OtaPon 61-65 (Patreon)

Chapter 61

RAW

　On his way home, Osamu reluctantly decided to answer Nana's phone call.
　This was because he received frequent phone calls not only during lunch break but also after school ended.

　He knew what she wanted to talk about, so he wanted to put it off as much as he could, but if he ignored it too much she’d sulk, and that would be troubling.
　When Osamu put his phone to his ear, a yelling voice echoed.

[Osamu!? What is that cute creature?!]

　Her voice was loud enough to split his ears, so Osamu put his smartphone away from his ear and let her talk.
　He waited until she calmed down, then put the smartphone to his ear.

“...What is?”
[L-like I said! That two-shot photo you gave me! Or rather, don't show off your lovey-dovey flirting to your sister!]

　It was about the photo he took with Saki yesterday. Osamu then raised his voice at the way Nana said it.

“D-don’t call it lovey-dovey flirting! W-we’re not like that... Hino is only getting along well with me to help me with my writing... Well, she might be more conscious of me as a friend compared to the beginning though...”
[Even so... Is that girl the kind of girl who is used to playing around?]
“...If she wasn’t acting, probably not, I think.”

　If he were to say that Saki was acting as an innocent girl, that would be it.

[...Yeah, then I think there’s no doubt she’s interested in you, you know? Because if it was me, I wouldn’t want to go out of my way to take photos with people I don't like. Or rather, I wouldn’t even want to hear their contact information.]
“...Is that, how it is?”
[Even though you're a romance novelist, you're really thickheaded when it comes to things like that, huh. Geez...]
“Am I, really... thickheaded?”

　It would be more correct to say that he didn't have enough confidence, but he didn't have the courage to say that to Nana, who had told him so many times before to have some confidence.

[Well, it’s fine if you want to take it easy. But if she's such a cute girl, she's probably popular at school, right? You said that she was from another school, but while it’s not quite a long-distance relationship, it's pretty similar to that, so if you don't make a strong appeal, she might end up going away soon, you know?]
“...I know already. Is that all you want to talk about?”
[For now. But I didn't think Osamu would go for such a cute girl. It might be tough, but do your best, okay?]
“...Shut up, I’m hanging up now.”

　When Nana started teasing him, Osamu forcefully hung up the phone halfway through and put it in his pocket.
　Then he opened Saki's email address and let out a small breath. After being told something like that earlier, his desire to meet Saki had become stronger.

　Should he come up with some reason to contact her? He walked while thinking about that.
　When he passed by the apartment building where Saki lives, he turned his gaze toward its entrance, as if such movement was already ingrained in his body.
　Of course, Saki’s figure was nowhere to be seen. Even though it was obvious, he still felt depressed and let out a sigh.

　Osamu then slowly walked to his apartment, and that’s where he found Saki.
　Saki and a man he didn’t know were walking together in a friendly manner. The man's uniform is from Kaze High. And the man’s clothes and hairstyle looked like he was used to playing around.

　If he had to describe him in an easy-to-understand way, the word that came to mind would be ‘frivolous playboy’.

　Despaired by that sight, he stopped in his tracks.
　His first love was gone too quickly, he should have attacked more, such thoughts were running through his mind──but then he realized that Saki's response was strange.

“Um... like I said, could you please not follow me?”
“Eh─, isn’t it fine?”

　Saki kept talking with the boy while wearing a troubled expression on her face. Her gait looked like she was running away somewhere, and the boy seemed to be forcibly following her.

　Having a glimmer of hope, Osamu approached them.

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Chapter 62

RAW

　Once Osamu approached them, he could hear their conversation.

“It's not fine. Your behavior right now perfectly befit a stalker.”
“We’re just students of the same school going home together on friendly terms. Come on, isn't it fine? If you're not dating anyone right now, how about you try dating me? I definitely won't make you regret it, you know?”
“...Like I said, listen. I'm not interested in that kind of thing at the moment.”
“Don't say such wasteful things. What is it that you're dissatisfied with about me? Even with this, I’m pretty popular, you know?”
“...It's not that I'm dissatisfied with you. I’m just not interested.”
“Then you should take an interest─”

　As Saki was at a complete loss, her eyes met Osamu’s.
　Osamu continued to approach them.
　He knew from their conversation just now that they don't have a friendly relationship.

