Chapter 31

It's already summer, and yet there's been no progress between me and that girl from the cram school.

However, I found out her name. It's Ayano Aoi.

As usual, I peeked at the name written on her study materials.

Aoi, what a fitting name.

I feel like my stalker index is rising.

I can't laugh at Daisuke anymore...

But then, an opportunity suddenly came.

As usual, I secured the seat next to Aoi and was observing her.

Then, Aoi, who was preparing for class, dropped her pen! I picked it up at the speed of light!

"Ah..."

Aoi, whose pen was taken, looked flustered when she saw me.

This is my chance! A once-in-a-lifetime chance!

"Um..."

"I, I am Reika Katsuragi! Nice to meet you! How are you?"

Aoi's hand was reaching for the pen I was firmly holding, but this is an important hostage. I can't just give it back easily.

"Um..."

She looks scared.

Why? Is it because my eyes are glaring like a predator? Or because of my long, straight hair?

No, I'm not scary! Really!

A breakthrough, a breakthrough...

"I also love Taro the Yams!"

"Eh?"

I decided to go for a direct approach.

Originally, I wanted to become friends with Aoi because I saw an unpopular mascot attached to her bag.

"Ever since I saw your Taro keychain, I've wanted to talk to you."

Oh, it feels like I'm confessing.

I'm so nervous that my hands are shaking. My heart is pounding.

"So, um, will you be my friend?"

"..."

Wow, I feel like I might cry from nervousness.

Big brother, I intended to approach her gradually, but I closed the distance all at once!

What should I do? Please come to my rescue!

"Um, please give me back my pen."

"..."

Ah... it's over.

Aoi's eyebrows were drooping, just like Taro's.

Of course, she doesn't want to be friends with someone like me.

That's right. Aoi, who is the type to dislike someone like me, the queen of fake Rococo.

Besides, I have long, straight hair.

I see, I see.

I'm sorry. I won't bother you anymore. I'll quietly retreat...

I handed the pen back to Aoi.

I won't cry, no matter what.

Big brother, I've been rejected.

Sigh...

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

After taking the pen I returned, Aoi thought for a moment, then looked up at me and said:

What?

"I'm Ayano Aoi."

I know. I'm a potential stalker.

"Please be my friend."

Aoi said this with a smile.

Eh?! Really?!

Why?! You were so scared just now. Why?!

"But, you were avoiding me, right?"

Aoi looked a bit awkward.

I shouldn't have asked that.

"Because you said you like Taro."

She pointed to Taro on her bag.

"No one has ever said they like Taro before."

"Me too!"

I haven't directly asked anyone around me, but no one has ever mentioned liking Taro the Yams, let alone talked about him. They probably don't even know he exists.

"I also want to talk about Taro."

"Sure!"

Yes! Yes!

Big brother! I did it!

It seems I've become friends with Aoi!

When class started, we paused our conversation, but as soon as it ended, we resumed talking.

Aoi's grandfather lives in a rural area where Taro the Yams originated.

She bought the keychain last year when she visited her grandfather's house.

Taro merchandise is only sold locally.

"Interesting. I searched online, but I couldn't find any Taro merchandise. I was wondering where Ayano got that plush keychain. Maybe it was handmade?"

"Ahaha, I think it's because Taro isn't well-known. There aren't many types, and it doesn't seem to sell well."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. The bags of yams sold locally have Taro's picture printed on them, and there are panels in stores, but when I went, no one else was buying Taro merchandise except me."

"Oh!"

So Taro is a pitiful character...

Aoi, like me, started liking Taro because he looked so unremarkable and gradually became sympathetic.

Is Taro only gaining fans through sympathy?

"Upon closer inspection, he has a unique face, but at first glance, he's quite plain."

"Yeah..."

I think the light brown color also makes him look plain.

We talked about Taro for the entire time until the second period started.

It was a lot of fun.

Aoi and I agreed to sit next to each other again next week. I'm so happy.

When I got home, I reported to big brother right away.

"I did it, big brother! I became friends with Aoi!"

"Aoi? The girl from the cram school you wanted to be friends with?"

"Yes. We talked a lot about Taro today."

"Oh, that subtle mascot you like..."

I had shown big brother Taro the Yams online before.

Big brother, you also said it was "subtle" at that time.

"Big brother, don't you understand Taro's charm yet?"

"It seems not. I don't think I ever will."

"Eh?"

Why can't big brother understand this cuteness?

But big brother did give me advice about Aoi.

Maybe I'll make him a midnight snack as a thank you.

Big brother, look forward to it!

Ah, today was such a good day!