Chapter 1
My sudden return to school in the afternoon, after days of absence, caused a stir in the classroom. Having publicly humiliated myself by failing the midterms and then refusing to show my face, all sorts of rumors had apparently been swirling. Not that I cared what people whispered behind my back. I didn’t come to school for any grand reason. It was just painfully clear that rotting away in my room wouldn’t change anything, and I couldn’t sit still.
That bizarre dream was to blame. My rational mind screamed it was impossible, yet my emotions clung to a flicker of hope. Never before had my reason and feelings clashed so fiercely. I’d come to school on impulse, but now that I was here… what did I even want to do?
Before I knew it, homeroom was over, and the school day had ended. It had been an utterly disastrous day. During afternoon classes, I was called on to solve problems, but there was no way I—Hatsu Jun-nosuke—would admit defeat with a pathetic “I don’t know.” So, I answered with feigned confidence, only to produce results as abysmal as my midterm scores. The stunned look on the teacher’s face was seared into my memory.
Eager to escape the strange, judgmental stares of my classmates, I hurried into the hallway—only to realize I’d left my smartphone in my desk. Could this day get any worse?
I turned back toward the classroom, and at that exact moment, I collided with a girl walking behind me.
“Uwah!”
“Eek!”
The girl stumbled, instinctively grabbing the hem of my uniform. Even a frail girl’s full weight was enough to throw me off balance. We both crashed to the floor, and I ended up pinning her beneath me.
The instant our skin touched—Kyun!—a sharp sensation gripped my chest.
“Urgh!?”
I was hit with a double shock. The physical impact was nothing compared to the mental jolt that overwhelmed me.
“That scared me! Don’t just turn around like that!” came an angry, tearful voice from beneath me.
Eyes wide with shock, I stared down at the girl inches from my face. Her dazzling blonde hair and refined features filled my vision. Tears glistened in the corners of her eyes, and her trembling lips let out a faint breath that tickled my neck.
“Hatsu, how much trouble do you have to cause before you’re satisfied…?” she muttered.
“You—” I began, still pinning her between my body and the floor. “I feel like we’ve met before, but you’re so forgettable I can’t place you. Who are you?”
“Huh?” Her mouth fell open in disbelief. A beat later, her anger intensified, and she slapped me across the cheek.
“Ow! What was that for!?”
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean…! No, I mean, at least remember your classmate’s name, you heartless, despicable jerk!” she shouted, shoving me off and glaring up at me from the floor.
As I looked down at her, my eyes unintentionally caught a glimpse of her underwear beneath her skirt. Her slender frame belied surprisingly toned thighs, and her smooth, pale skin contrasted strikingly with the black lace fabric. To my dismay, a faint heat crept into my cheeks.
But I, Hatsu Jun-nosuke, would never let anyone see me flustered. Tightening my slackening expression, I stood up swiftly with a composed air.
“Tha’ insult jogged my mem’ry! You’re the friend of the girl who misdeliv’red her love letter!” I stammered, completely butchering my words and failing to hide my agitation.
I slapped my own cheek—Smack!—to snap myself out of it. The girl flinched, her shoulders jumping.
“…That insult jogged my memory. You’re the friend of the girl who mistakenly gave me her love letter, right?”
“You’re so inconsistent! Your face is all red, and you were panicking just now—wait, huh?” she trailed off, her eyes narrowing as she studied me.
The girl, who had been speaking with a wary expression, let out a soft murmur as if something had clicked. She must have quickly deduced the reason for my flustered state. Her face flushed crimson, her brows furrowed sharply, and she clenched her teeth as if enduring her embarrassment. Her entire body trembled with rage.
“I really hope you get what’s coming to you!” she shouted.
With a mighty swing, her school bag connected squarely with my jaw. Stars burst in my vision, and I collapsed onto the hallway floor once more. She stormed off, her furious footsteps echoing as she passed by my sprawled form.
“…This is the worst,” I groaned, lying flat on my back.
---
Two things became clear.
First, the blonde girl’s name: Chiharu Okusora. After returning to the classroom, I checked the class roster and committed it to memory for good.
Second, the kyun sensation I felt when I collided with Chiharu Okusora matched the feeling from my dream. It was the ‘sixth sense,’ the divine ability granted by Rei, the Heavenly Goddess, to detect innate talents.
“It… wasn’t a dream?” I muttered, dazed, as I walked through the school hallway.
The reality of my talent loss, coupled with this supernatural experience aligning with the dream, was overwhelming. I could still dismiss it as a fantastical delusion—perhaps I was only seeing what I wanted to see.
But now, I finally understood.
What was wrong with seeing only what I wanted? What was wrong with believing what I chose to believe? I wasn’t a god. This ordeal had painfully shown me my limits. I was no different from the ordinary people I’d always looked down on—just a small, limited human. My capabilities were finite.
That’s precisely why I valued talent above all else.
I had to reclaim my talents. In that moment, my purpose crystallized.
According to the Heavenly Goddess, my 108 innate talents were redistributed to 108 girls, leaving me with only my true talent: the talent for love I said to myself, a cold smirk forming. My absurd plan was to make all 108 girls fall for me and bring them under my sway, effectively regaining control of every talent. It was a ridiculous scheme, but for the sake of my future, I had no choice but to bet on it.
With my goal set, I paused my steps to consider my next moves.
Finding one talent in Chiharu Okusora was a stroke of luck, but I still had 107 more to locate, with no clues to their whereabouts. For now, Okusora would be my primary target. According to Rei, the 108 recipients were, at least at the time of their birth, concentrated in a specific region. If that held true, there was a chance more talents were still nearby.
I’d need to check if anyone else around me possessed an innate talent.
“It’s a shame Okusora got away. Now I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see her again,” I muttered. I needed to make her see me as a romantic prospect, but our unfortunate clash had created tension I’d have to smooth over quickly. No helping it now.
“That means… as tedious as it is, I’ll have to systematically check everyone for talents!”
Of course, I couldn’t rely on luck like today’s encounter. If talents were that easy to find, I wouldn’t be struggling. Steeling my resolve, I kicked off down the hallway, determined to scour the school.
---
“Ha… ha… I’m done! My legs hurt, and I haven’t found anything!” I wheezed, leaning against the school wall, exhausted and whining. For two hours, I’d frantically grabbed the hands of every female student I saw, only to watch them flee. To an onlooker, my talent hunt must have looked like deranged behavior.
As expected, it wasn’t easy. The ‘sixth sense’ didn’t trigger even once. Many students had already left for the day, and finding those I hadn’t checked was proving difficult.
Worse, I could feel the wary gazes of distant students. I was used to being disliked, but these looks weren’t just disdain—they were the kind reserved for a lunatic. Even I found that insulting.
“R-Retreat! It’s a strategic withdrawal!” I declared loudly, salvaging my pride as I limped home on shaky legs.
After walking a bit, my breathing finally steadied. That’s when I noticed two figures across the street. One near a narrow alley, another farther off by a family restaurant. Both wore our school uniform, with ties indicating they were in my grade.
It had occurred to me during my talent hunt: the talent holders were likely my age. Rei had said talents were granted just before birth, so my assumption made sense.
Honestly, my exhausted body begged for rest. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to call it a day and resume the search tomorrow… but I crushed that weak thought. I would reclaim my talents. With sheer willpower, I forced my body into action and sprinted forward.
“Haa… haa…!”
Panting, I climbed the pedestrian bridge and raced down to the opposite sidewalk. The odds of this being another dead end were high, but a lion hunts a rabbit with full effort. I’d rather go all out and fail than half-ass it and regret it.
My determination paid off—I made it in time.
From the direction of the family restaurant, a girl with chestnut-colored pigtails trudged along. From the alley to my right, a girl with short black hair and a dignified air stepped onto the sidewalk. The two, who would’ve passed each other without interaction, were both within my reach.
My right and left hands, with a slight delay, firmly grabbed each girl’s hand.
In that instant—Kyukyun!—a tightening sensation gripped my chest.
It was unmistakably the ‘sixth sense’ signal. But something was different.
The sensation had triggered twice.
The signals came so close together they almost felt like one, but there were distinctly two.
“…No way,” I muttered, stunned by the unexpected outcome.
The two girls, equally shocked, stared at me with wide eyes.
“H-Huh!?” The pigtailed girl let out a squeak, retreating like a startled animal.
“Who are you, and what do you want?” The short-haired girl shook off my grip, glaring coldly.
There was no mistake—my desperate search hadn’t been in vain. The two girls before me were both holders of the innate talents I sought. Shaken by this unexpected success, I cleared my throat and offered a sheepish apology, eyes lowered.
“Sorry for being so rude. It felt like we’d met before, and I couldn’t help but stop you.”
The words were, of course, a pretext. Now that I’d identified them as targets, the game of love had already begun. My first move was to apologize earnestly, hoping to avoid worsening their impression of me. If I could push further, I’d love to probe into their backgrounds… maybe take a bolder approach.
