Volume 3 - CH 8

“Ta-da♪”

Following Hikari’s lead, I struck the same pose in front of the camera. At the same time, the music stops and the guys at school who were watching us with fond eyes clap their hands.

“Thanks for the support, everyone ! I’m going to upload the video where I just danced to the “Pikarin Channel” soon, so please give it a high rating and subscribe to the channel !”

Hikari waved at the audience as she wrapped it up, and then I waved to the audience as I left. Then, in the shadows where no one was watching, Hikari said something.

“It’s going to be a hit for sure !”

She looked so happy and struck a gut pose.

“I see. Congratulations.”

“Senpai, you’re a bit low on energy. You’ve got a lot to do for your current popularity, so have confidence in yourself !”

The “Pikarin Channel” is a channel named after me and Hikari. It’s been about a month since it was launched, and the popularity was greater than I imagined.

Hikari and I posted daily videos that were neither poison nor medicine, and we didn’t know what was interesting. The number of subscribers to our channel had already exceeded 300,000, and the number of followers on SNS had also increased considerably. It was so successful that I couldn’t believe I had anything to do with it, and it even made me break out in a cold sweat.

“I knew it was cheating to be ahead of the trend ! Above all, the initial boost from the name recognition of you, senpai ! I think we’ll be over 10 million in 10 years !”

“I think it’s the agent’s editing skills that did it.”

“That’s one thing for sure ! As expected of AI ! It does what I teach it perfectly! ! But you know? The biggest reason for its growth is my cuteness !”

“I guess so. Well, I’m going to go to the back.”

“Why !?”

“What do you mean by why….”

To be honest, I didn’t feel too bad about it. In addition to defending Daiki, I’m also a pioneer in the youth trend…… Influencer, is that what they call it? No, as far as I know it, it’s probably an old term, but it’s kind of annoying to be asked for pictures in the street, but I’m still happy when I get that much of a joy.. But still.

“I’m not trying to be popular.”

“So that’s why I’m asking you ! People praise you ! I can see the success ! And it’s going to rain money ! You’re an adult, so you understand, don’t you? Just a handful of successful people. A dream that was out of reach no matter how you tried ! And it’s coming true !”

“Maybe that’s fine with you, but……I just need to beat Daiki, Saki, and my parents. We are our own losers. I just want them to be sorry for everything they’ve done to me.”

“Isn’t that the same thing ! I mean, you’ve already fulfilled that dream ! All you have to do now is get the information ! I’m sure they’ll come up to you when they find you, right? They will be sorry, you know !?”

“Maybe so, but…..not like this…..”

“I don’t know what you’re thinking….senpai. What are you unhappy about now? This success is the reason why you came back to the past, right?”

I don’t know…… that’s obvious. I’m not trying to make her understand, nor do I want her to understand. I just want to get rid of my regrets.

“You want to go back in time and be popular this time. Right?”

“And on top of that I want to have a normal life and a love life. I want to have it all better. The saints will say it’s wrong, but …..that’s normal, isn’t it? If everyone could go back in time, they would want to get rid of the regrets of the past. Isn’t it natural to think that way?”

“I think so too. But …… I don’t care about the future.I don’t care what happens 10 years from now. I just want to enjoy the present.”

“Senpai……you’re an adults. You understand, right? You know that what you did as a child will change the rest of your life, a life that will last more than 70 years. That’s why studying is important and doing your best in club activities. It’s all for the future.”

“That’s right. But,……what I want to do is have a childhood tantrum.”

“Tantrum?”

“It’s not fair that my brother is the only one favored. I’m trying to do my best, so I want to be praise. I want them to acknowledge me. I just want them to listen to my selfishness, which is something I can’t even talk about as an adult. I just want them to listen to me.”

“……You want to do what you can’t do as a child, and not for the sake of the future?　Does that have any meaning?”

“In my mind, it does. You’re right, I have to live for the next 70 years. How can I walk such a long road and not prepare for anything? In your case, you have to get ready. In my case, I get the confidence that I will never break. I’m talking about both of us.”

“Well,…..I see what you’re saying, but……what were we talking about?”

I don’t…..remember exactly what we were talking about either. But I can tell you one thing…….

“I’m talking about beating Daiki. There’s no point if I become popular without him. I want him to recognize that I’m better than him in front of everybody. That’s all.”

“Aren’t you too much of a child, senpai…..?”

“That’s fine. I’m just a kid now.”

Now, let’s check the daily routine. Let’s see if there is any information about Daiki and the others….. I’ve become so famous. It’s about time for a piece of information or two…..

“Kouki kuuuuun !”

A loud voice came from far away as I looked at my phone. It sounds unpleasant, but I’m used to it. This kind of thing happened……

“I’ve come to see you~ Take this.”

“W….why are you suddenly hugging me….?”

It’s common to be approached, but very rare to be hugged. This kind of thing is rather unethical…..

“Because I’m your girlfriend, Kouki kun～”

Hearing those words, I looked up. There was no way I could’ve mistaken her for.

“Nobu Nobu?

It was the adult Shinobu san who was supposed to have disappeared after the past changed.