.
.
.
"That's enough for today."
It was one o'clock in the morning and my English study session had just come to an end.
Because I was so focused on studying, my neck had become very stiff. After a long period of concentration my temples ached and my head felt hotter. Unlike physical exercise, this mental exercise didn't help me feel refreshed~ ah~ what should I do now.
"Ah~ it won't do~ I still didn't try hard enough ~"
I was totally unlike those guys with great grades. How did Naruko manage to study?
"I should take a break by sending her a message for fun~."
So I sent a message to my sister.
"Onii-chan has studied really hard today~."
After about a dozen seconds later… I got a reply.
"So noisy! Disgusting!"
"Really… can't my sister be a little gentler when talking with me?"
It was rare for me to send a friendly message. Every time like that, I couldn't help but remember her 'freaking out' expression.
"Let's check out Ayase's fan blog to heal my damaged soul~."
Atfer study, I walked to my computer and opened the website that Sasuke told me 'My Lovely Angel Ayase-tan's Fanblog. It was one of the pages that updates Ayase's new pictures every few days.
When I clicked on the button…
"… Huh?"
It was… different from the usual.
[What are you doing, Ayase-tan? My imagination is destroyed! Ayase-tan, how could you do such a thing? How could you betray your fan like that? It was a mistake, right? I wanted to post those pictures (you should know that the pictures are of you and someone else, right?) but I will give you another chance. Because I like Ayase-tan the most. Please stop those shameful actions and reflect on yourself! From the one who loves you the most, Sayaka.]
"What is going on…?"
The 'My Lovely Angel Ayase-tan Fanblog' had posted a picture of Ayase coming out of a hotel while holding a man's hand — of course that was a lie, the picture showed Ayase shopping in a store.
"Isn't that… the otaku store Naruko usually goes to?"
That was the same store that once distributed 'Chitose Karasuma's signature'. I remembered it clearly because Naruko had taken me there many times before. But… but to think the otaku-hating Ayase would go to that store — what is that in her hand? Isn't that a little sister figure!? Ayase… really bought that? She had asked me about those figures before… normally she would never do that, but as long as I added the condition 'for Naruko', Ayase would do anything.
… The picture was probably taken when she bought a figure for Naruko. Why did Ayase do that? I scratched my cheek
"… Looks like the blog owner is very angry…"
It was just like how Ayase had reacted when she met Naruko at Summer Comicket. Still, Ayase was more tolerant than before.
— Ayase-tan, are you going to betray your fans?
"I should have known."
I could have guessed why the owner was angry. I had almost forgotten. After spending so long with Naruko, Kuroneko and Rias, I had become an otaku. So I didn't think that there was anything wrong about otaku — but there were a lot of people who couldn't accept that. Just like what Naruko said about the public opinion.
"But society looks at otaku from a bad perspective — that much I'm aware. Do you know who hates otaku the most in Japan?"
That was the reason my little sister couldn't go public about her hobby. What happened a year ago was repeating itself with Ayase. I took a look at the counter and found out that on average, there were about ten people who visited the blog each day.
"It's a fortune amidst misfortune."
The less people that saw the post; the better it would be. Now it is about 12:30 PM. The web counter was at three — in other words, including the blog owner and myself, there were three people who saw this post. Still… that small of a fan blog shouldn't be a problem for now. Besides, the owner said that if Ayase reflected on it, they would forgive her.
"Still…" In this post — there was something that caught my attention.
─ I wanted to post those pictures (you should know that it is the picture of you and someone else, right?)
The picture of you and someone else… what is the meaning of that?
"Don't tell me there is something even worse than buying a little sister figure…"
… like… this… and that…? No, no, no it was impossible! Totally impossible! What was I thinking!? it was Ayase we were talking about. That was totally impossible. I couldn't imagine the pure Ayase like that. Anyway, from the way that post was written, it looked like the owner wasn't male.
If she saw Ayase had gotten a boyfriend — a crazy fan could lose her calm and write something like this. If I saw Ayase kissing someone in a photo, I would definitely roar, "Go to hell, you fucking bastard!" But I wouldn't post it online.
By the way, you guys can rest assured; Ayase doesn't have a boyfriend. Because Ayase had been coming to my home everyday and taking care of me like a newlywed wife. She didn't have time to spend with her boyfriend…
"Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" I'm such an idiot! Didn't the owner of the fan blog mean me!? How could I have missed it until now!?
"This… this blog owner…! Could it be that she saw Ayase come to my home everyday and misunderstood?"
Ayase came to a man's home everyday. Sometime she even went to the super market to buy cooking ingredients. From an outsider's point of view, Ayase looked like a girl who just tasted her first love, so she took care of her boyfriend everyday. Was the owner of this blog following her everyday and secretly saw everything? And then — she saw Ayase… buy a figure from an otaku shop. That was why those texts were written.
"What a big misunderstanding!"
The owner didn't leave her email address! She also disabled the reply/comment section. How could I explain it! Still… even if I could contact her, I'm not sure what I should write.
"Hey, that 'photo together' that you spoke of; maybe you meant Ayase and me? Sorry, but this is a misunderstanding~ oh, by the way, I enjoyed the pictures of Ayase that you took." Can I write something like that? Of course not…
While I was thinking of what I should do… Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep.
"Wah!" I jumped in shock due to my cell phone. I quickly flipped it open…
"Hey Naruto! Did you read that post?"
"Sasuke! So you are the other one that saw it!"
I didn't have time to lecture him! Thankfully the other one was someone I knew!
"What are you saying?"
"It's nothing… pay it no attention. Anyway, I have already seen the blog."
"Did Ayase buy an otaku figure? What is going on?"
"I'm not sure myself." But I bet it's related to Naruko somehow. I should have kept asking back then… ah, now is not the time to regret.
"What is the other photo they spoke of? Could it be an erotic photo of Ayase?"
"It's impossible! If you keep having weird imaginations about Ayase, I will kill you!"
Someone like you would probably openly ask his girlfriend for erotic activities.
"Are you kidding me?"
Did I sound like I was joking?
"Sasuke… didn't I tell you? During the party, Naruko asked Ayase to monitor me!"
"Ah~ so that's it."
"Yup, that's it!"
"I got it. Still… what can we do now? We can't let this continue."
"You are right. If that continues, not only will Ayase lose a fan, but this blog will cease updating."
"I don't mean it that way."
"What?"
"I think that Ayase might be in danger."
"Danger?"
"Yes. The blog owner takes Ayase's picture everyday, right?"
"So?"
"Hey, didn't you notice? All of them were secretly taken."
"How could you be so sure?"
I thought the blog owner was one of Ayase's co-workers in modelling.
"Look carefully. Ayase never looks directly into the camera right? That's too strange if a friend was taking her picture. Besides, there is no picture of Ayase and the owner, right?"
"True…"
It seems like my assumption that the owner was Ayase's friend is wrong. Sasuke is right…
"If the blog owner is the same one who took the picture, then there is a good chance that he had secretly followed Ayase to your home."
"That… that's a bit scary."
I didn't feel any danger because Ayase had done similar things to Naruko. But from an outsider's point of view, the situation was bad.
"There is no way to contact the owner, do you have any ideas?"
"Hmm… how about discussing it with Haku?"
"Haku?"
"Yes. He is a model himself, so he should know how to deal with this kind of thing, right? Even if he doesn't know, he could give you some advice."
"You are right… I'll call Haku." Oh damn… why did this happen at such a crucial moment?
It was past one o'clock when I finished my phone call with Sasuke, but I still tried calling Haku. Thankfully, the eroge-loving Haku was still awake…
After I told him what happened he said, "I don't think you should be too worried about it — but I will contact the agency just in case." Although I expressed my worries about what would happen if the agency knew about Ayase's purchase; Haku assured me that I didn't have to worry about that.
"The current president is a reasonable man, so don't worry. Worst case, I could ask Misaki-san to say something."
Misaki-san was Haku's boss. Looks like I was right to discuss it with him.
"Sorry for troubling you."
"It's not a problem. Just leave everything to me. Naruto-kun just needs to focus on studying."