“Your uniforms suggest we’re classmates at the same school—what a coincidence! I feel terrible about my rude behavior and would love to make it up to you. How about I treat you both to tea?”
My sudden offer caught them off guard, but I pressed on. “Oh, I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Hatsu Jun-nosuke. And you two are?”
“H-Hatsu…!?”
“…Jun-nosuke?”
Their eyes widened in unison, and they fell silent, as if their lips had been sewn shut. I’d hoped to at least get their names as a small step forward, but their reaction was… odd. As I puzzled over it, the black-haired girl let out a deep sigh.
“Unfortunately, I don’t have a name to give to a suspicious stranger. Goodbye.”
“U-Um, I-I’ll be going too…!” The chestnut-haired girl stammered, barely coherent in her panic.
The black-haired girl dismissed me with an icy glare, while the pigtailed girl turned and fled in a frenzy. I could’ve chased after them, but… not yet. I’d achieved my goal of locating talents, and I’d memorized their faces. This was a stellar start. I could already taste victory.
“Hah… Hahaha! I did it! What a great start—I didn’t expect things to go this smoothly! I’m impressed with my own efficiency. How’s that, Goddess-sama?!” I shouted, pointing skyward toward Rei in the distant heavens. But the moment I struck the pose, pain shot through my body. “Urgh!” My excitement had masked the muscle soreness, and now I stood trembling pathetically.
…Alright, I’d cooled off. Teary-eyed from the pain, I forced a smirk. “Three talent holders found already. I haven’t scoured the whole school, but it’s time to start moving toward my goal in earnest.”
All things considered, things were going smoothly. Now it was time for my ‘talent for love’ to shine. For someone like me, gifted with the natural ability to charm women, these girls were no more challenging than my current muscle aches—helpless prey. I’d make them fall for me, no question!
Eager for tomorrow, I headed home with a spring in my step.
The Next Day
As morning homeroom approached, students hurried into the classroom. I’d arrived first, eyes sharp, waiting for my targets to appear… but something was wrong.
“Strange… why aren’t they here!?” I muttered, frustrated. Despite my vigilant watch, my targets were nowhere to be seen. Could they be absent for some reason? Damn it, I’d planned to start with the closest target, and now my early morning effort was wasted.
Sighing in disappointment, I shifted my gaze from the classroom entrance back to the room. “Hm?”
There, in a seat that should’ve been empty, someone was sitting. I blinked, thinking it was a mistake, but it was undeniably my current target—Chiharu Okusora. She must’ve just arrived, slightly late, as her cheeks were flushed, and she was catching her breath.
“What!? When did she… get here? No way I missed her!” I stammered. How had I overlooked her? Had she slipped in with the latecomers? No, I’d been watching everyone carefully. What was going on?
Perplexed, I stared at Okusora. She took a deep breath and adjusted her white knee-high socks, then fanned her skirt to cool off. Either oblivious to onlookers or assuming no one was watching, she was remarkably unguarded. I didn’t care who she showed her underwear to, but after yesterday’s fiasco, I averted my gaze from her legs, however reluctantly.
Now, I had to win her over and subtly kindle her affection. It was a hassle, but for the sake of my secure future, I steeled myself and approached her desk. I spoke as warmly as I could.
“Hey, Chiharu Okusora.”
I circled to face her, placed both hands on her desk, and leaned in, meeting her gaze. “This morning, I realized how sorry I am for my past actions. I was wrong to insult your friend and to accidentally see up your skirt yesterday, upsetting you. I take full responsibility and apologize sincerely. As a gesture, how about I treat you to a meal at my favorite place this weekend? Can we call it even?”
“…”
Okusora fell silent. She’d looked surprised when I used her full name—perhaps impressed I’d remembered it—but now her eyes were as expressionless as a mask. I swallowed hard, feeling increasingly intimidated.
Then, suddenly, she flashed a gentle smile—only to furrow her brows sharply. “Don’t ever talk to me again, you tactless, cold-blooded creep!” she bellowed, her voice exploding with pent-up rage.
I flinched, falling backward onto the floor. The bustling classroom went dead silent. At the center of the quiet, Okusora shot me one last glare before turning away with a huff.
I’d messed up somehow. I’d apologized sincerely, so what went wrong? And another thing I’d been suspecting—my ‘talent for love’ wasn’t working at all. How was I supposed to use it? What was I missing? I had no clue!
The tense atmosphere lingered until the homeroom teacher arrived a few minutes later. Not a single student dared to speak or make a sound.
Between each class, I visited other classrooms during breaks, searching for the two girls I’d encountered outside school yesterday. Stepping into unfamiliar rooms, I drew rude stares from students who looked at me like I was a brazen intruder. I ignored them, scanning for my targets.
Since our brief meeting ended without even an exchange of names, I used these visits to gather information. By lunchtime, my efforts paid off.
From the hallway, I peered into Class 2-4, spotting a girl by the window with short black hair that grazed her shoulders—Fukami Nagisa. Her refined, mature features exuded a mysterious allure, and a mole near her lips added a touch of allure. According to Class 4 students, she was a flawless “cool beauty” who excelled at everything and was popular with both guys and girls. But she kept everyone at a distance, a solitary figure. The students I spoke to weren’t close to her, so I couldn’t glean much more.
Moving on, I checked Class 2-5 next door. There, I found the other girl—a petite, baby-faced girl with pigtails who looked younger than our grade—Mutsukado Shiori. She sat in a corner by the hallway, hunched over a notebook during break, scribbling something. At first, I thought she was studying, but closer inspection revealed she was drawing. Whenever someone passed by, she’d cover the notebook with her small frame and pretend to nap, though it was obvious to anyone watching.
Her illustrations, while not particularly skilled, had a delicate touch, reminiscent of shoujo manga with floral backgrounds. With this, I’d gathered enough intel on my targets.
As lunch break arrived, I’d spent the morning classes organizing information on the talent-holding girls and devising plans to make them fall for me. Reflecting, I realized I’d been too impulsive before. To succeed, I needed to suppress fleeting emotions and act rationally. I had the ‘talent for love’… right? It sometimes felt uncertain, but I just hadn’t mastered it yet. I could trust that I was a genius at love, couldn’t I?
“Ugh, what am I doing, getting all timid…!” I muttered, shaking off my doubts. It was up to a genius like me to bend this frustrating reality to my will.
With lunch break starting, I leapt into action, determined to make progress.
It turned out I was far more despised than I’d realized. I’d thought Okusora’s reaction was exaggerated, but I believed I could still connect with Fukami and Nagisa, with whom I had little prior contact. That hope lasted until I tried approaching them during lunch, feigning a casual encounter.
At the cafeteria, I spotted Fukami setting down a daily special at a table and sat across from her. “Mind if I join you? Oh, it’s you from yesterday—what a coincidence!”
“…”
“Let me introduce myself properly. I’m Hatsu Jun-nosuke. Sorry for grabbing your hand yesterday—I mistook you for a friend. I must’ve startled you.”
“Indeed. And I’m startled now, too. I didn’t think you had friends,” she replied coolly.
“…Huh?” Her unexpected retort left me speechless.
Fukami glanced at me with a bored expression and sighed deeply. “I’ve heard the rumors, school’s biggest outcast. You might be interested in me, but I have no interest in you, and I’d rather not be the subject of weird gossip. So, leave me alone.”
“…”
“Feel free to keep the seat. I’ll move elsewhere. Enjoy,” she said, picking up her tray and walking away. Despite empty seats nearby, she deliberately chose one far off, out of my sight.
“What a snide woman…! How does she get to be popular? That’s absurd!” I fumed, aggressively slurping the udon I’d bought to share the table. It was scalding, burning my tongue, and I nearly toppled over. In a foul mood, teary-eyed, I retreated from the cafeteria.
Regrouping, I headed to the school courtyard. Before chasing Fukami to the cafeteria, I’d checked on Mutsukado’s whereabouts. If she hadn’t finished lunch, she’d likely still be there.
“…Got her,” I muttered.
In the courtyard, I spotted Mutsukado on a bench under dappled sunlight, alone, packing away a small bento box. She’d just finished eating. I circled around and sat beside her.
“Nice breeze, huh? I get why you’d come to a quiet courtyard. Is this your favorite spot?”
“…Eek!?” Her tiny yelp was accompanied by her ahoge standing on end as she jolted upright, still seated.
I slid closer, peering into her face. “Remember me from yesterday? I mistook you for someone I knew and grabbed your hand. I just wanted to apologize.”
“N-No need! I’m fine! Please, no thanks…!” Mutsukado stammered, eyes fixed downward, rapid-firing rejections while trying to bolt like a startled rabbit.
“H-Hey, wait, hold on!” I reached for her wrist to stop her, but though I grabbed it, she twisted free effortlessly. As I tried to stand, she lightly pushed my chest, shifting my balance and forcing me back onto the bench. Whether intentional or not, it was like a self-defense maneuver.
