For Some Reason, My Ex-girlfriend, Who Lost Interest in Me, and My Current Girlfriend, Whom I’ve Kno

I couldn’t dodge Izumi-san’s questioning and confessed that I was going to meet Natsukawa-san. Of course, I told her the purpose of our meeting.

I wish I could tell a gentle lie at times like this, but apparently I’m the type of person whose face shows it, and no matter how many lies and deceptions I put up, Izumi-san immediately saw right through them.

I mean, it’d be amazing for a man to be able to push through a lie with a girl as pretty as Izumi-san staring at him.

It sounds like I’m faulting Izumi-san, but I’m not going to make excuses. I am the one to blame.

If I was thinking about her, I shouldn’t have broken my silence until the end, even if it would’ve made her suspicious.

Thanks to this, the atmosphere is like a wake.

After forcing the culprit to tell the truth, Izumi-san (the police) plopped down on the desk and let out a series of heavy sighs, “Hah~~.”

This is no good. I really can’t stand this!

I hate myself for being so clumsy!

“Um… I’m sorry.”

“…No, you don’t have to apologize. This is my fault no matter how I think about it. Shota-san was trying very hard to hide it from me, but I kept pursuing it. I should rather be grateful. Thank you very much.”

“No, I don’t think it’s right for me to be thanked…”

“Hah~! My boyfriend is two-timing me, and Natsukawa-san is going to give Kengo-san a present… It’s already over… Huuu… Huuuuu!”

The proof of sadness overflowed and fell on the coffee shop’s desk.

“Um, Izumi-san… I’m really, really sorry, but may I leave the table now? I will certainly make up for this rudeness in other ways.”

“I guess Shota-san cares more about Natsukawa-san than me, after all!”

Izumi-san looked up vigorously. Her expression was no longer that of a puppy about to be thrown away.

“Like I said, I will definitely make it up to you… Of course, I don’t feel comfortable leaving a heartbroken Izumi-san alone either… But I can’t not go since I have an appointment.”

This time, Izumis-san’s cheeks are puffed out and she’s trembling slightly.

I can’t stand this creature. It’s too cute. It makes me want to be protective!

“If so, why don’t you just say no? There’s a girl cuter than Natsukawa-san with you, so just cancel.”

“Um, Izumi-san…?”

I originally promised Natsukawa-san that I would spend the whole day with her today, you know?

It will hurt my conscience to tell her that I can’t meet with her after having it adjusted to only the evening to meet with Mayu-nee and Izumi-san.

I guess I’m a people pleaser, but I wish happiness not only to Izumi-san but also to Natsukawa-san.

“If you want, I’ll go with you, Shota-san. I’ll beat the iron fist out of Natsukawa-san for using my beloved son as a front.” (T/N: Tekken reference I think.)

No, no, no, what are you talking about!?

“Who’s your son? Who!?”

I’m sorry to say this to Izumi-san, but I didn’t take it to heart that I had been used as a front. Of course I was shocked.

But for me, a beautiful girl named Shizuku Natsukawa is someone I can never get close to no matter how many times I repeat my life.

And of course, the fake relationship didn’t feel that comfortable anyway.

If I were to use an analogy… It would be like a level 1 adventurer who is exceptionally fast when running, but keeps diving into dungeons that are recommended for level 80 and above.

He just slips past the monsters that appear in front of him using his natural escaping ability.

I couldn’t relax for long. I had to be on my toes all the time.

But it was a dream come true.

The thrill of walking across a balance bar from the top of a skyscraper without a lifeline is something you can never experience in a life that pursues only stability.

I thought, “I can’t do this anymore,” but I still couldn’t forget that feeling of not having my feet on the ground.

“…Wait a minute. We can make up for it now!”

“Yes?”

“Would Shota-san be willing to act as a distraction for my sorrows?”

Hmm? What is she talking about? The more she talks, the more I don’t understand…

“You’ve just changed your appearance. Let’s show Natsukawa-san how good of a man you are. You can make her pay for using you as a cover. Of course, half of it is me taking it out on her.”

“Um… In short?”

“I’ll be operating your outing with Natsukawa-san from now on.”

“No, no, no!? What are you talking about!? Of course you can’t do that!”

“But it’s just you and Natsukawa-san, isn’t it? Can you hold a conversation without me? I’m telling you, it will be after the tragedy at the lingerie store.”

