Gamers!

Translator: your_pingas

“We’re…already over, Aguri-san.”

“H-How…? Amanocchi, I don’t want to…”

The girl sat on the opposite end of the table as she begged me with tears in her eyes.

However, I still shook my head coldly and rejected her.

“We already knew this from a long time ago, right? We…can’t take this anymore.”

“It’s not like that at all! I-I…I can still- Ugh…”

During this time, Aguri-san suddenly looked like she’s about to vomit and covered her mouth.

I stared at her displeasedly and answered.

“Look, …isn’t this the consequence of our ‘ big mistake’ here…?”

“D-Don’t be so mean! I can’t believe you’re saying this treasure as a mistake…!”

Aguri-san stroked her slightly bigger stomach lovingly inside her dress, seemingly for pregnant women. However, …even so, I still glared at her stomach fiercely.

“…I’m not paying any responsibility…!”

“Huh!? How could you!? Amanocchi, but you’re half responsible for my stomach…!”

“Hmph, who knows…? I bet you got that from somewhere else. Right?”

“Huh! I-I can’t believe you. …You’re so mean!”

“It’s all because of you!”

I can’t help but smack the table loudly. The ice in the glass is bumping into each other.

Aguri-san fell into a silent depression. The other customers are peeking at us frequently.

However, …even so, …I really understand how they think of me right now. Still, I spewed out my sincere and angry feeling to her!

“You’re the one that decided to challenge this < Timed, Couple-only Giant Sundae Eating Contest! > Why are you crying on your 5th bite!? I’m the one that’s supposed to be crying!”

I glared at the giant sundae placed in front of us majestically! The other customers must be feeling, “Sigh, another stupid couple decided to challenge this…” They looked at us dumbfoundedly.

As for Aguri-san, …she started stroking her stomach gently and mumbled again.

“Sheesh, …I can’t believe you’re not acknowledging this stomach of mine…!”

“That’s my line! Our eating ratio is 8:2 right now! My stomach should be the one that’s respected as the product of hard work, right!”

I stood up as I said that. My stomach is about to explode.

However, Aguri-san touched her at max “slightly enlarged” stomach preciously.

“Amanocchi, everything inside here is…love.”

“Huh?”

“…This is because I couldn’t handle it. …So, I created this product of love with noodle sandwiches!”

“You came before with a stomach full of noodle sandwiches, right!? Seriously!? You got to be kidding me!”

“I’m not kidding you. …This is love, …two servings of love.”

“Two? Hey, why the hell did you think you can still challenge the eating contest in this state!?”

“Ay, anyway. Well, if there’s something that I miscalculated today, …it should be that I overestimate Amanocchi’s combat power.”

“Okay, you’re going to die here.”

At last, I finally spewed out the harshest sentence of my life. A tinge of nervousness flashed inside the family restaurant.

Aguri-san also freaked out too, so she comforted me with a gentle smile.

“A-Alright, calm down, Amanocchi. …I’ll pay 20% of the bill too.”

“Eh, why are you only paying 20%!?”

“It’s based on how much we ate on our own.”

“It’s even worse when it sounds reasonable at first! No! You should at least help me pay half!”

“Ehhh, …it can’t be helped. How about we just split the bill? You owe me one, Amanocchi.”

“Okay, call your ex-boyfriend here and you two will die together.”

“I’ll pay today! Yes! Please let me pay for everything!”

Aguri-san looked at my vengeful eyes as I raised my fork stained with sundae against her before deciding to back down. …Sheesh.

I sighed as I still decided to help pay half of the bill. Then, I glared at her. As for Aguri-san, she replied to me with a bitter smile.

During this time, a timer’s nose can be heard. After a while, the waiter came to our seat with the timer and looked at the sundae. She announced the failure of our attempt. Then, she calmly left the bill down and left. 𝒇𝔯e𝚎𝘄𝑒𝑏𝙣𝑜𝚟𝗲𝑙.c𝘰𝚖

We let out a complaining sigh that almost sounded a burp.

