Liar's Lips Fall Apart in Love - Volume 1 Chapter 1.10

The Spring When I Met You 10

“Sagara-kun!”

A few days after going to the teishoku-ya (set meal restaurant), during lunch break.

As I was wandering around campus alone, trying to find a place to eat my lunch, Nanase called out to me.

Her makeup was perfectly applied, and she was sparkling as always.

Startled, I quickly looked around in a panic. Fortunately, I didn’t see anyone I knew.

“Are you going to have lunch now? Let’s eat together.”

Ignoring Nanase’s cheerful invitation, I started to walk away quickly.

“Wait up!”

she called after me in a flustered voice. It wasn’t until we were behind the deserted campus buildings that I finally stopped.

“…Why are you talking to me?”

“Ah, is that bad?”

Nanase looked downhearted. Give me a break. With that look on her face, it seems like I’m the bad guy here.

I’m saying this for your sake, though.

“Do you really have any intention of pursuing the so-called rosy college life?”

“I do! I really, really do!”

Nanase clenched her fists in front of her chest, and I glared at her lightly.

“Then it would be better not to talk to me. A real sparkling girl wouldn’t associate with someone like me.”

“Huh, I don’t think that’s true…”

Nanase seemed dissatisfied. I looked around and, feeling uneasy, said,”Come here,” pulling her arm.

I took Nanase to the building no. 6, located at the very edge of the campus. We found an empty lecture room and went inside, where Nanase looked around curiously.

“Fufu. I think this is my first time in building no. 6.”

In our university, the newest building no. 6 building rarely hosts classes for the Economics department. It’s mainly used by the newly established Information Science department from last year. It’s the farthest from our building no 1 where our research labs are, and the chance of running into acquaintances here is almost nil.

For someone like me who wants to be alone, it’s the perfect hideaway.

…I was reluctant to tell Nanase, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

“Sagara-kun, I was wondering where you always eat lunch, and it turns out you were here.”

“It doesn’t matter where I eat. Anyway, sit down there.”

When Nanase sat down on the chair, I took the seat in front of her. She straightened her back and looked serious, as if she were facing a job interviewer.

“About that rosy college life you were talking about.”

“Yes!”

“What does ‘rosy’ even mean? It’s so vague and fluffy, I can’t grasp it.”

To achieve a goal, it’s crucial to have a clear vision first. However, it seemed Nanase hadn’t thought about it concretely either, as she made an obviously troubled face.

“…Like, making a hundred friends?”

Finally, she came up with an answer, and I felt deflated. What’s that? Making a hundred friends isn’t some elementary school class goal. Are you planning to eat onigiri at the top of a mountain or something? (tln : elementari school grade trips usually picnic to nearest mountain or hill in Japan)

However, increasing one’s social connections is certainly a step towards realizing a rosy college life. I pointed at Nanase’s smartphone on the table and asked.

“…How many people do you have in your LINE contacts, not counting family?”

After checking her phone, Nanase shyly showed seven fingers.

“Seventy people?”

“No, seven.”

That was fewer than expected. I almost slid off my chair.

“…You, you hardly have any friends…!”

“That’s what I’m saying. One of them is you, Sagara-kun.”

Then that would be six, effectively. Nanase noticed my seemingly speechless gaze and added defensively.

“Our seminar has few girls. And I haven’t started any part-time job either.”

“…Alright, set a concrete goal. Increase your contact list by five within a week.”

It may seem small, but if the deadline is a week, it’s reasonable. It’s important to set achievable and straightforward goals first.

“Five people, huh… Can I do it?”

After pondering for a while, Nanase suddenly exclaimed, “Ah!” as if she had an idea.

“By the way, this Friday, there’s a social gathering for first-year Economics students. It’s a joint event with other seminars, and we’re going to have a dinner together.”

“Then you should go. You’ll easily meet five people there.”

When I said that, Nanase looked at me uncertainly.

“…Sagara-kun, won’t you come with me? To the social gathering.”

“No way I’m going.”

