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

Shota Komori & Shizuku Natsukawa

Shizuku Natsukawa’s heart is beating rapidly. It’s no wonder. She is in a love hotel with the man she loves. And she is wearing only a bathrobe. It would be absurd to say that she should not be conscious.

She remembered the strategy meeting with her brother.

“Listen. If you get into a good mood with Komori, as per our plan, show him that our relationship isn’t going well.”

“…I wonder if it’s safe for me to confide such a thing to him. I’m a woman with a boyfriend, remember? Wouldn’t he think I’m a b***h?”

“Don’t worry. Komori is much more carnivorous than we think. You saw how jealous that guy was when we showed him our relationship at Sakuranomiya High School. That’s why the appeal that your relationship with the boyfriend Kengo Ohashi isn’t going well will surely stick. I bet he’ll see it as an opportunity and make a move on you.”

“Yes, it did look like he was jealous, but…”

“From the outside, we are lovers. No matter what happens, there is no way Komori will be able to avoid the process of stealing Shizuku Natsukawa from me, Kengo Ohashi. However, we are siblings. Naturally, we can break up anytime. Of course, that would really reflect poorly on Komori’s impression of you… So to avoid that, make me the villain.“

Ruminating on his brother’s advice, Natsukawa took a deep breath and said,

“…Actually, I’m not doing so well with my boyfriend.“

(I know this line isn’t fair, but as long as Shota-kun thinks that Kengo and I are in love, this is the only way. The rest depends on Shota-kun’s reaction.)

Shota Komori was handed a super-sized bomb. He seemed to be greatly perplexed because of the location.

(What…what should I do!? This is definitely something I shouldn’t listen to! Even though she got back together with Ohashi-kun, they almost broke up once. The bridge that was created at that time may have been big. That’s why she shouldn’t say or do anything rash. I mean, if she makes one wrong move, it’s going to be a love-hate drama! In the first place, I wonder if Natsukawa-san knows that Ohashi-kun is two-timing her. I’m curious, but I can’t ask her. And I definitely can’t just tell her that it might be better to break up with him. If I told her that under these circumstances, it’d be like I’m cuckolding Ohashi-kun! If I’m the one cuckolded, well… But I’m the one cuckolding!? Me, a dull guy!?)

While Komori tried to choose his words carefully, Natsukawa continued.

“You saw me at the lingerie store today, right?”

“Eh… Yes.”

“Actually, I was forced by Kengo.”

“Forced!?”

“He said if I wanted to go out with him, I had to wear the lingerie he liked.”

(WHA….WHA-WHA-WHAAAT…!? N-No! Having no experience in love, this is not the kind of discussion I can handle!)

“Maybe he doesn’t care about me. What do you think, Komori-kun?”

(What I think…!?)

Shota Komori is finally asked for his opinion and is at a loss for words. Perhaps the question was more than he could process, so his eyes were whirling.

“I want to hear your opinion, Komori-kun.”

Natsukawa, feeling impatient, pushed in with an upward glance. Feeling her appealing gaze, Komori finally opened her heavy mouth and,

“Then, would you–“

(‘Would you–‘!? EHH!? What will follow is ‘like to go out with me?’ right!? No way! I’m going to be confessed to in a love hotel!?)

Natsukawa’s heartbeat accelerated as she fantasized about the outcome. She put her hand on her chest and slowly closed her eyelids. Her lips might have been sticking out absent-mindedly.

However, an unexpected turn of events awaited her at this point. Komori’s cell phone, which was supposed to be damaged, rang.

“WHAA!!!”

The tense atmosphere changed and Komori was startled by the sound of the ringtone. But it might have sounded like gospel to him now.

–Until he checked the LCD screen.

(Weird… It should have been submerged and short circuited… When did it get fixed? I mean, that’s one amazing timing. I can’t believe it came just before I suggested, ‘Would you like to be my friend?’ I think that Natsukawa-san is having trouble making calm decisions right now. She was dumped by Ohashi-kun, the man she likes, and got back together with him… But their feelings for each other are starting to diverge… I think she doesn’t know what to do anymore. But as long as it’s okay with Natsukawa-san, I’m willing to consult with her anytime… Who in the world could this call be from? I can’t stop sweating just because of the time and place.)

On the other hand, from Natsukawa’s point of view, it was the worst possible timing. She is simmering with anger, tears in her eyes, and her puffed-up cheeks are flushed.

(Somehow Natsukawa-san is glaring at me with a bitter look!? Well, it happened in the middle of our conversation, but there’s nothing I can do about receiving a call… Eh!? No way!?)

Finally, Komori sees the caller’s name on the screen. What was displayed there were two words–Mayu-nee.

Shota Komori’s face instantly turned blue.