Ore wo Suki nano wa Omae dake ka yo - Chapter 2 Part 1

Chapter 2 – Passing the Baton to Myself

 

 

Finally, it was Saturday!

 

I’ve been waiting for this day!

 

I made that appointment with Prez on Wednesday, so for the whole three days I had been waiting with excitement for this day to come!

 

They said that when you were waiting for something, the time passed slower than usual and that was the case for me.

 

It was only three days, but it felt like I had been waiting for thirty years!

 

Thirty years! I had to endure for almost double my lifetime. 

 

Well, I was exaggerating.

 

My excitement wasn’t a lie though. In fact, I was so excited that I ended up arriving at the meeting place an hour before the appointed time.

 

We planned to meet up in front of the police box near the station.

 

I proposed this as a measure so that if someone were to flirt with the Prez while she was waiting for me, she could ask the police to help her drive them out.

 

But, since I ended up coming first, this didn’t end up mattering.

 

To be honest, I wanted her to come first, so I could admire her from afar, but I’d rather not inconvenience her just to satisfy my selfish desire.

 

That was why I abandoned that idea.

 

Alright, before she arrives, let’s do a fashion check.

 

I look perfect.

 

Well, to my standard at least. It wasn’t like I was wearing anything amazing.

 

But, the thing that mattered was the fact that I did my best to dress up!

 

Last night, I googled a lot of things such as ‘How to leave a good impression on a date,’ ‘How to prevent your hands from getting sweaty,’ ‘When is the perfect timing to hold your partner’s hand,’ and so on. I also bought a fashion magazine and read through it.

 

In any case, I’ll show you what I’m wearing for today! What? You don’t care? C’mon, don’t be like that!

 

Since it was spring, I wore a shirt and brown chino pants. Considering Prez’ serious personality, I figured that dressing up in simple clothes would do it. I also wore a black jacket. As for my footwear, I bought new white sneakers just for today!

 

Anyone would look good after dressing up this much!

 

Or, well, in my case, look presentable.

 

…Haah… I wish I was born a little cooler.

 

No, don’t be depressed, me! I will be going out with Prez today! If I were to look depressed, she might misunderstand the situation! That was why I needed to act like usual!

Of course, I needed to pay attention to what I was doing while waiting. I must not play with my phone.

 

Prez was quite perceptive. If she were to catch me playing with my phone, she’d figure out that I had been waiting for a while.

 

Ah, right, my phone broke. Ignore my words just now, please.

 

Alright, my next move should be, look around restlessly so I’d give her the impression that I had just arrived!

 

*   *   *

 

I acted like that for thirty minutes. It was to the point that everyone around me looked at me suspiciously.

 

“Hello. You came early.”

 

Here she comes!

 

I didn’t even need to turn around to find out if it was really her. That voice could only be her!

 

She came thirty minutes before the appointed time! What an angel!

 

“N-No, I had jhust arrived thoo.”

 

No! I bit my tongue!

 

“Hahaha, that’s a funny way of talking.”

 

Thankfully, that just made her giggle while covering her mouth with her hand. What an angel!

 

This person always had the right follow up for my mess. How did she do it?

 

In any case, I need to calm down. Let’s take a look at her attire.

 

Ah… What a lovely outfit.

 

A light pink one piece, the same color as Cosmos, covered by a white cardigan.

 

I could see her thighs… Ahem!

 

This kind of girlish attire matched her perfectly!

 

She was so pretty! How could this kind of beautiful lifeform exist in this world?!

 

The basket she was holding with both hands only enhanced her beauty.

 

“Um… Do I look weird?”

 

Oh my god! That embarrassed look of hers!

 

I can’t! I can’t~! Wait, no! I shouldn’t act like this! Focus on the objective!

 

To get to know Prez better— No! To buy a new phone with her!

 

“You look fine! A-Anyway, let’s go!”

“Alright, let’s go.”

 

Wow, the attention she gathered was amazing. Everyone on the street was staring at her.

 

I could hear a few people complimenting her beauty. I get their feelings.

 

Honestly, if I were to stand among the mob characters like them, I would act the same way as them.

 

Too bad that I was the main character this time and Prez was my lead heroine for the day.

 

Hooray!

I headed toward the phone store with Prez, looking completely elated.

 

*   *   *

 

“This one is better, Joro-kun. Look at the spec and the price. It’s a good bargain!”

“Really?”

 

Holding Cosmos Note in her hand, Prez said those words to me.

 

“Yes. I did some research last night, you see.”

“Eh?! You went out of your way just to help me?!”

“Of course. I was the one who caused this, so I should at least do this much. Am I being a bother?”

 

Was she an angel? No. Was she a goddess?

