CH 18 (1/2)

“P-p-p-please go out with me!”

On our way back home.

I found myself saying this before I knew it, and as I was overly anxious, my voice was s.h.i.+vering so much, I felt like dying.

But I had to say this.

It was 3 years of admiration. 3 years ago, she transferred to a place far away, and I was unable to convey my feelings for her.

But now, it’s a miracle that she has returned back to our cla.s.s.

And I never expected that I could be alone with her at the bus station leading home. I had been waiting for a chance to be alone with her, so surely, I wouldn’t let go of this rare chance.

“Is this what they call a confession?”

She did her best to remain calm in the face of my confession.

She didn’t look fl.u.s.tered or awkward in any way.

Was I being too reckless? Just when I was beginning to feel uneasy—

“Hm, is that so? Then, I want to do something…”

She calmly declared,

“What do you want to do?”

“I want to interview you to see whether I should go out with you.”

I started to panic.

Interview? What’s going on here? This is getting too weird. It’s too unexpected that my thoughts couldn’t catch up.

But this idea got me nostalgic, so I agreed. She’s been a weird girl for quite a while. When she was in elementary school, she would be saying all kinds of things like “An orange includes the core, right? Or does it include the ta.s.sel?” “why does this flower have to be called the Morning Glory?’ “whether a banana is a snack or not has to be confirmed against the calories for every grape sweet, fruit candy or sugar candy’…her curiosity had deviated in a strange direction since young.

“Hm, let’s begin.”

And then, her interview began officially.

This was an extraordinary development, but it’s a chance. I could finally say how much I really want to go out with her.

I merely had enough time until her bus ride arrived. That ride should arrive at 3.47pm…

Thus, it meant that there’s only 3 minutes left.

“Now then, allow me to introduce myself.”

This suddenly went into a completely strange development, and really rattled me.

“…Erm, don’t you know that I’m actually your cla.s.smate?”

“No of course I do. We shouldn’t be greeting each other when we meet again, no? And besides, isn’t there’s a chance you may be using a pseudonym in school?”

“That’s impossible! If I’m using one, I’ll be arrested for forging my doc.u.ments!”

“Hm, that’s logical.”

It’s not about being logical here. That’s how it is.

“…Well, never mind. I’m Hayao Tōgō of cla.s.s 1-6.”

“Thanks. I’m your interviewer, Riko Akiyama of cla.s.s 1-6. Nice to meet you.”

She cleared her throat, and stared at me with conviction.

And then—

“Please state your motive for asking me out”

This time, my knees wobbled, nearly collapsing in the process.

It’s an interview, yet she’s asking me that question right off the bat!

“It’s not for any special reason, is there?”

“No, that’s not it! I find you cute, Akiyama, with that nice black hair of yours…and you just bonded into our cla.s.s from the moment your transferred in. You’re good at all kinds of sports for quite a while, and you do say some interesting things. If we’re together, erm, I guess I’ll feel happy…”

My voice trailed off by the time I reached the end of my words. Anyway, I tried raising her good points, but I didn’t see her look embarra.s.sed or delighted in any way.

“I guess it’s really embarra.s.sing to be called cute so directly.”

Really? I find her expression to be as usual.

But I’ve never seen her rattled even in elementary school.

She’s always so calm, always showing that kind of expression. It’s like it wouldn’t change.

“Now then, next question. What can you do when we become lovers.”

This is the so-called ‘what can you offer when you join our company?’ question.

“I-I think, I want to bring you to all kinds of places.”

“Like?”

“Eh, eh? Erm, like a zoo, a theme park, a cinema, and all kinds of things!”

Woah! Even I think my answer’s too ridiculous here. We can go there together even if we aren’t lovers!

But she didn’t think too much into these improper answers.

“I see. I always stay at home during my rest days, so maybe I’ll find something new if I’m dragged out.”

She placed her hand under her chin, giving a pondering look. I didn’t give a bad answer…? No, I can’t use common sense when dealing with her.

And then, she proceeded with the next question.

“Besides me, are there any other girls you asked out?”

“No! I haven’t asked out any other girls other than you!”

“Is that so? Sorry. This question is inappropriate, but I do think that there are quite a few charming girls other than me.”