“What’s wrong?”
“Eh? Wh-what... what’s with you?”

　Osamu suspected that the man was following her for some reason or other, and when he approached them, the man was clearly pressured.
　Osamu carefully observed Saki and looked at the relationship between the two of them. Then he judged that Saki was having an altercation with him, so he got between Saki and the man.

“Shimazaki-san.”

　Osamu was convinced when Saki looked relieved.

“I'm... Saki's boyfriend, do you have any business with her?”

　After hesitating, Osamu said that lie. The man looked at Saki in surprise. Saki was surprised for a moment, but her mind turned quickly.

“Eh? H-Hino-san? D-didn’t you say you aren’t dating anyone...?”
“...Not in Kaze High. His name is Shimazaki Osamu, and Osamu-san is my... boyfriend.”

　Saki said and hid behind Osamu. Osamu was patting his chest in relief.
　He thought that he might have gone too far, but the fact that she obediently took advantage of Osamu's lie means Saki clearly realized the situation she was in.

“...”
“So, do you have any business?”

　Osamu took advantage of the height difference between them and glared at him from above.
　Osamu's natural physique caused the man to be completely frightened, he trembled for a moment, and then shook his head.

“I-it’s... nothing...”
“I see. In that case, be careful and go home, okay? It's dark already.”
“Ah, y-yes...”

　When Osamu said that, the man trembled, bowed his head, and left.
　Osamu grabbed Saki's hand and started walking toward her apartment, trying to show off to the man who was still glancing back at them.

“...Why was he that scared?”
“...Perhaps Osamu-san's words earlier sounded like a threat.”
“‘Be careful and go home’, aah... I see. I didn't have that intention at all though.”

　Osamu sighed and scratched his cheek.

“Of course, I understand that.... Thank you very much for saving me. Today, um, someone confessed to me for the first time in a while... and then, he started following me around, and I've been troubled.”
“C-confession, huh... That person from earlier, he was quite vindictive, or something like that.”
“That’s right... I have no intention of dating, and even though I said I’m not interested right now, he didn't listen. Your lie that you were my boyfriend right then saved me.”

　And Saki bent over at the waist.
　In response to her polite bow, Osamu also bowed his head in a similar manner while feeling depressed at Saki's words; “I'm not interested, and I have no intention of dating.”

“But he might spread some strange rumors at school, you know... is that okay?”
“It's okay. The trust I've built as the student council president won't be destroyed just because of that.”
“...I, see. Well, if a strange rumor about you having a boyfriend were spread... I'm really sorry.”
“B-boyfriend... ah! I-is that the rumor you are talking about!?”
“...Eh? What else could it be?”
“N-No... um, I-I thought it’d be about me being a liar! B-boyfriend...?!”

　Saki's turned bright red up until her ears.

────

Chapter 63

RAW

“...Hino, have you calmed down?”
“...Y-yes. Thank you very much.”

　After taking several deep breaths, Saki raised her face.

“...Then, it's about time I go home.” (Saki)
“...Me too, I'll see you off at your apartment. Just in case.”
“...Thank you very much. As expected, you are very kind.”
“That's not true... Come on, let's go.”
“...Yes.”

　Osamu walked with Saki to her apartment.
　At that moment, he felt a soft sensation wrap around his right hand.

“Eh?”
“Ah, u-um... I’m a little, anxious, so... is it okay if we... hold hands?”
“O-okay...”

　Saki smiled happily. Looking at her face from the side, Osamu let out an unnoticed sigh.

(...’I'm not interested right now’, huh? I guess the reason she’s staying with me is because she  wants to read the rest of the novel or something like that... Maybe it's better if I don’t bring my feelings to the forefront so openly. ...If I'm seen as a [man] in a bad way, I might get rejected.)

　Osamu looked at her face from the side and looked at their connected hands.

(I shouldn't... misunderstand, right? Right now she still isn’t... But, I'll have to get her interested in me someday.)

　Although Osamu understood that it would be difficult, he was determined.

