kscans

Chapter 186 - The Coming Day, in the Real World

"—Kasuga-kun?"

"..."

"Hellooo? Ha-ru-ka-ku-un?"

"...Hmm? Ah, wha—sorry, what is it?"

I called out to the young man who had been spacing out for a while.

Finally reacting to my voice from right beside him, he flashed a flustered, apologetic smile. Shijo Kaede, however, didn't pout at his behavior; instead, she lowered her brows with a look of guilt.

"I'm sorry, was this a bad idea after all?"

It was just after noon when I, breaking our promise of 'from next month on,' ended up calling Haru out on this last day of April.

Being a Sunday, the usual four of us had gathered, but it all started when Toshiki muttered, "I wonder if we could get Haru to come too," after we got excited about a certain topic.

I contacted him, not expecting much, and of course, he turned me down at first—

"It's not like that. I'm the one who said I was free until the evening."

He offered aフォローを入れる彼の笑顔は、何というか今日も綺麗(・・)だ。

His follow-up smile was, how should I put it, beautiful today as well.

It's like he's used to smiling or something... It's a shame that we haven't gotten close enough for me to tell whether it's genuine or forced.

"I was honestly surprised and happy you showed up, but are you really sure you can't make it tonight? It's gonna be a blast."

"Sorry, but tonight is absolutely, seriously impossible."

In response to Toshiki's probing from across the table, Haru flatly refused, as if to say, "This is non-negotiable."

The original invitation was also about tonight, and he'd been like this from the start. It was only because Shoko had latched onto his words, "I just can't do tonight," that we were able to meet up outside of university for the first time...

"...Hmm, what's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing. Your ice cream is going to melt, you know?"

We're still far from today's main event, just at the appetizer, but...

I'm just genuinely happy that he's finally joined our usual group, holed up in a corner of our favorite cafe. I was staring at his profile with a grin I couldn't hide, and he tilted his head in confusion.

To distract him, I pointed to the drink in his hand, where the toppings were starting to melt. Haru, who had been spacing out again, said, "Oops," and picked up his spoon-straw as if just remembering.

I'd never seen him eat dessert or anything at the school cafeteria, but seeing him order one after imitating Shoko and Kaede's free-for-all, it seems he has an unexpected sweet tooth.

I watched him put the ice cream in his mouth, his cheeks softening for a moment before he tried to hide it, and I couldn't help but think he was a little 'cute.'

"But anyway—I can see why I was invited now. So this was that kind of gathering."

As he started to break apart the contents of his cup, which had lost the boundary between drink and dessert, Haru looked around at everyone and said that.

It was because, in the course of inviting him to today's event, Kaede had also revealed part of the reason she had approached him in the first place.

"Um, I'm sorry, okay? I really wasn't trying to snoop or anything..."

"I know. And I wouldn't mind either way."

It was a complete coincidence. One day during a break, I happened to see him on his phone, looking up articles about the Sword Saint. Even without watching closely, his intense focus made me feel like he might be a 'kindred spirit.'

—In other words, a fellow Arcadia nerd like us.

"Let me say it again, I'm not at the level of a nerd yet, okay? It's only been a little over two months since I started getting into that stuff."

"But you like it, right?"

"Well, yeah."

"Then you're a comrade. Welcome."

When Toshiki shot back at his somewhat defensive words, Haru nodded without denying it. Seeing this, Mizuki offered a hand, and he shook it with a wry smile, though he didn't seem entirely displeased.

My best friend from elementary school isn't usually the type to offer handshakes, but when it comes to one particular field, she's a far more serious Arcadian than I am.

She's probably just genuinely thrilled to have a new friend she can talk to about her hobbies in the real world. I remember how she acted all cool but was secretly overjoyed when I introduced her to Shoko and Toshiki.

However, when it comes to Haru, I think I'm more of a—well, I'm not entirely sure about that yet.

"It's a real shame, though. I know you have plans, but since it's your first Four Pillar War, you must've wanted to watch it live, right, Haru?"

"...Well, yeah, that's true."

"Eh, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing."

Shoko tilted her head at his hesitant reply, but he immediately put on a forced smile... I wonder if he's intentionally cultivating this mysterious aura he gives off sometimes?

He doesn't need to do that, he's plenty attrac—

"Ngh, ahem...!"

"Whoa, hey, what's wrong? You okay?"

I was so startled by my own hasty thoughts that I choked. I don't see him as a romantic interest, so I really shouldn't be thinking such things.

Haru, though surprised, immediately prepared a paper napkin and checked on me. I lightly tapped my chest and smiled back, saying, "I'm fine."

See, he's so considerate and smooth... well, that's just the kind of guy he is.

If I look at him with too much admiration, I'll quickly start getting the wrong idea about myself. And as for me, that's a no-thank-you.

If Haru turns out to be the kind of person I'm hoping for—in many ways, it's best if we can be friends on equal footing, without any unnecessary emotions.

...Of course, the three people watching us from the side couldn't care less about my inner thoughts. They kept shooting me smirking glances whenever Haru wasn't looking.

I can forgive Toshiki and Shoko, but Mizuki is just cruel. She, of all people, understands my 'passion' better than anyone.

"Well... yeah. I'll just watch the archives later at my own pace."

"Oh, then let's get together again for that! They're gonna stream a stupid number of perspectives anyway, so we can watch it over and over and still get hyped."

While I was fighting back against Shoko and Mizuki's relentless smirks with a glare, Toshiki made a convenient suggestion.

That's true. It's a shame my target player won't be participating, but even I end up digging through the archives countless times whenever the Four Pillar War is held.

So much so that my parents get angry at me for "watching too many videos."

It's the world's greatest entertainment, unparalleled by anything else. I'd appreciate it if they'd cut me some slack for getting a little obsessed.

"If everyone's okay with that, I'd be happy to join."

"I'm looking forward to it"—Haru says, expressing his feelings honestly.

I can't say I know everything about him yet, but... I hope I can get to know this guy, who has so many likable qualities, even better. Kaede lets a smile slip.

And just like that, the perceptive Haru tilts his head again, asking, "What's wrong?"—and when I smile back and say it's nothing, he just blinks in confusion.