m enjoying the last day with Tendou-san, and then I’ll give her the present that I worked my butt off to buy it. For this goal, everything so far is nothing.”
Moreover, it’s not like someone violently beat me up. Really, I can’t be that weak.
“…Right!”
I cheered myself up and walked towards the lobby calmly, so-
“Look, that guy came to the lobby as well. Yeah, I won.”
“Seriously, Kaburagi won again, damn.”
-My groupmates, who seem to have taken the elevator first, laughed as soon as they saw me. At this moment, …I’m finally breaking down.
“…!”
I don’t know whether it’s anger or frustration, even I knew that my face is flaring up right now. However, that’s why I’m all the more unwilling to admit defeat. I want to stop my face from blushing but to no avail.
I stopped embarrassingly and started trembling. By all means, I don’t even know what I should do anymore. I feel like there’s nowhere in the world that I can go to.
(This is…too ridiculous…)
Come to think of it, my brain knows it’s not that ridiculous. However, …my heart can’t cheer up right away. My heart is unwilling to cheer up.
I really don’t want them to see my “depressed” side. As a gamer, and as a casual player, I’m not going to provide that sort of terrible entertainment even if it meant my life. I’m really determined. But…
Currently, I can’t even find something I can rely on to get up once again.
I…I can’t help it, …just as I’m about to give up and plop my head down directly to them-
“K-Keita?”
-At this moment, suddenly, someone called me.
I was alerted and quickly raised my face. Then, right there…
“…Chiaki?”
“Y-Yes, …phew.”
It’s Chiaki, she seems to be still catching her breath for some reason. I fell speechless. Then, Chiaki smiled embarrassingly and quickly explained.
“Uh, well, it’s because I’m hastily changing my clothes to come out. …Ah, no, it’s not like that, well, I was at the bath! But I saw your message just as I’m taking off my clothes. …Wait, forget about that, pretending you didn’t hear anything about me undressing!”
Chiaki seems to be explaining to herself, and she seems to be freaking out too. …This girl is still just as bad as talking to people as I do.
Looking at her, I immediately felt...all my helplessness disappeared in a flash.
I think…there’s somewhere for me to go in this world. It’s cramped, but it’s very warm.
Once I snapped out of it, Kaburagi-san’s group seems to be looking at us with a jealous look. …To Chiaki, …I don’t feel right about this atmosphere. I can’t take it anymore if Chiaki got targeted as well.
Finally, my brain is working again. So, I urged Chiaki to walk to the stairs.
“Well, let’s go upstairs, Chiaki.”
“Eh, we’re going up?”
“I remembered it now, there’s a rest area with some vending machines on the 3rd floor. There are no tourists around, perhaps it’s a good idea.”
“Ah, really. I got it, please go there.”
“Okay, …drinks on me, as thanks.”
“Hmm? Even though I don’t know why you’re thanking me, but I’ll gladly take it this time. Yeah!”
Chiaki followed me on the stairs with a cheerful look.
As for me, …I looked away from her and turned forward. Then, I quietly, …really quietly so that she can’t hear it, and mumbled.
“…Thank you so much.”
“Ah, it’s nothing, no sweat.”
“H-How did you hear it!”
“Ehhhhh! Why are you mad at me!”
Chiaki was suddenly scolded by me, so she freaked out and nearly cried. …Jeez.
*
“Yeah, yeah! That’s it! The 4-star game ratings are really the most reliable and should be referenced!”
“Exactly! Uh, although 5-star and 1-star ratings are just exaggerations. Especially when I’m hesitating whether I should buy It or not, sometimes I really have to thank 5 stars and 1 star for that final push!”
“Yes, yes!”
“However, from what I’ve remembered, I think only 2-star to 4-star ratings can balance out between the pros and cons of the game!”
5 minutes after we met up, a boy and a girl are chatting with each other energetically in the vending machine area of the 3rd floor.
Chiaki leaned forward excitedly after hearing what I said as if she’s like, “I agree too.”
