C2 Part4

Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.

Man this novel has a lot of grammar points I’m not familiar with…. I’m okay with pretty bad quality, but not super shit quality. I might have to put this on pause until I learn more Japanese. If you notice any mistakes or feel that any part sounds weird, let me know.

***

「—Ah, welcome back Shinomiya~. You were in the bath for a long time huh~」

Returning back to my room after taking a bath, I was greeted by the usual scenery— or rather by a little more than usual.

「I always take this long.」

「Do you also always sing too?」

「……..Shouldn’t you be in Miku’s room?」

「Huuh~, did I get bullseye?」

「…….Anymore than this and I’ll have to sue for violating my privacy.」

「Okay okay, I get it~. As for me….. ehehe, I was curious about your room so I let myself in.」

「Don’t give me that “ehehe”, you trespasser. Also, you were being so modest earlier, what happened to that?」

「The bath washed it away.」

Kanzaki, who was laying down on my bed, raised her upper body and stuck out her tongue. It seems like she has got rid of any hesitations she may have had. By the way, I didn’t get rid of my hesitations about her staying here and give her permission, I firmly urged her to get her parent’s permission. I am a gentleman after all.

……..Well, honestly since I am unable to tell them she’d be staying at a guy’s house, I was going to tell her to say she was staying at a friend’s place, but she had already done that when she contacted them earlier during dinner, which made my life easier. Telling lies is convenient!

……Rather than that, she’s got a extremely stimulating appearance. I’d easily die if she called me “gross” if I reacted too much, so I restrained myself.

「That outfit is kind of nostalgic.」

Right now, Kanzaki wasn’t wearing her uniform, she was wearing my pajamas from when I was in middle school.

The light blue clothes were worn by me before, and because they were big for Kanzaki who is slim and elegant, they wrapped around her body more than enough but didn’t leave a sloppy impression, rather it could be said that this is creating a whole new area of fashion.

「Is that all you have to say~?」

「……It suits you. Probably more than it suited my middle-school self.」

「……Should I be happy about that? Being compared to something like that…」

「Who knows.」

While feigning ignorance, I sat down on my desk chair.

Because my work as the person in charge of laundry was done, it was now time for my free-time that I usually had after taking a bath until I go to sleep. That wouldn’t change even with the irregular situation of Kanzaki being in this room.

I can’t anymore. I can’t continue looking. Even if I’m a master at holding a poker face, I can’t suppress the corruption that is this girl wearing my own clothes. Even though she was just using my bed, I felt a little nervous. By the way, Kanzaki’s uniform was not included in the laundry. She didn’t get soaked in the rain after all, so this is natural. I wasn’t expecting anything, seriously.

「Huh….?」

I noticed that the light novel I had started to read, which I definitely left on my desk, was missing. My things weren’t all scattered around, so there was no need to rummage around looking for it.

「——Is this what you’re looking for?」

Turning in response to the voice from behind, I saw Kanzaki laying on the bed on her side, holding up the light novel.

「……Why do you have it?」

「I was reading it while you were in the bath. It’s just the first volume after all.」

「Don’t tell me, you read it all?」

「There’s no way I could have. Probably…… about half?」

「That’s pretty far. You only read the dialogue didn’t you.」

「How rude. I read everything you know. Even between the lines, if you want to put it like that.」

「Don’t pretend like you’re a bookworm……. How was it?」

For me, I think rare events like a girl in the top caste like Kanzaki coming in contact with some kind of otaku content like light novels is a good thing. Because of this, a nostalgic face appeared in my mind and as I realized that I was curious about her thoughts, I asked her that question.

「It was easy to read and was interesting. The illustrations ended up becoming a nice accent….. Well, there are a few indecent parts with regards to them though.」

「That is entertainment. Or rather, one of the charms of light novels.」

「So they’re called light novels….」

She repeated the word she just heard for the first time over and over again like a little child.

