Yuusha-kei ni Shosu: Choubatsu Yuusha 9004-tai Keimu Kiroku [LN] Bahasa Indonesia

 

【Chapter 2: The Turn for Biding Time is Over】

"I think I'll go with you."

"Huh?"

One day, at "Kurumaza" right after closing. Just as I was fiddling with the shop tablet and muttering to myself about maybe going to look for store stock of a new board game that was sold out online this weekend.

My colleague and crush, the gal Takanashi Mifuru, suddenly offered to accompany me on my shopping trip.

"...Ah... Eh?"

I froze, unable to grasp the situation for a moment. But she peered into the tablet in my hands and continued nonchalantly.

"Banjō, you lookin' for this board game over the weekend?"

"Y-Yes, well. I thought I'd wander around the nearby spots, doubling as a personal shop crawl."

"Specifically where?"

"Hmm, I was thinking of checking around Akihabara or Shinjuku first..."

"K. Shinjuku then."

"No, um, personally, Akihabara has more board game shops to visit and more highlights..."

"Shinjuku."

"Yes."

Her intensity brooked no argument. N-No, well, Shinjuku is fine too. But...

"So, I'll LINE you the deets on meeting time and place later."

"Okay. Wait, ah, um, Takanashi-san? Um, this is completely outside of work duties, so you don't have to force yourself to keep me company..."

When I broached the subject, Takanashi-san replied while starting to pack up to leave.

"Hah? What are you saying, Banjō? No way I'm working on my day off."

"Huh? Then why suddenly come with me..."

As I tilted my head in genuine puzzlement, Takanashi-san stuffed her small items into her bag with a clatter and spoke lightly, "I mean, days off..."

"Isn't a day decided to be spent with the guy you like the most fun?"

"Ah, that is true, yes."

"......" ...Huh? Did I just get told something incredibly happy just now? Huh? Wrong? Did I interpret it wrong? Or did I mishear? Huh? Hmm?

While I was floating in a sea of question marks, Takanashi-san briskly finished packing up. She threw her bag over her shoulder and dashed out of the store.

"So, with that said, see ya Saturday. Good work."

"Yes, good work."

I saw my colleague off, still dumbfounded. I stood in a daze until the reverberation of the classic bell installed on the door faded away.

Then, once my mind had calmed down a bit, I muttered involuntarily.

"...Isn't that... called a date...?"

"......" ...However, saying it out loud, it still didn't feel real. Actually, Takanashi-san's energy wasn't like that at all. Above all, she has a beloved boyfriend. For me to arbitrarily define it as a "date" might actually be rude. That's right. She just happened to want to go shopping in Shinjuku. That's the extent of this story.

So, well.

The fact that Takanashi-san's ears looked red as she left was probably just my eyes playing tricks on me. Yeah.

—If I didn't think that, my heart wouldn't last until Saturday.

＊

Just past noon on Saturday. Having left my house earlier than usual due to nerves, sure enough, I arrived near the South Ticket Gate of Shinjuku Station, designated by Takanashi-san, more than fifteen minutes before the meeting time.

I checked the clock display on my smartphone repeatedly as I waited for her arrival. ...No, yeah, I know. Since it's her, who is frequently late for work, at best she'll arrive on time, and at worst, a one-hour wait is possible. So there's seriously no meaning in coming this early. I know that. But in the end, staying at home made me so fidgety I couldn't focus on anything, so prepared to be stood up—

"Ah, Banjō. Kept ya waiting."

"Heh."

—It was just as I started thinking that. An angel—no, Takanashi-san in casual clothes appeared dashingly before me.

Seeing me dumbfounded by the unexpected situation, Takanashi-san cackled.

"I mean, what? You're here super early. That's hilarious."

"No, that's my line. Why are you so early, Takanashi-san?"

"Nah, I mean. Staying home wasn't gonna help."

"Wasn't gonna help?"

"Wasn't gonna help means wasn't gonna help. I mean, even if I tried to do other stuff..."

"Even if you tried?"

"......"

For some reason, Takanashi-san flushed and fell silent there. ...C-Could it be, she was nervous just like me...?

"—Unlike a board game otaku, I've got zero indoor content at my place."

"Ah, is that so."

Getting dissed as usual caused my excitement to plummet abruptly. Though thanks to that, my weirdly giddy state cooled down, and I calmed a bit. Seeing me like that, Takanashi-san smiled mischievously.

"Banjō, you say that, but you came early 'cause you were too nervous to focus on anything, right?"

"Hah, don't underestimate me, Takanashi-san."

"Oh? You mean to say that despite being Banjō, you're used to going out with girls?"

"Yes. From my perspective, going out with a gal is, at most... let's see. A trivial matter on the level of the 'Nine Gates'  in Mahjong."

"What's that? Am I okay interpreting that as a hand you can get often?"

No, it's a phantom hand so rare they say you'll die if you get it. It's a once-in-a-lifetime level event.

"Well, interpret it as you like. Board game terms stick best when you look them up yourself."

I swept back my hair dashingly and made my glasses glint. I suddenly felt very empty. I want to die.

"Annoying. Like I'd want to leave something like that in my search history."

Surprisingly, Takanashi-san backed off easily. Good, good, I got through it without technically lying. Truly Chōjō. ...Actually, "splendid" is surprisingly easy to use and addictive.

Having finished our usual warm-up of trading insults, I broached the subject again.

"Now then, that being said, we came to buy board games today, but..."

"Uh-huh."

"Why meet at the South Exit? If we're looking for board games, I wanted to go out the West Exit side to hit Yodobashi or Yellow Submarine."

At my simple question, Takanashi-san shrugged her shoulders with a "Good grief."

"Eh, are you saying that seriously, Banjō?"

"Eh, seriously... Ah, could it be that a board game shop I don't know about has newly opened on this side..."

Interrupting my deduction, Takanashi-san wagged her finger tsk tsk... and then, boldly and with full preparation, she voiced the reason for the South Exit meeting.

"Going straight to the board game shop? That's the move of an otaku bastard who came to buy board games."

"No, I am an otaku bastard who came to buy board games."

This gal has such a different perception of today's schedule I feel like I'm talking to an alien.

Takanashi-san continued with an exasperated look.

"Sigh... Well, fine. Yes, yes, let's say I yield a hundred steps and admit today's purpose is board games."

"Even without you yielding a single step, today's purpose was board games."

Of course, for me, it is an outing with the person I like. But since I'm taking out Takanashi-san, who has a boyfriend, the "buying board games" justification must be absolute; I'm conscious that neglecting that would be too disloyal to Usa-kun.

But whether she understood my consideration or not, Takanashi-san continued with her own logic—for some reason, looking slightly shy.

"For me, see. Shopping is like... I like the process of looking around more than the buying itself. Freely, happily, noisily, richly..."

"Did you watch Solitary G○urmet recently?"

"Also, more than anything."

"What is it?"

"If you're with someone who's fun to be around, you want to play a lot, right!"

"......"

I was at a loss for words. Seeing me like that, Takanashi-san showed a rarely seen anxious expression.

"...Ah... Sorry, that's right. Banjō, you take board games seriously as work..."

"Hands."

"Eh?"

Interrupting Takanashi-san's words, I thought for a moment and spun my words.

"On this side, I believe there was a board game corner in the Hands inside Takashimaya."

"Really? Ah, but around there, isn't the chance of finding what you're looking for pretty low?"

"That is true. But, I think searching in places like that occasionally is okay too."

I scratched my cheek, averted my gaze, and spoke.

"—If it's with someone who's fun to be around."

"......"

A-Are? No reaction from Takanashi-san. Since I averted my gaze, I don't know what kind of expression she's making, and this is making me super anxious—is what I was thinking, just before it happened.

Suddenly, my arm was grabbed forcefully and pulled. Before I knew it, Takanashi-san had linked her arm with mine and started walking.

"C'mon, c'mon, if that's decided, let's go, Banjō!"

"Eh, u-understood, but, w-wait, Takanashi-san, linking arms is a bit..."

"Ahaha, Banjō, you're freaking out too much. Linking arms is normal even for friends."

"Ehh? True, there are people who do that among friends, but in our case..."

Walking around town arm-in-arm with someone who has a boyfriend is an "out" by my ethical standards. Even though she looks like this, Takanashi-san is a maiden devoted solely to Usa-kun, so I thought our sensibilities on that front were the same.

While bewildered, I twisted my body slightly to try and release my arm. However, Takanashi-san squeezed tight, applying a little force so as not to let go. ...As my heart began to beat like a drum wondering what this meant, Takanashi-san muttered softly.

"...Look... Around the ticket gates on Saturday afternoon, the wave of people is crazy."

"T-True. Then, um... just until we get out of the station."

"Yeah. ...Just until we get out of the station."

Saying that, she smiled shyly and, perhaps my imagination, seemingly happily strengthened her hold on my arm, while for some reason slowing her walking pace.

"......" ............God, isn't telling me "don't fall in love" with this a bit too cruel?

In any case.

We walked slowly... for some reason incredibly slowly, out of the station, and feeling a tinge of loneliness as we released our arms. Finally, today's date... Cough.