"Sorry…"
"Don't worry about it. I myself had encountered some crazy stalkers before — from what you told me, this stalker seems to be very angry because Aragaki-san has visited your home everyday… also because she bought a figure, right?"
Yes, and your point is?
"But that figure was not a R18 + only. So there is nothing bad about the fact that Aragaki-san bought it — how dare they say it is shameful and bad? They themselves are the bad ones here — they should reflect on it!"
Wow… this is the first time I have heard Haku sound angry.
"Hey, there is no need to be so angry."
"Ah… sorry… because it's I had a bad experience because of a stalker myself…"
He sure is a high class citizen… his words are different from mine. I could only say 'I see' then return to the topic, "After you speak with the agency — what do you think they will do?"
"I think they will inform the police. That was how I dealt with it."
"Inform the police?"
Isn't that too exaggerated? The stalker is probably just a middle school student.
"We have to prepare for the worst. It would be too late to do anything if something happens."
"I… I see."
But… I felt pity toward that blog owner. Besides, I kind of liked the blog… of course, I knew that what Haku said wasn't wrong, so I didn't plan to stop him.
"Aragaki-san would only feel discomfort if she knew, so I don't think we should tell her about this yet."
"… I understand."
"Even if the agency pulls some strings with the police to act, it's absolutely impossible to catch the stalker immediately."
"Is it really impossible…?"
"It is. Even if we have some conclusive evidence, it would take no less than three months. I speak from my experience. The stalker's blog's server is placed in America, and they won't have any intention of helping Japanese police for a case like this. Even if we send a formal request by email, it would be unlikely to get any response."
"It seems like you had it tough."
"Actually, it doesn't matter which job you have. In every job, as long as you have a reputation, you will inevitable attract a stalker or two. If they know your address, then they might try to burn it down or send you a cat's corpse everyday. Even if you keep your address hidden from the public, they will figure it out sooner or later. Even if the police catch them, they won't care. The next day, they would appear in front of your house like usual. Well, that's actually pretty normal; you could say that this is a price to becoming famous. Anyway — we need at least three months to catch this stalker, but they surely won't stop during this time, so we have to make suitable preparations."
If the stalker is like he said, it will be horrible. No wonder he insisted we call the police.
… Although I felt that the blog owner was not as dangerous as Haku said, after hearing his experience, I understood why he wanted to go this far.
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Nothing. You only have to try your best for your sister's sake and just let Aragaki-san take care of you like usual."
"But the stalker said that unless Ayase reflected on it, they will publicize the picture of Ayase coming to my home. Isn't that dangerous?"
"Even if you do as they said, there is no way to guarantee that they won't publicize it. Beside, do you feel confident that you could ask Aragaki-san to stop coming to your house while hiding the truth from her?"
"That's impossible." I would surely confess the truth.
"So we ignore the damage that has been done and focus on preparing to deal with additional damage. Like how will you comfort her if that picture is made public, or how to protect her safety."
"Okay. If that picture causes a misunderstanding I will try my best to resolve it."
"Please do so. When she goes outside, I will try to follow her as much as possible. Of course, I will cross-dress too —"
"— Why do you have to cross-dress…?"
"Because if I followed her while dressed like a man, it might cause additional misunderstandings from the stalker. But I can't allow a girl to do something so dangerous. So the beuatiful me has no choice but to cross-dress."
"I commend you from the bottom of my heart, you are really good person!" I can't do something like that. Naruko once told me in a very natural tone
"Why don't you just cross-dress?".
I can't believe that there is guy that would really do it (Asto is exception!). I once considered Haku as 'Naruko male version', but allow me to take that back. My sister can't be this perverted.
The next day after school, when I got back home I saw 'a very cute girl' near the stairs to my room. She was standing in a position that, with a little effort, would allow me to see her underwear. She was wearing uniform — with short blonde hair and a familiar hair clip.
What surprised me was I didn't feel anything towards this girl. How should I put it, even though she is cute, she seemed strange somehow. Still, this girl is eye-catching. Because not only did she block the way, her eyes were empty. Just like Ayase's dull eyes — or in eroge terms 'a raped victim's eyes'. Could it be that she was dumped by her boyfriend?
"… Hi… do you need something?"I could just go my way, but I still said that.
The cute girl kept her shameless posture and looked at me with her dull eyes and said, "Ah… you've arrived."
"What? Did… we meet before?"
The cute girl pointed at her face and feebly said, "I'm Haku."
I immediately kicked him.
"That hurt! What are you doing?"
"Your underwear is exposed! If you don't be careful I will kill you!"
"Er… this reason is too forced…"
"A pervert has no human rights!"
A male high school student secretly glanced at the cute girl, and then suddenly kicked her. That was me just now… hopefully no one saw that… this guy… really cross dressed and followed Ayase? It's so unbelievable.
"I even changed into a girl's uniform, but I'm your friend. How could you not recognize me…?"
Because I didn't expect you to change into girl's underwear too!
"If you are here —"
Haku pointed at the second floor. "Yes, she has arrived."
"So, Haku, why did you look so depressed?"
"When I arrived to meet Aragaki-san like this, she immediately recognized me —"
"Aragaki-san? Let's go home together."
"I will call the police!"
"— I was almost arrested."
You volunteered to do that, so bear with it. But I understand your feelings, because half a year ago, I was treated the same way.
"Why does she carry a personal alarm…? To tell the truth, I think that she would be fine even if she was assaulted."
I can see that you were thoroughly beaten. Having received a heavy blow, Haku sighed, "Hah… after I escaped from the school guard I tried to follow Aragaki-san in secret — it was so tiring. She constantly sent me messages saying 'pervert', 'please don't talk with me again' and 'I will tell the agency'. I felt so powerless. This girl is so hard to deal with."
Isn't it the same as the usual for me?
"Haha… looks like I'm not a masochist." With lifeless eyes, Haku whispered, "No matter if it's Naruko-chan or Aragaki-san — only Naruto-kun can handle them."
"Hey, are you saying that I'm a masochist?"
"Oh right, if you say it like that, then Naruto-kun is a masochist."
"I'm not!" Don't label me carelessly!
"Anyway, next I will have to follow her home. I think that the agency will send someone soon enough, so just leave everything to me."
"… I see. Then I leave it to you."
We both smiled wryly, and then I walked past Haku — without turning back, I waved at him.
Afterwards, Ayase still came to my home everyday, and I spent as much time as possible studying.
I thought the blog owner, Sayaka, would be very angry. But unexpectedly, even though 'Ayase didn't reflect on her actions', the blog still hadn't posted any pictures of us together.
Oh right, the blog had stopped updating. Maybe she stopped being Ayase's fan? Although it's a pity, nothing happening could be considered a good ending.
As the the exam drew closer, I gradually forgot about the blog. Until two days before the exam.
After school. I got back home, but Ayase didn't come out and greet me.
"I'm back…" I announced as I removed my shoes and entered the room…
Past the entrance, there was an unbelievable scene in front of me. Still in her uniform, Ayase was stepping on Kuroneko's stomach, who was in her gothic loli outfit.
"Ah… ahhahah… hahhaha… how was it? Kuroneko-san… (ahaha)."
"Kuh… how could it be… do you… want to… control my soul? (ahaha)."
"What are you two idiots… doing? An SM play?"
"…!"
Kuroneko and Ayase winced and slowly looked in my direction. They broke into a cold sweat, their faces twitched.
"Na… Naruto-kun? This… this is!"
"It's not like what you think!"
Both of them panicked
"Uh… ah… then…!"
Actually, I was panicked too. What… should I do?
"Er… hey… since when have you two gotten along?"
"That… that's… because…"
While moving her stocking clad foot on Kuroneko's stomach, Ayase tried to come up with an explanation. On her part, Kuroneko caught Ayase's foot, still breathing erotically while kicking her black stocking covered legs.
"Please… wait… let me explain."
Do you think that I will accept what I saw just by listening to your explanation?
Kuroneko recovered from the position (under Ayase's leg) and sat in front of me. Her face was still red, she coughed a few time and said, "Well… this… how should I begin…?"