“…I don’t want to see sundaes and noodle sandwiches for now.”

“You’re fed up with noodle sandwiches too? Where did your love go?”

“My love is both magical and mysterious. …Right now, I’m in love with slightly bitter black tea.”

“90% of your love is based on appetite. …Sheesh, …well, I’ll get you a cup.”

“Wow, Amanocchi. I love you!”

“Yes, yes, yes, I love you too.”

I casually answered as I walked towards the drink bar. The two of us share the cheapest love in this world.

I quickly poured coffee for myself and a cup of Assam black tea with less hot water. After that, I went back to the seat, and both of us took a sip.

“…Phew.”

The sweetness in our mouth was neutralized. After we took a break, we grabbed the spoons for a sundae and started digging in the fresh cream and ice cream. …While we failed the challenge, basically, we don’t really want to leave anything behind. Even though we like to mess around, …we’re still pretty lawful and obedient people. Aguri-san and I are both like that.

However, from our rate of consumption, we’ll be fighting for a long time here. So, the family restaurant meeting entered its delayed phase due to us dragging our feet.

“Sigh, …the winter holidays right after the new year is the most enjoyable moment for northern students. Yet, why am I licking fresh cream that I don’t even want with Amanocchi here?”

“That’s entirely supposed to be my line. I was playing video games back home…”

Around an hour and a half ago, it’s 3 PM. After I finished the homework and chores for that day, I was excited to enjoy my blessed gaming time. Then, things started happening. Aguri-san told me-

“Please, Amanocchi, come to the family restaurant with me. You’re the only one I can rely on...”

I received this emotional message. As her friend, of course, I immediately dashed out of the door. In the end, …this is what happened.

I slowly put bits of sundae cream into my mouth as I continued.

“I thought something happened between Uehara-kun and you again…”

“Eh? That’s impossible. Tasuku is on a trip with his family right now. I’m indeed super lonely when I can’t be together with him. However, we’re really lovey-dovey since the start of this year, even after we broke up! This is just between Tasuku and me! Hoho, we aren’t like some stupid gamers with a twisted temper. I was thinking, should I hand out the Loverbears finally-“

“Seriously, can I go home now?”

This is a rare holiday. Why must I fill my stomach with sundae when I don’t even want to? And then, why must I spend money to listen to a gal showing off her love? If this is an interpersonal relationship, it’s okay for me to remain a loner forever. At this point, this is what I genuinely think.

I almost stood up and left, and Aguri-san tried to comfort me.

“Alright, alright, calm down, young man. It’s been a long time since we came to the family restaurant, right?”

“Ay, I guess so…”

I sat down unwillingly. Aguri-san took a sip of black tea and continued.

“Luckily, there’s a lot of time today. Onee-san will show you a trick.”

“Hoho, …yes, a trick.”

Aguri-san put the cherry on the sundae into her mouth along with the stalk. Then, she looked at me with a somewhat provoking and flirty face. She started twisting her tongue and playing with the cherry. It seems like she’s trying to show me that famous trick of tying the cherry stalk with her tongue.

“…………”

As for me, I just stared at her blankly.

So, around a minute later, …Aguri-san, …she grabbed a tissue and put it near her mouth. “Belch…!” She looks like she’s about to vomit for a second, and then the girl screamed at me with teary eyes.

“I-I’m definitely good at kissing! Stupid Amanocchi!”

“I feel like you’re messing everything up. Why don’t you just not do that in the first place…?”

“B-But, Amanocchi, I’m an admirable onee-san in your eyes…”

“Hiya, what’s with that line that I can’t pretend I didn’t hear it? I request an immediate apology from you right now.”

“But I want you to believe what I said. Amanocchi, …I’m super good at kissing.”

“Who cares. I don’t want to know that.”