We began our shopping trip, strictly as part of work duties.

＊

"K, first let's look at sweets on the basement food floor, Banjō."

"Whoops, this gal has zero work awareness, does she?"

As soon as we entered Takashimaya, I retorted strongly against the gal who unveiled a schedule that threw away any pretense. But Takanashi-san responded with dissatisfaction to my reaction.

"I mean, actually, aren't you being too hard-headed, Banjō? After all, today is a holiday."

"I-If you put it that way, that's true, but..."

Receiving a point that hit the mark, I was at a loss for an answer. She puffed out her cheeks further and continued.

"In the end, as soon as we got through the crowd near the gates, you shook off my arm too."

"Regarding that, it's only natural."

I retorted instantly and resolutely. I pushed up the bridge of my glasses with a fingertip, making the lenses glint.

"Unless there is dangerous congestion, there is no reason to walk around town arm-in-arm with a woman who has a boyfriend for a long time."

"What is this Virgin Gentleman?"

"That's two kanji characters too many."

"Sorry, Mr. Virgin."

"I figured you'd say that, bitch."

Ah, why in the world did I fall in love with someone where we only exchange such foul-mouthed retorts? ...No, is it because she's someone I can exchange such foul-mouthed retorts with?

Thinking about that, everything started to feel ridiculous. True, today is a holiday. If she says she's going to act as she pleases, then I should just follow my heart and do as I please too.

I shrugged my shoulders once, made a sullen face, and silently started walking, leaving the foul-mouthed bitch gal behind. Now, forth I go, to my destination.

"Wooow, wait, Banjō. That kind of thing is seriously not popula—"

Takanashi-san followed while complaining. However, when she realized that where I had gone ahead to wasn't the elevator to head straight to the upper floors with the board games, but the "down escalator" to head to the food floor...

She silently got on the down escalator following me. Then, from directly behind, for some reason, she started grinding her fingertip into the swirl of hair on my head. And then, she muttered a small insult—in a strangely soft tone.

"...This Virgin Gentleman."

"Like I said, two kanji too many."

"Idiot Gentleman."

"The way you kept the kanji was correct, though."

While retorting, I couldn't help but burst out laughing at Takanashi-san's elementary-school-level joke. When I turned just my face back, she was also laughing, looking like she couldn't hold it in.

"......" ...Yeah, well, whatever. For now.

To God who granted me this day, let me offer my maximum gratitude.

Seriously, thank you.

＊

And so, just as I expected, we didn't head straight for the main objective—finding board games.

It started with the food floor, then general goods, fashion, cosmetics, and even household supplies; we toured the building extensively. In fact, it’s probably accurate to say we looked at everything except the variety goods floor where the board games were kept. Takanashi-san showed a high level of interest in all of it, yet her purse strings remained tight. It was what they call "window shopping."

Honestly, for someone like me whose sole hobby is board games, this would normally be a very boring time. But for some reason, wandering aimlessly with her was incredibly fun. I mean, sure, spending time with the person you have a crush on is bound to be fun no matter what you’re doing. But it wasn't just that...

"Banjō, Banjō! Look at this! It says 'Pore Annihilation Soap'!"

Takanashi-san, having found something on the Hands cosmetics floor, tugged at my sleeve. I responded, half-exasperated.

"Come on, Takanashi-san, please say the product name correctly. I'm sure it's actually 'Oil Contro—' ...Wait, huh? It literally says 'Pore Annihilation Soap'. What does that even mean? Let's see, the description on the back says..."

"Look, look, Banjō! Over here they have a 'Booster Serum for Booster Serums'! That’s hilarious w."

Before I knew it, Takanashi-san had already moved her interest to another corner.

"Hey, I was still in the middle of reading the explanation for the Pore Annihilation Soap!"

"You love reading that stuff, don't you, Banjō? Give me the inst on it later."

"What do you mean 'inst'? I mean, normally, wouldn't you be curious about the details of something like—"

"Ah, excuse me, staff-saaan! Can I still use this coupon app?"

" The speed at which she lives her life is just too different from mine. Oh well, I'll just finish the details on this Pore Annihilation Soap..."

I continued to read the explanation in silence. ...Ah, I see, so that's how it works...

"......"

"—Whoa! Takanashi-san? When did you get back next to me?"

"N-No reason? I was just thinking that your profile when you're seriously reading those explanations is kinda cute no matter when I see it—is totally not what I was thinking, so don't get full of yourself, you trash-tier virgin."

"What is up with this Gal all of a sudden? You wanna go?"

"Hah? Bring it on, tough guy."

"Fine then. But setting that aside, regarding the true nature of the Pore Annihilation Soap..."

"Oh, tell me, tell me."

...And so, we continued this back-and-forth in front of almost every product shelf on every floor today. At this point, shopping or our original goal didn't even matter.

Just being with her was—at least for me—truly enjoyable.

After we finished looking through the cosmetics corner, Takanashi-san wandered over toward the Takashimaya department store section. We were clearly moving further away from the board games, but I decided not to say anything.

We browsed through clothing for a while as her whims dictated. What was a little surprising, however, was that everything Takanashi-san tried on this time had a strong "Japanese" (Wa) taste to it. Usually, Takanashi-san—well, she mostly comes to work in her uniform, but her accessories and the private clothes I occasionally see her in tend to lean towards casual street fashion. In fact, the clothes she's wearing today are exactly that style.

Yet, everything she lightly tried on today was Japanese-styled. Not full kimonos, obviously, but tunics and dresses with Japanese patterns, or Japanese-style accessories like folding fans. Frankly, everything suited her, and my only thought was "super cute," but I did wonder if it was really "Takanashi-san's style."

"Why the focus on Japanese style today?"

I asked her casually as she gazed at the Japanese accessories corner. Takanashi-san picked up a cute clasp pouch and responded.

"Hmm... It surprised me too, but I guess I'm the type who gets easily influenced by my suki-pi's tastes. Or maybe I'm just trying a bit too hard."

"? Did Usa-kun like Japanese style?"

True, his speech is sometimes oddly old-fashioned, but visually and fashion-wise, I never got the vibe that he was into "Japanese style."

As I tilted my head in confusion, Takanashi-san placed a cute kanzashi hairpin on her head and looked up at me.

"How's this look?"

It is violently cute. That was the only option. My heart screamed it, but I averted my gaze and responded with feigned calm.

"I-It's fine, isn't it?"

"Jeez, that's all you ever say, Banjō. Hey, hey, is this kind of thing your type, Banjō?"

"M-My preference doesn't matter, does it?"

"It totally matters. I mean, you like Japanese style, don't you, Banjō?"

"Eh?"

"Don't 'eh' me. Obviously Utakata-chan, but you also liked that character in Japanese clothes we saw the other day, right?"

"Ah, aah..."

I feel like we did have a conversation like that. But I think I just said that randomly to change the subject at the time. ...Yeah, there's no real reason for me to maintain this "loves Japanese style" character. I should probably correct the record.

"No, it's not like I particularly love Japanese style or anything."

"Huh? Really? But what about Utakata-chan?"

"That's not because she's a Japanese-style beauty or anything. I won't say appearance is completely irrelevant, but basically, I like her inner self and the atmosphere that expresses it..."

"Hmm..."

Hu-huh? What's this? I don't know why, but I feel like I've upset her. W-Well, even if we're just coworkers, praising another person while the two of us are hanging out might be a bit gauche. Yeah.

"So, in terms of appearance, I think being 'yourself' is best. Wearing what suits you... no, wearing the clothes you like, however you like, and looking like you're having fun—I think that is the most attractive thing."

"Really? You don't want to dye your partner in your own favorite colors, Banjō?"

"Haha, I've never even thought about that."

I chuckled unintentionally as I answered. What is this Gal—who is the exact opposite of me, and the person I love so dearly—talking about? Her statement was so off the mark that I couldn't help but deny it from the bottom of my heart.

"It's actually the reverse. The reverse."

"Reverse?"

"Yeah."

I put my genuine feelings into my eyes and told this funky, pink-haired iconic Gal... I told Takanashi-san the honest truth.

"I end up loving the colors of the person I think fondly of."

"...Is that so."

"Yes."

"......By the way, Banjō. Do you like... pink?"

"I love it."

"...Is that so."

Takanashi-san looked somewhat bashful. ...Hm? Wait. Did I just say something pretty risky? Just as I was thinking that...

Clack. Takanashi-san carefully returned the hairpin to the shelf.

"Huh? Are you sure? Takanashi-san, didn't you really like that one..."

"Yeah. It's fine. It's a bit pricey, anyway."

The expression on Takanashi-san's face as she said that so simply was, for some reason, strangely bright. ...Isn't that an odd reaction for someone who gave up on a product they liked because of the price?

As I wondered about this, Takanashi-san flashed a devilish grin and whispered to me.

"If I'm gonna spend this much money—maybe I should buy a cute pink lingerie set instead?"

"Gh! W-Why are you telling me that?!"

"Hmm, I wonder why?"

Takanashi-san giggled and walked away.