Kuroneko explained — two weeks ago, one day Hinata ran breathlessly to Kuroneko to report, "Ruri Nee-san! Naruto brought a girl in his room! There was a very beautiful black haired girl bathing in his home!"
That damn brat! She did exaggerate things!
Of course Kuroneko already knew about the fact that Ayase came to my home everyday, and she noticed Hinata's excited expression, so she didn't give up to her provocation.
"… Hinata, give me a correct report. Otherwise, when the sun rises, all of your clothes will become mine."
"I can't go to school in that case!"
Being threatened, Hinata had no choice other than telling her everything. After that Kuroneko decided to visit me — but she came after Ayase had already arrived — they met each other. I could imagine the rest myself.
"So what happened next? What could evolve into that perverted lesbian game?"
"Don't say something so shameless! That… that is… a 'ceremony'. A dark and evil ceremony to reincarnate her into an evil body with a holy attribute."
Pray tell, is it holy or evil?
Kuroneko's opening words were normal, but the content was so amazing that I didn't understand a single bit.
"So is that a ceremony to reconcile?"
"Something like that."
Looked like I was 80% right. But what did a ceremony to reconcile have to do with stepping on each other's stomach?
"Because we fought last time." Ayase answered.
She was now sitting next to Kuroneko. I didn't see any tense atmosphere before when they bickered. Used a lesbian play to reconcile — it looked like their relationship had become better.
That'd be nice in this case.
"… Please don't misunderstand, Naruto-kun." Ayase hastily waved her hand.
"Because… between Kuroneko-san and I, we rarely got a chance to talk together, so we took this opportunity to express our true feelings."
"True feelings?"
"Yes. About Naruko… and… Naruto-kun."
She seemed like she purposely avoided telling me exactly what they talked about.
"After we spoke our true feelings… Kuroneko-san suddenly asked me to step on her."
"For real?"
Kuroneko nodded, said, "During my talk with her, I noticed one thing. That's inside Ayase Aragaki's 'a dark angel' — an overwhelming darkness."
"I think so too."
"Naruto-kun! Do you want me to kill you?"
This is what you were talking about, right Kuroneko?
"To welcome my brethren, I have to make the dark angel's killing impulse rise and surface."
I used my own Kuroneko-translation ability and interpret that as 'I'm actually a huge masochist.' So maybe by allowing Ayase to continue to abuse the masochist Kuroneko, they would become good friends later.
"I got it."
"Seems like you finally understood." Kuroneko showed a satisfied smile.
"I think that Naruto-kun is having a terrible misunderstanding…" While Ayase still didn't accept my response.
"So have you two finished talking?"
"Hm, how should I put it…? We have gotten better."
"Yes."
They looked at each other and replied.
Yeah, it does look like you two have gotten better.
"… At the very least, we won't fight like last time because we have exchanged our principles and ideas with each other."
"… Don't… don't use such weird words…"
Ruri Senpai, your face and tone show how very excited you are!
"Although we haven't accepted each other's principles… We are still on opposite sides…"
"Of course. And there is no sight of compromise."
"Yes, that's right."
Kuroneko and Ayase — two sides of Naruko's friends. When they first met, I didn't imagine that they would become like this. But I was happy because their relationship had gotten better.
"Aragaki Ayase — let me take back what I said. I will never tell you 'this is none of your business' again. I now know that — you are a formidable enemy to my destiny, but you are also my ally with the same goal."
"Really… I can't understand what you are thinking." Even though Ayase said that, she was smiling happily.
(◕ω◕✿)
The exam day had finally arrived. I took a look at my watch and saw that I still had a lot of time before the exam. So I checked my cell phone and noticed that I received a message from my sister.
It said — "Do your best!"
"Haha…" Is she telepathic? This is exactly what I wanted to see now… "Of course I am going to do my best~."
When I was about to close my cell phone, I noticed there was another message.
— From Haku.
"Ah, this is from yesterday."
Wow, I was so focus on reading last night that I didn't notice it. Hopefully it's nothing serious. The message's subject was 'Please don't worry.'
Because the situation had worsened, the agency had decided to tell Aragaki-san. But there is no problem, so don't worry — do your best on the exam!
"Huh?" The situation had worsened… you mean the stalker? "And you tell me to not worry…"
I couldn't do that. I immediately turned on my PC and went to the fan blog site.
"…!"
[This is the last message to you, betrayer!]
I immediately saw a dangerous line. I checked the time, and found out that it was posted yesterday.
I have given you a chance. But you didn't listen to my advice. Next… I will punish you, betrayer.
"Hey, hey — wait!" What kind of words are those? So horrible! Scary!
"Hey hey hey hey — why must that happen right now!?" Are you kidding me…? It's not a joking matter anymore…
"Ayase… I hope she is okay…" I hoped that after hearing that, she wouldn't be too scared…
When I had entered Ayase's phone number and was about to call her — my hand stopped.
Wait a second… if I called her now… wouldn't she feel guilty because of that… if I called, it would turn into a burden for her instead… And what exactly should I say? Like 'Just leave everything to the agency?' Then Ayase would reply 'I'm so ashamed of myself to make Naruto-kun worry at this critical time.' My original intention would only become a burden…
I closed my cell phone and returned it to my pocket. Today is my important day. First, I will have to finish today's exam — after I get a good result, I will thank Ayase for taking care of me. And Naruko too. Yes. Right now my job is to face this exam in my best condition.
"Good, let's go." I stood up from my seat and walked to the entrance. The weather is nice. No clouds. My vision from the second floor was good. Aside from the bus station, there was nothing worth looking at. The leaves had started to fall. Every time I took a breath of cold air, I felt my nose hurt a little.
"So cold…" I warped the scarf that Karin gave me around my neck. I started walking toward the stairs. Then I heard a familiar voice, "Naruto-kun!" In front of me was Ayase.
"Good morning!" She was out of breath, but she showed me a dazzling smile, "What are you —"
Why are you here? Ayase came here — that meant she still didn't know she was being stalked? That's… not good…
"… Thank god… I made it in time… "
— Next… I will punish you, betrayer.
I looked around, carefully searching everywhere. Nothing unusual yet. Good… while I carefully made sure to not show any strange expressions on my face, I said, "Did you rush here?"
"Yes. I have been together with Naruto-kun until now — please allow me to cheer for you too."
"Thank you, I'm very happy. I will do my best."
"I'd be troubled if you didn't. Oh right — this…"
Ayase took out a charm for examination.
"I got this from shrine."
"… Is that for me?"
"Yes. "
"Thank you. I feel more confident now."
"Mmm."
I'm very grateful for Ayase's feelings. Even if there is no god, this charm would bring me good luck.
"… Speaking of which, the exam today is nothing but a small step." I said and clenched the charm in my hand. "If I fail here, you will probably scold me to death."
"That's right. So prepare yourself, Naruto. I will scold you until you pass out." Ayase laughed.
"I'm not scared." I returned a fearless smile.
The exam today… has become more important. From the look of it — Ayase still doesn't know about the stalker. Should I tell her that now? I think it's fine. Keeping her in the dark now would be more dangerous. Luckly, I still had enough time. So I seriously asked her, "Ayase. This is a bit sudden, but there is something important I have to tell you."
"Er… I… Important?" Ayase panicked, her eyes widened. "But… but… suddenly saying that… I… I haven't mentally prepared…"
For some reason, she blushed and looked down.
Still, I waited a minute for her to mentally prepare herself. Finally, Ayase looked up again.
"P… Please say it."
Her expression was somewhat stiff… ah, when I thought about the scary thing I had to tell her, my mood became heavy. I took a deep breath and said, "Ayase… please listen to me carefully."
"Y-yes."
"You are being stalked."
"Huh?"
Huh? Ayase was more surprised than I thought.
"Huh? Ehh? Ah… could it be that this is the pervert's confession, 'I have been stalking you'?"
"Of course not!"
How did you come to that conclusion! So you interpreted everything I said based on the assumption that I'm a pervert!?
"I didn't mean me! There is a crazy female stalker following you. She even created your non-offical fan blog. Since you started coming to my home, she has made a terrible misunderstanding."
After my careful explanation, she finally understood.
"… Is it true that there was a stalker that followed me aside from Naruto-kun?"
