Gamers!

Translator: your_pingas

“I refuse.”

“That sudden!?”

Aguri-san’s loud voice can be heard from the speaker. I can’t help but move my ears away.

It’s the first Saturday of February, 9PM.

I’m lying on my bed in the room as I continue.

“Uh, it’s because…I got a call on a Saturday night from you instead of a text. This way, …the only correct choice that I, Keita Amano, can do is still pick up the phone and reject right away.”

“Amanocchi, I hate how much you’ve grown up! You’re so sensitive now! B-But…”

Aguri-san paused for a frustrating moment at this point to try and arouse my curiosity.

“Is Amanocchi’s assumption really correct? Drawing the line before listen to what Aguri-nee-chan has to say, can you really say that you won’t regret-“

I hung up without any hesitation.

“Well, then…”

I stood up from the bed and took a big stretch.

Well, there’s nothing on the TV I really want to watch today. It’s time for a bath-

< Ring…! >

-My phone’s ringing again. The electronic noise sounds really annoying. Perhaps it’s my imagination.

I stared at the phone, which is on my bed, for a few seconds. …However, the ringing isn’t stopping any time soon, so I unwillingly answered.

“Hey? Who’s speaking, please?”

“It’s me! You know that right!? Why are you hanging up!?”

“Aguri-san, it’s because you’re calling me on a Saturday night. You know that, right?”

“Amanocchi, a boy shouldn’t reply this coldly! I didn’t remember raising you like this!”

“…Ah, right. …Ahem, …ah, …ah…”

“Hmm? A-Amanocchi? What’s wrong-“

“This is Nakamura. Who are you looking for?”

“Eh, there’s no point! The wrong number excuse doesn’t even work now!”

“…Ah, someone’s calling me. I’m hanging up.”

“Liar! Amanocchi, no one in the world will call you-“

I hung up without hesitation for the second time. Relentlessly.

Alright, I’m going to take a bath. …Someone’s calling me again.

Although I wanted to ignore it again, …perhaps it’s my imagination, the “Aguri-san” on the screen looks really depressing. So, I answered the call.

“I’m calling the cops.”

“Will someone really say that to his friend after picking up a call!?”

Aguri-san’s voice sounds terrified. As for me, …I can only admit defeat and sit on the bed again. I asked her what’s going on.

“So? What’s wrong? You kept calling me.”

“I kept calling you because you keep hanging up!”

“It’s usual to hang up an annoying harassment call.”

“Why do you think that I’m annoying!? I didn’t even say anything yet!”

“…So, you mean I can benefit from what you’re going to talk about?”

“Exactly!”

Aguri-san seems to have puffed up her chest on the other side of the phone. I scratched my head and urged her to continue unwillingly.

“If you are saying that already, I’ll be asking then. …Why did you call me on a Saturday night, Aguri-san?”

“Yes! Amanocchi, do you want to come to my house tomorrow-“

I immediately hung up. Then, I also considered turning off my phone entirely. However, I still hesitated a bit, no matter how cold-hearted I am. So, I got another phone call before anything could be done.

“…………”

…I scrolled the screen and tried to decline the call. …However, she called me right away again. …I should just blacklist her. …Although I thought about doing it, I can’t cross that line. Furthermore, at the end of the day, I just can’t ignore Aguri-san completely.

I answered the call. This time, Aguri-san seems to have learned her lesson as well. She suddenly explained to me without any complaint.

“Eh, I get it! I understand! I also considered this! Right now, Amanocchi doesn’t want to stir up any more troubles. I get that. So, I also respectfully agreed to stop going to the family restaurant for a while! Yes!”

“If that’s the case, why are you suggesting such a heavyweight event that not just affects me, but your own relationship as well…?”

Facing my thoroughly dumbfounded voice, the other side of the phone is…

“…I guess it’s because…even though I understand, I can only rely on you, Amanocchi…”

…Aguri-san’s voice got uncharacteristically depressed.

“…………”

My ears are still next to the phone. I can’t help but look up to the ceiling in my room.

…That’s why I wanted to hang up ASAP.

After all, if things turned like this, there’s only one option left for me, Keita Amano.

*

“Hiya, you’re here, Amanocchi! Wow, you’re such a man!”

“…………”

It’s a Sunday morning, 11AM.

