OtaPon 26-30 (Patreon)

Chapter 26

RAW

　When Saki inadvertently looked in the nearby mirror, she saw that even her ears were dyed bright red.
　When she realized that, her embarrassment welled up even more. She took several deep breaths to calm herself down.

[What's wrong, Sakicchi─?]
“...Um, I'd like to ask you something, is that okay?”

　Saki buried her face in the pillow once and then looked at her smartphone.

[Sure, ask me anything.]
“...I don't really understand what it means to fall in love with someone. But, it’s certainly true that... I enjoyed being with Shimazaki-san. I’ve never felt like this since I was with Gonta in my parent’s house.”

　Gonta is a Shiba Inu that her parents keep at home.

[Uh, please don't compare him to the dog at your parent’s home. He probably wouldn't be happy if you told him that.]
“...Anyway. I do think that Shimazaki-san and I get along well with each other. But can that be called love? I enjoy being together with him, but that also applies to Mayumi.”
[Is there, nothing else? Not just getting along well with each other. Like wanting to hold hands, or wanting to be with him more, or wanting to cuddle with him. If something you'd like to do to someone more than just friends comes to your mind, I think that probably means you love him more than you like him, right?]
“......Th-that’s illicit sexual relationship!”
[Ah, so you want to do it.]

　Saki answered reflexively, but when Mayumi pointed it out, her mouth moved in a squirm.
　She couldn't find any words of rebuttal, and as she was about to groan, Mayumi giggled.

[Even if you don't understand now, just like Sakicchi always says, for the sake of future insurance, you should get along.]
“...Insurance for the future. Isn't that my reason for doing my best in my studies?”

　She hasn't found what she wants to do in the future.
　That’s why, so that she won't have any trouble when she finds what she wants to do in the future, it's important for her to do the best she can do now.

[Right right. In the future, if the time comes when you realize you’re in love with him, if he hates you, I won’t say it’s impossible, but it would be difficult, right? That's why you should start getting along with him from now.]
“...I-Isn't that kind of bitchy?”
[Well, if you really like him, it’s fine.]

　Although Saki didn’t entirely agree with Mayumi's way of thinking, some of them were still somewhat close to her usual way of thinking.
　Then, Saki thought about Osamu once again, and noticed that her pulse was getting faster.

　Remembering the time she spent with Osamu, her mouth loosened. She wants to see him again, she wants to talk to him, she wants to hear his voice. Many such feelings came flooding to her.
　As if she had sensed this, Mayumi's voice rang out.

[You have to treasure it.]
“...That’s, true. I understand. I'll try my best.]
[Yeah, that's the spirit. Ah, but they say that first love never comes true.]
“C-can you please not say anything unnecessary at the end!?”
[Ahaha, bye then. See you tomorrow.]
“...Yes, see you tomorrow.”

　Nodding at Mayumi's words, Saki hung up the phone.
　Then, she put her smartphone by her pillow and lied down in bed.
　Remembering Osamu's figure, the sound of her chest became a little noisy again, and she shook her head vigorously.
　She closed her eyes tightly, trying to forget all of that.

────

Chapter 27

RAW

　Seeing that he had made more progress on his novel than usual, Osamu praised himself.
　The fact that he was able to write smoothly was largely due to having Saki go out with him after school.
　By writing the novel centered around the feelings he felt at that time, he was able to bring the characters closer to humans.

　Even so, Osamu went over the parts he has already written several times, found inappropriate sentences and lines, and corrected them.
　As he was doing that, the time reached 7am.
　He started preparing to go to school. He put two loaves of bread in the microwave oven with a toast function in his room and changed into his uniform while it was cooking.

　The finished toast was dripping with melted cheese. For Osamu, who is not very good at cooking, this toast was something he was proud of.
　He took a quick bite of it. The cheese mixes with the crispy texture. It melted in his mouth and his cheeks loosened.

　After savoring the precious happiness of the morning, Osamu grabbed his bag and left the house.
　He left the apartment and walked for a while. Before he knew it, he was looking up at the apartment where Saki lived.

(...This makes me look like a stalker.)