 

“If you have any preferences, tell me, Joro-kun. I’ll take them into consideration.”

 

She suddenly came closer to me.

 

What kind of shampoo did she use? It smelled so good!

 

“N-No, I don’t have any… A-Anyway, Prez, you’re a little…”

“Ah, sorry. When I get too absorbed into something, I tend to ignore everything around me. I’ll be more careful from now on.”

 

With a slightly bashful smile, Prez moved away from me.

 

Her words… Her gestures… Everything was too good to be true!

In the end, I did as she told me and bought the phone that she recommended.

 

Then, Prez came over to me while saying, “I’ll give you my contact address again.” So, I got both her email and phone number as an added bonus.

 

This marked a new page in Joro’s history. ‘The first person I registered on my new phone!’

 

Welcome, my new phone! Once I got back home, I’d transfer all the data from my old phone to you!

 

“Also, this is from me, Joro-kun.”

“Huh?”

“You can use it for your new phone.”

 

Prez then gave me a case for my phone.

 

Apparently, she bought it secretly when I was still talking with the cashier.

 

“Are you sure?!”

“Yes.”

 

She said that with a gentle smile and a calm tone. Man, that expression was simply unfair!

 

Now, should I use this case or not?

 

I considered making a shrine for it and placing it in my room, but if I didn’t end up using it I’d end up feeling guilty for the rest of my life. In the end I decided to use it.

 

Anyway, this was where the true date began! The date at a fancy cafe! I did a lot of research to find a good place for today!

 

That would be our destination after this!

 

“Joro-kun, for lunch…”

“Yes! I’ve looked up for a good place! There’s a nice cafe nearby!”

“Really? I-I see…”

 

Huh? She looked troubled for some reason.

 

Did I say something bad?

 

“No, I mean…”

 

With a modest gesture, she raised the basket she was holding.

 

“It’s impertinent of me, but… I already made lunch for us…”

“Eh?! Really?!”

 

Homemade lunch?! Was it really okay for me to eat it?! The Prez made it, you know?!

 

I can’t believe this! I got to eat such a wonderful meal!

 

Sorry, I lied. Actually, I had already expected this kind of development after seeing that basket.

 

And my expectation came true. It seemed like the gods in heaven had answered my prayers.

 

“If you don’t mind, shall we have lunch in a nearby park? It’s okay if you don’t want to though…”

“I don’t mind at all! Rather, I’d welcome that idea!”

“I’m relieved to hear that. Thank you, Joro-kun.”

“N-No need to! It should be me who’s thanking you!”

“Really? I guess we should be calling it even then.”

“Yes!”

 

The Goddess smiled at me while I nodded at her vigorously.

 

Since we decided to go to the park, we went there! Here we go!

 

*   *   *

 

“Here should be fine.”

 

Once we arrived at a park and secured a good place, Prez spread out a pretty-looking pink-colored sheet that she brought with her.

 

Then, she sat down with her legs folded at an angle. I hurriedly sat down in front of her.

 

Woah… We somewhat looked like a couple, didn’t we?

 

Normally I’d complain about the loud children around us, but I didn’t mind their presence this time.

 

Could this be the result of Prez’ power?

 

“Here you go.”

 

Prez handed me a wet towel with an elegant gesture.

 

If it was a man, he’d hand it with one hand, but she went out of her way to hand it over with both hands.

 

She kept scoring those points! Gawd, this was just unfair, my queen!

 

“Alright, shall we start eating?”

 

What she prepared for our lunch were sandwiches.

 

Inside the basket was a neat array of various flavors of sandwiches. Every one of them looked delicious… And tasted delicious! I was too busy savoring the favor to be able to remember what exactly they tasted like, that was how good they tasted.

 

Ah, happiness…

 

Was it okay to be this happy? This much happiness made me suspect that there would be some kind of cruel twist coming up soon.

 

“Thank you for the food! That was tasty!”

“I’m so glad you think so. Thank you.”

 

She smiled at me. No, Prez, you couldn’t just smile like that!

My affection meter was already at max! Any more, it would overflow!

 

“I-I’ll clean everything up!”

 

In order to prevent my feelings from going out of control, I rolled the sheet after both of us got off it.

 

“Alright, is this good?”

“Yes, it is.”

 

But, the same crisis came upon me again after I saw that gentle smile of hers.

 

No good. Calm down… Calm down… I should start thinking of what we should do after this.

 

For the time being, we’ve already completed our goal for this outing as I’ve bought a new phone. 

 

Since Prez had shown enough sincerity as an apology, we could just go home now.

 

Honestly, ending it here would be enough for me.

 

I had enough fun already. Anything more would be greedy of me.