"Well, shaa-nai, guess we should head to the board game corner now."

"What do you mean 'shaa-nai'? What's with the 'guess I have no choice' attitude?"

As I chased after her back, exasperated—I suddenly had a thought.

(Ah, if only we could stay together like this forever.)

Even in such a casual moment, if I let my guard down, I'm immediately seized by my love for her. It seems I like her this much not because Takanashi-san is a "cute girl nearby," but because she is "Takanashi Mifuru." Man, I'm in deep. It's fatal.

Honestly, there is nothing more troublesome and annoying than such heavy unrequited love. I am painfully aware of that. But since these are my honest feelings, it can't be helped. In that case...

(A confession... huh.)

I've been making excuses to myself and putting it off, but in terms of "timing," there is no day more appropriate than today, which is basically a date. I know that. And because I know that... I'm nervous...

"Banjō, I'm thirsty."

Takanashi-san turned around and said that. I deeply agreed.

"What a coincidence. Me too."

"Right? Let's go outside for a bit."

Just as we were finally about to head to the board game corner, she says this. I thought about protesting a little, but figured it was too late for that, so I swallowed my words and asked a different question.

"Go outside? Is the cafe in the building or a vending machine not okay?"

"Nah, I wanna tapiru."

"Wow, haven't heard that in a while. Tapiru."

"What, don't people still say it normally? Like, what else do you call tapiru other than tapiru?"

"How about 'I shall partake in the Taiwan-originated sweet-mochi-black-ball-infused milk oolong tea'?"

"Let's tapi."

"Let's tapi."

Abbreviations exist because they are necessary. I feel like I learned something today.

And so, we went out to buy tapioca milk tea. On the way, the moment we stepped onto the busy street, Takanashi-san nonchalantly tried to hold my hand. When I swiftly dodged it, Takanashi-san immediately puffed out her cheeks in obvious dissatisfaction.

"You shouldn't make a girl lose face, Banjō."

"I believe one shouldn't make anyone lose face, regardless of gender."

"It's fine, let's just hold hands. Even friends do that much."

"That may be true, but..."

I think about how fun it would be to walk through the city holding hands with you. However.

"If it were me—if my partner was walking holding hands with another guy, I think I would be incredibly hurt."

At my words, even Takanashi-san was stumped.

"No, seriously, how much are you gonna worry about Usa-kun, Banjō?"

"It's only natural to do right by a friend, isn't it? At the very least, I don't have a hobby of getting joy out of making Usa-kun sad."

"T-That might be true, but... But actually, that's totally not something you need to worry about... actually it's a misplaced consideration with literally zero victims, or rather..."

"? What was that?"

For some reason, the second half of her mutter was unbelievably quiet, and I couldn't catch it at all. I feel like she said something about victims, but without context, I had no idea what she meant.

As I tilted my head, Takanashi-san blushed slightly, went "Ugh," and seemingly giving up on holding hands, started walking ahead.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. Banjō really is a 'good person,' aren't you? A 'good person' who can even be considerate of his coworker's boyfriend."

"I feel some thorns in that statement."

"Not really?"

Takanashi-san looked back with a mean-spirited smile. As I replied with a bitter laugh, she fell into step beside me and continued, looking a little somber.

"...Truly, you are a 'good person'."

"How many times are you going to say that? I get it, so please spare me—"

"Just as expected from the guy who literally dropped out of school to take the fall for someone else's sin."

"......"

Suddenly hit in a sore spot, I lost my words. Takanashi-san continued, wrapped in a rare, heavy atmosphere.

"Even on the way here today. Like, Banjō, you're a '3' not just on dice, but in your way of life—like how you walk."

"Huh? What is that?"

"You know how walking in a crowded place is both a competition and a compromise? It's balancing the path you want to take with everyone else's route."

"Right."

"I rate that sense of balance on a scale of 10. 10 is walking by forcing your will completely."

"Ah, like people who bump shoulders and shove through?"

"Exactly. Conversely, 0 is prioritizing the other person above all else. Like store clerks or serving robots. Usually doesn't exist. And 5 is the standard type. Half give, half take. I guess I'm around there."

"I see. And by those standards, I am..."

"3."

Takanashi-san said this with eyes that seemed slightly accusing. As I stood confused about what I was being scolded for, she continued.

"From my perspective, you yield a little too much, Banjō."

"I-Is that so?"

"It is. ...Ever since my 'I-Gotta-See-This-Benefactor Phase,' you've been like that."

"Could you stop nonchalantly dropping incomprehensible terms?"

Onjin-hitome-mitaro-ki? What's that, the name of a new demon? Following the "Suki-pi Number" from a while back, Takanashi-san has an awful lot of mysterious proprietary concepts.

However, ignoring my confusion, she continued.

"Banjō, not only do you help people in trouble right in front of you, you help people even when you are in trouble, don't you? Like giving your only umbrella to a passing kid."

"Did... did something like that happen?"

True, now that she mentions it, I do lose umbrellas often. But that's surely just carelessness.

However, for some reason, Takanashi-san heaved a large, exasperated sigh.

"That part of you, too. Honestly. It happened. It's just such an everyday occurrence for you that you don't remember. I mean, just during my few days of stalking you, there were countless times, Banjō."

"Few days of stalking?"

"Never mind that."

No, I don't think I should "never mind" that. Some very disturbing words are being glossed over here.

Takanashi-san continued, looking fed up.

"And like, after you voluntarily take on super disadvantages like that, the conclusion you come to is some wildly off-base thing like, 'Ah, I sure am clumsy.' In a word, you're a 'mega-pushover'."

"Ahaha, you're making me blush, saying th—"

"By the way, I'm saying this in a super bad way."

"I didn't know you could say that in a super bad way."

Usually, when "pushover" or "soft-hearted" is used in manga or anime, it's basically a compliment, so I was surprised. She's glaring at me pretty hard. Ah, this is a genuine low rating. That hurts.

"Really, watching you just makes me get sooooo irritated, Banjō."

"I never expected to get genuinely lectured by a Gal on the way to get boba."

"You yield and yield, lose out in the end, and get hurt all on your own. But..."

"But?"

"You don't regret it, not even a tiny bit."

"...Ah..."

That strikes a nerve. True, I tend to use the expulsion story for self-deprecating humor, but if asked if I regret it, the answer is NO.

At that time, I properly weighed my own high school life and academic record against the destruction of the lives of people important to me. In other words, within myself, it was very logical and consistent, and no matter how many times I redid it, the answer would be the same. There is no regret there. Naturally.

But right now, Takanashi-san is saying, "Isn't your scale broken in the first place?" Honestly, it's a painful point to have pointed out. As usual, she punches from an angle I don't expect.

"Because you're like that. Watching from the side, seriously, for real, like for real for real, it frustrates me. So..."

"I-I'm sorry."

When I apologized instinctively, Takanashi-san abruptly turned her face away.

"Because you're like that."

"Ugh."

...As I cowered in fear of the next verbal abuse, she continued in a small voice.

"I ended up wanting to stay by your side forever."

"...Eh?"

Feeling like I had just been told something incredible, I looked at Takanashi-san, but she had turned her face away completely, so I couldn't read her expression. ............ Honestly, right now, I want to hold that hand more than anything.

But, unable to cross that line, I held back firmly. Instead, I escaped to the topic of board games.

"B-But, specifically in board games, 'yielding' doesn't necessarily lead directly to 'defeat,' you know!"

"Ugh, pulling out the board game talk here? But surely that's irrelevant right now?"

"It's not irrelevant. Takanashi-san, you seem to view 'yielding' as equal to 'loss.' But in board games, sometimes yielding hard when you need to can lead to a gain in the end."

"Ehh, are there really cases like that?"

"There are. Like, in a game where you play ten rounds with the same hand and the person with the most total wins takes the victory. To save a strong card, it's sometimes important to let the opponent have a cheap win. By the way, in board game circles, we call this 'crouching'."

"Ah, I think I might have heard that. That's the thing where, 'if I'm gonna lose anyway, I'll play a super trash card and lose on purpose this time,' right? Isn't that kinda a cowardly move?"

"Don't call it cowardly. Call it strategy, strategy. In board games, if you have to take a loss, sometimes it's better to take a crushing defeat than a narrow one for the sake of future turns."

"Hah, if you're a man, come at me with full power every match."

"Who and what are you fighting against?"

I sighed once and continued explaining the concept of "crouching."

"Also, 'crouching' has the merit of keeping you out of the spotlight. This is exactly true in Catan, but avoiding blatantly running in the lead and alerting everyone around you is generally safer."

"I get that, but can you win if you stay like that?"

"Actually, yes. There are plenty of cases where 'you were second place in all the small battles during the game, but first place in the overall score'."

"Ah, like how the overall winner of All-Star Thanksgiving or the overall first place in Ma*io Kart sometimes gets decided in that weird way."

"Surprisingly accurate metaphors. Aside from that... the 'crouching' strategy is often used in board games where you buy victory points with resources."

"Um, what was 'resource' again?"