“Gugh. I have no words to return if you say that… But what do you mean operate? …Don’t tell me you’re planning to come along with us!? Of course, I’ll do my best to stop you from doing so!”

Confrontation between Natsukawa-san and Izumi-san.

I have a feeling it would be the end of the century!

“You lack imagination, Watson-kun. Science is making remarkable progress right now.”

Izumi-san said, using the parfait cream as a mustache.

“Oh no. Izumi-san seems to be unusually enthusiastic. Don’t tell me you’re really going to do this?”

“Please rest assured. I won’t make things worse. I intend to talk with Natsukawa-san properly sooner or later. So today, I just want to make her genuinely aware of Shota-san. I just want to make her aware that there is such a nice guy right in front of her.”

“You’re overestimating me…”

“Let’s get to it. First, let’s go get wireless earphones and a pin microphone. Then, there’s an app I’d like you to install.”

“Wait…!”

Izumi-san forcefully pulled my hand.

Wait a minute! Buying wireless earphones and a pin microphone means… giving instructions in the form of an intercom!?

☆ Kengo Ohashi ☆

As soon as we got home, I screamed.

“Huh!? You want me to come along with you on your date with Komori!? There’s no way I can do that!”

“Is that so? Well then, I’m going to Aokigahara now.” (T/N: That forest where Japanese people go to to commit suicide.)

“WHY!?”

“Shota-kun was having an intimate moment with Takamine-san at the lingerie store, you know!? What kind of mindset should I be in when talking to him!?”

“T-That’s…”

It’s no wonder that my sister is so scared this time around.

Komori was making out with his girlfriend at a lingerie store. As you can imagine, I was surprised too.

I thought he was a herbivore, but he’s a carnivore!

This is the cabbage roll man I’ve heard so much about! Scary! So scary! (T/N: I don’t know what reference this is. Damn this novel with its references.)

I really don’t know who Komori is anymore!

“So if Kengo doesn’t come with me, I’ll cancel today’s date. My will is firm… I really just wanted to spend a wild sexual life with Shota-kun. Why do I have to go through this?” (T/N: Or maybe Natsukawa’s the best girl??? HMM…)

This sister’s no good. There are so many things to tsukkomi.

At any rate, ‘why is this happening to me’ is the first I should say.

Now, what to do?

Maybe the relationship between Takamine and Komori is much more advanced than I thought.

If that’s the case, I can’t sit idly by.

If this continues, my sister won’t be able to catch up in the race for love. Rather, she’ll end up falling behind.

In order to get Tenshi away from Komori, I need to get my sister a date with him.

Otherwise, the date plan I worked all night to come up with would be a waste of time.

But that doesn’t mean I can’t get involved.

In the first place, my sister arranged the date with Komori on the pretext of buying me a present. And I’m supposed to accompany her!? There’s no limit to the chaos!

What to do…? What’s the best move here? Think, think. I’ve got the brains to be at the top of the national mock examinations. If it doesn’t spark here, where will it spark?

“At least if the choice appears in front of you…”

My sister muttered something strange while I was pondering.

Ever since she fell in love with Komori, my sister has been addicted to romance simulation games such as shoujo manga and gal games to compensate for her lack of experience in love (apparently, she uses these games as a reference in order to capture Komori).

I was so blown away by the direction of her effort that I was constantly sighing…

Wait a minute? That’s it! That’s the way to do it!

“Listen up. I have good news.”

“Yes? Are you wondering if euthanasia is allowed in Japan?”

“Wrong! I won’t come along on your date with Komori, but you can have my head!”

“Don’t tell me Kengo’s plan is to cut off his head with a saw and stuff it in my bag!? Amazing. I can’t believe you can separate your head from your torso and send instructions for support.”

“That’s instant death! What a crazy idea! You’re wrong! What I meant to say was…”

I took out my wireless earphones and a pin microphone (which looks like a rabbit cap) that was plugging into the earphone jack of my cell phone.

“I’ll eavesdrop on you and Komori’s conversation from a distance and send you instructions.”

This is it! I’m terrified of my own genius.

And my sister’s answer to my bold decision was…

“…Hello, is this the police? My brother is accustomed to eavesdropping. Please arrest him immediately.”

“Oi!”