Final Chapter

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【Tsuchiya Bunta】

Ever since I consulted with my little sister, my internal struggle continued.

Should I just keep waiting for a message? Shouldn’t I be the one to send it? And if so, what should I even write—?

No matter how much I agonized over it, the clock wouldn’t stop for me. Time marched on mercilessly.

And that wasn’t the only trial I faced.

As if seeing through my weak-willed thinking that meeting her would ease my guilt, I’d become unable to see her again.

Today marks one week since I last saw Saint-sama.

Honestly, this one hits hard. Goes without saying my suffering’s only increased.

I mean, I took pride in being chosen as the commoner sample precisely because I didn’t pry into private matters—I had that success story.

For better or worse, keeping my distance from others is what got me to where I am now.

That’s exactly why I can’t help but hesitate to take that step forward.

Even just checking if she’s okay—look at this pathetic state I’m in.

What if she thinks I’m using concern as a cover for my ulterior motive of getting closer to Saint-sama? That’s the kind of hopeless excuse running through my head.

Looking back now, I should’ve sent a message right after we exchanged contact info.

The more I put it off, the more my cowardice snowballs out of control.

What if I never get to see her again—?

The worst-case scenario flashes through my mind. You’d think my anxiety would be growing since naturally drifting apart is a real possibility, but… apparently I’m the worst kind of guy.

Because part of me feels relieved by this undesirable situation.

The truth behind this emotion is passive—it’s better if the wound stays shallow.

My days with Saint-sama and Urakawa-san have been fun beyond words.

I’ve wished more than once or twice that this time could last forever.

That’s why sometimes I can’t help imagining a future where this relationship ends.

Because, needless to say, my relationship with them has an expiration date.

After graduation—no, even after I’m dismissed from my commoner sample role, wanting them to still pay attention to me, to favor me, is nothing but entitled wishful thinking.

Something pitch-black in the depths of my heart—something I’ve been trying not to look at—whispers to me.

If we’re going to stop seeing each other eventually—it’s better not to get close.

Don’t get serious. The parting will only hurt more.

That’s why, despite having the contact info of someone I admire, my oshi, I can’t bring myself to send even one message.

While suffering from the pain of not seeing her, part of me thinks it’ll be easier in the end if I just don’t see her at all.

And so, while agonizing like this again today, I arrive at the station nearest to school.

My legs feel like lead, refusing to obey. Just getting off the train is an ordeal. My body feels impossibly heavy for a morning commute.

The light steps I had when I used to walk to and from school with Saint-sama and Urakawa-san feel like a lie.

Dragging my feet toward the station gate.

Thinking about parting ways before even deepening our friendship—talk about negative to the extreme, right? No wonder I’ve never been able to make friends.

Even I find myself pathetic and wishy-washy.

That’s probably why it took my brain a moment to process the scene that suddenly spread before me.

Standing before the ticket gate, radiating a brilliance that made me want to run away, was that person.

Not just standing—she had her arms crossed in a power stance. Her strong gaze, filled with unwavering resolve, was clearly searching for someone.

It felt like she was saying naturally drifting apart isn’t an option—time to face the music.

Eventually, that person—Urakawa-san—and I lock eyes.

The fact that I couldn’t even send a single message must’ve been eating at me more than I realized.

And then, to the girl who was smiling and waving at me, I did the unthinkable—I turned my back on her.

It hurts. I can’t speak. My throat feels constricted.

“Huh!? Wait up!”

Urakawa-san’s reproachful voice comes from behind me.

What am I even doing? I don’t understand it myself.

I just know I’m afraid of something.

I turn back in a daze. But I’m the guy infamous for having zero athletic ability.

There’s no way I can escape from the menacing aura rapidly closing in from behind.

Sure enough, she catches up to me in no time.

“I said wait, didn’t I!”

Urakawa-san’s hand lands on my shoulder, trying to make me turn around.

Before I know it, I’m cornered with the station’s train schedule at my back.

As I pathetically let my gaze wander—wham!—she slams her hand against the timetable.

A kabedon.

With my escape route blocked by her arm, I have no choice but to face her directly.

Urakawa-san keeps her palm pressed against the timetable, her head lowered.

