I'm in Love with the Gorilla Sitting Next to Me - Volume 1 Chapter 3.5

Choose Carefully Whom You Consult Your Worries With 5

When it comes to actually talking about it, I feel strangely nervous or awkward. It’s not something you’d normally discuss with a relative.

But my case isn’t normal, and on the contrary, there’s no one more suitable to talk to than Uncle Jo, so I gather my courage and start talking.

“…So, there’s this person in my class who I’ve been a bit concerned about.”

“Hmm… I see…”

Uncle Jo seems surprised by my words but then nods seriously.

“Because of the curse, right? Indeed, others might not understand.”

“That’s right, that’s exactly it! I’m aware that it’s definitely not normal, so it’s hard to talk to other people about it.”

“Ah, I understand. Uncle has had his share of troubles too.”

Uncle Jo, who gave his consent, pats my shoulder and asks with very kind eyes.

“A girl who doesn’t look like an animal to you—fell for a guy?”

“No, that’s not it! Ah, no, it’s totally different, I’m not struggling with that!?”

“Huh? Oh, was I wrong? You’re not smitten with a pretty-faced boy or attracted to someone who used to be a guy because they look normal to you?”

Uncle Jo’s unexpected guess makes him widen his eyes, and I shake my head vigorously in response.

“…Oh, I was wrong. I thought you had ventured onto a new path…”

“…I’m more concerned about Uncle’s past that led to that line of thought…”

“Well, I’d rather not say, but life has its wanderings. After the curse was lifted, I went wild with women. I’m glad I saved up.”

“That’s a topic I’d rather not hear about… Anyway, I’m interested in a girl from my class!”

I blurt out with momentum, and Uncle Jo looks intently at my face.

“…But Kouta, don’t you see the opposite sex as animals… Could it be that this girl is special and you see her as a girl? If that’s the case, it’s a trap!?”

“I don’t know what kind of trap, but she looks like an animal to me, just like the others.”

“So, same as the others… But well, Kouta, you seem to see a wide variety of animals. Maybe if it’s a cute dog or cat perhaps… So, what does this girl look like?”

“A gorilla.”

“…Pardon? The uh-uh-ah-ah(gorrila sfx) kind?”

“I haven’t seen her do the uh-uh-ah-ah, but yes, definitely a gorilla. Just by looks, I can’t even tell if it’s a male or female. I’m sure she’s a girl because that’s how I see her.”

At my explanation, Uncle Jo’s expression becomes extremely ambiguous. He seems to be struggling with how to process it.

Even though he’s experienced the curse, maybe that’s why he’s confused… Right, because he’s experienced it, there might be confusion.

Still, Uncle Jo looks at me straight on and asks,

“…Kouta, just one thing, please tell me. Do you get sexually excited by the animals at the zoo——”

“No, I’m not. Even if you ask me with such a serious tone, no profound truth is going to emerge.”

“Ah, different then. But Kouta, you can’t completely deny it since you’re into a girl who looks like a gorilla on the outside, right?”

“Whether I like her or not is still a gray area. Besides, her appearance isn’t my type at all, which is what I’m struggling with…”

“Well, I see. That makes sense.”

“Uncle, did you never have that kind of experience?”

As I asked, Uncle Jo shook his head almost immediately, saying,

“No no. After all, what I saw were only frogs. I couldn’t even tell the difference in hairstyles, and it was hard to distinguish who was who, so I barely spoke to girls during my school days.”

“Not being able to tell them apart must have been tough.”

“There are subtle differences in contours and patterns, but at a glance, they’re almost indistinguishable. It’s even harder because they all wear the same uniform…”

Uncle Jo’s expression, as he spoke earnestly, was tinged with hardship. I understood how he felt. When animals of the same species have the same fur pattern, it’s a lost cause.

But unlike me, who could distinguish to some extent because of the variety of animals, Uncle Jo, who only saw frogs, must have had a really tough time. After all, many people are not fond of frogs. Even if it’s just their heads, seeing them human-sized must make Uncle Jo’s curse seriously harsh.

“Well, because of that, I ended up drawing whimsical pictures of beautiful frogs, which got me noticed. Life is unpredictable. It’s like the old saying, ‘A blessing in disguise.’ “

“I see. So, not everything about the curse is bad?”

“No, it’s all bad. That curse is absolutely unnecessary, a hundred billion percent. I just happened to like drawing and had some talent, but without that, it would have been pure hell. I would have preferred to live a normal life without any of this so-called success.”

Uncle Jo spoke with a self-deprecating laugh, but his eyes were completely lifeless. I, too, am cursed, but the duration and type are different, so he must have suffered many times more than I have.

“Uncle… That’s why you got into hostess bars and girl’s bars later in life, and turned down arranged marriages…”

“Because I didn’t play around before! I have money because I worked other jobs, and I left the family home to my brother, so what else is there to do but enjoy myself to the fullest!”

“So, you didn’t have any romantic experiences when you were young?”

“None… There were girls I got along with, but when I saw their faces, I just couldn’t muster the energy to kiss them or go further.”

“I totally get that…! That’s why I’m struggling too.”

“Right. Plus, if you get a girlfriend, you’ll eventually have to explain the curse. I thought the chances of being believed were slim.”

“Yeah, that’s another thing… It’s definitely not easy.”

Talking about it made me realize anew the height of the hurdle. Or rather, it’s more like a wall.

Whether to overcome it or break it down, either way, it seems like it will take a lot of resolve and power.

After all, I’m not even sure if I’m seriously in love. I can’t judge because I don’t have any real romantic experience.

As I was lost in thought about the problem’s complexity, Uncle Jo’s hand began to ruffle my hair.

“Worry and ponder, my boy. These are experiences I never had. No matter the outcome, you’ll regret it if you don’t think it through.”

“Ah… yeah, I will. Thanks for listening.”

“No problem. Well, I’m not sure if I was much help. If only I could teach you how to break the curse, but that’s something nobody knows.”

“Ha… It’s all because of Manjuuta’s curse…”

As my hatred for the man with the ridiculous name, who should have been long dead, grew, my mother’s voice calling ‘Dinner’s ready!’ came from beyond the door, and our conversation ended.

——Little did I know that I would find a clue to breaking the curse the very next day.

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