I’m at the bus station near Aguri-san’s home. I got off with cloudy eyes. The gal, who’s in a coat, immediately came here while rubbing her hands.

When the bus closed the door and left, I started mumbling without even looking at the gal.

“…Should I try and suddenly invite Tendou-san out for a date? …I thought about that.”

“N-No, no, no! I bet Tendou-san has something else to do today, yes!”

“…Even so, the important part is that I ‘suddenly invited’ her, right. …I wonder whether this can let her know that I want to see her. …I thought about doing that.”

“N-No, no, no! Amanocchi, you can’t just keep going on the attack in relationships!”

“…Really?”

“Yes, it’s definitely right! I-I feel like you shouldn’t force Tendou-san out!”

“…I guess it’s right when Aguri-san said it. Sigh, …it’s just that…”

“I-It’s just that?”

I stared at the grey sky that looks like it’s about to snow at any time and mumbled.

“I’m intruding in a girl’s house secretly on a Sunday, and she has a boyfriend too. Even a guy like me knows that this is literally the ‘wrong route’ for my relationship.”

“…I-I guess you’re right.”

Aguri-san looked away and curled up her lips. She started whistling even though she doesn’t know how to do it.

I sighed and changed my mind before smiling at her.

“Even so, it’s cold to stay here. Can I come to your house?”

“Eh? Hmm, …s-sure, of course! Let’s go, Amanocchi!”

Aguri-san immediately brightened up and walked in front of me cheerfully. She’s bouncing on the flat snow with a white knitted hat like a bunny. My temper already cooled down after seeing that.

I tried to ask her what’s next when I’m following Aguri-san towards the residential area.

“So, why are you dragging me to your house? I think you just said you want to stay home and play video games on the phone…”

“Ah, …uh, well, that’s true…”

Aguri-san slowed down and answered me.

“To put it simply, Amanocchi, I want you to play video games with me at home.”

“I see. …Uh, I don’t really mind that. I love to play video games with others too…”

“Right? See, isn’t this good for you too, Amanocchi!?”

“Y-Yeah…”

Aguri-san suddenly turned back and started getting aggressive. I was surprised. …Indeed, it’s a pretty attractive invitation if I’m really just playing games with my friends. However…

“But, Aguri-san, why are you inviting me even though you don’t like games?”

“Eh? Uh, …it’s nothing. …How should I say this…?”

Aguru-san turned around right away and faced forward again. She took a step on the snow as if she’s avoiding me. I chased after her. Then, …after a long moment, she continued.

“…Amanocchi, well, it’s actually someone wanting to play video games with you…”

“Eh? Someone besides you? I-Is it your family?”

I don’t remember whether Aguri-san has any siblings. Ah, perhaps it’s her parents? If that’s the case, it’s kind of awkward to see them since I’m a guy, after all…

Aguri-san seems to have noticed that I’m worried about that. So, she calmed me down.

“Ah, it’s okay. It’s not my parents. To be clear, …it’s actually my cousin.”

“Your cousin? You got me on board because that cousin wants to play video games with someone?”

“Uh, ..r-right. …It’s close. That’s it.”

Aguri-san didn’t give a straight answer. Although I stared at her suspiciously, I can still understand.

(She invited a game-loving friend to her house because her cousin wants to play. …Sigh, I guess it makes sense for her to not find her boyfriend.)

At least, this is way more wholesome than my initial imagination. Or, I should say this won’t cause much danger for me.

This way, even though if someone found out I visited Aguri-san’s house, I can still explain to Uehara-kun and Tendou-san. …Yes.

If that’s the case, I think I was a bit too self-conscious on the phone last night.

I scratched my cheeks and spoke up.

“Uh, …I feel like I should say sorry. Aguri-san, I overthought this.”

“Eh? Ah, …ah, y-yeah! Amanocchi, you’re way too sensitive to girls lately!”

“I guess so. I should stop that …You’re right. We don’t need to be involved in relationships every time we talk.”

“Y-Yeah.”

I was relieved to hear what Aguri-san said, so I started chatting with her directly.

“Ah, right, speaking of stopping, perhaps you heard this from Uehara-kun already, I did the same thing during that lost child incident. I regretted whether I can do more so much-“

When I’m in the middle of my sentence, during this time-

Aguri-san stopped in front of an apartment and said, “This way.” After that, she quickly unlocked the door. I froze as I looked at the lobby from the glass door. I spewed up my thoughts honestly.

