Himegi-san a Bride from the Future Begs Me to Confess My Love to Her Again - Volume 1 Chapter 0.1

Prologue 1

In a season slightly early for cherry blossoms to fall, the feelings of a certain boy were scattered.

Spilled water cannot be gathered up again, and no matter how much one wishes, humans cannot turn back time.

Still, if I could go back, I would want to.

If I could, I’d go back five minutes ago—no, back to last night, and I’d deliver a full-force right-straight to myself who was sitting at the desk, foolishly grinning while writing a love letter.

Right, I was elated last night, and I wasn’t being rational. But I guess it can’t be helped.

On the day I entered this school, I saw Himegi-san and instantly felt what many describe as ‘love at first sight.’

I still remember it vividly.

Just like now, with her beautiful black hair swaying gently in the spring breeze, she walked down the cherry blossom path dignifiedly———then I found myself captivated, both visually and emotionally.

That was our first encounter, and it didn’t take long for me to realize that this was my first love.

However, as fateful as it seemed to me, for her, it was probably nothing more than a trivial event.

Why couldn’t I have realized that sooner…

“Like I said earlier, it’s not that I dislike Ouji-kun or anything. It’s just that I’m not thinking of going out with anyone right now… Anyway, I’m sorry I can’t respond to your feelings.”

She——Touka Himegi looked at me and bowed her head with a clear, apologetic voice.

“Ah, please raise your head. I’m the one who should apologize…sorry for suddenly calling you out.”

Even at this point, I had only been thinking about myself.

Realizing my own lack of consideration, I felt a deep sense of embarrassment.

“…Even though you might dislike it to hear these words from me, please don’t be too disheartened. Well then, I have something to do, so I’ll take my leave.”

Illuminated by the faint evening light coming in through the window, she was tinged in orange.

Ah, she was so beautiful.

“Sorry for calling you out even though you had something to do, Himegi-san. I’ll try not to worry about it…as well.”

“Yes, then, see you next week…”

She bowed deeply and left the empty classroom.

“Next week…”

Will I be able to remain calm when I see her next week?

Without a doubt, I will act distant and reserved.

Thinking like that, I felt the urge to repeatedly hit my head against the wall.

“Sigh…I really wish I could go back to yesterday.”

Being in the same class as her, getting excited, getting carried away by my emotions, writing a love letter without much thought, calling her out to the empty classroom after school, and getting rejected in a mere ten seconds—the fact remains unchanged no matter how much I turn it around.

Looking back now, what chances did I really think I had?

Touka Himegi is an unattainable flower in this school.

Long, silky black hair, a well-proportioned face, taller than most girls, a substantial chest that would earn envy from my mother and my childhood friend, and a slender waist and hips. It’s not an exaggeration to say she has a model-like figure.

Yet her personality is flawless, and she also excels in athleticism.

In other words, she’s undoubtedly a beauty and the unquestionable number-one Madonna of the school.

“…I can’t believe I actually thought there was a chance, even a slight one, to be involved with someone like her.”

Am I really that foolish? An irredeemable idiot?

Anyway, let’s go home. I don’t want anyone to see me like this right now.

Thinking that, as I reached my hand towards the door—

“——You’ve been wonderfully rejected, Pitiful Prince (Ouji).”

(TN: His name Hakuba Ouji means Prince on a White Horse, with Ouji signifying Prince.)

From the other door, a voice I often hear echoed.

When I turned around, there was Kanako Chikada, who looked unmistakably like a middle schooler from any angle, staring at me with a wry smile.

“Were you watching?”

“It’s cleaning duty. It’s the Newspaper club’s turn to clean this classroom. Hakuba, you better thank me. I figured you’d be even more depressed if the club members saw you, so I sent them home on my order.”

A sense of gratitude for my considerate childhood friend welled up within me.

Was she always this kind? I’ve always been thinking things like ‘shorty’ or ‘undeveloped girl’ in my mind.

I’m sorry about that.

“Well, thanks to that, I managed to exclusively film an interesting video, so it’s all good, I guess…”

Kanako took out her smartphone from her pocket and turned the screen toward me with a satisfied grin.

The video showed a brown-haired male student with a bright red face earnestly confessing his feelings to a black-haired girl.

“But I didn’t know you liked Himegi-san.”

“Is that wrong? And stop filming without permission…”

“I don’t really think it’s wrong. So, Pitiful Prince, what made you like Himegi-san?”

“She didn’t laugh at my dream.”

During our previous class introduction, I had said that ‘I want to become a professional magician and perform magic tricks for free to children in Las Vegas and kids who’ve never seen magic before.’

At that time, there were many students who laughed at my dream, but she was the only one who listened to my words with sincere attention.

That’s why I wanted to convey these feelings to Himegi-san.

“The rest is love at first sight.”

“In the end, it’s about appearances, huh?”

“I won’t deny that.”

“First of all, I can’t even tell if you’re a guy or a girl; how about that? “

I hated it when people made fun of my name and appearance.

So, even if she’s a childhood friend, I’ve decided not to forgive her for breaking this taboo.

“Alright, it’s the title for the next featured article. Which one is better, [The Pitiful Prince!! Falls in a Tragic Manner?!] or [The Pitiful Prince Reckless Confession!]?”

“——Well then, Kanako-san. Which one is better, being strangled by me or taking a dive from this fifth floor with your tiny body?”

