36 - In the end, what is culture? (Patreon)

RAW

“Are you planning to have a cultural festival even in the dream?”
“I just thought about the cultural festival when I went to bed.”

As usual, in the dream.
I was thinking about the cultural festival the moment I went to sleep, so instead of the white 　space, we were standing at the school while the cultural festival was being held.

“It was fun, wasn't it? The cultural festival.”
“That's the most important.”

Generally, when I enter the dream, Hiuri and I end up standing in a white space, but if I go to sleep while thinking about something, I end up being pulled toward it.

“Now then, let's have a review meeting.” (Hiuri)
“Umm... ok.”

...Hiuri, aren't you in a bad mood?

“First of all... the school festival was really fun.”
“That’s right.”

...

“We were able to do something that felt like a date.”
“That’s right.”

...

“So... what's with that at the end? Hold my hand properly!”
“I’m very sorryyy!”

She really was angry about that!
At that time, I just couldn't muster up the courage, and after that I kept thinking about it... I was worried that I would get scolded when I went to sleep, so I came here, but it turned out just as I expected.

But let me make an excuse, it can’t be helped, isn’t it. Because, in real life, Hiuri and I are still friends. I am aware that we were in a pretty good mood, but I don't think we are at the stage of where we can hold hands yet.

“Or rather, did Hiuri aim for that when you touch my hand?”
“No, the me in real life did it unconsciously. But, you know, I was kind of in the mood. And you ignored that, really!”
“Sorry.”

Apologize properly, even if you say it lightly. I remember reading somewhere that love seems to last longer if it doesn't get too heavy.

“We've never even held hands properly in real life!”
“But that can’t be helped, right?”
“Kazuki-kun, you should take the lead.”

Hiuri seems to be quite displeased with the incident at the cultural festival. But, the only people who would hold hands when that kind of thing happens are either extremely good-looking guys or a main character of a story.
I'm not really the main character of a story, so expecting too much of me is kinda troubling, how should I put it...

“Even though I'm actively trying to be a couple with Kazuki-kun, why are you being so passive about it?”
“Think about how Hiuri is perceived by the whole school. If I do something that stands out, I'll be in the dream world forever.”

I have been told by Tadashi that quite a few people already know about me.
Even though I was a guy with no distinguishing characteristics last year, the fact that I suddenly started getting along with the school princess seemed to have a strong impact. Rumors about me quickly spread not only among students of not just my school year, but also the year above and below me.

According to Tadashi, if I try to kiss her, I’ll lose my life the next day. He even warned me to not do anything that would attract attention.
I think so too, so I'm being careful about it, but it seems like my girlfriend still doesn't seem to be aware of it.

“Let them see.”
“I’ll get beat up.”
“I'll tell them off. I'm aware that I have at least that much power.”

Being protected by Hiuri somehow feels wrong, and I can't help but think that it will develop into some insidious harassment. Rather, it is unclear why I haven't been harassed yet.

“Or maybe... how about asking for Shindo-kun's help?”
“Tadashi is also one of Hiuri's fans, you know.”
“It doesn’t look like that to me though... I think he prioritizes Kazuki-kun over me.”

Hiuri and I seem to have different impressions of Tadashi. Well, Hiuri doesn't have much interaction with Tadashi, so it's no wonder she doesn't understand. That guy has some feelings for Hiuri.
Though, I know he's the kind of guy who I would get along with even if Hiuri wasn't around...

“The sports festival and cultural festival are over, you know? How are we going to deepen our friendship after this?”
“Maybe we shouldn’t force ourselves to do something like that at school…?”
“If you're expecting that thing from summer vacation, give it up. Because of that thing, the real life me is a little suspicious of myself. Although the real life me right now wouldn't reject you... I can't help but think Kazuki-kun is guiding me somehow.”

It seems like it was a bit too much for me to be there right when she went out. I have no intention of scaring Hiuri, so I have to be prudent.

“If you want to meet up outside of school, make sure Kazuki-kun is the one who invites me! I’m the one who invited you to the cultural festival, so you can do that much, right?”
“Yes.”

She said that to me with some coercion, so I had no choice but to affirm it. There's no reason to refuse anyway, and what Hiuri is saying is perfectly reasonable.
But I have to think about the timing. In the morning, the surrounding people are carefully listening to us, so if I invite her then, they'll beat me up after Hiuri leaves.

“Then Kazuki-kun, how about we do this.”
“Hm?”
“First of all, we need to exchange contact information. Kazuki seems to be holding back on it, but even I have a smartphone, and we need a place where we can talk alone.”

I see...
By the way, Hiuri's contact information has become one of the treasures among the boys. There was an incident where some boy tried to get Hiuri's contact information from a girl and had his dignity torn apart by the girls who were there, ever since then, it has been treated as a kind of black box.

“I'll leave the timing to Kazuki-kun. The me right now wouldn't refuse it.”
“All right.”

It’ll be fine. I’ve been able to call her name in real life, as long as I don't get the timing wrong.

“Well then, since we're done talking... maybe I'll get some sweets as an apology?”
“I got it.”

As I hand an extra-large cream puff to Hiuri, I ponder about what to do.

――――

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