“I feel like this apartment’s pretty high-class. It doesn’t match you.”

“Amanocchi, you always say unnecessary stuff in front of girls.”

“Sheesh, I only do this to you.”

“Wow, I’m glad.”

Aguri-san robotically answered as she inputs the password. I looked away subconsciously. The automatic door opened after an electric sound was played.

Aguri-san stepped forward and continued.

“However, in reality, this isn’t really a high-class place. It’s just 5 stories tall, after all. The house isn’t new either. In comparison, the rooms inside are pretty big.”

“Oh, wide spaces. That’s nice.”

“…Hiya, it’s hard to say…”

“Hmm? Isn’t wide better than tight?”

“Yeah. I feel the same way around a month ago…”

“?”

Aguri-san just said something meaningful as she crossed over the lobby. I hastily followed her as well. After that, both of us got on the elevator. She pressed the 5/F button, and the door closed.

“…………”

Then, for some reason, both of us fell silent inside the closed space. Well, I’m just getting nervous since this is my first time visiting her house. However…

“…………”

I can see Aguri-san’s face from the clean and reflective elevator door.

(Why does Aguri-san look pretty stiff as well…?)

We have known each other for a long time, yet this is the first time I see her like this. That face is different than when she’s bothered by something Uehara-kun did.

How should I put it…? You can only feel stress from that depressing face…

Just as I’m lost in thoughts, the elevator arrived on the 5th floor. We exited the elevator and walked through the corridor directly. …Then, we stopped in front of a door.

“…………”

“A-Aguri-san?”

To her, even though it’s just going back to her home, for some reason, she looks really nervous. The girl even started taking deep breaths. …Something’s wrong. I can feel it.

I can’t help but look at her suspiciously again.

“Uh, I’m just here to play games with that cousin, right?”

Facing my question, Aguri-san answered calmly without turning back.

“Yeah, you’re right. Amanocchi, you just need to play games with my cousin.”

“A-Are you sure?”

“Yes, …also, uh…”

“There’s also!?”

Aguri-san suddenly requested another thing as she reached her hand to the door handle.

So, …she stepped forward forcefully without giving me any time to ask any questions.

“Also, you need to cooperate with me. -I’m home!”

“Eh, wait, what does that me-“

The door opened before I could clear my confusion.

First of all, I can see the entrance. After that, a corridor with a rug on top came into view.

The inside was split by the door to the living room. -At the next moment, the door I’m looking at was opened forcefully. A child bounced around as she dashed out. Then-

“Welcome back, Aguri-nee-chan!” fr𝚎e𝙬𝚎𝚋𝚗૦ν𝚎𝒍.c૦m

…………

………...

…This feels familiar. The little girl’s wearing a goth loli dress.

She pounced on Aguri-san’s chest after running to the entrance. After that, …Aguri-san hugged her tightly and gently patted her as she spoke softly.

“Now, now, this is too dangerous, -Mii.”

“…Mii.”

I can’t help but repeat her name. So, that little girl, -Mii, suddenly turned to me. After that, she bulged her eyes and gasped, “Ah!”

“The princess chased after by otakus!”

“Can you not remember me in that way, Mii!?”

Indeed, she’s the lost girl we found a while ago, …Mii Fushiguro.

As for Aguri-san, she hugged Mii as she tilted her head unbelievably.

“Eh, Amanocchi, you know Mii? Why?”

It looks like Aguri-san doesn’t know about the lost child incident.

“Ah, that’s because…”

I wanted to give a simple explanation. …However, I was interrupted by someone speaking deep into the corridor.

“Oh, Agu, it looks like you brought the guy here.”

This dominating voice grasped and ruled the mood inside. -None of the conversations before this mattered anymore. It’s an overwhelming pressure.

…The voice that I can’t forget even if I want to. This…

“Mom.”

Mii left Aguri-san and ran inside. My eyes followed her. …Then, I saw a silver hair beauty deep inside the corridor leaning on the wall lazily. She’s not wearing her usual flight attendant uniform today. Instead, it’s a vest with thin shoulder straps and tight jeans that emphasized her long legs. Home clothing. However, that unique dominance is still fully operational.

…My forehead is covered in cold sweats as I gulped.