“I-I know all about you! I don’t want to talk!” she squeaked, sprinting away with astonishing grace.
Stunned, I could only watch her go.
Lunch break ended, and afternoon classes began. I slumped over my desk. Fukami and Mutsukado had clearly heard the rumors and thought the worst of me. I wasn’t hurt by being disliked—petty jealousy and sour grapes from nobodies meant nothing to me. But if my bad reputation made it impossible to even talk to them, it was as good as being told to give up.
That wouldn’t do. I needed them to see me as a romantic prospect—but wait. Maybe I’d been approaching this wrong.
Until now, I’d focused on making the girls like me. But what if the key was for me to like them? Rei had said my ‘talent for love’ wouldn’t activate unless I had the desire to love. Given my string of failures, I had little choice but to take her words seriously.
Could I just decide to like someone? I wasn’t sure, but I’d have to hypnotize myself into believing I liked them, at least in their presence. If it worked, my ‘talent for love’ would surely kick in!
“I’ll fall for them… I’ll be the one to fall in love,” I muttered, my eyes glinting as I locked onto Okusora, seated ahead of me.
First, observation. I knew almost nothing about my targets. Even if they fell short of my ideal woman, I needed to find something likable about them. Sensing my stare, Okusora shivered and tilted her head, wary. No matter how much she feared or distrusted me, I wouldn’t let her escape. I’d hound her from morning to night until I found a way to spark her affection!
Grinning slyly, I was interrupted by the teacher. “Alright, this problem—Hatsu, answer it.”
“The imperative subjunctive form,” I replied confidently.
“Classical literature was two periods ago. This is math class. Hatsu, come to the staff room after school,” the teacher said.
Lost in thought and ignoring the lesson, I’d earned myself after-school detention, shattering my newfound resolve.
After School
Slinging my school bag over my shoulder, I kept a distant eye on Okusora. The teacher’s summons meant nothing—there was no real authority binding me. If I wanted to ditch, I could. The teacher’s arrogance, thinking a mere word could control me, was laughable. Their oversight was my gain.
With three targets to track and only one of me, time was precious. I watched as Okusora cheerfully joined a group of friends.
“Hey, everyone, let’s walk home together today!”
“What!? It’s been forever since we walked with you, Chiharu!”
“Let’s hit a café on the way.”
“I’m in! Oh, but we’re on cleaning duty, so can you wait a bit, Chiharu?”
This group was different from the friends tied to the love letter incident. Come to think of it, Okusora always seemed to be with someone. She must have a wide social circle.
“I’ll wait at the cafeteria terrace,” she said.
I stealthily followed her, but the moment I stepped out of the classroom, someone blocked my path. “You’re here. Let’s go to the staff room,” the teacher said, having anticipated my move. I was dragged off.
“What a cunning teacher! Damn it, I was held up for an hour!” I stomped in frustration. Finally free from the lecture, I was hopelessly behind. Okusora had likely finished cleaning with her friends and was already at a café. The same went for Fukami and Mutsukado. I’d confirmed they weren’t in any clubs, so tracking them to extracurricular activities wasn’t an option.
There was nothing more I could do today. Dejected, I left the school building.
“…Hm?”
My steps halted. At the cafeteria terrace, I spotted a blonde girl. I rubbed my eyes, doubting what I saw. From a distance, I couldn’t be sure, but I approached anyway.
My jaw dropped. It was, without a doubt, Chiharu Okusora. But something else baffled me. She was alone at the terrace table—yet…
“Haha, stop joking already, geez!” Okusora laughed, chatting as if with someone.
Muffling my footsteps, I crept closer, hiding in the shadows to observe. Peering out, I identified her conversation partner and froze. “Honestly, I’m not mad. I’ve always been easy to overlook. I know no one means any harm,” she said.
She was talking to… stuffed toys. Three palm-sized dolls sat on the table, resembling humans. I’d been so focused on the empty chairs I hadn’t noticed. But what were they? The sight was utterly bewildering.
“..——?”
Then, it hit me—they weren’t ordinary stuffed toys. I’d felt a strange familiarity at first glance, and now I understood why. Their designs resembled the friends Okusora had been talking to before I was dragged off by the teacher. The three dolls matched their appearances and number perfectly.
There was no way those were store-bought. …Handmade, perhaps?
Cold sweat trickled down my cheek. I was witnessing something I wasn’t meant to see. To think that Chiharu Okusora, whom I’d assumed was a confident gal, was secretly a weirdo who talked to handmade stuffed dolls modeled after her friends… I’d been observing her to find something likable, but this hidden side only made her more incomprehensible.
Still, no matter how strange she was, I had to make her fall for me to achieve my noble goal! As I fixed her with an intense stare, a thought struck me. This situation wasn’t half bad. In fact, it was—
“…”
Lost in thought, my fingers on my chin, I noticed new students entering the cafeteria terrace. In an instant, Okusora stuffed the dolls into her school bag and stood up, acting as if nothing had happened. Her switch was impressively swift. As expected, she didn’t want others to see that side of her.
Emerging from the shadows, I watched her retreating figure. Reflecting on it, Chiharu Okusora was full of contradictions. With her cute yet flashy blonde hair and a wide circle of friends who adored her, how could she be left behind so often? Was it possible for someone to have such a faint presence?
If that were truly possible, it might explain something. I recalled what Rei had said about the 108 girls. Due to the previous Heavenly God’s mistake, they didn’t receive their intended talents. Instead, their talents were mismatched, each holding someone else’s. Rei had also mentioned that failing to receive the right innate talent left a person with its opposite—a ‘detriment’ they could never overcome.
Okusora’s unnatural lack of presence could be her ‘detriment.’ I didn’t know what talent she’d missed out on to develop such a flaw, but if it was tied to the heavens, even the most surreal phenomena could be possible.
I still didn’t know what talents Okusora and the others had received. That information was a top priority, but no talent was beneath me. My resolve to claim all 108 talents and secure my future remained unshaken.
For now, I had a sense of Okusora’s situation. Making her fall for me immediately was reckless—I needed to take it step by step. First, she was actively avoiding me. To have a proper conversation, I’d need a way to keep her in place. Her tendency to always be with friends was also a hurdle. I had to find a way to get her alone.
Snapping my fingers, I grinned. “I’ve got it—a plan to make Chiharu Okusora fall for me… Hah, hahaha!”
With a triumphant laugh, I strode off to prepare.
The long-awaited day arrived—the start of my plan to win Okusora’s heart. The key moment was during afternoon gym class. We gathered on the field, split by gender, with boys doing hurdles and girls doing high jumps. My real target, though, was after class.
The lesson itself was irrelevant. I just had to get through it.
“Hatsu! Stop kicking down the hurdles—that’s not how you run them!” the gym teacher roared.
I’d just finished a desperate sprint and was catching my breath when he scolded me. Head fuzzy from oxygen deprivation, I shot back, “Haa… my policy is to plow through any obstacle.”
“Jump over them! That’s the point of the event!”
“The hurdles… haa, they’re too high. Look, they’re as tall as the high jump bar.”
“It’s just perspective! The high jump bar is farther away, so it looks as small as a hurdle!”
“My sides hurt, my lungs are collapsing… ugh, this is the first time gym has exhausted my steel physique… I need a break.”
“It’s been minutes since class started! What’s wrong with you, Hatsu?!”
Ignoring the teacher, I collapsed into the shade of a nearby tree. Since losing my talents, my physical decline knew no bounds. I never imagined I’d pay for my lack of effort like this.
But enduring such humiliation was a small price for my lofty goal. Wiping sweat with my gym shirt, I glanced at the girls’ activities. Scanning the crowd, I finally spotted Okusora. Once I saw her, I wondered how I’d missed the lone blonde among the sea of dark hair.
When her turn came for the high jump, she took off with a light step, executing a stunning backflip over the bar that drew gasps. Her body control was impressive—she was surprisingly athletic. Clearing a height most girls failed, she beamed brightly. I assumed her friends would cheer, but no one seemed to notice. Realizing she was the only one excited, she blushed, pulling her gym shirt collar up to hide half her face.
Her slender waist peeked out, but it seemed I was the only one who noticed her charm.
Soon, gym class ended. The time was ripe. Students were tasked with storing the equipment in the gym shed.
“Hatsu’s slacking again, dumping the work on us.”
“Shh, he’ll hear you.”
I overheard the resentful mutterings of my classmates. Normally, I wouldn’t lift a finger for cleanup, but this time was different.
“No choice, then. I’ll lend a hand!” I declared.
As I approached the boys clearing hurdles, they stirred with surprise. But I strode past them, joining the girls’ group, including Okusora, who were carrying a high jump mat.
“You could use some muscle, right? No need to be shy—let me help,” I offered.
