As I Know Anything About You, I'll Be The One To Your Girlfriend, Aren't I? - Volume 1 Chapter 1.7

Why Is It Bright Red? 7

“Good evening…”

“Ah, yes, good evening. What’s up?”

“…Um, no, it’s nothing.”

It felt like an international call with the lag in her responses.

“…Er, do you like games?”

“I did play occasionaly.”

“…Do you have time right now?”

“I’m not particularly busy.”

The lag in her responses gradually disappeared.

“I see. Then, could you keep me company for a bit? I’d like you to be a tester.”

Finally speaking in her usual tone, I asked Kujo-san.

“A tester? What for?”

“I recently helped develop a game that’s just been released. I want to check its actual performance. The game features cooperative play, so I need someone to play with.”

“I see. Wait, you helped develop a game? That’s pretty amazing… Aren’t you a pro?”

“I told you, I earn my keep.”

“That’s cool. But are you sure I’m the right person? I’m not particularly good at games, and I don’t know anything about programming…”

“Miyashiro-kun, you know, Miyashiro-kun, the thing is, Miyashiro-kun, it’s important to get feedback from general users, not just hardcore gamers or people from game companies. That’s why I chose you, and there’s absolutely no other intention, please understand.”

Her rapid-fire speech was impressive. Thankfully, her clear enunciation made it easier to understand, but what’s with the “please understand”?

“Got it, got it, got it, understood.”

“I don’t know anyone else who fits the bill of a general user to ask for such a favor because I don’t have friends. Especially not male high school students, who are right in the target demographic, except for you. This is request from a girl devoid of social skills, do you understand?”

“Understood, understood. Sorry about that. I’ll help as much as I can.”

“Thank you. Of course, I’ll pay you, so give me your bank account details. You don’t need to issue a receipt.”

“Do classmates normally ask for your bank account? I’ll help, but I don’t need the money.”

After all, I’m just a high school student who doesn’t even know the difference between a receipt and an invoice.

Following Kujo-san’s instructions, I began to assist as a tester.

“Wait, is that the title I just downloaded a while ago?”

“Oh, really? …What a coincidence, a huge coincidence.”

“I’ve started it up, should I just begin playing normally?”

“Yes. Cooperative play will unlock after you progress a bit.”

“I see.”

Before the tutorial starts, I’m instructed to choose a mech.

“Sword-wielding mechs, gun-wielding mechs, and ones with wings, huh? Then maybe this one.”

“Oh, you chose the sword mech. It’s the easiest to control; I think it’s a good choice.”

“Really? That’s good then.”

Yuuji is good at these things, but I’m not confident in action games. Lucky to have chosen a character that’s easy to handle.

With that thought, I notice something off. Wait, did I say which mech I chose?

Oh, the tutorial has started.

Well, it must be my imagination. With that, I focus on the game.

After successfully completing the tutorial, I began cooperative play with Kujo-san.

“Miyashiro-kun, the enemy attacking you now has a weak point on its head. If you slash it, you can defeat it in one hit.”

“Alright, charge!”

“Also, your special attack gauge should be full by now… I think you can use your special move.”

“Really? Let’s unleash it!”

Kujo-san, as expected of a developer, occasionally gives precise instructions as if she can see my screen.

Thanks to her, everything goes smoothly, and I really enjoy playing. Before I know it, it’s gotten quite late.

“Let’s call it a day. Sorry for keeping you up late. Playing together was very helpful; I got to see how beginners move.”

“No, I had fun too. This is a good game. It’s definitely going to be a hit.”

“Thank you. Then, goodbye.”

Leaving her usual cool and curt reply, Kujo-san ended the call. Even though we enjoyed the game together, she remained true to herself.

Maybe this will make us talk a bit more at school… or not.

I chuckle to myself at the thought. After all, it’s Kujo-san we’re talking about.

The next conversation might be ten days later, and that wouldn’t be strange at all for her.

…Wow, it’s really late. Time to sleep.

Tomorrow is Saturday. No school, but I have plans early in the morning. I want to go to bed early to avoid oversleeping or feeling unwell.

I turn off the light and set my alarm on my smartphone… Before closing my eyes, I double-check the route and travel time to tomorrow’s destination.

Alright, good. If I wake up at the set time, I’ll make it. It’s not a place to get lost.

Feeling reassured, I fall asleep.

“Thank you, then.”

◇◆◇

Kujo’s PoV

After ending the call, I—Kujo Kurenai—let out a big sigh.

“Haaa… aaaaaah…”

My strength leaves me, and my body slides off the chair. Right now, in my room, in front of my desk, I’m in a somewhat strange pose.

After a while, the door opens with a click.

“Nee-chan, my tablet’s acting up… What’s with that pose? You’ll hurt your neck, you know?”

“Maybe…”

“Ah, I get it! It’s about ‘Miyashiro-kun,’ right? What happened? Any progress?”

My sister, two years younger and in her third year of middle school, is sociable, loves rumors, and is a gossip fiend. She exerts that spirit greatly towards me, her sister, and thanks to her, things I had no intention of revealing have already been laid bare.

“…Touko, your sister is very tired right now, having just made a great effort. So, I’m going to sleep. Goodnight.”

I crawled to my bed and wrapped myself in a towel blanket. This is a sleeping posture; I’m going to bed for the night.

“What what what what! What happened!? Don’t sleep, don’t sleep, wake up, wake up, tell me, tell me, tell me!”

“Shut up, shut up, just be queit…”

My sister jumps around on top of me, bouncing up and down. It’s heavy and painful. Despite her graceful and slender build, unfortunately, I am frail.

“I’ll keep going until you talk! So, you might as well spill it now. That’s your beloved best move!”

“It might be, but hearing it from the person who created this situation is irritating… I just called him.”

“And then and then!?”

“I called him and… played a game together.”

“And then and then!?”

“That’s it.”

“Ha… WHAT!?”

Though I say that’s it, for me, it was quite an adventure. However, my sister stretches her soprano voice in exasperation and presses further.

“What, you’re giving off that accomplished vibe just for that!? Whaaaaat! Nee-chan, that’s like elementary school level! No, below elementary school!”

“If it’s below, then elementary school is still included.”

“Worse than elementary school!”

“Its really harsh…”

It should simply be “less than.” No, being told I’m less than elementary school level is harsh too.

“Look, Nee-chan, just aggressively charm him and win him over. A direct approach is fine! It’s super annoying, but compared to me, who is incredibly cute, you have an even better face! And how come someone with your facial deviation value doesn’t have a boyfriend?”

“I don’t… necessarily want a boyfriend.”

Not exactly that.

Wrapped in the blanket, I uttered those words.

“…I just… want to… get… closer to Miyashiro-kun.”

“That’s so pure! So maidenly! Wanting to get closer is like something from the Taisho era! Your thinking is HAHAHAHA hilarious! Oh, sorry, sorry, just kidding!”

I want to smack her down (first of all, what does she even know about the Taisho era…), but I don’t have the energy.

I’m truly exhausted now. I didn’t know calling someone you like could be so nerve-wracking. I nearly passed out several times during the call.

tln : hahaha, thanks for my dear reader effort. i really appreciate you guys for rating in NovelUpdates. please do keep support this novel