I'm in Love with the Gorilla Sitting Next to Me - Volume 1 Chapter 6.1

Secrets are meant to be revealed 1

“Gossan, which do you prefer: the sea, amusement parks, or festivals?”

“…Is this some kind of survey?”

“Nope. I was thinking of inviting you to one of them. Summer vacation is just around the corner, after all.”

It was the Monday following a date-like outing with Tora-senpai.

After quickly finishing my lunch with bread I grabbed from the school store, I returned to the classroom and asked Gossan, who was sitting alone at her desk spreading out her bento. The gorilla-like figure paused her chopsticks, which were held between her thick fingers, and gave me a look as if she was sizing up an intruder in her territory.

“…Before I refuse, can I ask why you’re bringing this up?”

“Well, once summer break starts, we won’t be able to contact each other, right? So I thought I’d plan ahead. Gossan, you must be busy with club activities and all. Maybe the sea would be good?”

“I’m not going. Besides, are you free or something?”

“I plan to work part-time, and I’m just an extra in the club, so I don’t think I’ll be too busy. Oh, how about an amusement park that’s attached to an aquarium?”

“I said I’m not going. If you want to invite someone, why not choose someone more active?”

“Nah, I was thinking of making plans with Gossan as the starting point. If that falls through… Oh, there’s a fireworks festival nearby. Maybe that’s something—huh?”

While I was searching for local event information on my smartphone, a towering gorilla had appeared before me.

“…Come with me for a bit.”

“Ah? But Gossan, you’re still in the middle of eating,”

“That can wait. Come on, hurry up.”

“Whoa, hey, no need to pull me…!”

My right bicep was grabbed, and I was forcibly taken out of the classroom. The stares of other students pierced me, but I was just as clueless as they were.

I was dragged with considerable force to the new school building connected to the main one and finally released at a corner of the hallway. There was no one around, and it was clear if anyone approached. A spot for a private conversation, it seemed.

“…I’ve been thinking this for a while, but Saiki-kun, you should be more aware of the people around you.”

“If you’re talking about awareness, that forceful dragging seemed more problematic to me.”

“It’s better than continuing that conversation there. Seriously, you’re just…”

It seemed more like exasperation than anger. From her voice, that was my impression, though all I could see was an unhappy gorilla.

Thanks to the experience I’ve accumulated sitting next to her, I could understand that much. What I didn’t understand was,

“Why do we need to talk in such a deserted place? I was just inviting you to hang out.”

“…Just to be sure, was that an invitation to hang out with a group?”

“Nope. If Gossan prefers that, I can arrange it after deciding on the details, but for now, I haven’t invited anyone but you, Gossan.”

“…”

Why does she look like she’s enduring a headache? I’m sure I haven’t said anything strange.

As I stood there confused, Gossan, who had been in a pensive gorilla pose, lowered her hand from her temple and fixed a stern gaze on me.

“…Saiki-kun, you’re far too unaware when it comes to girls. Is it because you have a sister?”

It’s more likely due to my animal-like experiences, but there’s no point in saying that.

“But Gossan, isn’t it normal to invite friends out to hang out?”

“…Friends…?”

“I’m shocked that you’d stumble on that! We’ve had nearly three months of an intense neighborly life together!”

“Don’t put it in a weird way. There hasn’t been any interaction beyond being classmates.”

“Well, that’s true, but I was hoping we could become better friends. Gossan, I don’t even have your contact information.”

“You haven’t asked for it.”

“Huh, if I had asked, would you have given it to me?”

Surprised by her not-so-reluctant attitude, I asked, and Gossan nodded immediately.

“Yes. It’s not a big deal, and if I get annoyed, I can just block you.”

“Your defenses are solid. By the way, what would it take for you to block someone?”

“Well… if you send messages without any need, that’s out.”

“Normal communication!? What, that’s too strict if that’s not allowed.”

This meant that once summer vacation started, I wouldn’t be able to communicate with Gossan. I hadn’t planned on doing anything immediately due to the curse, but it would still be sad.

At the very least, I wanted to be on terms where I could get a response to casual messages.

“…Alright, I get it. I’ll even treat you to a meal, so let’s go wherever you like!”

“You really don’t understand, do you? Do you think I’m the type to accept such a casual invitation?”

“Nope. I’m not thinking that at all. That’s why I’m being persistent.”

“Even if you don’t see me as cheap, it’s irritating that you haven’t considered the possibility that I might have a boyfriend.”

“Whoa!? Seriously, Gossan has a boyfriend!?”

My voice bugged out with a shock that surpassed the initial gorilla impact, and Gossan hurriedly checked for anyone nearby.

“I don’t! I’m just saying it’s annoying that you didn’t consider it!”

“Oh, right… But I mean, if there were any signs of a guy, I would’ve thought twice before inviting you. Gossan is always alone, and I’ve never seen you contacting anyone during breaks.”

“…It’s equally irritating to be seen through like that, but you’re not wrong, so I’ll let it slide. But would you still invite someone even if they had a boyfriend?”

“Well, in that case, I wouldn’t do it just the two of us. Maybe I’d ask to bring the boyfriend along and hang out together.”

If that happened and I saw Gossan getting along well with her boyfriend, I’d be ready to retreat. On the other hand, if things seemed off, I might be motivated to try harder.

Either way, I’d probably give it a shot, and as I nodded, the gorilla looked at me with a puzzled expression.