The girls stared at me, visibly unnerved. Okusora, holding the mat diagonally opposite me, shot me a sour look. My ‘talent for love’ still wasn’t working. I flashed a saintly smile in return.
Ignoring the boys’ angry shouts in the distance, I rolled up my sleeves, ready to show off my strength amid the girls’ awkward silence. But as we carried the mat, things went south.
“Don’t throw off the balance! Hatsu, hold it properly!” a girl snapped.
“The girls keep inching away from me! All the weight’s shifting to my side—help!” I yelped.
I screamed internally: I hate teamwork! By the time we reached the gym shed, all other equipment was stored, and most students had returned to class. Only our group remained. Outside, the teacher waited to lock up.
This was exactly the scenario I’d planned.
As we set the mat down, the girls near the entrance began leaving. I called out to the one in front. “Hey, tell the teacher cleanup’s done.”
“Uh? Oh, sure,” she replied, confused, and hurried out.
Her friends followed, grumbling, “What’s with that attitude? So annoying!”
“We didn’t even ask for his help!” I let their complaints slide since I’d made a request.
As planned, by maneuvering positions while storing the mat, Okusora was left at the back, the last to leave. I couldn’t let her escape—this was the crux of my plan.
I’d pretend to trip, pulling Okusora down onto the mat with me. In the chaos, I’d toss my hidden smartphone into the shed’s left corner, claiming it fell into a gap among the cluttered equipment. I’d insist my arm couldn’t reach it, guilting Okusora into helping since she’d share responsibility for the “accident.”
Once the teacher, informed of the cleanup, came to lock up, the shed’s layout—adjusted yesterday—would hide us in a blind spot. The teacher wouldn’t notice us, sealing us in.
It was a bit forceful, but it’d get me alone with Okusora.
My plan was flawless! First, I’d fake a stumble—
“Ah!”
Was that my voice or Okusora’s? Fatigue hit harder than expected. What was meant to be an act became real—I tripped, my body lurching forward. I faceplanted onto the shed’s grimy floor with a dull thud, pain shooting through my nose.
“H-Hatsu!?” Okusora’s shocked cry rang out.
Sprawled face-down, I couldn’t move. Not because of the pain, but the humiliation of exposing such a pathetic display to the very girl I needed to charm. My hidden smartphone had flown somewhere in the fall.
It was over. The plan had failed. A hated guy like me, suffering like this, would only invite mockery and scorn from others seeking to settle old grudges. Okusora was probably laughing at me. I had no fight left.
“Leave me alone,” I muttered, pushing myself up. Dark red drops fell from my nose, staining the floor. I’d gotten a nosebleed from the impact, and wiping it with my hand only smeared it worse.
“Pfft… h-haha, s-sorry!” Okusora, facing away, was shaking, hand over her mouth, clearly laughing. Tears of amusement glistened in her eyes.
Fury overtook me. Like a vengeful spirit, I rose, blood rushing to my head—and maybe my nose, as the bleeding worsened. As I inhaled to yell—
“Ugh… hold still,” Okusora said, pressing a handkerchief to my nose.
A refreshing scent tickled my nostrils, stopping my words in my throat. Her laughter gone, she wore a faintly apologetic expression, brows slanted in concern.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh. You’ve been acting really weird lately, haven’t you?”
“I’m loath to admit it, but I can’t deny it,” I grumbled.
“Your snarky attitude’s the same, but you’re terrible at academics and sports now. That superhuman aura you used to have is just… gone.”
“I absolutely refuse to accept that! Stop mocking me!” I snapped.
“It’s just the truth! Also, you dropped your phone earlier. Why bring it to gym class?”
She crouched, scanning the floor. I looked down at her, baffled. “What are you doing?”
“Looking for it. I can’t let an injured guy do that, can I?”
“Huh?”
I couldn’t comprehend it. She was supposed to hate me. There was no reason to help someone she despised. Was she scheming, trying to put me in her debt?
“What’s your angle? Trying to make me owe you?”
“You might not get it, but some people have things like kindness and conscience. If I ignored you and left, I’d feel uneasy,” she said.
“…Is that so?” I mumbled, starting to understand. It was a new experience—likely pity or sympathy. Human nature often favored the underdog, a noble-sounding sentiment, but really just ordinary people shamelessly licking each other’s wounds. As a flawless genius, I’d been oblivious to it, slow to grasp.
Still, I pulled her handkerchief from my face. The bleeding had stopped, but I’d soiled it badly—an undeniable fault of mine. “I’ll repay this debt. I’ll replace the handkerchief,” I muttered wearily.
No response. Looking up, I saw Okusora had moved to the shed’s left corner. Approaching, I found her nearly crawling, butt raised like a leopard, her blonde hair striking. She’d been reaching under a handball basket. Pulling her arm back, she thrust my phone at me brusquely.
“…Oh,” I said, taking it. “Th-Thanks.”
“What, you can actually say thank you?” Her eyes widened in surprise, then she smiled faintly, quickly turning away to hide it. “Let’s get out of this dusty place. We’ll be late for next class.”
Clang! A harsh metallic sound echoed as the shed darkened. The door had been shut, blocking the sunlight. I realized we were standing in the exact blind spot I’d planned, hidden from the entrance.
“W-Wait! We’re still in here!” Okusora snapped out of her daze, rushing to the locked door. She pounded and shouted, but the gym teacher outside didn’t hear.
I wasn’t too worried—I had my phone, a lifeline to call for help. But using it would mean squandering this hard-earned chance to be alone with her. My original plan was to claim the phone broke in the fall, securing time to talk while keeping rescue as a backup. Despite the hiccups, I could still salvage the plan. This was the point of no return—my last chance.
Okusora was a good person. She’d worried about my injury and lent me her handkerchief. Placing a hand on my chest, I asked myself: could I deceive someone so kind without guilt?
“…Sorry,” I said, lowering my head—then smirked. “It seems the phone broke when I dropped it. Can’t call for help. What a shame!”
Okusora’s face paled. Fool—she thought I’d be swayed by sentiment? No way! Show a weakness, and I’d exploit it. Mercy had no place in victory. This wasn’t a game—it was a war for my talents.
Her face soon flushed red. “I shouldn’t have helped you! Ugh, what did I do to deserve this!?” she wailed, her cries echoing futilely in the shed.
Now, I’d shift gears. Her kindness had made me see her in a new light, if only slightly. This time, I’d act like I was truly smitten.
Why did it come to this!?
In the dim gym shed, trapped, my mood sank darkly. It was an accident, no one’s fault, but the guy in front of me—Hatsu Jun-nosuke—infuriated me with his calm demeanor. I hadn’t forgiven him for making my friend cry, either.
Yet, being stuck with someone as awful as him felt far better than the loneliness of being forgotten. Part of me hated that I found some comfort in his presence.
Hatsu leaned against the locked door, standing silently. I sat cross-legged on a high jump mat, far from him. We hadn’t spoken for what felt like forever. As the silence stretched—five, ten minutes—it gnawed at me. I grew restless, glancing at him repeatedly, fearing he’d forgotten I was even here.
Why wasn’t he talking? He was usually so obnoxiously chatty. I just wanted someone to talk to. Fidgeting, I couldn’t stay still—
“That was impressive,” Hatsu said suddenly.
Confused, I tilted my head. “…Huh?”
“Your high jump earlier. You cleared the highest bar, didn’t you?”
“—”
My head tilted so far I toppled sideways, sprawling on the mat. Scrambling, I shouted, “W-What… why… how!? You saw that!?”
“I was resting and had nothing else to do. My eyes were naturally drawn to you.”
His words hit me like a shockwave. Flustered, my gaze darted around. Being told I’d caught someone’s eye was a first in my life. Was he teasing me? I glanced at him, but his expression seemed earnest. My heart skipped a beat.
Wait… was Hatsu always this handsome?
No, no, what was I thinking!? I bolted upright, panicking. “That’s… impossible!”
“Impossible? With your looks, it’s hard to believe you don’t stand out,” he said, pausing. “Though, you do have a faint presence. Come to think of it, your friends left you behind before. It’s shocking that someone as vibrant as you could be so easily forgotten.”
His natural compliments sent my heart racing with repeated shocks. Sunlight streamed through a small window, glinting off dust particles, making Hatsu’s figure seem almost mystical. His sharp eyes locked onto mine, and my cheeks burned unnaturally.
Desperate to hide my feelings, I snapped back, “S-Sorry for being so forgettable and invisible!”
“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend,” he said gently.
“Ugh, you’re creepily sincere. It’s giving me chills!” I hugged my shoulders, turning away.
But like he was breaching my defenses, Hatsu stepped closer. “Being forgotten… doesn’t it make you lonely?”
“H-Huh!? What’s that supposed to mean!?”
My heart thumped again. He’d hit the mark, and his gaze felt like it pierced my soul, pulling me in. He was different now—his usual snark replaced by a warmth that drew me in. His softened expression, checking on me, left me mesmerized.
