Gamers, p.127
Gamers!, page 127
*
In conclusion, this is a simple summary of the ‘reason for breaking up’ that Uehara-kun and Tendou-san mentioned to Aguri-san and me, respectively.
1. They didn’t hate or give up on us.
2. It’s also not because I’ve done anything out of bounds with Aguri-san (I think they kept emphasizing that).
3. It’s more like, they still “love” us.
4. Moreover, they fell in love with us even more on the school trip.
5. However, that’s why they can’t continue dating us.
“What, I feel like I just skipped a chapter.”
After Konoha-san heard what I said, she pretended that she’s flipping a manga with her hand in walnut-colored gloves.
First, I replied with a bitter smile as I looked around meaninglessly. We’re on the way to the residential area where Hoshinomori’s home resides. The snow is drifting with the breeze that came from nowhere.
I put my hands into the pockets of my jacket, and then I hid my chins inside my scarf before continuing.
“No, there’s nothing wrong, Konoha-san. I didn’t miss anything. Moreover, your reaction is exactly how Aguri-san and I feel.”
“Really, I understand. This is quite puzzling…”
Konoha-san said that as she stared at the evening sky, I guess she’s not that interested. Her breaths turned into white fumes right away before disappearing directly in mid-air.
So, she thought about this silently for 5 seconds. “Ay…” Then, she spoke up with a slightly serious tone.
“Honestly, this is a quite common plot in hentai games and dating sims. A mysterious break-up declaration from couples that are hotly in love.”
“Yeah, I know that too. Then, the reason for most of that is…”
“Yep, they want to be considerate to their loved ones. Staying as a couple will endanger the partner’s life due to numerous political factors. …This ‘there’s a price for free love’ plot is really common. Also, personally, I don’t like it. It’s cheap plot writing, don’t you think it’s a joke after watching it?”
“Don’t pretend that you’re hearing my relationship issues out while suddenly complaining about all romantic shows, alright? Anyway, we thought about that too. …However, will that actually happen in real life?”
Konoha-san shook at her and replied with a “no” after she heard me.
“To be honest, it’s hard to wrap your head around it. I should say it feels unrealistic…”
“Yeah. In reality, I don’t hear that from Tendou-san’s tone as well.”
“If that’s the case, from the other plots of hentai games, …it should be that one, right? The ‘when you’re up against the female protagonist, the side character decided to quit’ plot-“
At this point, Konoha-san became alerted to something and stopped. Just as she’s putting her finger on her lips and mumbling “don’t tell me…” while thinking, I rejected her theory at first hand.
“No, no, no, that’s unreasonable. Who’s Uehara-kun and Tendou-san trying to give Aguri-san and me to when they said that? No one in this world matches better than Uehara-kun to Aguri-san and Tendou-san to me, right?”
“This is the first time that I know normies can still show off their love after breaking up. This is annoying.”
Konoha-san gave a dumbfounded sigh as she squinted and glared at me for some reason.
She started walking again and continued next to me.
“But senpai, you kept saying that you’re a ‘loner.’ Actually, there are other girls that you’re pretty close to other than Tendou-senpai, right?”
“Girls that I’m close to? Ah, you mean Aguri-san?”
I answered without thinking. Suddenly, Konoha-san lowered her head a bit depressingly.
“In times like this, senpai will always think of Agu-senpai’s name first…”
“Hmm? W-Well, …Konoha-san. Did I do something impolite to you?”
Although I got more friends, my communication skills are just as terrible. Just as I’m worrying whether I’m acting too arrogantly by saying something impolite to a girl, Konoha-san comforted me with a smile.
“It’s okay. Also, speaking of girls that you’re close to, who else would senpai think of?”
“Eh? Of course, it’ll be your sister Chiaki.”
After I answered confidently, Konoha-san smiled a bit cheerfully.
“Oh, ‘of course’ it’s my sister? Of course, …hoho, I’m getting a bit jealous.”
