ODL – Chapter  43 – Am I Overthinking Things

“Oy, oyy, you there, chef. Are you listening?” (Shizuka)

“……….Sigh……….” (Souma)

I can’t get this morning’s blunder out of my head.

Saying something inappropriate to Hiyorin of all people… Even though we had just become friends, I’m sure she hates me now. I couldn’t concentrate on my lectures at all today because I got so hung up about the incident. And before I knew it, I was already back home. I had no memories on anything else that happened today.

“Sigh……….” (Souma)

Even though I was feeling down, there was something pathetic and reliable about how I instinctively went and prepared dinner anyways. I guess even if I was in a bad mood, I still had to make dinner for everyone.

“Hey, this cute Shizuka-chan came all the way here an hour before the gathering time just for you, you know? Isn’t it a bit rude to ignore me?” (Shizuka)

“……….Sigh……….” (Souma)

I wonder if Hiyorin will come to today’s Souma-kai…

If I think about it logically, she probably won’t…

The only reason that I, a regular fan, was able to become friends with Hiyorin in the first place was that I didn’t act strangely. I didn’t try to cross the boundary between a fan and a voice actress. For example, I didn’t get too overly excited and fanboy over her. Because I didn’t do those things, I think Hiyorin felt comfortable being with me.

…But it’s all over now. I’ve become nothing more than a pervert.

“It’s over…” (Souma)

“Hey!!!!!!” (Shizuka)

“Whoa!?” (Souma)

Startled by the sudden voice, I almost dropped the knife. Panicking, I looked around, and there was Shizuka right next to me, standing with an annoyed pout on her face. How long has she been here?

“Shizuka…? When did you…” (Souma)

“I’ve been here the whole time, you know? I even tried to get your attention, you know!?” (Shizuka)

“Seriously? Sorry, I didn’t notice.” (Souma)

“Well, whatever… What’s the matter? You don’t seem cheerful.” (Shizuka)

“Ah…” (Souma)

Suddenly, a strong impulse came over me.

My heart screams to just spill everything that happened this morning—just let it all out.

My heart must have decided that I couldn’t bear this gloomy feeling alone and that I should drag someone into this.

But I managed to hold it back with whatever little reason that’s left in me.

Because seriously… How am I supposed to tell them? 

(Hey, I said something inappropriate to Hiyorin, and now she hates me)?

I’d just be ridiculed by Shizuka and that would be the end of it.

“…It’s nothing, really. I just messed up a bit at university.” (Souma)

“I see. Well, as long as you’re okay, good things will come your way… probably.” (Shizuka)

Shizuka pats my shoulder. I wish she wouldn’t touch me when I’m holding a knife, but I appreciate the sentiment.

“Oh, I got a message from Rime… Um… Hiyorin-san says she doesn’t need dinner tonight.” (Shizuka)

“Uh… ” (Souma)

I had reached my limit.

I somehow managed to toss the knife onto the cutting board and collapsed to my knees.

“W-Wha, Souma-kun!? What’s wrong!?” (Shizuka)

“It’s over…” (Souma)

“Is it your stomach!? Are you in pain!? Should I call an ambulance!?” (Shizuka)

“No… It’s fine… I’m done for anyways…” (Souma)

Shizuka desperately pats my back.

Please stop, I don’t deserve to be comforted like this…

◆

“Hiyori-san hates you!?” (Shizuka)

“Yeah… I’m just a dumb and hopeless idiot…” (Souma)

“Onii-chan, what on earth did you do?” (Mafuyu)

After various twists and turns, I managed to prepare tonight’s dinner, and I was now talking to Shizuka and Mafuyu-chan about this morning’s incident while downplaying it quite a bit.

“I can’t go into details… but I said something I shouldn’t have said…” (Souma)

Right now, Hiyorin might have already started preparing to move away. I’ve done something bad to Shizuka and Mafuyu-chan as well since Hiyorin is friends with both of them.

“Hmm… I don’t know what you did, but I don’t think Hiyorin-san will really come to dislike Souma-kun.” (Shizuka)

“Onii-chan, aren’t you overthinking this?” (Mafuyu)

“It’s not like that… I mean, she didn’t come today, did she? She doesn’t want to see my face…” (Souma)

I never would have imagined that I would end up being disliked by my oshi. In that case, it would have been better if I was just a stranger. Being disliked is definitely worse than being just another fan. I wish I could disappear into a hole somewhere.

…

Currently Shizuka, sitting across from me, is busy using her phone. Could she be contacting Hiyorin? I was afraid to ask.

Eventually, Shizuka raises her face from her phone and turns to Mafuyu-chan while holding an Ebiten (shrimp tempura). By the way, tonight’s dinner is tempura soba. I thought something refreshing would be better because it was getting hot these days.

…However, I ended up with one extra leftover meal.

“…I see. Mafuyu, you’re free after this, right?” (Shizuka)

“What’s with that way of asking? I don’t have much time.” (Mafuyu)

“Lies. You’re probably just going to lie on the couch and watch dramas on the internet.” (Shizuka)

“Shizuka, are you picking a fight?” (Mafuyu)

“I’m just stating facts. Anyway, just go along with it after this.” (Shizuka)

“…? What’s going on?” (Souma)

Mafuyu-chan looks at Shizuka with a puzzled expression. Shizuka, happily munching on her Ebiten, casually says—

“…Hiyorin-san wants to talk to the three of us.” (Shizuka)

I involuntarily shudder. Is it normal for a fan to feel their heart tighten when they hear their oshi’s name?

…This is too painful.

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TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Yes MC, you are overthinking things.

MC really went into depressing mode for this entire chapter. The fact that he thought she was already packing her bags was just bruh.

Well I’m almost done with the website, so here’s a bit of sneak peek. I hard-coded everything and tried to do something similar to Travis Translation’s sidenav. And yeh I need to work on the colors.

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Footnote:

1. None