「You didn’t even know that huh……. And yet, why did you read it?」

「I was wondering what kind of books you were reading. I just want to know what kind of things the person I like is into.」

Saying that, Kanzaki stood up from the bed and headed closer to the bookshelf.

Well, what an assertive statement….. My life isn’t infinite though.

「Can I take a look?」

「You’re asking that now after already trespassing? Do whatever you want.」

Hearing my words of acknowledgement, Kanzaki began to have a staring contest with my bookshelf, with an expression that would suit some cheerful sound effects. Because there was something comical about it, I forgot about that strange nervousness I had and watched over her, but each time she took a book and placed it down by her feet, her expression became more grim. And then she reached 10 books. With the face of someone at ritual that’s about to start, she beckoned me to come. Maybe I’m going to be sacrificed.

「What’s wrong?」

「There’s something I’m curious about.」

Saying that, she arranged the books that were stacked up into a line on the floor. My bookshelf had books of other genres besides light novels, but these were all light novels. There were books that I’ve read, and of course I caught sight of books that I bought and haven’t ever read—–the so-called act of Tsundoku1

「What do they have in common?」

「They’re all light novels obviously.」

「Narrow your scope a bit more. Let’s see… Look at their front cover art.」

「The front cover art…… Is it that they all have a female character in them?」

「A little more specific.」

「……I dunno.」

「……..It might just be my imagination? But, the girls on these covers, all of them have big chests.」

Probably getting impatient, Kanzaki answered herself……. Ah, it’s true that they’re all big. I would have never noticed if she didn’t say that specifically.

「What about it?」

「………I guess boys do like them big after all.」

I could hear her whispers that seemed to contain a little murderous aura. There’s no way the person receiving this intent, me, would have known why.

Kanzaki is a model, and her style surpasses those of other high school girls, so the power of chests is not a threat to her. The only flaw-like “flaw” that could be pointed out is that the person in question has a complex about this. It seems like these light novels have provoked that complex. She’s done something bothersome. There’s only one thing that I should do in a situation like this, and that’s to comfort her right?

「………….I don’t think being big in particular means everything.」

「I would have believed you if you didn’t pause. If you just didn’t pause!」

With just this complex of hers, her defense is unexpectedly tough. It would have been great if she was comforted without any trouble but…… there’s no helping it. Let’s go to phase 2.

「No, seriously. There’s no way I’d come to like looking at your chest in particular.」

「Stop! How am I supposed to respond to that!?」

She fell into an extreme state of confusion. Since things have become like this, there’s no choice except for a frontal attack——in other words, sound reasoning.

「In the first place, in your case, something like that is outshone by the many superior and excellent points that you have. Worrying about it is just a waste of time.」

「……..I won’t be satisfied by something simple like that. If I had more splendid qualities, you would also have a different impression of this outfit wouldn’t you?」

I tried imagining that kind of what if situation. The scenery of a chest stretching out her clothes, enough to reveal her stomach came to mind. Oh no, my power of imagination is too strong.

「That’s….. Well, I can’t deny it.」

「Don’t answer honestly idiot.」

「Aren’t you the one asking for it?」

Even if I took her into consideration and told her some lies, Kanzaki, being the sharp person she is, would have definitely saw through them. I wouldn’t be able to talk with Kanzaki since she’d end up being displeased, so I chose the more preferable option of telling it to her straight instead of lying. Telling lies is not good after all huh!

「Aaaah. As long as they have a chest then you’ll lose easily huh.」

「Easily you say…should you be saying that to your boyfriend?」

「It’s called “deboning”.」2

「What the hell that sounds scary.」

Kanzaki, who was sitting down on the floor space next to the bed, immediately went to the bed and laid down in a displeased manner behind me. There’s no way she’d attack from the rear. If this was a battlefield, there’s no doubt my short-lived life would end.

Anyways, she’s got a very big bias. It’s a big mistake to think that all guys will easily sway at the sight of only large breasts. Even if we just talk about high school boys.

