Jaku-chara Tomozaki-kun Vol 1 Chapter 1

Chapter 1
1: No matter what they say, the famous games are generally interesting. PART 1

The difference in ability was plain to see.

From my presently controlled ninja character 『Found』’s movements and, Nakamura’s fox-character 『Foxy』’s movements, anyone watching would be able to tell that a level gap existed. Well, for a riajuu [1], he wasn’t actually at all that bad.

I had, as soon as the match started, been certain of victory.

However, I was, with regards to «ATAFAMI», not the type to hold back. That’s why, even in this situation where Nakamura’s remaining lives had already reached 1, despite me making a show out of straight up plunging in recklessly so as to prompt a reaction from him, I would be using 『Blink』 [2] mid-charge. Likely, if it’s the case that his true strength only amounted to this much, he probably wouldn’t even know what 『Blink』 was. Barely touching the ground by applying 『Midair Evasive Movement』 diagonally downwards, a quick, surface-skimming evasion technique.

Nakamura, discomforted by my actions, fired a blow. I let the shot pass behind me, using 『Blink』 to dodge, then took advantage of the opening and drew close. The fundamental of this game’s combos was throwing. After throwing an opponent to the ground, for how long would an activated combo be able to connect? The character I was using, Found, was especially powerful in that aspect.

Nakamura’s character was now held in place by Found. From here on out the fight proceeded into my unrivalled sphere of activity. Though I phrased that rather simply, in truth this required the use of combos that each demanded delicate operation, strung together in rapid succession. It wasn’t that methods of escaping did not exist, but that Nakamura, did not know how, did not have the ability to do so. Therefore, this situation as it was, naturally meant the end.

With that, Nakamura’s lives were zero──。

「Yosh」 [3]

Yep. Whoops, I just went and won it. Well, for me to lose in ATAFAMI to an amateur was an impossibility, but for it to have been carried out with such ease was what brought about the problematic feeling. How should I put it, I was scared of what was to come.

Each player starting with four lives. An even stage devoid of gimmicks. Seeing each other’s play for the first time.

Under those impartial conditions, Nakamura’s remaining lives totalled zero. My remaining lives ── four.

That would be, well, a complete victory. I tried looking in Nakamura’s direction, and found him examining the controller I held in my hands for comparison, with an expression of wanting to say something. This was somewhat surprising. Who would have known that during my high school life, from Nakamura I would have this kind of weak gaze directed at me. I had never imagined it.

A brown-haired ikemen [4], riajuu from a glance, even when it came to studies, sports, and popularity with the girls; the only thing missing was gaming skills, or else all aspects would be of the highest tier. With just his good qualities, already head and shoulders above the rest of the crowd, countenance overflowing with confidence, the riajuu high school student, Nakamura.

That same Nakamura was, looking at me with weak eyes. At the likes of someone like me who, from one look, would be exposed as a kimo-ota [5].

「…the… ault.」

Nakamura was saying something.

「Eh?」

「It’s the character’s fault」

「…What?」

「The character was inferior. Because of that, this kind of thing is normal.」

「N-No, that character and this character, in terms of ability they’re about the same, though…」

「Not that, I meant in terms of compatibility. No matter how

you think about it, isn’t the compatibility bad here?」

Nakamura spoke matter of factly. I was completely taken aback. That kind of, no-matter-how-you-think-about-it excuse.

Then with a, ahh I get it now, I realized. The reason for this kind of useless resistance, was the matter of how much he had immensely underestimated me. If he didn’t do this much, he’d be unable to hold on to any of his pride after suffering such a humiliating defeat by me, so — since it’s this person it’s acceptable to make such a lame excuse — even that consideration existed. Since I possessed the prerequisite of being looked down upon. That’s right, this was an unfair provision bestowed upon jaku-charas.

However. Only now was different.

This moment. Only at this moment where Atafami was being played before my eyes.

「Cer-Certainly, Foxy falls fast, making combo connection very, very easy.」

「As I said. Then it was down to the characters’ compatibility, that game.」

I breathed in, then looked straight into Nakamura’s eyes. Scary. But.

「…That sort of thing, don’t you agree that it’s an excuse?」

I had gotten used to being looked down on. There weren’t any particular feelings of frustration. Such a thing had become natural, after all.

「No, wasn’t it actually like that? You’re seriously happy about winning with that thing? It’s a kusoge, isn’t it. Pointless.」

However, to something like this, I was completely unaccustomed.

To me── the defeated persons, who without any exertion, used such justification, were an existence I disliked above all else.

「You bet I’m happy. That you think it’s pointless, isn’t it because you didn’t win? You didn’t taste the sensation of winning, and so don’t actually comprehend anything, right? The one who has won and after winning, even so calls the game pointless, that I can understand. However, for the guy who lost to, even after losing, say that kind of thing, it’s just the whining of a loser.」

I, using the conviction of myself being on the ATAFAMI battlefield, spoke sharply.

「Ha? It’s really just the character’s affinity isn’t it. It’s a kusoge, a kusoge. Wins and losses don’t exist.」

「Like I said, it’s not a difference that was down to compatibility. The reason you lost is that you are weak. Even with our characters switched, I would have won.」

「Then, should we do it? Character exchange. In that case, I definitely would not lose to someone like you.」

With eyes fired up with fighting spirit, Nakamura said as such. To be able to declare at this timing something like he’d never lose, something like courage, or should I say, thick headedness, or should I say, something like groundless self-confidence, is really a unique characteristic belonging to one of Life’s kyou-charas. As for me, as for a Life’s jaku-chara, this is nonexistent. Despite being mistaken, the power to behave as if in the right. Possessing self confidence on the basis of 『It’s me after all』. I did not possess the strength of such a living being.

Far removed from that, I had won this many flawless victories, but for some reason still felt slightly uneasy.

However, in the present moment I was nothing like a jaku-chara.

「…Err, but it’s kinda bothersome, so.」

「What’s up with that? If you’re going that far, we’re definitely doing another.」

「…NOT, afterwards if there’s yet another worthless excuse, it’ll be troublesome.」

「Ha?」

The me that is in the middle of playing ATAFAMI, is the strongest.

「Certainly there’s the, let’s switch characters, afterwards it’ll be, let’s also switch controllers. Then something like, the buttons aren’t functioning properly, that’s why I was sluggish. Next could be, why don’t we change our seating positions? The screen glare was～ or reaching something to that effect. Then, let’s change the settings to eight lives. If it’s a drawn out contest, wouldn’t our true strength clearly come out?

Then, I wonder what next. Maybe, if you don’t know how to get out of it, then something like let’s not use inescapable combos? That’s not an issue of technique, it’s a matter of game knowledge after all. If we do so then it will be a battle of purely operating technique, reflexes, and judgement right? Uhhh, seems like there’s probably more? …Shall we change clothes or somethingtoo?」

Ha ha ha. Now I’ve said it, now I’ve gone and said it. There’ll definitely be regret later. For me.

「…Don’t need those excuses. Don’t get carried away. Seriously.」

Incredible, how I’m being glared at this intensively by those eyes. Glared at this intensively, I’m instinctively made to think that compared to him, I’m nothing more than a lowly animal, and the inferiority complex comes surging out. A given that I should apologize. Even though in this situation, no matter how you think about it, I’m the one in the right. These are the rules that have been established in Life.

Nakamura and I changed the stage, changed controllers, changed characters, configured the settings to eight lives, and as expected, without changing clothes, all that was left now was to press the start button, and the battle would commence.

「If I win, properly accept it, Nakamura.」

「I get it.」

「You really don’t, you know.」

「…No, like I said, I get it already. I’ll properly recognize your true strength.」

「No, of course that’s a given, but. After that, there’s one extra thing you need to recognize.」

「What now?」

This guy, seriously doesn’t know a thing.

「Earlier, you called ATAFAMI a kusoge, right?」

「Ha?」

The truth is, rather than the matter of him refusing to accept his defeat, it was this that I had been taking offence at.

「…That ATAFAMI is a kamige, recognize it.」

Naturally, in that bout, I ended up winning eight lives to none, a complete victory.

 

Thus, the next day, as per usual, I was fighting online battles in AttackFamirizu [2] — colloquially known as «ATAFAMI». Since opponents have the ability to chat with each other, it was part of gaming etiquette to exchange such formalities at the end.

Naturally, this time had also been my victory. Steadily, increasing my rating [3]. After the ratings had been reset four months ago, in a number of weeks I had ascended to the rank of number one in Japan, and even now I was safely maintaining that position. My online handle was «nanashi». The reasoning behind it might be embarrassing, but I had gone with 名無しnanashi (nameless [4]) purely on the basis of it looking cool. Tomozaki Fumiya, my real name, had absolutely no relation to it.

Before the ratings had been reset, I guess there had been a few instances where I had fallen into a slump, but nevertheless for the most part I had consistently maintained my number one rank. It was probably safe to say that, at least domestically, there were no contenders.

ATAFAMI, due to its seldom seen degree of perfection, currently held the highest gamer population in the current competitive online gaming world. In other words, being number one in this game meant that, saying I was the most skillful gamer in Japan would be a justified statement. Probably.

As for my tag «nanashi», regarding that, there existed another ATAFAMI player with the one of a kind naming sense, «NO NAME». While not to the extent of snatching away my number one status, for these past few months they had continuously attached themselves to the number two spot in the rankings. Moreover, as far as I could tell, ever since attaining the second place rank, NO NAME was also such that they had never given up that position. In other words, 『nanashi』 and 『NO NAME』 currently held a monopoly over first and second place.

Since there was also similarity in the name, within the Internet gaming community, there existed a 「Could it be that those two accounts are the same person?」 rumour that was making the rounds with plausibility.

Therefore the I of nanashi will declare. «nanashi» and «NO NAME» are, completely different people. However, in the ATAFAMI world, the matter of how NO NAME had suddenly turned up during the past few months, the matter of the improbable speed with which they had ascended all the way up to second place, and then more than anything else, the matter how nanashi and NO NAME directly confronting each other was an event that had yet to materialize, all these points lent themselves to the authenticity of the theory that they were one and the same. At any rate, since their character of choice was the same «Found», there were even similarities in playstyle. Most likely, it would seem that they had used the archives of my battle recordings for reference.

«nanashi»: Good game

«YuKichi»: Good game. You’re incredibly strong, aren’t you?

«nanashi»: Thank you. Then.

Thus with yet another victory, I left the room. Well, even I had suffered defeats before but, recently, those had become more down to the issue of an internal battle with myself. An incident where I had lost to my opponent in terms of technique execution, first of all did not exist; all those times where I had lost had been down to my own mistakes. However for this reason, even now when I held first place, effort was still worth putting in, for it could be said that there still remained some room for improvement.

With that reason in mind, while thinking about things such as reducing my mistakes made in the next fight —

I caught my breath.

In the opponent column, a single name was displayed. [5]

«NO NAME»     Rating: 2561

I could feel the blood in my body beginning to rush to my head. My prior thoughts had been, that NO NAME was simply imitating my playstyle. However, their actions taken immediately following the commencement of the match proved completely different.

I charged my opponent, with the aim of executing a combo. However, NO NAME simply stayed in place on alert, starting to accumulate firearms.

This was, in times where it had become a Found mirror match, the only action that I considered disadvantageous to me.

Thus, this was no coincidence. I evaluated the situation without even considering that possibility.

They had performed their research on me, but rather than it being a simple blind imitation, they had even gone so far as constructing countermeasures for my individual style. For some reason, this was something I held confidence in.

What was even more astonishing was, things like NO NAME’s unmatched accuracy, and the overwhelming skill with which they were able to escape from combos. If I let up just a little in my operation, they would immediately escape from the combo. Things like their movement around the stage and conception of a situation from which to start a combo still had a ways to go before reaching my level, but if it was their combo escaping technique we were talking about, then in all honesty ── they had already surpassed me.

