For Some Reason The Girl Who's Too Popular Only Drinks with Me - Volume 1 Chapter 3.7

Well, it’s probably Hamasaki Misaki. After all, the icon is a selfie, and the name is unchanged, making it obvious.
But why does she know my account? It’s hard to imagine Hamasaki Mai giving it to her, and even if she did decide to share it, being the high-caliber person she is, she would have asked me first.

More pressing than how Hamasaki Misaki knew my account is why she summoned me. Coming from the countryside, she’s a high-ranking high school girl. It’s hardly time for Tokyo sightseeing. Plus, given her lack of fondness for me, it’s hard to imagine her relying on me.

Could it be a trap? Maybe a group of delinquent-looking guys, friends or potential boyfriends of hers, will be waiting at the meeting spot to drag me off to some deserted place, beating me while saying, “Don’t get cocky.”

“I really just wanna go home,” I thought, contemplating the worst-case scenario as I leaned against a pillar inside the bustling station. Despite being unable to fully decline, here I am, waiting for Hamasaki Misaki at the station, not knowing why she’s coming to Tokyo.

It’s not about being obedient; I simply give up too easily. Well, responding to the call isn’t just about giving up.

“I’ve arrived.”

“It’s cold.”

“I’m hungry.”

“Isn’t it crowded?”

“Where?”

Message after message came from Hamasaki Misaki. Giving up on responding to each, I sent a message about my location, put the phone away, and watched the flow of people coming through the gate.

Soon, I spotted a familiar tall girl.

Straightening up from my leaning position, I hurried to make myself visible as she approached the gate.

When Hamasaki Misaki looked up after exiting the gate, she scanned the area briefly before spotting me. Without changing her pace, she walked over.

“Uh, hi.”

“…Hi.”

We exchanged awkward greetings. I glanced around, wary of any delinquent-looking guys approaching. All clear, for now.

“What’s up?”

“Hm? Oh, just wondered if I’d get attacked out of nowhere.”

“What are you talking about… Ah, um, about the other day…”

As she glanced around, Hamasaki Misaki raised her voice slightly.

Turning my attention back to her, I noticed she looked unusually uneasy. Fidgeting with her mouth and furrowing her brow, she seemed uncomfortable.

“What’s up?”

“About last time… I’m sorry. I caused you trouble.”

With her apology, Hamasaki Misaki bowed deeply.

In the bustling Tokyo station, a slender beauty bowing to a nondescript man could easily lead to misunderstandings. Startled, I reacted strongly.

“No, no, no, you haven’t done anything that would warrant such an apology, or rather, I don’t even understand why I’m being apologized to, but in any case, please, please raise your head. This isn’t a good look.”

Responding to my words, Hamasaki Misaki only lifted her face. When I urged her with “Come on,” she finally straightened up.

“Because of me, you got slapped that time at the school festival.”

“Hm? Oh, that. It’s fine, really. I’m not bothered by it.”

“Ah, but I am bothered. So, I’m sorry.”

Hamasaki Misaki apologized again while looking away, causing me to shrug slightly.

It’s just part of the job for me, yet she went out of her way to apologize, which is kind of her, I suppose.

Though I wish she had chosen a better place and time for it.

“Does your sister know about this? About today’s thing.”

“I haven’t told my sister… It’s okay, if you want to tell her.”

“I’m not the type to hold it over you.”

“Seriously, you can tell her. I think it would increase your favorability with her.”

“But if I told her, you’d get scolded, right? Then forget it. I won’t say anything.”

Seeing my nonchalant attitude, Hamasaki Misaki looked dissatisfied. She’s relieved I won’t tattle on her, yet she feels a bit guilty, unsure of what to do next. In this, she’s as transparent as her sister.

“It’s not out of kindness that I’m saying this. I’m just too lazy to get involved. So, why did you call me out today?”

“Ah, that too, but there’s something else I wanted to talk about.”

“…Let’s go somewhere first, shall we?”

***

“So, what’s this secret you’re keeping from your sister?”

In a minor chain café, a bit of a distance from the station, I immediately broached the subject as soon as our coffee was served.

Hamasaki Misaki, who was about to sip her ginger milk tea, flinched and stopped her motion. The drink spilled from the cup, splashing lightly onto the saucer.

“Are we starting with that topic right away? Don’t you usually work up to it?”

Setting the cup gently on the saucer, Hamasaki Misaki gave me an incredulous look. Despite her being taller, sitting down didn’t give her a downward gaze on me, which probably meant just that.

“It’s not like we came here to make small talk, so there’s no need to work up to anything. Or do you want me to ask you how you’ve been lately? Is school fun?”

My rebuttal made Hamasaki Misaki frown. As I sipped my coffee nonchalantly, she sighed and drank her ginger milk tea.

“…Just don’t tell my sister, okay?”

Hamasaki Misaki glared at me, making it clear. I placed my cup on the saucer, lightly crossing my arms.

“My sister, you see, has been beautiful and cute since elementary school, and everyone’s favorite.”

She began her story bit by bit.

Her sister, Hamasaki Mai, was already perfect from her time in elementary school. She was academically excellent, athletically gifted, and a lively girl. She was always playing with other girls during recess, though sometimes she joined the boys for dodgeball. A stark contrast to me.

Of course, this was just the introduction. Such details wouldn’t harm Hamasaki Mai if told directly to her.

“But in her sixth year of elementary school, she was… attacked by a male teacher.”

“Attacked?”