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]
0 / A
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
How I Came to Call You “Natsuki” Volume 1 Chapter 2 part 10
—Three voices echo with cheers inside the little cabin.
And just like that, a theater unit with me, Shiranui, and Oshimi-senpai is smoothly formed.
After school, our time turns into a kind of pep rally.
While Shiranui munches on some sweet potatoes, I lean closer and ask her quietly:
“…Are you really okay with this?”
“Huh?”
Shiranui responds with a clueless look on her face.
Seriously, what’s with that act?… Read more
How I Came to Call You “Natsuki” Volume 1 Chapter 2 part 9
Shiranui was ridiculously easy to please.
It’s not like I was trying to flatter her so she’d let me use it—I was just being honest. And yet, she totally fell for it on her own. It’s kind of worrying, honestly.
“Yup, yup. I’m the only one who uses it anyway! You can come eat lunch here if you want. I’m always here!”
“…Yeah. I’m cheering for you, Shiranui.”
“Why are you suddenly cheering for me?! Uh, thanks…?… Read more
How I Came to Call You “Natsuki” Volume 1 Chapter 2 part 8
4
And so, we finally made it to school.
“Haaah… Man, I’m exhausted…!”
“Y-yeah… Running nonstop from the station was way farther than I thought… huff…”
Both Shiranui and I were pretty winded, but at least we weren’t late.
The rule was to gather five minutes early. Not that I needed to be here, but since things turned out this way, I was in too deep to back out now. I had some responsibility for dragging her along, so I figured I’d see this through to the end.… Read more
How I Came to Call You “Natsuki” Volume 1 Chapter 2 part 7
“Is this seriously the same person from earlier?”
Was this the acting skill of a former child star? Hard to say.
The sheer presence she had back then, rivaling even Kimiya’s, was way too different from the trembling mess in front of me now.
“…Ugh.”
Shiranui groaned, as if realizing she’d let her real self slip.
Then, in a flash, she straightened up—spine rigid, flipping her hair back with a sharp flick.
“Hah? What, you just followed me here?… Read more
How I Came to Call You “Natsuki” Volume 1 Chapter 2 part 6
“So? How’s work been since then?”
“Hm, well… I guess I’d say it’s going smoothly… for now.”
“That’s a pretty vague way to put it. Not that I blame you.”
Kimiya gave a faint, wry smile as she spoke.
“You think?”
“Yeah. I mean, everyone involved is… difficult, after all.”
“Ah… Yeah, that’s definitely true.”
Whether it was Isago, Minase, or Shiranui—
each of them was undeniably the troublesome type.
“But… I can’t help feeling a little jealous,”
Kimiya suddenly said.… Read more
How I Came to Call You “Natsuki” Volume 1 Chapter 2 part 5
—Time to go home.
Just as I solidified that decision, my neighbor at the next desk—Kimiya—stood up.
“Ah, Kimiya. Could you—”
“…Muu.”
When I called out to her, Kimiya turned toward me with a distinctly displeased pout—
an unusual expression for her, who was always smiling. Had I done something to upset her?
For just a moment, I felt uneasy, but Kimiya quickly returned to her usual self.
“What is it, Sou-san?”
“Ah, well, I wanted to talk, but more importantly, you just now—”
“I’m fine.”… Read more
How I Came to Call You “Natsuki” Volume 1 Chapter 2 part 4
As I stood there, struggling to keep up, Isago suddenly raised just her right pinky and held it out toward me with a smile.
“Here! Kage-kun, you hold yours out too?”
“Uh… l-like this…?”
Obediently, I extended my own pinky.
She hooked hers around mine, then narrowed her eyes happily.
“Then it’s a promise! We’re friends now!”
“A… promise? For what?”
“A promise to stay best friends forever! Fuhehe, I’ve always wanted a boy as a friend!”… Read more