Rather than that, perhaps it’s just that my combo escaping technique was currently too poor. As for why, I was too strong, so in the first place, instances when I had been caught by a combo were scarce. In other words, this was one of my very few weak points.

To sum up, 『Not receiving an attack from the onset is good, therefore it is only the skill of escaping combos that is unnecessary』.

Such a consideration, such a premise. For this reason, supposing an occasion where NO NAME possessed approximately the same level of movement or combo conception as I, the difference in skill at escaping combos would probably bring about my loss.

── and it is likely that, NO NAME had such things included in their outlook.

As for why I knew that. It was simple.

NO NAME was, in comparison to their level, way too skilful at escaping combos.

At that level, it becomes uncommon to be caught in a combo by an opponent; in other words, the number of chances to practice escaping combos steadily diminishes. That’s why, without being limited to NO NAME, within the super top rankers, myself included, the kind of players who were strong at attack but poor in defensive battles were numerous.

However, this NO NAME. Considering their second place ranking in Japan, they had way too much experience in defensive battles. No, rather than that, that was probably their specialty.

This implied, that NO NAME had numerous opportunities to be struck by combos ── no, if I had to say it fully, 『Regularly, for the sake of practice, was deliberately letting combos connect』, that was the kind of meaning this carried.

In other words NO NAME was, throwing aside immediate gratification such as their win percentage or exhilaration from playing.

With their terminal strength, their ranking in the long term in view, they fought. Even if as a result their circumstances were to become unfavourable in their immediate battles, even if their winning percentage decreased, even if their ranking or reputation were to fall, instead opting for the results several months later.

People who might call such a person a namepu [6] would be wrong, for this was fully-fledged training.

At the very least, I was unaware of any other player who had abandoned all immediate pleasures without exception, and then produced clear 『Results』.

NO NAME. I’d had the intention of staying the number one rank in Japan forever, but perhaps there was no longer any allowance to declare as such. This much could be said, however. In the present state of affairs, within Japan, if there ever were to materialize an ATAFAMI player that surpassed me, then.

It would likely be NO NAME, only a single person.

As I reflected on that, the outcome was decided ── a manifestation of the present difference in abilities, I was victorious with two lives remaining.

«nanashi»: Good game.

Then, the final courtesies. The acknowledgements in the chat. As soon as I received the response from my opponent, I would leave the room.

«NO NAME»: Do you live in Kantō? [7]

Hn? Asking where I live. I wonder what the intention might be.

«nanashi»: Yes, it is Kantō…

«NO NAME»: If you feel so inclined, would you like to meet up?

«nanashi»: Eh, by that, do you mean one-to-one in real life?

«NO NAME»: Yes, precisely that. If possible, I’d like to have a talk, and revenge match.

An invitation to an offline meeting. In addition to that, likely one-on-one. Just what might it mean?

What’s the deal here. Certainly, recently the hurdle of meeting someone you had met online had been lowering, and in actuality, thinking about it normally, it wasn’t even that dangerous of a thing. In this way, considering the connection between the first and second rated in ATAFAMI, meeting them would probably make for an interesting experience. With that being the case…

«nanashi»: Understood, I’m ok with that.

«NO NAME»: Thank you! Your closest station, which might it be? I’m the one who invited you, so I’ll make my way from here.

«nanashi»: Ehh, let me see…

I designated a station, and we arranged for a meeting place and time. Rather than the station closest to me, I chose the terminal station one stop away from my house. This way would probably provide the other party with a more convenient commute.

«NO NAME»: Understood! Then, next Saturday, at 14:00. I look forward to meeting you!

In this way, right after the long awaited showdown, with such offhand acceptance, a face to face offline meeting [8] with NO NAME had been arranged.

 

A face-off against Nakamura on Saturday, and against NO NAME on Sunday. The Year 2 Class 2 classroom for the first time after those two days was, contrary to my expectations, fairly normal. Depending on Nakamura’s arrangements, considerable deterioration of my social status would not be unusual – is what I had resolved myself for, but after actually attending school, I was relieved by the lack of interest.

The revelation that Nakamura, who had the reputation of being formerly strongest in middle school, also strongest in high school, and myself, who had the reputation of 『For some reason, he seems very strong』 would finally be having a showdown. While not to the extent of making headlines, that story had still carried the sensation of being the kind of incident that would only spread through the classroom once every two or three weeks. In comparison to then, during the now after the confrontation, nobody was even approaching the subject, probably meaning that everyone had vaguely guessed the outcome and decided it was best to avoid touching on the subject [1]. Well, something like that was the number one peaceful resolution.

Just like that, I continued as always with my days of solitude, the time I spent not being very exciting, but at the same time not particularly dissatisfying. One could say that I was enjoying my lukewarm everyday life. I accepted such an everyday, continuing to live on.

── In the middle of all this, when a small incident took place was during Wednesday’s lunch break.

Appropriately, at that time I was walking through the corridor on my own, on the way to eat a meal or such. I had just so happened to come across Nakamura. Had this been under the same conditions as usual, then simply ignoring each other would have been acceptable but, this time, an irregularity had sprung forth. Nakamura was leading a girl. On top of that, it was Hinami Aoi.

Hinami Aoi. A yamatonadeshiko [2] gifted with both intelligence and beauty, with her innocence, liked by males and females alike, an undisputed perfect heroine. That she was first in the school for academics was natural, but she was even a cut above the rest in all manners of tests for physical fitness — short distance sprints and handball games to name a few — making her ranked first amongst the girls. No, to say nothing of the girls, she could even make for fierce competition [3] with the boys’ top athletes; it was exactly that kind of cheat specification. Despite all this, as part of her natural makeup, she sported a sociable smile devoid of disagreeableness. Notwithstanding that, she possessed, in some respects, an impossible to hate spontaneity, or should I say frankness, or otherwise ridiculous elements, but those weak points only served to perfect her even further as a woman, even leaving a sense of glamor drifting in the air, to the point that the construction was already beyond understanding.

Even the bad with riajuus me had a favourable impression, or rather, was already at the level of having completely embraced the feelings of awe.

Why she came to this Sekitomo High School was pretty much a complete mystery. Within Saitama prefecture, top private schools do exist but, at the end of the day, when compared to prep schools in the metropolitan area, they’d be no more than average in the rankings. I mean, there are an excessive number of surrounding rice fields. Talking about Saitama, if one were to move far away from the train station, rural areas would be numerous, right.

Previously, the two — well, ike but not really ike, though when compared with me could decisively be called ike [4] — classmates seated behind me had discussed the matter, and I recall their conversation going something like this.

「Say, about Aoi-chan, what do you think of her?」

「Aoi-chan, meaning, Hinami Aoi?」

「That’s right.」

「My thoughts…… I super love her. Everyone’s the same, don’t you agree? She’s an idol, so isn’t that already a given?」

「Totally.」

「It should be abnormal in itself, right. Studies, sports, figure, perfect in just about anything and everything. Isn’t that at the same level as being a genius?」

「Soo true. For us, no matter how hard we were to try in whatever part of whatever genre, against her it wouldn’t feel winnable…」

「Despite all this, she has an extremely good relationship with everyone, doesn’t she. That part’s so weird. After all, if I were asked by anyone which girl I’m on the best terms with, it’d definitely be Hinami Aoi.」

「……Me too. That girl’s the one I have the best relationship with」

「Right? It’s so weird. There isn’t even very much merit to being on good terms with us. Yet, she doesn’t discriminate. So, it’s not a calculated thing, that.」

「Just what is with that, I wonder if it’s okay to do something like call her a prodigy at life too…」

「Aaa, that’s exactly the right feeling. A baseball prodigy, or inventive genius, titles like those aren’t quite right, but rather than those, a prodigy at life. A deity.」

「For our school to be blessed by her admission, it kind of makes you want to express gratitude to Aoi-chan’s parents doesn’t it.」

「So true. Like, the only victory Saitama has over Tokyo, it’s Hinami Aoi’s existence.」

──That Hinami Aoi, far from even being on bad terms with, I had never even spoken once with, just how was this possible…? On the contrary, might she possibly be some kind of genius, is what I had been made to think. Also don’t talk about Tokyo Tokyo, first of all we should defeat Kanagawa, I had also thought. Otherwise, Chiba. We can’t be defeated.

At any rate, that Hinami Aoi was together with Nakamura. Naturally, for the news of the face-off between Nakamura and I to have not reached her was highly unlikely. And so, a small explosion took place.

「Ah! Tomozaki-kun! I heard you had a match with Juuji [5] in Atafami? How did it go?」

「Eh, ahh Hinami-san, err, about that, kaba—」 [6]

Completely bit my tongue. However, this wasn’t a matter of me biting my tongue because I was a kimo-ota, but rather, probably one of Hinami Aoi being the other party, expectedly making it easy for me bite my tongue like a kimo-ota.

「Ahaha, what’s with that, kaba?」

Completely being laughed at, yet for some reason without the feeling of being made fun of. I wonder if it’s the innocence seeping out from that smile that makes that happen. Or else, perhaps the laughter’s pure timbre. Or else, perhaps the elegant way in which she held her hand over her mouth. To be able to see Hinami Aoi-san in a joyous state, only pleasant feelings rose up. I wonder what this is. As for this smile, it involves magic.

「Ahahaha, ahh, fun. Err, what was it. Ah, that’s right! Which side won?」

Fun? Fun. That I had been able to amuse Aoi Hinami-san, something as wonderful as this, I wonder, does it exist? Even the impression of a saint-like existence. The heck is this.

「Uhh…」

「Un un」 [7]

However, Nakamura was in the immediate vicinity. It was evident that the sight of me had put him in a bad mood. At the time of the showdown, being caught up in the heat of moment, in the end I had continuously barraged him with all those words, so that was inevitable.

The problem was, under these tense circumstances, not to mention being in front the campus’s heroine, there was the issue of, were I to say something like 「I’m the one who won」, just what would happen? Nakamura would likely want to be thought well of by Aoi Hinami, and for my stock to rise was something, I, from the bottom of my heart, would probably not be pleased about… yep, seems like it’s about to become an unpleasant matter.

No, well, even I possessed feelings of wanting to show off my cool side just a little in front of the campus’s heroine. I might be twisted but I too am human. However for me to show off that kind of slightly cool side, it would in no way be relevant hereafter; on the contrary, the possibility that I’d be thought of as an exceedingly strong otaku-kimoi-warota [8] existed. As for why, it’s because Life is an unfair kusoge. With that being the case, saying here something like I lost might be the better way to go. If I did so, then as a result everything would probably work out peacefully. No, but on the contrary, that might injure Nakamura’s pride…… After thinking this far, I suddenly came to a realization.

Wait a minute. This perfect superwoman Hinami Aoi, why was she asking me? They were on good terms, so no matter how you think about it, asking Nakamura would be natural. Could it be the considerate let’s have a conversation with Tomozaki-kun, with whom I hardly ever talk? No, to begin with, given Hinami Aoi’s skill at reading the mood, from the recent atmosphere at school, she should have come to more or less realize that Nakamura had lost. Under these circumstances, bringing up the subject with me was unusual. If that’s the case, I wonder what this state of affairs is.

…I don’t understand. As I thought this, Nakamura suddenly opened his mouth.

「Shut uuup Aoi, I’m the one who lost. Something like this is enough, so let’s go. 」

Looking very unhappy, he spat that out. The mood froze. Oi oi, is this really all right?

「Ehhhh! Was that how it went! Aren’t you amazing, Tomozaki-kun! Juuji, don’t mind it!」[9]

It was the slightly teasing, affectionately nuanced kind of don’t mind. The mood softened.

「……Shut uup, idioot!」

While laughing as if astounded, Nakamura retorted to Hinami Aoi.

