ãStaaaareã
ãHuh? Wh-What?ã
In the high school classroom.
I was being eyed suspiciously by Shitenno.
ãIroha, you didn't deceive me, did you?ã
ãAbout what?ã
ãWell, when I agreed to help you with your research, your grades started to improve. A secret study strategy⦠no, it couldn't be that. It's you, after all.ã
ãHeyã
Shitenno doubted me but quickly resolved it on his own.
It's a mystery whether his assessment was a compliment or an insult.
ãUh⦠By the way, how was the lab? Did it help with your studies?ã
ãAh, yes. To be honest⦠I was overwhelmedã
ãWhat?ã
ãI realized I'm still not there yet. The people working there are all geniuses, like monsters. They're insanely smart.ã
ãThat much?ã
Come to think of it, didn't that female engineer say she was from MIT or used to work for Gogooru? Still, itâs surprising.
ãEven from your perspective, they're that amazingã
ãOf course. Also, Iroha. You're amazing too. I felt the gap.ã
ãHuh?ã
ãCreating your own role in an environment full of geniuses is incredibly difficult. In that place, most people are just negligible.ã
ãI'm not that impressiveã
Thanks to my language cheat, anyway.
I denied it out of discomfort.
ãNo. If someone our age like you could do it, I thought I could too⦠but I couldn't compete. Not yetã
No, no, Shitenno is the impressive one.
Facing such geniuses and not breaking, even saying "not yet".
ãThanks for introducing me to that place. It was a great stimulus. And I have a new goal now.ã
ãOh?ã
ãI will become a scholar. That hasn't changed. But now, there's something else I want to do⦠I'll keep it a secret for nowã
ãIs that so? Good luckã
ãAt least pretend to be more interested. Well, that's just like youã
Ugh!? Did it show on my face that much?
But it wasn't a topic related to VTubers.
Then, a voice echoed, "Ah~~~~!"
The girl, as usual, came straight towards us as she entered the classroom.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
ãIroha-chaaaaaan! Listen to me!ã
ãUh, what?ã
She clung to me and started talking.
Ah, this is going to be troublesome.
ãWhat do you think about workplace romance? And age gaps? It's better to date friends or people your age, right!?ã
ãHmm. I don't think I can help with that topic. I really don't think so. Sorryâ¦ã
ãYou can't escape! This idiot⦠he was flirting with a woman at the lab!ã
ãHuh!? I wasnât doing that!? And what do you mean by flirting!?ã
Well, I don't really care either way.
Could you let go of my shoulder? Please don't drag me into this.
ãAt first, both Shitenno and I were assigned the same tasks. But then he was alone with the woman from the lab.ã
ãWow~. Shitenno, skipping work, huh? So, when you said you had a "new goal", you meantã
ãNo, that's not it!? Believe me, Iroha! I'm devoted to you!?ã
ãIroha-chan, scold him more! He got all cocky just because she said "You're interesting"! She was just teasing him!ã
ãNo, that's not it!? She said my âidea' was interesting! And she gave me more tasks because of that!ã
ãOh, I see. You were given other tasks, huh?ã
ãShe said things like "I like it", "I look forward to your future", and "I want you". She wanted me as her exclusive assistantâ¦! It's an abuse of power!ã
ãUhâ¦ã
Isnât it just that the woman recognized Shitennoâs talent?
And I think I might know who she is.
But⦠Shitenno, you're amazing.
As I was thinking, I heard "still" from earlier.
ãIroha-chan! This is unforgivable, right!?ã
ãIroha, you understand, right!? Believe me!ã
ãHmmâ¦ã
I pondered for a moment and gave my verdict.
ãGuilty! Shitenno's at fault!ã
ãWhy!?ã
ãI knew Iroha-chan would understand!ã
âAnd I collapse, saying, âIâm innocent!?ââ
The girl looked down at Nno with a smug look, saying, âSee?!ââ¦
Hahaha, you still donât understand, Shitenno.
Basically, when you get into an argument with a girl, youâve already lost.
And I donât want to go out of my way to be the loser either.
ãIroha!?ã
So, I decided to abandon Shitenno to avoid getting dragged in.
Sorry, Shitenno⦠good luck.
***
One evening, while I was spending my days like this.
Angu Ogu approached me with a grin.
ãâTrick or Treat!ã
Angu Ogu, with arms wide open, attacked me with a "Gao~!"
The Halloween night curtain rose.