“Ah, you’re just the same, Konoha-san. …Y-You’re a nice acquaintance to me.”
“Why don’t you just be honest and use the word ‘friend!’ I-I can’t believe you said I’m your acquaintance!”
“Uh, since I’m a guy with a girlfriend, I don’t think my brain allows me to say that I have a close relationship with you…”
“Why! Also, as I’ve said before, senpai is ‘single’ right now, is that true!”
“Ugh, …e-even if that’s true, I’m doing something that causes Tendou-san to hate me…”
“Why senpai’s big premise is that Tendou-senpai will hate you just because you’re close to me!”
“N-No. Well, …uh, I should say that I’ll feel like it will affect my impression score of the person that I’m dating…”
“This guy is finally saying something similar to what Kousei would say!”
“Similar to Kousei? Eh, Konoha-san, Kousei said something similar to you? Why?”
I tilted my head shockingly. So, sweat appeared on Konoha-san’s forehead as she started mumbling something.
(…Right, this person doesn’t know who his little brother really is. …Logically, there’s no need for me to, …even so, …if he found out, …my life would be in danger…)
The stuttering sounds really surprising. However, I don’t get what she meant at all.
Then, Konoha-san seems to want to bring a conclusion to something, so she cleared her throat and looked away from me as she explained.
“N-No, uh, Kousei…-san and I bumped into each other a while ago. So, how should I say this, since we liked each other at the time, he just randomly insulted me. …O-Of course, we’re really just joking. It’s a joke!”
Konoha-san freaked out as she explained.
(This looks like…)
I can see a lot of things already. So, I rolled my eyes at Konoha-san before giving her an utterly gloomy look.
“…Konoha-san, …I didn’t know that you’re…that close to Kousei…”
“…Eh…?”
Suddenly, for some reason, Konoha-san blushed. Then, she started mumbling to herself loudly.
(W-What’s this? Don’t tell me, …don’t tell me senpai is…j-jealous? Really! Eh, wait, what’s happening? If that’s the case, I feel super excited-)
Konoha-san said something that no one can understand excitedly.
Facing her like that, -I explained everything clearly.
“Konoha-san, …please don’t get too close with my proud little brother!”
“Although there’s a difference, I didn’t know that senpai is also a brocon too! What’s wrong with you two? How annoying!”
I’m a brocon too? What’s she going off about? While I’m proud of Kousei, but Kousei doesn’t feel the same, right. However, that’s not important right now. Back to the topic.
“Uh, Konoha-san, let’s put the jokes aside here. Even though it’s impolite for me to say this, …but if my perfect little brother started hanging out with you, it’s too…you get it, right? Don’t you think you two don’t match?”
“That’s mean! Senpai, I didn’t know you’re like an evil hag!”
“No, you’re wrong. From the experience I’ve had with Tendou-san, I’m actually a guy that hates to talk about the disparity between couples. However, even so, …even though I’ll be scolded, I still need to say this clearly for my family. You don’t match my little brother!”
“What, why are you suddenly acting so manly! This impresses me for some reason! But I’m even more pissed!”
“It’s nothing, Konoha-san. You’re beautiful, well-mannered, and I like how you talk. You’re a top-tier girl in my eyes.”
“Eh? Ah, well, …thanks for that, senpai…”
“But you’re nothing compared to my little brother. I can’t believe an exhibitionist is wishing to eat swan meat.”
“Exhibitionist?”
“Moreover, …think about it, …there’s a difference in family history too. From what I’ve heard, your…your sister seems to have her origin linked to seafood.”
“My sister is seafood?”
“So, if you can, …uh, refrain yourself from being a friend of Kousei, I would love that.”
“This older brother doesn’t even want his little brother to have a friend! Uh, even though I don’t want to befriend Kousei at all! I’ll never wish to hang out with a person like him!”
“Ugh. I-I can’t believe you said you don’t want to be friends with my little brother. Konoha-san, what are you trying to say!”