“Hino... as I thought, you are popular, right?”
“...I believe so. I get confessed to quite a lot.”
“...I see.”

　Osamu couldn't keep his heart calm after hearing her words, but he laughed to cover it up.

“Well, if you're the student council president, smart, and also good-looking, then I guess you'll be popular.”
“...I-it's not that much... More importantly... Is Shimazaki-san okay?”
“What is?”
“It’s about, your school. After you get your hair cut... d-did you not attract a lot of attention from the people around you?”
“I guess I did get some attention... quite a lot of my classmates and people from other classes called out to me.”
“I-I see... are they girls?”
“Yeah.”
“I see...!”

　Osamu tilted his head at Saki who had a sullen look on her face.
　Osamu thought about why Saki seemed to be in a bad mood, but he couldn't come to a conclusion.
　Osamu gave up and moved on to another topic.

“About just now, I went too far when I called myself your boyfriend, I’m sorry.”
“...No, it's not like that! In fact, I was happy!”

　Saki said that in a loud voice, then she shook her head.

“Th-there's no strange meaning to it, okay? Please understand that I’m talking about the fact that you said that to save me!”
“...Yeah.”

　His brain, heated by shame, didn't function very well, and he couldn't even come up with an answer to Saki's words.
　Just like that, Osamu leaked out a single word of Saki's name.

“About that, I’m sorry for calling you Saki all of a sudden earlier.”
“That too... was a good way to make him believe the lie that we were dating.”
“...I appreciate you saying that. And, if you don't mind...”

　Osamu swallowed the words that followed.

“‘If you don't mind’... what is it?”

　Saki tilted her head innocently.
　Osamu placed his right hand on his chest, trying to suppress his rapidly beating heart.
　Still, nothing changed. The sound of his heartbeat traveling from his hand to his arm only made him more aware of it.

　Lost whether to say those words or not──Osamu mustered up all his courage and opened his mouth.

“Is it okay... if I call you... by your name?”

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Chapter 64

RAW

　Osamu was so nervous that it felt like his heart was going to jump out of his mouth.

“...”

　Seeing Saki's frozen expression, Osamu immediately shook his head.

“M-my bad. I didn’t mean it in a weird way.”

　’I failed’──the instant he tried to say the words of denial,
　Osamu's left hand was gripped tightly with force. When Osamu looked there, he saw Saki, her eyes moist, looking up at him.
　The expression on her face dazzled and shocked him into vertigo. Her loveliness made Osamu's heart palpitations increase in intensity.

“...it, is fine.”
“Eh?”

　Osamu asked back. Saki, while playing with the ends of her hair with her free hand, continued.

“I-i-i-i-it’s fine...? In exchange, please let me call you... Osamu-san, too.”

　When she called his name, his heart skipped a beat.

“...I-is that okay?”
“...Yes.”

　As they looked at each other, Saki's cheeks flushed. Osamu, aware of his quickening pulse, squeezed out his voice.

“...Saki.”
“Y-yes what is it?”

　Osamu smiled wryly at Saki who smiled happily.

“No, um... I just wanted to try calling you.”
“Th-that's true, isn’t it. We need to practice, don't we?... I suppose next is my turn?”
“Ah, yeah.”

　Osamu took a deep breath and prepared himself for that one word.
　Saki, while blushing, smiled cutely, her beautiful lips trembling.

“Osamu, san.”

　A cute voice caressed his ears. Hearing her words, Osamu felt so happy at her words that his body felt like it was about to fly off.

“W-what is it?”
“I-I just wanted to try calling you... Um, could you please try calling me again?”
“...That's a little embarrassing, I guess.”
“P-please call me... I want to hear it.”

　She said this with moist upturned eyes, and Osamu couldn't turn that down.

“...Saki.”
“...Yes, thank you very much.”

　As Saki said that with a smile and about to leave he grabbed her hand.

“Isn’t it unfair that it’s only me? Next, is Saki's turn.”
“Eh? W-what do you mean?”
“Don't play dumb. Could you please call me by my name again?”
“...U-umm.”