「Heeh, but, to win against the  can-do-anything Juuji, Tomozaki-kun must be very strong! Amazing…」

「N, not particularly」

「Next time I also want to try fighting you!」

「I-I think it might be best if you stopped that…」

「Right! Sorry, got caught up in the mood!」

With that, Hinami Aoi laughed with an ehehe. What’s this, she’s super easy to talk to. This must be that so-called communication skills thing. Furthermore, Nakamura, in spite of having his loss declared, was simply standing at the side with a thin smile as if watching over a child. Could this also be a result of Hinami Aoi’s follow up? If I assumed that to be the case, it had truly been amazing.

「Ah, well I’ll be, heading to the cafeteria.」

「Okay! Bye then. Do teach me the ropes next time, even if it’s just the basics.」

「A-ahh.」

「…ext……in」

In a small voice, Nakamura said something.

「Eh?」

「It’s nothing, bye.」

Wh, what?

「Err, b, bye」

「Bye!」

Thus, I received Hinami Aoi’s second goodbye from the back as I walked off towards the school cafeteria.

…Some, somehow it turned out alright. I felt relief.

However, I get it now. Since the follow-up was appropriate, even though that topic came up, in the end, with some careful treatment, the swelling had amounted to nothing. An option unavailable except to a riajuu. It was something I’d have in no way been able to use to my brain to conjecture.

Be as that may, for Nakamura to have declared 「I lost」 by himself was something unexpected. Due to that, the hate directed at me hadn’t had to accumulate, but……. As I reflected on this amongst other things, I arrived at the cafeteria.

In this way, the small explosion that took place was, by way of Hinami Aoi’s overwhelming communication skills, able to be amiably wrapped up, shrunk, and given new form. Things like a riajuu’s superb self confidence, or reckless raising of the tension in the atmosphere, I couldn’t stand them all, and had thought of those as pointless; however, I could not help but accept that Hinami Aoi alone was amazing. In that manner, my sense of values had been changed slightly, it was that sort of significance that this small incident had held.

Then, on the Saturday that arrived, a large incident took place.

『I’ve arrived!』

『I’ll be there in about another two minutes』

『Understood!』

The day of the appointment with NO NAME. As for our method of correspondence, our mail addresses had previously been exchanged with a 『If you need to get in touch, please use this!』. It would seem that NO NAME had already arrived. Only travelling one station, with a jolt of the train, I too reached my destination.

『I’ve arrived.』

『Understood! I’m in front of the East Entrance convenience store.』

『Roger that! Please let me know what you’re wearing.』

Upon exiting the east entrance, could be seen from the front convenience store there was an ashtray, with several males smoking cigarettes. I wonder if it’s somebody among them.

My cell phone’s vibration sounded. I opened the mail. Eh.

「The top is a white and blue shirt, the bottom is a black skirt!」

──female. Ah, well, so that had been a possibility. Against my better judgement, I had arbitrarily assumed them to be male but, certainly, it wasn’t particularly unnatural for them to be female [10]. Thinking as such, I arrived nearby the convenience store, and upon surveying the scene, I caught sight of a lone female staring at a vending machine. White and blue shirt, black skirt. It’s this person.

Their appearance from the back was approximately shoulder-length silky black hair, skin a translucent sense of white. The face couldn’t be seen but they were probably fairly young. It’d be nice if the voice didn’t betray my expectations.

「A-ah, excuse me, might you be NO NAME-san?」

Skillfully said. At being called, the head of the black haired, innocent maiden turned. Just what kind of face would they ── Eh.

「Nice to meet you! Yes, I’m NO NAME… … ha?」

「… Eh … ? Hin…」

「HAAA!?」

In comparison to the astonished voice I had raised earlier, Hinami Aoi let out a loud shout. Hinami Aoi!? The heck is this?

「Eh… Hinami…san?」

「One moment, let me calm down. …You are, if I remember correctly, Tomozaki-kun, right? From the same class.」

「Ah, ahh, that’s correct…」

As I had thought, rather than being the splitting image, it really was the actual Hinami Aoi. I mean, ever since the earlier astonishment, she had been acting kind of strange. Her tone of voice was also completely different from usual. How should I put it, there was none of that cheerfulness, but instead, an icy impression. Considering all this, the kind of performance she’d normally put on was nowhere in sight.

「You’re nanashi?」

An incredulous reply that was also, to say the least, overbearing. I answered flusteredly.

「Th-That’s right…」

「………!」

Guh. Her brows began to furrow. What’s this. The Aoi Hinami I knew was not the kind of girl I’d expect to make such a frightening expression. Something more innocent and cute…

「Isn’t this the worst……」

「Eh?」

「If possible I’d rather not believe it. That nanashi’s true identity would be this kind of no-hoper.」

「Hi-Hinami-san?」

Just now, what did she say? 「This kind of no-hoper」? Shouldn’t someone of her disposition not be using that kind of language on another person? The heck is this? Split personality? No, I’m just too disgusting, is is that?

「Wh-What’s wrong? Hinami-san, wait, your appearance is… and your tone is kind of…」

「…!」

Greatly leaning backwards, with a terribly uncomfortable looking expression. With how unbelievably her face was contorting, her emotions were all too easy to read. Usually that face would be used for cuter feelings, but…

「Ha… When it comes to Atafami, I somehow manage to lose control of myself.」

「Huh?」

「But if you’ve seen this much, it’s no longer of any concern.」

「Concern…?」

「Tone and appearance, right? Enough already, with this it’s no problem.」

「Uhh, by no problem, just what do you…」

It exists doesn’t it, a problem. A lot of them. Who is this? That’s the kind of level of confusion, really.

「……」

「……」

Then a moment of silence suddenly appeared. Awkward. However, Hinami Aoi, with a dignified expression, didn’t display any intention of finding words with which to cover up this unpleasant atmosphere.

「At… at any rate, err, that NO NAME would be Hinami-san, it’s surprising… or something.」

…I even made my words for filling in the gap in conversation come out in a jumbled mess. Even though the intention was for it to flow smoothly.

「That’s right. I too was disappointed. Someone like you who doesn’t even possess a fragment of aspiration, resigning yourself to a fate of losing at life, a trash-like human being is, the only one I had respected, that nanashi.」

「……Ha?」

I had always been belittling myself in my heart, but hadn’t expected that it’d be from the outside world that I’d receive the final blow. Such heartless abusive language. Things like a trash-like human being. Earlier there had been use of things like honorific language, but that had was past-tense. I’d been completely preoccupied by the gap between the her now and the her in school being so large but, being deprecated to this extent, I could no longer hold my silence.

「Wa-Wait a moment. Uhh, why did I, to that extent……have to be told this?」

「I’m just saying the truth, though.」

「Truth? That’s not… there are things that are good to say, and there are things that are bad to say, isn’t that how it is?」

「What’s with that?」

「To someone you don’t really know that well, no aspiration or, resignation to a fate of losing? That’s… that kind of sermon, there isn’t any right to give it, isn’t it impolite, is what I’m trying to say……」

「If you’re talking about being rude to a person, shouldn’t you stop talking like you’ve got something stuffed in your mouth?」

「There’s nothing in there!」

I let out a loud voice, at last getting out a phrase without biting my tongue. Hinami Aoi brusquely looked in my direction.

「…… Though well, that’s right. Impoliteness is impoliteness. Therefore I apologize for that. Excuse me. When it comes to that game I get a bit fired up. … Even so, allow me to speak impolitely. The personality I had uniquely respected was, the type of person I hate the most, after all.」

「Like I was saying, that kind of thing is…」

「If you’re discussing the etiquette of conversations, shouldn’t I be able to talk about the person? Just what is with that attire.」

Haa? Isn’t that completely unrelated. Like, there wasn’t a dress code.

「Ju-Just what do you mean? Isn’t something like attire up to the individual to decide?」

「……Haah. As I’ve been saying, this is exactly the part that I hate.」

「Ha?」

Still saying that? A while ago she had apologized completely.

「When meeting a person, furthermore, meeting someone for the first time, there’s a minimum standard of attire that one should have, right? Well, this time, coincidentally it wasn’t the first meeting but, that should have been the intention for the first meeting, isn’t it so? Just what is with that wrinkled shirt. Doesn’t it need a proper ironing? Also, the cuffs of those trousers, they’re tattered aren’t they? How long have you been wearing those? Haven’t you ever felt like buying a replacement? A high school student who is still wearing those high-tech sneakers, that’s something I haven’t seen in a long time. They’re covered in dirt, and the shoelaces are also worn out. I wonder, isn’t it easily understandable from the way they’re left untied when walking. Look, even that hair, isn’t it bed-head. Did you properly style your hair? By any chance, did you not even look in the mirror? Meeting someone for the first time when in such a state, can be called 『impolite』, is that not the case? Tomozaki-kun?」

Having it pointed out, I became conscious of it myself. I hadn’t paid it any attention, but, well, certainly, saying I had tidied up my personal appearance might not be possible. Well, I got that part. But, just what is this person’s problem. Just why does she, to some guy she doesn’t really know too well, have to suddenly go this far in stabbing them repeatedly?

「B-But, that kind of thing, doesn’t it have nothing to do with you, it’s the person’s freedom of selection.」

「Ha?」

「That’s right. You think it’s fine like that, so to you there’s no problem. Just, about the meaning of what you said, 『impolite』, you’re also doing the same thing as I am. That’s all I’m saying here.」

「The same thing?」

「Well, in reality this wasn’t actually our first meeting so, there isn’t really any need for you to apologize. Supposing it really had been a first meeting, there would have been a need to apologize, though.」

Far from being disdainful as if looking at an actual piece of trash, Hinami Aoi faced me with a repugnant gaze.

「…… Be as that may, considering what has been said up to this point, as expected I’ve been one sidedly impolite. I don’t believe I’m wrong but, for my impoliteness, as expected I will have to apologize again. Excuse me. The desire to talk about ATAFAMI and to do a revenge match has vanished. Goodbye.」

Saying so, Hinami Aoi turned around in the direction of the station and walked out. That expression was fleetingly visible.

──That the me who should have been planning to say goodbye as soon as possible to that kind of rude girl, had, over here, now involuntarily opened his mouth, it might have been due to annoyance at what had been said earlier, or else the way in which Hinami Aoi’s expression for that fleeting moment she had looked over her shoulder had felt like disgust rather than disappointment; what the reason was, even I was unable to judge.

「…Just wait a moment. Don’t go around saying as you please on your own here.」

Hinami Aoi stopped moving and looked over her shoulder.

「Was there still something else?」

I had unconsciously blurted that out to keep her from leaving, but to tell the truth I hadn’t had anything in mind. No impatience could be read on Hinami Aoi’s face. Rather, something like disgust as well as anticipation was visible. My mind had whited out; all I could feel was my fingertips that had become cold to the touch.

「You, were saying something about me losing at life, weren’t you.」

At this point even I wasn’t sure what I wanted to say here. The sound of my heart was echoing in my lungs, causing my brain to shake.

「Someone who has had high parameters from early on like you, of something like my feelings, you have absolutely nooo idea.」

Perhaps as if to repeat my words, Hinami Aoi opened her mouth very slightly but, whatever she was saying, I was already at the point of being unable to hear it. I wasn’t really aware of what kind of tone of voice I was talking in either.

「Life is unfair. Someone like me, unattractive, of poor physique, overthinking things so never being able to take a step forward, mentally weak, ridiculed no matter what they do, possessing neither communication skills nor self confidence; that kind of human being, just how are they meant to win against a strong human being like you?」

This was perhaps the first time I had ever said something like this to a complete stranger.