"Directly translated it's 'resources,' but in board games, it usually refers to 'money' or 'materials.' You convert those into things that eventually lead to victory points. In that case, by daring not to buy something affordable in the early game—by literally 'crouching'—you can make a better purchase in the endgame. That kind of strategy exists too."

"Oho, so there's a lot to 'crouching' too, huh. ...Wait, what were we talking about?"

Right. I cleared my throat with a kuh-hum and returned the conversation to reality.

"So, 'crouching' is not necessarily a 'disadvantage.' In my opinion."

"...You say that, but. Have you gained anything by crouching in daily life, Banjō?"

"Urk."

"Stumped, aren't you? That part of you is just so..."

Just as Takanashi-san was about to continue, I couldn't help but chuckle as I cut in.

"Ah, but see, there is something. That."

"Eh?"

"You noticed that I was crouching, didn't you, Takanashi-san?"

I cut my words there and flashed an innocent, embarrassed smile.

"If I could get you to care about me like that, then for me, that alone is a giant victory. I've already been rewarded to the max. Thank you."

I conveyed my gratitude from the bottom of my heart, without a single lie or falsehood.

Immediately, Takanashi-san looked away from me and fell silent. Looking closely, her ears were faintly red.

...Yeah, looks like she's kinda mad. Crap. Seems I messed up my word choice. Saying I'm super happy a coworker cares about me might have been creepy if I think about it. I need to apologize, but taking back gratitude is also weird.

While I was hesitating, we arrived at the shop. We got in line and started considering the menu, so I completely missed the timing to apologize. Oh well... guess it's fine.

We each finished ordering, then headed back toward the station slightly, slurping our tapioca milk tea. I have slight doubts about whether it fits the purpose of quenching thirst, but at least it fills the stomach. It's a mysterious genre of drink as always, but it's tasty, so it is justice.

"Banjō, gimme a sip of that brown sugar one."

"Sure, here you go—wait, watch out. No good, no good. That'll be an indirect kiss."

"Ugh, this virgin gentleman is seriously crouching too much."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Eh, even though I have zero intention of complimenting you?"

"Crushing even the slightest room for interpretation... isn't this Gal too brutal?"

Is Takanashi-san actually not in the "Otaku-Friendly Gal" genre? She seems to have a different kind of "effective against Otaku" property, though.

We continued to slurp our tapioca milk tea in silence for a while. ...Yeah, the atmosphere has gotten slightly awkward, so I decided to bring up a topic myself.

"Ah, come to think of it, Hankui used to talk a lot about how annoying my weak attitude was, too."

"Oh? Talking about another woman during a date? Are you for real?"

"No, 'another woman' implies... It's Hankui, you know?"

"Which Hankui. The only thing I know about this Hankui-chan or whatever is that she's an ex-girlfriend who's clinging to some guy named Takeshi."

"That covers ninety percent of the explanation of Hankui."

"Eh, isn't that kinda pitiful for Hankui-chan?"

For someone who was scolding me for talking about another woman just a moment ago, Takanashi-san is showing sympathy for Hankui.

Smiling wryly at her being so typical of herself, I continued the chat.

"Going back to the numerical walking standards you mentioned earlier, my otaku buddy Bushi is also a '3' type like me. On the other hand, Hankui feels like a '7'."

"Is it okay that '7' is stepping into the 'kinda unpleasant' zone in my book?"

"Totally OK. She's seriously unpleasant."

"You really hate her, huh."

"Well, just to follow up, if Hankui were alone, she'd probably live at around a '5'. Annoyingly, her basic social skills are good."

"Then she's just a '5'."

"But when she's with Bushi, she's the type who won't hesitate to go '7 to 9' to secure a path for him. And basically, she's always moving together with Bushi."

"Ah, the unavoidable '7' to protect the '3' trash-tier noob. Wakarimi—Big mood."

"I'm honored you understand, but did this Gal just nonchalantly call a '3' a trash-tier noob?"

Apparently, I've been certified as trash-tier in Takanashi-san's mind. I cleared my throat and continued.

"By the way, only toward me, Hankui charges in at a '10' at all times."

"Was she a Creeper from Minecraft in a past life or something?"

"I honestly think that's possible. Toward me, she really is a suicide-bombing type of girl."

"How much are you hated? Actually, isn't she guarding against you a bit too much, Banjō?"

At that question, I continued speaking while trying to capture a tapioca pearl that was becoming hard to suck up with the tip of my straw.

"Ah... well, Hankui is extreme, of course. But Bushi is the type who gets influenced way too easily, so I understand the feeling of wanting to be overprotective. I mean, Bushi is truly a '3' type."

"Hmm, but isn't Takeshi the guy who comes on super strong without reading the room, like 'Tokiwa-shi, Tokiwa-shi! Good tidings!'? By my standards, that's totally not a '3'."

"Ah, that's just like Hankui. His attitude toward me is the only exception; basically, Bushi is timid and easily beaten down. Um, even when playing board games, if there's someone he's meeting for the first time, he naturally becomes unable to play strong optimal moves."

"Eh, sounds like he'd get along super well with you, Banjō."

"Exactly, I got along super well with Bushi."

Even now, if I try to picture my "ideal board game group," who immediately comes to mind isn't my crush or Utamaru-san, but Bushi rushing over saying, "Tokiwa-shi! The humble scholar has arrived!" That's how much of a best friend he was. But...

"......"

"Banjō?"

"Ah, sorry. No... thinking about Bushi again like this, I feel like I understand your feelings a little better, Takanashi-san."

"My feelings?"

"The frustration when someone close to you is living a '3' lifestyle. Looking back, maybe I was feeling that toward Bushi the whole time too."

"Is that so. ...Ah, you mean how Hankui, the ex-girlfriend, kept coming onto him?"

"No, even before Hankui got involved, I guess. For example, my first contact with Bushi was because I couldn't stand seeing him looking out of place at an open board game meet-up, so unusually for me, I called out to him. That was the trigger."

"What's that. Did Takeshi bomb spectacularly with some otaku rambling at a board game meet?"

"Ah, it wasn't like that. Rather, back then Bushi was—"

Just as I said that, the smartphone in my pocket vibrated. Asking to be excused, I checked it. And there, quite timely...

"Speak of the devil, it's from Bushi."

"Oh, you guys are keeping in touch properly? That's good."

"Yes, thankfully. Though, we haven't gone as far as meeting in person yet... ........."

"? What's wrong, Banjō?"

Because I stopped speaking as I read the LINE message, Takanashi-san tilted her head.

I hesitated a little, but decided to fake a smile and let it slide for now.

"N-Nothing."

"....... ...Banjō, come here a sec?"

"Eh, what is—"

The moment I tried to bring my face closer to Takanashi-san as she asked—something cold hit my lips, and I flinched.

Checking in a panic, it was the straw for the tapioca milk tea. Takanashi-san had thrust hers out and pressed it against my lips.

Oh, she just lightly touched me with the straw she was using until a second ago. I lost out by getting startled— ...... ......!?

I hurriedly took a step back. Then, Takanashi-san looked up at me with devilish, upturned eyes.

"There, indirect kiss."

"Wa-Eh, w-wha—"

While I was flustered, Takanashi-san put that straw into her mouth with ease and slurped up the tapioca. Chururu. She gulped it down, swallowed, and then smiled at me again.

"If my kare-pi found out about this, it'd be bad news, huh, Banjō?"

"Eh?! N-No, this was an accident, or rather, Takanashi-san, you—"

"More like, 'Heheh, your girlfriend came onto me first,' right?"

"Your phrasing is brutal! Doesn't that make me a total NTR character?!"

"Facts aside, I might just report it with that kind of nuance."

Takanashi-san looked at me, grinning. Eh, is this person for real? Showing a stance where she'd use her own cheating as material to blackmail her male partner—what kind of villainess is she? I'm trembling. And I'm also trembling at myself for having the emotion "Ah, her scheming face is cute" take top priority even in this situation.

I let out a voice like a cornered female knight, "Kuh...", and responded to her.

"W-What do you want. If you don't want me to spill the beans, treat me to dinner or something like that..."

"Oh, that sounds good too. But let's save that for another time. This time—"

Takanashi-san paused for a beat, then announced with a smile full of affection.

"—Don't worry about me. Go prioritize Takeshi, okay?"

"...Eh?"

Caught off guard by her words, I panicked, started rambling... and immediately spilled the beans.

"W-Why do you know that Bushi happens to be in Shinjuku right now—"

"Ah, so that was the vibe of that LINE message just now."

"Ah."

I messed up. Takanashi-san was just fishing for information based on a vague hunch. It’s no use; she is simply too skilled in the art of communication.

As I stumbled over my words, Takanashi-san laughed lightly and continued.

"Since you're here, you should go see him. From here on out, for a little while, it's Free Time."

"Free Time..."

"Yep. Strictly Free Time. Got it? I'm not calling off the outing, okay?"

Saying that, she looked up at me with adorable, upturned eyes.

"As long as you come back to me at the end, Banjō, that's enough for me."

"Gh!"

...That’s foul play. Even knowing she doesn't mean it in a romantic sense, my heart still flutters at how endearing she is.