When I nervously check on her, she seems to be catching her breath.

Apparently catching a guy—even one like me—took quite a bit of stamina.

After letting out heated breaths with a “…hah, hah,”

“Why’d you run? I’m gonna need a satisfactory explanation here.”

Her expression was complex, a mix of multiple emotions.

Anger, frustration, anxiety, suspicion…

Maybe she was confused, unable to read the true intent behind my actions.

“I thought I didn’t have the face to see you…”

“Wait, are you talking about not contacting Omote-chan?”

“—Yes.”

As I resign myself, Urakawa-san removes her hand from the timetable and ruffles her hair.

Her mouth forms a line as she seems to be choosing her next words carefully.

I was expecting her to be furious, but…

Honestly, this reaction is anticlimactic. I’d even say it feels insufficient.

But at the same time, I realize I’ve been conceited.

Did Saint-sama even want to hear from me in the first place? It’s obvious that she’s interested in her best friend—Urakawa-san—not Tsuchiya Bunta.

Which means I’ve been feeling guilty and running away over something the other party doesn’t even care about.

That’s why Urakawa-san’s probably thinking, ‘What do I even do with this guy…’

I thought for sure I’d get lectured for not contacting her, but wait—am I just being self-absorbed here!? That would depress me in a different way!

“Can I ask you a few things first?”

“Yes.”

“Were you worried about her?”

“Of course.”

“Then why didn’t you contact her? Unlike last time, you had the means to, right?”

Hesitation. I rack my inadequate brain for how to answer.

It would be easy to just say “Because I’m a coward.” But that would just be putting off the problem again.

The time will inevitably come when I have to face the real reason.

And now, cornered like this, this is definitely that moment.

Honestly, I’m scared to bare my heart. Of course I am. How could I not be scared?

Because if I confess and she doesn’t accept it, this relationship will end.

Should I deflect with a convenient excuse? Or should I speak the truth I’ve clearly realized through this whole ordeal? Put it off or take action?

One or the other. After agonizing and agonizing, the answer I came to is—

“—I got scared.”

“You got scared?”

Perhaps my answer differed from what she expected, because Urakawa-san tilted her head after hearing my honest feelings.

I can almost hear her inner voice saying, What’s this about all of a sudden?

“…Ever since I met you and Saint-sama, every day started feeling fun.”

“Ah, yeah. You’re welcome for that.”

“That’s exactly why the thought crosses my mind sometimes. How long can I keep living like this?”

“And?”

“If it’s going to end someday anyway, it’s better not to get close, better not to connect. That’s why I started hesitating to contact her. Of course, I can’t deny that I’m a coward at heart.”

Silence. What awaited me after confessing my true feelings was silence.

It was probably only a few seconds, but as I waited for her next words, it felt like over an hour.

“…I’m gonna say something harsh now. You ready?”

Anger colored Urakawa-san’s eyes as she looked straight at me.

I’ve shown her plenty of my wishy-washy side, and now she’s finally lost patience with me. From the opposite perspective, it’s a natural emotion.

Ah, this is it. It’s really over this time…

Bracing for the end, I close my eyes.

With my throat clenched and unable to speak, I nod, and in the next moment—

“Otaku-kun, you’re way too coddled.”

“Huh?”

Those words were completely outside my imagination.

I thought for sure she’d say “Goodbye” and leave me.

But what I got instead was a scolding.

Words far too kind to come from someone who’d lost patience with you.

In other words, I haven’t been abandoned yet. It’s beyond anything I could have imagined.

“If you want to keep this relationship going, you need to communicate those feelings first. Expecting people to understand you without making even the bare minimum effort? That’s way too convenient. Just moping around like this is, honestly—”

Urakawa-san’s words stop. She’s probably hesitating about speaking her true feelings.

She did say she was going to say something harsh.

Honestly, I don’t want to hear what comes next. Of course not. Nobody wants to hear things that’ll sting.

But I wanted her to continue. I wanted her to throw harsh words at me.

Because I want to change this personality that only worries, even if just a little at a time.

Because I want to act on my own will instead of being passive.

And most of all, because I want to keep meeting and talking with Urakawa-san and Saint-sama from now on.

