I'm in Love with the Gorilla Sitting Next to Me - Volume 1 Chapter 2.7

From my first encounter with Gorilla-san to the present 7

Having my own money depending on my work is very appealing, but in my case, there’s the super handicap of seeing women as animals. I learned from my uncle that this would be a significant minus in customer service… It could lead to angering customers a lot.

While thinking about applying for some physical labor part-time job before the summer vacation, I realized it was almost time for the next class, so I searched my desk for the textbook,

“Anyway, I’ve narrowed down my options, so I plan to check out a few. Since Gossan will be heading to the gym either way, we probably won’t bump into each other.”

“I don’t know which club you’re planning to join, but that’s right. I’ve heard that many cultural clubs don’t have their club rooms in the main building.”

“Oh, really? Maybe they’re using the old school building as their club room.”

“Then activities in the summer will be tough. The old school building doesn’t have air conditioning.”

“…What a precise comment to dampen my enthusiasm for joining…”

I muttered in what could be described as agony, and I felt like Gossan’s mouth twitched into a smile—though it was hard to tell with a gorilla, the atmosphere seemed to suggest it.

I don’t know what amused her, but… well, if she looks happy, that’s fine by me.

While watching Gossan, who seemed to be in a slightly better mood as she checked her stationery next to me, I couldn’t help but feel a bit of joy myself.

…That feeling, however, was quickly shut down as a pop quiz began right after the start of the lesson.

◇ ◆

——And so, a week after having that conversation with Gossan.

I was walking alone along the less crowded back route of the school after classes. I wasn’t called out for a confession or a challenge. I was just heading to the bicycle parking area after finishing some errands.

Even though I had just started attending this school and there were many places I hadn’t been to yet, walking down a new path had its own freshness. I even found myself stopping to stare at the discarded materials and chairs piled up at the side.

I passed by a group that looked like the rugby team out for a run, and I awkwardly walked past a couple sitting close together on the emergency stairs. When I reached the back gate side, where the gym and martial arts hall were, I spotted a familiar figure at the water fountain.

“Hey, Gossan, still at club activities?”

When I called out, Gossan, who had been washing her face at the water fountain, made a motion as if to look at me, but perhaps because her eyes were wet and she couldn’t open them, she stopped and wiped her face with the towel hanging from her neck.

“That nickname… Saiki-kun, is it? You recognized me quite well.”

“Well, if you’ve been sitting next to someone for nearly a month, you know.”

Sorry, that’s a lie. The truth is, I recognized you because you’re a gorilla. Whether it’s a gorilla, chimpanzee, or orangutan, including teachers, you’re the only one in the school with the appearance of a primate, so I could tell from behind in one shot.

After wiping her face, Gossan put the towel back around her neck and let out a small sigh, glancing at me with her usual dignified gorilla face.

“Are you still here at this time for a club trial, Saiki-kun?”

“Well, I’m pretty much decided on joining. I’ve been there for three days straight, and I just helped throw out the trash.”

While responding, I looked Gossan up and down.

Instead of her usual uniform, she was wearing a white T-shirt with a yellow bib over it, and below she had the school’s designated jersey and gym shoes. Also, she wasn’t wearing the hair ornament she usually had in the classroom.

“Are you with the basketball club, Gossan?”

“No, it’s the volleyball club. I think I’ll be officially joining next week.”

“Oh, I see. I kind of thought basketball would suit you better.”

I couldn’t say that I wanted to see a real gorilla dunk.

A gorilla with a dynamic dribble… a gorilla that dunks with more power than anyone and lets out a roar… Maybe if I paid, would she do it…?

As I struggled to give up on my dream, Gossan repositioned the towel she had used to wipe her face and said,

“I did try out for the basketball club, but it didn’t feel right for me. Shooting is difficult, and I kept getting fouls for just a little movement.”

“Ah… Basketball does have a lot of fouls for small things. But hey, you could just make all your shots dunks, right?”

“You can’t do that so easily. The height of the goal is the same as for boys, you know?”

“Whoa, really? I thought it was a bit lower. Then even Gossan can’t do it, huh?”

“I can touch the ring, but it’s hard to get the ball in from above. And the run-up, especially while dribbling, was not good at all.”

I see, she did give it a try. I thought Gossan, who’s nearly 180 centimeters tall, would easily dunk, but if she tried and failed, it must be tough.

“Volleyball club then? But Gossan, your outfit doesn’t really scream volleyball club.”

“Is that so? The Senpai also wear similar outfits.”

“Really!? I always thought volleyball meant tight uniforms, with shorts or bloomers on the bottom!”

“During matches, maybe, but for practice, we usually wear jerseys or half-pants. Also, that comment could be considered sexual harassment.”

“Sexual harassment… Is that how it is… Honestly, I prefer less exposure, so I didn’t have that mindset.”

“That statement itself is plenty sexual harassment… I’m shocked. Saiki-kun, you’re a pervert.”

Whoa, the serious gorilla face just said something outrageous.

“Hey Gossan, where do you see any perverted elements in me? If anything, I should be praised as a gentleman!”

“Adolescent boys are supposed to fantasize about the opposite sex’s nudity all the time. Yet you prefer clothed, which definitely means you have a special preference. Please stay away from me.”

“I don’t have any weird preferences like that! I’m just a man who prefers winter clothes over summer clothes! You’re too prejudiced, Gossan!”

“My brother, my younger brother, and all our relatives were unanimous in saying, ‘Bikinis are better than one-piece swimsuits.’ The only ones who disagreed were the women, so that means, Saiki-kun, you’re part of the perverted minority…”

“It’s just a matter of preference! Some people like meat, others like fish, that’s all!”

“Hmm… when you put it that way, indeed…”

I was relieved that they seemed to accept my point to some extent… but I couldn’t say anything beyond the facade.

In my case, the exposed parts appear to be animalized. In that situation, they differ from their original form and become mere animals. So, the outfit that gets me going in an erotic sense would be the full-body tights worn by sentai heroes, but then again, that covers the face too, which makes me want to question how that works.