“Yeah, yeah! Ay, on the other hand, I’m deeply resonating when there are 5-star ratings for a famous game. Also, I feel good when I give a 1-star rating to a trash game too!”
At the same time, I nodded vigorously at what she said.
“Yes, yes! Sometimes, when I’m playing a truly crappy game, although I’ll feel it’s way too harsh for a 1-star, I feel saved at the same time. For example, …ah, luckily, I wasn’t the only person that feels that kind of annoyance and anxiety!”
“Agreed! Also, I like those ratings that list out the bad points while saying, “5-star, because I’m super impressed!” It’s really reassuring to read them!”
“I get it! Even though some ratings lack fairness, I still feel like there’s no problem with that! However, by all means, it’s just based on personal preferences.”
“Yeah.”
At this moment, the two otakus are finally willing to pause the exciting conversation.
I’m drinking the soda that I didn’t see at home (which tastes just the same) as I looked around.
The quiet rest area on the 3rd floor. A simple space with 4 vending machines, a trash can, and two sets of double seats.
However, it seems that no tourists are renting the rooms on this floor today. It’s tranquil. Aside from that, there’s a bit of distance between the rest area and the stairs, so Otobuki students wouldn’t come. I guess this is an excellent place to kill time. But…
“…………”
Even so, due to the incident just then, I fear that Kaburagi-san’s group will come and look for us. So, I’m a bit worried.
I guess Chiaki wanted to draw my attention, so she tried to speak sarcastically to irritate me.
“You’re poor, unlike me, who got in the same group as Tendou-san.”
“Ughhh, …you detestable seaweed!”
The bean sprout that can’t be in the sunlight, how miserable.”
Chiaki chuckled before taking a sip of her soda. …Although she’s usually my irritable rival, for today, I feel like I’m saved by her from the bottom of my heart.
I can’t but smile, Chiaki replied excitedly.
“That’s great, Keita. You’re still yourself.”
“What are you talking about?”
“What am I talking about.”
After Chiaki smiled bitterly, she carefully put the soda can on the table with both of her hands. …She looks way different in a yukata compared to me. It looks adorable on her. Perhaps it’s because of her figures. Even though I don’t want to admit this, …in reality, this girl is beautiful.
…I still feel like I couldn’t calm down, so I can’t help but look away from her.
“However, …why can’t we find a chance to talk to Tendou-san recently? There’s a lot of chance for the two of us to talk like this.”
“Yeah.”
Chiaki agreed and continued helplessly.
“…Like right now, I’m the same group as Tendou-san, so I really want to clear it up as soon as possible. I feel like I’m doing something bad with you, …even though we’re completely friends currently.”
Chiaki smiled after finishing that. …It looks like she’s not forcing her smile, and it made me press my chest in relief.
(O-Of course. There’s no way for her to still love a guy that brutally rejected her just then. Really, I’m being way too self-conscious now…)
Perhaps I’m the guy that’s viewing Chiaki as a girl somehow. I’m way too girly. I need to reflect on myself.
This time, I looked at Chiaki directly and started chatting with her.
“By the way, Chiaki, do you play Pokemon?”
Chiaki’s eyes brightened at my question as she leaned forward to me again.
“Yeah! Of course! Keita, Keita, you play Pokemon too!”
“Of course! Eh, how’s your progress right now?”
“Well, …ah, …since I’ve been creating games recently, so I didn’t progress a lot. …All of my team members are at around Lv.30…”
“Eh, really! Me too, me too. Just the same as you!”
Usually, I would’ve played a lot more, but because I was working. So, my progress coincidentally matched with Chiaki’s.
Chiaki suggested to me in excitement.
“Well, well, now’s a good time for a battle, let’s battle!”
“I was thinking just the same thing! I was looking for a suitable opponent!”
“Me too, me too! Hiya, it’s best when there’s a friend, indeed!”
When I’m looking at Chiaki’s hazeless smile as she’s talking lovingly, surprisingly, I will also feel blessed and satisfied too.