　Saki’s face turned red, she turned her gaze outside, smiled shyly, and then,

“...Osamu-san.”
“...Yeah, thank you, Saki.”
“Yes... you too, Osamu-san.”

　Once they were able to call each other naturally, they arrived at the apartment.
　When he let go of the hand he was holding, Saki looked a little reluctant, then she shook her head.

“Saki, if you have any trouble, let me know. If there is anything I can do, I'll do it..”
“...Yes, thank you very much.”
“If you go to a family restaurant or something and forget your wallet, you can call me, okay? I'll come help you.”
“...Mu, you made fun of me, didn’t you?”
“That’s not true.”

　After laughing with each other, Saki waved one hand as she headed towards the apartment elevator.

“Well then, see you next time.”
“...Yeah

　Osamu waved back to Saki, then turned his back.
　As he left the apartment, he suddenly looked up at it.
　Osamu clenched his fists as if to catch the wind that was blowing through them, and took a deep breath.

“Have I moved forward... just a little bit?”

　Thinking back on his actions, Osamu was overcome with shyness and he slowly walked to his apartment, letting the night breeze cool the heat in his body.

────

Chapter 65

RAW

　After parting ways with Osamu, Saki kept saying his name in the elevator as if murmuring a curse.

“Osamu-kun... Saki, Osamu-kun... Saki.”

　Every time Saki said his name, her mouth loosened.
　After confirming this in the mirror installed in the elevator, she tried to straighten her face, but it collapsed again soon after.

　When he called her name, when he said he was her ‘boyfriend,’ even if it's a lie.
　Those two things loosened Saki's expression even more.

　Once Saki reached the 10th floor, she walked through it with a bouncy feeling.
　With this momentum, she entered her room and laid down on the sofa. While humming a tune, she boiled water using an electric kettle and prepared three cup noodles on the table.
　There was no waste of any of those movements.

　After finishing the three cup noodles, she prepared some rice in the microwave that was still in the room and poured the remaining ramen broth into it.
　Even after all that, her feeling of happiness still lingered, and wanting to share it, Saki took out her smartphone.

　The one she called was, of course, Mayumi.
　After a few rings, Mayumi answered the phone.

[What─? What happened?]
“Fufu, fufufufu!”

　She hung up. Saki immediately called her again.

“W-why did you hang up!”
[Well, anyone would want to when the first thing they hear is such a creepy laugh, right?]
“Even so, isn’t that rude?”
[No, no, that's my line, really. ...So? Did something good happen?]
“Yes, I suppose so! Do you want to hear it?”
[Hmm, I wonder? Then, see ya.]
“P-please listen! Please let me talk!”
[Then, don't say such pretentious things from the beginning. ...Wait, come to think of it, I want to check, but, how was today’s confession? Was it okay?]

　It wasn't okay at all. To explain everything, Saki needed to first talk about that, so Saki opened her mouth.

“...I was confessed to, and I refused him.”
[Hm? Somehow, I feel like it became a problem?]
“That's exactly right! The man who confessed to me started following me quite persistently...”
[Uwaa, for real? As expected, wouldn't it have been better if I went home with you?]
“But I think he probably still wouldn't give up even with that. He was quite persistent.”
[Eeh─, I wish he’d give up like a man there. So, were you okay? He didn’t do anything to you... right? Well, you were in a pretty good mood.]
“Yes, and it’ll go back to what I was going to say earlier! For the time being, I thought he would give up even if he didn’t like it once I got home, so I’ve been mostly ignoring him while I was walking. But, even when I got close to my home, he didn't give up. That's when Osamu-san came!”
[‘Osamu-san’? ...Huh? You call him by name?]
“Fu, fufufufu!”

　She hung up again.
　Saki called back immediately, and Mayumi picked up.

“Like I said, please don’t hang up so suddenly!”
[Then, don't suddenly laugh so creepily. ...Could it be, the reason why you're in such a good mood is because he called you by name?]
“Fufu, that's right. We agreed to start calling each other by our names.”
[I see, good for you. Or rather, Osamu-ku──]

　When Mayumi was about to call Osamu's name, Saki immediately spoke up.

“Ma-Mayumi, please don't call him by name too!”

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