(She’s the same. …The type that I’m scared of the most…)

Beautiful, arrogant, confident, -a woman that seems to be always tasting others.

For a short, self-abased, and cowardly person like me, she’s the absolute opposite of my kind.

So, at that time, …I wanted to escape when I glanced at her.

Also, at this moment, she’s observing me to her satisfaction with “that” look.

Just as I’m confused by her meaning and froze at the entrance, …for a moment, I think she’s teasing me. Then, she looked back at Aguri-san, who’s taking off her shoes. After that, -she spewed something unbelievable.

“I see. Agu, this guy’s your- boyfriend?”

“…Fweuh?”

I let out a weird noise with my reflexes. Speaking of Aguri-san, …she wasn’t fazed at all. The girl even answered calmly as she took off her shoes one by one.

“Yes, he’s my boyfriend, Amanocchi- Keita Amano. …What, you got a problem?”

“Hmm? No, I didn’t say anything.” f𝙧𝒆𝚎𝑤e𝚋𝓷o𝘷𝗲l.c𝐨m

She answered Aguri-san casually. Then, she turned to me with a smile that sent chills down my spine.

“I’m Main Fushiguro. Nice to meet you, -Keita Amano.”

“…Y-Yes, …n-nice to meet you.”

I plopped my head down and sweated profusely. …My throat’s unusually thirsty.

After she, -Main-san, looked down on me in satisfaction, she turned around and greeted us.

“Sigh, anyway, come in first, you two. The house’s not beautiful, sorry.”

“…Eh, this is my house. You two are just guests…”

When Mii and “Mom” walk back to the living room, Aguri-san helplessly shrugs as she prepares to follow them. However…

“…Uwah!”

…I grabbed Aguri-san’s coat collar rudely and dragged her to me with force.

I got my mouth real close to her ears. …Then, I spoke up in an uncharacteristically harsh voice.

“…Oh, Aguri-san, I didn’t know that I’m your boyfriend?”

“Ugh, …a-alright. A-Anyway, you should come in first, Amanocchi. Alright? Alright?”

The traitor gal is still trying to persuade me when I’m grabbing her neck. …Why do I have to face such a terrifying person for this liar? Why do I have to get into this mess that hurt my relationship with Tendou-san? This is stupid.

I let go of her collar and turned around. As I’m preparing to leave right away-

“…I’m sorry, Amanocchi. I’m being serious…”

“…………”

-I can’t do it.

(You’re so cunning to apologize now. Aguri-san, you’re so slick…)

I dropped my shoulders deflatedly. After that, I turned to Aguri-san and glared at her angrily.

“…Let’s forget what you’re hiding first. …I will only help you within my abilities, …and what I should do. If that works…”

“Huh! Yes, yes! Thank you, Amanocchi! I love you!”

“Yes, yes, yes, I also more or less love you.”

I casually answered as I took off my shoes.

Then, …I finally headed straight towards that corridor leading to hell instead of the living room. I took a step tremblingly.

*

In conclusion, that place really is hell.

“Very well, Amako’s left sock’s ‘ownership’ belongs to me now.”

“Ugh…!””

When the screen shows the racing game’s ranking, I put down the controller and stood up from the chair.

After that, …in front of the three girls (one of them is a child), I slowly took off my left sock. So-

“Keita-nii-chan, your legs are really white!”

-Mii’s jumping on the soft sofa as she laughed.

“Ughh…!”

W-What’s with this baffling sense of humiliation? Aguri-san and Main-san are staring daggers into me. …I didn’t know people watching me taking off my sock can be this humiliating! A new discovery!

After I took off my left sock, …I feel like it’s uncomfortable to keep the right sock on too. So, I planned to take that off. However-

“Hey, why are you taking the right one off too, Amako? I just robbed your left sock’s ownership. There’s no need for you to give me the right one.”

“No, Main-san, I just want to take that off because it feels uncomfortable. I’m not giving you that…”

“Really? Well, if you’re taking off the right side, then wear the left one, Amako.”

“Eh?”

“It’s uncomfortable to wear one side only, right? Well, I want you to continue feeling uncomfortable.”

“………..”

…I encountered a real demon today for the first time.

I gave up on taking off my right sock as I sat down again. -I’m afraid that the cushion is not used to welcome guests. Instead, it’s filled with holes and soy sauce stains.

