6
I wrote this in a rush, so I might rewrite it later.
A few days had passed since I went to Taiga’s house.
Friday after school, while I was pulling textbooks and notebooks out of my desk and stuffing them into my bag, Ichika leaned over and spoke to me.
“Mariko, are you free after this?”
I paused to think if I had anything planned, but honestly, I didn’t even need to check. My schedule was as empty as ever.
“I’m free. Why?”
“I’m going to karaoke with Ichinose and Maeno-kun. Wanna come?”
Karaoke after school!
That sounded so unbelievably high-school-ish! And not just girls—boys too. That made it feel even more like the life of an actual social butterfly. Wow. I was seriously living the normie dream right now.
But…
The other day I shared an umbrella with Maeno-kun and Taiga got mad about it.
Would karaoke be okay…?
Well, there were four of us, and I already told him there was nothing going on between me and Maeno-kun, so maybe it’d be fine?
Wait, what am I even thinking? It’s not like Taiga would care that much about what I do. He’d just been unusually nice lately, and maybe I was getting ahead of myself because he acted jealous once. Don’t flatter yourself, Mariko. This is Taiga we’re talking about. A guy completely out of your league. There’s no way he’s paying that much attention to some girl like me.
Yeah. Exactly.
“I’ll go!”
“Great. Then let’s head out.”
Ichika glanced into the hallway as she spoke. Standing near the classroom door were Ichinose-kun and Maeno-kun.
It’d been a while since I’d seen them.
I gave the two of them a small bow, hurriedly shoved the last of my things into my bag, slung it over my shoulder, and walked over with Ichika.
We chatted about random things as the four of us headed to the karaoke place near school. Since it was Friday, there were already a bunch of high school students there.
Luckily, there was an open room, so we got in right away.
Once inside, we naturally settled onto the sofa in order: Ichinose-kun, Ichika, me, then Maeno-kun.
Seeing that arrangement only made me more convinced Ichinose-kun liked Ichika.
Honestly? I supported it. Childhood-friend romance was cute.
And Ichika was adorable, responsible, kind—seriously, she was all green flags. Anyone would fall for her. I didn’t think she saw Ichinose-kun that way yet, but if he worked at it, he definitely had a chance. She did say she wanted a boyfriend this year.
…Maybe later I’d secretly give him some encouragement.
As I sipped my melon soda and watched the two of them, Maeno-kun suddenly spoke beside me.
“Takahashi-san, I read the manga you recommended.”
He meant the one we talked about on that rainy day. We’d gotten really into discussing manga, and I’d recommended one of my favorites to him.
Apparently he actually remembered—and went and read it.
Maeno-kun was way too nice.
“Really!? What’d you think?”
“It was great! The part where the protagonist teams up with his rival totally got me.”
“Right!? That scene was amazing! I reread it over and over.”
“Same! I can’t believe I’d never read something that good before. I feel like I wasted part of my life.”
“Almost nobody reads that manga, so I’ve always wanted someone to talk about it with!”
“If you want, I’ll listen anytime.”
“Ahhh, seriously!? Then I’m absolutely taking you up on that!”
While the two of us got excited over manga talk, Ichika had already picked a song and the music started playing.
We kept chatting quietly while listening to her sing, and since we were at karaoke, the rest of us picked songs too. The four of us rotated turns singing as the evening passed.
It’d been forever since I’d gone to karaoke.
I wasn’t exactly good at singing, but belting things out at full volume was surprisingly relieving. Not that I had much stress in the first place.
…I wonder if Taiga ever goes to karaoke.
There’d never been a karaoke scene in the game, so I had no idea, but in my imagination I’d sent him there countless times.
In my head, Taiga was definitely a good singer.
A girl can dream about her favorite character, okay?
What kind of songs would he sing? Trendy songs? His personal favorites? Something upbeat?
Though honestly… Taiga suited emotional ballads way too well.
Maybe ballads.
Rap? Western music? Would he sing love songs?
Or maybe he was bad at singing and refused to sing at all.
Thinking about Taiga was fun.
And unlike before, this world had a real, living Taiga in it.
Things the official game never revealed… now existed because Taiga himself existed. No—not “official information.” They were real things about the real Taiga.
And somehow, that still felt unbelievable.
Yet it was true.
That happiness filled my chest to bursting.
This wasn’t imagination anymore. Everything Taiga did, every little thing, was genuinely him. And for me, even the smallest detail was enough to make me happy.
