Actually, I also liked Sui.
Actually, I also liked Sui.
Actually, I also liked Sui.
Actually, I also liked Sui.
Actually—
Shirona's voice echoed like a bell.
Actually, I also—
I was hallucinating her voice in the silent hallway.
I wasn't on drugs, by the way.
I became a ghost while fighting the turmoil inside of me. I managed to keep my ego in a hollow consciousness. The only thing I could clearly hear was Shirona's voice.
—liked you.
The unexpected turn of events were disorienting at first. Shirona ran away, leaving me with a gentle heat in my stomach. My feelings were difficult to express. Both happiness and embarrassment raged inside of me.
I had no answer. I froze, as if someone had stopped me from speaking.
In no time, I arrived at the Rose Garden.
Being honest, I didn't have the confidence to remain calm in front of Arina. I had never thought that Shirona liked me.
Was Arina setting up a flag when she added more flowers to the Rose Garden? If so, I'll revere her as a goddess. I can't offer her money everyday, but at least I can offer up some seaweed. It feels like I'm gonna get beaten up.
I opened the door and a Rose Garden covered in flowers greeted me. A strange sense of security enveloped my heart. It was like home.
In the center of my vision was Arina, who only had on a bra.
The first thing she did when she finished helping the tennis club was change her clothes. We weren't on any sports teams, and we were too embarrassed to go home in the school's gym clothes. Changing back into uniform was inevitable. I came back for a change of clothes as well. Nothing wrong with that.
There was no light in Arina's eyes.
Her eyes were reminiscent of zombie movies. The Walking Arina. Arina Hazard.
She turned towards me. The style was so good that my cerebrospinal fluid[2] evaporated. Yeah, I was surprised. When the photobook comes out, I'll buy it.
But right now I was in a hyper-trance mode – a state of mind transcending dimensions – so I didn't lust after her.
In Arina's eyes I could see a perverted bastard looking at her body with a serious expression. Who was that? It was me. It was unmistakably Sakaki Sui.
She walked towards me slowly. The sound of Ronfer's music was resonating pleasantly. Arina's chest shook in rhythm.
Actually, I also like—
Shirona. How long have you liked me—.
Is ignorance a sin? I have no idea.
Arina's breasts were getting closer – wait, no, Arina was getting closer. Everything felt so slow. So much so that I could discern each of her movements.
Arina made a fist. This wasn't good.
—Sui.
I wonder how I should act tomorrow when I see Shirona.
Arina, what kind of face do I see in your eyes? I think it's the face of an enlightened man, no? Isn't he a man that will be beneficial to humanity?
You're about to hit that very man.
Arina pulled her fist backward and punched. I groaned as it felt like my chest was shape shifting. I'm a real pervert, I thought. Nice breasts, though.
Actually, I also like Sui.
I didn't answer.
Sakaki Sui is ignorant and stupid.
The world is shaking—
To be precise, my vision was blurry.
Arina's fist hit me from the front. If you could do something like a time-lapse on an x-ray, you'd find my brain like miso. Remember the scene where Sazae-san crawled into the house. That's what was happening in my skull.
I fell. My temples were sore and my ears were ringing.
I could feel the floor's coldness on my cheeks.
I looked out at the Rose Garden. All of the flowers made it look like heaven. So this was death.
God seemed to take pity on me and gave me one last spectacular view.
After she finished beating me up, Arina continued to get dress. I didn't expect to see panties.
So I don't exist in Arina's mind anymore. That's why she didn't kick me out. Being an invisible man isn't bad.
I was soon made to dogeza.
Arina had arranged items such as cutters, screwdrivers, staplers, hammers, pliers, and irons on the desk. If I hadn't apologized, I would have experienced hell.
I'm glad. God still exists.
"I forgive you for opening the door by mistake. After all, I didn't even lock it."
"I'm sorry, Arina-sama."
"｢sama｣ doesn't actually sound that bad, hm?"
"Please put the saw away. I'll die."
"Isn't it fine? You're absent-minded. It's not like you're dead."
"There was a lot going on."
"Talk to me. I'll curse you a ton."
I sat upright and simply stated,
"Shirona likes me."
"Hm."
"Your reaction is weak…"
"It's understandable. When I heard you guys were going to be alone, I made the best environment for you. You had different goals, though."
"So this is a woman's intuition."
"You don't have to be a woman to know that. And what about you?"
"What?"
"Do you like Shirona? What do you think of her?"
"I've never had romantic feelings for Shirona. So I was surprised. And even though I didn't like her, I said I liked her in the spur of the moment…"
"Excuse me? Explain the situation."
"I needed to say something to divert the conversation from our relationship. So I said I liked Shirona. Then she told me she liked me back."
"You're the worst. I want to put you into an anaconda case."
"Do it. I'll die happy."
"First, you need to clear it up. I think you're making her upset and unstable."
"Right. But I don't know how to."
"You can act normal. If there's no discrepancy in your story, neither of you will know what you're feeling right now."
"What does that mean?"
"I liked you. I liked you.[3] They're both in past tense. Right now, you can interpret each other's emotions in different ways. You both don't want to be awkward, so force yourselves to agree. You used to like each other, but not anymore. If you're conscious of that, it should be fine."
"Certainly, it could be interpreted like that."
"So, back to me, is that kouhai going to continue to hang around me?"
"No idea. I don't think he'll give up that easily. First, he'll find out what happened to you. God knows what he'll do after."
"What a pain. I should hire a hitman."
"At least use BB bullets."
Both of us had a headache.
It was laughable.
Notes:
[1] The title never had ellipsis… but it looked weird without them
[2] Couldn't be bothered to explain what this is, but Sui's basically saying that his brain stopped working
[3] To explain, what Arina says is 'sukidatta' and 'sukideshita'. 'Datta' and 'deshita' are both used in the past tense. I translated Shirona's confession last chapter in present tense since I thought it would flow better, but haha, jokes on me