「But isn’t it fine like that. Due to that inequality. Doing one’s best bears no fruit. If it gave results then I’d do my best. But in Life, there are nooo rules. No reward. No correct answer. Isn’t it a kusoge? Then, there’s no use in trying your best is there, since there’s no correct answer. To begin with, you know, the kind of life led by riajuus like you, I hate it. With nothing more than baseless self-confidence, crowding together like you’re having fun.」

Now that the dam had been broken, the flood of words could no longer be stopped.

「Even if the foundation for it is there, I don’t possess the feeling of something like self-confidence. Even in a crowd, there’s still a feeling of solitude, so I can’t come to enjoy myself. That kind of way of living indelibly stains one’s body. I don’t even know a single cause behind it. Is that bad? When I came to my senses, it was that way, this is how I am. I’m fine like this. This solitary, but in its own way enjoyable everyday, it’s fine as it is.」

I clenched my fist.

「…That’s why, don’t impose on my sense of valueees!」

──Suddenly I felt a burst of passion. The mist that had been flickering from the beginning had now been cleared, and with the return of my vision, I was recovering my sense of composure. Gradually, I was able to make out Hinami Aoi’s facial expression.

Hinami Aoi was, expressionlessly, just steadily looking here.

「… The whining of a loser.」

Then, Hinami Aoi, vacantly said as such with a tone of voice as if simply pointing out the truth.

「What’s with that.」

「I said, the whining of a loser. Hate for the riajuu-like life? Even though you have never led the life of a riajuu? Just like a fool. Do you know why you hate it? Had you, after tasting the enjoyableness of the life of a riajuu, then said it is not enjoyable, that would be logical. But, you haven’t ever tasted it, have you? If that’s the case, isn’t that just sour grapes, the whining of a loser.」

… a similar line of reasoning, I had a feeling I knew it from somewhere. In addition, from a source quite close to myself.

「You know, I, of the people who in spite of their loss, justify it without putting in any effort, those people are what I hate the most.」

Truly, a familiar line of reasoning.

However, well, this and that are different.

「What you want to say, I understand. But, you know, the situation’s different. In life, well, chara alterations are impossible.」

「Chara?」

「At the instant of birth, it’s to some extent already been decided. Were I like you, a kyou-chara with a pleasant face, able in studies and athletics, then I’d be a bit more successful. But, that’s not how it is. I don’t know if it’s sophism or rebelliousness, but far from being rather irrelevant to Life, if you think about it, if just self-confidence and motivation are lost from your parameters, your attribute values are given the cold shoulder, and there’s nothing you can do about it!」

Hinami Aoi just silently stared into my eyes.

「It’s the character difference. That’s why it’s fine, like this. Besides, I do, fairly seriously, believe this situation to be enjoyable as it is right now. Therefore! Just leave me alone…」

「…Character difference, huh.」

Hinami Aoi’s eyes faced downwards for a moment. Suddenly, outside my expectations,

「Come.」

She grabbed my arm.

「Eh?」

I was, in a state of bewilderment, more than half against my will, dragged off somewhere by Hinami Aoi.

 

And so, I was currently, with my back curled up, looking small and quiet in a state of seiza [1], boredly looking around, searching for the point of departure of this sweet smell. Something matching an aromatic or incense could not be found. However, the odour was fragrant and feel-good to the extent that it would be impossible for the original source to not be present. What waspresent, was a white sheet and a light yellow towelket [2] covering a bed. Placed on top of them was a pink pillow and a dark, fluffed-up pajamas that had a lived-in-feel. On top of a small, black, elliptical desk, there was only a cute orange pen and a black lamp. Pure white cabinets and bookshelves. A stylish black study table. Pale pink carpet. The other objects present were everyday items that used warm colours as a basis to convey a sense of lovability and freshness. There should have been no spare time to use something like a spray beforehand.

With that being the case── cloth?

Clothes or bed sheet, towelket or carpet, if one were to assume that the smell of such things acted as the room’s odor, sublimating through the air, then it was possible to comprehend. However for the sake of implementing this, frequent cleaning, washing, and maintenance should be essential. If I hadn’t seen the suddenly changed Hinami Aoi not too long ago, 「I see, just as one would expect of the perfect heroine Hinami Aoi」, is the kind of understanding I would have happened upon, but this was no longer to be.

Just what is with this woman. Saying whatever she wanted as she liked. Making me say things I hadn’t even wanted to say. Generally, to a young man of similar age who you don’t even know very well, something like suddenly dragging them to your room against their will would be considered ill-mannered and…

I was, right now, inside the room of Hinami Aoi!

Becoming ever so slightly aware of this, I averted my eyes, but this was a serious state of affairs. Entering a girl’s room for pretty much the first time, not knowing the proper conduct for such an occasion, for the time being I had decided on performing seiza, but there were probably a number of things wrong with that. The girl in question, Hinami Aoi, had left behind the mysterious words 「You said, chara difference, didn’t you?」 just like that, and had after several minutes, yet to return; if this persisted any longer, I would probably die of mental suffocation.

With my jumbled thinking, one way or another I had managed to deceive myself, but I was already at my limit. Someone, please give me peace! *Ton Ton Ton*. Came the sound of someone going up the stairs. Aah, that reminds me, this room was on the second floor. I was panicking to the extent of forgetting even that detail. Most likely, it was Hinami Aoi returning. *Gacha*. The door to the room opened.

「……. Uhhh, apologies for the intrusion.」

I greeted the unfamiliar female who had entered. At the very least, the part of communication skills that covers greetings, or should I say, etiquette, was something even I possessed. If compared with Hinami Aoi, in all honesty she wasn’t that much of a beauty, but, in those features, the traces could definitely be seen. Likely it was her younger sister or something, probably. 「For that flawless bishoujo to have allowed this kind of boring male into her room, just what is going on」, was probably the kind of thought going through her mind, I think. I’m well aware of that, so I’d prefer that you don’t let those words escape from your mouth!

「How is it?」

「Pardon?」

「The house’s upper floor…」

「Uhmm, what might you mean?」

「……You really don’t have any experience with females, do you.」

「Wha…?」

For what reason do I suddenly have to be told such a thing by this unfamiliar female, I wonder. The Hinami household, does the urge to suddenly say something impolite to a kimo-ota run in their blood?

「It’s my no-makeup face.」

「Eh?」

「I’m Hinami Aoi. I removed my makeup. Just how thick-headed are you?」

「……Eeeeeeh──!?」

Certainly there had been the thought that the features were there, but, to have brought about such a change with just that? There hadn’t been any impression of heavy makeup; rather, it had seemed completely natural. Just what in the world was this.

「You, talked about chara difference, didn’t you?」

「……?　I did, but…」

「With this do you understand?」

「…With what?」

「Your crime of thick-headedness even extends this far? The appearance parameter, with enough effort, it’s always possible to change it however you like, isn’t it so?」

「Aah.」 I see, that’s what it was, huh…….

Well, I more or less understood what she wanted to say.

But either way, she had no right to give me that kind of sermon.

「Even if we assume that you are a jaku-chara, it is possible to make changes later on. Using your appearance’s initial parameters as an excuse to abandon Life, that’s something you shouldn’t do.」

Haah. This was kind of, different to what had been promised.

「…What? Did you bring me here to give that kind of common sermon?」

「Well, to put it simply, that’s right.」

「It’s none of your business. Didn’t I say so? The circumstances of you and I are different. Firstly, I’m a male so I’m not in a position to be applying makeup, so to begin with, that initial parameter is different. The base facial features make up the end of it for me. With that kind of thing, can something be done afterwards? For a jaku-chara, that’s how it is. …Haa, I’m leaving.」

Saying so, I picked up my bag and stood up. Perhaps because I’d thrown out everything I wanted to say just now, the nervousness from before had come to disappear.

「You really don’t understand anything, huh.」

「……Was there still something else?」

「Do you know the essential components of a human being’s appearance? Please try give about three.」

「I said I was leaving, didn’t I? Do I really need to keep playing along with you?」

「With that, it’s not just Life, but you even run from a trifling conflict of this degree, huh. A genuine loser.」

Just how could she allow such remarks that would irritate a person to come out so smoothly.

「I get it already, shut uuup, since you’ve gone that far with your words, I’ll respond to the provocation. The essential components of a human being’s appearance? Their base facial features and, what was it? Stature, and, something like body weight, I guess.」

「That’s entirely wrong.」

Complete rejection.

「Then what?」

「Facial expression, physique, and posture.」

Isn’t physique pretty close to what I’d been saying earlier.

「No, facial features are-」

「That kind of thing isn’t a particularly important problem.」

「No, that sort of conclusion is……」

When it comes to appearance, the original face is essential, isn’t it? Her answer just now was incorrect, right. The evidence is my life.

「Well then, won’t you have a look at this?」

Saying so, Hinami concealed her face with both hands.

Still in that state, after stretching her body, with a *paka*, she now angled both hands outwards as if playing peek-a-boo. Eh.

「How is it?」

「……I’m not sure what happened there……」

With the hands opened, compared to when the face was previously hidden, there was a fifty or sixty percent increase in sociability; quite the beauty had manifested. Hinami Aoi who had decided to appear without makeup, that’s the kind of the impression I got. No, the impression should have been the same as just now, though.

「Do you understand now? It’s the facial expression.」

「No… that’s no longer on the level of facial expression is it?」

「Then, just how would you explain this? Some kind of substitution sleight of hand? Or else, instant plastic surgery?」

While saying so, this time, without covering her face, Hinami began to slacken her face. Returning to her previous self-styled expression. Just when I’d thought that, little by little, she transformed back into that fairly sociable beauty. She repeated this several times.

「Ooh……」

I got the feeling like I was watching some kind of very well done performance. To tell the truth, this was quite amazing.

「To be able to do just this much, it’s only because I had put in the effort to that end, though.」 while saying these words, she slowly alternated between the two. 「Incidentally, do you understand that it’s not just the face, but also the posture that’s shifting?」

「Eh?」

Having being told so, upon watching closely, when power was being lost from her face, she was at the same time hunching her back; when she was transforming into that sociable beauty, she was at the same time straightening out her spine.

「Posture also changes the impression of the face. Facial expression and attitude, with just those executed perfectly, for a 『Riajuu-like appearance』, they’re more than enough. Well, nevertheless, it’s because I am blessed with the raw specs that I can become this much of of a beauty, though.」

「Well, don’t you possess such confidence in your good self.」 [3]

「That’s right, that’s exactly right. Self-confidence is also important, isn’t it.」

「I didn’t say it with that kind of meaning, you know… So? What’s up with that?」

「Do you not get it?」

……It wasn’t that I didn’t understand. With the flow of how things had been going, with this being shown to me, well, in summary-

「Almost all of the unattractive guys can become average looking or better, or something, is what you want to say here, I guess.」

「That’s a good guess.」

「Then, so what? That’s why you too should keep at it, is that what you want to say or something? Didn’t I say so already, that’s unnecessary meddling.」

「It’s not that kind of thing.」

「Then what?」

When I said this, Hinami, while gazing deeply into my eyes, no, as if even peering into the depths of the depths of my mind, said the following.

「This is why, the human beings who are like the current you, have the ugliest hearts in the world.」

「Wha……」

What was that, so suddenly.

「Though, that’s human beings who are like the 『current』 you.」

「Cu-Current me? ……Even if you try to make it sound profound,  even if you misrepresent it like that…」

「From here on out what I’m saying will be for my own self-satisfaction. I won’t mind if you ignore it. You might think that I’m giving you orders here but, in the end, the one making the final decision is you. It’s also not a problem if you simply disregard everything. Under that premise, please hear me out.」

Hinami Aoi, intercepting my words, said as such, changing the mood . Her tone of voice and gaze didn’t have any feeling of mocking in the least. As lacking in communication skills as I may have been、I could still tell that Hinami could not get any more serious than she was right now.

「……Al…Alright.」

One would not have thought that I was in fact of the same age, considering the manner in which I said this while being overwhelmed by the silent, unwavering intensity.