　He shook his head at his own actions and then turned his back to the apartment.
　He lives in a different world than Saki. Their difference in academic ability is obvious, but including their appearances, everything is on a different dimension.
　And yet, lately he has been spending more and more time thinking about her.

　He wants to become friends with her, and he wants to know more about her. Before he knew it, he had started thinking like that, but Osamu shook his head as if denying himself.

　Saki and Osamu live in different dimensions... the worlds they live in are different.
　That's what Osamu told himself.
　That's when he was about to pass the apartment.

“...Huh? Good morning, Shimazaki-san.”

　When Osamu heard his name called from behind, his shoulders jumped and he turned around.
　Together with a bright smile, Saki came running to him. Seeing how dazzling she was, Osamu returned her smile.

“...Good morning, Hino.”
“Good morning.”

　When their eyes met, she smiled softly.
　Seeing that natural smile, Osamu selfishly felt relieved.
　Tap tap tap, Saki took several steps and lined up next to Osamu.

“Come to think of it, our houses were close, weren't they? We may have passed each other before.” (Saki)
“...I guess so.”

　It was a distance of less than 200 meters away. However, at the next intersection, Osamu will go straight, and Saki, who goes to Mizu High, will turn right.
　Although it would only be for a short time, they started walking side by side.

“About yesterday... thank you very much.”
“Me too.”
“...S-so, we talked about treating you to something next time, but are you free on Saturday or Sunday?”
“...Eh?”

　Osamu was honestly surprised and replied like that.
　Osamu's words yesterday were something he said to force her to accept his treat. He never thought in the slightest that there would be a continuation of that.
　At Osamu's reply, Saki's face scrunched up.
　Seeing her face looking like it was about to cry, Osamu panicked.

“H-huh...? C-could it be, the talk about going out together next time was a lie?”
“N-no, you don’t have to force yourself to treat me like that, okay?”
“S-Shimazaki-san, you hate going out with me, is that it...?”
“I-I don't hate it. Um, I was just surprised, that’s all.”
“...You are, surprised?”
“Yeah... I didn't expect to be invited again next time.”
“But, didn’t we make a promise yesterday?”
“I guess so... Saturday or Sunday, either is fine.”

　When Osamu answered that, Saki let out a breath of relief.

────

Chapter 28

RAW

　Then, Saki clasped her hands together in happiness.

“I’m glad! There’s a restaurant I've always wanted to eat at. We'll have to take a bus to get there. Is that okay?”
“...Yeah, I don't really mind.”
“I-I see...! Well then, I'll contact you once the detailed schedule has been decided!”

　Saki's eyes lit up and she turned right at the intersection.

“Then please do your best today as well.”
“...Yeah, you too, Hino.”

　Osamu saw off her back and walked straight down the street.
　His heart was throbbing at this unexpected encounter. Then, remembering Saki, he let out a sigh.

“...I guess she's used to men. Even though I was so nervous talking to her, she was so natural.”

　He muttered with a sigh.
　Then, he carried his bag back on his shoulder and started walking while reading a novel on his smartphone.

　Osamu arrived at school, entered the classroom, and took a seat.
　He recorded ideas, conversations, and sentences that came to his mind while he was walking on his smartphone’s memo.
　Then, as the novel gradually took shape, he typed it up on his smartphone.

　If he had the time, he would take out his bluetooth keyboard and start typing in earnest, but morning homeroom is about to start.
　Osamu put his smartphone in his pocket, took out the novel he had in his bag, and started reading just like that.

　It was before homeroom at the beginning of the school day.
　One of the two of Osamu's classmates, who always made fun of him, glanced repeatedly at him. And then, he made a somewhat dubious expression on his face.

“...Hey, it was yesterday.”
“Oh, what happened, what happened?”
“You know I had a date with my girlfriend yesterday, right?”
“What, are you bragging now?”
“That’s not it! It was when I went to the shopping mall yesterday, I saw someone who looked like Otaku... walking together with Hino-san from Kaze High!?”
“What the hell?! Speaking of Hino-san, isn’t she the most beautiful girl in Kaze High!?”
(!?)

(*T/N: I use capitalized ‘Otaku’ because they treated it like a name.)

　The only otaku in the class was Osamu.
　Osamu almost choked when he heard the students' words. However, he managed to hold it back.