That’s why I wanted to have my weaknesses pointed out by the person who’s been pushing me forward—who’s been rooting for me—Urakawa-san.

Because if it’s her words, I can recover even from things that are hard to bear.

So—

“I’d be happier if you didn’t hold back.”

With those words giving her the push she needed, Urakawa-san spoke with a serious expression.

“It’s creepy.”

“…!”

Seven characters. In character count, just seven. Despite being such a short phrase, the impact is tremendous.

Every pore on my body opens, sweat pours out, and my pulse quickens. My heart pounds like a drum—loud and painful.

The scene before me distorts. Strength drains from my legs. It’s like being told the world is ending.

I understand firsthand that gyarus who are nice to otaku don’t exist in reality.

No wait, that’s wrong. It’s the opposite. The girl in front of me is definitely a gyaru who’s nice to otaku.

She’ll say things that are hard to say to your face without hesitation, pushing this supporting character version of me to become the protagonist.

If there’s one flaw, it’s that her power is too strong.

Honestly, it’s way too effective.

“Nnnnnnnnngh!”

Unable to withstand the destructive power of her honesty, I can’t stay standing and end up crouching right there in the station.

“Crumbling to the ground” would be the appropriate expression. A critical hit to my vital spot. This hurts. It hurts so much.

“Whoa, you okay?”

Urakawa-san crouches down with me, looking worried.

Seeing this kind side of her up close really drives home the fact that—probably, no, definitely—she steeled herself to say that.

After all, the opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s indifference. There’s no need to go out of your way to say harsh things to someone you don’t care about.

Even if my cowardice is a fact, telling it to my face must not have been easy. I can’t feel anything but grateful.

That said. That said. Can I be honest? I feel like crying, for real.

Put yourself in my shoes. A girl just told me straight up I’m “creepy,” you know? Can you blame me for reacting like this?

But I absolutely refuse to show tears here. This is pure stubbornness now. My final pride as a guy.

“—Urakawa-san.”

“Yeah?”

“Could you give me a wake-up slap?”

I raise my head and look straight at Urakawa-san. Offering my cheek, requesting a solid hit.

I’m aware this is an unreasonable request. Of course it is. I’m literally asking a girl to slap me.

“…Got it. Stand up then.”

My resolve must’ve gotten through to her. Urakawa-san agrees without objection.

I stand up and squeeze my eyes shut tight. A considerable amount of pain is about to explode across my cheek. Anxiety and fear well up inside me.

“Here I go, ready?”

“Please.”

But this is necessary pain for taking that step forward.

From the presence, I sense an impact about to hit my cheek and grit my teeth, and in the next moment—

—Snap!

A sharp pain spreads across my forehead.

To confirm what just happened, I open both eyes, and—

“How’s that? You fired up?”

Urakawa-san has a smug, mission-accomplished look on her face. Not a slap—she hit me with a flick to the forehead.

This woman, really… Haha, I can’t compete with her—that’s what I think from the bottom of my heart.

Honestly I’m wrecked, but thanks to that I’m fired up. In place of Urakawa-san, I slap my own cheeks with both hands.

The throbbing pain actually feels good.

“Yes. Thanks to you, I’m awake now. So let me say this first—thank you.”

Just how spoiled is my personality, really?

Wanting to get closer while also not wanting to get hurt—talk about having your cake and eating it too.

Urakawa-san’s advice is perfectly reasonable.

If you’re gonna break, at least take the hit first. Just moping around is creepy.

Yeah, she’s absolutely right. No room for argument.

“Isn’t it a bit early to be thanking me?”

Sensing that my resolve is set, Urakawa-san laughs jokingly.

“You’re right, action comes first. I’ll properly thank you later.”

“Oh, someone’s motivated!”

“You gave me the push I needed. Now it’s my turn. And I’m sorry. For making you come all the way here.”

“It’s fine, really. It’s for my cute student after all. But I’m looking forward to this, okay? Don’t run away this time, Otaku-kun.”

“Yes!”

I answer with vigor.

Even though Urakawa-san encouraged me, the anxiety and fear haven’t disappeared.