I slurped up the rest of my tapioca milk tea to suppress my agitation, then responded.

"Then, I apologize, but I'll take about an hour of free time. Um, is meeting back at the board game corner in Hands okay?"

"Kk. But are you sure an hour is enough when meeting a friend you haven't seen in forever?"

"Well, just seeing his face briefly is enough. We can do the actual talking over LINE."

"Not very Gen Z of you."

Slurp. Takanashi-san drained the rest of her tapioca milk tea while gazing at her smartphone.

"Look who's talking. ...Oh, ah, give me your cup. I'll throw it away with mine."

I quickly tossed Takanashi-san's cup and my own into the shop's trash bin and returned. Takanashi-san was waiting with a look that was half-impressed and half-exasperated.

"Thanks, Banjō. But like, when you're in a hurry, you don't have to do that stuff."

"? No, that was truly just 'on the way'."

"Hmm. But if you wanna go there, this was a scene where you could have handed me your cup and said, 'Throw this away while you're at it.' Since you were the one in a hurry, Banjō."

"...Ah..."

Since that thought hadn't even crossed my mind, my eyes went wide. Takanashi-san smiled wryly.

"You know, Banjō, you're gonna end your life without ever once acting like an entitled jerk, aren't you?"

"H-How rude. Even I have one or two things I absolutely won't yield on..."

"Yeah, yeah, never mind that, just hurry up and go to Takeshi."

"Guh, that is true. Well then..."

I raised my hand slightly and smiled at her.

"I'll be going then, Takanashi-san."

"See ya—"

My crush, seeing me off with a smile. ............ ...Yeah.

God, thank you.

I feel like I can live strongly for the rest of my life just on the memory of this scene.

＊

Takanashi Mifuru

After parting with Banjō, I wandered around tori-ma—for the time being—for about thirty minutes before deciding to head back to our meeting spot at Hands quite a bit early. ...To check out the board game corner I totally ghosted earlier.

(Even I feel a little bit of guilt about neglecting my job, y'know? Enough to think I should spend this free time hunting for board games, at least.)

Well, specifically, using this alone time for work leads to increasing the free time I have with a certain someone later. But that’s, like, totally unrelated.

Making excuses to someone inside my heart, I took the escalator alone, heading for the upper floors.

Still, for the first half of today, I was so hyped about going out with Banjō that I accidentally did whatever I wanted. I even linked arms with him at the start. That was... yeah, I really did that. Looking back now, it’s honestly getting pretty cringe.

After checking that no one was around, I couldn't help but stomp my feet in frustration.

(No, seriously, doing that when I set myself up as having a boyfriend? That’s completely a bitch move!)

I pushed through in the moment with momentum and quibbles, but no matter how you look at it, that is strange behavior for a "coworker with a boyfriend." Way too strange. Waiting list for "Easy Girl Certification": zero minutes.

(Aaaah, jeez, what do you really want to do, Takanashi Mifuru?!)

I covered my cheeks with both hands and groaned. This "What do I want to do?" problem has been a smoldering worry for about half a year now. To be more precise: What do I want to become to Banjō... to Tokiwa Kotaro? Even I don't know anymore.

As I headed up, I tried to review the situation from scratch.

(Hmm... In the very, very beginning, it wasn't like this, you know?)

The first time I recognized the existence of the young man named Tokiwa Kotaro was right around when my treatment succeeded, and I finally didn't have to be terrified that "I might not wake up tomorrow."

One day, by pure chance, I saw my brother's smartphone and learned the full story behind a certain student's expulsion scandal that happened at the school where my brother worked.

And my first impression of the "Shadow Life Savior" I discovered in that story—Tokiwa Kotaro—was, frankly, "What is up with this guy?"

I mean, there is no reason for me to receive charity from a stranger of the same age at the cost of his own future. The background was so unclear that no matter what, a touch of creepiness clung to it.

I understood that he was a good person I should be deeply grateful to. But precisely because of that, I hated, hated my own nature for harboring such weird, creepy feelings toward such a "good person."

In that case, there was only one course of action for me.

Stalking. That's the only option.

............ ...Ah, no. Um, observation. Yeah, observation. Strictly observation, okay?

Look, judging things based only on preconceptions or hearsay is bad. Maji bad.

If being saved by a stranger with unclear motives is creepy, then I just have to get to know that person properly. A human who was unilaterally saved has the right to unilaterally observe, right? ...Right? No? No, no, surely I do.

So, since my unworthy brother is completely useless, I started by getting Natsumi-san, my sister-in-law, to help me get Tokiwa Kotaro's personal info. Of course, I couldn't reveal the circumstances to Natsumi-san, so it ended up sounding simply like "I'm interested in Tokiwa Kotaro-kun." As a result, I even got the whole "Oh my, ufufu" reaction.

Seriously, give me a break. In this day and age, "A girl falling for a gentle boy she's only heard rumors of and hasn't even met yet"? Such a fairy tale thing—

—It didn't even take a few days after starting the stalking for it to happen.

No, even I was put off by this. Don-biki. Total turn-off. Up until then, I was the type of person who consumed even my friends' love stories as "entertainment" somewhere in my mind. Who would have thought that I, of all people, would... how do I put it...

That I’d wish to seriously be by someone's side... I never thought that would happen...

It wasn't like Tokiwa Kotaro's visuals were exactly my type or anything. ...Mm, no, it's not like he wasn't my type, either. Actually, now he's totally my type. In fact, I think the world should recognize him as an ikemen more! Ah, no, no, that's not it. I really want to talk more about the mental aspect.

It's like, at his core, he possessed a sensibility that was the polar opposite of mine and my brother's.

I told him directly today too, but anyway, his way of life is a "3". In all things, he tends to yield to others. The avatar of altruism. Put nicely, a saint; put badly, a passive guy with zero push.

Starting with giving up seats on the train, he naturally picks up trash on the street, gives umbrellas to strangers, and calls out to troubled foreign tourists even though he can't speak English.

Oh yeah, one time at an arcade, he won a plushie "out of his own pocket" for a kid he didn't know at all. The result? While the kid was super grateful, the harsh-looking parent who joined them later bad-mouthed him. Just when I thought he'd go home slumping his shoulders in depression, on the way back he was already offering help to an old lady carrying heavy bags.

It's not something as magnificent as a "hero temperament." To call it that, he receives neither gratitude nor praise from anyone. If anything, he doesn't even praise himself.

But—precisely because of that, I saw "kindness" in the truest sense there.

Truly unadulterated goodness was burned vividly into my eyes.

"What is this guy?"

That impression, containing a slight creepiness born from incomprehension, didn't really change much even after the stalking. But on the other hand, I was also able to accept this:

"Ah, but if it's this guy, he'd probably save my brother—save me—without any ulterior motive."

—And just like that. In that instant, the fog in me cleared. At the same time, Takanashi Mifuru's true feelings... the "true feelings" sealed deep in my heart by the lid of suspicion, finally surfaced.

It was a gratitude so deep I wanted to cry, for the pure goodwill that saved my life.

I desperately wanted to repay this person's selfless goodwill. This person who isn't rewarded by anyone at all. At the very least, I absolutely, absolutely wanted to repay him.

Once I started thinking like that, it didn't take long for it to turn into affection.

I want to repay him. I want to praise him. I want to make him happy.

I, and I alone—

—Want to stay by his side forever.

And before I knew it, I had impulsively applied to the same part-time job.

...Wait, huh?

Thinking about it like this again, didn't I make a legit dangerous stalker move?

N-No, that can't be right. In fact, once I learned Banjō had "someone he likes," I switched policies to support that! I even hired Usa-kun to set up a fake boyfriend situation, drawing a proper line. Yep, yep, I'm making totally optimal moves for Banjō's sake! Yuunou. Takanashi Mifuru is, maji, highly competent.

At this rate, I'll somehow repay my debt by getting Banjō together with the female Shogi player Utakata-chan, and then I can quit the board game cafe job without regrets... Quit...

(Say goodbye... to Banjō?)

The moment I thought that, a sharp pain ran through my chest. H-Huh, that's weird. I want to be by Banjō's side because I want to make him happy, right? Then, if Banjō gets a wonderful girlfriend, that would be the best for me too... The best... ............

"...Haa. ...I wonder who's the one really 'crouching' forever..."

I accidentally muttered self-deprecatingly. Wishing to repay Banjō is my true feeling, and in that sense, I don't think I'm "lying to myself." But, you know.

"I really think the idea that the guy who saves his hand and crouches, or dares to stay in second place, can take first place in the end... is a story that only exists in the world of board games, Banjō."

I expressed my opinion to the board game otaku who isn't here. That guy immediately brings board game logic into reality. Frankly, I think he's always about 30% off the mark. Because, no matter what, reality and board games are different.

If you want to take someone's number one spot in reality, "crouching" is absolutely a bad move.

No matter how muddy it gets, the person who has the courage to step in first is decidedly the strongest.

I know that. ...Even though I know that.

My "5" isn't strong enough to make fun of Banjō's "3".

"Get it together, Takanashi Mifuru!"