"That's right!"
Do you want me to follow you that much?
"Also — you bought a figure last week, didn't you? In the shop near the bus station."
"How… could you know that, Naruto!"
"… The stalker posted a photo of you when you bought it." I used my cell phone to show Ayase the website.
"…!"
Ayase immediately paled.
"Since that time, this girl seemed to be angry."
I told Ayase everything that had happened since that day.
"Yesterday, I saw that she posted this…"
"The exam is drawing near… and I still caused Naruto-kun to worry about me…" Ayase dropped her shoulders.
Ah… I didn't want to tell her precisely because I didn't want to see her like this.
"Don't worry. It's not your fault."
When I was about to put my hand on her head…
Flash flash there was a flash and the sound of the shutter.
"What —" I turned back and saw someone standing up behind my neighbor's washing machine — was the stalker hiding there the whole time? That stalker seemed to be a girl. She wore a black coat with sunglasses and a cap. At first look, I knew that she had tried to disguise herself, so I couldn't figure out her age. There was also a camera around her neck.
"Ya…" Frightened, Ayase took a step back. To protect her, I stepped in front of her and stared fiercely at the stalker.
"What are you doing?"
"… Get away!"
"What?"
"Get away from Ayase!"
What do you mean? Suddenly shouting like that… this stalker… is so big and tall… she had exuded an atmosphere that completely denies any chance of communication. Coincidentally, it was similar to when Ayase got angry.
"Are you… Ayase's crazy stalker…?"
"You are the crazy stalker!" She shot back. I felt that Ayase was trembling behind me… damn… I need to calm down.
I swallowed hard, and then said, "You said I'm a stalker? Why do you say so?"
"Don't play dumb! I have my evidence!"
You meant just now? That was too much of an exaggeration.
"I was only… about to place my hand on Ayase's head. What kind of evidence is that?"
"You are Ayase's stalker; you planned to force her to follow your orders!"
Damn! This girl was totally incommunicable. Although I had some experience from dealing with Naruko and Ayase, but she is much worse than them. I felt like she didn't even understand human language…
"… Naruto, please step aside…!"
In a sudden display of courage, Ayase walked in front of me.
"She is the stalker…"
"Yeah, no doubt about it."
Hearing my confirmation, Ayase stared fiercely back, "You… Who are you?"
"I'm your fan, Ayase! I have been your fan for a long time!"
"Long time? Have I met you before?"
"We met everyday! I know everything about Ayase!"
Hearing this enthusiastic admiration, Ayase once again hugged herself in terror. Well, hearing a strange girl saying that isn't something comfortable because it sounded like 'I have followed you everyday."
The stalker shook her head and pointed at me, "Ayase, that stalker has tricked you!"
"Stop lying… I… I will call the police!"
I never thought that Ayase would reuse that line in this circumstance. Because I had heard that from her many times, so I knew how much it hurt. But it didn't have any effect on this stalker.
"Call the police? Good — hurry up and call the police! Then we will know who is wrong and who is right!"
That girl… Something was off… she seems to really believe that she was right. In that situation, if we call the police, she would be arrested and we could easily prove that her words are wrong. Because of her belief, she will not listen to anything we say. Instead, she might interpret it as she sees fit and use it against us.
"What? Hurry up and call the police."
"Oh…"
The normal Ayase would act the same way as she dealt with me or Haku by activating her personal alarm. But I can guess why she didn't. She didn't want to anger the stalker anymore so she was afraid of pressing the button.
She feared that if she pressed the button — the stalker would do something unexpected. So she didn't. If the stalker moved, Ayase would activate it without a doubt. But after experiencing this strange atmosphere, Ayase couldn't make her decision.
"I… I really will call the police!"
But Ayase mustered her courage and opened her cell phone… compared to activating the personal alarm, calling the police was something more natural for her. Suddenly, the stalker rushed us.
"Ohahhhhhhhhhhhh!" She roared.
"Ya —" The sudden movement caught Ayase off guard, her whole body froze. I had no other choice, I moved my body in front of her…
"Look out, Ayase!"
The stalker's body collided with mine.
"Kuh…"
Although she wasn't as strong as I expected, she stomped on my foot.
"It hurts!"
Although Naruko had done the same thing to me before, this was much worse. Was she wearing steel clogs?
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Shut up! That's all your fault!" She waved her hands and shouted.
"You… you… stop!"
She may be a girl, but a fully powered punch isn't something to look down on. Although I tried hard to resist to not hit her back but she didn't show any sign of stopping.
"Don't touch me! Disgusting! You disgusting male!"
"You… stop…!"
Maybe she couldn't stand watching me getting hit, Ayase moved. So we gradually pulled each other to the stairs that lead to the second floor.
"All because you deceived Ayase!"
"I told you that is a misunderstanding! Listen to me goddammit!"
"Wait a second! Please stop!"
"Shut up, pervert. Return the real Ayase back to me!"
She landed another punch on me.
"Ugh —" I wasn't sure what happened but it felt as if my body was floating.
Crank crank crank crank crank
I fell from the second floor landing.
"Ahh!"
My ears didn't seem to work properly. I faintly heard a girl crying. But all I saw was everything rotating, then a hard blunt sound. My eyes went dark — then about ten seconds later, everything became silent. I felt pain for the first time. Although my head felt dizzy, I could still move. My right arm and leg were still hurting, but they were probably okay.
"Naruto!" Ayase rushed to me. "Are you okay?"
"Ugh… I'm fine." I tried to answer as calmly as possible.
"… Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. There is no injury."
Hearing that, Ayase breathed out in relief. She fiercely turned back to the top of the stairs and said, "Is that how you intended to punish me?"
"No… I… I… I…" Sayaka's voice was stiff… she seemed to be trying to say — I never thought it would turn out like this.
… On the blog, she wrote that she wanted to punish Ayase. But it looked like she didn't have the guts to actually hurt someone. She probably wrote that during an angry moment… even though we just met, I could guess her feelings.
"…!"
Sayaka turned around and started running.
"Wait…"
Ayase showed a rare overreaction.
"Wait a second! Stop running!"
She immediately followed.
"Hey, wait!"
But she didn't listen to me. I tried to drag my body after her. After I got back to the second floor I found out that Ayase had caught Sayaka. As expected of Ayase… as long as she wasn't afraid, she could easily subdue someone.
"You…!"
"Ya… oh… I'm sorry…"
"Wait, wait! I told you to stop!"
I separated them from each other and yelled, "Both of you calm down!"
"How can I calm down!? She pushed you down the stairs! There is no time, Naruto — please hurry up to your exam."
"How could I leave you alone at this time?"
"Don't worry about me! To deal with this girl, all I have to do is call the police and have them arrest her!"
"You can't!"
Why do you always want to call the police?
"At least listen to her first."
"Wh… What?" Not only Ayase, even Sayaka was surprised at what I said.
Ayase's eyes widened for a few seconds, then she said, "You… are you an idiot! This… this — you are such a kind idiot! But today — today is not the time! What is more important to you? Me or the exam?!"
"You, of course."
She might have wanted me to answer the opposite, but I couldn't say that. I couldn't believe that Ayase was still paying attention to this; she blushed and didn't say anything.
"That-that —"
"— I don't care about The Exam. It's nothing compared to a friend in need."
"How… how could you say that? My tounge just slipped!"
"I know."
You wanted me to say that compared to your messed up situation the exam is more important, right? Of course I knew that. Both for me and Ayase, that exam isn't something that 'I can repeat it if I failed'. I'm carrying many hopes and responsibilities with me. I knew that better than anyone.
"I never said I will give up on this exam. There is still enough time. At least listen to her reason."
"I… I told you that's unnecessary…."
I understand what Ayase means, she doesn't want me to be distracted. But I can't do that. That's just who I am, someone who is easily distracted by that sort of thing.
"I think we have misunderstood her."
"Return the real Ayase back to me"
… I have heard something similar before.
"She is just a stalker…"
I was fully aware that calling the agency now would be the best choice — actually, the incommunicable situation just now was enough for me to call them. But… right then, I didn't want to do that. You could call that my last warning to her, but I still wanted to speak with the stalker.