No, no, this couldn’t be—calm down, heart! I silently scolded my pounding chest. But Hatsu stepped closer, pressing further.
“Even surrounded by friends, don’t you feel a lingering unease deep down?”
“What’s with you! Stop saying whatever you want!”
“Am I… wrong?”
His calm tone felt oddly soothing, despite how brazenly he invaded my heart. Unable to retort, I bit my lip, frustrated. He gave a wry smile.
“You’re honest.”
“Shut up, idiot!”
“Want me to keep you company?”
“Just be quiet!”
Embarrassed, frustrated, and flustered, I slammed my clenched fist into the mat. Blinking rapidly, I stared at him. “Wait a second.”
“I said I’d keep you company.”
“Don’t answer before I ask what you said!” I hugged myself over my gym clothes, instincts kicking in to shield my heart. Determined not to waver, I forced bravado. “W-What’s with you? Are you hitting on me?”
“What if I am?”
His confident, charming smile shattered my freshly built defenses. My entire body flushed red, excitement threatening a nosebleed. All I could see was an impossibly handsome Hatsu—a side of him I’d never noticed!
But I hadn’t forgotten—he’d hurt my friend. I couldn’t let myself warm to him easily. Biting my lip to quell the thrill, I pushed back coldly. “You’ll find out how many weapons are in this shed the hard way!”
“Haha, don’t joke like that,” he laughed, shoulders shaking innocently.
His carefree attitude didn’t sway me. I wouldn’t let my guard down—no way! Slapping my burning cheeks, I grabbed a nearby metal bat, checking its grip, ready to smack myself if my heart faltered.
Seeing this, Hatsu cleared his throat, slightly nervous. “D-Don’t do anything rash. I just want to repay my debt.”
“Debt?”
“Yeah. It’s my fault you’re stuck here… Sorry.”
Seeing the arrogant Hatsu apologize sincerely, I gaped. When I stayed silent, he scratched his cheek awkwardly. I’d thought him heartless, but this human side stirred a sense of fondness in me.
“…Pfft!” A laugh escaped me. Giggling, I glanced at him. “I said I shouldn’t have helped you. You actually took that to heart?”
“How heartless do you think I am?”
“Then apologize to my friend properly for the love letter incident. If you do, I might consider being your conversation buddy.”
My teasing tone slipped out, but it was non-negotiable. I couldn’t let what he did to my friend slide. If he made amends, I felt I could open up to him without reservations, maybe even grow close.
But Hatsu, perhaps with his own pride, looked away grimly. “Your friend dragged me into her irrelevant romance like a hit-and-run. I won’t fully accept blame.”
“…Oh,” I sighed, disappointed. I’d hoped he’d apologize sincerely, making the letdown sting more. I genuinely wanted to talk more, to connect deeply without barriers.
Realizing that wouldn’t happen, my face dipped unconsciously. Then, Hatsu muttered, “But if I went too far with my words… I could apologize for that.”
“What?” I looked up, meeting his earnest gaze.
“I promise. If that satisfies you, Okusora.”
“…What? Are you serious?”
He nodded. My cheeks warmed noticeably. Tugging at my gym shirt, I mumbled, “W-Worrying about me is weird… It’s like you’re really hitting on me…”
This was crazy, incomprehensible. Why was Hatsu suddenly so cool? My lips wouldn’t stop curling into a grin. I wasn’t the type to fall for looks, but… fall for him? Wait.
Was I… already starting to like—?
“So, keep your end of the promise,” Hatsu said.
“Huh!? W-What!?”
Just as I was teetering on a shocking realization, Hatsu’s voice snapped me back to reality. My whole body felt feverishly hot, as if I might faint. That was close—though I wasn’t sure what was close!
“You said it yourself, didn’t you? You’d be my conversation buddy. No backing out now,” Hatsu said.
“W-Wait, hold on! Don’t come on so strong!” I stammered, my face blatantly flushing as I flailed, eyes spinning. I felt like steam might pour from my head. I couldn’t think straight anymore.
“Ugh! This is so confusing!” I wailed.
“No need to overthink it. The deal’s sealed. You can call me anytime, anywhere, no hesitation,” Hatsu replied.
His words made my shoulders twitch, my heart tickled by a fragrant sense of anticipation. I swallowed hard. “Anytime… anywhere…? Really? You’re not lying?”
“Absolutely. Leave it to me—I’ll come running full speed,” he answered instantly.
His dependable demeanor left me staring, dazed. Steeling myself, I extended my right hand for a handshake. “So, we’re saying, ‘Forget past grudges and make peace,’ right?”
“D-Don’t spell it out like that! It’s embarrassing!” I protested.
“There’s no such thing as wasted words between us now. Let’s talk about anything and everything,” he said.
“R-Right… Well, um… here’s to getting along from now on,” I mumbled. His grip returned mine, and though I was shy, a warm joy bubbled up, making me smile bashfully.
As I shook hands with Okusora, a simmering sense of accomplishment filled my chest. The plan was a success.
I’d likely softened her negative impression of me to some degree. Just as I’d suspected, Okusora had a vulnerability tied to her unnatural lack of presence—possibly a ‘detriment’ from not receiving her rightful innate talent.
I’d seen her chatting with handmade stuffed dolls mimicking her friends at the cafeteria terrace, not out of a love for solo play but as a way to soothe the loneliness of being forgotten. Despite her wide social circle, her connections were broad but shallow. She could make many friends but no true confidants. That was her struggle—and my opening to make her fall for me.
I’d baited her with the promise of being a reliable conversation partner, someone who’d never forget her. The results were promising. Judging by her reactions, I couldn’t gauge exactly how much I’d won her over, but the response was far from bad. Pretending to be smitten wasn’t as hard as I’d thought. Though it didn’t feel entirely real, it seemed my ‘talent for love’ had finally kicked in, hadn’t it?
The real challenge started now. I’d need to build on these encounters, steadily earning her affection. Given this success, it wouldn’t take long. With my ‘talent for love,’ it’d be a breeze. Compared to when I couldn’t even hold a proper conversation, this was practically a done deal. Haha, my genius instincts were coming back!
Now, time to reveal my phone wasn’t actually broken and call for help. I was done with this grimy gym shed. I pressed the power button. The black screen… stayed black.
“…”
I tried again, repeatedly. The screen remained lifeless. Staring at my phone’s corpse, I gaped. “Okusora, we’re in trouble! My phone’s actually broken!”
“Didn’t we establish that already?” she said.
“We can’t call for help! How are you so calm!?”
“Your sudden panic is weirder,” she retorted, giving me a half-lidded stare.
Ignoring her, I wrestled with the locked door, but my weakened body couldn’t budge it. Damn it, being trapped here was no joke! Okusora’s lack of presence meant no one might notice her absence, and my bad reputation could make people assume I’d skipped class. We could be stuck here with no one realizing, no search party coming.
“Someone! Help!” I shouted.
“Pfft… haha! You’re so weird… I didn’t know you were this funny!” Okusora doubled over, laughing, oblivious to my plight.
In the end, we were stuck together until the track team unlocked the shed after school.
The next day, I’d replaced my phone and fully recovered from the ordeal. As I entered the classroom and took my seat—
“Yo, morning!” “!?”
Something brushed my neck, tickling me, and I flinched. Turning, I saw Chiharu Okusora grinning down at me innocently. Her long blonde hair, swaying with gravity, had grazed my neck. My heart raced from the surprise, but I took a deep breath, almost a sigh.
“Nice energetic greeting, but no sneak attacks from my blind spot next time,” I said.
“Sure, sure. More importantly, you really apologized! I was shocked!” she chirped.
“Of course. I promised,” I replied.
She was referring to my vow to apologize for my harsh words to the girl behind the love letter mix-up. After Intelligent, I’d kept that promise after escaping the shed yesterday, and her friend must’ve told her. Okusora nodded approvingly, clearly impressed. I wasn’t thrilled she thought me so villainous, but fine.
With a warm smile, she leaned in closer. “So, the phone? Fixed?”
“Got a new one. Latest model,” I said.
“Oh, cool. As long as it works,” she said casually.
“…Why?” I asked, thrown off by her nonchalance.
She looked at me like I was the weird one. “So we can stay in touch. You’re coming whenever I call, right?”
“…Right,” I muttered, recalling my impulsive promise. Maybe I’d been too hasty.
Reluctantly, I pulled out my phone, and we exchanged contacts with her eagerly leading. Then—Okusora’s face melted into a dangerously gleeful smile. My body stiffened, a chill running down my spine. I had a sinking feeling I’d made a grave mistake.
But in the next moment, her expression shifted to a bright, sunny grin. “Here’s to getting along!” she said, before rejoining her friends, her skirt swishing with her lively steps. Despite my unease, I couldn’t deny I’d made progress toward making her fall for me. That much was certain.