Ah…
I’m really glad I’m alive.
Just knowing Taiga exists makes life this enjoyable.
And right then, Ichika happened to be singing a love song, and when the lyrics reached “Just having you here makes me happy,” I almost started crying from how deeply I related to it.
Exactly.
That’s exactly it.
Just knowing he exists makes me happy.
Even now, while I’m sitting here alive, Taiga is somewhere out there too, living his own life however he wants—and thinking that makes the entire world feel precious.
I swear I was about to achieve enlightenment.
Being truly in love with someone is incredible, isn’t it?
Does everyone feel this way?
Like making eye contact alone is enough to make you happy. Like the slightest touch makes your heart race and your face burn.
And then for those feelings to become mutual…
That’s basically a miracle.
The person you genuinely love… loves you back.
That’s amazing.
I never understood feelings this strong until I fell for Taiga. But there are tons of people out there loving someone just as deeply as I love him, falling in love, getting their hearts broken…
Humans are incredible.
Emotions are incredible.
Wait, no seriously, I might actually attain enlightenment at this rate.
“Takahashi-san, you look like you’re having fun.”
I snapped out of my thoughts about Taiga when Maeno-kun spoke to me.
“Yeah. I am.”
“You always seem happy. Watching you kind of makes me happy too.”
That made me genuinely glad.
Because the reason I always looked happy was Taiga.
Thinking about him made every day enjoyable. And if other people could tell how happy I was, then that meant the happiness Taiga gave me was visible from the outside too.
“Every day is fun. I honestly feel happy all the time.”
I smiled naturally as I said it.
Because it was true.
I was happy every single day.
Happy because Taiga existed.
That was why the world felt so bright and fun, why I could honestly think I was glad to be alive.
I picked up my empty glass and stood.
“I’m gonna grab another drink.”
Trying not to interrupt Ichika while she sang, I quietly slipped out of the room.
I walked down the hallway, listening to muffled songs leaking out from other karaoke rooms as I headed toward the drink bar.
There were already three high school girls there, laughing together while choosing drinks. I waited a little distance behind them, and after they finally left, I stepped forward and stared at the machine myself.
Melon soda was good, but maybe I wanted something warm this time…
Instead of reusing my cup, I grabbed a fresh mug and pressed the cocoa button.
While I watched the cocoa pour into the cup, something suddenly poked me in the back.
“Hyah!?”
A weird squeak escaped my mouth and my whole body jerked.
My back is my weak spot! I’ve told people not to do that!
The only person who would pull something like that was Ichika.
Holding my back, I spun around with an indignant, “Ichika—!”
But the words died instantly.
Because standing in front of me was a very familiar wall of muscle.
The shock was so intense I couldn’t even speak. All I could do was slowly lift my gaze upward with wide eyes.
“Yo.”
The person in front of me grinned like a kid whose prank had succeeded.
“…Taiga-san?”
Wait.
Why is he here?
I mean, it’s karaoke—obviously anyone can come—but I never expected to run into him here of all places.
My brain couldn’t keep up with the shock.
No matter how many times I blinked, the person standing there was definitely Taiga.
No mistake.
And there was nobody else around.
Which meant the one who poked my back was Taiga himself—
Uwaaaahhh, what is this adorable playful behavior!?
That’s way too cute!!
It was such a massive emotional attack that it blew my irritation clean away.
Seriously, what is this person? Why is he so cute?
And what were the odds? Going to a random karaoke place and running into Taiga?
That’s heroine-level coincidence right there.
Does this kind of thing actually happen!?
“So you came too.”
“Y-Yeah! I came with Ichika and the others. Taiga-san, you came to karaoke too?”
“With Kii. Though I guess you don’t know him.”
“The guy you were talking to with Hanamiya-san the other day?”
“Yeah. Him.”
Ahh, so he came with Kii-kun.
Two handsome guys at karaoke together? That’s exactly the kind of combo girls hit on.
There was no way they’d be left alone.
Honestly, if I’d been born beautiful, I would’ve tried hitting on Taiga too.
Still, it really showed how close they were. In the game, they spent a lot of time together during the love triangle events. I remembered certain fans absolutely losing their minds over it.
…I may or may not have searched for fan art myself.
But seriously, I never expected to see him here, so my excitement level was skyrocketing.
If I had a dog tail, it’d be wagging hard enough to fly off.
Ahhh, I love him.
Taiga’s here.