"I — since last week, I always wanted to solve this misunderstanding of yours, the 'Ayase-tan, what are you doing'."
"… Did you see it too?" Sayaka muttered.
"Ah, sure. Well — then I remembered that two year ago — something similar happened."
"…!"
That got a reaction out of Ayase. She knew what I was talking about. Yes, that was when you had a falling out with Naruko.
"There were two girls that used to be good friends at the time… because of a terrible misunderstanding, a great rift formed between them. Only after a long conversation, when both of them spoke their true feelings — could the situation improve. The misunderstanding was solved and they returned to being friends with each other."
"The situation back then is completely different from now!" Ayase protested.
She probably wanted to say — don't compare my best friend with this unknown stalker!
"I know. It is different. But…" During that year, I have learnt many things. "If you speak your true feeling to each other, maybe the situation could be improved."
Yes. Until you try, you can't predict the results. Even my hostile sister had accepted that with a smile.
"So can you give it a try?"
I tried to smile. Ayase sighed.
"… I get it. Naruto, you really are — too kind."
(◕ω◕✿)
And so, Ayase, Ayase's stalker and I went into my room. Ayase kept looking seriously at Sayaka, while she looked down. The atmosphere was tense and uncomfortable. Both of them didn't say anything.
"Naruto, the time…!"
"Don't worry." I put my tea cup down and sat between them. This scene looked like a courtroom… I coughed and said, "So…" I tried so make my voice as friendly as possible. "Let's begin with the introductions. I am —"
"— Naruto Namikaze-san, right." Sayaka interrupted me.
"How did you know?"
"I have investigated…"
She looked down again and removed her sunglasses. She really is a crazy stalker, isn't she? But I'm not surprised. Ayase also made a copy of my key on her own. I raised my hand to stop Ayase from talking and continued, "So, how much do you know about me?"
"Your name, your school, your age…"
"And my relationship with Ayase?"
"You are Naruko's older brother."
I see. If she's a fan of Ayase, she would surely know about Naruko. But the way she spoke sounded like a kid. Umm, well, because it was hard to determinate her age.
Sayaka spoke in a disgusted tone, 'And also…' before turning away.
"… You're Ayase's boyfriend."
"No… I'm…!" Ayase was about to deny…
"Wait. Let me do it." I raised one of my hands to stop Ayase again.
"Okay, so you really did have a misunderstanding. Let's solve this first. Before that, can I ask you your name?" Although I knew that your internet nickname is Sayaka.
She whispered, "Sayaka Kakei."
"The same as your nickname?" She nodded. I continued, "How do you know Ayase?"
But Sayaka didn't say anything. I glanced at Ayase; she replied "I don't know her." From her looks, she was still angry, although it was understandable. But Sayaka seemed like she couldn't believe what Ayase just said, Having taken a blow, her whole body froze.
"This… I… I went to the same school as you…" Sayaka sounded like she was about to cry.
I couldn't stand it, so I quickly added, "Are you one of Ayase's juniors at her middle school —?"
Sayaka nodded. But Ayase shook her head.
Hm… Ayase's junior — but they didn't know each other, only Sayaka knew and admired Ayase — seemed that way.
"Let me make sure — you aren't Ayase's coworker in modelling, are you?"
With moist eyes, Sayaka nodded. From the look of it… she thought that Ayase would remember her.
"If you aren't a model, how could you get her picture while she was working?"
"… I investigated her work schedule… and used a long ranged lens to get a picture…"
So you secretly took a picture from a distance? I'm not very knowledgeable about photography, but I never thought that you could get such high quality pictures from a distance. I should have scolded her because of that — but I admired Sayaka's devotion quite a lot.
"For an middle school girl, you are good."
That might have sounded a little harsh — but I felt that Sayaka became much more stable. It was easier to talk with her compared to before. She totally ignored everything I said when she was angry. Alright, that should be enough. Time for the main topic.
"Alright, first, to solve your misunderstanding, I'm not going out with Ayase."
Right, Ayase? I glanced at Ayase and she nodded.
"But you have already had sex right?"
What is that brat talking about?
"What…? Sex?"
"You really did it…"
"We have not!"
"We never did that type of thing!"
Both Ayase and I denied.
"But she comes to your house everyday — what else would she come here for?"
"Ayase just wanted to helped me because I lived alone!"
What the hell? Why did this brat think of such things? Really, younger people seemed to have no ethical concepts.
"Really? So you really aren't going out…?"
"Yes."
"But…" She glanced at Ayase and said, "Why was she jumping in joy on the way —?"
Before Sayaka could finish, Ayase's hand grabbed her throat. She used just one hand. That was as fast as a character in manga while fighting.
With dull eyes, Ayase said, "That is far enough, bitch!"
Wow, you even called her a bitch.
"Hey, hey! Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing?"
"Nothing… nothing at all."
"How could that be nothing?!"
"I… I only wanted to silence her."
She sounded like she was joking, but I felt that she was ready to follow with her words…!
Ayase removed her hand from Sayaka's throat and raised one of her hands in a Karin-like lecturing pose.
"Anyway, that didn't have any special meaning. Stop talking about that."
"…Oh… Umm… Okay…"
Since Sayaka didn't cough, I knew that Ayase didn't apply much of force. And about 'jumping in joy' — I was interested, but I decided to leave it.
"So… does that solve the 'Ayase and I are going out' misunderstanding?"
"… Yes. I know that you two haven't had sex." Looks like this is the most important detail for her.
Speaking with a high school girl was hard enough, but speaking with an middle school girl was even harder. Since they paid more attention to feelings rather than logic, their vision was quite narrow. They only see what they want to see. Seemed like I needed to find out what she considered important in order to communicate with her.
I think that telling her stalking is bad is meaningless because she already knew that. But — she knew that this was a something bad, but she kept doing it anyway for a reason. Long ago — I knew that playing little sister based eroge wasn't right, but I still played them.
Because… my sister showed me too many 'reasons' for her to do that.
"You said you're Ayase's fan right?"
"Yes."
I think this is the first time we looked directly at each other's eyes.
"Why do you like her? Is there a reason?"
"… Of course I have one!" Sayaka suddenly yelled. What she said next was probably important.
"My home is close to Ayase's home. Long ago, when we're still elementary student, we went to school on the same road team."
How long exactly was 'long ago'? You're still a kid. But I didn't interrupt her. Let me explain a bit about the road team. A students in the same area will form a road team and one third or fourth year student will make sure they get to school in time. For example, if the elementary school boy Naruto overslept, the team leader Chiaki would angrily run to his home and kick his ass to wake him up. It was a truly troublesome system.
"Ayase was my road team leader since I started elementary school, I had been going to school with her… she was so gentle with me…"
Ayase looked very troubled at Sayaka's words.
… Ah, she probably didn't remember.
"When I was bullied… Ayase saved me. She is my savior…"
She said that she cried a lot at Ayase's graduation. Looks like your junior respected you very much, Ayase Senpai. Gentle, dependable and beautiful Ayase Senpai. That was what I felt when I visited that fanblog.
Aside from a senior in modelling — savior, good friend, classmate, good relationship — Ayase once imagined Naruko that way. She forced the Naruko in her mind onto the real Naruko. Sayaka — wasn't she the same as Ayase back then?
Ayase broke her silence since the beginning and said, "So you think of me as a beautiful, perfect senpai?"
"What do you mean, 'think of'? That is who you are. I'm Ayase's fan — after I found out that you had become a model, I was so happy. My goal is to help you as much as possible —"
"— So why did you betray me?"
Ayase interrupted Sayaka. Then she looked at me with a self-mocking smile.
"Naruto-kun, I take back what I said. Although the situation back then is different from now… this girl is the same as I was. We were fooled by our illusion — so we did something foolish. I can't stand to watch anymore."
"What… what do you mean?" Sayaka asked in anger.
Ayase stared back with her ice cold gaze.
"Sorry to destroy your illusion. Your version of 'Ayase-Senpai' or 'Ayase' is just your imagination — Kakei-san, Sayaka Kekei-san."
