Morning. In a total reversal from the other day, it had been sweltering since dawn. Between the restless night and my recent habit of waking up at a decent hour, I ended up rolling out of bed around the time the elderly start their morning stretches. It was way too early, but I wasn't sleepy, so I had no choice but to get a head start on my routine.
As I was heading out, my older sister, Kaede, stumbled down from the second floor with her hair in a bird's nest and wearing nothing but a camisole. She spared me a single glance before muttering, "Oh, it's just the average guy," with such genuine disappointment that it left a lasting impression. I guarantee if a handsome guy were here, she’d never show her face in that state.
I left the house with my mood tanking.
In light novels and manga, protagonists are always running into the "girl of destiny." That's because they're protagonists; even when they're supposed to be unremarkable, average high school boys, the art style still makes them look like models. Nobody would buy an anime or manga where the main character’s eyes were actually the size of rice grains.
That's exactly why those guys can get close to cute girls without lifting a finger. It’s no exaggeration to say that if they do take action, their success rate is a clean hundred percent. Then again, if they failed, there wouldn't be a story.
On the flip side, what happens when a truly ordinary guy tries to make a move? You get the reaction I received yesterday.
"Huh? ...Gross." (Exaggerated, but still.)
Seriously, getting that kind of response from a quiet girl is brutal. I don't think I've ever eaten a more tasteless pastry than the one I had afterward. It was a cold reality check that ignored the actual temperature outside. Honestly, that was a lesson worth paying for.
"Hey."
I really felt it then. Thinking I could actually get anywhere with Natsukawa was the height of arrogance. I’d warned myself, but apparently, it hadn't sunk in yet.
"Hey, you."
Maybe the seat change was a blessing in disguise. Moving to the front corner was a great chance. To me, it was a boring spot that only a brown-noser would love, and being right under the teacher's nose was a pain, but I could use that to my advantage. I could reinvent myself as a serious student—the new Sajou Wataru.
"Don't ignore me!"
"Gweh!?"
The air was suddenly knocked out of me, forcing a croak like a dying frog. Guh... my Adam’s apple just retracted... What if my voice turns into a permanent soprano?! I’ll have to start singing Ghibli songs!
I turned around, fuming over the assault on my throat and imagining a flashy career as a singer, only to see the face of the Goddess—Natsukawa.
"......Bliss."
"You're too close!"
"Gwoh-ho!?"
She shoved me back hard with her bag. That was the solar plexus, Natsukawa-san... Rather than the pain, I was mostly wondering if surprise attacks were the latest trend. If so, they’re in terrible taste. My voice was still stuck in frog-mode.
Striiiing... the taut bo—gwoh-feh-ho-egh!?
"That’s a fierce expression of love..."
"I-It’s nothing like that!"
"......Right. Of course it isn't."
The old dreamy lines slipped out by habit, but Natsukawa's sharp retort snapped me back to reality instantly. Right. I’m the kind of person who gets hit in the solar plexus and then has the bag-print wiped off her bag with a handkerchief afterward. Damn you and your handkerchief.
"...It’s fine to follow the trends, but try not to let it bite you later."
"Wait, why are you making it sound like I'm the one in the wrong—Hey, wait up!"
"What? What do you want?"
Between my sister’s disappointment, being called gross, and being battered by a bag, I was reaching my limit. Even for a fan like me, it was getting hard to stay cheerful. Before I knew it, I was giving her a cold, dismissive shoulder without even looking her in the eye. Wait, is this bad? Did I just piss her off?
"...You don't have to look at me with such a scary face..."
".........Huh?"
I turned back in shock at the unexpectedly soft, cute voice. There stood Natsukawa, looking down and pouting. Wait, what? That’s adorable.
"D-Did something happen?"
She wasn't supposed to care about me. Even if I treated her coldly, she shouldn't have been bothered. What on earth was going on in her head?
"You happened! You’re the one who used to follow me around so much it was disgusting, and now..."
"Ah..."
I was stunned by the raw emotion on her face. This was uncharted territory. I couldn't find the words. As I stood there gaping like a fish, Natsukawa shot me a final glare and stormed off.