As for Main-san, she’s sitting on a high-class gaming chair that seems to cost at least 100,000 yen. She laughed out in satisfaction and looked down on me.

“…Ugh.”

I teared up in pure frustration. Aguri-san, who’s sitting on a normal cushion, got her face close to me. Then, she quietly apologized to me for the countless time today.

“…I’m sorry, Amanocchi.”

However, as she apologized, …in contrast to me being forced to take off my clothes, she has to wear a thick coat even though we’re in a house.

We looked at each other sympathetically and sighed.

-It’s been 2 hours since we started playing games in Aguri-san’s house, including Mii and Main-san.

Uh, this is really a “gamer’s meeting.” What we are doing isn’t deviating that far from the theme. From this point alone, Aguri-san didn’t lie to me.

…However, that’s excluding two serious problems.

The first problem.

“Alright, Amako, Gurisuke, which ‘right’ are we betting for the next match? Say it, what do you guys want to play?”

“…………”

You have to bet one of your ‘rights’ in every match of this gamer’s meeting.

The second problem.

“But, …I’m on a 25 win streak already. You’re weaker than I thought, Amako.”

“Ugh…”

This Main Fushiguro woman, …she’s unusually good at gaming. No, she never lost a match, even in luck-based card games. Instead of saying she’s a pro gamer, it’s more like she’s exceptionally strong at all kinds of competition. In the end…

“Thanks to that, there are almost no ‘rights’ left to strip off of Amako.”

“…………”

…I think I met a robber in these 2 hours.

(How should I say it…? I remembered how I felt when I was visiting the Game Club…)

Sigh, the sadness and depression are a hundred times stronger, though. After all, you can already see what Main-san’s like.

Then, if it’s so miserable, perhaps you might ask why don’t I just end the match quickly? However, …the terrible part is that I already don’t have the ‘right’ to do so anymore.

That’s what we call cunning.

-A competition has to provide both risk and reward.

That’s the mindset of this Main Fushiguro lady. …An attitude that brings nothing but troubles to others.

However, Main-san didn’t rob anything from Mii. From her view, it seems to because “Mii’s ownership already belongs to me.” …What a shocking theory.

Also, that “almost” applies to her cousin Aguri-san as well. The reason that I said almost…is because she’s not totally out of it like Mii. Aguri-san has a 30% chance of having something randomly robbed from her.

“…………”

The result of being robbed of her “temperature adjustment right” is that she’s forced to wear her coat in the house. Her face is devoid of pride. I gave my friend a sympathetic look.

…Well, even though I’m not much better since I lose something every time I was defeated. However, Aguri-san seems to feel upset because Main-san gets to decide whether she will be “robbed” or “released.”

As a result, Aguri-san has to abandon her carefree attitude and be forced to obey. The relationship is a bit twisted for normal cousins.

“By the way, Mom is the strongest.”

“Ha, don’t say something that’s clearly true. Mii, -1 point.”

Mii was shocked as she fell onto the sofa. …While I feel sorry for her, she looks quite adorable.

Ah, as for the real relationship between Mii and Main-san, just as expected, they are siblings instead of mother-child. Their age difference is greater.

It’s just that their mother seems to have eloped after giving birth to Mii. Main-san, who’s a couple years older, is definitely playing the “onee-san mother” role. …So, I think she especially pays attention to “ownership” because of that, …or not. Personally, I would vote for her natural demonic personality.

“…………”

So, when we tried our best to fall into memories and escape reality, Main-san urged us to continue impatiently.

“Let’s go, Amako, Gurisuke. It’s time for the next match.”

“….Fine.”

We grabbed the game controllers again exhaustedly.

Also, we’re being called “Amako” and “Gurisuke.” Of course, that’s the result of having our rights taken.

(Mii said that “Mom” has a lot of “underlings” before. …At this point, I think I really understand what does that mean…)

Just as I’m peeking at Mii because of that, …she seems to be blushing sheepishly.

“Mii?”

After I asked, …Mii admitted defeat and made up her mind to ask Main-san.

“Mom, …I want to go to the bathroom.”

“Huh? You can go alone, right?”

“Yeah, …but I don’t know how to take off this clothing.”