Sayaka's eyes widened, but she tried to counter, "Didn't you want to solve this misunderstanding? You just told me that I was overthinking things —"
"— Yes. We wanted to solve this misunderstanding. Although I feel it's unnecessary —" She looked at me and continued, "— But this foolishly kind Naruto had decided to do."
Yeah, seemed so.
"However, even without that misunderstanding, I'm not your ideal Ayase Aragaki."
"No, it's wrong —"
"— It's wrong? Your ideal Ayase Senpai had forgotten about her admiring junior in just three years. She bought an eroge figure for a specific reason. She hates lies, but she lied and used her friend — she even forced her ideals on her best friend and fought with her because of that. She even lied to herself and regretted it because she caused something irreparable…! She is that kind of hopeless woman…!"
Ayase's voice was getting louder and louder — and finally unable to conceal her anger toward herself. Who is she angry with? Herself in the past, or…
"Actually, only the most self-righteous person could say 'I understand you better than anyone' — because no one can totally understand someone else."
"Ayase…"
Ayase paid me no attention, but she showed a painful expression.
"Kakei-san — Sayaka Kekei-san. If you really are my fan then take a good look at my real self. After this misunderstanding, see for yourself what kind of person I am. You should feel very disappointed because your ideal version of me is such a stupid girl."
"… I… I…"
Hearing her idol said that, Sayaka paled. Just like when Ayase heard Naruko speak about her true self. However, there was a major different compared to back then. Unlike Naruko, who wanted her best friend back, Ayase had no intention of fixing her relationship with Sayaka. Or rather, her attitude was simply 'show me how disappointed you are toward the real me who is full of faults'.
So uncomfortable. I can hardly stand it anymore. I didn't jump into this situation to see these kinds of results.
"This is the end." I clapped my hands together. Both of their eyes fixed onto me.
Wow, scary. You don't want me to disturb you that much? So I tried to make my voice as gentle as possible, "We should let this serious topic slide. I told you that I will solve the misunderstanding between you two, right? Don't tell me you want me stop butting in."
"But… but… Naruto-kun…"
"Fine. Leave it to me."
I scratched the back of my head and walked to a side of the room. To the cloth covered figure cabinet….
"You wrote — 'Why did you do that, Ayase-tan?', didn't you? Then let me solve your misunderstanding."
I pulled the cloth down. The figurine cabinet was revealed for everyone to see. The big, amazing, erotic figure that Haku made for me. Is now imprinted into the innocent eyes of an Sayaka Kekei.
"That… that!" Sayaka's eyes widened. Her jaw dropped…
"Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" She screamed her lungs out.
"Ya~! Ya~! Wahhhhhh!" She cried. The cap fell down, revealing her innocent face. She had long hair with two bangs extending forward.
"You, you… you… What do you want to do?!"
I was aware of the risk of a flying kick, but Ayase just looked at me in confusion. That was the second time something like this happened in front of her, so she could probably guess what would happen next.
That's right — this situation — is the time for Naruto Namikaze to show off his skills.
"See for yourself Sayaka Kekei! This is the reason your pure Ayase had gone buy an erotic figure!"
"I don't know what you are saying!"
"All of those figures are character from an eroge, 'Imouto-wife'."
"I don't want to listen!"
"Ah, I forgot. Actually, among Ayase's friends — there is an otaku who loves to play little sister based eroge…"
"I knew it! It's you isn't it?!"
Actually, it's not… Well, but I have to lie in order to continue. Even if she misunderstands me, that's an acceptable trade…
"And then… Ayase wanted to check out those otaku's interests."
"Ehh —" Ayase looked shocked, as if she had just heard something unexpected. Hey… do you really think that I don't know? Why else would you buy that kind of figure? I'm not that dense.
"Ayase hated otakus, she felt that they were disgusting — her illusion of her friend was shattered, she almost broke up with her best friend because of that. But she treasured her friend so much… that she lied to herself in order to make up with her friend. "
Yup — just think about it for a few minutes and it will become very clear. "I — I LOVEEEEEE NARUKO!" How did that kind of on-the-spot-lie deceive Ayase? Ayase should have already figured out that I was lying back then.
But even that — because she hates otaku, but she wants to treasure her otaku friend, she choose to believe in my lie. She had no choice but to continue lying to herself. Everything is for Naruko.
"Naruto. I —"
I turned to face Ayase, "I thank you! Because I'm an idiot, I don't know how to say it… even if I could say it, even if I bow to you, it wouldn't be enough to show my gratitude! I thank you for what you did."
To express myself, I roared, "So why? Why do you condemn Ayase for that?"
I have to say it!
— To the big liar Naruto-kun:
Because of you, I could make up with Naruko. Don't think that I have approved of Naruko's hobby, and don't think that I am withdrawing the opinions I presented yesterday… but while I can't come to a compromise, and while I can't accept her hobby, I've decided to move on. There's no helping it. But, don't think that I've given up! I will definitely save Naruko from your evil influence one day! I will definitely not lose to you!
"I… Of course I didn't approve of that! But even that… but this is a celebration… so this is a special case…beside, if I give her a present, I want to give her something she loves… also a while ago, I had a little talk with Naruko about… some non-pervert anime."
During this year, Ayase — had faced Naruko properly, and tried to understand her hobby.
She hates lies, but she forced herself to believe in a lie. Even it hurt her; she made a choice that was beneficial for their relationship. Both Naruko and I understood this point.
So — I looked directly into her eyes, and announced, "Listen well. If anyone dares to blame Ayase because of that, I will definitely never forgive them."
That included you too.
"Do you hear me?"
"… Mmm." Ayase nodded slightly.
Oh the other hand, Sayaka bit her lips and looked down. Since Sayaka didn't know about the friendship between Naruko and Ayase, she might not fully understand what I said. But I hoped Ayase herself could understand that. Just like how Ayase accepted Naruko back then.
"Actually… since Ayase just got a present from that friend of hers — so despite her hatred toward otaku, she went to buy that figure — that's the reason."
That was my guess. Ayase probably was going to give it to Naruko as a present.
I asked Sayaka, "Do you understand now?"
"…"
"You wanted to see your ideal gentle senpai? She clearly hates otaku stuff — but she tried to understand her friend's hobby. Did that shatter your illusion about Ayase?"
"But — that… that's disgusting…"
"Don't worry; your blog is disgusting too."
"What…"
"If you want to be Ayase's friend, you could just talk to her. But instead you followed her everywhere, took her picture and posted it on your blog, added some sweet lines. Don't you agree it's disgusting too?"
It's a legendary class pervert blog.
"You… you saw them all!?"
"Everything. I have read all of 134 articles of yours. For an middle school girl's blog — it's quite interesting."
Although I didn't know that you are an middle schoolgirl at that time. Sayaka stood up and ran to me.
"… Pervert! Don't brag about my blog!"
It hurts when a pervert calls you a pervert.
"Oh… wa… wahh…!" She cried. Tears fell from her eyes.
Did you really start crying just because someone exposed your blog? Still… I understand her feelings. It doesn't matter if it's a blog or not, having someone you didn't expect read your work is embarrassing.
Just like having someone read your diary, it's not something anyone wants to happen. That is the problem with privacy on the internet. Someone who is familiar with the internet might not count, but a normal person doesn't have any skill to protect their privacy. Even for a high school student like me, making a blog is still a dangerous thing to do.
"… Wa… wa…" Sayaka started crying harder.
"Hey… Sayaka…"
Before I could voice my words, she kicked me. Did she want to vent her anger? Ah forget it… I was used to being kicked anyway — compared to someone's deadly flying kick that was nothing.
"Hey, listen to me, Sayaka…." I continued, "Although what you did is wrong — I kind of like your blog. From the first time I saw it, I knew that you like Ayase so much. Beside, during these two years, you have become better at taking pictures."
At first, most of the pictures were blurry. With each new article, I could see how she tried to improve herself.
"Actually, that was because I used a cell phone camera at first. I just replaced it with a lens camera later."
"I know that."
I had read the post.
"Not only did you spend the entire of your lucky money and pocket money on that, you begged your father and got a 100 on the next test — that was how you bought the camera."
When I read that post, I could feel how excited you were. Of course, that was followed by some other disgusting post. But since that time, your picture's quality increased.
