Ranobe Mo Ore Mo Sukina Gyaru - Volume 1 Chapter 1.4

Gal and Meetup 4

“I’m sorry, Minacho-san… Even being friends is a bit…”

“Haaaa!? You’re way too stubborn! I’m going to turn into a demon and be so mad at you! “

“Can you not suddenly being so intimidating and getting unreasonably angry?”

The white gal says something frightening in an intense tone, and my honest emotions slip out.

Then, she crosses her arms and gives me a stern look.

“Won’t you explain the reason?”

So, I reluctantly started to tell my own story, something I don’t really want to talk about.

“Actually, I’m somewhat skeptical about women… There were two events that led to this—first, when I was in my first year of middle school. An idol I was supporting along with my sister suddenly announced on Twitter, ‘I’m getting married and retiring as an idol!’

“Huh, that’s great news. You should be supportive.”

“What’s so great about it? It’s a marriage announcement and a retirement announcement at the same time! Our Yuna-chan, who we were cheering for as an idol, is quitting the idol world! And what’s more, she was in a no-dating group, but she’s been in a full-blown romance since her active days! That handsome actor is seriously unforgivable…”

“Your expression is way too intense. But hey, isn’t it normal for your favorite idol to eventually get married? How much did Nezumayo like that idol?”

“Enough to gather all the dragon’s ball.”

“Like being able to fulfill the impossible demands Princess Kaguya made to the prince who proposed to her in ‘The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter’!?”

After I retorted like that, Tsumakawa laughed out loud and replied with a gleeful voice.

Stop it, don’t laugh. That wasn’t a joke just now.

Really, I was dead serious about being able to do that!

“That incident led me to firmly resolve that I wouldn’t believe in three-dimensional women——however, I fell for the female artist 『ArlSU』 soon after.”

“Your resolution collapsed way too quickly! Sounds like a two-panel manga.”

“No, unlike idols, it’s not like I fell for a female artist based on her appearance! I just like ArlSU’s songs, and since my feelings for ArlSU aren’t romantic, I’m not making the same mistake again! You know, I’ve learned from my failures!”

“Well, then…? If you’re not into her and simply become a fan, then it’s not a big deal, right?”

“Anyway, that’s how I started to promote the singer ArlSU… And then, two years later, she said on a radio show, [I seriously can’t get a boyfriend, someone please take me!] However, soon after that, she got caught having an affair with a big company’s president, and it became a hot topic on the internet…”

“Ah…”

“That was the moment. That’s when I decided I’d never expect anything from three-dimensional women ever again.”

“Looks like you were really into her, huh?”

She made a precise remark. Well, maybe.

I actually was never a fan because of her face, but when ArlSU’s affair scandal came out, I felt the same way as when Yuna betrayed me! Damn it!

“Well… after going through such experiences twice, I… I couldn’t trust real-life women anymore because women will betray me. That’s why I don’t need a girlfriend or female friends. I decided not to get involved with real-life women, and, in return, I’ll only pour my love into the two-dimensional girlfriends living in the world of fiction…”

” ….. “

“That’s the reason I can’t be friends with you… I’m sorry.”

After talking at length, I told her again, and I quietly bowed my head.

Honestly speaking, it is a story that is hard to be understood by others, but I was that invested, and that’s the truth. So, when I was feeling betrayed, I was genuinely hurt.

The love I offered and the love I received were completely imbalanced. What I offered was a genuine devotion, and yet what came back felt like a paper lantern.

I couldn’t bear the fact that what I gave was real and substantial, but what I received was hollow…

As I continued to pile up these thoughts, the gal in front of me carefully chose her words and spoke.

“Well, that’s just because you’re into some stupid celebrity. Whether we become friends or not, those things doesn’t matter, right? — Miona won’t deceive you, so let’s become friends.”

“I know that in my head… But, due to the experiences that have piled up inside me, I… I’m scared of becoming friends with three-dimensional girls…”

” …. “

“I can’t separate these thoughts. To me, the two I supported and the women around me… They look like the same kind of beings. That’s why I’m scared. I feel like I don’t want you to get any closer… uh, I know it sounds pathetic.”

” …hmm, I see. Well then, no worries. ——yosh-yosh.”

I don’t know what part of what I just said convinced her.

Suddenly, Tsumakawa, as if she understood something, began to pat my head.

“Huh—? Don’t act like you’re my grandma!”

“Why grandma? At least say I’m your mom.”

While Tsumakawa-san was retorting me, I turned my head away and escaped her hand.

Despite just having talked about being uncomfortable around women, she’s making this move… Gals are terrifying…

As I was thinking that, Tsumakawa gave a mischievous smile after seeing my awkward expression.

“For now, let’s head back soon. —How about we take the train together?”

“Ah, alright…”

With that conversation, Tsumakawa and I left the cafe.

Then, without saying anything to each other, we arrived at Shibuya Station.

We passed through the ticket gate, boarded the Shonan-Shinjuku Line, and amid a crowded train——

“It’s really packed…”

“Yeah…”

That was the only conversation we had until we reached my nearest station, ‘Saitama Shintoshin Station.’

“Well then, this is my stop.”

Today was fun, but from now on, I can return to my usual, unrelated relationship with Tsumakawa-san, I thought as I got off the train.

At the same time, she smiled and waved her hand at me and says,

“Let’s hang out again sometime!”

“Huh… Hang out again…?”

“Bye-bye! Gal peace!”

With a smile on her face, Tsumakawa-san made a ‘Gal peace’ gesture, making a peace sign with both hands, then turning it upside down with fingertips pointing downward.

She continued this until the doors closed… and eventually, the train, carrying the mischievously smiling white gal, gained speed and moving away departing from the station.

“…I told you we can’t be friends, so there shouldn’t be a next time…”

Although I dazedly retorted like that, the train had already gone far beyond my sight…so there was no way that she could hear me.