But after she went this far for me, I can’t let her down, right?

Having caused her unnecessary trouble, I decide to wait for the train with her to see her off on her commute.

“”……””

Somehow, it’s awkward. After that whole commotion, the air feels heavy.

Just as the train arrival announcement finishes, Urakawa-san’s closed mouth opens.

“Hey.”

“Ah, yes?”

“I didn’t want to completely reject who you are. Don’t get the wrong idea about that.”

“Huh?”

“What I wanted to tell you is to stop being so negative and take action.”

“I’ll engrave that in my heart.”

Unusually for Urakawa-san, she was hesitant with her words. She’s probably trying to follow up. She’s kind at heart, after all.

I feel bad for making her worry about me.

“Because it’s important, I’ll say it one more time—it’s not that I don’t like you or anything like that. Rather, um…”

While she hesitates over her words, the train arrives.

Despite that, she doesn’t board, remaining stuck on what to say.

It seems like the words are right there on the tip of her tongue but won’t come out.

“Um, Urakawa-san? The train’s here.”

“I know that! I’m trying to say something important right now, so read the room. That’s exactly your problem!”

She points her finger at me sharply while complaining, then boards the train.

She turns toward me, and just as the doors are about to close, that important thing is whispered.

“I actually really like this relationship we have, y’know?”

With her cheeks flushed, she says it in a voice barely above a whisper.

It’s a roundabout message of encouragement.

Saying that I’m not the only one who wants to keep this relationship going, she leaves.

That’s just not fair. Because now I have no choice but to work up the courage and tell Saint-sama my true feelings.

She’s completely blocked off my escape route. Running away with my tail between my legs is not an option.

I can’t die until I contact Saint-sama—I absolutely can’t.

To think she’d demonstrate working up the courage to convey your true feelings right in front of me like that.

As always, I’m no match for Urakawa-san. But thanks to her, my resolve is firm.

My honor restoration begins after exposing such a pathetic side of myself.

【Omotekawa Yui】

Sure, disappearing to make him want to contact me was childish on my part, but come on—it’s been a whole week now, hasn’t it?

Wouldn’t a wellness check at least be nice?

I know, I know. I get it, okay? I know that if I want contact, I should just honestly communicate that. So don’t lecture me about it.

Even Maid-chan was probably exasperated with me deep down, I’m aware.

But girls are complicated creatures, you know? Even I didn’t think it’d be this bad though.

Suppressing my irritation, I head to the station nearest Otaku-kun’s school.

Until I got off the train, I was thinking stuff like “Time for some punishment~”

But once I actually got off, it felt kinda fresh, you know?

Like, thinking This is the station Otaku-kun uses every day, stuff like that.

While looking around, the blood that had rushed to my head cooled down considerably.

Before I knew it, I’d come back to my senses.

…Ugh, what am I even doing? This is the biggest blunder of the century.

I become acutely aware of the desire I’d been deliberately looking away from in the depths of my heart.

This is that.

‘To lecture him for not contacting me’ was the convenient excuse.

But the truth is, I just wanted an excuse to see him.

I see, I see. So I wanted to commute to and from school with Otaku-kun.

I mean, even when I tease him, he doesn’t get weird ideas, right?

And it’s a plus that he doesn’t immediately connect everything to romance, right?

I’d say we’re becoming comfortable guy friends, maybe?

Having realized my true feelings, I arrive at the truth.

Yeah, no doubt about it. We’re both the same.

While I’m still somewhat annoyed that Otaku-kun didn’t contact me, I don’t exactly have the right to complain when I deliberately came to his station.

Since I get to see him after so long, I’ll go easy on the lecture.

With all my fighting spirit drained, I start thinking about how to tease him.

Knowing cowardly Otaku-kun who can’t easily take action, he’s probably got some feelings about not being able to contact me.

If he doesn’t, then vigilante justice is confirmed.

At the very least, the Otaku-kun I know wouldn’t just be fine with this whole situation.

…Alright. I’ll call it ‘Ura-chan Wasn’t Actually Mad’ Prank.

Here’s how it’ll go.

I’ll stand boldly on the station platform, keeping watch so I don’t miss him.

