ODL – Chapter 80 – Chance() Encounter

[Shizuka’s PoV]

“Nugigigigi…”

“Calm down, Shizuka. Exposing ourselves now would ruin everything.” (Mafuyu)

Just as I was about to leap out, Mafuyu’s slender fingers gripped my shoulder. With an unexpectedly strong force, she pulled me back into the shadow and the two of them soon disappeared from sight.

“To catch a big fish, you first have to let it swim, and when it gets tired, reel it in quickly. Otherwise, it will just snap the line.” (Mafuyu)

Mafuyu offered an unexpectedly down-to-earth analogy while scolding me. While she spoke, her gaze remained clearly fixed on the backs of the two of them across the shelf.

“Fishing…? Mafuyu, do you fish?” (Shizuka)

“No, I saw it on MeTube.” (Mafuyu)

“Eapu¹, huh?” (Shizuka)

“Being an Eapu is fine. Anyways, be quiet, Shizuka. There are too many people here.” (Mafuyu)

As she said something that sounded like a line from a drama, Mafuyu seemed to be straining her ears towards the two of them who had finished paying. Urgh, it’s hard to hear… What are they talking about?

Putting aside the younger girl next to me who somehow gives off an aura of an expert hitman, I trembled as I heard snippets of conversation between Souma-kun and Hiyorin.

“…Boyfriend… you mean…!?” (Souma)

“Ahaha… it just… happened… was it bad…?” (Hiyori)

“It’s not like that…! But… bother…” (Souma)

Though it was fragmented and hard to understand, they seemed to be getting worked up about something. Souma-kun was waving his hands in a flustered manner, making a “no thanks” gesture. I wonder if he’s refusing something.

…What are you fumbling about? Even though I’m your oshi too, you never get this flustered.

“Ouchhh!!!?” (Shizuka)

I unintentionally let out a breath I had been holding as pain ran through my body like a needle was stabbing me. I quickly checked the source of the pain and found Mafuyu’s slender fingers trembling as they had dug into my shoulder.

Wow, I didn’t know someone’s fingers could dig in this deep.

…That’s not the point!

What on earth did I say to deserve this!?

“It hurts, it hurts! Mafuyu, let go!” (Shizuka)

“…A creature trying to deceive my onii-chan…” (Mafuyu)

“You’re not listening at all!” (Shizuka)

Mafuyu had a face devoid of life, almost like a demon. In that expression devoid of any emotion, only her eyes retained a sharpness akin to a blade. That gaze, which might even lead to an arrest for illegal possession of a weapon, seemed to be directed at Hiyorin, as she started muttering “Hasekura Hiyori…” out of her mouth.

…No, no, this is too scary.

I somehow managed to pry Mafuyu’s hand loose and desperately held onto her shoulder as she attempted to intrude on them. Despite being dragged along, I somehow succeeded in stopping Mafuyu. I had a feeling that if I let Mafuyu loose right now, things would get really bad. I’m probably the only one who can save this world.

◆

[Souma’s PoV]

…I don’t get it.

I don’t understand anything about Hiyorin anymore.

She suddenly holds my hand, wants us to wear matching clothes, and introduces me as her boyfriend.

…She must definitely like me. Hiyorin and I have mutual feelings, right?

Jokes aside, I’m not that conceited².

I used to think that drunk Hiyorin was bad for my heart, but I’ve realized that normal Hiyorin is even worse, especially on this date.

Being drunk is bad for my heart, and being normal is also bad for my heart. In other words, there is no easy way out. Maybe this is natural as she is my oshi after all, but as someone who spends my everyday life with her, I was concerned about the strain on my heart over time.

While I was lost in thought, the sky gradually turned dusk. We have probably gone to various places even after buying our running attire, but due to extreme nervousness and trying to ponder Hiyorin’s intentions, I didn’t remember much. However, I distinctly recall being unusually conscious of the people around us on the train ride back. I hadn’t realized that going out with a celebrity would be so tiring.

With all that in mind, Hiyorin and I walked the path from the nearest station to the apartment building under the reddening sky.

…And it was at that moment.

“Ah.” (Both)

Right around the point where we turned from the station onto the main road, Hiyorin suddenly stopped. Following her gaze, I noticed that there was a celebratory wreath³ hanging in front of a nearby shop.

It had red lettering that read “Congratulations on the Grand Opening”, and I could hear bustling sounds from inside the shop.

“I remember they were doing construction here. It turns out that it’s a shop, huh?” (Hiyori)

“Yeah, I wonder what kind of shop it is.” (Souma)

As we approached the store, it seemed that the newly opened establishment was an izakaya⁴ chain. The brand-new interior was bustling with numerous customers, and waitstaff in pristine, wrinkle-free shirts scurried around with jugs in hand.

“An izakaya… It’s quite convenient that it opened up here.” (Souma)

It’s a good location, close to the station, and there aren’t many izakayas in this area. I might consider using it sometime.

“Yeah… that’s true…” (Hiyori)

I had assumed that Hiyorin would be quite excited about this, but surprisingly, her expression was rather gloomy. She gazed into the inside of the restaurant with an envious look.

As I tried to imagine the reason for her demeanor, it didn’t take long for me to figure it out.

My mouth moved before my thoughts could catch up.

“Hiyorin, how about having a drink since we’re here?” (Souma)

“Eh, but I…” (Hiyori)

“It’s okay. Come on, let’s go.” (Souma)

“Ah…!” (Hiyori)

I took Hiyorin’s hand and walked through the curtain into the restaurant. Hiyorin seemed troubled, but she didn’t pull her hand away from mine.

“(I usually avoid drinking in public… because I might cause trouble…)” (Hiyori)

I recalled Hiyorin saying that before. Her self-deprecating expression from back then made it clear how she truly felt.

“Welcome! How many people?” (Waitress)

The waitress, noticing our presence, approached us with a tray in hand.

“Two peo…” (Souma)

“Four people!” (Shizuka)

“Huh…?” (Souma)

Upon hearing a familiar voice, I turned around.

“Onii-chan, what a coincidence.” (Mafuyu)

For some reason, Shizuka and Mafuyu were there.

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Thanks for reading!

Good job Shizuka. You probably managed to stop a murder case from happening. Who knows what Mafuyu would have done back there.

Also there was an illustration on the group heading back with Souma carrying Hiyorin, so I’m assuming that illustration is for the upcoming portion.

And yes, the chapter title contained the brackets. Idk if this is a coding function reference that I’m not getting.

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1. This is a bit complicated. ‘Eapu’ means someone pretending to have experience in something even though they never done it. It is also the short form of ‘Air Player’. which in this case, the meaning of “Air” has same meaning of “Air guitar”‘s “Air”.
2. Conceited means to be excessively proud/confident about yourself. And also, this is me after reading this line: (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ 
3. Wreath is that ring of flower thing that you see in new stores, weddings, graves, etc. If it’s a new shop, it usually contains a letter congratulating them. Idk about others.
4. Izakaya is a type of Japanese bar in which a variety of small, typically inexpensive, dishes and snacks are served to accompany the alcoholic drinks. It is directly translated as “dine-in sake shop”.