With that positive confirmation received, Hinami now spoke out, with neither the slackened face from earlier, nor the face of a sociable beauty, but rather, with an unhappy expression that was in some respects a reflection of human weakness.

「……You said this earlier, did you not? 『I possess neither communication skills nor self-confidence, while in comparison, you had high initial starting parameters』. However, there’s no such thing. I truly am nothing but an average person. No, I was living my life in a manner even worse than one. ……At least as far as elementary school. That’s why, I’ll be frank. The things you talked about like communication skills and self-confidence, all of them can be changed however you like with effort. The me that debuted in the first year of middle school is proof of that.」

A strong tone that made me sense that within herself, there was a definitive basis to her words.

「……You also said it was irrational and unfair, right? However, that’s wrong. The game called Life, operates using a few simple rules. They just intersect in a complicated manner, so you aren’t able to grasp them.」

Regardless of whether I believed her words or not, I could sense the content entering my mind.

「I respected nanashi. I had won all manners of things just through effort. That’s why, that method of putting in effort, with regards to continuing in that fashion, I had confidence that I wouldn’t lose to anyone, and because of that, I had the confidence to be able to produce results. However in Atafami, no matter what I did, I was unable to reach nanashi’s level.」

Gesturing only ever so slightly, it was just words being spoken.

「Therefore, I had thought that nanashi was a human being that was able to put in more effort than myself, and it was precisely because I thought this, that I revered nanashi. But, when I tried lifting the lid, I got this. The nanashi in Life, to say nothing of losing, isn’t even putting up a good fight, furthermore, is the type of human being that uses their qualities possessed since birth as an excuse to escape and move on. No, let alone that, is someone who, without even experiencing the fun of Life, arbitrarily decided on it being uninteresting, using himself as justification, an unsightly loser.」

Being belittled to this extent, it was a wonder how rage had not sprung forth. Perhaps because I had been overpowered by her earnest intensity──or, rather than that, I had the suspicion that it was because I had realized how similar I was to her in some respects.

「I’m an amazing human being. You think so too, don’t you? To the point that you might wonder if a sixteen year old in Japan who was this amazing could really exist. But, over that sort of me, you gained victory in one field. Additionally, at the same age, in a field where there is no advantage nor disadvantage due to gender. ──That’s why, let me say it. The fact that you, who is gaining victory over that sort of me is, the nanashi who I uniquely respected, and is in the game called Life, in this of sorry state of affairs, this makes me irritated from the bottom of my heart. Unforgivable! The worst! For the human being who I’m losing to to be a good-for-nothing, by extension doesn’t that make me look like a good-for-nothing too!」

That, despite being told this much, it did not appear likely to have been out of arrogance, this was probably because I perceived this person’s implicit behind the scenes, blood-running-like endeavours.

「Superior games are always simple, this is my pet theory. Thus, when the game called Life appears to have no rules, the truth is it has become a beautiful structure where there are only simple rules that have been interlaced. You’ve been saying that it’s a kusoge, but far from it, Life is pretty much a kamige that can’t get any better. It’s just that you haven’t realized it yet. …… Is it really okay for nanashi of all people to be defeated in this kind of wonderful game? Is it really okay to lay the blame on the game and run away from it? Is it really okay to leave things as they are, as the whining of a loser? ……Tomozaki-kun. I have one proposal for you. No, I’m giving you an order.」

The leaves and branches might be completely different, but this was the first time I had seen such a human being with a way of thinking so similarly rooted as mine.

For this reason.

「I’ll be teaching you the rules of this game, one by one. That’s why──」

Reluctantly, I had already consented to this person’s words.

「This 『Game』 called 『Life』, face it seriously!」

This was, the large incident that took place on Saturday.

 

「Well, I get what you want to say.」

It was probably the first time that someone had preached this much to me with what they truly thought, devoid of facades or any of that crap.

「I’m relieved that’s the case.」

Hinami Aoi had yet to tear down that expression that was like a reflection of the depths of her heart.

「But there are some things I don’t understand.」

For this reason, I was unable to provide an appropriate response on my side. Positive or negative.

「I consider this game called Life a kusoge. I can provide as much basis as you like, and, moreover, I even hold a considerable amount of conviction in this belief.」

Kyou-charas benefit, Jaku-charas are exploited. There are no simple, beautiful rules. It’s a kusoge.

「Right.」

「That’s why, what you say, that life is a kamige, or that it’s all an excuse, or that it’s the whining of a loser, those things I don’t quite get.」

「Uhuh.」

「However…」

「However?」

As I recalled that Nakamura had laid the blame for his defeat on the game.

「Without putting in the effort, misrepresenting the loss by blaming it on the game is the most unsightly thing in the world, of that I’m in agreement. I too hate that kind of thing the most.」

When I said that, Hinami Aoi lifted the corners of her mouth into a wide grin.

「Heeh. As expected of nanashi.」

「But there are still cases where it truly is the game’s fault. There are many games where you can overcome chara difference through technique, but, amongst them there also exist games where there are no ways to overturn chara difference.」

「Life is one of those 『games where there are no ways to overturn chara difference』, that’s what you want to say, right?」

「That’s right, that’s why Life is a kusoge.」

「As per your inner thoughts, that is.」

「Possibly. Though, I certainly don’t know how to look at Life in the same way that you do.」

「That’s certainly the case.」

「Uhuh. Of course, that much is obvious. A person isn’t really able to look at Life in the same way other human beings do. If it were a game, they would be able to do things like try out a kyou-chara themselves, but in Life there’s no such thing as trying out another person’s perspective. That’s why, I have no choice but to believe in my own way of seeing things.」

「Right.」

I looked straight into Hinami’s eyes.

「That, is my way of thinking.」

This time, there was clearly disappointment in Hinami Aoi’s expression.

「……Is that so. If that’s the case, never mind. In the end, you’ve decided to stubbornly—」

「But.」

I cut in.

「……But, just this time, I might be willing to listen to your side of things for just a little bit longer, is what I’m beginning to think.」

I willed myself to once more look at Hinami Aoi in the eyes. Ooh. Beautiful.

「And, why’s that?」

「That’s……」 I had to think for just a little while. 「That’s because, what you’re saying, how should I put this, resembles my beliefs too much. In spite of you being this kind of riajuu and this kind of beauty. If it’s the words of some fellow resembling me, mightn’t it be a bit useful for reference? That’s one thing.」

「Hmph.」

「Well, that’s not the biggest reason, though.」

「……Which is?」

Hinami Aoi gave me a look that was a mixture of both interest and doubt.

「That the one who’s been saying these things to me is, the sole gamer in Japan that I acknowledge, 『NO NAME』.」

Saying so, I once again strengthened my gaze.

「…………」

「…………」

「……So uncool.」

Hm? Even though I’d been expecting a, Then it’s decided!

「……Wait. 『Uncool』? What’s with that?」

「I said it because even at the very end, you’re awkwardly trying to show off. So uncool.」

「I had to muster all my courage to do that, you know. Have some sympathy!」

「I don’t care. Furthermore, ultimately you haven’t even said the important thing.」

「Show a little more regard for the struggles of the communicationally disabled, won’t you? I’m the type that grows when praised.」

「Have you done something that deserves some sort of praise? If anything, I’m disappointed. That this much is enough for nanashi to change his own opinion so easily.」

「Ha? Easily? Where do you get that from? Moreover, I haven’t changed my opinion. I just thought it would be worthwhile listening to what you have to say for a little longer.」

「How is that different from changing it? To me, they look the same, though?」

「Wrong. I trust a gamer. Additionally, in Japan you’re second placed. Which means to say, it’s the fact that, of all people, the person who I’d next place my trust in after myself, came up to me and said 『There are things you don’t know』. That’s why for the time being I’ll just try and listen to their story, that’s all there is to it.」

「Isn’t that what’s called a change of opinion?」

「Like I said, that’s wrong. For the time being I’ll try listen to more of the contents, and then I’ll confirm for myself whether or not I agree with them, isn’t that all it is? It’s still a long way away from implying acceptance. If I don’t agree, I won’t be accepting it, you know.」

「But you’ll still listen for the time being, correct?」

「Well, yeah, that’s right. I am nanashi. I know just how much how much blood-running effort goes into just one match of a game. So I’ve judged there’s merit to listening.」

「……Hmmph……That’s fine then.」

That’s fine then?

Arguing this much, and being able to converse with a classmate without pausing, it’s pretty impressive of me……is what one would think, but, really, within, I was treating this person as NO NAME rather than Hinami Aoi, so it probably wasn’t at all that amazing.

「Then, teach them to me. The things you call this game’s rules.」

And whether or not 『Life』 is truly worthy of being called a kamige.

「Haah. Tomozaki-kun, you really don’t understand anything, do you. Didn’t I say so? The rules intersect in a complicated way. There’s no way they can be taught so easily.」

「They can’t be taught? What’s with that, that’s different to what you said before, isn’t it?」

「……Then I’ll ask, when buying a new game, if you want to get good at that game, do you read the instruction booklet thoroughly?」

「What’s that so suddenly?」

「Just answer the question. Do you?」

「……No, well, I do read the instruction booklet but, in order to get good at it I’d have to try playing. Without actually coming into contact with the game, I wouldn’t be able to understand its essence.」

「Don’t you think so? It’s the same thing here.」

「The same thing?」

「You won’t get good at the game by studying the instruction booklet. Life too is the same in that respect.」

「Life too?」 I thought for a moment, but faster than I could work out a response, Hinami spoke out.

「For a game, you’d try jump in without really reading the instruction booklet, right?」 I nodded. 「It’s the same as that. Without playing, you won’t get good.」

……No, isn’t that strange? After all, aren’t I trying to play right now?

「Wait just a moment, it’s because I stumbled a lot after I tried to practice in Life, that things came to be this way then?」

「Precisely. Then, at times at which you’re stumbling in a game, what do you do?」

「Eh, in a game? Well, it also depends on the genre, but……I’d raise my level, or train, or look at a strategy guide site, it’d be something along those lines……」

「As expected. That’s correct.」

「Ha?」

「Even in Life, raising one’s level, or training, or browsing a strategy guide site, it’s good to be doing those kind of things. They form the roots and trunk for the game known as 『Life』.」

Saying so, Hinami smiled widely.

「……Hold on, no, well, what you’re trying to say, I get it. Therefore, level up, in other words, put in the effort, right? Well, certainly there isn’t really any alternative.」

「That’s right.」

「But you know, it’s not going to work as well as in any other game, for that game you call Life. Even if you put in the effort, it won’t become a reality. The limit has already been decided by the initial state, there’s no overturning it. That kusoge structure, that’s what Life is. Well, you probably wouldn’t understand……being a kyou-chara and all.」

「Do you really understand?」

「Understand what?」

「Levelling up is self-improvement. Starting from your external appearance or from what’s inside, the operation of raising the foundational abilities you possess. Training is the improvement of your technique for getting on in the world, in other words, specifically, the refinement of practical skills. With those two points, you should be able to clear the larger half of the game called Life.」

「……No, didn’t I already say I get what you’re trying to say? But, well, it’s not so easy. For a jaku-chara like me, be it levelling up or training, a mountain of futile problems exists.」

「Correct. Leaving aside whether you have or haven’t been doing that sort of thing up to now, those circumstances do exist too.」

「What, so you admit that those circumstances do exist? Isn’t it hopeless then?」

「However, those futile problems, that is to say, the times when you’re taking on a 『Difficult Stage』, a method to solve them exists. You said it, didn’t you? Levelling up, training, and…… one more.」

Which would mean……

「That would be—」

「Yes. The strategy guide sites.」

「……Then, just what are those so-called strategy guide sites? A self-development book or how-to book, is that it? If you look at those kind of things, you’ll somehow be able to cope, I assume is what you want to say?」

「Ara.」 Hinami smiled strangely. 「Well, that interpretation is acceptable; however. However, being more precise, there is only one strategy guide site in the world where if you were to just abide by the advised rules, things would turn out alright without fail.」

「And what is that? Something that convenient, surely there’s no way it exists?」

「But it does exist. To my knowledge, in the world there’s just the one and only.」

「……And as I was saying, what is it? Just where does that kind of thing exist?」

When I inquired, Hinami, with a 「That’s, well」, used her index finger to slowly tap her head two times.

