Chapter 115 - Aoi-chan Love Operation (1) (1/2)

Now that my dad has warned me, I’m going to consciously observe my neighbors’ attitudes toward me better.

“Hello.”

I make an effort to greet them amiably.

I’m here at the water storage tank that’s beside the cooking area.

Women and children have priority for the shower room at the community center, so most of the men just wipe themselves down with warm water.

There’s no way there are enough gas water heaters for nearly 200 people.

I have a tank of lukewarm water in my lap.

The bucket of hot water is used by three groups of people to wipe themselves down.

“Ah… hello~”

“… hi.”

Oops.

This is even more blatant than I thought, huh?

The three middle-aged women in the kitchen returned the greeting, all chuckling and shrinking back a bit.

I guess I haven’t noticed this until now…

“Oh, can I have some hot water?”

“Yeah, yeah, go ahead.”

“Ahhaha, thank you very much.”

It was a large woman of the Polar Bear tribe who answered back.

The edges of her mouth were raised as if pulled by an invisible thread.

If you notice, it’s obvious.

Obviously, she’s looking at me like I’m suspicious.

Well yeah.

One day at the mall. The clerk at the baby goods store also had this look in his eyes.

The worst looking high school student in the world, holding a young girl in a helpless position. Yeah, that’s a bad image.

There’s no way I’d trust someone like that right away.

The stories passed on by people’s mouths are exceeding my actual speed of movement.

It’s too late for me to make a move…

“E-excuse me…”

She filled a bucket of hot water with a small pot in the tank and left the cooking area quickly.

I couldn’t stand to be in a place where there were curious stares and the atmosphere was filled with trepidation.

Oh no. The situation has progressed farther than I had imagined.

If I don’t take immediate action, not only me, but rumors about Aoi and the others might circulate as well.

“What should I do, what should I do?”

I mumbled to myself as I carried the bucket.

I wouldn’t have bothered with it before now.

I was the only one who would be harmed by it.

No matter what kind of notoriety I got, I was determined to ignore it.

I thought it was useless. I had given up on the idea that there was nothing I could do once the rumors started.

But this time I can’t leave it alone.

After all, they are people of the neighborhood.

As long as you live in this town, you will have to come into contact with them.

Moreover, it is long-term. Perhaps they might be neighbors for life.

We’ve bought a not-so-cheap house in this town, and we can’t just run away.

”Kazamachi? What’s wrong with you. You look pale.”

“Kunpei-kun?”

I unexpectedly came across a large golden furball in the hallway.

It was Gasaraio.

Kusaka Makio was next to him, the little blond boy who stopped wearing a pompadour and is receiving rave reviews.

“Help me, Gasara-on! Makio-kun!”

“Oh, oh?”

“W-what?”

I’m being bullied!

I can’t just hit him and fix it because the bully has no ill intent at all!

I need a quick and easy solution with a magic tool, Gasara-on!

I was at my wit’s end, and I put my trust in a crass, rough, tsundere beastman, Gasara, who is representative of someone who doesn’t seem to be suited to that kind of talk.

Explaining.

“Eh? You’re saying that to me?”

“Ah, that’s right…”

“Please, lend me your wisdom.”

Gasara was troubled as he looked away from me.

I understand.

If I were in the same position and got asked for advice, I would be troubled.

But I can’t think of anything because I am aware of my foolishness and lack the ability to socialize with others.

My dad tells me to think for myself, but I can’t! I can’t do it, father!

Makio, on the other hand, seemed to have gained some insight and nodded slightly.

”So in other words, you’re saying you want to somehow improve the impression that the people around have of you, right?

“Yeah.”

That’s what I’m talking about.

“That’s what I’m talking about. You’re quick.”

“Stop talking like that. I’ll blow you away.”

I’m sorry.

No, I’m sorry. I was so upset.

I could give you a shoulder massage if you want.

Oh, yeah. I promised that I’d brush you.

Leave it to me, I’ll get it all fluffed up.

“I don’t know what it is, but just put the hand you’re sticking out away.”

“I’m sorry.”

I got carried away.

“So, you have a good idea?”

“Hmm. So it’s the same situation between me and everyone else at school?”

It’s like that.

I summarized and explained everything, but it was helpful to have Makio, who only had fragmentary information to understand it.

I was worried that my explanation might be a bit lacking since I had to exclude the stuff related to dragons.