Mii said that as she looked at her detailed and refined set of goth dress. …I bet Main-san “forced” her to wear it. No matter how unreasonable Main-san is, she had to accept it and stood up. “Alright, alright.”

“Gurisuke, I’ll borrow your room to change Mii, okay?”

“Ah, yes, sure.”

So, as they are preparing to leave the room together, …as if she calculated that Aguri-san and I will feel relieved here, Main-san left down another word.

“Alright, …well, next time, I’ll be asking for Amako’s rights to his lips.”

“…!”

I guess it’s because our spines turned stiff as we freaked out. Main-san hummed a song in satisfaction as she closed the door.

After the Fushiguro sisters got in another room, both of us sighed loudly.

We’re free from the anxiety. Both of us lost all strength and leaned our entire bodies on the back of the chair.

I looked at the ceiling and talked to the gal next to me.

“Aguri-san, …I think I can understand why you invited me as a boyfriend to your house after all that. There’s a reason why you don’t want to find Uehara-kun..”

“Ah, at least you understand. Amanocchi, …I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. …If I’m you and there’s a male cousin version of Main-san, …well, I don’t think I can introduce Tendou-san to him.”

I’m getting chills from imagining it. This means that there will be a handsome and capable guy in a flight attendant suit. “You belong to me!” He’s going to say that to Tendou-san. …That’s scary! Of course, Aguri-san won’t dare to find Uehara-kun!

However, …even though I understand, even so…

“…………”

I stood up from the back of the chair and thought silently for a moment. …After that, I let out a deep sigh and told Aguri-san.

“…But, Aguri-san, as a friend, I think…I’m at my limit.”

“…I guess so.”

Aguri-san stood up as well as she answered with a bitter smile. Unexpectedly, she didn’t blame or beg me.

I continued.

“I’m fine if the rights she’s asking for are within a laughable range. However, …it’s too much responsibility for a ‘fake boyfriend’ when it comes to lips. More importantly, I can’t face Tendou-san if she really robbed that away from me.”

“Yes, you’re right.”

“Also, the hardest part is that…once that person said she wants it, it won’t go down as a joke, right? Moreover, she’s the type that can kiss emotionlessly too.”s

After she heard my assumption, Aguri-san smiled.

“That’s our Amanocchi. You’re just as observant as you used to be when it comes to people. It’s just like what you said. That’s why I’m frustrated right now. It’s been like this since a long time ago.”

“A long time ago?”

“Ah, Main-nee-san and her family started taking up residence in our house because of reasons. They were living in their old house until shortly after Mii’s birth.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Right. …Ah, I just remembered it. I think Main-nee-san graduated from Otobuki as well.”

“Eh, so, she counts as our senpai?”

“Yeah. It was around 4 years ago, I think. …That was the most chaotic period of Otobuki.”

“Oh, …although Main-san’s personality is like that, she’s beautiful and good at gaming. I guess her position was just like Tendou-san back then.”

“Uh, I’m not sure. You couldn’t paint your hair silver at that time. I feel like it’s not that ridiculous. Ah, but she’s indeed very good at competitions and video games since that time.”

“Oh, really. Main-san has always been good at gaming…”

“Yeah, right. Main-nee-san’s great at games. …She was studying in…Otobuki…a couple years ago…”

“…………”

“…………”

At this point, we’re getting goosebumps for some reason. Good at gaming, …Main, …the name’s pronunciation…can be written as…?

…………

…M-A-I-N…?

“…………”

T-That’s impossible. I-It won’t be. …We looked at each other’s faces. Then, Aguri-san accidentally knocked off Main-san’s phone from the table. Luckily, it fell onto the carpet from a low place. So, it didn’t break or anything. However, …the screen turned on from the shock. We can’t help but saw-

(I think it’s a notification from the mobile version of < Gods and Evil >!)

Aguri-san quickly turned off the screen and put it back to the table. Honestly, it’s not concrete evidence. However, …from our point, I feel like we can be absolutely sure.

(MAI…has always been around us…)

How should I put this? It literally felt like we can spread our wings freely. Instead of surprised, Aguri-san and I only felt “relief” at that time.

Also, at this point, we’re sure that…

“…Okay.”

I slowly stood up from the chair. As for Aguri-san, ….she gave me a smile that said she admitted defeat and looked at me.

“I guess so.”

Aguri-san tried her best to speak up casually. I turned away from her smile and answered.