“After all, I’m the one that finishes udon and ramen the fastest in my family. Do you know that?”

“I’m shocked at this mysterious evidence.”

“I’ll definitely melt people’s soul when I kiss them. It’s going to melt once it entered my mouth. It’s going to be turned into liquid.”

“That’s literally a special ability of a weirdo from an evil organization.”

“Ah, but I do want to apologize to you.”

“For what?”

“No matter how much Amanocchi is worshipping me, …uh, my lips…only belong to Tasuku. Ah, this is embarrassing!”

“Hiya, what’s with this emotion of mine?”

“Weird? Amanocchi, is that emotion what you call jealousy-“

“Ah, no, I realized it’s a desire to kill.”

“Don’t grab a fork while smiling! You’re really scary today, Amanocchi!”

“It’s because I’m super annoyed today!”

“You dump your anger over others because your relationship is a mess. This is terrible!”

“You look down on your friend because your relationship is going well. A girl like you is pretty terrible too!”

“Who’s looking down on you!? I’m just…”

“You’re just?”

“I’m just…too bored during the winter holidays. So, I want to teach a poor otaku something while messing with him!”

“I can’t be despised any further! What’s this!? Don’t act all high just because you kissed-“

“Eh, what did you say? I haven’t even kissed anyone yet.”

“What a shocking confession! Hey, then who gave you the privilege to talk about kissing skills all high and mighty?”

“Udon and ramen.”

“Are you really constructing your love on such weak foundations!?”

“Well, honestly, I thought we can pass this eating contest based on how fast I can eat udon and ramen too.”

“Aren’t udon and ramen taking too big of a role in your life!?”

“…It’s more like, I feel like eating spaghetti when I’m talking about this, Amanocchi.”

“Isn’t it udon and ramen!?”

“Ah, waiter. I’m sorry. Uh, well, …I would like a bowl of fries.”

“Where are the noodles!?”

The waiter looked at me, who’s yelling at the top of his lungs, and just said, “It’ll be here right away.” After that, he left without any hesitation. …It looks like this family restaurant is already used to dealing with Aguri-san and me.

After we got the extra dish, I let out a huge sigh and continued.

“Let’s put those kissings aside first. …I do feel that you’re willing to share this with me. Uh, Aguri-san, thank you.”

“Yep. It’s just that, Amanocchi, I hope you can remember that I’m super good at kissing before going home.”

“Ah, yes, yes, yes, I got it. Well, I’ll help you tell Tendou-san, Chiaki, and Uehara-kun. ‘Aguri-san’s super good at kissing!’ Like that, alright?”

“Yeah, that sounds nice! You should tell everyone how attractive my kiss is!”

Aguri-san crossed her arms and hmphed.

We just scooped the sundae for a while silently as we drank our beverages…

“…………”

…So, around a minute after, …we dropped our spoon temporarily.

-Suddenly, both of us bulged our eyes and screamed at the top of our lungs.

“THIS IS THE PROBLEM!”

We realized we almost planted the seed of another misunderstanding. Our hearts are shivering.

“This is wrong! I finally saw it! This is the crap we pulled in the past!”

“Seriously, we’re so stupid! Why did I help to increase the suspicions on myself!?”

“Yeah! B-But, I guess you can say we grew up when we realized it at this point!”

“Y-Yes! Amanocchi, we’re different than last year!”

“Exactly! From this perspective, this year’s guaranteed to have fewer misunderstandings!”

Aguri-san and I imagined the following “peaceful year” for a while.

So, after that, we started chatting again.

“Sigh, in reality, the current issue for us…isn’t even caused by misunderstandings in the first place.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

Aguri-san put a spoon in her mouth and looked up.

“Indeed, …no one is stubbornly misunderstanding anything right now.”

“We have to add that it’s from what we can observe, though. Anyway, there’s no misunderstanding to solve anymore. However, that’s why…”

“Yep, …we can say all of us already entered an even more tricky realm.”