Otaku-kun, who’s been agonizing over not being able to contact her, will jump to conclusions about getting lectured. Teary-eyed.

Then I’ll flip from my “I’m mad” aura to revealing I wasn’t actually mad all along. Creating contrast.

Yeah, sounds good to me.

So, operation start. Standing boldly in front of the ticket gate, I spot the target!

Ah man, this is bad. Haven’t seen him in a while so the corners of my mouth might lift up.

Don’t grin, don’t grin, me. If I laugh now it’ll ruin everything—yeah, no use. I’m smiling.

Because I know we’re about to have fun times again, chatting and gaming… so it’s only natural that a smile or two slips out, right?

After spotting Otaku-kun, I find myself smiling and waving before I know it.

Now then, his reaction is—wait, huh!? Hold up! Why’s he running away!?

Even I didn’t expect him to flee from the enemy (I’m deliberately using this expression)!

In Otaku-kun’s eyes, I could clearly see the color of anxiety.

It’s obvious that I’m partially responsible for that.

I chase after him frantically. If I let him get away here, I might not be able to see him again—that kind of incomprehensible anxiety drove me.

After chasing for a while, I capture Otaku-kun.

I corner him against the timetable so he can’t escape anymore, and finish with a kabedon.

…Hah, hah, jeez. Don’t make me run at full speed. I’m gonna sweat.

After cornering Otaku-kun, I hide my face by looking down, catching my ragged breath.

“Why’d you run? I’m gonna need a satisfactory explanation here.”

“I thought I didn’t have the face to see you…”

“Wait, are you talking about not contacting Omote-chan?”

“—Yes.”

When I pressed him, Otaku-kun seemed to feel guilty about not contacting Omote-chan.

“Didn’t have the face to see me,” huh…

Hmm, when I actually hear it face-to-face, I’m not sure how to respond. I’m the one who disappeared wanting to be contacted, after all.

So cornering him like this wasn’t my real intention, or rather…

While playing with my hair at the back of my head, I carefully choose my words.

“Can I ask you a few things first?”

“Yes.”

“Were you worried about her?”

“Of course.”

“Then why didn’t you contact her? Unlike last time, you had the means to, right?”

Because I wanted him to know I was disappointed he didn’t contact me.

Finally getting to the heart of the matter. Confirming his true intentions.

I thought for sure he’d answer with “Because I’m a coward,” but—

“—I got scared.”

“You got scared?”

—…Hm? What’s that mean?

Before I can immediately understand, Otaku-kun begins to reveal the feelings he’d kept in his heart.

“…Ever since I met you and Saint-sama, every day started feeling fun.”

“Ah, yeah. You’re welcome for that.”

“That’s exactly why the thought crosses my mind sometimes. How long can I keep living like this?”

“And?”

“If it’s going to end someday anyway, it’s better not to get close, better not to connect. That’s why I started hesitating to contact her. Of course, I can’t deny that I’m a coward at heart.”

Apparently Otaku-kun was already terrified that these fun days would end.

Thinking that if this lifestyle is going to end eventually anyway, it’s better not to get close, better not to connect—that way when the time comes, the wound will be shallower.

That kind of shallow escapism is transparent.

To think there were such negative thoughts behind why he couldn’t contact her… I see. So that’s why he couldn’t send a message.

But you know—

At this moment, I was getting angry, putting aside the fact that ‘I disappeared wanting to be contacted.’

Does he think that Omote-chan and I—Ura-chan—would just disappear from in front of Otaku-kun without any clear reason?

We’re not that selfish, okay? We’d properly see things through to the end.

But what really makes me unable to suppress my anger is that he’s trying to suppress his own feelings of wanting to be friends with me.

You want to deepen our friendship but don’t want to get hurt?

“Otaku-kun, you’re way too coddled.”

“Huh?”

“If you want to keep this relationship going, you need to communicate those feelings first. Expecting people to understand you without making even the bare minimum effort? That’s way too convenient. Just moping around like this is, honestly—”

This is—a turning point, I think.

Honestly, I still want to continue this relationship.

That’s why I want to give Otaku-kun, who confessed his weakness, a chance to grow.

