“…And what is that?”
Kimiya’s quiet question was like an arrow aiming straight at me.
No—maybe that question wasn’t coming from the girl in front of me, but from my past self.
Can I be proud of who I am now?
It was a question thrown at the old me, who just wanted to be “a good guy” without thinking.
So I answered.
“──Shiranui’s a bit like how I used to be.”… Read more
How I Came to Call You “Natsuki” Volume 1 Chapter 3 part 9
“Oh, about the favor I mentioned earlier? The truth is—”
After some small talk, Isago finally got to the real reason she was here: distribute the tickets.
Judging by the excited reactions of the upperclassmen around her, it looked like she’d have no trouble.
“She’s the type… other girls probably hate, huh. Isago.”
“Nah, not really.”
“Seriously?”
“Well, if she acted like that all the time, then yeah, people would probably hate her.… Read more
How I Came to Call You “Natsuki” Volume 1 Chapter 3 part 8
5
Calculations matter. Especially when it’s part of the job.
Well, this time it’s not exactly work, but given that there’s a task to complete, the basic approach remains the same. Results should always be presented as clear, tangible numbers.
—After all, our opponent is Kimiya Natsuki.
I don’t know anyone else as skilled at being liked by others as he is.
Ask anyone, and you won’t find a single person who speaks ill of Kimiya.… Read more
How I Came to Call You “Natsuki” Volume 1 Chapter 3 part 7
[“Even if they disappear… to me, they were still friends.”]
Shiranui’s words from earlier echoed in my mind.
……Honestly, that stung.
I knew better than anyone what it was like to be that idiot—the one who kept believing in people, only to be used over and over. But now that idiot had learned his lesson. He’d traded idealism for pragmatism.
Being honest, awkward, and blindly trusting others wasn’t justice.
If that path eventually led to ruin, I’d already learned it the hard way.… Read more
How I Came to Call You “Natsuki” Volume 1 Chapter 3 part 6
Only now did it really hit me—the girl standing in front of me was so stunning it was almost blinding.
“—Hmm.”
A voice came from behind me immediately after.
The moment I turned around, Shiranui shrieked, “Wha—WHAA!?”
“This is the first time I’ve seen something like this.”
“WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT OUT LOUD, MINA!?”
Through the window, I could see two figures having that exact exchange.
“…So you were eavesdropping.”
I muttered under my breath.… Read more
How I Came to Call You “Natsuki” Volume 1 Chapter 3 part 5
That didn’t sound nice at all. They weren’t real friends.
My face twisted in displeasure, but Shiranui shook her head lightly.
“Even so, I was happy. Even if I knew they were just using me, to me, they were still friends. …That’s the kind of story this is.”
“…………”
“There were kids like that at this school too. Probably not good people, but I didn’t care. Just having friends was enough for me.”
—I couldn’t claim to understand her feelings,
but I had memories of feeling something similar.… Read more
How I Came to Call You “Natsuki” Volume 1 Chapter 3 part 4
“This wasn’t your idea, was it, Kageyuki? Who else is in?”
“Right now, aside from me, there’s Oshimi-senpai from the drama club and this guy in my grade, Shiranui.”
“——————”
You know her? I nearly ask, but stop myself when I notice.
Minase, standing right in front of me, has her eyes wide open in shock.
She’s usually so expressionless—seeing her this stunned is rare.
When I glance back, Isago looks just as bewildered.… Read more
How I Came to Call You “Natsuki” Volume 1 Chapter 3 part 3
Isago Natsuki’s “Fortune Roll.”
“…………”
I was left speechless, too stunned to even react.
Right there—in the corner of the room—was Isago, rolled up like a Swiss cake in an oversized blanket and laid out on the floor. And tied up with rope.
Standing beside me, Minase muttered quietly.
“Misfortune Roll.”
“Wait, was that an explanation??”
My intuition isn’t sharp enough to make sense of such a cryptic phrase.
I shot her a look to convey that, and Minase gave a small nod.… Read more
How I Came to Call You “Natsuki” Volume 1 Chapter 3 part 2
“It’s more crowded than usual, huh?”
“Yeah, thought so. Maybe Thursdays are just busy?”
“Hard to say. Could be because today’s daily special is fried chicken—it’s popular.”
“Now that you mention it, this cafeteria’s fried food is a hit, right?”
“It’s got a reputation for never missing. Especially the daily special—cheap and good.”
“Huh… Even students here care about cafeteria prices?”
“Obviously. Cheap is always better. What, did you think we’re made of money?”
Guess they assume my family’s loaded.… Read more
How I Came to Call You “Natsuki” Volume 1 Chapter 3 part 1
Episode 3: [Kageyuki Calculates]
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There are dark eras in life you’d rather forget—times everyone experiences at least a few times if they’ve been a student in modern Japan. It’s practically a rite of passage, something you just go through as you grow up.
But some memories dig so deep into your mind, you can’t forget them no matter how hard you try.
At that point, they’re more like a curse.… Read more