「It’s this.」

An expression overflowing with self-confidence, almost like she was making fun of me. Isn’t it obvious? I could hear her about to say that.

「……You, how should I put this, your confidence in yourself goes that far?」

Haha. I laughed inadvertently. Relieved at having been able to get to the heart of things.

「Isn’t it obvious? It’s inevitable that I would have, up to now, accumulated the necessary parts for this game’s strategy guide. That’s why, the causes of getting results, they’re all drilled into this brain of mine.」

「The causes of getting results, huh. ……Are those what you call Life’s rules, then?」

「Yes, that’s right.」

「Hmmm……」

The rules of Life that I knew were 『Kyou-charas benefit, Jaku-charas are exploited』. Someone might seem uncooperative or cowardly, but can be seen as strong by trampling on people’s feelings. There’s nothing but those kind of soured rules, that’s why 『Life』 is a kusoge. However this person, was boasting that there other rules to 『Life』, moreover that these were even rules that mean 『Life』 is a kamige.

Since they were presently producing results, there was certainly persuasive power. The stump of their way of thinking was close to mine, and we could also agree on some things. Which is why, accepting what this person had said──that is to say, to seriously face this game called Life. It might seem alright to concede that much.

But that’s wrong. It’s wrong. This person is wrong. Probably, she and I aren’t able to understand each other.

Well, that’s how it is. In the end, this is what this kind of thing comes to. I tried raising a question.

「Hey……Life is supposedly a kamige right? Then, I’ve got to ask, how much of a kamige?」

That’s right. When it comes to myself and a human being who praises the game called 『Life』, there is a large discontinuity here.

「How much? ……Let’s see, to the best of my knowledge……」

She looked up, at a loss for a while.

「It’s far ahead in first place, isn’t it?」

See, look at that.

That’s precisely it. The people who sing praises of 『Life is a kamige』, in the end, place all other games in a much lower position. Just conveniently likening 『Life』 to a 『Game』, the truth of the matter is that they consider only 『Life』 to be a special existence. In other words, that they descend to consider the same point of view as human beings who love games, that kind of self-important point of view. From the outset, they’ve decided that other games are, in comparison to Life, worthless, looking down on them, and after making fun of them, then only likening Life to a game.

As I had expected, this person was the same. Despairing, I silently picked up my bag and prepared to stand up.

At that moment.

「Un…… as one might expect, it’s far ahead, tied for first place, alongside Atafami.」

Hinami Aoi, as if taken by surprise, as if let-down, said this all too naturally in a pure tone of voice.

「Eh?」

「Un, I was lost for a while there, but as expected, it’s not possible to come to a decision over which one comes out on top, is it. Truth be told, here it would’ve been more desirable for me to be able to definitively say that 『Life』 comes out tops, though. ……Tied for first place, as frustrating as it might be.」

──I was completely taken aback. A first place tie? Between Life and, Atafami?

That’s really what this person is saying right now? That riajuu who’s so far ahead, Hinami Aoi?

「Disappointed? Well, certainly, you’re someone who has mastered Atafami, aren’t you. Then, there probably isn’t any value in you trying another game that is only just about as interesting, is there.」

「……You,」

Far from something like disappointment. I had now, unconsciously──

「That’s right, you’re already in possession of the top position in the highest-ranking game. ……In that case, even though I need to be able to offer you something with more value……aah, I made a mistake. Truly, this habit of running wild once it becomes a matter of Atafami is really……」

Murmuring this to herself rapidly, Hinami then once more turned to face me.

「Well, the one who needs to provide an answer is you, basically, and however you do so doesn’t really matter. Telling a lie to gain your confidence would also be wrong, it can’t be helped, can it.」

Wrong, wrong. I had now, unconsciously──been completely emotionally moved.

「I……」

I stopped, as if unable to complete my sentence. For me, up to this point, unbeknownst to anyone else, the reason that I had continued to train in Atafami, was just that I had wanted to play it. I had wanted to become strong. Doing so was satisfaction for me, and happiness. It was all good. It was enjoyable. However, I’d had the self-awareness that this was probably, not something that anyone in my surroundings would recognize. Of the same level as being told on the internet that I was amazing, I didn’t even have any game-loving friends, I wasn’t praised by my parents, and there was no way I would become a popular person in class for my achievements. I also wasn’t athletic, and of course, had no girlfriend. In the meanwhile, I had continued to spend time on Atafami, and the results had come. All of it, had just been for my own sake.Truly, I had been fine with that. It was fine to not be praised by anyone, is what I had thought.

But right now, this person who was, to the best of my knowledge, the strongest riajuu, this person had said, 『Life is a game just as interesting as Atafami』. In other words, 『Atafami has, about the same worth as Life』, words possessing that kind of significance, had been declared so matter-of-factly.

──By this person who understood 『Life』 better than anyone else.

That I had been emotionally by this might certainly be contradictory. I had considered 『Life』 to be pointless, a kusoge, is what I had thought. Which is why — This kusoge is on the same level? Stop fooling around, Atafami is way more interesting, Atafami is the kamige here! — it would be natural to expect that kind of opposition.

However, I, in the most publicly recognized game 『Life』. In 『Life』, that I would be told by this person who, to the best of my knowledge, had produced more results than anyone else, that Atafami held the same value──that had been unthinkable.

Effort for which I had thought, that it wouldn’t matter even if it weren’t recognized by anyone else. And then, along those lines, effort that nobody had recognized. In other words, taken from me, effort solely for my sake. I hadn’t thought I was dissatisfied by that, and had probably even thought that it couldn’t be helped. But, now.

Unbelievably, I had received affirmation.

「What is it? That face.」

「……I」 Without me realizing, I was now hanging my head downwards. 「I think, anything that has rules, is a game. If there are rules, if there are results based on those rules, then it is a game in its entirety.」

Hinami Aoi stayed silent, waiting for my next words.

「Supposing that 『Life』 has those, then 『Life』 is a game. And then, supposing that, if those rules are simple, and on the inside, beautiful and profound, then it’s a kamige, and if that’s not the case, it’s a kusoge. Would your thoughts still be the same?」

「Yes. Certainly that would exactly be the case. Rules exist, therefore, 『Life』 is a fully fledged game. And…… those rules are simple, and beautiful and profound on the inside, so it’s a kamige, 『Life』 is.」

「……Is that so. I understand.」 I lifted my head. 「……If that’s the case.」

「If that’s the case?」

Then, I looked straight at Hinami.

「It’s got my gamer’s blood all riled up.」

Hinami’s face turned the colour of astonishment. I had no idea what kind of face I was making but, Hinami seemed to have adopted that astonished expression as a result of seeing it.

「This doesn’t mean that I fully trust everything you’ve said, though.」

I directed my words towards the gamer right in front of me.

「Before my very eyes, there is a game. This game, the degree of difficulty is high, but humans all over the world are unanimously participating in it, so the player base is large. I had judged it to be a kusoge after playing it just a little but, it appears that, according to information from a reliable source, the truth is it appears to be a kamige. And, before my very eyes, that experienced person is there, and has offered to teach efficient strategy guide methods. If so……」

Ignoring the dumbfounded condition of Hinami, I continued.

「There is no reason to not play it like – a -game.」

Having finished with what I had to say, looking in Hinami’s direction, the astonished Hinami from earlier had vanished before my eyes, and in her place, was the figure of NO NAME, floating a feverous smile.

「As expected of nanashi, huh.」

「Ah, well.」

「I wonder, don’t you already completely trust me?」

「As if. In this way, I’ll try playing, and until I’ve confirmed that it is a kamige, there won’t be any such thing as trust.」

Right. It didn’t mean that I trusted her.

But this person had the same gamer-like thinking as me, and had properly raised another game in the same arena as Life, and then, declared that Life is a kamige. ──A kamige, on the same level as Atafami.

If that’s the case, if it’s just trying it out for now, it should be all right, is what I thought.

「But with games, there’s kind of that issue. If it’s just to the extent of trying it out, it’s impossible to make a judgement as to whether or not it’s a kamige. If I’m going to try play it, if I’m not serious from the beginning, it’d be meaningless. Because I don’t want to be making excuses.」

「Quite so, right.」

Hinami, while laughing, nodded her head in agreement.

「Therefore, iIt’s in order to become that riajuu, in order to conquer the game called 『Life』, that I’ll be playing? In that case I’ll decide to try it out . However, I won’t hold back. That should be fine, right?」

Hinami, with an of course, once again nodded her head.

「Then, what would be a good way to go about things? For me.」

「Ara, you’re quite eager, aren’t you.」

For some reason, it seemed to be with delight that Hinami said this, as she stood up and started rummaging through the drawer of her study table.

「What are you doing?」

「Life is a game with a very high degree of freedom.」

「Hm? Well, that’s true.」

「In a game with a high degree of freedom, what’s the first thing to be done?」

「Hmm?」

In a game with a lot of flexibility, huh. Like a game where you can steal cars or do things like kill a member of the general public, or a game that lets you stroll around the city naked or steal items from a shop.

If I were to say what they had in common……

「Well, that would be be character creation, right.」

「Onitada.」

She said, a serious look on her face, extending her finger.

「Eh? What? Oni? Tada?」

「So, the first thing you need to do, is also character creation.」

「No, what was that just now?」

「……What do you mean? Aren’t you imagining things?」

Averting her eyes, she talked brusquely. Just what was that earlier? It felt like I remembered having heard it somewhere before.

Actually, the heck was with that? Imagining things? Oi, she was ignoring what had been said just a while ago. …… There seemed to be no choice but to move on with the conversation.

「……Umm, character creation, was it?」

「Yes.」

Showing a tranquil expression, Hinami Aoi. It had become a nonexistent thing of the past. I don’t really get it. Well, whatever.

「But, the creation of the «character» that I am, shouldn’t it already have been completed? ……Well, it’s a bit of a plain character, though. Hahaha.」

「Your thinking is naive, huh. Use this.」

While even ignoring the small joke of mine, Hinami Aoi retrieved something white from inside the drawer.

That is…… No, wait, wait.

「……Oi. Surely you’re not going to also say that I’m constantly going to have to use this to hide it, right?」

「It’s nothing of the sort. There’s a much more meaningful way of using this.」

As for the object in question now held in Hinami Aoi’s right hand, it was a large mask used for hay fever.

 

「……m home……」

Not saying it to nobody in particular, but simply because had become a custom to do so upon arriving home; it was in that kind of volume that I announced my return. Upon me entering the living room that was necessary to pass through in order to get to my room, my mother, noticing my appearance that was different from usual, called out.

「Fumiya, that, did you catch a cold or something?」 [1]

「Nn, ah, aah.」

That wasn’t actually the case, but there was no way I could explain the circumstances, so I gave her a vague affirmation.

「Even though if you’d said you needed a mask, we have one at home. Did you go out of your way to buy it yourself? That.」

「Nn, ah, no, a friend gave it to me when I said I’d caught a cold.」

「Ara. Is that so? Heeh……」

A kind of surprised, impressed expression. Even without her putting it into words, I knew quite clearly that So you had the type of friend who gives you a mask for free when you catch a cold, hm is what she wanted to say. Such is the bond between parent and child.

