Ranobe Mo Ore Mo Sukina Gyaru - Volume 1 Chapter 1.2

Gal and Meetup 2

While riding the escalator together, Tsumakawa suddenly shoots me a question.

“Minacho being a gal, were you disappointed?”

” …. “

I was taken aback as she threw a question that was quite close to what I was pondering.

As I remain silent, Tsumakawa-san, for some reason, continues to speak with a cheerful smile on her face.

“Sorry I didn’t say I’m a ‘gal’ up until today. Among the friends I usually hang out with, there’s no one who likes light novels, so I used an anonymous account to interact with you, Nezumayo. But I think I also had a hidden thought somewhere in my heart that it would be a bit weird to call myself a gal who likes light novels. I didn’t mean to keep it a secret, but it was a little unfair because I never told you about it… surprised, aren’t you?”

“…Yeah, I was really surprised. First of all, I didn’t even think you were a girl…”

“But even if that’s revealed before, it’s okay. I just wanted to meet Nezumayo today.”

Saying that, Tsumakawa-san turns to me and smiles.

In response, I don’t know what expression I should make and end up with a wry smile, somewhere between a smile and awkwardness. Then, she extends her hand toward me and says,

“Nice to meet you, Nezumayo-kun. I’m Minacho, a high school girl from Saitama, and I’m a full-on gal—please take care of me in the future!”

“…N-nice to meet you too…”

Unable to grasp the offered right hand, I only manage to say something like that.

Then, she takes my right hand herself and says, ‘Here, shake hands!’——At that moment, I feel my hand enveloped by a soft, girlish touch.

What’s with this softness…?! Is it possible that girls are made entirely of baked pudding or something? 

As we step off the escalator, Tsumakawa and I each pick up a copy of the first volume of ‘Tenkon,’ which is stacked on display in the light novel corner. And naturally, we both start looking through the light novels on this floor.

Just as I was marveling at the extensive selection of books in the store, Tsumakawa next to me picks up a light novel from the shelf. Then, she shows me the cover and says,

“Look, look! The art is by Iida Paberu-sensei——it’s so hot!”

“I can only agree. Even though it’s explicit, it’s not vulgar, which is impressive.”

“Yeah! This cover is so eye-catching and messy!”

“What do you mean by eye-catching and messy… Well, it’s certainly eye-catching, but it’s not really that messy… If anything, it’s moe and a well-organized mess.”

“Isn’t it more weird to say it’s ‘moe and a well-organized mess’ ?”

After I respond with that, Tsumakawa retorts and chuckles again.

Even though we’re just having an insubstantial conversation…this gal, I can’t help but think that she’s having a bit too much fun.

However, even though it’s a bit hard to believe, I can somewhat sense that she’s the genuine Minacho through these light exchanges.

..I see. This girl, who’s always had those silly exchanges with me on Twitter, is the real Minacho…

『Can someone give me a recommendation for a good light novel?』

『That’s right +1! Tell this Minacho what novels you recommend!』

『Please don’t reply to other people’s tweets asking for recommendations. How self-centered!』

『You have a point! Then, let’s exchange recommended light novels! I’ll give you Minacho’s recommendation, so you should recommend one too!』

『In that case, I recommend ‘Tenkon’!』

『Thanks~! Well then, goodbye!』

『That’s not what you promised!』

I often exchanged this kind of conversation with Minacho-san on SNS.

…I never imagined that the person I was having this conversation with was the gal from the same class, though.

“Hm? What’s up? Have you fallen for Minacho?”

“N-No, it’s not like that…”

While I was lost in thought while looking at Tsumakawa-san, she said something unexpected.

She probably asked jokingly, but I could never imagine falling in love with a three-dimensional girl.

Yet, she continues with a deliberately cheerful smile,

“Eh—. If Nezumayo-kun were to fall for me, I’d be quite happy.”

“N-No, that’s not it. I haven’t fallen for you…!”

“There’s no need to be so embarrassed. Be honest, you——”

“Hey… Could you not just pinch my cheek without my permission? You gal have a way too close sense of personal space!”