I gave myself a pep talk. At the same time, having arrived at the target floor via escalator, I took a step forward. However...

"Wait, what board game was I looking for again?"

Having forgotten the crucial item, I stepped aside and fiddled with my smartphone, scrolling back through the LINE log with Banjō. I'm pretty sure we exchanged messages about board games a little while ago... but I can't find it easily. Why were we arguing about TKG (Tamago Kake Gohan) or having a sticker spam war? Are we besties or what? While scrolling through the meaningless exchange, I casually glanced at the board game corner. And then.

"Oho, this is the first time I've seen this one."

Suddenly, a well-built man enthusiastically checking the board game lineup caught my eye. His age... honestly, I couldn't tell. Maybe because of his smooth, ruddy, gentle round face, I'd be convinced if you told me he was my age or around thirty.

And if that were all, it wouldn't be worth noting. But for some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had seen his demeanor somewhere before.

(A customer at the cafe? No, wait...)

I'm pretty good at remembering faces. It's one of the reasons Banjō treats me as a social butterfly. If it's a customer I've played with happily even once, I'm the type to recognize them... but.

Regarding that man, it wasn't "to that extent." In other words, he was below the contact level of a customer, yet still a somewhat memorable figure.

(The faces in this category in my head are usually minor celebs I saw briefly on TV or something...)

Thinking that, looking at him, I felt like he might have an aura about him. But it didn't quite click. I don't think it's a face I saw on screen. So then, a person I saw "recently," whom I "haven't met directly," but "stuck in the corner of my mind"...?

Just as I reached that thought, the man in question slowly picked up a board game and revealed a smile that looked exactly like a certain board game otaku's.

The moment I saw that, a name flashed dramatically in my mind. "Ah."

(Wait, isn't that 'Takeshi'?)

Once I thought that, my memory sharpened all at once. That's right, the two-shot photo during the Oshi-katsu (idol supporting activity) that Banjō showed me. The man in that photo, showing a carefree, happy-go-lucky peaceful smile next to the tanned girl who appeared to be his Oshi—that is exactly him, right in front of my eyes. No mistake. Banjō's friend episodes were fresh, so combined with that, I remember well.

(Come to think of it, he did mention he was coming to Shinjuku today. ...Wait, huh? But he's alone? Has he not met up with Banjō yet?)

I started getting a little worried. Should I call out to him? Being approached by a friend of a friend might be a slightly stressful event for a Banjō-type, but hesitating to help someone out of consideration for that isn't in my nature.

Making a quick decision, I started to take a step to call out to him—and stopped.

(Hmm?)

Because, looking at the smartphone he took out of his pocket, he suddenly made an "Oh crap" face, put the board game back on the shelf, and hurriedly left the area. There was absolutely no opening for me to call out to him.

(Did he realize he messed up the meeting spot with Banjō?)

I convinced myself that those two would totally make a blunder like that. No, I don't know Takeshi well, but if he's the same species as Banjō, they probably exchanged some incredibly poorly timed messages.

Anyway, since Takeshi has left, I just have to return to my task. I finally found the board game title I should be looking for in the LINE exchange with Banjō. Honestly, it was a horizontal text (Western) title so slippery to the eye it made sense I forgot it.

"Like, why do serious board games always want to put place names in the title?"

Seriously, it doesn't stick in my head, so I wish they'd stop. I mean, basically, it doesn't describe the content of the board game at all.

For example, if a board game called "OGIKUBO" was announced, the only expectation I'd have is for Namisuke (my beloved Suginami Ward mascot character) to appear. You can't imagine the rules from the title at all.

That's why I prefer the naming of simpler, light games. Like "Katakana-shi" (No Katakana) because it's a board game where you explain Japanese without using Katakana. ............

(Wait, yikes. I just realized I was narrating board game stuff to someone in my head. No, this is totally Banjō's bad influence.)

Scary. Board game elements are encroaching on my daily life. Even though I have maji zero interest.

This isn't the time to be spending on this. Back to checking the target board game—thinking that, I looked at the board game corner.

And there, like a reenactment of the previous scene, a previous customer had taken up position again, so I stopped.

However, the person there this time was not a chubby man.

It was a sports-type girl with incredible style and wheat-colored skin that glowed with health.

She had looks that even I couldn't help but admire, and an outfit slightly high in exposure even for this early autumn, as if to emphasize it. She was a woman with such presence that many passersby did a double-take with a "Is that a celebrity?" kind of vibe.

However, what made her presence stand out more than anything was the movement of searching for something with a strong obsession, and the overwhelming sharpness of her gaze.

(Eh, scaaary.)

A stylish beauty making a fierce face has, like, maji palpable pressure. It has a deeper richness of fear than simply a rough-looking giant or something.

Such a person was glaring around suspiciously as if searching for something right in front of the board game corner, of all places. Naturally, even I froze a little.

However, there was one more reason I stayed thoroughly in observation mode.

(...Huh?)

For some reason, following the chubby man from before, I also recognized her face. And it was the same "vague recognition" as my first impression of him. Meaning I haven't actually met her, but I've seen an image in a reasonably memorable situation...

And thinking that far, this time I was able to recall it quite easily.

That’s it. Specifically, when Banjō showed me Takeshi's Oshi-katsu photo, she was the "girl presumed to be Takeshi's Oshi" standing right next to him. That tanned girl is exactly her.

To see those two together like this now, what a huge coincidence—wait, no way.

No, but then, what kind of situation is this?

Just before, Takeshi checked some information and moved like he was fleeing in a panic. Furthermore, the tanned girl who came later is currently performing gestures like she is hunting someone down.

If I combine these two pieces of info, the conclusion becomes "Takeshi is running away from the tanned girl." But that's weird.

Because that girl is Takeshi's favorite idol or something, right? In that case, if the composition was Takeshi the fan chasing the tanned girl, that would be one thing, but this situation where it looks like the reverse is too mysterious. Why is Takeshi being chased?

Ah, no, but I feel like I remember hearing something about someone clinging to Takeshi. I think it was a tanned track-and-field ex-girlfriend of a classmate...

...Wait? Could it be I'm having a massive misunderstanding?

While gazing at the super-beautiful sporty tanned girl, I once again recalled the time Banjō showed me the image.

At that time, he—I'm pretty sure he said this.

"A photo taken when we tagged along to the Oshi-katsu event Bushi participated in."

...Oshi-katsu event. Because of the association with that word and the cuteness of the girl in the photo, I arbitrarily assumed she was "Takeshi's Oshi Idol" or something and let it slide.

Wrong. That's not it. What I should have listened to properly was Banjō's line at that time.

"A photo taken when 'we' tagged along..."

We. ...That means Banjō wasn't the only one who tagged along with Takeshi at this event.

And I already know. Or rather, Banjō had spoken about it properly.

About the existence of a girl with wheat-colored skin who always follows Takeshi around and directs hostility toward Banjō. I just hadn't assumed she was that level of super beauty.

"......"

I looked again at the tanned girl scowling and looking around the board game corner. Using my brain for once, I spoke the name squeezed out from the end of memory and deduction.

"...That is Hankui-chan... Takeshi's ex-girlfriend..."

Adding to that, I unintentionally leaked a muttered impression that didn't need to be said.

"...Banjō, you were hanging out with a super beauty back in high school too, huh."

...I-It’s not like that means anything, though. Yeah. Really. Maji for real.

While I was making excuses to someone in my heart, the tanned girl seemed to finally give up on the board game section and left the area.

Technically, the option to call out to her wasn't non-existent, but to use a Uta-chan-style phrase, that would be "poking a bush and bringing out a snake." If I got asked about Takeshi's whereabouts, it'd just be super troublesome. Ignoring her is the correct answer here.

Anyway, despite the unexpected events, the board game corner was finally empty.

Just as I was finally about to step in to check the product—

"Huh? Isn't that Takanashi?"

—Another interruption entered. Someone called out to me. Since it was a young man's voice calling me by my surname, I turned around thinking it was a high school classmate or something.

(Geh.)

I almost blatantly cursed upon seeing the opponent, but managed to keep it internal. Standing there were classmates, yes—but male classmates from my middle school days.

If I recall correctly, from the right—Sugino, Haruyama, Kumeda, was it? I probably don't even know their first names.

Honestly, I don't have a good impression of my male acquaintances from middle school. See, back then, I was lifted up in a weird way by the boys. I shouldn't say it myself, but like "The SSR Beautiful Girl who is often absent due to illness"? I received an ultra non-delicate evaluation.

On top of that, my brightness—or rather, my sociability—backfired in middle school. I was thought of as an "easy girl" in various ways. Once that happens, there's only one type of rumor that spreads among middle school boys.

So, I have absolutely zero goodwill toward male acquaintances from middle school.

On the other hand, there isn't a single nasty guy in my class at my current high school, so I had arbitrarily realized, "I see, that was just a mistake born of the specific immaturity of middle school boys"...

"Oh, wow, you're still looking super good w."

Seeing Haruyama look me up and down right now and praise me like that, I was conversely made to realize, "Ah, I am incredibly blessed with my male classmates in high school." Thank you, Haruyama. Next time I go to school, I'll be extra nice to the boys in my class.