 

“U-Um, Joro-kun!”

“Yes?”

 

While I was being immersed in my happiness, Prez approached me.

 

Her voice carried a little more tension than usual.

 

I thought that I was just imagining things again, but after seeing her red cheeks, I realized that it was real.

 

“U-Um… I-I don’t know how to put this…”

“What is it?”

 

She then held the hem of her skirts down and sat on a nearby bench. (T/N: Our MC appears.)

 

“A-Actually, I asked you to come here because I have something to tell you, Joro-kun!”

“You have something to tell me?”

“Y-Yes! I-It might be an unpleasant topic for you though… I-I might become a nuisance to you…”

 

Uh, what? Unpleasant? Nuisance? What was this all about?

 

She seemed really fidgety for some reason. What was wrong with her?

 

“U-Um… D-Do you mind sitting next to me first?”

“Y-Yes, sure.”

 

I followed her instructions and sat down next to her.

 

However, she didn’t continue her words.

 

But, my hunch was telling me that something big was about to start.

 

The calm and collected Prez, fiddling with her hair with her gaze downcast.

 

So cute… Wait, no! I need to hear what she wants to say to me first!

After that, I could admire her beauty as much as I liked!

 

“Um… Uu…”

 

She tried to open her mouth a few times, but she always ended up closing it back.

 

I hoped that she could just say it quickly, but I didn’t say that thought out loud.

 

After all, someone of her caliber was this flustered. The thing she wanted to tell me must be something big.

 

Since I was a man, I decided to quietly wait for her to speak.

 

“I-In truth… Um… T-There is someone that I like…”

 

The moment I heard those words, my heart started racing.

 

“Y-Yes!”

“When I think about him, my chest feels tight. Just being able to see him every day makes me happy. I know this is selfish of me, but I always force myself to make an excuse to see him…”

 

Why was she talking to me about this?

 

I could hear my heartbeat echoing in my ears. It was as if my whole body itself was beating loudly, not only my heart.

 

“I-I…”

 

Slowly, but surely, she brought her face closer to mine.

 

She had the face of a maiden-in-love. Like a painting, her beauty captivated me.

 

When our faces were close enough to the point that we could feel each other’s breaths, she closed her eyes.

 

Could it be?…

 

“I’m in love with your best friend, Oga Taiyou!”

 

…

 

WHAT?

 

“It started last year, when the baseball club went to the finals at the regionals!”

 

Eh? What? Last year’s regionals?

 

“That time, Oga-kun kept cheering on the other members who were crestfallen after losing the match with a big smile on his face. Even though he was supposed to be the one who was the most frustrated about it. But, he kept telling everyone, ‘Don’t worry about it! I was off my game!’ He turned himself into a scapegoat while smiling and encouraging his teammates. His figure was firmly etched in my memory!”

 

Prez reminisced that scene while looking up at the sky.

 

“But, there was something about him that only I knew about! I was a little curious after that, so I went to the player’s waiting room through the east’s exit. Just then, I saw him coming out of the waiting room. To my surprise, he slammed his head into the wall and cried.”

 

I could see that. He was that kind of person, someone who hated to lose.

 

“My heart started beating faster at that moment. I wanted to go up to his side, hug him and tell him that everything isn’t his fault, he has done his best after all. And that was when I realized that I’ve fallen for him…”

 

I see.

 

“But, we are in different grades and we don’t interact much with each other to begin with! I could use the student council’s name to interact with him, but that will never be enough to get us… Into a relationship…”

 

With a completely red face, she opened her notebook and began to speak passionately.

 

About everything she liked about Sun-chan, his cool side and so on.

 

“A-Anyway! I-I know this is pathetic, but I need your help to get to know him better!”

 

She begged me with a desperate look.

 

Just looking at her expression made me understand that she was serious about this.

 

Ah… Uh, could it be this was the real reason why she wanted to go out with me today? I guess so, huh?

 

My previously racing heart had died down.

 

The cruel twist I expected ended up coming true.

 

“I-Is that a no?”

 

With moist eyes, she looked up at me.

 

Looking at her expression made my heart weak.

 

“I’ll be glad to help you. Just leave it to me!”

 

I said forcefully while hitting my own chest.

 

“Thank you! Thank you very much!”

 

She bowed to me, someone who was younger than her. I guess that meant she was happy after hearing my words, huh?

 

“T-Then, see you on Monday!”

 

But, that seemed to be her limit.

 

Flustered, she left the park in a dash, leaving me by myself.

 

At that moment, a cold breeze blew through the park.

 

…Oh, no.

 

That was the only reaction I could make in my mind at the time.

 

TL: Iyo

ED: Iyo

 

 

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