No point worrying. With my ‘talent for love,’ there’d be no obstacles. I’d trust myself for now. Okusora was always surrounded by friends—maybe there wasn’t even room for me. But then—
“Hm?” My phone buzzed in my pocket. I’d blocked spam, had no friends, and was estranged from family, so notifications were rare. Glancing at the screen, I froze. Dozens of new messages—and they kept coming. It was like a DDoS attack on my phone, but all from one sender: Chiharu Okusora, whose contact I’d just added.
“Yo!”
“You don’t have friends, so you’re probably not used to texting like this, huh?”
“Need help with messaging?”
“Oh, my friend you made cry was shocked you apologized.”
“I was surprised too.”
“Honestly, I’m seeing you in a new light.”
“You’re not as bad as I thought.”
“If you didn’t tick people off so much, you’d be fine.”
“You know, when you act normal, you’re pretty cool.”
“So, how about fixing that personality?”
The messages went on, peppered with jabs. I’ll smack you! But wait—she’d just joined her friends. How was she sending this many messages? Was her loneliness already exploding? She could just talk to me in person.
Looking up, I stared at Okusora’s seat, stunned. She was chatting warmly with her friends, fingers flying across her phone. She was multitasking—holding a conversation in person and texting me simultaneously.
“Her social capacity is insane…!” I muttered, my bad premonition confirmed.
The messages were one thing, but my promise was worse: to rush to her side whenever she called, filling her loneliness.
The first day, she called me a handful of times—a friend ditched her for lunch, so I joined her at the cafeteria; another forgot her at a café, so I was summoned as a substitute. Her reasons made sense—I was a stand-in for her friends. Frustrating, but I was her convenient chat buddy.
Maybe because of that, her calls escalated. The frequency grew—more than I could count on both hands, at all hours, even late at night, even when she was on a trip out of town. And I answered every single one. I’d never worked this hard for anything.
My resolve for my talents left me no choice. I was shocked at my own capacity to keep up. But no matter my willpower, my body was wearing down. And, inevitably… I caught a fever and missed school.
On a weekday morning, I rested in my room. Being bedridden brought back memories of my despair after losing my talents. Feeling low, my phone buzzed by my pillow.
“Heard from the teacher you’re sick. For real? Not faking? You okay?”
It was Okusora. Don’t assume I’m faking! Furious, I typed back: “I’m burning with an unprecedented fever. 37.1°C.”
“That’s barely a fever! You’re babying yourself. Ugh, worried for nothing.”
Why was she so harsh? But this was a chance. I could use my illness to invite her over. No teenage girl could visit a guy’s room without getting flustered. If I played it right, I could make her fall for me in one swoop.
Switching to a call, I spoke as soon as it connected. “Since you’re worried, you’ll come check on me, right?”
“Huh? What’s that out of nowhere? Class is about to start.”
“My temp was wrong earlier. Faulty thermometer. The new one says 99.9°C. That’s the real reading.”
“Then your head’s the broken one.”
“My vision’s blurry from the fever. I’m losing consciousness, my limbs won’t stop shaking!”
“Call an ambulance, not me.”
“We’re not strangers! Can’t you humor me for once?”
“Fine, fine. Hanging up now.”
Her tone was curt—she might actually end the call. I slipped in, “I’m scared. The only person I want by my side is you, Okusora.”
“!? W-What—h-huh!?” Panicked noises came through, then the call cut off abruptly.
Had she accidentally hung up? No callback came. If she didn’t show… damn, I wouldn’t let it slide. I sent her my address and a map from school via chat. I was so desperate it brought tears to my eyes. Half-praying, I lay down to nurse my mild fever.
I woke up. It was evening—school would’ve ended by now if I’d gone. My body felt heavier than before, a dull headache throbbing. Checking my temperature, it read 38.3°C. This thermometer wasn’t broken. My lie had become truth.
“Damn it… this sucks,” I groaned. It was Okusora’s fault for overworking me. My body was a precision machine, yet she called me relentlessly like it was nothing!
At least I could use my real illness to win her sympathy. Just as I planned to call her, my phone rang—Okusora. I answered instantly. “Perfect timing. I was about to—”
“Let me in.”
“…What?”
“I came to check on you, so let me into your house!”
My mind blanked. Snapping back, I leapt from bed, rushed to the window, and looked down. There, outside my house, was Chiharu Okusora.
“Yes! You came! Good girl!” I shouted.
“Ugh, so loud… You sound plenty lively. Can I go?”
“You’re why I’m better. Come up. My fever’s not contagious, don’t worry.”
“I’m worried for other reasons. Don’t get any weird ideas!”
“I’m offended you think I’m that kind of guy!”
Before she could change her mind, I hurried to the entrance, panting. Okusora eyed me like I was suspicious. “On second thought, I’m leaving!”
“There’s a misunderstanding. Let’s clear it up first…!” I grabbed her shoulder, persuading her to listen.
After convincing her I had no ulterior motives, I welcomed her inside. “Come in. Anyone else home?” she asked.
“Nope.”
“…Oh. Just us, then.”
Her voice trembled slightly. Was she nervous? Leading her to my room, I glanced back. She was twirling her blonde hair, eyes darting, lips pursed—clearly tense. Observing closely, I ushered her in.
Inside, she looked around curiously. “Wow, it’s cleaner than I expected. Stylish decor, kinda fancy!”
“Only the best for me. Cheap stuff won’t do,” I boasted.
“…Are you some rich kid?”
“Your tone stings, but no. I earned it with my talents.”
I puffed out my chest. For a genius like me, making money was easy—selling art online, trading stocks, streaming for ad revenue. Big or small, talents meant never lacking funds. I’d lived lavishly, but my spending outpaced my savings. Now, I was broke—a bitter pill. Reaffirming my desire to reclaim my perfect life, I noticed Okusora staring.
“Your face is redder than before,” she said.
“Hm? Oh, my fever’s spiking, I think.”
Maybe her visit had me too excited. Sweat wouldn’t stop. Her gaze, initially wary, softened with a sigh. “If you’re sick, act like it and rest.”
She thrust a plastic bag at me, containing fever reducers, cooling gel sheets, and fruit jelly—bought on her way. Surprisingly thoughtful. But this was a golden opportunity to advance our romance. I wouldn’t waste it resting.
“You came all this way. Just sleeping would be a shame.”
“You rest to get better,” she snapped.
“Fair point. Then let’s go all out and have fun!”
“That doesn’t even follow! Ugh, enough! Lie down!”
She’d given up reasoning, trying to force me into bed. I couldn’t just comply. I’d lose in a physical struggle, but I could win in the game of love. “Hah!” As she pushed me onto the bed, I grabbed her waist, pulling her with me. We landed together, bodies aligned perfectly.
“!?” Okusora gasped.
Her slender, supple frame fit snugly in my arms. We locked eyes, our lips inches apart. I gazed at her earnestly, my feverish flush less than ideal. Her face reddened, steam practically rising.
“H-Haha… got carried away. Sorry, sorry!” she stammered, moving stiffly to pull away.
But I kept my arms around her waist. She noticed, faltering. “…H-Hatsu? Hey… hold on?”
The usually bold Okusora was like a timid kitten, visibly shaken. Her affection for me wasn’t low—she’d come when I asked, and her reaction now confirmed it. My relentless responses to her calls hadn’t been for nothing.
The question was whether pushing further would win her over. Forcing things wasn’t love. If I scared her off, it’d ruin everything. I had to judge carefully. With my ‘talent for love,’ I’d know the right moment to strike.
“…” As I shifted, Okusora flinched, squeezing her eyes shut—utterly defenseless. Her warm breath escaped cherry-pink lips, her throat swallowed, her blouse strained against her curves, her skirt hiked to reveal her thighs. I studied her from head to toe. The conclusion was clear, unwavering.
“Feh?” Okusora let out a dazed sound, staring blankly as I released her waist and slid to the bed’s edge.
“I told you, I’m not that kind of guy. Or… did I get your hopes up?” I teased.
“W-Whaaat!?” she groaned, as if mortally humiliated.
Her white knee-socked legs flailed, kicking my back. “Idiot! Jerk! Moron!”
“Hahaha! Ow—ow, that hurts! I said it hurts!” Her kicks packed a punch, forcing me to leap away.
Her cheeks puffed with rage. “That’s too soft a punishment for toying with a maiden! I’m leaving!”
“Hey, wait!” She fixed her disheveled uniform, storming out.
But it was too soon to let her go. Something was still missing to make her fall for me—that’s why I’d pulled back. I needed to find that missing piece. But my body betrayed me. My balance faltered, and I collapsed back onto the bed.
“Damn, the fever’s hitting hard at the worst time…!”
My vision swam. The strain of pushing through hit all at once. I couldn’t move a finger. Then—a hand touched my forehead.
“You’re such an idiot. Rest. I’ll feel lonely if you don’t recover. Get better so we can talk again,” Okusora said softly.