...Something was wrong. It had been two weeks since I stopped pestering her, but the reactions from Natsukawa and everyone else were all wrong. I thought that once I stopped being a nuisance, she’d become the class idol and forget I even existed.
".........I don't get it."
Why did she even talk to me? I thought I was a bother. If I were her, I’d take the long way around just to avoid me. It’s better to waste time than to deal with a headache.
I decided to ask for a second opinion. It’s not like my plan was a secret, and it wouldn't hurt to have one person in the loop. Trying to understand a girl's mind as a guy is a losing game anyway; might as well consult an expert.
◆
"What do you think Natsukawa thinks of me?"
"I think she thinks you’re disgusting."
"........."
I might have picked the wrong person for this. I should have asked someone who actually cares about people's feelings. Even if you're being honest, you could at least sugarcoat it a little since I'm right here, Ashida.
No, calm down. Be an adult. I’m an adult. This is my chance to show I have the capacity to take a hit...!
"...Right. I figured I was disgusting."
"Sajocchi... Now I'm the one feeling sad."
Oh, come on. Ashida is already making this difficult. You’re the one who called me disgusting! Don't look at me with those pitying eyes... Anyway, focus. I'm here for a consultation. Stay steady.
"Normally, you wouldn't care if a gross, annoying guy acted cold toward you, right?"
"Huh...? Wait. Sajocchi, were you cold to Aichi?"
"When I get called disgusting the moment we meet and then take a bag to the solar plexus, even I’m going to be a little cold."
"Ah... I see..."
Ashida covered her face with her hands, groaning for a bit. Then, she looked up at me with a pained expression and clapped her hands together.
"Look, I don't think Aichi meant any harm. Just be the bigger person."
"It’s fine, I don't mind. It's Natsukawa, after all."
"Mind it! What even is that 'Aichi privilege'?"
She looked at me like I was a lost cause. Hey, what's with that look? Those are the hands of the Goddess. That’s her bag. It’s a holy relic for a certain demographic. (*A very specific demographic.)
"The part I don't get is what happened next. After she hit me, I might have sounded a bit gruff, but she gave me this adorable, sulky reaction. Is she trying to kill me with cuteness?"
"Sajocchi, you don't need to try and hide your excitement with that weird, old-timey character."
"The point is, if I’m gross enough to hit, she should be happy I'm backing off. It’d be easier for both of us if she just cut me loose."
"........."
"Right?" I asked. She stared back, surprised, then fell into deep thought. Why was she studying my face? I wanted to know what was up with Natsukawa.
"Hey, can I ask why you started calling her by her surname?"
"Because she said it was a nuisance and people would get the wrong idea."
"And you haven't tried to hit on her lately?"
"I've been rejected enough for one lifetime."
"You didn't seem like the type to give up, Sajocchi."
"Everything has to end eventually. Expecting more rejection is just depressing, and I realized I was just being a pain to Natsukawa since she clearly isn't interested."
".........I'm convinced."
Ashida looked like she’d just swallowed a lemon. Her expressions were all over the place. Seeing someone usually so cheerful look so gloomy was starting to rub off on me.
Sensing my mood, she rubbed her cheeks to reset herself and turned back with her usual bright expression. She didn't have to force it for my sake, though.
"I think Aichi’s attitude is a problem too! But Sajocchi, you’re also to blame!"
"W-Why?!"
"Because you followed her around so much that everyone else stayed away! Her circle at school is tiny. It’s basically just me and you. There’s no way she can just push you away when you’re one of her only talking partners!"
"Because I hung around her...?"
Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. It actually made perfect sense. I never doubted Natsukawa was popular, but with me attached? If I was constantly making a scene with my intense advances, people would obviously steer clear. They probably thought that talking to her meant getting sucked into my nonsense.
Wait... so my entire "Natsukawa-loving" persona was a tactical disaster? For normal students who just want a quiet life, that’s more than enough reason to stay away.
".........Hold on."
"Wait? What’s up?"
Now that our seats are separated, if I stay away, the others won't have any reason to hold back. If Ashida helps out, they can create a friendly atmosphere that’s actually approachable... This is it!
"Ashida."
"W-What is it...?"
"It’s time to start Operation Produce...!"
"What even is that? Hey, is this going to be okay?!"
...Probably.