Chapter 69

「Ah! Romeo, look! The new volumes from Thunderbolt Bunko are already on sale!」

「It is! They were probably released ahead of schedule because the next release date falls on a Sunday.」

「Oh no… How am I going to do this? I really want to buy the new volume of『Maouka Koukou no Rettousyu』right now since it’s released but… Momo’s around.」

Oh, I get it. She’s even hidden the fact that she’s a light novel otaku from Momoi-san. Honestly, it’s a miracle how Clumsykura managed to hide that from Momoi-san for this long… After the movie ended, Momoi-san said,『Hey, I’m going to take a break at the cafeteria on the first floor to sort out my impressions of the movie we just saw.』and left. Upon which, seizing the opportunity, Asakura-san made a dash straight to the light novel section in the bookstore located on the third floor… (Andou)

「Juliet, I don’t see a problem with you buying it though? Leaving aside that this is a light novel, don’t the bookstores give it to you in a bag which means the contents of your purchase is hidden? And if she does ask what did you buy, you could always gloss over it and claim it’s just a book.」

「Y-You’re right! Then maybe I should get some other books too!」

Hehe~♪ Today is such a wonderful day! I got to watch the SAO movie with Andou-kun and browse light novels with him at the bookstore! Even so, Thunderbolt Bunko always has a lot of new light novels… Which should I pick up next? (Asakura)

「Mmmm, which is better? For my love for unrivalled cheat series, I…」

Asakura-san has started seriously scrutinizing the new light novels. Urgh- This is going to take forever… This is going to sound weird but including this visit, I’ve only been to the bookstore three times with Asakura-san. However, even if it’s just doing the regular shopping, I’ve come to understand one thing about her… When she’s in this phase, it takes forever for her to shop! (Andou)

「Sorry, Juliet. I’m going to check on Momoi-san on the first floor. I’ll head down first, alright?」

「… Mmm.」

AHHH! I can’t decide. The title says『Another World』and『Elf』on it but it reeks of a copy and paste template… Books that use a template like these chock full with keywords typically bomb and there are a lot of them. (Asakura)

Yeah, she’s not paying any attention to me… Well, it’s going to take at least 30 minutes before she notices anything. I’ll just get Momoi-san to send her a text later. (Andou)

「Maybe I should check out those alternate universe zombie panic books…?」

*****

First Floor – Cafeteria

「Nnnn, who would have thought I’ll be led by the nose by an anime of all things~…」

「Momoi-san.」

「Eh, Andou-kun? W-What are you doing here… Where’s Sakura?」

「Nah, I’m just checking in on you because you seemed off earlier…」

「Eh, wha… Ugh. Seriously, you shouldn’t be doing this, Andou-kun. Don’t you think that it’s of ill taste when the lead character, Romeo, puts Juliet the heroine aside and has a dalliance with another girl? Afterall, my role as the narrator is but a pitiful supporting actor.」

「EEEHH? T-That was never my intention! I just—」

「…?」

That reminds me. If I carelessly utter『Asakura-san’s name』then I’ll have to do the penalty, right? Then, although embarrassing, I’ll keep up with using the name『Juliet』… (Andou)

「Compared to spending time with Juliet (Asakura-san who’s engrossed selecting her light novels), I’m more interested in (checking up on) you, Momoi-san. That’s why I’m here.」

「… FUUEHE!?」

UAAABABABA! Andou-kun, what are you saying all of a sudden? T-T-T-T-That’s like saying compared to Sakura, you have feelings fo–… N-N-No way! It’s impossible that he could have meant that! W-W-W-Why that’s cause Andou-kun likes Sakura, and moreover… I’m taller than Sakura, a chatterbox… and I’m hiding my true self— (Momoi)

「S-Seriously! What are you saying, Andou-kun~ When you put it that way, it’s as if you’re actually having a lover’s tiff with me ♪」

「Ueee!? That was not my intention… It’s just, Juliet’s engrossed with shopping right now …」

「Ohhhh~~ Oh! Sakura does take a while to shop.」

「Oh, you’ve experienced it too.」

「Well duh, I’m her best friend~」

Geez… See, that was definitely me overthinking it. (Momoi)

「But, Andou-kun. You know what I think? I think you used me as an excuse to get out of shopping with Sakura.」

「No, that’s not true at all. I genuinely came by because I was worried about you.」

「Hick-!? Fuu, heh… I see~」

W-Woah. That shocked me… Andou-kun looked so serious… It would have made me fall for him. Well, luckily, I’m not Sakura. So those words have absolutely no effect on me. (Momoi)

「…?」

Momoi-san’s face is a little red though… As I thought, she’s not feeling well. (Andou)

Meanwhile, Asakura-san at the moment.

「Ah! There’s a new volume of Treasure too! Kyaaa! The new volume『Otherworldly Monster Hunter』is out too!」 *excited♪*