I couldn’t open my eyes to see her expression. A gentle chuckle reached my ears. “And… thanks. For not getting weird. I wasn’t ready for that… That’s all. Bye, Jun-nosuke.”
Her hurried footsteps faded. My consciousness slipped into a calm darkness.
Two days later, Sunday, I’d fully recovered. Lounging in my rocking chair, I pondered Chiharu Okusora. I hadn’t truly delved into her core. Why was she so lonely? It could be her nature, but her friendships burned with an intensity and drive far beyond normal.
She’s already within the range of love’s arrow. All I need to do is take aim, release, and pierce her heart. I can’t afford to dawdle. I’ve got three targets right now, and ultimately, I must make 108 girls fall for me. Sorry, Okusora, but I’ll wrap this up at top speed.
The moment she returns to the room—I’ll confess. If I convince her we’re mutually in love, she won’t hide her feelings. That’ll seal the deal. From there, I’ll maintain just enough affection to keep her hooked while I pursue the other innate talents. Fuhahaha!
Cackling inwardly, I heard footsteps approaching. She’s back. I’ll hit her with the confession and stun her. The moment the figure appeared at the door, I declared, “I love you. Go out with me!”
“…Oh my,” came the reply.
Okusora’s mother stood before me, hand on her cheek, head tilted. With a troubled expression, she gave me a lukewarm look. “I’m sorry, dear, but I have a husband I’m devoted to!”
“It’s a misunderstanding, ma’am!?” I blurted.
Setting snacks on the round table, she bolted, yelling loud enough for the whole house to hear, “Mama’s off to shop!” before darting out. The front door slammed shut, mercilessly cutting off any pursuit. It all happened in a flash. She was too fast—I had no chance to explain.
“This… this is bad. Really bad!” I clutched my head. If this got shared with her family, it’d be a disaster. A classmate confessing to their daughter’s mother? Her father would be livid, her mother appalled, Okusora herself disillusioned, and I’d likely face execution by her entire clan.
Panicking but trying to regain composure, I muttered, “C-Calm down. Nothing’s impossible for Hatsu Jun-nosuke. The plan’s been smooth since the gym shed—I won’t let it all fall apart now! Think of something, anything, to fix this!”
I tapped my temple, forcing my brain to work. Before I could devise a brilliant solution, a flat voice cut through from behind. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
A voiceless gasp caught in my throat as I turned. There stood Chiharu Okusora. Had she overheard my confession!? No—wait. What had I just said?
Cold sweat trickled down my cheek. It was a quiet mutter—she might not have heard. But her cracked smile shattered my faint hope. “A plan? The gym shed… when we were locked in together?”
“—”
“Say something, Jun-nosuke…!” Her voice trembled weakly.
I couldn’t respond. Excuses flooded my mind, but none felt right. Unable to utter a word, I watched her face fill with clear disappointment. She looked down, clenching her fists, her small shoulders shaking with some unspoken emotion.
“Leave, Hatsu,” she said.
“…Okusora—”
“Don’t say anything. Just leave me alone.”
Her tone brooked no argument, but leaving now felt like it’d sever our bond forever. For her to ask to be alone was unthinkable. I should’ve said something, fought for a last-ditch reversal.
“See you… tomorrow. At school?” she said, forcing a shy smile.
Relieved, I nodded. “Got it. Tomorrow, at school.”
Not wanting to upset her further, I decided to leave for now. I’d come up with a good excuse by tomorrow. As for her mother’s misunderstanding, I asked Okusora to pass on a message: “That comment was a misunderstanding, so please forget it.” It was all I could do, but I’d done my best.
That decision, however, was naive, as I’d soon realize. The next day, Okusora didn’t come to school. Nor the day after, nor the one after that. By the time I realized she was avoiding school, it was too late. I’d missed my chance to explain.
Three days passed without contact or sight of Okusora. She seemed intent on cutting me off completely. I’d admit I screwed up, but I had no intention of giving up. I’d repair our relationship, make her fall for me, and claim her innate talent no matter what.
Yet, no matter how I racked my brain, no game-changing plan emerged. Before I knew it, morning classes ended. Lunch break began, and students left their seats. I had no appetite, slumping in my chair to think—when a voice interrupted.
“Which one’s Hatsu Jun-nosuke?”
An unfamiliar male student, likely from another class, strode in from the hallway. All eyes in the classroom turned to me. Narrowing my gaze, I sized up the intruder.
“Sorry, Hatsu Jun-nosuke’s out. He’s too busy for commoners,” I quipped.
“You’re him, huh? Just as smug as the rumors say,” he sneered.
“To call this handsome face smug? You’re a hopeless dimwit.”
“What’d you say? No, I’m not here to pick a fight about me.”
His forehead vein pulsed, but he kept his cool. I was used to earning others’ ire, but something felt off. Staying composed, I watched him closely. Glaring at me like a detective at an interrogation, he said, “Hatsu Jun-nosuke, you… you bullied Chii-chan until she stopped coming to school.”
“Chii-chan? Never heard of her. No clue who that is,” I scoffed, dismissing the baseless accusation.
I didn’t waste time bullying nobodies. No recollection—wait. Did he say not attending school? And Chii-chan… a name clicked in my mind.
“Don’t play dumb! We’ve got proof. Multiple people saw you with Chiharu Okusora these past two weeks. You can’t deny it!” he barked.
So it was about Okusora. That made sense—some pieces fell into place. He must be one of her friends, driven by righteous anger to confront me over her mistreatment.
With a thin smile, I met his gaze as he pointed at me. “Chii-chan asked all her friends about your actions lately. She was gathering evidence of your bullying. You’re the culprit. If we take you down, she’ll definitely come back to school!”
“What’s with the cop lingo? And you’re jumping to conclusions,” I said.
His bravado didn’t scare me. But… Okusora had been collecting info on my actions from her friends? That cleared up a mystery. If she’d pieced together my plan to make her fall for me, starting from my slip-up, and rejected me in shock, I hadn’t understood how she’d uncovered my scheme.
Now it was obvious—her sheer social prowess. With her vast, if shallow, network, she’d gathered every sighting of me, reconstructing my actions. For instance, the afternoon I sneaked into the gym shed to prepare my trap, while the track team was using it. Someone could’ve seen me. By piecing together countless such reports like a puzzle, she’d exposed me as a schemer.
“Damn… she got me,” I said with a wry smile. Impressive work. I’d give her credit for outsmarting me.
But thanks to this, I saw a glimmer of hope—a valuable hint. “Thanks for the info, dimwit detective. You can leave now.”
“We’re not done!”
“…We?”
As I echoed, a crowd of boys and girls poured into the classroom from the hallway, all glaring at me with hostility. Blinking, I stared, unwilling to accept this reality.
“Sudden class assembly or something?” I quipped.
“Swear you’ll never bother Chiharu Okusora again, or we’ll wipe you out,” one said.
“Didn’t expect to hear life-threatening talk in peaceful modern Japan,” I replied.
They were furious, rallying as if for a vendetta over their wounded friend. I pulled out my phone, tapped a few times, and pocketed it. “I get it. Chiharu Okusora—your precious friend—was wronged, and you won’t rest until I pay, right?”
“Exactly!” Their collective shout vibrated my skin with its intensity.
“You care about Okusora that much? I know the truth—you’re barely close. Every one of you forgets her, cozying up with other friends instead,” I said.
The room fell silent, faces turning to each other. They couldn’t deny my point. If they had nothing to say… “So… that’s disappointing,” I muttered. I’d hoped for a breakthrough, but I might need to take a risky gamble.
Escaping Okusora’s mob of friends, I left school early. Part of it was fear for my safety, but the main reason was to see her. Visiting her house the other day was a stroke of luck—it meant I wasn’t left clueless about her whereabouts.
“…Alright,” I said, arriving at her house. I took a deep breath to steady my nerves.
I wouldn’t repeat my mistakes. Last time, my confidence in winning her rushed my plan, digging my own grave. I’d stay calm and composed—no more failures. Standing at her doorstep, I pressed the intercom, praying she was home.
“Yes? …Oh?” The door opened, revealing Okusora’s mother. The memory of my accidental confession flooded back, bringing intense awkwardness. But I’d left a message through Okusora—she must’ve cleared the misunderstanding by now.
“Y-You again? No matter how many times you come, I can’t return your feelings!” she said.
My polite smile froze as I screamed internally. Okusora didn’t pass on the message! The misunderstanding’s still there—worst-case scenario! To her mother, I must look like a terrifying stalker. She was tearing up—poor thing.
I had to clear this up myself. In the end, I could only rely on me. “Ma’am, look into my eyes and listen closely!” I took her hands, clasping them firmly. I’d state the truth plainly, leaving no room for misinterpretation. “I’m here for your daughter!”
Her jaw dropped as I declared it boldly. That should’ve cleared things up. “I came to see Chiharu. May I come in?”