“This is already not…a scene that Aguri-san’s male friend Keita Amano can tangle with, right? Uehara-kun should be the person to do it, …or, from a simple gaming perspective, Tendou-san should challenge her instead.”

“Yes, Amanocchi, it’s exactly like what you said.”

Aguri-san nodded and agreed as she stood up as well. After that, she quickly handed me my bag and coat from the corner of the room. Then, she even smiled and said, “Here.”

“Amanocchi, go home now before Main-nee-san returns.”

“Even though I’m sorry, things are better this way. It’s for our love.”

“Yeah, of course, it would be terrible if Amanocchi’s lips are robbed away. I also feel that, …yeah, we should tell apart personal issues from the public ones at first hand. It’s right to ask my boyfriend to intervene.”

“Exactly. I feel like I shouldn’t intrude on Uehara-kun’s responsibilities. …It’s for our love.”

“Yeah, it’s for our love.”

Both of us just smiled at each other peacefully. I feel like…I have never expected our interaction can grow to this point in the past. If it were us a while ago, we would do something dumb without giving it any thought. …However, at this point, we know when to back out.

Anyway, the one thing that we’re sure of is that we’re both “mature” already.

I hastily got on my coat and bag. Then, I walked to the corridor as quietly as possible.

So, I can hear Mii and Main-san talking from the room in front of the bathroom. They seem to be done. The two of them returned to Aguri-san’s house and started changing,

I walked to the entrance quietly and got on my shoes in silence. Then, I looked back again. Aguri-san bid farewell to me quickly.

“Well, Aguri-san, I’ll see you.”

“Okay, thank you, Amanocchi. You were a great help.”

“…Sorry for not staying until the last moment.”

“It’s okay. I feel like it’s just like what you said. Amanocchi shouldn’t take part in the following. It’s time for me…to rely on Tasuku.”

“…I think this is better, whether it’s for you or for me.”

“Yeah, you’re right. This is better, whether it’s for Amanocchi or me.”

We smiled at each other once again. After that, I’m finally leaving-

“Hey, hey, hey, there should be a penalty when you disconnect without a greeting, right? Amako, Gurisuke?”

-At that moment, Main-san, who stood behind Aguri-san without us knowing, warned us with the sternest voice she produced. …Also, what she said makes sense.

“…………”

Just as we’re profusely sweating as we fell speechless, Mii walked out of the room slowly. …Then, as if she’s defending us, the little girl spoke up gently.

“Ah, i-it’s because Keita-nii-chan’s right to say goodbye to Mii was already robbed away by Mom, …right?”

“Eh?”

That way of smoothing things over is so smart that I doubted a child could pull it off. It shocked me. …As for Main-san, she grinned cheerfully for some reason and patted Mii’s head roughly.

“Ahaha, really? I see! That can’t be helped, then! Sigh, what perfect logic! You got me! Alright, I lose. I lose!”

Main-san’s in a good mood. …Even though I don’t know what’s going on, it looks like I can go home without being yelled at.

I showed a pathetic and polite smile. “W-Well-“ I raised my head.

“I-I’ll be leaving…”

“Sure, you can go home without any penalty. Bye, Amako.”

“Bye bye, Keita-nii-chan.”

…Yes, I can go!

I waved at the Fushiguro sisters as I felt relieved for not having to intervene in this plot. That’s not my responsibility. I pressed my chest as I turned to the door-

“But, Gurisuke, you have to be punished. Let me think. I was wondering about this keychain found in your room…

-However, I immediately reacted to what I saw at the corner of my eyes and turned to Main-san. So, at the next moment-

“-I’ll confiscate this Loverbears thing then-“

-I already grabbed her wrist tightly before she finished that.

Main-san’s middle finger has a pair of teddy bear keychains on it. …That double-colored teddy bear is the symbol of Aguri-san and Uehara-kun. It’s ringing under her palm.

“…………”

Time stopped. Aguri-san and Mii look confused.

Main-san, who’s enjoying something, raised her grin even more. As for me-

“Hey, hey, hey, what’s wrong, Amako, aren’t you going home?”

“…………”

“A-Amanocchi!”

Aguri-san snapped out of it and persuaded me. I hastily…yet detailedly glanced at her face.