Aguri-san dropped her shoulders. She’s swinging the sundae spoon like a whip and said.

“Amanocchi, right now, Tasuku didn’t ‘misunderstand’ the relationship between you and me. While he didn’t, …he did urge me to think about this seriously.”

“It’s more or less the same for Tendou-san. She didn’t ‘suspect’ the relationship between Chiaki and me. However, she’s also urging me to think about this.”

After we confirmed what we’re going through, …both of us sighed loudly.

“Honestly, it’s annoying.”

Since we’re the “rejected” side, …that’s the only sincere thought we have.

Aguri-san knocked the tip of the sundae glass with her spoon lightly.

“Coincidentally, we’re just like this, right?”

“What do you mean?”

“Let say this giant sundae is our hearts, then, those two would want to see the “I love Tasuku” and “Amanocchi loves Tendou-san” at the bottom of the glass.”

“Ah, …I see. I guess you’re right.”

“Then, …we’re the one that served this sundae out. Moreover, before we finished the sundae, no, before we even started this love goose chase, the answer is already evident. We know the truth at the bottom of the glass.”

“We all know that.”

“However, those two asked us to show them the bottom of the glass after we finished the sundae. Also, they are not even going to be the ones to eat. Instead, Amanocchi and I have to finish that on our own.”

“Ah…”

This incredible metaphor made me stop eating the sundae. …The inside of my mouth is helplessly sweet now.

Aguri-san and I chugged the drink at the same time and exhaled. …We mumbled.

“What a pain…”

Of course, we didn’t mean to “throw” this quest away. There’s no need to say it.

However, that’s why…we can’t help but complain right now.

I leaned back to take a break. After that, I gave Aguri-san a heads up before starting to play on my smartphone. 𝘧𝒓e𝑒𝑤e𝙗𝚗o𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝐜𝐨ｍ

During this time, there’s a new quest for < GOM >. Mono, which is Chiaki, is online as well. I mumbled, “Well, I’ll play with Chiaki first.” Aguri-san, who’s also on her phone, smiled bitterly.

“Amanocchi, if Tendou-san’s with your right now, what you said would piss her off a little bit. You should mind that. She’ll deduct your points.”

“Ah, …yes. Sorry…”

Aguri-san reminded me. …Indeed, it’s just like what she said. Right now, the “Don’t go out casually, don’t say things randomly, and don’t argue with people” rule is active. I would be in violation of “Don’t say things randomly” now. I need to be careful…

No, it’s more like, before I take that into consideration…

I continued playing and answered Aguri-san.

“Well, if we’re being thorough, us meeting like this today would be deducting our score, right? Even though it wouldn’t cause a decisive misunderstanding. …Using the giant sundae as a metaphor, it’s like we just squeezed even more cream onto it.”

“Ah…”

Aguri-san still looked at her phone as her face darkened a bit.

“Yeah. Perhaps it’s like what you just said. …I’m sorry, Amanocchi.”

“Eh? Ah, it’s okay. You don’t need to apologize for anything. I’m…”

I still looked at my phone and even scratched my cheeks. …I continued.

“…Uh, …honestly, I feel…pretty happy too…”

“…R…Really…?”

“…………”

“…………”

Both of us continued paying attention to our phones silently. I’m playing with Chiaki.

As for Aguri-san, …I guess she’s texting Uehara-kun. …If that’s the case, did she tell him that she’s in the family restaurant with me now? I can’t get this off of my head.

So, -we looked at each other. Both of us quickly grabbed our spoons as if we’re trying to cover up the awkwardness.

“A-Alright, let’s finish this up, Aguri-san.”

“S-Sure.”

The cream is already stained with grey from the chocolate sauce. We quickly sent them into our mouths one at a time.

In the end, our pace immediately slowed down. Just as I’m slowly moving the spoon, the fries that Aguri-san ordered came. While it’s a nemesis for our stomach, it’s a savior for our sweetened mouth.