「It’s not like you to get depressed about something like that.」

「……..What do you mean by that. Those aren’t the words you’d say to comfort a troubled girl don’t you think?」

While appearing to be voicing her complaints, she repeatedly hit my back. As you’d tell from the sound, it didn’t hurt at all.

「The Kotone Kanzaki I know is someone who is always full of self-confidence. That’s why, this isn’t like you.」

As I turned around to look behind me, Kanzaki’s face looked like it had just been pulled away from being buried in a pillow, and her eyes were blinking once again.

「…….What’s with that pretentious line. I don’t remember teaching you that.」

「Relax. I have never learned from your way of speaking this entire time. In the first place, it’s not like I’m a parrot that will mimic you.」

「I like you. Repeat that.」

「The first thing you would teach is a greeting right? As a human that would be the natural choice in my opinion.」

「It’s a good phrase to teach……. Well it’s true that this isn’t really like me. I’ve never been jealous of others before.」

Jealousy in other words is an inferiority complex against others. For someone who excels in many things like Kanzaki, there might not be any space in her mind to hold something like that. Making it this far without it, it’s like she’s cheating as a human. Also, no matter how depressed she gets, she always quickly gets back on her feet really fast. I’m thankful for that though.

Standing up from the bed, Kanzaki began to collect the light novels that she left laying on the floor. Jeez, even kindergarteners know when to clean up you know.

「Are you gonna take any of them home? Let me just say this, though the covers are like that the content is normal.」

Back in middle school, I bought a book cover for them since I hated how people would misunderstand based on the cover. How nostalgic.

However, at the time I thought that plan was fool-proof, but actually it was more risky. Because people are creatures that will get really interested in the things being hidden. Also, things that you can’t see, but seem like you might see them are good. Short peeks are justice.

Well in the end, nobody had any misunderstandings or made fun of me so it was just pointless worrying. Even though they were curious about the book being read, they didn’t have any interest in the person reading the book. My classmates were cold-hearted.

「Hmmm……..If I were to choose then the one I was reading earlier……*Yaaawn*」

「What a healthy person.」

I heard a very lovely yawn from behind, but the hands on the clock have yet to reach 9pm. Speaking of which, there’s going to be a roadshow on Friday. I don’t know what happens there though so I don’t care.

「You were making fun of me just now weren’t you. Just so you know, I am not usually tired this early okay.」

While discontentedly slowly getting up like an actor being lifted up to the stage, Kanzaki stomped her feet. Hey watch it, that’s my floor.

「You can say that again. I’m also more tired than usual today.」

Although I wasn’t drowsy, my body already needed a rest. For now I decided to relax just my shoulders.

「You somehow managed to study properly huh.」

「That’s right. Speaking of which, you have morning practice tomorrow right? I’ll walk you.」

「I have to leave quite early in the morning so it’s alright. You’re bad at waking up early right? I always warn Kasumi-chan about that, but she always just barely makes it.」

Kasumi-chan………is our homeroom teacher Itoi-sensei’s nickname. It’s well-known throughout the student body. I’d rather not call her that ever, or rather I won’t call her that.

「I think it’s fine since she makes it in time though.」

「Well, it’s because of that kind of thinking. I think you should show some praiseworthy self-control every now and then.」

It seems like we’ve somehow reached the topic of me sleeping where I want. By the way, is appealing in this way something praiseworthy? Gestaltzerfall3 never stops.

「……..Sorry.」

「Don’t worry about it. Now then, good night~」

Saying that with a feeling of nervousness, Kanzaki went to go lay her futon down and I felt her gaze disappear. The room instantly quieted down.

Even though it was just another day, after all the events that had occurred today I felt a slight feeling of discomfort.

It’s a little early but I guess I’ll head to…………………………hm?

Why is this girl sleeping in my room as if it was normal?

「Oi, wake up for a sec.」

「……..urghhh……….」

As I lightly shook her shoulder, she turned over to the other side in her sleep. There’s no helping it in this situation.

I’ll have to use force.