“How annoying! What’s wrong with this pair of brothers? What a pain in the butt!”
Konoha-san put her hand onto her forehead before sighing loudly. Then, she said “anyway” impatiently before going back to the topic.
“Currently, what happened between Kousei and me wasn’t important, right. Moreover, in reality, our relationship isn’t that good.”
“R-Really? That’s great, …I’m sorry.”
I scratched my head. I think blood just rushes up to my brain whenever things involve my little brother, and I said something really impolite to Konoha-san. I need to apologize.
The street lights are firing up on the street in preparation for dusk. Konoha-san looked at that scene carelessly as she continued.
“Let me get this straight, senpai. You want to ‘pry’ on the reason of breaking up, that’s why you came to see me, right? It’s because I’m quite close to Tendou-senpai recently.”
“Ugh…”
She got me. I dropped my shoulders and sincerely apologized to her.
“Uh, …Konoha-san, I’ve heard from Tendou-san that ‘you’re quite close to her’ on the school trip. That’s why I, …I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I think it’s bound to happen for a person in love. At least, I love this kind of enthusiasm that ignores one’s reputation.”
“Konoha-san…”
Somehow, I respected this young high school girl that sounds a bit light, which is something that I haven’t felt in a long time.
“Right now, I want to find a dark corner and drag senpai in as well.”
However, it lasted for less than 2 seconds.
“Please return my admiration.”
I complained dumbfoundedly. Konoha-san then told me this with a sad expression.
“Phew, …love…is surely sinful.”
“Yeah, as for the thing that you wanted to do just then, that’s legally sinful too.”
“Eh, you’re lying, really? A beautiful girl banging a boy is against the law?”
“I don’t want to say this, but your mind is seriously poisoned by hentai games!”
“Hey, I can’t just ignore that, senpai, please apologize.”
“Eh? Ah, sorry, I’m getting angry over a girl-“
“Senpai, please apologize to all hentai games! No hentai game will literally describe that twisted view as justice! Please don’t act like that just because you think hentai games are subcultures!”
“If that’s the case, where did you get your crazy thoughts from! Anyway, I’ll apologize to hentai games! I’m sorry! Actually, I really love hentai games too!”
“Excellent. Moreover, about my concepts, especially on the sexual stuff, I admit that I’m pretty crazy on my own. I wasn’t really influenced by anything. …I’m just a pure molester freak at the start.”
“What kind of incredible title is that.”
This is the first time that I’ve heard such a word, molester freak. Also, I don’t think I’ll ever hear it again in the future, molester freak.
We stepped onto the snow as we continued making our way towards the residential area. At this point, I slightly remembered where Hoshinomori’s house is. It’s around 3 minutes from here.
(…In the end, I still don’t understand anything despite talking to Konoha-san…)
In reality, I didn’t really expect that I can know what’s on Tendou-san’s mind from her. However, ..even if I understand, I still can’t just sit there and do nothing.
To a gamer, nothing is more irritating than not understanding how to get through a level that you’ve stuck on for a long time.
For example, if you lose to a boss in RPGs, you can train if your level is too low. If your gear or team is too poor, just train harder and try it next time.
However, if a message like “a mysterious shockwave has invaded your body!” suddenly appeared and your HP suddenly went to zero, people won’t know what to do. Perhaps you need some kind of essential item to go through, or you need to trigger the plot somewhere else. Although you can predict all that, …if there’s no hint in the game, you can’t expect anything.
In the end, you need to try every possible way inefficiently. This is…how I feel right now.
Although Konoha-san praised me with the word “enthusiastic,” there should be an actual difference.
Right now, I’m not even sure whether I’m going forward already. However, if I just stop without doing anything. …A weakling like me will just keep torturing my heart while accomplishing nothing.
To prevent me from free-falling like that, I’m wrapping my hands around my head as I tried to escape. I’m just struggling uselessly. …Are you sure that people can describe me with positive words like enthusiastic?