We neutralized the sweetness with the saltiness of the fries as we gradually cleared the sundae. As a result, -I’m afraid this is much easier than eating the sundae alone. We ate it all up.

We let out a burp in fullness as we stroked our stomachs. Then, we started dealing with the remaining fries.

Aguri-san pinched a small piece of fries with her index finger and thumb and mumbled.

“…Amanocchi, going to the family restaurant with you is like this.”

“Oh, …I see. I get it.”

I nodded as I pinched another stroke of fries too. However, Aguri-san pressed on.

“This is indeed extra. However, there are still more benefits to me…”

“Yeah. I can barely manage to keep myself together because of talking to you.”

Usually, a loner like me can never handle a relationship problem. In reality, I’m having a bad time from Christmas to the new year. The more I think about Tendou-san and Chiaki, the more I hate myself…

However, after I chatted with Aguri-san, although it didn’t solve anything, I feel a whole lot better. I guess this helped me to loosen a bit.

I looked at the empty sundae glass. …Come to think of it, I felt pretty stupid for watching the outside world when I left my house. Right now, …I’m sincerely relieved that I did.

Aguri-san scooped up the remaining tomato sauce with the fries and put it in her mouth. Then, she mumbled with a complicated expression.

“But…I think you shouldn’t focus on one thing too much.”

“Yeah. …Sigh, except gaming.”

“Why!? Isn’t gaming the worst when you’re playing too much!?”

“Aguri-san, let’s stop fighting over this. This isn’t about who’s right and wrong.”

“No, I’m absolutely being reasonable about this one!”

“Wars are born from people with a stiff mind like you.”

“Jitakukeibins are born from people with a corrupted mind like you!” [Note: The word means “home security” literally. It has the same meaning as NEET.]

We hmphed and glared at each other. However, …we quickly chuckled.

Aguri-san put the last fries into her mouth and said, “Alright!” She grabbed the bill and stood up.

“The fries time is over. It’s time for us to go, Amanocchi.”

“Alright, …also, are you really paying today?”

“I should be the one to ask this. …Amanocchi, are you really trying to make me pay for all of it?”

“…Sigh, let’s split the bill.”

“Wow, you’re the best, Amanocchi! Love you!”

“The value of love is freefalling…”

Even though Aguri-san’s love can be acquired by noodle sandwiches.

After we paid, we left the family restaurant and strolled towards the station.

It’s just 5 PM, yet the sky is already getting dark. The lanterns of a chain bar on the opposite of the road are shining.

Aguri-san got her scarf on as she walked next to me and said, “Ugh, it’s cold!”

“Hiya, I want somebody to warm me up in a night like this, Amanocchi.”

“No, I’m not familiar with a human’s temperature at all, so I never thought about that.”

“…Really, …ay, me too.”

“I see.”

…It doesn’t feel like we dated anyone. What an empty conversation.

So, after we walked silently for a while, Aguri-san said, “Ah, right.” She stroke up a conversation with me a bit unnaturally.

“A-Actually, there’s another reason why I want to come to the restaurant today. Eh, Amanocchi, listen to me. Actually, since yesterday, someone horrifying showed up in my house-“

It sounds like unimportant chatter, and it’s going to last for a while. Although I felt a bit sorry for Aguri-san, I still interrupted her.

“…Aguri-san, can you listen to me first?”

“Ehh? What’s wrong? You sound so serious.”

Aguri-san tilted her head and asked me innocently. As for me, …I stared at the starless sky and took a deep breath. -Then, I managed to say that out loud.

“-Can we stop coming to the family restaurant like this for a while?”

“……………”

Aguri-san got uncharacteristically quiet. I still stared at the night sky as I continued.

“In conclusion, this is like sundae and fries. We treat meetings like this as a way to heal our wounds. So, I feel kind of bad for requesting that. …No, I should say, that’s why I want to say this.”

“…Amanocchi, explain yourself.”

