Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093094101424177/episodes/16818622176151690846
Even the person she has feelings for can’t see her.
Having no choice but to accept that reality, Orimoto showed up at my front door again the next morning for some reason.
But Orimoto isn’t the type of person who can easily give up on love.
The surveillance of Sera Keiichi continued.
I don’t want her to get me involved.
She can do the surveillance on her own. In fact, I think it would be better if she did it alone rather than with me there.
“That girl is being too close. What grade is she in? Oh, right, she’s a freshman. I’ve seen her face before.”
“…..Girls’ networks are creepy.”
“Did you say something?”
“No.”
I could say that I was given the opportunity to follow her, or rather, that it was forced upon me.
My neighbor was exuding a sense of seriousness.
Behind her piercing gaze was an atmosphere of intelligence. Judging from today, it’s the same as always.
—They’re being so lovey-dovey.
Anger wells up from my feet, threatening to burst forth. —Orimoto and I are staring at Sera Keiichi and a group of girls.
(As expected of the protagonist, it’s surprising that fights don’t break out. …Are they happening under the surface?)
I asked myself sarcastically, but it was a pointless question, so it slipped out of my mind.
The quarrel between the girls was far beyond my imagination.
If it’s a Zen dialogue with no answer, then speculating about it is meaningless.
“Hey, wait a minute.”
My consciousness was shaken back to reality. My sleeve was tugged, and I suddenly looked at the source of the force.
“This is an aquarium. Don’t pull me suddenly like that. What if I fall? Plus, people will think I’m weird.”
“Aquarium…? What do you mean?”
More spiky than a porcupine.
With her cheeks puffed out, Orimoto embodied a fusion of cunning and naturalness.
I sensed that she was about to say something unpleasant.
There are four girls who represent the Sera harem.
With the caveat that this is to the best of my knowledge.
Since Sera has always been exceptionally popular with girls, being surrounded by them is a common occurrence.
However, it could be said that the girls who stand out among them are mockingly referred to as the “harem” by those around them.
One—Orimoto Ryoka. Second-year high school student.
Two—Michikusa Inori. Second-year high school student.
Three—Kanzashi Serina. Third-year high school student.
(And the fourth one is…there she is !)
“I don’t really get Kasugai kun’s comedic timing, but look at that ! !”
I was slapped hard on the back.
The pain filled the gap in my thoughts, and I couldn’t help but grimace, gasping in pain as I looked up.
Kanzashi Serina appeared, walking briskly.
Her long, wet, black hair was lustrous, and her gentle features inevitably made one think of someone older. Her presence changed the atmosphere.
“Keiichi kun, can I talk to you for a moment?”
It was a short sentence.
Just that alone caused the group of girls to scatter like a spider’s web.
“Serina senpai, what’s wrong?”
“I had some leftovers at home, so…”
Serina senpai handed her a flower-patterned package.
“Here’s some lunch. Please eat it if you like.”
“What? Is that okay? I’m so happy !”
“Don’t be so dramatic. It’s fine.”
Yera accepted it. Serina senpai smiled.
A typhoon caused by a handsome man and a beautiful woman. Before they knew it, there was a gap around Sera and Serina senpai, just like an “eye.”
“My father suddenly said he didn’t want it, but it’s my homemade food…”
“I’ll eat it ! I’m happy to !”
“Really? …Thank you.”
Neighbor. Anger. Seeping heat.
“That’s definitely a lie ! It might not be a lie since it’s Serina senpai, but it’s cunning and deceitful !”
“What kind of made-up word is that? But well, being able to eat Serina senpai’s homemade food might be a form of happiness. —It’s a general theory, a general theory.”
“Huh, huh ! !”
Orimoto glared at the overly sweet atmosphere unfolding before him like a child throwing a tantrum.
─────
“Actually, I’m really good at cooking.”
She said, rolling up her sleeves.
Her arms looked healthy.
“Meat and potatoes, curry, miso soup, fried foods, especially fried chicken, which Keiichi really liked !”
“Why are all your specialties brown…”
“Well, I only cooked for Keiichi. He comes home late, so I sometimes made dinner for him.”
Lunchtime was the only time when being alone was a relief.