More than anything, I don’t want to be disappointed in Otaku-kun. I want him to have courage. I want him to stop thinking so negatively and take action.

So I kill my emotions. I force myself to choose harsh words I don’t want to say.

“It’s creepy.”

Always thinking the worst, worrying, expecting people to understand without communicating. And yet the person himself doesn’t take action.

I guess girls do have some thoughts about that, honestly.

From a girl’s perspective, I want Otaku-kun to man up, so I say the cruelest words I’ve ever said to him since we met.

There’s anxiety and fear. No, I’d say that’s all there is.

I definitely hurt him. His chest, his ears, his head must be aching. The shock might be too much to recover from.

If that happens, Otaku-kun will distance himself from me even more.

What awaits is the worst scenario of naturally drifting apart.

Or maybe he’ll lash out, and I’ll glimpse a side of him I don’t know.

Insults and abuse might come flying out.

He could even fall into being a persistent stalker—I can’t say it’s impossible.

How he processes his hatred, resentment, and anger is up to him.

Otaku-kun crouches down as if suppressing intense pain. His whole body trembles slightly.

I immediately check on him. It’s a painful sight even for me to watch.

“—Urakawa-san.”

The tension from that calling voice feels like my heart’s being squeezed. I want him to face reality and move forward. I don’t want him to fall.

He slowly raises his head and looks straight at me, and his eyes—they haven’t gone rotten.

I can see the will to move forward.

He probably was aware of his own weakness. He wanted me to say it. He wanted me to push his back.

“Could you give me a wake-up slap?”

“…Got it. Stand up then.”

Otaku-kun closes his eyes and trembles slightly.

He’s probably requesting that necessary hit for awakening.

I remember shortly after I started interacting with him—when I lectured him to work up the courage to apologize to Omote-chan.

Haha, if I recall correctly, that’s when Otaku-kun started calling me kind or whatever—

“Here I go, ready?”

“Please.”

—Snap!

I deliver a powerful strike.

The same as that time—a forehead flick.

If it’s Otaku-kun, who shared that moment with me, this should convey my feelings.

More than anything, this is more like me—more like Urakawa-san, right?

“How’s that? You fired up?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, I’m awake now. So let me say this first—thank you.”

From his expression, I could tell he understood my feelings.

Thank gooodness! He properly accepted it and is facing forward!

I breathe a sigh of relief. This emotion is probably relief that we can continue our relationship.

If he keeps his promise, I’ll give him the best reward.

Having done what I needed to do, as I’m about to head back, Otaku-kun says he’ll see me off.

He seems to feel bad for making me go out of my way.

It’s fine, really. It’s for my cute student after all. I’d go this far for him, no problem.

The time we spend waiting for the train together is more embarrassing than I imagined. We’re wrapped in this awkward atmosphere where I don’t know what to talk about.

This atmosphere is caused by me disappearing wanting to be contacted.

And yet I went and said whatever I wanted one-sidedly. And I put my own behavior on the shelf too.

The Omotekawa Group’s company motto is ‘Show them, tell them, let them try, and praise them—without this, people won’t move.’

Having had this drilled into me since I was little, I can’t forgive myself for leaving things like this.

So I follow up with Otaku-kun while working up my courage. I decided to convey my true feelings.

“I actually really like this relationship we have, y’know?”

Ah, ah! I said it! I really said it! This is bad, I’m so embarrassed! So embarrassing!

I was planning to say it while looking him in the eyes, but I totally looked away!

My face is definitely red right now, right? Did he see? Did he see me being flustered?

Also, wasn’t my voice cracking?

Ugh, I made Otaku-kun go this far, so he better keep his promise, okay? If not, we’re done!

【Tsuchiya Bunta】

After finishing dinner and taking an early bath, I shut myself in my room.

To calm my nerves.

Because taking a step forward to deepen a relationship is a first in my life.

I need to concentrate every nerve Tsuchiya Bunta has.

To fulfill my promise to Urakawa-san, I close my eyes and recall.

The beginning was the miracle of meeting her on the morning commute train, right? Being healed by Saint-sama appearing at the edge of my vision.

When she noticed my gaze, I ended up interacting with Urakawa-san.