As for Aguri-san, …as if she’s trying to hide something from me, she quickly got her close to my ears and tried to calm me down.

“I-I’m okay! Please just go home first, Amanocchi! Don’t wait until she changes her mind! That’s definitely better. Listen to me!”

“…………”

For a moment, I closed my eyes and thought about what Aguri-san said.

So, I remembered…the “improvement” I made during the last year. Also, I thought about my “attitude” for this whole week.

I have acquired irreplaceable growth from last year’s misunderstandings and mistakes.

With that, I had a new answer and attitude.

Don’t rush to the fore.

Don’t say unnecessary things.

Don’t argue with others.

In the end, I got a peaceful life.

Also, everyone said that I’ve grown up.

This improved me is the construct of those logical “considerations” and “correct” answers.

All of that-

-are nothing but trash compared to my friend’s tears.

“…Let’s have another match.”

I mumbled and opened my eyes determinedly. Then, I moved my eyes and confirmed…the tiny yet real tears on Aguri-san’s eyes-

-I made up my mind and showed a provocative smile at Main-san.

“We’ll just have another match, Main-san. Please fight me on video games, alright? Also, I’ll place your favorite ‘ownership’ as the bet.”

“…Oh.”

Main-san’s face is showing excitement from this chain of events.

We continued our conversation when Aguri-san and Mii were still trying to catch up.

“However, Amako, at this point, what can you even bet-“

“There is. I’m betting- myself. In other words, it’s the ownership of Keita Amano. If I lose, it’s okay for me to become your underling or worker for the rest of my life.”

I immediately answered. Main-san’s falling into intoxication since she loves competitions so much. Aguri-san can’t help but intervene.

“Wait, Amanocchi! What’s wrong with you!? Are you an idiot!?”

“Ah, yes, you’re right. Right now, I intruded on something that’s Uehara-kun’s responsibility. I’m also stepping on a stage that only Tendou-san’s skill level would qualify.”

I smiled embarrassingly at Aguri-san. …Aguri-san fell silent.

“…Uh, i-if you knew it already, why are you still-“

“However, as if she’s trying to cut Aguri-san’s question, Main-san continued on her own selfishly.

“Alright, Amako, well, if you won, I’ll return the Loverbears-“

“Huh? What the hell are you talking about, Main-san?

“…Huh?”

“No, no, no, no, no. It’s not equal if you think about this in common sense. A human’s ownership is way more important than a teddy bear keychain. You need to place more bets on your side.”

“Hmm, …that’s true. Yes, you’re right. I agree, Amako.”

“Thank you.”

“…………”

Our conversation is already so ridiculous that Aguri-san and Mii can’t catch up anymore. The two of them observed the development speechlessly.

However, only one person, …only Main-san, continued thinking and hmphed.

“But, Amako, if that’s the case, what do you want if you won?”

“Do I even need to say it? I’m asking for a person’s ownership as well.”

“Ha!? That’s daring of you. Don’t tell me you want me? Our stats aren’t equal, right.”

“No, I would never want a person like you. I’m only asking for one thing.”

“That is?”

“The ownership of everyone that you arrogantly thought that’s in your control.”

Obviously, what I’m about to say and do is clearly wrong in the “youth” I finally got recently.

It will destroy my improvement.

It will stall Aguri-san’s relationship.

It will make Chiaki upset.

Perhaps it will also make Uehara-kun mad too. It’s even possible for him to end our friendship.

No, …it’s not just that.

The worst-case scenario would be for me to return to my lonely high school life.

Just like that, it’s clearly the worst option for the people around and me. Right now, I’m betting into it.

…But, who cares?

“Main-san, if I win in the next match, at that time-“

Heedless, selfish, idiotic, irritable, and sometimes rushing into a fore like a fool, …I’m literally a hopeless idiot.

However-

I dare to say this original me is absolutely why-

-Tendou-san fell in love with me in the first place.

I looked at Main-san’s eyes determinedly.

I looked at her respectfully, just like how I looked at that admirable blonde-hair hardcore gamer.

Upright and fearless. I believe in- myself.

So, I finally- brought up the “victory reward” that sounds ridiculous and overstepping, …yet it matched my style perfectly to her.

“-I’m taking Aguri-san. Everything.”

A temporary “improvement” is not needed anymore.

This is me, a lonely and twisted gamer, Keita Amano.