　He was surprised that people from another school knew about Saki, but of course the biggest surprise was the fact that someone saw them.
　The shopping mall is an easy hangout for students in this area. Osamu, however, did not take the risk of being seen by someone into consideration.

　It was partly because he was looking forward to the date with Saki so much that it got out of his head, and once he realized it, he was embarrassed by himself.
　They were laughing with each other.

“Oi oi, no way it’s true. Speaking of Hino-san, she's the top girl at Kaze High, you know?”
“Right right. That's just someone who looks like Otaku.”
“...Aah, that's it, isn't it? I knew it’s that!”
“...But then, does that mean that Hino-san's type is someone who looks like Otaku?”
“Aah, maybe it is?”

　The two of them didn't talk about Osamu any further. They then joined another group of girls, forming the top caste group in their class, and returned to their usual daily conversations.

　Osamu patted his chest in relief.

(...I guess that’s how it is. Going out means more risks, right?)

　There’s a need to be careful when going out with Saki.
　Osamu didn't mind if rumors about him went around, but he didn't want to cause any trouble to Saki, who had made the offer with good intentions.

────

Chapter 29

RAW

　Lunch break. Saki carried her feet to the student council room as usual when she remembered a certain something, and scratched her head.
　The reason why Saki was scratching her head in shame was because of what had happened that morning.

“...Uuuu, why did I call out to him there?”

　Morning. Saki had finished her breakfast with bananas and cup noodles, and was rubbing her sleepy eyes.
　Just as she got off the elevator, she caught sight of Osamu passing in front of him and started running towards him.
　At that time, she was half unconscious. That's why when Osamu entered her field of view, she became happy and called out to him.

It was like a conditioned reflex of a pet dog happy to see its master coming home.

“...There’s nothing strange to call out to someone you know when you see them, right? Yes, that's right. That's how it is.”

　Knowing that no one was there, Saki answered that question about her actions in the morning herself and was convinced.
　At that moment, the door to the student council room was thrown open.

“Sakicchi─, hello─.”
“Yes, Mayumi. I’m glad you came.”

　Saki instantly tightened her expression and smiled, but then relaxed because it was Mayumi.

“As usual, you’re fast when you go into student council president mode and get out of it “
“I'd get tired if I had to be careful even to Mayumi.”
“What a nice thing to say!"

　Saki beckoned with her hand. Mayumi immediately took a seat nearby and took out her bento.

“So, Sakicchi, what happened that we had to hold another emergency meeting so soon after yesterday? By any chance, did you manage to invite Shimazaki-kun?”
“...That’s, about it.”

　When Saki puffed out her chest a little proudly, Mayumi's eyes widened in surprise.

“What is that reaction?”
“Because I thought it would be a while before you could come up with a reason to invite him again. I thought you’d do it around the end of next week.”
“...It was just a coincidence that I was able to invite him. This morning, I saw Shimazaki-san walking in front of my apartment and called out to him.”
“Eh? This morning? So your houses are close.”
“Yes. It seems he lives in an apartment just around the corner.”
“Ah, so that’s how it is. That’s nice, you can go there to play!”
“Go-go-go-go-going to Shimazaki-san's house to play? That’s rude, you know!”
“Eh─, isn’t it fine? Or rather, you already brought him to your house, right? Next time, you can just say you want to go there and play!”
“B-but... isn't it kind of shameless?”
“There are very few people who think that such a thing is shameless.”

　Mayumi shook her head.
　However, Saki still felt embarrassed about that.

“So? When are you going to hang out?”

　Mayumi asked Saki, who sank into silence.

“...About that, I’m still thinking about whether to go on Saturday or Sunday.”
“If it's not a bother to the other side, then why don’t you hang out on both days?”
“B-both days are impossible... both my stamina and my heart can’t take it!”
“Then, how about Saturday? Maybe you'll want to hang out on Sunday as well. Also, given your state of mind, wouldn’t it be easier to go out on Saturday rather than Sunday? Since the next day will be a day off as well.”

　Saki nodded in understanding as Mayumi spoke her own reasoning.