Trying to brush him off casually, I responded with a business smile.

"Ehh, super long time no see, Haruyama. And Sugino and Kumeda too. You guys good?"

"Good, good!"

"Is that so, that's great! Ah, sozza, I'm meeting someone so I'm alrea—"

"Eh, where and what time? Who's the guy? Someone we know?"

Haruyama blatantly blocked my path. Eh, maji? This guy is amazing.

Not to bring up Banjō's spirit of mutual concession, but the customers at our board game cafe are all gentlemen who yield the way even to me, a clerk. They really were the "cream of the crop," huh. Inside me, following my current classmates, the stock of the board game cafe's male customers skyrocketed. Thank you all, seriously, always.

With a distant look in my eyes, offering thanks to my current environment, I continued speaking to dodge Haruyama and his crew.

"Ah, I'm meeting my kare-pi I got in high school. Sorry—"

I tried to slip past with a statement heavily implying that I'm not acquainted with Haruyama's group, that I have a specific person, and in short, that they are not wanted.

But Haruyama moved further to the side, continuing to block my path.

"No, no, Takanashi, having a specific partner is definitely a lie for you. It's just that, right? You know, a 'playful relationship'?"

Hearing those words that caused me so much discomfort in middle school brought out again, my mood plummeted instantly. That's... "Asobi no Kankei" (Playful Relationship) was a precious phrase I had managed to overwrite with a positive meaning within myself after meeting Banjō.

Actually, his interpretation of me is a complete misunderstanding. The real me right now is far from liking men; because of middle school, I'm actually a little bad with boys.

Ah, somehow, talking to these guys is getting a little painful. I hardened my attitude, trying to dismiss him.

"Look. I'm, in a hurry so—"

Saying that, I looked firmly at Haruyama's group again. —And that was when I noticed for the first time.

Slightly... behind Haruyama's group.

Banjō was there. He was looking this way, seemingly very suspicious.

(Eh, wait.)

For some reason, I was the one who got flustered. Eh, what is he doing? It should be too early to meet up... Ah, did he go to meet Takeshi? Then it wouldn't be strange for him to be here. Makes sense.

...No, no, this isn't the time to be making sense of things.

Interpreting my sudden pause however he liked, Haruyama laughed.

"See, your excuse is falling apart."

"No, this isn't like that..."

It was frustrating. Somehow, truly, it was unbearably frustrating.

Being entangled by Haruyama's group like this, continuing to be treated lightly by such worthless people, and above all—

—That scene being seen by that person. By Banjō. No, letting Banjō see it.

(Banjō will be troubled too, being shown something like this.)

If I were simply being hit on by some pickup artist, Banjō could have easily stepped in to help. The problem is that the opponents seem to be my acquaintances. In this case, Banjō is a person who is considerate. He would think deeply about my future.

Because he is a "3".

That is correct, and that is exactly like Banjō. But because of that, I... more than the fact that I was being harassed, the situation where I might cause him, who witnessed it, to feel strange guilt—that was unbearably frustrating.

To a kind person—to the kindest person I know—don't cause him mental anguish. I beg you.

"Hey, Takanashi. 'Play' with us too. Come on?"

I felt like crying. My chest felt tighter than it ever did during my illness.

And then, just as I was about to look down—

"Mifuru, sorry to keep you waiting."

Suddenly hearing my name, I looked up. And there—

"Eh, Banjō?"

—Was Banjō, calling out to me with a demeanor so imposing I had never seen it before.

His usual "3" way of life nowhere to be found, he came right up to me as if pushing Haruyama and the others aside, and grabbed my shoulder with surprising force—Gashi!—then looked at Haruyama's group.

"Hey, hey, outside you're the 'Manager', right, Mifuru? So? What are these guys? Friends?"

"Eh. Ah, no, not really friends... Classmates from middle school, though."

"Hmm."

Saying that, Banjō looked around at Haruyama and the others with incredibly sharp eyes. ...I had forgotten for a moment, but if it's just visuals, Banjō is actually a guy with a fair amount of pressure. When he appears with a gaze of "Hostility 10" rather than "3", even Haruyama's group...

"Eh, ah, h-hello..."

They unintentionally adopted a humble attitude. I-I see, so this is the correct usage of "First Move Mount." I never thought the opportunity would come to learn communication skills from Banjō.

The incredibly rare "Ora-ora (Tough Guy) Banjō" continued, keeping his arm around my shoulder.

"Hello there. Seems our Mifuru has been in your care."

"N-No, nothing like that..."

"Ah, perfect timing. Since you're here, why don't you guys come play at our shop too?"

"Eh. Shop...?"

"Haha, a shop is a shop. Our fun shop where Mifuru works too. Right, Mifuru?"

"Eh? Ah, yeah. Right. Aha, come on over, Haruyamaaa. It's super good, we've got a huge stock of 'games you can't escape once you get hooked'—"

Playing along with Banjō... and also playing along with the rumors about the old me, I invited Haruyama.

Immediately sensing "danger," Sugino and Kumeda, who had been watching quietly next to him, nudged Haruyama.

Urged by the two, Haruyama shifted his gaze and declined.

"Ah... n-no, sorry. We just remembered we had important business right now."

"Is that so? Too baaad."

"Ah, if you like, just take the sample we're pushing right now—"

Banjō tried to rummage roughly in his shirt pocket for something. It was a flow that suggested something completely illegal was about to come out. The three of them turned pale instantly.

"Ah, we're good! W-Well then!"

Immediately, the three left the scene scrambling over each other. Seeing them off, we breathed a sigh of relief.

Still with Banjō's arm around my shoulder, I looked up at him and said,

"...Thanks, Banjō. You saved me."

"No, you're welcome, Mifu—ah, no, Takanashi-san."

Saying that, Banjō hurriedly let go of my shoulder in a panic. Seeing him back to normal like that, I felt a heartfelt relief. ...The tough Banjō just now was rare and nice, but as expected, I like the real him the best. ...I like him, but.

I tried pouting a little.

"Ahh... since we were at it, it would have been fine to keep that going, you know?"

"Eh? Keep what going?"

"You know."

I pointed to myself and said imploringly.

"Mi-fu-ru."

"...A-Ah..."

Immediately, Banjō scratched his head in a troubled manner. His cheeks were faintly red. Cute.

"N-No, that was part of character creation, a way of calling you that I squeezed out with a strong heart referencing Usa-kun, it's not something to adopt for daily use—"

"But I was happy, you know? Being called by name by Banjō."

"Ghh~~!"

Being told that, Banjō looked down, crossed his arms, and groaned as if truly troubled. Funny.

After piling hesitation upon hesitation, he looked into my eyes, and while excessively nervous, somehow... squeezed out a compromise.

"Understood. Mifuru... san."

"Hilarious w. The way you chickened out is Banjō w."

"S-Shut up! Okay, this bit is over! It's fine, right, Takanashi-sa—"

"Mifuru."

"...Mifuru-san."

"Nn, fine. Totally fine. I am greatly satisfied."

Saying that, I grinned nii. Banjō looked away bashfully. What is this? Deep inside my chest, it feels very warm. Being called by name by a friend is always happy, but this level of heat is a first. Strange. It's strange and... kinda, somewhat, ticklish.

I threw out some light small talk to regain the usual everyday atmosphere.

"B-By the way, what were you trying to take out of your chest pocket just now?"

"Eh? Ah, this. This right here."

Saying that, with a warm, happy smile—Banjō took out a lovely super-small box card game for kids and beginners. I was exasperated. Yup, just like that, we're back to everyday life.

"A miniature version of 'Nanja Monja'. It's something you get from a gacha."

"Eh, why are you keeping a small, cute board game hidden in your chest pocket normally?"

"Eh, because it's a small, cute board game?"

Banjō replied with a straight face. ...Yeah, Haruyama and the others, good job sensing the underground vibe from this guy. Should I praise Banjō's acting skills, or laugh at their chicken-heartedness?

"Ah, look, never mind that, let's check the board game corner, Mifuru-san."

"What do you mean 'never mind that'. ...Well, fine."

Putting away the mini board game, I followed behind Banjō, who walked to the board game corner with a warm smile. First, he checked the empty spot on the pickup corner shelf and sighed.

"Ah, unfortunately, regarding the target board game, it's sold out here too."

"Is that so. Then, let's go home."

"No way."

"Are you a toddler?"

I laughed wryly at the board game otaku whose mental age suddenly regressed. Being able to do the "sticking to the toy corner and refusing to leave" act naturally at this age is amazing.

Banjō started looking around the board game corner with sparkling eyes.

"Hands has a mysterious lineup different from specialty stores as always. Keeps me hyped."

"Hyped, huh."

This guy is relatively okay with anything as long as board games are involved. What you call a "sucker for it."

Watching his profile as he happily looked around the board game corner, the tough forcefulness from earlier seemed like a lie. Well, it was a lie. Since I didn't think he could pull something like that off.