「eh, wa- so cold!? What are you doing all of a–………..?」

Kanzaki rubbed her eyes and body. Her jersey was slightly misaligned and her white nape was moderately peeking out. This reaction……Don’t tell me she actually fell asleep for a second there.

「…….Why are you sleeping in my room?」

「Nnn? Uhm…. I’m marking your bed with my scent, so that tomorrow you will faint in agony.」

「……I see. Well, sorry to tell you this but I’m the kind of guy who uses febreeze before and after sleeping, so your scent won’t stay you know?」

That’s why there is deodorizing spray sitting on my desk, as if prepared for this. Recently I’ve also been concerned about the smell of pasta with fried food.

「………..What the heck is with that type. Haaah…….. a clean-freak boyfriend is so bothersome.」

Her tone slightly returned back to normal. It doesn’t seem like she’s half asleep right now.

「I’m not a clean-freak, it’s just a routine thing I do. Rather, you’re saying that? It’s not an exaggeration to say that your goal just now revealed a unique fetish.」

「T-that was just a joke……Don’t tell me you thought I was telling the truth~」

「……..Is that so.」

There are times when its better to just cover something smelly with a lid, instead of deodorizing it. The dead have definitely certified this as a valid choice.

「If I recall correctly, you said you were going to sleep in Miku’s room right?」

「Aah yup. That is true, but I got a message from Miku-chan earlier.」

Kanzaki extended her arms and my eyes fell on the screen of the smartphone she was holding out.

『It is time for my “Golden Time” now so I’ll be going to sleep! Good night!』

That message was sent about 30 minutes ago. In other words, this means that Miku is a healthy, superior child who sleeps at 8pm. That’s the vibe the entire message was giving off. Wait a sec, since when did these two exchange lines? As expected of fellow members of the top caste. Many steps were quickly taken.

「I’d be a bother if I entered her room and woke her up while she is sleeping right? That’s why I decided to sleep on the floor in your room.」

「……..If she really is sleeping that is.」

「……?」

Kanzaki curiously tilted her head to the side. This is the first time she’s met one of my family members. Of course she wouldn’t know.

I used to play games together with Miku late into the night, for many hours, sometimes until the sun came out. I, as her older brother, know that her “Golden Time” is actually when she is collecting items like no one else. Even now, though she has mostly lost her time to play the games she’s had to leave alone, I can easily imagine her playing some kind of social game or hand-held console game under her bed sheet right now. Is that really okay for a student preparing for entrance exams? Well, I can’t talk about that person like that. To the sleepy angel in front of me that is.

「Anyways what’s with that logic. It seems like it’s completely okay to bother me though?」

「How mean…Me being here is a bother to Shinomiya….!」

「No, I didn’t mean it like that though….」

I slightly shrunk back when she moved both of her hands to cover her the area around her eyes. But in reality, doing nothing but behaving modestly when a girl is inviting you like this is probably the reason why virgins are called virgins. And, this girl is one who can take advantage of that modesty.

「Alright then I’ll be sleeping here~.」

She quickly snatched her own benefits. Seeing Kanzaki hide her face with the futon, I became enlightened that “this conversation won’t get anywhere no matter how much I push her”. I somehow became Buddha.

「………Fine. I’ll go sleep somewhere else.」

Letting out a sigh, I stood up.

Sleeping in the living room…… will hurt my neck so I guess I’ll sleep in my parents’ room. The occupants of the room are often absent, but as expected of people who take cleaning seriously. The room is always maintained and super clean. It’s already past a professional job now. We’re waiting to be scouted out by the main office of a cleaning company.

「You don’t have to go out of your way to move, it’s fine to just sleep with me.」

With everything below her waist wrapped up by the futon, Kanzaki pointed out the space next to her. With cute gestures and a nice expression, I couldn’t tell if she was actually serious or just joking around.

Even so, I didn’t want to get caught up in the flow of things.