Taiga is at karaoke.
Taiga walked past me while I was internally freaking out and filled a cup with cola. Watching him made me remember my own drink existed.
Holding my cocoa, I stared at him as he used the machine.
I knew I should head back before I got in the way, but I wanted to stay beside him even a little longer. My body refused to move.
Then Taiga spoke.
“…Maeno’s here too?”
“…Eh—”
The moment Maeno-kun’s name came up, I froze.
Taiga slowly took his hand off the cola button and shot me a sharp glare.
Ah.
I’m dead.
In my head, a dumb-looking version of me saluted while announcing my own death.
Wait, don’t give up so fast. Live, me. Please survive this.
Still glaring, Taiga reached out and pinched my cheek hard.
Hyaaaah!
Taiga—Taiga is pinching my cheek!
His fingers—his fingers are touching me!
His thumb and forefinger are pinching my actual face!
It hurts!
Which means this isn’t a dream!
I wanted to flail around, but if I did I’d spill my cocoa, so all I could do was stand there and endure the cheek-pinching.
Ow, ow, ow…
“I-it hurts, it hurts!”
“Did you already forget what I told you?”
“Mmph, y-you’re pinching me!”
“I can’t understand a damn word you’re saying.”
I pointed desperately at the fingers still pinching my cheek, pleading silently for him to let go.
Still glaring at me, Taiga clicked his tongue and finally released me.
Ow…
I rubbed my aching cheek with one hand while Taiga folded his arms and frowned deeper.
“Alright. I’ll hear your excuse.”
Even while getting scolded, he looked ridiculously cool.
Even his angry face was handsome…
The crossed arms looked straight out of a manga panel—
No, focus!
“A-Also, Ichinose-kun’s there too!”
“The same group from before, huh.”
“Y-Yes. I think Ichinose-kun probably didn’t have the courage to invite Ichika alone, so he invited me and Maeno-kun too.”
“…”
Silence.
Okay, I’m sorry for thinking your angry face looked cool. I was stupid for assuming karaoke would be fine.
He was terrifying.
Getting scolded by your favorite person hurts so much…
I shrank in on myself under his stare and quietly muttered:
“I’m sorry…”
Taiga clicked his tongue again.
“Try being alone with Maeno sometime. You won’t get off this easy next time.”
Then he went back to filling his cola.
Scary.
So scary…
I hereby swear never to be alone with Maeno-kun.
“Calling you later. Pick up no matter what.”
“Y-Yes! No matter what happens, I’ll answer!”
“Later.”
“Y-Yes… sorry about today…”
“…”
“And… you looked really cool today too.”
“…Yeah?”
Even though this was technically my own fault, angry Taiga was genuinely terrifying.
I gave a tiny wave to his retreating back before returning to the karaoke room.
“You took forever,” Ichika said.
I told her I’d gone to the bathroom too, and she accepted the excuse easily.
Cradling my cocoa in both hands, I blew on it and took a sip.
“So you went with cocoa this time. …Good?”
Maeno-kun asked that casually, and I nodded quickly.
“Yeah. It’s good.”
After what just happened, I felt too guilty to even look him in the face.
“Gotcha,” he said with an adorable smile before pulling out his phone.
“Hey… wanna exchange numbers?”
He tilted his head slightly while asking, and honestly, why was he so cute?
Wasn’t he cuter than most girls?
My confidence as a woman was taking critical damage.
Seriously, someone protect this boy from aggressive girls.
I’m worried for him.
Phone numbers…
Taiga would definitely get angry.
He literally just scolded me. If I exchanged numbers now, I’d only be giving him another reason to get mad.
And honestly… I didn’t want Taiga angry at me anymore.
I’m sorry, Maeno-kun.
I really do want your number.
Not like a background character like me would be useful to him in any way, but still…
“…Sorry, Maeno-kun. There are… circumstances, so I can’t.”
I pressed my hands together apologetically in front of my face.
Maeno-kun looked a little hurt.
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
Ugh, even that sad face was cute. Seriously, what is with him? Teach me your secrets. Were you born like that?
Ah, right. Then I’m doomed.
Guess I’ll try reincarnating.
“No way! I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Then why?”
“Mmm… I can only say there are circumstances. Sorry.”
“I see… That’s too bad.”
He smiled sadly at me.
Damn it, was he an angel?
That was dangerous. I almost got blinded by his heavenly aura and agreed to exchange numbers on instinct.