"Still, Banjō, you really jumped in to save me in that situation. Normally, isn't that a spot where you'd absolutely wait and see for a bit?"

To my question, Banjō responded while keeping his attention on the board game corner.

"Ah, that's true. The opponents looked like Mifuru-san's acquaintances."

"Right, right, that exactly. Banjō, you're super considerate, so in times like that, considering my future human relationships, or even Usa-kun's sake... I assumed you'd take a more peaceful, step-back... exactly your specialty '3' wait-and-see response—"

"No, no."

Banjō devoted ninety percent of his consciousness to reading the back of a small box board game, denied my words somewhat exasperatedly, and then declared it simply as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"There's no idiot who 'crouches' when an 'important person' is in trouble."

"......"

My cheeks suddenly grew hot. But Banjō seemed unaware that he had said something amazing. He continued, still looking at the board game description as usual.

"Well, even in the worst case if it was my misunderstanding, it would just end with me alone being treated as a 'dangerous guy'."

"Y-You go again, Banjō. Hey, that kind of thing, really stop it, okay?"

"I refuse."

"Eh?"

As I was bewildered by his strong rebellion with a speed reminiscent of his toddler regression earlier, Banjō continued.

"Because regarding that, it's not about self-sacrifice or whatever, it's a simple matter of values. It's the same as advice like 'If you're going to buy one board game, why not use that money to go to a beauty salon?' It falls under the category of unwanted meddling. I decide what I place weight on. Therefore..."

After prefacing it fluently like that, he pushed up the bridge of his glasses and declared it as if it were nothing.

"To protect Mifuru-san's smile, I will throw down all my resources at any time."

"Gh."

A-Are you an idiot?! W-What do you intend by saying that in a place like this...!?

"After all, all resources are meant to be converted into victory points in the end!"

Ah, he thinks he's explaining board games. Since his tension is up in front of the board game corner, he's spitting out feelings of consideration for me while completely in board game narration mode. Idiot.

............

And I, who fell for such an idiot hook, line, and sinker, am a massive idiot.

(This is baaaad.)

Beside Banjō who was engrossed in board games, I involuntarily looked up at the ceiling.

(This is the exact opposite feeling of 'repaying a debt.' Not good. Seriously not good.)

Thinking about it, surely Banjō—Tokiwa Kotaro was this kind of guy from the start.

A guy who usually lives as a "3", yet can bet a "10" with no brakes for the things that are important. ...Just as he was for my terrible brother.

And now that thoughtfulness... he is directing it all straight at me.

Something like that is, just... Just...

Reaching that thought, I shook my head vigorously and called out to Banjō, who was looking around the board game corner with sparkling eyes.

"Come on Banjō, we're looking for the original objective now."

"Ehh? Isn't it fine to check the explanations of other new releases a little..."

"No—pe."

I restrained him, pulled his arm, and while averting my face which had turned completely red, I muttered as if to warn myself.

"Because once I start wanting it, I definitely won't be able to stop anymore."

＊

In the end, we continued to drag on with detours, spending a total of about two hours touring the major board game sections of Shinjuku, but there was no harvest. As evening came, we decided it was finally time to break up, but Banjō said since we were out, he'd stop by Akihabara too.

"No, I can't keep up with you all the way to Akiba w."

I refused to accompany him intentionally acting very Gal-like, but frankly, I really wanted to keep hanging out with Banjō.

However, tonight is a dinner party involving my brother and his wife. Meaning Natsumi-san—my sister-in-law who paid for my treatment—is coming. My skin isn't thick enough to ignore this.

On the way from the last shop we checked to Shinjuku Station, I brought up, "Come to think of it."

"Did you manage to meet Takeshi properly in the end?"

"Eh? Ah, there was a bit of an irregularity, so I couldn't meet him successfully this time. Well, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

"Irregularity..."

I suddenly remembered the scene from earlier where the brown-skinned girl was searching around for someone with sharp eyes.

(Ah, Takeshi was being chased around by Hankui-chan, huh.)

If a girl with that tension witnessed Takeshi and Banjō meeting secretly on a holiday, it would surely be an instant bloodbath. It's pitiful, but it can't be helped that the two couldn't meet well.

"Actually, I saw someone who looked like Takeshi earlier. He was at the Hands board game corner, right?"

"Ah, right, right. Ah, but, he must have been restless, that guy."

"Ah, yeah, looking at his smartphone, he might have been acting suspiciously."

"That is because of the unnecessary information I sent him. Conversely, maybe I did a bad thing."

I see, so that escape drama happened as a result of Banjō snitching about Hankui-chan. I understood various things. But, looking at the situation, doesn't this mean Banjō is currently buying massive hate from Hankui-chan? Is this guy really going to be okay? For some reason, he tends to get wrapped up in other people's love-hate dramas immediately.

As I gazed at his profile with a little worry, suddenly, Banjō looked back at me. Dokiri. My heart leaped. ...No, why do I get flustered just by our eyes meeting a little? Get a grip, maji.

"By the way, thank you very much for today, Mifuru-san."

"Heh? For what?"

"You accompanied me on a board game shopping run on your holiday."

"Eh, ah..."

Honestly, I only have memories of dragging Banjō around looking at shops I like, so I didn't have a single millimeter of feeling that I accompanied him for work.

But I puffed out my chest and responded.

"Yep, yep, be grateful, you board game otaku."

"This Gal is coming from higher up than anticipated. But well, I really am grateful."

Saying that, Banjō showed an innocent smile.

"After all, it was just as Mifuru-san said."

"? Just as I said? Um, what was it?"

"Because."

He paused there... as if deciding something. Yet with an extremely natural attitude of speaking his heartfelt truth, Banjō smiled with the setting sun at his back.

"Just spending a holiday with the person I like was, after all, the most fun."

That was, almost like a confession.

...No, not "almost."

That was, surely, a confession.

The maximum approach that he, a gentleman to the core, could convey to a coworker with a boyfriend. That is what his words just now seemed to be.

"......"

At Banjō's sincere gaze, my heart began to pound painfully. However.

I shook my head in a panic.

(B-But this might just be, strictly, an answer to the words I said.)

Confirming that such an interpretation existed, I somehow maintained my composure. Yes, this is close to the words I spoke about holidays when I originally proposed accompanying him on the shopping trip.

"Just days where it's decided you 'spend it with the guy you like', aren't those the most fun?"

So Banjō just gave me a witty return as a coworker. That interpretation also holds up. No, rather, that possibility is much higher.

Yeah, it has to be. Otherwise, it's strange.

Because I have a boyfriend. And Banjō is a guy who can't do things that lack integrity. Because basically, he lives as a "3".

Yes, except for truly important things. ...Important things? Am I...

"......"

I stared back into Banjō's eyes, which were filled with both seriousness and naturalness. Right now... I felt that all interpretation was being left up to me.

The end of this fluffy, undefinable—"playful relationship"—is right there, before my eyes.

But that—the major decision to step out of that precious place, is something I can't do yet. So.

"Yeah. I had fun too, Banjō. Like, the best."

I stopped at just returning that much. I had to stop there.

But... I wonder.

No matter what, I feel like the heat I pushed into these eyes might have been conveyed to him.

"......"

Between the two of us, a strangely ticklish, bashful time flowed. ...Not good, at this rate, I feel like I won't be able to endure various things and might just—

—Kiss him or something.

And it was in that instant when I was seized by such improper thoughts.

"W-Well then, I'm going ahead! See you at the next shift!"

Even though the branch point for our train lines was still ahead, Banjō said that and trotted away. I also responded, stammering slightly.

"Y-Yeah, see you, Banjō."

Awkwardly waving my hand, I sent him off with a smile. ...Ugh, I'm glad the sunset was beautiful today. Thanks to that, my bright red cheeks didn't stand out. Surely, for both of us.

Watching Banjō's back for a while, I also started walking.

Passing through the ticket gate in a fluffy mood, I went down to the platform. Stopping at a random boarding position, I looked forward and—

—I found Banjō on the opposite platform.

"Ah. He—y—"

I tried to wave lightly for a moment to appeal my existence—but stopped immediately. Because Banjō wasn't the only one there.

—A girl with outstanding style and wheat-colored skin was pressing in on Banjō for some reason.

(Ah, so Hankui-chan found him in the end... My condolences.)

Naturally, I couldn't hear the details of the exchange, but I could understand that the pressure from the tanned girl was strangely strong. Banjō's troubled face was off the charts.

I gazed at that scene absentmindedly, with a mix of exasperation and sympathy.

............ ...Yeah. Ah... How do I put it...

Hankui-chan, isn't your physical distance to Banjō kinda too close?

No, sure, there are times when I get close to Banjō too. There are, but.

............ ...There are, but what is this? I mean, why am I so...

"......"

I took out my smartphone in silence, and just like that, snapped a photo of the two arguing fluently.

No, it’s not like I intend to use it for anything. It’s just... the fact that I am blatantly irritated by this scene is somehow funny, so funny.

I felt like I saw my true feelings right there.

So.

Looking again at the photo I just took, smiling wryly at the discomfort welling up after all, I muttered softly.

"I guess the crouching is over now."

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