She nodded slowly, granting permission. I stepped inside, heading straight for Okusora’s room. Passing her mother, she slumped as if her legs gave out, murmuring, “…Such a straightforward boy… So charming. Want to be our son-in-law…?” I ignored it, not looking back.
Climbing the stairs, I reached Okusora’s second-floor room. If she knew it was me, she might not open the door. Planning to apologize once inside, I skipped knocking and turned the knob.
“!?” It was locked.
A voice came through the door. “…Hatsu. Why are you here?”
It was Okusora, her tone flat but unmistakably hers. She’d noticed me—probably saw me enter from her window. “Chiharu, I need to talk.”
“No. Go away!” she snapped.
No room for negotiation, but leaving now would end everything. Pressing my palm to the door, I spoke to her inside. “I won’t make excuses. As you heard from your friends, I deceived you. Our bond wasn’t chance—I engineered it.”
“…I knew it,” she muttered, resigned.
Acknowledging the painful truth, I pressed on. “It was the wrong approach. I’m sorry. But my desire to get close to you was real! I never meant to toy with you or mock you—believe me!”
“…I can’t. I don’t trust anyone anymore.”
My desperate words couldn’t pierce her deep disappointment. “Everyone… they don’t care about me. That’s why they forget me, why they hurt me so easily… I don’t want to be with anyone anymore. Talking to my stuffed dolls is enough…!”
Her voice cracked, sniffles breaking through. Being forgotten was her greatest trauma, a constant wound. She’d been too resilient until now. Years of pent-up frustration, compounded by my betrayal, had broken her. She’d finally thought she’d found someone to connect with deeply, and I’d crushed that hope in the cruelest way.
No wonder she wouldn’t listen to me, the one she must hate most. So—
“Chiharu, you’re wrong,” I said, pulling the key to her heart from my pocket. “You said no one cares about you? That’s dead wrong.”
“…?” Confusion seeped through the door.
I took out my phone and played a recorded audio. “I get it. Chiharu Okusora—your precious friend—was wronged, and you won’t rest until I pay, right?”
“Exactly!” The crowd’s roar followed.
A clatter came from inside—she was startled. Pausing the recording, I explained, “Rumors spread that I drove you to skip school. I nearly got lynched by a mob—escaped, though. Let’s continue.”
I resumed the audio. “You care about Okusora that much? I know the truth—you’re barely close. Every one of you forgets her, cozying up with other friends instead.”
“…”
“So… that’s disappointing.”
After a long silence, my disappointed mutter played. Then—“We don’t get it either. We don’t mean to, but we forget Chii-chan.” It was the dimwit guy who’d confronted me first.
His confession opened the floodgates. “She’s there one moment, gone the next, or suddenly appears when you thought she wasn’t… Every time we apologize, she smiles and says it’s fine.”
“That kindness makes us feel so guilty.”
“Chiharu’s amazing. We really love her.”
“…Yeah. We’re not just ‘barely close’—don’t say that!”
As the audio played, I recalled the classroom scene. Everyone’s hostility toward me solidified their bond with Chiharu. “We’re all here because Chii-chan was hurt. We wouldn’t do this for someone we don’t care about!”
“…Impressive friendship.” My unnecessary comment slipped in, and I stopped the playback.
Facing the door, I delivered the undeniable truth. “You think you only have shallow connections? That’s nonsense. Their words and actions overflow with care for you. Saying you’re not valued is a massive mistake.”
“…”
“Your loneliness and fears are real, no question. But don’t focus on a room full of stuffed dolls. You have just as many real friends who cherish you—face them.”
“…”
“Your loneliness can be overcome, Chiharu. You’ve built this many friendships already. One day, no one will ever forget or ignore you—I’m sure of it!”
Breathing heavily after my fervent speech, I stared at the door. If this key didn’t work, I was out of options. Then—click. A small metallic sound, and the door cracked open. My eyes widened.
It moved just a few centimeters before stopping. Slowly, I turned the knob and entered. “…Chiharu.”
She stood with her back to me, long blonde hair loose. I approached, stopping close enough to reach her, and was about to speak when—
“I’ve always dreamed of shining like the brightest star, captivating everyone,” she said, gazing around her idol-filled room.
Her lonely profile hit me with belated understanding. She wasn’t just an idol fan—she aspired to be one. Turning to me, her eyes red and swollen, she sniffled. “I don’t have the talent… I’ll never make it, but I want it so badly.”
Some people command the stage, singing and dancing, drawing thousands of eyes. As a child, I saw an idol on TV and felt a surge of longing to be like her, only to cry moments later. I knew instinctively I could never do it.
I’ve always been so forgettable, even to family and friends. An idol? Impossible. I was destined to be a nobody, invisible like a stagehand. Still, I clung to the dream, practicing singing and dancing. I got decent, and a childish urge made me want to show off.
I memorized a popular idol’s routine and performed for friends, hoping it might change me. But as I’d feared, I had no such power. Despite my singing, dancing, and smiling, my friends drifted away. They meant no harm—it was clear. I just lacked charm.
Mid-performance, they were gone. I couldn’t finish, my smile replaced by a tearful grimace. After that, I buried my idol dream deep inside. Or so I thought. Lately, since talking to Hatsu Jun-nosuke, that leaden longing had started resurfacing.
I don’t know why, but Jun-nosuke sees me. He answers my calls, rushing to me no matter when. It’s unprecedented. For the first time, someone truly notices me. That fact was quietly changing me.
At first, I saw him as a convenient chat buddy, but now I wanted him to keep seeing me forever. My feelings for him grew warm and strange. He might forget me or lose interest someday, and that thought chilled my heart with terror. But there was more.
If even one person saw me, maybe I could become an idol who captivates thousands. My dream might not be dead. That bittersweet hope tightened my chest. I was scared to try again, like I did as a kid, and fail. I wanted to believe I could become the self I envisioned, but I didn’t know how to trust myself.
“You can do it, Chiharu,” I said to her tear-streaked face. Her eyes wavered uncertainly.
“…Don’t give me empty comfort.”
“No, I mean it. You just haven’t discovered your true talent yet.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? You liar,” she said, brow furrowing in confusion.
My words weren’t entirely baseless. The previous Heavenly God’s mistake gave her the ‘talent for handicrafts,’ but her true talent lay elsewhere. Rei had said in a dream: innate talents are given to those destined to master them. I’d thought I understood, but now it clicked.
Innate talents are skills—abilities anyone can use if granted. To wield such divine power correctly, the user’s spirit must guide it, like professional ethics. Only those with pure, driven hearts become true geniuses.
My years of hoarding talents warped my nature, so the ‘talent for love’ still feels off. But Chiharu’s clear. She wants to shine like the brightest star. I believe her true talent is the ‘talent for being an idol.’ Her debilitating lack of presence—her ‘detriment’—supports this. Rei said a ‘detriment’ is the opposite of one’s true talent.
An idol basks in the spotlight; its opposite is someone who can’t stand out, like a stagehand. Chiharu’s extreme invisibility fits perfectly. I can’t ask Rei to confirm, but I trust my reasoning.
“No lies or comfort. You can be a shining star,” I said firmly.
“…I can’t believe that,” she replied, lowering her gaze like a lost child.
She lacked something to trust in. Even knowing her friends cared, her heart still drifted, unmoored. What proof could I offer to anchor her, to make her look forward?
All I could do was—
“…Huh?” I wiped the tears from her eyes with my fingertips, then cupped her warm cheek, gently lifting her face to meet my gaze.
“I love you, Chiharu.”
“!?”
“I’ll never look away. To me, you shine brighter than anyone.”
I spoke with unflinching sincerity. “If I’m this smitten, your charm will captivate countless others. You heard your friends’ voices—they love you, too. There are already so many who adore Chiharu Okusora.”
“…”
“You have a talent, Chiharu. A talent for being loved.”
Her lips trembled, a hot breath escaping, heavy with emotion. Her teary eyes reflected me, yet focused somewhere distant. “…I see,” she said, her tense expression softening.
“Wanting to be seen, not forgotten… it’s not just that. I wanted to be noticed, to be loved.”
“…”
“I thought I was the only one who felt close to everyone, that no one cared about me. I was so scared…” Her wavering eyes steadied, meeting mine. Her cheeks flushed, perhaps from crying. “Um… can I trust what you just said?”
“It’s insulting you’d doubt me. Don’t make me confess twice,” I teased.
She exhaled softly, biting her lip. “Ugh! I was set on never forgiving you!” She pulled my hand from her cheek and threw herself into my chest.
I stumbled but held her tightly. She cried in my arms, but her face held no sadness—just joyful tears, a beaming smile. “Thank you… I love you too, Jun-nosuke…!”
Her tearful smile sparkled like a rainbow after rain, radiant and beautiful.
The thrill in my chest that moment—I’ll never forget it.
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