「Anyway, welcome home. I’m going to prepare the food, so you can go ahead and—」

「I know.」

We’re talking about the thing I always do soon after getting back. That is, taking a bath. With a Hai hai, I interrupted her sentence mid-flow and headed towards the bathroom.

「Ah, but right now is……」

*Gara*

「Ha, haii!」

Caught off-guard by the underwear-clad figure of my younger sister inside the dressing room, I replied by way of a mysterious response.

「……Onii-chan’s really gross, huh.」

Giving that sort of me a sidelong glance, not behaving particularly surprised, was my younger sister, indifferently wearing a sweatshirt. Black, lumpy, and baggy-sized. A black bra that didn’t quite match the right size for her unassuming bust, was concealed underneath.

「It’s a lie, right.」

「Ha?」

In such a state, wearing only a sweatshirt over her underwear, suddenly turning around to face me, saying something incomprehensible. Wait, is she even wearing anything down there, I wonder.

「That.」

She pointed at the lower portion of my face.

「The mask?」

「That you got it from a friend.」

「Aah.」

So that’s what it was.

「After all, Onii-chan doesn’t have a friend who’d do that kind of thing for him.」

「Hey…」

This kind of troublesome thing was possible because my younger sister was enrolled one year below me at the same school.

「It’s better not to make lies that can be found out, you know?」

She was a first-year, but one wouldn’t have thought we were blood-related, comparing the difference in merit between that useless physical appearance and that bright personality, on account of which her upperclassmen, in other words, my classmates, with whom she was acquainted were numerous, and so news on me would reach her fairly well. Actually, just why do I have to be mentored by my younger sister regarding the proper method of lying?

「I do know that sort of person, though.」

I had practically received it as a gift, and wasn’t really lying.

「Then who? Who’d you get it from?」

「Why do I have to say that kind of thing?」

「See, you can’t say it, as expected, it’s a lie.」

Haah. So troublesome.

「Hinami Aoi.」

「……」 She peered at my face with a *jii~*. I’m not lying, you know. Had she given up? 「Haaa……」

For some reason, she breathed out a sigh.

「What is it now?」

「Um, you know? That kind of thing doesn’t qualify you to say friend.」 An extremely astounded tone of voice. 「The fact you received a mask from Hinami-senpai, it’s because Hinami-senpai is an angel. Understand? She’s equally kind to everyone. To call her a friend because of that…… You could call her a classmate at best, right?」

Putting on a performance in an pitying tone of voice, I was lectured like a child. No, I hadn’t thought she was a friend to begin with at all, you know. Even supposing that I had, it’d more mean war buddy. Calling her an angel or something is unreasonable. If she’d have said Valkyrie, I’d have understood.

「Onii-chan, don’t do something like misunderstand and fall in love, okay? That would be embarrassing for me, right?」

You could at least say, 「embarrassing for me too」, don’t you think? What selfish thinking.

「Who would fall in love with that kind of ill-mannered woman?」

「……Eh?　What?」

「It’s nothing.」

「Aah, mou! It’s already bad enough that you chew on your words regularly, but with the mask on I can’t hear you at all!」

As she said that, my younger sister vigorously tore off my mask. Ah.

「……I really don’t get the meaning. Gross.」

Saying so, she unhappily passed by my side. ……Well, this was understandable.

「Well yeah, the meaning……I don’t really know either.」

As for the person left behind, reflected in the mirror of the dressing room was the figure of a kimoi otoko [2], pointlessly floating a smile that stretched to the corners of his mouth as far as possible.

 

I looked on with perplexed eyes at the mask that Hinami was holding in her hand.

「Besides concealing part of the face, just what use could that have? … Actually,」

And, on top of that, I emphasized how perplexed I was by the surrounding landscape.

「…… why did you change the location?」

Hinami had, after retrieving the mask from the desk’s drawer, invoked for the second time 「Come with me」, pulled me by the arm, and dragged me to a pasta restaurant near her house.

「Concealing is concealing. But, the important thing is, after concealing it, what do you do?」

What to do after covering it? …… Not.

「Wait wait, just why did we come to a pasta restaurant all of a sudden?」

「Look, it’s here.」

Thus, Hinami ignored the bewildered me’s question, and the waitress brought our meals.

「Thank you for waiting. Your Japanese-style mushroom pasta and three-cheese carbonara.」

「Thanks.」

The carbonara was placed in front of Hinami, while the mushroom pasta was placed in front of myself.

「No, like I said,」

「It’s delicious here, you know.」

Hinami said while laughing as if truly delighted. Just what is with that expression, so pointlessly cute it was astonishing.

「……Not the issue here.」

「Haah, well, just listen.」

With a sigh mixed in, saying so and pointing at her own mouth. She began displaying her earlier technique of becoming the beauty from before and then reverting just when I thought things had settled.

「Ooohh~」 *pachipachipachi* [1] 「Wait, no! Just what is going on?」

「Aren’t you persistent. It’s because I was hungry, that’s all there is to it.」

Saying so, Hinami ate a mouthful of carbonara. Twirling it with her fork, carrying it on a trajectory to her mouth, creating the slightest opening before placing inside the twirled pasta, and then moving so as to slowly extract nothing but the fork from her lips. It was all carried out elegantly and beautifully, with fascinating sensuality. My eyes unconsciously followed her tongue as it stuck out to lick up the sauce clinging to her lips.

「……Un, delicious.」

Hinami murmured slightly as she let an innocent, natural smile rise to the surface. There was no half-assery in how pointlessly cute it was.

「In other words, you know……it’s the facial expression.」

Facial expression?

「You mean the smile just now?」

「Ha? The smile just now?」

「Ah, no, it-it’s nothing.」

I had gotten too caught up in the pointlessness and unintentionally blurted out something strange.

Thankfully, Hinami didn’t pay any particular attention to the matter, and hastened to continue the conversation.

「Understand? This is the state of the mouth of a beauty.」

With that being said, when I looked closely, the corners of her mouth were raising slightly, and in response the areas around her cheeks also had the impression of being tensed. Indisputably a beauty. With sociability too. However, looking fixedly, how should I say, well, this person’s face is really cute. Conscious of this, I couldn’t look at her in the eyes, though.

「And this is the state of otherwise.」

All aspiration vanished from Hinami’s face. Looking closely at this state too, the corners of her mouth drooped, and areas around her cheeks were slacking. Even wrinkles had been created around the sides of her nose. It wasn’t to the extent of being plain, but whether she could be called a beauty or not was a grey zone.

「Ho～」 *pachipachipachi*

「What do you mean, Ho～. Isn’t that the face of an idiot. Shouldn’t this be a scene for admiration?」

「……Y-Yes.」

I’d been slightly overawed. No, as expected, she’s not the least bit cute, this person.

「Do you understand? In other words.」

Hinami raised the corners of her mouth.

「For my everyday, I’m always in this state.」 Next, Hinami lowered the corners of her mouth. 「You’re always in this state.」

「Th-that much? I am?」

Involuntarily, I was even a little surprised myself. Well, as one might expect, I wasn’t thinking that the corners of my mouth would be raised, but, I was a little discontent at myself being used for the bad example, and wondered if she was getting carried away.

「Yes.」

In a way so as to make me wonder if she had been preparing the response, she thrust out a hand-mirror. There was the figure of my slackened face.

「……I see.」

「Understand?」 I totally got it now. 「……Looks like you do, huh.」

「Wait, but I can’t see how the face can change so much with just that. When it comes to my face, the corners of my mouth are plain as they’ve always been.」

「You do a lot of back talk, huh.」

「I can’t help it, can I? It’s the sentiment of a sixteen year old.」

「Let’s leave aside the matter of whether you are plain or not.」 Putting it aside for me. Unexpectedly she also had some kind parts to her. 「You don’t seem to get the importance of the shape of your mouth.」

「The importance of the shape of the mouth?」

「Right.」

Hinami started to talk while using the spare intervals in between to eat her pasta, and I too followed suit and began to eat. On doing so. ──Delicious. Extremely delicious. What is this? So tasty. What’s this, it’s amazing.

A savory aroma of moderately singed butter and soy sauce scored a direct hit starting from the nose to the brain. Upon taking one bite, the grease seeping out from the bacon mixing well with the deliciousness of the mushroom, viscously dissolving on the tongue, a rich flavour permeating the cells. Upon becoming aware, at the same time, a springy texture of noodles was even imparting delight upon the jaws.

「……Too, too delicious……!」

This kind of delicious pasta really existed in this day and age……? Hinami, you have my thanks……

With a glance in Hinami’s direction, enveloped with feelings of gratitude and being moved on an emotional level, I could see Hinami, her eyes blurred, with an extremely wistful expression on her face.

「Doesn’t yours also… seem delicious?」

Despite the indifferent tone in which she said this, Hinami looked alternately at my face and my pasta.

Uhh, this would be……as one would expect, at the level that even a communicationally challenged could tell what should be done.

「……Want a bite?」

Upon which Hinami opened her blurred pupils wide, resulting in a cute expression that was a bit difficult to look at directly.

Then with a 「Thank you. I’ll be taking up that offer then」, she inserted a twirling fork into my pasta. Carrying it to her mouth, opening wide and eating. Even sporting a sensual expression of ecstasy.

Having become briefly fascinated by that expression, I realized a moment too late.

「Ah!!」

「Wh-what?」

Hinami spoke as if she didn’t get the situation. Wait a moment, I mean, wasn’t this that so-called, mouth to mouth, thing, but, carried out indirectly, isn’t that what just happened……!

「No, I mean, wasn’t that an, in…direct……kiss……」

When I had resolved myself and finished my sentence, Hinami raised her eyebrows, making an amazed expression.

「You know. It’d have been one thing if it were something like a plastic bottle, but minding something as trivial as this, shouldn’t that have stopped in middle school?」

「Eh? Ah, uhh, it’s something I wouldn’t normally care very much about……what is it?」

Ignoring my agitation, with a 「Haa. Rather than that, I’ll be continuing the conversation, alright?」, Hinami stiffened her attitude.

「Assume that two sunglasses-wearing males are talking. Their eyes and eyebrows are hidden. The contents of their conversation can’t be heard, but their figures can be seen.」

「Wha-what’s with that so suddenly.」

I still hadn’t broken loose from the confusion brought about by that indirect thing, though. Ahh, but the pasta’s delicious.

「Assume that one side is a riajuu, while on the other is a hiriajuu. [2] Of those two, which is the riajuu, and which is the hiriajuu, do you think you’d be able to judge by looking?」

Was this related to that earlier thing about the shape of the mouth? Uhh, of the two wearing sunglasses, which would be the riajuu……

「Uh…well, if they really were in front of me, wouldn’t I kind of be able to tell? ……Ahh, delicious……by their hairstyle, or behaviour, or attire, I’d manage somehow.」

I answered while chewing on the way-too-tasty pasta.

「Then, supposing, the case where both are sporting crew-cuts, and wearing a suit?」

The case where their hairstyles were both crew-cuts and attires were suits, huh…… I tried imagining the scene in my head.

Crew-cut and sunglasses for both……wearing suits……mumble……talking to someone.

「No, even then it seems like I’d kind of be able to tell.」

Hinami nodded.

「Right. Even with identical hairstyles, and eyes and eyebrows hidden away as well. Even under those circumstances one would somehow be able to tell the difference. Isn’t that strange?」

「Well, that’s true. Mmm, this is delicious. It’s certainly mysterious.」

「Why do you think it is that you’d be able to tell the difference? ……It’s, in other words, this.」

Nodding, Hinami once again pointed at her own mouth. No way.

「……It’s pasta?」

「Are you an idiot?」

I beg your pardon, of course that wasn’t it.

「……Facial expression?」

「Precisely.」

「U～n.」

「In an expression just like the one I showed you earlier, it’s especially just the shape of the mouth from which there is a big difference in a impression from a glance. People perceive that unconsciously, and are somehow or other able to judge a person’s character.」

Un, well.