But lately, Orimoto had been showing up even when he wasn’t called, and today he was bragging about his specialty dishes without being asked.
“Sera’s house is like a gal game.”
“…Huh? What do you mean?”
“The protagonist’s parents are either on business trips overseas or come home late anyway. They’re just born into a convenient family.”
After hearing my explanation, Orimoto muttered, “I don’t really get it,” looking confused.
…Well, maybe he doesn’t play games.
“You’d understand if you played games.”
“I do play games ! Like the one where you spend time in the forest with animals, or the one with the plumber.”
Orimoto and I sat down on the bench.
“Um, that’s not what I meant…never mind. So? What’s your specialty dish?”
“That’s right ! We’ll carry out the second plan !”
Where did the first one go?
“What was the first one, from start to finish?”
“The first one was when Kasugai kun talked to Keiichi and he didn’t remember me, and that failed !”
“…..The second one is a better method.”
“That’s right.” Orimoto said, raising her finger.
“Keiichi liked my cooking.”
“Does that connect to the second plan…?”
“The lunch box plan ! Isn’t it perfect?”
How do you make it perfect?
“Suppose, for example, that there was a possibility that Keiichi’s memories would return with Orimoto’s taste. Suppose, for example?”
“Why did you take out insurance twice?”
“Suppose there was a ‘third time!’…How do you plan to give that lunch box to Keiichi?”
He paused for a few seconds.
Orimoto stared, clasped his hands, fidgeted, and then said, trying to hide his embarrassment.
“I…I hadn’t thought about it at all…”
“Listen. Don’t say I have to give him the bento. That’s gross. I’m not into that.”
“Just this once ! Just this once, let’s be diverse ! !”
“I’ll beat you to death, you bastard──!”
I’m not gay. I’m attracted to girls.
I have no romantic experience, but I identify as male.
If I gave Sera the lunch box and told him to “eat it” I’d definitely become the most popular person in school (laughs).
After some commotion, the lunch box plan was rejected, and all we learned was that Orimoto was a good cook.
─────
It turned out that one could survive without eating, but this was only discovered several days later.
Orimoto suddenly rubbed her stomach and said,
“I’m hungry, but…I’ve become able to survive without eating.”
“Huh?”
I was surprised, but it was nothing new.
Since Orimoto started bothering me, I’ve been constantly running around dealing with trouble, leaving me no free time.
Serra seemed suspicious of me.
“You’re turning into a monster.”
“Is that something you should say to a girl?!”
“Pay me back with interest. You took all my food money, and I’m not even working part-time.”
I was born into a middle-class family and was the eldest son, so my financial situation was typical of a middle-class family.
My allowance is average, and I manage from there.
I considered part-time work in the past, but given my personality, I thought it would only lead to awkwardness with others, so I ended up putting it off.
“If I don’t eat, I get dizzy from hunger, but it goes away after I sleep !”
Well, I see.
This girl, Orimoto, has apparently transcended the boundaries of humanity. It’s strange that he can’t be seen, but the fact that he doesn’t die from malnutrition is superhuman.
“Orimoto, why don’t you go to a shrine for a purification ritual? Maybe you’ve incurred the wrath of a female spirit or a demon. A purification ritual might clear things up.”
“My acquaintance, the Shinto priest, couldn’t see me either…what about that?”
“Maybe you’re of a higher rank than them?”
“That’s just nonsense !”
…Could it be that she had unknowingly incurred someone’s hatred?
It’s hard to say for sure.
Even the most virtuous person can be labeled an enemy by someone. The truth is buried in darkness, but I’ve heard that even Mother Teresa was like that. Orimoto was highly regarded by students and teachers, but he was probably resented by some girls.
“Do you have any memories of being resented by someone?”
“No…I don’t believe so.”
“Hmm. Well, I see.”
The discussion led to no conclusion.
Eventually, the conversation shifted.
“—Time seems to be all messed up, doesn’t it?”
The phone’s battery remained at 100%.
Though hungry, I felt naturally full.
Strangely, the wrinkles and stains on the uniform he wore every day were not noticeable.
When I confronted Orimoto with my ideas, I was able to gain a certain understanding, but that was as far as I could go.
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