Thanks to being chosen as the commoner sample, I got to walk to and from school with Saint-sama. Talk about a stroke of luck.

Even though she was someone far above me, she even wiped the sweat from my forehead with her handkerchief.

I glimpsed Saint-sama’s playful side and the surprising fact that her gaming skills are pro-level.

The bitter-sweet memory of me, the otaku, being completely destroyed with no recourse.

As for Urakawa-san—she’s teased me so much.

Like she’d found a new toy.

Yet mysteriously, she’s become an important person who pushes my back.

All of this happened after I met Saint-sama.

Even now, I wonder if it’s not a dream—it feels so unreal.

As an acquaintance. As a friend. As a commoner sample.

Honestly, I don’t care what kind of relationship it is—I want to get closer.

I want to walk to and from school together more and more. Talk. Play. Deepen our friendship.

It’s not about romance. I just strongly want to deeply connect with others for the first time.

That’s why—

I write down my honest, genuine feelings.

I learned from my previous failure that second-guessing will just make me lose my nerve.

This time, I’ll go with the momentum. Without reading it over, I send the message I’ve finished writing. Strike while the iron’s hot, as they say.

After confirming the send notification, I reread the content. It says this:

‘This is Tsuchiya. Sorry for the sudden message. There’s something I really wanted to tell you, so I sent this. I want to—with you—’

【Maid】

Good evening. Since this is an emergency, let’s get straight to the point.

Ojou-sama is restless!!!!

After coming home, she dove onto the bed without caring about wrinkling her uniform. Flailing her legs and burying her face in her pillow, she was groaning “Uuu, uuuuuu!”

Worried that something might have happened, I tried to soothe her while working to understand the situation. Organizing the fragmented information, it seems that tonight she’ll be receiving Otaku-san’s first message.

Oh, ohhh~! Well done, Ojou-sama!

Today she spent more than double the usual time on her appearance, and was fired up before departure.

Nine times out of ten, I figured she was going to meet Otaku-san.

Yui-sama can’t contain her excitement and I can’t understand what she’s saying, but anyway, it seems things went well.

Instructed by Ojou-sama to stay close by, I humbly sit on the bed and wait in standby mode for contact.

Our eyes are of course fixed on the smartphone placed on the desk.

We’re in a state where we’ll be notified by sound when contact comes.Ojou-sama’s leg won’t stop bouncing. I’m worried the bed might catch fire from the friction—beep!—!?

“Awawa! M-M-M-Maid-chan!? It came! The message came! Wh-wh-what do I do!?”

First, could you please let go of my collar and stop violently shaking your head back and forth?

But still, this panicked state. What’s going on? No matter what, getting this flustered is quite unusual—

“C-Calm down, please. Without fear of misunderstanding, it’s just a message—”

“—That’s where you’re wrong! This morning I heard Otaku-kun’s true feelings. He said he wants to get closer to Omote-chan! We even made a promise that he’d convey his feelings, so this is the same as Otaku-kun’s heart being sent to me! Why don’t you understand!?”

How could I! Ahem, pardon me. I accidentally retorted in my mind. I didn’t say it out loud, so please forgive me.

But I see. No wonder I mistook Ojou-sama for Cyborg Kuro-chan after she came home. That’s why she was so giddy.

Understanding now, I was about to suggest she have some herbal tea when, in the next moment, Yui-sama grabs my hand in an interlocked grip.

Stay by my side—!!

Even without words, her feelings come through.

Hauwa!?

I barely suppress the weird sound about to escape using my maid’s mental fortitude. Otaku-san… nice play!

“Maid-chan. This is a once-in-a-lifetime favor. Will you look at it with me?”

“I could never refuse.”

Ojou-sama’s once-in-a-lifetime favors have easily exceeded two thousand times.

But for a maid, it would be tasteless to point that out.

Ojou-sama picks up her smartphone with trembling hands.

Nervously checking the message.

What’s there is none other than—

【Omotekawa Yui】

What jumped into my eyes when I opened the message was—

‘I want to have a long-lasting relationship with you.’

A proposal so far beyond my imagination it’s not even in the same stratosphere. Super ultra-mega class.

Huh, wait, huh, whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!?