The Other Side of Month B: Toka Yamato’s Perspective
It was a complete coincidence. My mother’s sister—my aunt—turned out to be the mother of that expressionless boy. The development was so convenient for me that I almost wanted to burst out laughing.
His mother was a very expressive person, unlike her son. She was the one who led me to the apartment building where he lives alone.
When we visited, he remained expressionless but began frantically getting things ready.
He prepared tea and snacks, then sat down to talk with his mother. It seems my aunt is quite the prankster; she hadn’t even told him I was coming. His face didn’t change, but seeing him react like a normal boy his age made me let out a little chuckle. However, I still couldn’t get a concrete “image” from him.
I decided to ask him some questions. If I could gather even a little info on his favorite foods or hobbies… wait, I sound like a girl in love. I’m not sure if it’s romantic, but I am certainly interested in his existence.
Apparently, his favorite food is teriyaki chicken, and his hobby is devouring rom-com manga and novels. He only said “reading” when I asked, but a single glance at his bookshelf told the whole story.
…I see. There might be a specific reason he became friends with Sakakibara.
Having learned a little more about him, I spent the rest of the day in a very good mood.
☆
The Other Side of Month B: Aoyagi-sensei’s Perspective
Being a teacher is an incredibly busy profession. It’s hard to say we get much time off.
…But as a beautiful single teacher, my hobby is going on food tours on my days off.
Today, I had traveled to a shop I was interested in. A ramen shop I’d had my eye on for a while.
I’d decided on my order and was about to call the waiter… when I ran into one of the more “interesting” students in my class.
He’s lacking in facial expressions, making it hard to read his emotions. However, his social skills are actually quite high, and I don’t hear any bad rumors about him from his classmates. Also… I occasionally see him writing something in a notebook by himself. He gives off a very contradictory impression.
I called out to him and told him the meal was on me so he’d sit down. …In all honesty, there aren’t many people who can maintain such a complete lack of expression. If he’s carrying some kind of burden, I want to help, even just a little.
From what I can see of his school life, there don’t seem to be any problems. He doesn’t act like he’s hiding anything. The only new piece of info I got was that his childhood friend is a beautiful girl. He seems to have good friends, so maybe I don’t need to worry so much…
But because of my past experiences, I tend to get over-sensitive with students like him. That’s why I ended up giving him a bit of a lecture at the end.
“…Don’t try to carry everything alone. In my experience, if you try to handle everything yourself, you’ll find yourself helpless when you face something beyond your power. I was like that, and you probably are too. …If you’re in trouble, you don’t have to tell me everything. Just give me a sign, and I’ll be there to help.”
When he heard my words… I thought I saw a flash of loneliness in his eyes for just a second.
☆
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The Other Side of Month B: ???’s Perspective
Rom-com. A genre defined by the harmony of romance and comedy, or a general term for situations found in such stories. In this world, there are “rom-com junkies” who simply cannot live without them. I suppose I am a “watcher” of such junkies.
I know that sounds confusing, but honestly, I’m confused myself. How did things end up like this? Well, I know exactly why it happened.
My observation target: a certain expressionless high school boy. Usually, he shows no emotion or nuance. But in reality, he is a mass of curiosity. Especially when it comes to consuming his favorite genre, rom-coms—his initiative becomes explosive.
He doesn’t stop at just observing; he’ll intervene in a rom-com situation to make it more “interesting.” He acts impulsively and somehow makes it happen. …And usually, the outcome of his actions is a happy one.
He might not intend for it to be that way… but there are many people who have been saved by his actions.
I am one of them. I’ve been by his side, watching him since middle school. …And yet, that idiot went and chose a different high school without telling me…!
So, while keeping in touch occasionally, I’ve been investigating his movements behind the scenes. And today, I went to his apartment early in the morning to surprise him… but he wasn’t there. Impossible… I know he doesn’t have a habit of doing anything early in the morning… which means he stayed out… which means… well, maybe he just went back to his parents’ house? I called his mother to check…
[Eh? No, he hasn’t come home…]
[…I see. Thank you very much.]
My guess was wrong. …Does that mean he’s staying at some unknown person’s house?!
Wait, maybe not “unknown.” We talk occasionally, and it sounds like he’s found some targets to observe at his high school and is getting along well with them. It’s highly likely he’s at one of their houses… Yes, that name that keeps coming up lately… “Akira Sakakibara”…
Alright, I’m going to find him. I was planning on a surprise visit today anyway. I’m interested in this “Sakakibara Harem” he talks about… and more than anything, I need to check if any “nasty bugs” have latched onto him. So, I’m heading to Akira Sakakibara’s house. …How do I know where he lives? That’s a secret. Let’s just say it’s a perk of my profession.
On the way, I think about my friend from middle school. Even when he was with me, his behavior never wavered. If he had free time, he’d be devouring rom-coms, whether they were novels or manga. If an event similar to a rom-com trope happened, he’d start observing it. It didn’t matter if we were in the middle of a conversation or having lunch… when it’s something he loves, he loses himself in it.
And yet, he’s actually very attentive to people, which makes it worse. For example, he notices immediately if I change my hairstyle. If I’m feeling a bit unwell, he’s the first to ask. He’s a master of consideration and support.
On the other hand, he is incredibly dense when it comes to affection directed at him. Even if a girl clearly hints at romantic interest, he just tilts his head in confusion. Unless something extreme happens, he doesn’t try to step into the deeper parts of people’s hearts. He always views things from a step back. I have no idea how much trouble that’s caused until now… that blockhead!
That’s why his deep involvement with Akira Sakakibara and the harem is, in a sense, an emergency. They must have piqued his interest that much. To the point of leaving me out… ME! Leaving me out!
I absolutely cannot forgive this. How should I make him pay…? I have to fill the time we spent apart with my presence. …He’s a weirdo, so I’m not worried about him, but… as a human being, he is undeniably charming. There’s no guarantee some “nasty bug” hasn’t fallen for him!
This is one of his charms… perhaps because he views things from a bird’s-eye view, his words often sink straight into your heart. Even in a casual conversation, he has this strange persuasiveness. For instance, when I asked him why he likes rom-coms so much, he said:
“Because they make me feel happy. …Is that too simple? I could give you a list of details, you know. I can laugh at the craziness that would never happen in reality, I find myself rooting for the heroine who’s pining with unrequited love, and if it’s a harem story, I can smirk at the drama… Ultimately, I just like seeing people having fun. And I want to have more fun myself. If a harem exists in real life, I’m going to make it hilarious… hey, what’s with that ‘look at the weirdo’ gaze?”
He likes fun things. I think a lot of people forget such a simple thing. I was one of them. …I like him because being with him makes me feel happy.
That’s why I’m not happy at all right now! That idiot is way too focused on whatever he thinks is fun! We spent so much intense time together, so how could he just cast me aside?! That’s part of what’s great about him, but still!!!
I’ve been too busy with my work to find the right timing… but I won’t let him get away again. Don’t think you can just feed a fish and then leave it alone…!
Alright, less than ten minutes to the destination! I’m going to give him a piece of my—
Prrrr…
A phone call now?!
[What is it?! I’m extremely busy right now…!!!!]
[I am so sorry! We urgently need your help!!!]
[I told you I’m busy! If you need something, do it another day!]
[Please, somehow! We’re at our wit’s end! If this keeps up, the case will go cold! Please help us, “Great Detective”!”]
…Ugh, honestly!!
[Where is the location?!]
At a time like this…! Just you wait, you rom-com junkie!! Once this case is settled, you’re going to make it up to me!
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