Aguri-san didn’t get angry or tried to brush it off casually. Instead, she asked me calmly.

As for me, …I looked away from the sky and towards the station far ahead.

“Like what I’ve said before, right now, I made up my mind. It’s going to last all the way until the White Day that Tendou-san promised. …During this period, I’ll keep myself from going out, saying stuff, and arguing with others. To put it simply, I won’t act before I think like I used to.”

“Eh, Amanocchi, I didn’t know you’re aware that you always act before you think. What a surprise.”

“Ugh, ..after all, …I messed up some serious things. The least I can do is…”

“Oh.”

Aguri-san still answered me like she’s not interested.

I cleared my throat and continued.

“So, …Aguri-san, hanging out with you is a relief for me. It’s irreplaceable, and I’m super happy too. However, …that’s why I think I need to restrain myself to achieve the true ending I want. Right now, …I wish to avoid distancing myself from Tendou-san’s finishing line. So…”

I said that as I looked at Aguri-san. So, she…nodded with a smile.

“It’s fine. Amanocchi, I think you’re pretty amazing.”

“Thank you! Well…”

“Yep, let’s stop meeting like this for a while. Ah, …but…”

At this point, …a tinge of loneliness is floating in Aguri-san’s eyes as she looked at me.

“Even though you’re nothing but a blockhead, I don’t hate that way of yours…”

“…Eh?”

I can’t help but stop after hearing what she said. Yet, Aguri-san immediately said sorry and laughed.

“Don’t mind that. I was just mumbling to myself. Yep, anyway, about us stop hanging out for a while, yep, I got it!”

“Eh? Ah, okay. …Thanks. Also, …I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing? I’m your onee-san, and I shall support a young man chasing after his love with everything I got! You can do this, Amanocchi!”

“A-Alright, I…will try my best. R-Right, Aguri-san, you were in the middle of something, right? Sorry, I think I interrupted you. Well, what were you talking about?”

“Eh? Ah, …hmm, it’s nothing. It’s nothing big, anyway! Everything’s okay! Yes!”

“R-Really?”

So, my head remained lowered as I took a step.

…For some reason, although I’m the one that asked for it, …my heart is getting restless.

(Did I…misunderstand something?)

I tried to recheck everything after I calmed down.

I want to go out with Tendou-san. To do that, I have to prove my feelings. If that’s the case, I need to dash towards that goal wholeheartedly. For that, …I should avoid misunderstandings at all costs. It’s because that’s the right thing to do. It’s the correct answer.

…………

…No matter how many times I thought about it, I still can’t find any mistakes. If there’s really one, perhaps it’s my weak mind for thinking that I made a mistake.

When I fell silent, Aguri-san suddenly gasped, “Ah.” She stopped.

“Right, I have to go to the pharmacy.”

“Eh? Ah, really? Well, I can go with-“

I can’t help but stop in the middle of my suggestion. So, Aguri-san smiled understandingly and patted my shoulder.

“Sigh, Amanocchi, you’re so inconsiderate! Girls always don’t want boys to see what they’re buying!”

“Eh? Ah, s-sorry…”

That’s true. Even though that’s true, …well…

When I’m standing there with a complicated smile, Aguri-san waved at me and ran away. She has to cross the road before the lights turn red.

“Bye, Amanocchi! Next time, …uh, I’ll see you at the school or the Hobby Club!”

“O-Okay! Next time, ..see you at the school or the Hobby Club…”

I waved powerlessly, and then I watched Aguri-san disappear from my view.

So, just like that, she turned next to a building and left. …I suddenly remembered.

“…Isn’t there a pharmacy in the station too?”

…No, she must’ve got a regular pharmacy she often visits. That’s where she can earn points for a discount. Yep, that’s it. Exactly, it can’t be wrong.

“…Let’s go home.”

…………

…Why?

Even though I’m taking the shortest route, the station feels especially far to me today.