NOVEL NEXT Chapter 292: [Halloween Night]
《Staaaare》
《Huh? Wh-What?》
In the high school classroom.
I was being eyed suspiciously by Shitenno.
《Iroha, you didn't deceive me, did you?》
《About what?》
《Well, when I agreed to help you with your research, your grades started to improve. A secret study strategy… no, it couldn't be that. It's you, after all.》
《Hey》
Shitenno doubted me but quickly resolved it on his own.
It's a mystery whether his assessment was a compliment or an insult.《Uh… By the way, how was the lab? Did it help with your studies?》
《Ah, yes. To be honest… I was overwhelmed》
《What?》
《I realized I'm still not there yet. The people working there are all geniuses, like monsters. They're insanely smart.》
《That much?》
Come to think of it, didn't that female engineer say she was from MIT or used to work for Gogooru? Still, it’s surprising.
《Even from your perspective, they're that amazing》
《Of course. Also, Iroha. You're amazing too. I felt the gap.》
《Huh?》
《Creating your own role in an environment full of geniuses is incredibly difficult. In that place, most people are just negligible.》
《I'm not that impressive》
Thanks to my language cheat, anyway.
I denied it out of discomfort.
《No. If someone our age like you could do it, I thought I could too… but I couldn't compete. Not yet》
No, no, Shitenno is the impressive one.
Facing such geniuses and not breaking, even saying "not yet".
《Thanks for introducing me to that place. It was a great stimulus. And I have a new goal now.》
《Oh?》
《I will become a scholar. That hasn't changed. But now, there's something else I want to do… I'll keep it a secret for now》
《Is that so? Good luck》
《At least pretend to be more interested. Well, that's just like you》
Ugh!? Did it show on my face that much?
But it wasn't a topic related to VTubers.
Then, a voice echoed, "Ah~~~~!"
The girl, as usual, came straight towards us as she entered the classroom.
《Iroha-chaaaaaan! Listen to me!》
《Uh, what?》
She clung to me and started talking.
Ah, this is going to be troublesome.
《What do you think about workplace romance? And age gaps? It's better to date friends or people your age, right!?》
《Hmm. I don't think I can help with that topic. I really don't think so. Sorry…》
《You can't escape! This idiot… he was flirting with a woman at the lab!》
《Huh!? I wasn’t doing that!? And what do you mean by flirting!?》
Well, I don't really care either way.
Could you let go of my shoulder? Please don't drag me into this.
《At first, both Shitenno and I were assigned the same tasks. But then he was alone with the woman from the lab.》
《Wow~. Shitenno, skipping work, huh? So, when you said you had a "new goal", you meant》
《No, that's not it!? Believe me, Iroha! I'm devoted to you!?》
《Iroha-chan, scold him more! He got all cocky just because she said "You're interesting"! She was just teasing him!》
《No, that's not it!? She said my ‘idea' was interesting! And she gave me more tasks because of that!》
《Oh, I see. You were given other tasks, huh?》
《She said things like "I like it", "I look forward to your future", and "I want you". She wanted me as her exclusive assistant…! It's an abuse of power!》
《Uh…》
Isn’t it just that the woman recognized Shitenno’s talent?
And I think I might know who she is.
But… Shitenno, you're amazing.
As I was thinking, I heard "still" from earlier.
《Iroha-chan! This is unforgivable, right!?》
《Iroha, you understand, right!? Believe me!》
《Hmm…》
I pondered for a moment and gave my verdict.
《Guilty! Shitenno's at fault!》
《Why!?》
《I knew Iroha-chan would understand!》
“And I collapse, saying, ‘I’m innocent!?’”
The girl looked down at Nno with a smug look, saying, “See?!”…
Hahaha, you still don’t understand, Shitenno.
Basically, when you get into an argument with a girl, you’ve already lost.
And I don’t want to go out of my way to be the loser either.
《Iroha!?》
So, I decided to abandon Shitenno to avoid getting dragged in.
Sorry, Shitenno… good luck.
***
One evening, while I was spending my days like this.
Angu Ogu approached me with a grin.
《─Trick or Treat!》
Angu Ogu, with arms wide open, attacked me with a "Gao~!"
The Halloween night curtain rose.