"I have downloaded every picture that you uploaded. The first time I saw your blog was a month ago — after that, I checked it everyday, hoping for new updates. Since I started studying for an important exam a month ago, your blog had become a place to heal my soul. So if I can pass this exam… it's partly thanks to your blog."
"You just said that it is a disgusting blog…"
"So what?" I turned to the cabinet.
"Even if it's disgusting. Even if it's not good, there is no reason to look down on some else's hobby."
Because of your hobby, you might be punished. You might be rejected. But that's inevitable. But you must absolutely not look down on others' hobbies. Because that's the same as looking down on yourself.
And so…
I still have to tell her my true intentions…
"I like your pictures. I hope that I could see them again."
Ah… so can you reopen your blog? After beating around the bush, I was finally able to say it.
"However, you have to apologize to Ayase for taking her picture without asking. Then ask her before you take a picture. She is a great model; it would be waste if you just secretly took her picture."
"But… but… I —"
"— Do you hate Ayase now? Because your illusion was shattered — so you don't want to take her picture anymore? In that case…"
"No! I… My dream is —" Sayaka hesitated before continued, "— I want to become a professional photographer and help Ayase!"
She finally spoke her true feelings.
"I knew it."
It was easy to see from all your posts on the blog.
"So — in order to let that dream come true, you know what you need to do now, right?"
Sayaka looked me in the eyes and nodded. She turned to face her ideal senpai — and bowed.
"I'm sorry."
That was a suitable apology for an middle school girl.
Ayase placed one hand on her chest, and gave me a mocking smile, "Really… Naruto-kun… just how many times have you helped me already?"
"Just leave it to me. I will help you as many times as needed."
Although it ended with my useless style, since time was short I had to rush to school.
Ayase and Sayaka stayed behind in my room. I didn't know what they talked about afterward. But I think it should be fine. They could apologize and make up with each other. After the exam ends, I should ask Ayase about it. To be honest, I was hoping to see 'My Lovely Angel Ayase-tan Fanblog' tonight.
"Naruto, over here!"
"Sorry, sorry!"
Karin was waiting for me at the school gate.
"It's fine~ still… where have you been?"
"It's none of your business." I smiled and replied. Just like usual. And Karin returned her usual smile.
"It must be hard… do your best."
"Actually, it's not that hard."
"… Really?"
"Yup. This time I only pulled a prank by showing an erotic figure to an middle school girl and made her cry."
"Why did you do that…?"
Karin had a puzzle expression. But she quickly returned to normal.
"Let's go."
"Yeah. Oh right — before that, I need to go to the infirmary."
I showed her my right hand, without worrying about my image.
… I have no need to protect my image in front of her.
"Actually, I just had a little accident… my hand hurts."
Karin's eyes widened, then she sighed. She looked at me with gentle eyes, "You're such an idiot."
Everyone had their own good and bad subjects, and it was different for everyone, but…
"… Why do we have English in this world?" That was what I wanted to say after the exam.
Especially the listening test, it was so damn hard. And the writing test was already hard enough. I think that I'm not the only one thought that. But I was caught off guard because of how easy the Japanese test was.
Still, I think… it was… probably… okay? I hope everything went well… with mixed feelings, I left the classroom.
"Are you okay, Naruto?"
"Hmph? Aside from English, I think the rest is fine —"
"I'm not asking about that — wait, that's an important topic too…"
"So what do you want to ask about?"
"How is your hand?"
"Still hurts like hell." I replied. "I can't even hold a pen with it, so I had to use my left hand instead. Still, it didn't affect me."
Even though this is Karin, I couldn't help but tease her. Because my hand hurt, I'm unable to get an 100 — I will not say that.
"So… then you should visit a hospital."
"You are right. Ah, Karin, there is something I wanted to tell you."
"What is that?"
"Thank you. If I can get a perfect scores, it's thanks to you."
Of course the others also helped me… I planned to thank every one of them.
"But now isn't the time to say thanks yet."
You should wait until the results come out — Karin seemed to say that. Then she walked past me.
"I'm going back first."
"Hm, why all of a sudden? Do you have something to do?"
"Nothing — but I will disturb you if I stay here anymore." She said something that totally didn't make any sense.
"See you later." She waved her hand to me.
Hey, you clumsy girl, don't run. I won't care if you fall or not. When I looked in the direction Karin ran — I immediately understood why she did that.
There was a girl who was leaning against the school gate. It was Naruko.
"How was your exam? Did you fail?"
That was the first thing she said. Was that how you greet your brother who just had an important exam, someone who you haven't seen for a long time? This was the same as usual, but I couldn't help but smile when I heard that.
So I deliberately put on a confident attitude to respond to her, "There is absolutely no problem — don't forget our bet."
"Yeah, yeah, it's just as you say."
Naruko was leaning against the gate, both of her hands in her pockets.
"So, what do you want?"
"Ayase told me that you're hurt." She didn't seem to be very concerned.
Hey Ayase, you don't have to tell Naruko everything.
"Hurt? What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb with me. Are you idiot? Still trying to put on an act…"
She's so good at making me angry.
"Does it hurt?"
"Nah, I'm fine."
I showed her my bandaged right hand. She immediately gripped it.
"What are you doing!"
"So it does hurt."
"You, you…"
Naruko took a few steps forward then turned to face me and said, "What are you standing there for? Shouldn't you go to the hospital?"
"… Yeah." I grit my teeth and walked side by side with my sister. We walked in the cold weather…
"Hey…" Suddenly she said…
"Yes?" I turned my head to the side to take a better look at my sister.
"Is something wrong?"
Hearing my question, my sister looked up at me. She was trying to come up with a word.
For the first time, Naruko smiled.
"I want to say — it must be hard"
Hm… this girl…
"Thank you."
(◕ω◕✿)
"It's done." I put the cleaning tool into my bag.
I had lived here for one month. For the first time, I lived alone. Right now, my belongings had all been transferred home — the place was empty. I intended to clean it up before returning the key to the owner.
"This was — not a bad experience."
At least I'm now better at studying. How should I put it… if someone had been by my side for the last few months, I would ask him 'hey, do you think that Naruto Namikaze has grown?'
A year ago. Two years ago. Four years ago. Six years ago. Ten years ago. Although I had grown, I didn't mean just my body. If the elementary school student Naruto Namikaze — my painful childhood which I don't dare to remember — saw the current me, what would happen?
But at least I knew that if I let the me from one year ago and the me from six years ago speak with each other, it would have caused quite a mess because the differences in values, opinions, characteristic and personality would be too great. We are the same person, but we can't compromise… ah… of course that's just in my head…
The Naruto Namikaze from six years ago would tell the current me — "My life finally entered a track."
The Naruto Namikaze from two year ago would tell the current me — "Hey, are you alright?"
That was what my past self would tell me. I have no way to ignore those words, just like I can't change my past.
"I will keep trying a bit more." Saying that to myself, I left the room and locked the door. On my way down the stairs, I met Ayase. She was wearing a cute duffle jacket.
"Hi." I raised one of my hands and greeted her. She nodded to me.
"Naruto-kun didn't seem surprised to meet me here."
"Because I got the feeling that I would see you here. Oh? By the way your hairstyle… did you change it?"
"Ah, I can't believe the dense Naruto would notice that."
"Hey, I'm not that dense."
Ayase shot me a mocking glance then said, "No, you are that dense. Haha, forget it, this isn't important. I'm happy because you noticed it — I went to the same beauty salon with Naruko earlier.
"Yes, she told me too."
"I only did a simple haircut. But Naruko has become much cuter, right?"
"A bit."
Damn right. Naruko is now super cute. Why did she have to go that far?
Ayase laughed and said, "Naruto-kun can only voice his true feelings when she isn't around."
"Noisy!"
"Haha"
Embarrassed, I changed the topic.
"It's nice seeing you here."
"Do you need me from something, Naruto-kun?"
"Yeah, I have something to tell you, I need to thank you, and lastly I have something to ask you."
Hearing that, Ayase immediately told me, "Congratulations on getting a perfect scores Naruto-kun."