Personally, I want to inflict all sorts of pain on this person.

Damn it, I’m embarrassed by even the slightest thought that this girl might be decent.

“More importantly, I have a favor to ask.”

“…As usual, you’re someone who doesn’t listen to others.”

“It’s this.”

She took out a small piece of paper, the size of a business card, from her skirt pocket and placed it on the desk.

“Huh? A free fortune-telling voucher?”

“Yes, it’s a voucher for a free fortune-telling session. A gift for Hakuba.”

“What’s the catch? What’s your goal in giving me something like this?”

I’ve known this girl for a long time. Therefore, I instantly understood.

Kanako is scheming to make me do something.

By the way, I have absolutely no interest in fortune-telling or anything like that, so it’s a completely unappealing gift.

“Lately, there’s a fortune-teller who’s become famous among the female students. She’s known for being accurate.”

“A fortune-teller who’s known for being accurate? Well, isn’t it good she’s not known for being inaccurate?”

I said that and picked up the free fortune-telling voucher placed on the desk, then handed it back to Kanako.

“…Considering you’re the vice president of the Magic Research Club, you should find out whether the mysterious power of the fortune-teller is real or if it’s just a scam by confronting her. That’s why, Hakuba, I’m assigning you this investigation. Oh, by the way, it’s only valid until today, so you better go check it out today.”

“Why are you assuming I’m going to look into it?”

“I have to clean this empty classroom now. So, logically, you should investigate it in my place.”

Without any remorse, my head started spinning from her statement.

What kind of education did she receive to make such an incoherent logic?

“Well then, I’ll take over the cleaning for you. You can go meet the fortune-teller.”

“It’s a pity, but I have a karaoke date with my boyfriend after cleaning. I don’t have time to visit the fortune-teller.”

In other words, she’s prioritizing her date with her boyfriend over her club activities and has decided to go meet her boyfriend.

“Hey, Kanako, try remembering last year. You were full of enthusiasm when you just joined the Newspaper Club. You used to say, ‘I want to provide various useful information to everyone!’ But now, you’re skipping club activities and spending time with your boyfriend. Oh, how pathetic! It makes me so sad to think that such a person is my childhood friend.”

“My boyfriend has an unopened plastic model kit that Hakuba wants. If you go do it for me today—”

“——I’ll go! Please let me investigate the fortune teller!”

If there’s such a reward, you should’ve mentioned it first!

If I can get the model kit I’ve been wanting, I’ll even infiltrate a cult’s base, let alone an accurate fortune-teller.

“As usual, you’re as greedy as ever. As your childhood friend, I feel deeply ashamed of you.”

“You can say whatever you want. But more importantly, don’t break your promise.”

“I know. You should investigate enough for it to make a proper article.”

“Got it. I’ll determine whether that fortune-teller is a fraud or the real deal.”

“Well, let’s hope for the best.”

“Alright then, I’ll head to the fortune-teller who’s been the subject of rumors.”

As I put the fortune-telling voucher into my pocket and was about to leave the empty classroom, I heard,

“——is it okay to come in?”

From the hallway, a male student entered the empty classroom.

Takashi Harukawa.

He’s in the same second-year class as me and is a handsome guy who’s a member of the soccer club, and despite only recently advancing to the second year, he’s already treated like a leader within the class.

Well, it’s only natural considering his high academic performance, athleticism, and facial attractiveness.

By the way, this guy has a cheeky girlfriend, and that person is——

“I’m sooo sorry, my beloved Takakyun~”

Suddenly, Harukawa-kun’s girlfriend hugged him with a sweet voice.

” ….. “

I don’t mean to be stingy, but it’s a strange combination to me.

I never imagined that my childhood friend would end up with a guy of such high specs.

Also, considering Kanako’s personality, I never imagined she’d be able to use such a sweet voice.

I wonder if I should record this and play it at a high volume just in case if they break up or something. That way, I can make fun of her.

“I’m sorry, my beloved Takakyun, I kept you waiting outside.”

“It’s okay.”

” ….. “

Let’s withdraw before I enter their private world.

It’s not good for my mental well-being to stay here any longer.

Why should I have to witness sweet moments between lovers on the same day I was rejected?

Being rejected by Himegi-san seems to be affecting me more than I thought.

“Well then, I’ll excuse myself. You two enjoy yourselves.”

I waved to Kanako and her boyfriend, who were both looking lovey-dovey and started getting ready to leave.

“Ah, Ouji-kun, sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. Kanako, just send me information about the fortune-teller on LINE later.”

“Got it. Don’t slack off, or it won’t be free.”

“…I’ll do my best.”

Quite a change in attitude.

Well, if that girl were to approach me with a sugary voice, I’m sure I’d get heartburn, so I don’t mind.

“Kanako?”

“What’s wrong?”

“You shouldn’t pick a fight with a magician.”

And with that word, I left the classroom.

Then I heard Kanako’s frantic voice from inside the classroom as soon as I left.

“Huh? Huhhh? Wait, why are both my feet tied with a rope all of a sudden!?”

I’ve decided I won’t forgive anyone who mocks my name and appearance.

Therefore, anyone who breaks this taboo will have to pay for it, no matter who they are.

“Hakuba————!!”

Kanako’s angry shout echoed throughout the school.

***

TL: Hiraeth