I'm in Love with the Gorilla Sitting Next to Me - Volume 1 Chapter 2.3

From my first encounter with Gorilla-san to the present 3

I’ll need to remember the girls who have become my classmates, and I’ll have to understand how my vision differs from the actual person. I have to be careful not to hurt anyone with a careless comment. It’s going to take some time.

But still, it’s a good start with a special seat. I wish we didn’t have to change seats at all… But wait, it might be cold by the window in winter. So it would be best to get a seat on the corridor side then.

Looking out the window, I saw a three-story, long building and an old schoolhouse a little further away, which must be the clubroom building and the old schoolhouse mentioned in the school guide.

The clubroom building, which is still relatively new and used by sports clubs and some cultural clubs, contrasts with the old schoolhouse, which looks genuinely old-fashioned. It’s not made of wood, but the blackened appearance gives it a sense of history. It’s still in use, so I hope the inside is well-maintained.

Senbazuru Academy is quite large and has a history, so it seems to have a lot of club activities. Today is the entrance ceremony, and I don’t think other grades have classes, but I’ve already passed by people who seem to be in the baseball club and the wind orchestra, and I can hear voices from the practice field. There are many people working hard from the morning.

“Club activities, huh… Maybe I’ll join something…”

While muttering and watching the upperclassmen entering and leaving the clubroom building, I suddenly felt a presence behind me. Since I was looking to the side, it meant the seat next to me.

I could hear the sound of a chair being pulled out and someone sitting down, so it was clear that the girl next to me had arrived.

Alright. We’re going to spend at least a year together in the same classroom, so I should greet her first.

Thinking this, I put on a friendly, refreshing smile and turned around.

——And there was a gorilla.

“Gorilla…!?”

In my surprise, I accidentally spoke aloud and hurriedly covered my mouth. It wasn’t loud, but it was a fairly audible voice.

I hoped she hadn’t heard it… but yeah, that’s impossible. Gorilla-san is staring right at me. A gorilla in a sailor uniform is looking at me.

But still… I haven’t seen many gorilla-type women before, and this close-up is definitely a first… The impact of a gorilla is incredible…

The short body hair is a faded black or rather a bluish brown, and the skin color is similar. I didn’t know they weren’t completely black. There are also gray areas.

I can’t tell her height since she’s sitting down, but her head is at least a size larger than a human’s, and she looks strong. I’ve only seen gorillas from a distance at the zoo, but she seemed so strong… The facial features are somewhat sharp and almost handsome.

Well, she’s a girl, so she’s a female gorilla. She’s also wearing a yellow hair ornament with a ribbon on it.

“…”

And from that female Gorilla-san, a piercing gaze was stabbing through me.

Her stern look exerted silent pressure. I can clearly feel the hostility.

This is bad, the first impression is the worst. Of course, calling a girl a gorilla. I can’t see her actual face, but if it’s even remotely close to that, I’ve uttered an outrageous insult.

Wondering what to do if I’ve hurt her feelings or if there’s any way to smooth things over, my mind is spinning so fast that I’m paralyzed. Then, Gorilla-san, who had been staring intently at me, spoke up.

“…Have we met somewhere before?”

“Huh? N-no, I don’t think so…”

I reflexively shake my head in response to the sudden question.

Then the gorilla frowns… or did she?

Wait, are those even eyebrows?

It’s hard to tell with gorillas, being so human-like actually made it harder to tell…!

As I’m trying to figure out if now is the right time to apologize, the gorilla next to me checks the surname written next to the attendance number on our desks,

“…Did you attend elementary school or kindergarten in this area?”

“Y-yes, I’m a local. Never moved.”

“…What about cram school or lessons?”

What is this, an interrogation?

But this feels like, ‘Hey, spit it out already. Where are you from, huh?’ like I’m being questioned or interrogated.

Obviously, it’s not the time to joke around, so I have to answer honestly… but what is this?

“…I went to cram school just a little before the entrance exams in my third year of junior high. As for lessons… I’ve been on baseball and soccer teams, but no formal lessons.”

“…I see. So, why did you look at me and say ‘gorilla’?”

There it is, the straight question that’s hardest to answer.

How should I respond to her, who speaks with a calm yet strict tone? It’s impossible to make it sound like a joke. I don’t have that kind of skill.

But saying ‘Because you look like a gorilla’ is out of the question. Lying might be a necessary evil. I mean, what’s the point of telling a hurtful truth that won’t be believed?

…So, that means…

“…w-While thinking about gorillas, I accidentally blurted it out.”

This excuse, which is very close to the truth, seemed to make Gorilla-san’s brow furrow… I think?

Her face is almost human, but I’m not sure if I’m interpreting her reaction correctly…!

At least with other animal girls, they don’t express their emotions through actions like real animals. A dog person doesn’t wag her tail when happy, and a cat person doesn’t hiss when angry. But then again, some do react the same way, which makes it even more complicated.

The gorilla in front of me seems to have a sterner expression than before, which I think is because she’s actually making that face… It’s hard to tell the subtle changes in an animal’s face…!