"Did Naruko tell you?"
"No – but I believed that Naruto could get a 100 without a problem."
"Well… I would be humiliated if I got a 90…"
Of course, I'm happy because you believed in me. I scratched the back of my head in embarrassment, but I finally managed to thank her.
"Thank you for your help."
Ayase placed one hand on her chest.
"Naruto-kun, you earned it on your own."
"But that is because you helped me."
I truly believed so. I couldn't do anything big on my own. That is who I am. Sometimes, I even did things without considering the consequences.
"But I believe everything is Naruto's own strength. Oh right, Naruto-kun, do you want to ask about Kakei-chan?"
"Yes." She's sharp. Sayaka's blog didn't update since that day. "So how did it end?"
"I buried her body at the mountain."
"Hah?"
"… I hope you didn't take my joke as something serious?" Ayase said, "It's a joke," and knitted her eyes brows.
"I thought it was a murderer's confession."
"Really… just how does Naruto see me? I took her to the agency to apologize to Haku-san, and I plan to bring her to Naruto-kun's home to apologize and pay for the medical bill."
"Hey, my injury isn't that bad."
"No!"
It seems like Ayase Senpai is seriously trying to teach her junior.
"Did you two make up?"
"I'm not sure. For me, I only forgave her after I spanked her behind."
You already gave your punishment? So scary, Senpai.
Ayase was smiling when she said she spanked her, she continued, "But I still haven't decided what I should do with the blog."
"How about you turn it into your official fan page?"
"The content is so disgusting, I absolutely can't allow it." Ayase said firmly.
"Oh right — Naruto, there is something I want to tell you."
"Hm? That is?"
Well, she did come here to find me, so I knew that you had something to tell me. Still, I have no idea what would make Ayase come find me — I prepared myself, but…
"…"
She didn't say anything.
She finally looked at me, and said seriously. "Naruto. You had already realized that I was lying…"
"Ah… so you meant about… that…"
"Although it's too late — but that day when I made up with Naruko, after I got back home and… sent that message to you, I had already understood everything… But I took advantage of your kindness… I made you into a villain… I even lied to myself."
— To the lying Naruto-kun.
"I wanted to apologize to you — but I couldn't say it…"
"Don't worry about it. But… what about you?"
If you told me that, didn't that mean you couldn't lie to yourself anymore?
"It's fine." Ayase smiled, "Thank you for your concern. I knew that during this month, Naruto has been thinking about me. Naruto hoped that I could convince myself, so that I could keep being Naruko's friend."
"Haha, I see."
She showed a profound smile, then reverted back to the original expression and said, "I'm no longer that against Naruko's hobby… beside, someday I will have to stop lying to myself. This is a good chance for that."
"I see…"
Suddenly, Ayase's expression sank.
"I'm very sorry. I have done so many horrible things to you."
"That's fine. I did that on my own."
We were having a conversation that we couldn't have had in September, one year ago . No… more accurately, I should say that we could only face it now.
"I have also lied to you, sorry."
"Please don't say that."
We both bowed to each other.
After a while, she whispered. "… Although I hate lies. There is another kind of lie… a white lie."
"Maybe." Not all lies were out of malice.
"Ah, by the way, I still think that Naruto should just die because of your joke 'please marry me'."
"… Sorry."
Damn. She is going to settle that old debt now.
"Ah… it can't be helped." Ayase sighed, "Naruto is a big liar."
Her voice suddenly became quite serious.
"Not only that, you are perverted, lewd, and also a siscon, lolicon and a huge masochist."
You don't have to say it. When I was about to apologize — my body froze. Because while scolding me, there were tears in Ayase's eyes.
"Every time we met, you sexually harassed me, made me angry…" Her voice was trembling and getting weaker and weaker.
"You are such a kind idiot; you like to butt your nose in other's business."
She wiped away her tears with her sleeve, her voice firm.
"Not only you are dense, unreasonable and kind, but you always troubled me — but that is the Naruto who I fell in love with."
"Ayase…"
For one month, I had lived in this apartement. In this small room, I spent a lot of time with Ayase.
I did want to return home before, but when I moved back, I found out that I had some lingering feelings toward this place. That was normal, because here, I spent time together with Ayase.
That time must have given Ayase the desire to confess to me.
"So, Naruto… your answer."
"Ayase."
"Yes."
"I'm sorry. I already have someone I love."
My answer had already been decided. She must have been aware of that already.
"… Idiot…"
Tears unceasingly fell from Ayase's eyes.
"Idiot!"
A heavy slap.
"Naruto is an idiot!"
Thud! Thud! Ayase hit my chest.
"Idiot idiot idiot!"
She kept pounding on my chest, like she wanted to convey her feelings to my heart.
"Why is it not me! You said you wanted to marry me! You sexually harassed me so many times!"
"Ayase… listen to me. I…"
"Don't joke around, we did perverted things together!"
"Wait a second, we never did anything perverted!"
In this solemn scene, I couldn't help but criticize her! I criticized her without caring for my life! But, but that couldn't be helped, right? There is no way I could let that slide.
"We did! We clearly did! Don't pretend to be dumb!"
"No we didn't! Definitely not!"
Although I sounded like some terrible guy, I didn't do anything! Please believe me!
"I can't believe it… we clearly did…! Did you forget everything already…?"
With anger and tears in her eyes, Ayase's eyes shot at me.
"Back, back then — didn't, didn't didn't didn't didn't you see my breasts!?"
"That is the perverted thing you are talking about? That was an accident! The prank of a naughty child!"
"Is that perverted act is fine just because it was an accident!? Please take responsibility!"
"Can you please stop describing 'seeing your breasts' as something perverted!? What would you do if someone nearby overheard!?"
My reputation around here was already bad enough. I don't need another 'very perverted incident' right now!
"Shut up shut up shut up! If you don't go out with me I will kill you!"
"Ayase!" I raised my voice to interrupt her.
I lowered my voice after that, and spoke in the most serious tone I could muster to convey my feelings.
"No, I can't go out with you. I have already decided. I'm very happy. Very honored. But my answer won't change."
"… Naruto."
Hearing my answer, Ayase was still angry, she snorted 'hmph.'
"I see. To answer like that at this moment, as expected of Naruto."
She already knew my answer, but she still let out her anger and conveyed her true feelings to me.
"You're so cunning, you lying Naruto. You only speak your true feelings at this time."
"Ayase…"
"… From the moment I met you, I had taken an interest in you."
"…"
"Before that, it seemed like I was mistaken. My favorite Naruko's brother seemed very kind… if I married him, Naruko could be my sister… I once had that embarrassing fantasy."
Her cheeks slowly reddened with each memory.
"My fantasy slowly got stronger and stronger… then you shattered it many times…then each time I built a new dream on that new foundation."
Thinking back… after we met each other, a lot had happened. We didn't have much contact, but my memories with Ayase were carved into my heart.
"Before I knew it, I had fallen in love with you." Ayase forced herself a smile.
We paused and looked into each other's eyes
"Naruto."
"… yes?"
"Can you take responsibility for disturbing my heart?"
Because I couldn't go out with her to take responsibility, in that instant, I didn't understand what she meant.
"Really… Naruto is so dense. Every time we part, isn't there something we always do?"
"Ah."
'Pervert! Die!'
"Haha, you're right."
"Yes. That's right."
Even without saying, I felt both a sense of melancholy and nostalgia. I straightened my chest and prepared myself.
"Good! Come at me!"
She was going to send my flying again — although I didn't think it would quell her anger — If this was the past, then tomorrow, we would return back to the way we used to be.
… I felt a little lonely.
"Here I come."
Hey… Ayase… you're taking a running start…? Ayase quickly stormed toward me…
I closed my eyes and prepared to deal with the violent impact. But in the next moment, I didn't feel pain.
*Kiss*
I feel the presence of Ayase gentle lips on mine.
"…!"
I felt like time had stopped. It was only a few seconds, but I felt like it was an hour. Finally, Ayase slowly moved her lips away. Her face red, tears still in her eyes. We looked at other from a close distance.
After giving me a violent good bye, she smiled and said, "See you later, Naruto. I hate you the most."
.
.
.