「Did you think I could fit there? Surprisingly your occupancy of that area is quite high don’t you think?」

「Don’t say something that sounds like you’re saying I’m big!?」

「You were wishing for it earlier weren’t you? I thought you wanted to be “big”.」

「………………………………Meanie.」

Muttering that, Kanzaki grew timid and covered herself with the futon once again, facing her back towards the door. I think this is far enough for today.

And about this light novel…..let’s let the person in question borrow it as they desired. I haven’t read it yet since it’s a new work that came out this month, but if she read it from the start to half of it already then I want her to read it until the end.

「Alright, good night.」

With the springy sound of a switch being flipped sounding out, the electricity in the room disappeared. I didn’t expect a response back, so I started to walk to leave that room behind me,

「W-wait a second. Rather, turn the light on for a sec.」

Kanzaki called out in a seemingly frantic state. For now let’s just do as she said.

「What’s wrong?」

「A N-night-light……You wouldn’t happen to have one of those would you?」

Her face was openly turned away, and her voice was shaky. Ohoho.

「Are you afraid perhaps?」

「T-there’s no way I’m scared! Just get a night-light already!」

「I got it. Then—-」

I setup a night-light while I was talking…..but,

「W-wait a minute. Okay, turn the lights on again.」

「What’s wrong this time……Don’t tell me——」

「…….The shadows made by the night-light shining on the bookshelves is scary.」

「I don’t have the lee-way to hide something like that.」

Something like that is not really something to be worried about though. Is it because it’s also realism?

「The environment can be said to be the main cause of this right? So…….You, the owner of this room, should take responsibility.」

What the hell, this unreasonable complainer is such a pain. She even thought up some kind of unexpected logic.

「If I had to choose, then it’s better to say that you are the primary cause of it right? Because you feel scared. Anyways, you could just cover yourself with the futon and you won’t see anything right?」

「Stop spouting your sophism and come here already!」

「It’s not really sophism though.」

While she was saying some rude words, I headed over to the bed because it’s possible that we’d cause the neighbors trouble with all this noise.

「So. How do you want me to take responsibility?」

「Stay by my side until I fall asleep. To be more specific, I might be happy if you hold my hand.」

「Are you a kid……….」

It’s quite greedy if you ask for it specifically.

「Saying that while he was pretending to be shocked, Shinomiya eventually did as he was told.」

「I told you to stop acting like a narrator…….. Also I’m not doing this because I’m being forced to, so don’t think about asking for this again.」

「Fufu, you aren’t persuasive at all~」

She squeezed my right hand that was holding hers. I could feel the warmth of her body quite well. I’m relieved that it’s just something like this, something simple.

「The light novel from earlier. I put it on top of your bag.」

「Roger that. Alright then I’m going to try to sleep.」

「What’s with that announcement…… Good night.」

「Nnn」

Kanzaki gave that brief reply and closed her eyes. I couldn’t hear the sound of her sleeping breaths, but there was also no signs of her mouth moving. Like this, I don’t think it’s necessary for me to be here if she can sleep with the lights on but………Well, it would be tasteless to voice my thoughts.

Afterwards, I waited for Kanzaki to fall asleep just like that before I could change rooms. I’m used to seeing her sleeping face after all the times in the clubroom……….is what I thought but,

———Why does she smell so good?

Because I was holding her hand, I was inevitably forced to stay close to the side of my bed but, this seemed like it was a critical region. The aroma suddenly rising from her chestnut-coloured hair attacked my nose relentlessly.

And the surprising thing was that she used the same shampoo as me. And yet why am I so conscious of this smell………Somebody please propose a thesis to me.

Chapter 2 – Part 3 | Index | Intermission 1

Tsundoku, as explained in the sentence is when you buy books but never read them and they just keep piling up.The words used here can mean to debone (fish, etc), dilute (water, etc) or uh emasculation. Tbh I don’t really get this part, so I’ve just stuck with the first meaning listed. Gestaltzerfall – In plain terms, if a subject reads or hears the same term over and over, that term ceases to have any meaning.

Like this:Like Loading...

Related