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

Volume 1 SS 1

Epilogue of the Epilogue

“Ah, there you are. You’re late, Riho.”

“…Saiki-kun? Were you waiting for me?”

Standing beside my parked bicycle on the path from the club building to the school gate, I nodded affirmatively to Riho, who had asked with a puzzled look.

“I saw people from the volleyball club pass by earlier. Did you stay behind for extra practice?”

“Yes, well. I started late, so I was trying to make up for it… But still, it’s dark. How did you recognize me so quickly?”

“I waited in a dark place because it’s less conspicuous. But even in this darkness, I could tell it was a Gorilla in a heartbeat.”

“…That’s not a very flattering way to recognize someone. Should I hit you?”

“Oops, sorry, sorry. I guess I’m a bit too loose-lipped since I can’t say this in front of others.”

“That kind of carelessness can become a habit. You should be careful.”

After her warning, Riho gave my shoulder a slightly strong pat with her left hand, which wasn’t holding her bag, and started walking. I pushed my bicycle and lined up beside her.

“I guess I can’t help but be a little excited today. Even if it was just for a few minutes, the curse was lifted. And all thanks to Riho for the kis—ow!?”

“Please don’t mention it so lightly. Really, what if someone heard you…!”

“Right, I’m really sorry. I felt it in my bones even though it was just a slap.”

I held my right shoulder, which had received a blow that made me seriously wonder if it was powered by real gorilla strength, and I couldn’t help but hold back tears without exaggeration. The pain was numbing, even considering the surprise attack.

As I literally felt the fearsome destructive power, Riho, walking beside me, adjusted the position of her bag on her shoulder and spoke up.

“So, what do you want? I’m telling you, there won’t be a second time, no matter how much you beg.”

“Ah, no, it’s not about that. I was thinking we should exchange contact information.”

“You came all this way just for that? Couldn’t it wait until tomorrow?”

“Well, yes, but I’ve been regretting not asking for your contact info since this morning, so I thought there’s no day like today. After all, today turned out to be a good day overall. I even got to see Riho’s real face.”

Although the hurdle to truly breaking the curse was high, it was a significant step forward compared to not even being sure if a hurdle existed before. It gave me hope for the future.

“Exchanging contact information is fine, but… Are you being more proactive because you found out I’m your first love?”

“Huh? No, that’s not it. Sure, I was over the moon when I found out it was you, but that’s a separate matter.”

“Then, wouldn’t it be better to approach someone kinder and more girlish? There are plenty of cute girls out there.”

Hmm, did I push too hard? It’s as if she’s indirectly saying, ‘It’s a hassle, so please bother someone else.’

But I can’t just say ‘I’ll do that’ to Riho’s suggestion.

“Hmm, it’s difficult. I can’t really be proactive unless it’s with someone I like.”

“I feel strange asking, but what kind of person is your type?”

“That’s the hardest part, to be honest.”

“Why is that? Shouldn’t you know your own preferences best?”

“Yeah, but that’s the thing. The one I fell for is Riho, who looks like a gorilla. It’s not like I fell for the gorilla’s appearance, and even now, it’s kind of scary up close.”

“Then, what about me do you like?”

“Hmm… that’s difficult to answer.”

I could list the things I like one by one, but there are probably other girls who meet those criteria. However, I don’t feel as strongly about any other girl as I do about Riho.

Ultimately, it means,

“I like you because you’re you, Riho. Even if you look like a gorilla, I fell for you not because of this or that but for Riho as a whole. Though I’d prefer you a billion times more if you weren’t a gorilla!”

“Are you teasing me?”

“No, I’m dead serious. Honestly, kissing a gorilla or anything erotic like that is out of the question.”

“Isn’t this where you’re supposed to boldly claim that looks don’t matter if you’re in love?”

“Heh, that sounds like something someone who’s never experienced reality would say… But seriously, think about it. Isn’t it out of line as a human to seek a romantic connection with gorillas, cats, horses, or the like?”

“…that’s true.”

Riho seemed to have pictured it seriously and nodded gravely. It was worth explaining properly so she wouldn’t think I was joking.

As we talked, we got closer to the school gate, and I felt reluctant to part ways when,

“I said it at lunch, but I don’t dislike you, Saiki-kun. To tell the truth, I was a bit grateful for what happened at the festival when we were kids.”

“Ah, grateful? You mean you thought it was kind of nice or something?”

“That’s not it. Back then, I was a bit uncomfortable around boys. But you dragged me around forcefully and sometimes cared about me… It was a fun time. Thanks to that, I didn’t have to be so guarded around boys afterward.”

Riho’s voice sounded a bit softer than usual. Even her gorilla face seemed kinder. It’s a real shame I can’t see her real face.

“So I am grateful, and while I may not like you, I don’t dislike you. I thought maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to cut my hair or kiss you just once.”

“Mmm… That’s nice to hear, but only once?”

Asking for more seemed impossible, but I guess that’s a matter of feelings.

I should be extremely grateful that she was willing to go that far, even just once…

“Yes. For now.”

“…Huh?”

Her meaningful words made me questioningly raise my voice, and just as we entered the shadow of a large tree, it became so dark that I couldn’t see anything above Riho’s chest.

And then—

“If there’s a next time, it’s up to you, Saiki-kun. I don’t think it’s possible, but good luck?”

As Riho spoke a little playfully while walking, the light that had been blocked by the tree shone on her face, revealing the usual stern gorilla face.

But in the darkness, where even the outlines were unclear, did I see the real face that had been briefly exposed at noon… or was it just my imagination?

The truth and the actual answer are unknown, but one thing is certain.

The day I can see her smiling true face regularly would be irreplaceable.

To make this summer unlike any other and bring that day closer,

“Yes. I’ll do my best.”

“…What? Did you take that seriously just now?”

“Of course. I didn’t really have confidence that Riho would come to like me, but no more excuses. I’ll be approaching you every day from now on, so be prepared!”

“If you do that, I’ll definitely come to dislike you. I don’t like persistent people.”

“So, what’s the ideal distance for you?”

“Once a week to once every ten days, just a greeting.”

“That’s practically the distance of strangers! There’s no hint of getting closer!”

Even just having this conversation made me happy, and I resolved in my heart to work hard so that I could have such exchanges with the real Riho, not the gorilla.