“...That’s certainly, true. I understand.”
“Or rather, you don't have to worry about what day you go out. You're fine either way, right? You don’t want Shimazaki-kun to hate you that much, huh?”
“Th-that’s not it!”

　While feeling a little embarrassed by Mayumi's teasing tone, Saki shook her head.

────

Chapter 30

RAW

“If it’s not that, then why?”

　Hearing Mayumi's question, Saki thought about it once before opening her mouth.

“...Shimazaki-san is, um, busy with various things.”
“Various things? Does he have a part-time job or something?”

　As she hasn’t said that he is a novelist, Saki nodded at that.

“I suppose, so. He’s doing something similar to a part-time job... well, it's completely different from a normal part-time job though... anyway, he might be busy with that.”
“Then why not ask Shimazaki-kun?”
“B-but then, Shimazaki-san might not tell me his plans out of consideration, right? I-I don't want to cause too much trouble.”
“Since you said he was considerate, doesn’t that mean he has an interest for you?”
“Eh? I-Is that so?”

　When the surprised Saki asked that, Mayumi burst into laughter.

“Sakicchi, you're too scared─. I mean, if you don't care about the person, you wouldn't make time to meet them in the first place, would you? Conversely, if you still make time and tell them a day to meet even when you’re busy, that means they are worth it, right?”
“...I-Is that how it is?”
“At least, I think so─?”

　After hearing Mayumi's words, Saki started thinking in terms of herself.
　Saki imagined someone she didn't care about and thought for a while about whether or not she wanted to meet that person, and she came to the conclusion that she would come up with some random reason to decline him.

“...Then that means he is at least somewhat interested in meeting me, right?”
“I think so. Wait, it might be different if he has some other reason.”
“Other... reasons.”

　Mayumi's words made Saki completely depressed.

“Eh!? You have something in mind!?”
“...U-um... Shimazaki-kun said that he wanted to experience being involved with women for his  job. So, perhaps meeting me proactively is part of that job.”
“Could it be that... Shimazaki-kun, does he like someone else, or something?”
“Ah, if it’s that, he doesn’t.”
“E-eeh... you were so confident with that denial, weren’t you?”
“Yes.”

　It was a misunderstanding born because she was hiding the fact that he was a novelist.
　As Saki thought about Osamu for a while, Mayumi's mouth loosened.

“...So you really like him, huh?”
“...U-uu... p-please don't say it so clearly.”
“But if I don’t say it, you won’t admit it at all.”

　After Mayumi said that, Saki shook her head.

“...Me and Shimazaki-san are different.”
“Different? Well, your genders are certainly different, aren't they?”
“That's not what I'm trying to say! Our lives... our worlds are different...”
“Eh, in short, Sakicchi saying that he isn’t good enough to match you!?”
“Who said something that sounds like it came from a lump of narcissism?”
“But, you see... even from my point of view as a woman, even though the man might be daunted by Sakicchi, it normally wouldn’t be the other way around...”
“...That's not what I'm talking about... Shimazaki-san is a fine man... He's already doing enough work to live on his own, and he has a fine dream... the world he lives in and the world he sees... is different from mine.”

　Saki remembered Osamu talking about his dreams and goals with straightforward eyes.
　Every time she remembers Osamu's face at that moment, her heart warms, but at the same time her chest tightens and hurts.
　Temperature is happiness, tightness is emptiness. Even though she feels happy, she also feels a sense of emptiness at herself for not doing anything.

“...So that’s how it is. That's why you were attracted to him.”
“...Might be.”

　Saki nodded slightly, feeling embarrassed by Mayumi's words. Once she admitted it, her heart beat even faster and her body trembled.
　Mayumi lightly patted such Saki on the shoulder.

“Since it is you who decides that your dimensions are different, won’t it also be you who will think that your dimensions are the same?”
“...That's such an irrational argument.”
“It's not irrational or anything. Isn't that much better than using it as an excuse to say something pathetic? You should just go with the spirit of ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’.”
“...Is it because first love doesn’t come true?”

　Sullenly, she answered with the word she received before.

“Saying such negative things is no good, you know?”
“It was Mayumi who said that... But, thank you very much.”

　Saki said that while smiling at Mayumi.

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