Epilogue

♥♥♥

【Tsuchiya Bunta】

I wanted to deepen my relationship with Saint-sama.

After mustering up my courage to convey my true feelings, what awaited me was—

“How ’bout I trade you my trash-tier mon—‘Naked Buck-tooth Boy’—for your god-tier mon, Otaku-kun?”

“That trade rate’s completely busted though!?”

Morning, sitting in the two-seater on the school train.

Urakawa-san and I were playing a monster capture and raising game, commonly known as Bakemon.

After learning you could trade captured monsters with friends, Urakawa-san flashed a mischievous grin, and here we are.

“Yeah, I know. You feel bad taking a Bakemon I raised with such tender loving care, right?”

“It’s the opposite! ‘Naked Buck-tooth Boy’ is a monster you encounter in the early game, isn’t it?”

“That’s why you don’t need to worry about it. Go ahead and take it, you thief.”

“Please stop acting so magnanimous!”

“Magnanimous to a girl? Whoa, that’s sexual harassment, Otaku-kun. You’re the worst.”

“Technically, I’m the one being power-harassed here, y’know!?”

“A girl’s trying to give you a reward, so just accept it graciously.”

“Don’t you mean punishment!? Wait—ah! When did you!?”

“Sniff. Take care now, ‘Naked Buck-tooth Boy (Otaku-kun)’.”

“The nickname! Don’t tell me you gave this creepy-not-cute Bakemon my nickname!?”

“You two look exactly alike, don’t you?”

“I’m not naked or buck-toothed though!?”

“Oh, someone’s lively today. Were you that happy? But no need to thank me, okay? I didn’t do it to be appreciated. I mean, it’s you and me, Otaku-kun, so this much is natural, or like—”

“Catch! Please play catch with your conversations! This is turning into dodgeball!”

When I reflexively retorted, my eyes met Urakawa-san’s. Starting with a mutual “Pfft,” we burst out laughing together.

—What awaited this coward who took one step closer to someone was merely an extension of being a sample.

Urakawa-san wiping away tears with her black handkerchief. Seeing that, I thought from the bottom of my heart that I was glad I worked up the nerve.

Thanks to that, I can spend time like this again getting teased—no wait, enjoying fun commutes to and from school.

But there’s something that’s been bothering me no matter what.

“By the way, um, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“Hmm?”

“It’s about this—”

I took out my phone and launched the app.

A message packed with feelings of wanting to keep meeting and talking, wanting to get closer: ‘I would like to maintain a long-lasting relationship with you.’

Even though romance wasn’t the goal, it was undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime confession.

And Saint-sama’s reply was—

—A single mountain climbing stamp. At the summit, a single flower bloomed.

Needless to say, when I saw it back then, all I could do was stare blankly.

Huh? Huh? What’s this? Mountain climbing? What does it mean? Is it suggesting that the hurdle for a long-lasting relationship is high and steep?

If that’s the case, then my confession was gently rejected.

So it’s more of a no than a no?

I don’t understand the intention—!?

I asked for clarification, but after that, there was no reply from Saint-sama.

Before I knew it, things continued like this as an extension of being a sample. It’s definitely a stroke of luck, but it doesn’t quite sit right with me…!

“Ah—”

After seeing the stamp, Urakawa-san immediately averted her gaze to the window.

She looked somewhat awkward, and also like she was embarrassed.

Needless to say, behavior quite unlike her.

C-could this reaction mean—!?

As expected of Saint-sama’s best friend. Maybe she’s already been told the true intention!

“You know something, don’t you? Please tell me! I’ve been wondering about it this whole time!”

“Ah, well, um…”

“Why are you looking away! Look at me!”

“W-well, maybe try thinking about it yourself for once?”

“Come on…”

Urakawa-san was clearly hiding something. Don’t tell me it’s a case of ignorance is bliss!?

As I hung my head, someone patted my head.

“Well, looking forward to more time together, Otaku-kun.”

When I looked up, what jumped into my vision was Urakawa-san’s absolutely radiant smile.

It was so captivating that the meaning of the stamp didn’t even matter anymore.

There was no way I’d hesitate with my answer.

“Yes! Looking forward to more time together!”

【Omotekawa Yui】

The meaning of the stamp…?

Whether the climber (Otaku-kun) can pluck the flower on the unreachable peak (Saint-sama) is totally up to him, obviously.

Just so you know, this mountain is high and steep. It won’t be easy, y’know.

“Will Otaku-kun be able to conquer 【Omote (me)】 with guidance from 【Ura (me)】?”