NOVEL NEXT Chapter 32
After the following exchange, Kuroki and I ended up making plans to meet up on our day off.
“Meet me in front of Shibuya’s Hachiko statue tomorrow at 1 p.m.”
“Eh? Why?”
“Meet me in front of Shibuya’s Hachiko statue tomorrow at 1 p.m.”
“Understood.”
I’m wearing the clothes I bought with Kise-san, even though they’re not exactly to my taste.
I arrive at the Hachiko statue in Shibuya and check the time. It’s 12 noon. I got here an hour early for our meeting. Kuroki probably isn’t here yet, so maybe I’ll just wander around to kill time.
Just as I’m thinking that, I spot her. For some reason, Kuroki is standing in front of Hachiko, fiddling with her smartphone, an hour before our meeting time.
Wait, our meeting time is 1 p.m., right?
“Oh, it’s Sato-chin.”
“Whoa!?”
I’m startled as someone suddenly speaks from behind me. It’s Kise-san.
Why is she here? Is she on another pick-up spree in Shibuya?
“Ah, you’re wearing the clothes I picked out for you.”
“W-Well, yeah…”
“Hmm… I must say, nice coordination.”
Kise-san nods in satisfaction as she looks me over.
“So, what brings you here, Sato-chin? Ah, Animate?”
“No, actually—”
“Hm? Isn’t that Nene-chi over there?”
Wait, listen to me.
Kise-san excitedly observes Kuroki from a distance, clearly uninterested in why I’m here.
“This is…!! The person she’s meeting is definitely either a boyfriend or her main love interest.”
“Eh? No way, that’s not—”
“No, just look. She’s using her cuteness to the fullest with an obviously serious outfit. Frequently checking her bangs with a hand mirror. She’s slightly nervous and fidgety. Definitely a boyfriend or her main love interest. Well, I guess you, a virgin boy, wouldn’t understand.”
Sorry for being a virgin boy.
But if what Kise-san is saying is true, that means Kuroki… likes me!?
Could it be…? Have I been invited on a date!?
“I’ve got to say, I really hate guys like you who are dull, dark, and boring.”
“Do you think I’d fall for a loner, socially awkward introvert like you?”
…No, never mind.
Remembering Kuroki’s words, I calm down. A main love interest? A side guy? Haha, no way.
“…Hm? A dressed-up Nene-chi. And an unusually present Sato-chin in Shibuya… Something’s fishy…”
Kise-san eyes me suspiciously.
“…Wait, are you meeting up with Nene-chi?”
“Yeah, she called me out for some reason. Hey, you can join us if you want.”
“Idiot!!”
“Ow!?”
For some reason, I’m smacked quite hard on the back by an irritated Kise-san. It hurts a lot.
“Go on, you insensitive idiot! Hurry up!”
“Ow, ow! Alright, alright! Just stop hitting me!”
Pushed by an angry Kise-san, I run towards Kuroki. As I approach, she notices me and quickly puts her phone away in her bag.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“…No, you’re actually an hour early.”
“Well, so are you, Kuroki.”
“I’m just… you know, I got here early to confirm the location. Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
I hurry after the departing Kuroki.
Kuroki is cute, there’s no denying that. I can see why every guy in school is smitten by her. Whether in her school uniform or in casual clothes, Kuroki Nene is cute.
“…What are you staring at? It’s creepy.”
Her personality is anything but cute!!
“No, I was just thinking you look cute today. Your outfit suits you.”
This should be the perfect hook, thanks to Kise-san’s lesson: “Always compliment a girl’s outfit when hanging out.”
“…Huh!? You, an introverted, socially awkward person… how can you casually say something like that?”
Huh!? I complimented her and she’s angry!? Kise-san, this isn’t what you said would happen!
Is she thinking, “How dare a socially awkward, tasteless guy like you evaluate my fashion? Die”?
“…Um, you… today, you… not… not bad…”
“Not bad? What does that mean?”
“Uh, well, it’s not bad. I mean, considering it’s you, I was worried you’d show up in some emo outfit with ‘mysterious English fonts,’ ‘excessive zippers,’ ‘meaningless chains,’ and ‘skulls and wings.’ I’m relieved you didn’t.”
“…So, what would have happened if I had worn such clothes?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I would have sent you home to change into your school uniform or tracksuit and spent the day shopping for your clothes.”
Wow, that was close! Thank you so much, Kise-san! For the first time, I truly appreciate having friends.
“…Coward.”
“Eh? Did you say something?”
“Never mind. Don’t worry about it. Anyway, what’s the plan for today?”
“We’re going wherever I want to go.”
“So, basically, no plan.”
“First, let’s have lunch. I know a curry place I want to try.”
“Alright, got it.”
“Hey, isn’t she cute?”
“Yeah, right? Super cute. Who’s that lame guy next to her?”
“Why is he walking with her?”
“Idiot, it’s obviously a rental boyfriend situation.”
We hear such conversations while walking through the town. Well, it’s to be expected, considering I’m with Kuroki, who has captivated all the guys in school. I was prepared for this.
“…”
“Kuroki?”
Kuroki is looking at some men who are whispering among themselves, her face suggesting she wants to say something.
“Come closer.”
“Eh? But if I get any closer—”
“Ah, just do it!”
She closes the distance between us until we’re almost touching and wraps her arm around mine.
“We should show off a bit. After all, you’re walking next to me. Act like it.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
So, we walked through the streets of Shibuya, arms linked, just like a couple.