“Heheh, that’s what being a gal is like.”

“What kind of emotion are you showing off with that smug face?”

I retort to Tsumakawa, who’s massaging my cheek with her right hand.

This girl, taking advantage of her status as a gal, is way too casual with her physical touches…!

I don’t really mind her being easygoing, but before engaging in physical contact, could she at least consider whether the other person is comfortable with it or not!?

***

And so, Minacho (Tsumakawa-san) and I toured the store until around 2 o’clock, and the starting time for the autograph session arrived.

We participated, got the author of ‘Tenkon’ to sign our copies, and now, with content smiles after accomplishing our goal, we’re taking a break in a nearby cafe.

“Yatta! I got Nasutake-sensei’s autograph! My excitement goes through the roof!”

“Right? When I actually saw the author in person, I couldn’t contain my excitement either… My excitement goes through the roof!”

“Hey, could you not casually use the gal language I use? Do you look down on gals?”

Being told that by Tsumakawa sitting across from me, I apologize and say I’m sorry.

By the way, this cafe is the type where you order your drinks in advance.

I got an iced coffee, while Tsumakawa loaded her vanilla frappuccino with various toppings, transforming what was originally white into a brown liquid.

I’m not sure if it can still be called a vanilla frappuccino after all that…

“Hey一, today was super fun! Thanks, Nezumayo!”

“…Hm? Why are you thanking me?”

“Huh? Well, because I said ‘I wanted to meet you’, we met, and it was really fun, so isn’t it appropriate to say ‘thank you’? Is there any other word to say besides ‘thank you’?”

” ….. “

Saying this without any hesitation, Tsumakawa smiles at me…and seeing that, I unintentionally look away.

In response to my reaction, Tsumakawa-san’s expression takes on a mischievous look, and she continues.

“You know, I thought that maybe Nezumayo-kun would get nervous around me, a gal, and stop talking to me—but hehe, it was a lot of fun! You did a good job!”

“…Minacho-san, aren’t you underestimating me?”

“Wait, I’m not underestimating you! ——Also, it’s not like I think that if I’m a little nicer to you, you might start falling head over heels for me and become a convenient guy for me or anything! I’m definitely not thinking like that!”

“I’ve been underestimated more than I thought…don’t underestimate me while acting like tsundere!”

“By the way, changing the topic, isn’t tsundere great? I really like tsundere girls! Nezumayo, do you like tsundere?”

“Probably among guys who read light novels, there’s no one who doesn’t like tsundere.”

“Ahaha, right? ——Hmm, I’m not saying that I’m happy to find someone who also likes tsundere like me or anything, but it was nice to hear that!”

“Don’t go full tsundere even when expressing the joy of finding someone who likes tsundere. Your tsundere is starting to have a gestalt collapse.”

When I retort like that, Tsumakawa still seems to enjoy herself and says, ‘There’s no way Gestalt Collapse happening!”

…It seems like this gal is having too much fun talking in a tsundere-like manner.

As I was about to laugh at that thought, Tsumakawa took a sip of her vanilla frappuccino, then with a calm expression, she smiled and says,

“But you see, I like tsundere girls, but I can’t be a tsundere myself… Look, I tend to blurt out what I’m thinking right away. Are you surprised?”

“Personally, I’m not surprised at all.”

“Heheh——Well, I think not saying what you’re thinking might be a disadvantage. Don’t you think it’s better to say your feelings first, like ‘I like you!’ to the person you like, so they won’t have a hard time liking you back? You see, I’m the type who tends to say my feelings first.
Do you understand?

“I don’t understand, but at the same time, I do understand.”

“Which one is it?”

Tsumakawa teases me with that retort, but that’s actually quite close to my real feelings.

While I personally can’t relate to that, I can understand why some people are like that.

With these thoughts in my mind, I gaze at Tsumakawa.

“Well, you don’t have to understand what I mean.”

…Not that it matters, but I think she’s been smiling happily all day today.