「Yeah, it kind of feels that way.」 There I suddenly realized. 「Eh, but wait. That means to say, it’s because of that that you’re always smiling?」

Then, I finished up eating my pasta.

「Well. That’s half-right and half-wrong.」

「Half?」

「At first I was consciously raising them all the time. But, as my muscles were conditioned, they began to rise by themselves. Un, delicious…… It took several months to reach that stage, though.」

「Several months……」

Behind the scenes of that sociable exterior, there had been that kind of effort.

「Well, in any case, the facial muscles or shape of the mouth are important, that’s what’s going on here, right? ……But, then, what is it with that mask? As expected, doesn’t hiding the mouth defeat the purpose of everything?」

「Muscle training.」

「Ha?」

「Like I said, muscle training. If you’re considering conditioning of the muscles, there’s nothing other than muscle training, is there?」

「……Just what does that mean?」

Then, Hinami forced a plastic bag containing thirty masks into the chest of the bewildered me, and declared the following.

「For a month from now. With the exception of the times at which you’re eating or sleeping, whenever you’re travelling, in class, or even talking to someone, you must always express a full smile underneath a mask as you go about your business.」

「……Ehh!? Seriously? Always?」

While receiving the masks being forced onto me, I raised my voice in perplexity.

「Isn’t that obvious? Time is limited. Finish it up within a month.」

With those words, Hinami once again reseated herself. Before I knew it, she too was finishing up her meal.

「No, but didn’t you yourself take several months? If so, wouldn’t it be alright to go at around the same pace?」

「What are you saying? If you did that, you wouldn’t be on time for your target.」

「Target?」 It was the first time I’d heard about that. 「You mean the thing about becoming a riajuu in the end?」

「Do you not understand? When you’re starting to put in the effort, certainly those kind of big, long-term goals are important. But, at the same time, short-term goals and very short-term goals are also important.」

「Ahh.」

Certainly, when I had been practising in Atafami, it had been in that kind of manner that I had set up my goals.

「If it’s you, shouldn’t you understand?」

「……Right, well, I do get it」

「As expected. That’ll make this faster.」

In order to achieve a large goal, one would need to tread through a number of small goals as they progressed. Actually, if one didn’t do that, they wouldn’t really have a sense of what to do at the present time, and above all else, the motivation wouldn’t last. At the very least, that was what I had done when mastering a game.

In other words……『Life』 is a game too, so the same applies, perhaps.

「Big goals, medium sized goals, small goals, the way you’ll advance is by clearing those in increasing order.」

「…Which means, the big goal is……『Becoming a riajuu』, is that how it is?」

「Hmm. Well, there’s also different degrees of riajuu so, for the end goal, maybe something like 『A riajuu on the same level as me』, perhaps.」

「Wouldn’t that be……a bit too strict……?」

「Certainly if it’s the greatest loner within the school that is you, and the greatest riajuu within the school that is me, then there is the matter that the gap in between is too wide. But, if you properly manage to carry out what I tell you, it’s not like you wouldn’t be able to somehow achieve it.」

……For real?

「Well, I get it. ……So, the medium sized and small goals, what are they?」

「Hmm, well for starters, I’ll begin with the small goals.」

Gokuri. [3]

「Family, or friends, to be asked by them, 『Did you get a girlfriend or something?』」

……Pardon?

「So what does that mean?」

「It’s exactly as I said, though?」

「Uhh?」 Towards the me for whom this clearly made no sense, Hinami’s undeniably astounded expression assailed.

「Haah……even though you’re amazing in relation to Atafami, when it comes to Life you completely fail to understand, huh.」

She opened the palms of her hands upwards and seemingly deliberately, let out a yareyare. [4]

「That’s none of your concern.」

「Get it? In short, 『For a transformation in appearance to take place, such that it’s perceptible to those surrounding you, to the extent of being directly questioned』, that’s what it means.」

Uhh. 『For a transformation in appearance to take place, such that it’s perceptible to those surrounding me, to the extent of being directly questioned』?

「……So the question would be, Did you get a girlfriend or something? That remark?」

「Ahh mou. Anything goes. 『These days, aren’t you indiscriminately refined?』or,『For a moment, I couldn’t recognize you there』, something like that. At any rate, if you were told words pointing out that kind of 『Large transformation』, with that you’d have cleared.」

「I-I see.」

「It’s essential that it comes from your surroundings. It’s not enough for you yourself to believe that you underwent a large transformation.」

「Ho, hou.」

「In other words, from an objective standpoint, the circumstances should be such that one would think that your appearance or the aura you bring about have undeniably been bettered, that’s what’s important.」

「I-I get it.」

Hinami was annoyed. I could tell from the creases on her forehead.

「Just how much do you need me to explain things?」

「Ri-right. ……But, in what way will the decision be……」

「What is it now?」

「Look, I mean, being told something by my surroundings, how would I know whether or not I had truly cleared with those words?」

「……You aren’t even able to judge something like that by yourself?」

「So-sorry.」

「……Fine. If anyone says something, tell me those words exactly as they were said. I’ll decide if it’s enough for a clear.」

「Ro-roger that……」

I was covered in reluctant shame.

「Then, once that’s been cleared, I’ll present you with the next small goal in the list. That would be in accordance with the circumstances in that time. As for the medium sized goal……it’s extremely simple.」

Saying so, she grinned broadly.

「Before advancing to third year, getting yourself a girlfriend.」

Pokaーn [5]. This thing. Girlfriend? Me? The one who was to have a lifetime pass by as a lone-wolf? Well, the reason for how naturally the prerequisite of me not having a girlfriend to start with was assumed, was probably that it’s me we’re talking about. Hinami-san, that was exactly right.

「Nononononono.」

「What?」

「Isn’t the hurdle way too high?」

「Which part?」

An expression like she seriously didn’t get it. Is this the difference in mindset of a human being who’s had their share of popularity?

「You know, you can get yourself a boyfriend easily so you might not understand, but, for a human being with no popularity, getting a lover, that’s outrageously extraordinary right!? Furthermore, now it’s June, right? Which means there isn’t even a year left to go, right!? Isn’t it decided that that kind of thing is impossible for me!」 [6]

Unconsciously, I stood up and started fervently speaking about my unpopularity. The waitress who had come bringing the after-meal black tea placed saucers onto our table while smiling forcedly. Hinami stayed seated and breathed a sigh. Embarrassing.

「Haa. ……Then, I’ll ask the reverse.」

Immennnsely cold eyes.

「O, Okay.」

「Of the second year high school students, the males with a girlfriend, what percentage do you think that is?」

「Eh……well, what? About twenty or thirty percent, maybe?」

「……Then, for argument’s sake, let’s lower that to an estimate of ten percent.」

「A, aa.」 What does she intend to say, I wonder.

「To make things easy to understand, consider a game. Let’s see, how about Atafami. You’re the number one in Japan, correct?」

「Well, that’s right.」

「Alright, then, let’s assume that there is an absolute amateur present here. Then, that person says that they want to become skilled at Atafami. That’s where you make your entrance.」

I was cleanly pointed at.

「Mine?」

「Yes. To that person, you are able to in one year, earnestly give them advice such as control your character in this way, or, practice like this. Then, that person properly abides by what you say, and puts your advice into practice.」

「I see.」

「In a situation like that, to nurture that person into becoming one of the top ten percent of players from Japan’s total population in a single year, how difficult do you think it would be?」

Ten percent, huh. Ten percent would mean the level of about one in ten people, and if coached by the level of the number one strongest……

That would be, well.

「……Extremely……simple, huh.」

「Onitada.」

「Eh?」

「Things turned out this way even with a fairly low estimate of ten percent. In other words, when it comes to you getting a girlfriend before advancing to the next year, if you abide by what I say then it’s a simple matter.」

This was said rather rapidly.

「No, wait, what was that? That thing just now?」

「……You’re imagining things.」

What? Are you messing with me? Your face is red, do you think I can put up with you making fun of me and laughing? And yet, somehow, that sounded like I’d heard it somewhere before……

「Rather than that, you understand, right? It’s not that high of a hurdle.」

Well, certainly that would be the case theoretically, but……

「But, Atafami and Life are different, right.」

Once again, she sighed.

「Could you please not arbitrarily decide on things on your own? You may be a pro when it comes to Atafami, but when it comes to Life, aren’t you a complete amateur? For the time being you’ve decided to try it out, so obey.」

「……Sorry, well, that’s true.」

I honestly apologized. It was something I had decided on myself. Certainly, the rules of Life, and the method of skilful operation of a character in Life, were things I didn’t know. This super advanced practitioner, did know, so for the time being I should just obey like a dog. That was the way it should be for a proper gamer. It would be better for one to proceed in that way before judging if the game is a kamige.

「The Second Textiles Room, do you know the place?」 [7]

「Eh?」

「Like I said, Second Textiles Room in the old school building. Do you know it?」

Aah, belonging to our school……I suppose there was something like that.

It was probably that place. If I went to the old school building I’d likely know it.

「Aah, I kind of know it.」

「Right. Then, from now on, every day, thirty minutes before class begins, and after school, come there.」

「Wh, what for?」

「For the instructions on what should be done for that day and, for that day’s report and reflection to be carried out, isn’t that obvious? Without trial and error, where would the effort be? If you’re going to do something, do it thoroughly.」

If you’re going to do something, do it thoroughly, huh. Well……I agreed on that.

「……O-kayー」

「Nonetheless, there will likely be days when things come up for either of us so, in those circumstances, we’ll have to cope with it by improvising. We already know each other’s mail addresses, anyway.」 [8]

「That’s true. Well, it’d be very rare for something to come up for me, though. Hahaha.」

「……Do you, really have the determination to do this? The plan is for you to become in a few months’ time, the kind of person for whom after-school plans would pop up, you know?」

Glared at. Rather, eh.

「Seriously?」

「Isn’t that obvious?」

Amazing reliability. If that really did come to be, it would be quite interesting.

「Understood. Please treat me well.」 I lightly bowed my head.

「Ah, also……」

And then, suddenly, with only the most minimum of coolness left behind, Hinami started talking with a sense of confusion. Turning her eyes to the side while prolonging the action of drinking what was left of her black tea.

「Hn? What.」 When I asked, she gave a slight start. What’s this now?

「Umm, well, look, this is sort of, NO NAME and nanashi’s offline meet, right?」

What’s with this sudden meek behaviour?

「Tha, that’s true. What of it?」

「Wha-what of it, just. ……Look, since it’s an offline meet and all that……」

「Hn?」

「Aa mou!」

Hinami leaked out an uncharacteristically emotional voice, after which she cast her eyes downwards for a moment, inhaled, made eye-contact with me in an unnatural way, and,

「That’s why, it’d be normal to inform the other of your Atafami friend code, wouldn’t it? Is what I’m saying.」

Up until now Hinami had always been looking at me in the eyes as she talked but, how should I put it, right now, it kind of felt like, if she averted her eyes, it’d be her loss, and it was because of that, that she was now forcing herself to continue facing me. This was the kind of impression I got.

In contrast to that sternly glaring gaze or pursed lips, how should I put it, little by little, her cheeks were dyed a shade of red. That this was due to neither heat nor anger, was something even the communicationally challenged me knew full well. I knew this, but for this very reason, the choice of which words I should be using for my follow-up, that was something I didn’t know.

That thing I had been hearing about her emotions upon something becoming a matter of Atafami, applied up to here, did it.

「That’s all it is ……You seem to want to say something?」

I had no intention of inadvertently provoking and angering her, so I simply replied with a 「No, not really」, and we exchanged friend codes. With this, we’d be able to carry out friend battles at any time.

I decided to just burn the red face from earlier into my long-term memory. Incidentally, the black tea had also been extremely delicious.