Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/2912051596567318343/episodes/2912051596669094942
The morning after he had successfully completed his first livestream, the young man felt refreshed.
The walk to school, which had always felt like a chore and a burden, now felt light. Everything he saw and felt became fodder for casual conversation. The discomfort of the crowded train, what he ate for lunch alone, how much he dreaded PE—he could turn all of it into conversation topics. Just imagining the moment he’d talk about them made him smile involuntarily.
The time it took to walk from the station to the school gate felt shorter than usual.
The walk from the hallway to the classroom was over in the blink of an eye.
“Ah.”
As I entered the classroom, I heard a voice that seemed to slip out involuntarily.
When I looked to see who it was, I saw Hanazawa-san sitting in the seat closest to the entrance. Our eyes met unexpectedly.
Oh no, did she think I was creepy?
I glanced at her expression and, unexpectedly, Hanazawa-san looked like she was about to cry. But that lasted only a moment. She shook her head twice, and her face returned to her usual bright smile.
“Good morning, Ibuki-kun.”
—A shiver ran down my spine.
Ibuki-kun? What kind of way is that to address me? T-that’s scary. Did I do something wrong?
“G-good morning. See you.”
After returning her greeting, I hurriedly fled back to my seat.
Hanazawa-san called me by my last name—and added “-kun” to it. Well, since I’m a social outcast, she’d probably call me “-kun” anyway… but this is way too suspicious.
I haven’t done anything weird, have I?
I racked my brain, but I hadn’t left the house at all since the livestream.
Then, was it the stream? Could it be that “flower san” is actually Hanazawa-san? She did say “I’m sorry” at the end, after all…
I brushed it off with a laugh.
No way. “flower san” has been my viewer for a long time; there’s no reason for her to change her attitude now. Besides, the account’s gender is listed as male.
Then what’s the reason for calling me by my last name? Does she want to sell me a pot or something? Isn’t that polite attitude just for that?
……It’s possible. What should I do? I’m starting to get anxious.
“Okay, class is starting. Take your seats~”
The teacher walked into the classroom and class began, but the anxiety in my heart lingered.
＊＊＊
Lunchtime rolled around, and I let out a big sigh, ending up sprawled across my desk.
I’m exhausted…
The reason I’m more tired than usual is simple.
I turned my head to the side for just a moment. As usual, Hanazawa-san’s gaze was fixed on me.
She’d been watching me the whole morning.
Normally, I’d just laugh it off as some socially awkward kid’s delusion. But that “Ibusuki-kun” from this morning was still on my mind, and I couldn’t help but worry.
What if she tries to sell me some weird product?
Just as I lay back down face-down, someone tapped my shoulder.
“Ibusuki-kun. Can I talk to you for a moment?”
My eyes widened in shock.
[Can I?]!? That Hanazawa-san is using [can I] with me!?
“Ah, I’m sorry. Did I startle you?”
“N-no, well, I am a little surprised, but…”
“I guess so… I’m sorry.”
“No, that’s not it!”
“Huh…?”
I swallowed the words “I’m the one who’s surprised here.”
“It’s just… you don’t seem like your usual self.”
“…That’s because I found out.”
“Found out what?”
Hanazawa-san looked as if she’d made up her mind, and opened her mouth with determination.
“Um… never mind.”
The only one… being me would be the worst. I don’t want to ruin this rare… moment, so I can’t say it, can I…
I couldn’t quite make out Hanazawa-san’s mutterings.
“But, yeah! That’s right! I don’t want to worry you!”
Her tone of voice and smile returned to normal, and I let out a sigh of relief.
“That’s good. You’re back to your usual self, Hanazawa san. To be honest, I was getting worried.”
“Y-yeah, I guess so…”
“Yeah. You’re most charming when you’re just being yourself. So don’t do anything weird, okay?”
Still wary that she might try to sell me a vase, I made sure to drive that point home.
At that, Hanazawa san fanned her flushed face with her hand.
“Ah, it’s so hot. Maybe it’s already summer.”
“It’s May right now. It’s hard to call it spring at all. It’s been hot lately.”
I went along with it.
It looked like she realized her scheme had been exposed, but as long as she didn’t bring up the vase, I didn’t care.