“…………”
Once I snapped out of it, I realized I fell silent for nearly a minute. Then, Konoha-san glanced at me gently and warmly like she’s my mother.
I was impressed as I attempted to muster words out of my mouth.
“W-What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing, everything’s fine. Ah, by the way, senpai, let’s go to that park over there, shall we?”
“Eh?”
After she said that, I looked over at where she’s pointing, and then I realized that there’s a park. A common one that you can see all over the residential area. There’s a swing, a sandpit, gymnastic bars, drinking fountains, and a toilet. It’s a really simple playground. Currently, not a single housewife or kid is around. Perhaps it’s because of the snow.
I said, “But…” as a response.
“Konoha-san, don’t you need to go home quickly?”
“Yep, there’s still some time, so it’s okay. Moreover, senpai, just go there with me for 5 minutes.”
“Really, if that’s the case…! N-No, I think I’ll pass. It’s because no one is there, and it’s pretty dark.”
“You were just imagining me raping you, right, senpai! That’s impolite!”
“S-Sorry, I did it naturally…”
“Do you think the sexual desires that I’ve suppressed for so long can be satisfied with merely 5 minutes, senpai!”
“Hiya, this is not the reason that I’ve expected you to be angry.”
“Anyway, this isn’t why we’re going there!”
“R-Really? Well, …then I guess I can go with you.”
“Thank you, senpai!”
After Konoha-san gave me an energetic smile, she ran into the park like an innocent child. …From her perspective, that’s just an ordinary park near her home. Why is she getting so excited? …Just as I’m following her while feeling a bit confused, she stopped by the swing and turned back to me. Then, she put her tongue out a little bit embarrassingly.
“Actually, I wouldn’t dare to come here and play if there are people around.”
“Ah, I really understand how you feel since I’m the same type of person. However, I didn’t expect this. Konoha-san, I feel like you’re the extrovert type that loves to hang out with others.”
Konoha-san smiled bitterly at what I said.
“Well, although I’m way more flexible than my loner senpai, it’s two separate things with whether you’re a flexible person and whether you’re willing to be one.”
“Uwah, that sounds deep.”
“It’s not deep. I’m just saying that whether I like being stopped by housewives from next door. They keep asking, ‘how are you doing at school’ or ‘Konoha, did you get a boyfriend’ every time.”
“Ah, …I get it. It’s not uncomfortable or frustrating, it’s just…”
“Yep. Honestly, it’s better to spend time like that on gaming.”
“You just said that out loud, but I guess it’s true.”
“Of course, if I said something sincere like, they’ll think I’m a ‘modern, cold-hearted teenager.’ So, I usually won’t say that.”
“I feel you. They wouldn’t even consider that I want to play games.”
“Exactly! Ay, well, I guess they’re right in a sense…”
Konoha-san and I can’t help but smile bitterly at each other. It’s moments like this that can make me acknowledge this girl in front of me is indeed my “partner.”
Then, Konoha-san faced me with her back and slowly bowed down, and then she carefully swept the snow piled on the swing away as she continued.
“Because of that, I hate being stopped by my chatty neighbors. However, I still love a park like this. Even though there’s not a specific reason. How should I put it, perhaps it’s because of the experience when I was little. The concept of ‘this is a happy place’ has been funneled into my brain.”
“…I think I get that too.”
As I’m saying that, I also swept away the snow on the swing next to Konoha-san and sat down. Just as we took a couple light swings, …we can’t help but laugh out.
“If you think about this calmly, even though swings are impractical rides, it’s super fun.”
Konoha-san agreed with what I’ve said.
“Yes, that’s it. So, sometimes, when there’s no one around, I’ll come to the swings secretly. Ah, but if the kids are afraid of coming because I’m here, I do mind that. So, I’ll always leave before someone shows up.”
Konoha-san told me this embarrassingly as she started swinging again. …For some reason, I finally feel that this junior is a bit adorable-
