(Tap)
(Tap)
(Tap)
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The sky has turned dark, and the streets are still crowded with people coming and going. Should I stop by the bookstore first? Maybe the latest series has arrived there.
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"Hey, do you want to watch a movie after dinner?"
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"What do you want to watch, I spent all my money on dinner, so you're paying, okay?"
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"Fine... I heard there's a couple's discount. So... how about it?"
"Uhmm, I mean... yeah, we'll just pretend... how about we pretend to be a couple?"
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Ugh... why are these two being all lovey-dovey in front of me...?
Seriously, of all places, why does it have to be right in front of me? Are they the main characters in a romantic comedy novel?
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"P-pretend? We're just pretending, right..."
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Hey, if you like each other, just say it! So lame! Are you grown-ups or what, huh?
Watching them is driving me insane.
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"Emma, there's something I want to talk to you about..."
Oh, here it is! The moment! The male protagonist is about to confess to the female lead.
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"W-what do you want to say?"
(Emma blushes, already imagining the sweet words from the person she loves... DAMN IT! I've been infected by this novel's style!)
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"Lemon, focus! Focus!"
(The guy looks nervous, imagining Emma's reaction, the woman he loves... Oh my god, I'm still narrating this!)
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"Actually, I... I like you, Emma. Since we were little. You've always read me stories... always helped me when I was struggling."
"So... let me protect you, stand by you... and read to you... forever."
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The world seems to fall silent. The entire city disappears. It's just the two of them (okay, three if you count me). Tears stream down Emma's cheeks, falling like pearls. Her face blushes red like a ruby... I'M STILL NARRATING THIS!
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"I-I... actually... I'm not the girl you think..."
I am... I... I've been a guy all along."
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...
Huh, what?
Did the girl—I mean guy—just say what I think they said?
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"I've known from the beginning, Emma. My love for you is real! It doesn't matter who you are, these feelings... they're real, Emma!"
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Wait, what?
What did he just say? I feel like... I'm in some kind of forbidden novel.
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---
(DING DONG)
"Welcome to our store... have fun...,"
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What happened earlier is driving me crazy. I feel like I need to be on guard... maybe... there's a pervert who's pretending to be a different gender... Could it be... that cashier is one of them?
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"Hmmm?..."
Why is this girl staring at me like that...?
Did I do something wrong...?
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"Sigh..."
Yeah... I should just check on that book series and leave...
It should be around here, right?
No, not this one...
Oh, there it is...
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"I can't believe that author is still alive...,"
Why does such a great book series have such a messed-up release schedule...?
Luckily, I managed to get my hands on this book...
Oh... thank you, author, for creating this cheap book... With this, my life has a little more color, kekeke-
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"Hey... after this, let's go to the amusement park, okay?!"
"I heard there are a lot of discounts for us."
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"An amusement park?... Whoa... it's been a long time since we went there...,"
"I still remember how scared I was in the haunted house...,"
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"Are you still scared?... Kekeke..."
"I'll buy you a diaper...,"
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"Hey, I'm an adult now! I'm not afraid of that anymore...,"
"Maybe...,"
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"Pfft, hahaha... if you're still scared, just admit it..., khahaha."
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"I told you, I'm not scared...,"
"Come on, let's get out of here. I'll show you I'm not afraid."
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"Pffft, of course, I'll be looking forward to it, khahahaha."
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...
They look like they're having so much fun... when was the last time I went out like that? I rarely go out... I'm not sure what I'm feeling, but... hearing them happy...
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I feel... a little empty...
Why can't I be like them...? What makes me different from them...? After a month... the only person I can talk to is Mapple... You're really pathetic, Lemon...
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"Ughhh... what am I thinking... I should just go home...,"
(Tap)
(Tap)
(Tap)
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Oh, that girl from earlier...
"Good evening, customer... is there anything I can help you with?"
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"I'd like to buy this book...,"
(Set)
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"Oh, of course..."
"..."
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Do I need a friend? I've gotten used to being alone...
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"Hey, are you from Vebles High School?"
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"Eh... how do you know?"
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"Hehehe, actually, I go to school there too. I happen to be working part-time here,"
"By the way, my name is Toma, nice to meet you."
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"Eh... uh... my name is Lemon, I'm a first-year...,"
Whoa, an upperclassman... with all their wisdom, maybe I can ask for advice...
Yeah... with this, one of my problems is solved...
Wait a minute, though...
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(The moral of today... never let people know you're buying forbidden books, especially your schoolmates.)
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"You've got a unique taste, huh..."
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ARGHHHHHH, HELP MEEEE!