“Right, right! No, wait! Actually, the reason I called out to you was to ask if you’d like to have lunch with us.”
“Lunch?”
“Yes! With everyone!”
Hanazawa-san said that and turned her gaze toward the lively group.
The so-called “first-string” crowd. Hanazawa-san’s friends—a collection of handsome guys and beautiful girls—had pushed their desks together and were spreading out their bento boxes.
It’s good that it wasn’t about the vase… but over there? Me?
No, that’s impossible. They probably wouldn’t welcome me, and I’d definitely ruin the mood.
“Um, well, I’ll pass on that, actually.”
“Is that… so?”
Hanazawa’s eyes welled up.
It was a look unlike her usual self—not at all calculated.
Even though I knew it was an act and couldn’t resist it, her genuine expression right now was a hundred times cuter…
“O-okay.”
“Really! That’s great!”
Hanazawa-san took my hand and led me into the lively crowd.
A few minutes later, I deeply regretted it.
“Oh, we all went to Steba to try the new drink. What did you think of that, Ibusuki-kun?”
“Uh, well, I thought everyone looked really stylish.”
“Eeh? not that? Everyone, Ibusuki kun said it’s stylish, what do you think?”
To talk to the popular kids, an introvert needs an interpreter… How sad.
For some reason, Hanazawa-san is trying really hard to connect me with her friends. Because of that, she is acting like an interpreter, and it’s incredibly uncomfortable.
That said, it might have been even worse without an interpreter.
I can’t keep up with what everyone’s saying, and I doubt they’re interested in what I have to say either.
Maybe it’s a difference in values. Thinking that, I feel guilty for being here and instinctively hunch my shoulders.
“Oh, I’m going to the bathroom!”
That kind of conversation went on and on, and finally, Hanazawa-san got up from her seat.
As I watched her back disappear out of the classroom, the people still there turned to me with puzzled expressions.
“Ibusuki, did you do something to Yuna?”
A girl who looked even more like a ‘gal’ than Hanazawa-san asked.
Her suspicious gaze stung, but I understood how she felt.
“I didn’t do anything. But I get why you’re suspicious. Suddenly introducing me and making us eat together—it’s only natural to think I’m up to something…”
“Well, I didn’t go that far. Is that not the case?”
“Yeah. Honestly, I’m confused too. I have absolutely no idea why I was called here out of the blue.”
“I see. Yuna had dark circles under her eyes, so I think she hasn’t been sleeping well. That’s probably the reason for her acting weird. I’m sorry for dragging you into this, Ibusuki.”
“N-no, not at all. More importantly, I’m sorry for ruining everyone’s lunch.”
As I bowed my head, I heard Hanazawa-san’s voice greeting someone as they passed in the hallway.
“Oh no, she’s coming back. I’m sorry, Ibusuki, but I think she’ll be fine by tomorrow, so could you just go along with her for today?”
“Sure. I’ll do that.”
“Thanks. Let’s be nice to Yuna today. Everyone else, okay?”
Just as everyone nodded in agreement, Hanazawa-san came back.
“I’m back. How was it while I was gone? Were you guys getting along?”
The gal and I made eye contact and nodded at each other.
“We were chatting nicely, right? Ibusuki?”
“Yeah! We were chatting nicely!”
When I said that, Hanazawa-san’s face lit up with a huge smile.
＊＊＊
I moved the mouse cursor and clicked to start the stream.
Within seconds, a comment appeared.
“I’m here again today!!”
The comment was from flower. Since yesterday ended on a bit of a sour note, I was relieved to see she came back today just like always.
“Thank you so much for coming! I’m really happy!”
Ahh, this is soothing. This is definitely the only thing that really soothes me.
“Oh, you look happy! Did something happen today!?”
“Did something happen today, you ask?”
A smile slipped out before I knew it.
My lunch break today was a bitter experience, but as material for a stream, it’s the perfect funny story.
“Sounds like it! Tell me! Tell me! Did you maybe make a new friend or something!?”
Hehe. That’s a good lead-in.
“Alright! If you want it that badly, I’ll give you the full story!”
I began recounting today’s events with great enthusiasm.
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