Chapter 5

"Then, how did the confession go? Come on, tell me, Canyon-kun."

Just from the text, I can tell that Baron is smirking on the other side of the screen. No, I know you understand what it means to receive a confession.

But, since I promised to report back as a return for the advice... and since you said you'll give me more advice, I guess it's fine to report back.

"Well, as planned, I did receive the confession. Though, a lot happened..."

"A lot? I want to hear about that 'a lot' in detail..."

Ugh... I knew it would come to this... Anyway, I'll play the game while writing the details in the chat. I'll start from when I helped her and we went home together.

...I'll leave out the part where she saw me without a shirt. I don't want her to misunderstand.

"Wow, what a青春 (youth)! I didn't expect you to save a girl from such a predicament. Are you, like, a hero or something?"

No, I'm just a guy who likes social games and working out. It was just a coincidence that I was there to help.

"But when we went home together, it was awkward. She was unusually quiet... I didn't know what to talk about, and I wish I had asked Baron for advice on that..."

"Hmm, relying on me for that kind of conversation is not a good idea... But, in such situations, it's better to listen to her first rather than talk about yourself."

"That's why I'm struggling..."

Even when I tried to listen, Nana was unusually quiet, and she seemed distracted no matter what I said... What was I supposed to ask in that state?

My hobbies are just social games and working out, and I thought she wouldn't find those topics interesting... By the time I realized this, we had already reached the station.

"First, ask about her hobbies and show her that you're interested. Then, expand the conversation from there. Whatever you do, don't just talk about yourself."

Baron kept giving me advice without knowing my state of mind. Right, I should start by asking about her hobbies...

"Still, Baron, you seem to know a lot about this. Did you have a lot of girlfriends in high school?"

"No, it's all from the internet. I didn't have any girlfriends in high school. It's convenient these days; you can find all the information you need online."

I wish I could return my admiration. It's just from the internet, huh? Well, I guess there is a lot of that kind of information online...

"Still, I don't think it will work out... Canyon, you should break up with her before you get hurt."

Peach wrote just a little bit. She must be worried about me, always opposing my relationship with Nana. Her concern is appreciated, but I can't bring myself to break up with her.

"Well, I already got hurt when I cut my head, so I don't think I'll get hurt any more."

"Huh? Did you get hurt...?"

Peach reacted to my joking tone. I explained that I had cut my forehead and she had carried me to the infirmary.

"Canyon-kun, you even got hurt helping her? I didn't know that. Are you okay? Head injuries are dangerous; you should go to the hospital... You shouldn't be playing games right now."

"Your forehead... Is it okay?"

Baron and Peach were both worried about me. Ah, I didn't mention that part earlier, so Baron seemed a bit flustered.

I told them I was fine, but they both strongly insisted that I go to the hospital if I felt anything strange.

...Hmm, I think I'm fine, but now I'm getting a bit worried. Maybe I'll talk to my parents when they get home.

"Anyway, since the confession was accepted, let's set a goal for this week."

"A goal for this week?"

Baron suddenly said something strange. I was wondering what kind of goal it would be, and he immediately wrote it in the chat.

"Why don't you aim to hold her hand this week? It's not strange for a couple to do that. But, don't force it. Your goal is to make her want to hold your hand."

Baron suddenly set a high bar. Holding hands with a girl... I've never done that before.

But...

"Today, we shook hands when we said goodbye, but that's not the same as holding hands..."

"It's not the same. Let's aim to hold hands on the way to and from school this week."

He set a bar that was way too high for me. Holding hands on the way to and from school is a dream scenario, but how do I build up enough goodwill to do that?

I don't have a reliable best friend to teach me how to build up a girl's goodwill. Real-world relationships are difficult because they can't be quantified... How many points do I need to hold hands?

"Don't overthink it. Let's aim for Friday this week. Until then, you need to build up her goodwill. The method is up to you."

Friday... It's Tuesday today, so that's only three days... No, two days if you exclude the day itself. Isn't that too difficult?

And, please tell me how to do it. Don't leave it to me.

Just as I was about to reply in the chat... I received a message from Nana on my messaging app.

We had exchanged contact information, but I didn't expect her to message me on the first day. Without any mental preparation, I reflexively opened the message.

In a panic, I read the content...

"Since we're dating... let's go to school together from tomorrow. How about meeting at the station at 7:30?"

The message was marked as read as soon as I saw it. I wish I had consulted Baron before it was marked as read. In a panic, I immediately reported this to Baron.

"Baron, it's serious! She messaged me saying we should go to school together tomorrow. How should I reply?!"

"What's serious about it! You should say yes right away! Hurry up!! Make sure to convey that you're happy to go to school together!! Hurry up!!"

Baron's response to my panic was quick. How do I convey happiness in a message? I'm not a writer. Can I even do that?!

After the message was marked as read, I spent some time thinking about what to write. What if she thinks I'm ignoring her...

No, in situations like this, it's better not to overthink it. If I can't think of anything, I should just go for it! Alright!

"I'm happy to go to school with Nana. 7:30, got it. I'm looking forward to it."

It feels like a very stiff message, but that's the best I can do right now. I can't write anything more considerate.

What will she think... As soon as I sent the message, it was marked as read. Nana's reply was quick.

"I'm looking forward to it too."

That was the only message she sent back, but... I can't stop my cheeks from smiling. It's the first time a girl has said she's looking forward to something with me... I can't help but smile.

"Baron, we're meeting at the station at 7:30 tomorrow. What should I do?"

"...I'd like you to think about it a bit more... But, if you're meeting at 7:30, it's better to arrive at the meeting place by 7:00."

Isn't that a bit early? As if answering my question, Baron continued.

"Being a bit early is much better than being late. Being late is the worst thing you can do. Even if you don't mean to, it can make the other person feel disrespected. Plus..."

"Plus...?"

Baron paused for a moment, then wrote the next part teasingly.

"Don't you want to see your cute girlfriend as soon as possible?"

"Cute girlfriend..." My cheeks heated up at the words. When I think about it, even though it's for a month, Nana is my girlfriend... I can't stop smiling when I think about it.

"Listen, Canyon-kun. You need to make her like you. So... prioritize her above all else. Ah, don't worry about the game events. You can keep your team membership, but focus on deepening your relationship with her."

...Hmm, I want to continue the game events, which are in the middle... More importantly, I don't want to inconvenience my team if I leave... When Baron says it like that, I feel grateful but also a bit guilty.

"The ideal would be for her to enjoy the game with you... But let's put that aside for now. Focus on deepening your relationship with her. Don't worry, it'll be fine. When someone falls in love, they'll do things together."

That's true... If Nana plays games with me, it would be really fun. Just thinking about it... I can't stop smiling.

"Got it. I'll leave home early tomorrow. So, I'm going to sleep now. Good night."

"Okay, good night. I hope it goes well."

I really can't sleep with my feet facing Baron... I don't even know where he lives or what he looks like... But I'll assume he's in that direction and try to sleep while thinking about Nana, whom I'll go to school with tomorrow...

I was so excited that it took me nearly an hour longer than usual to fall asleep, which made me realize how simple I am.

Interlude: Nana at that time

"Tomorrow is the meeting... Meeting with Youshin... Going to school together... Going to school with my boyfriend... With Youshin... Boyfriend..."

As soon as I started thinking about it, I felt embarrassed.

I was nervous in bed, but I managed to fall asleep.