Maeno-kun was dangerous.
Actually, everyone in this otome game world was dangerous because they were all ridiculously attractive. Even side characters were cute.
Meanwhile I had the world’s most average face.
God, why?
Why am I plain when even background characters are this good-looking?
I cried internally while apologizing to Maeno-kun over and over.
Not long after that, our karaoke session ended.
We paid and stepped outside into the dim evening air. Even though July was close, the wind still felt chilly enough to make me shiver.
“If you’ve got time, wanna grab food somewhere?” Ichinose-kun asked.
“Sorry,” I said immediately.
The other three looked disappointed, but if I didn’t refuse here, my life might genuinely be at risk.
“Let’s all hang out again sometime,” Maeno-kun said.
I answered vaguely.
I probably wouldn’t hang out with the four of them again.
I really was sorry.
Sorry that a background girl like me was turning them down after they invited me.
I genuinely had fun today.
If they were still okay with it… maybe after we became third-years, they could invite me again.
Then I’d happily accept.
After parting ways with the others, I headed home alone.
The second I got home, I jumped into the bath. After getting out quickly, I spent dinner with my family while keeping my phone clutched tightly in my hand.
My dad, who’d been worrying about going bald lately.
My gentle, absentminded mom.
We sat around the table watching TV while I talked about school and hanging out with Ichika and the others, all while constantly checking my phone.
Once dinner was over, I hurried back to my room.
Sorry for cutting family time short.
Sorry for being this kind of daughter.
Sitting on my bed with a cushion hugged to my chest and my knees pulled up, I placed my phone beside me.
There still wasn’t a call from Taiga.
Was he still at karaoke with Kii-kun?
Had some beautiful older girls hit on them?
Were they fighting?
No matter how much I thought about it, I had no answers.
I grabbed a manga volume from my bookshelf and started rereading it for what had to be the hundredth time.
By the time I reached volume seven, my phone finally rang.
I practically threw the manga aside and snatched up the phone.
The second I confirmed the caller’s name, I hit accept.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”
Before Taiga could even say anything, I started apologizing repeatedly.
The way I bowed my head over and over while clutching the phone made me look exactly like an office worker begging forgiveness from an angry client.
“So you really do know you screwed up.”
Taiga’s voice came through the phone lower than usual.
“Yes! I sincerely regret my actions! I promise I won’t do anything that makes Taiga-san angry again!”
“What exactly counts as ‘something that makes me angry’?”
“…Hanging out with Maeno-kun…?”
“That’s not it. I’m not pissed at Maeno specifically. I just don’t like you hanging around other guys.”
“H-Yes! I won’t hang out with guys anymore! I promise!”
“I’m serious. There won’t be a next time.”
“Yes! I absolutely won’t let this happen again! Thank you for your mercy!”
“Then fine.”
The moment he said that, I let out a shaky breath of relief and pressed a hand to my chest.
Thank god.
Thank god Taiga didn’t hate me.
If Taiga hated me, I genuinely wouldn’t survive it.
I kept taking deep breaths, trying to calm my pounding heart.
Then, after a stretch of silence, Taiga spoke again.
“You’re free tomorrow, right?”
“I’m free.”
An instant answer.
I rarely made plans on weekends anyway, but if it was Taiga asking, I’d make myself free no matter what.
Absolutely.
“Come to my place tomorrow afternoon.”
This time, his voice no longer sounded angry.
It was gentle.
Soft, almost like he was talking to someone important.
The realization squeezed painfully at my heart.
Taiga was being kind to me.
That made me so happy I couldn’t even put it into words.
Girls like me were simple. Show us a little kindness and we’d fall all over again instantly.
Seriously…
I love him so much.
How lucky am I, to be able to talk to someone I love this deeply?
Taiga really is incredible.
The more I learn about him, the more I fall for him.
These feelings just won’t stop growing.
What a sinful man.
“Understood. Taiga-san, the person I love most in the world.”
“See you tomorrow.”
“Yes. See you tomorrow.”
And with that, the call ended.
I stared at my phone for a long while afterward, replaying the conversation in my head.
Taiga didn’t seem angry anymore, but still…
I’d made him angry twice in such a short time.
And this time, it was because of my own naïve thinking.
…God, I wanted to punch myself.
When I see him tomorrow, I’ll apologize properly.
After making that promise to myself, I crawled into bed and fell asleep staring at Taiga’s name in my call history.