Just the word “social gathering” made me shiver. Why in the world would I spend time and money interacting with strangers? And even if I were there, I’d probably just be in the way.

But Nanase was persistent and kept insisting.

“Please, I want you to come with me.”

“Huh!? Why?”

“Because Sacchan said she has work and can’t go. I hardly know anyone else… It would be reassuring if you were there.”

“No, I…”

“…You said you would help, right?”

Nanase said that and subtly put pressure on me. I was at a loss for words.

…Indeed, I did say I would help. No choice then. This is for the sake of Nanase’s rosy college life, and the recovery of my solitary college life.

“…Just don’t talk to me, okay?”

With a sigh, I spoke, and Nanase’s expression brightened.

“Okay! Just having you there is enough! Thank you!”

She doesn’t realize that she’s strayed about five hundred steps from a rosy life by relying on me as her emotional anchor. Seriously, is she really okay? I became anxious all over again.

Friday, 18:00. After my classes ended, I went home for a bit and then headed to Shijo Kawaramachi, the bustling district of Kyoto.

A short walk from Kawaramachi Street took me to Kiyamachi Street, where the Takase River flows.

This area is known as one of Kyoto’s premier nightlife districts, with all sorts of eateries lined up from Sanjo Street to Shijo Street.

It’s not as intimidating as nearby Pontocho or Gion, so there are many chain restaurants that students can casually use… or so I’ve been told by a senior at my part-time job.

Having skipped every welcoming party imaginable, I’ve hardly ever set foot in this neighborhood.

Now, where could the venue for the social gathering be? I took out my smartphone to check the map when I spotted a beautiful woman standing under a tree by the river.

It was Nanase.

Nanase today had her hair intricately braided and was wearing a trendy patterned one-piece dress.

Even someone like me, who has no interest in fashion, could tell she was all dressed up. While staring at her phone screen, she kept tilting her head as if she was lost.

Although we were headed to the same destination, it wouldn’t be good for us to arrive together. As I started to walk past her, a group of guys around my age were leering at Nanase with grins on their faces.

Displeased by their rude stares, I moved casually to cut off their line of sight and called out to her, raising my voice slightly.

“Nanase.”

As she looked up from her smartphone, Nanase noticed me and waved vigorously.

“Ah, Sagara-kun!”

I heard what seemed like a “tch” and a muttered “lucky guy” from somewhere.

There was absolutely nothing for them to be jealous of.

“I’m glad I found you. I didn’t really know the place.”

Nanase seemed oblivious to the men’s stares, smiling airily. I said, “It’s probably this way,” and started walking quickly.

The venue for the social gathering was down a narrow alley off Kiyamachi Street, with only a small noren curtain marking the entrance, making it quite hard to find. Inside was a surprisingly stylish Japanese restaurant.

We were led upstairs to a large tatami room with several tables set up. A few people who had arrived earlier turned their gaze toward us as we entered.

…Oops. Thinking about it, coming with Nanase might have been a mistake.

I settled down at the very edge of the tatami room, pretending it was just a coincidence that we arrived at the same time.

I gave Nanase a sharp look and shooed her away with a flick of my hand when she tried to sit next to me.

She looked a bit forlorn but headed to a table at the opposite corner, the farthest from me. Good, good.

As the starting time approached, nearly all the tables in the room were filled. A senior, who was the organizer of the social gathering, said a few words before a course of Japanese dishes was served, and the event began.

“Um, which seminar is everyone in?”

Someone started the conversation, and the room gradually became lively. But I didn’t say a word. I just sat there silently, eating.

Those sitting around me gave me curious looks, as I emitted a full-force aura of rejection. They must have been thinking, “Why did this guy even come?” If I were in their place, I’d probably think the same.

Now, how was Nanase doing?

I sneaked a glance at her, and she seemed a bit downcast, sipping her orange juice slowly.

The two girls sitting opposite her were having a great time without paying her any attention.

The guy sitting next to her kept talking to her nonstop, but she only had a troubled look on her face.