Ranobe Mo Ore Mo Sukina Gyaru - Volume 1 Chapter 2.3

Gal and Break Time 3

Tsumakawa-san patted my shoulder energetically. It kind of hurt a bit.

As I was thinking this, she started to tidy up the spread-out novels on the desk and continued,

“Even though I brought these light novels to lend to Nezumayo-kun, it seems like it was pointless… Hehe. I should have brought some more obscure ones.”

“I mean, I never asked you to lend me any light novels, and yet you bring them to school on your own. You’ve got a lot of energy…”

“Well, you know, if Nezumayo-kun is here in our class, it’s natural to want to share the things I like. Besides, I want to borrow Nezumayo’s recommendations sometime too, so let’s exchange light novels!”

“T-that’s fine, but… It’s just that, Tsumakawa-san, you really are Minacho-san…”

“It’s kind of obvious right now?”

“Yeah, it’s obvious to say that, but it’s like I’ve realized it all over again. The fact that Minacho-san is this kind of gal, I’m still a bit puzzled…”

“Hey… Could it be that Nezumayo dislikes gals?”

“Dislikes? Well, The word feels a bit too strong, but…”

“Heheh, it’s okay to dislike them. Eventually, I’ll make you like them.”

” …… “

As soon as she said that, I unintentionally lowered my gaze to the floor.

I realized again that she was a dangerously suggestive person who could suddenly say such things.

Dangerous, if I wasn’t the trained virgin, I might have fallen in love—

“Even if it’s not Nezumayo’s preference, gals are seriously cute, right? You see, when I’m talking with my gal friends who model alongside me, I genuinely think that gals are cute.”

“Huh… By the way, you mentioned it a bit before, but Tsumakawa-san, are you doing modeling work?”

“Yep! It’s for a gal magazine called 『leg』 Have you heard of it?”

“No, I haven’t studied it enough…”

“Ahaha. You should start learning about gals from now on. It might come up on a test!”

“Wait, there is a test? If they add ‘Gal I’ to the subjects for the end-of-term exam for the first semester, I’d hate that.”

“Now for the first question! What’s the difference between sculpted nails and gel nails?”

“I don’t even know that there are two types of nails…”

“The correct answer is that gel nails are easier to do, so they’re better!”

“The correct answer sounds so stereotypical you gal! There was definitely a more significant difference that was better to use for the answer!”

After retorting like that to Tsumakawa’s gal test, I absentmindedly looked at the wall clock in the classroom, which showed three minutes before noon.

The break for the third period was also coming to an end, and seeing that, I couldn’t help but ask her about something that had been bothering me a little.

“It’s not really important, but Tsumakawa-san, you tried to become friends with me the other day, and I turned you down, right? Despite that, why did you bring light novels to lend me and talk to me like this during break time?”

As I voiced this question, I immediately regretted even bringing it up – maybe I shouldn’t have asked. After all, this could be considered disrespectful to her.

While it’s true that I, who tends to avoid real-life interactions with women, would prefer to keep a certain distance from Tsumakawa, I still shouldn’t use that as a reason to hurt her.

While I was reflecting on this, Tsumakawa, who had been subjected to some rather harsh words from me, casually responded to my question.

“Why did I start talking to you when we’re not even friends?”

She did so with a carefree smile on her face.

“Well? Because I want to be friends.”

” …… “

“You should’ve figured that much on your own. Don’t make me say it~.”

Saying that, Tsumakawa leaned her fist on my shoulder and playfully rubbed it while wearing a slightly embarrassed expression.

I see. For such a reason, she was willing to talk with someone who had rejected her offer of friendship…

I’m sure that Tsumakawa and I have completely different common sense and values.

After all, she’s a sociable gal, and I’m a socially awkward otaku.

If it were me, I would want to keep my distance from someone I hadn’t gotten along with in the past, but she’s completely different.

She’s here now with a simple desire to become friends and get along better with me.

“…You’re quite true to your desires, Tsumakawa-san.”

“Hehe. Somehow, I guess?”

“I can see you’re really happy, but I’m not exactly praising you.”

I said that while looking at Tsumakawa with a somewhat ambiguous expression.

Within me, there was a mix of milk-like feelings, thinking how cute it was that she prioritized her own feelings in this moment, and black feelings, thinking it was too self-centered of her to still approach me after I rejected her as a friend.

My emotions were like a café au lait swirling together.

What’s that? It looks delicious.

“…Anyway, the chime is about to ring soon. You should go back to your seat.”

“I wonder if I should just attend the next class in this seat.”

With those words, Tsumakawa remained in her seat next to mine and patted the desk lightly.

By the way, the owner of that seat, Masuda-kun, was looking at Tsumakawa from a distance with a face that seemed like he’d bitten into a bitter bug.

I understand. When an extrovert sits on your own seat without permission, that’s the face you’d make.

“Don’t do it… Don’t make things harder for Masuda-kun.”

“Isn’t it better for Masuda-kun to sit in my seat? It’s a win-win situation, isn’t it?”

“What’s win-win about it? You’re the only one benefiting, it’s a win-lose situation.”

“Hehe. I’m joking; it’s amusing, though.”

“Alright, alright. It’s funny, please go back to your seat.”

“Hey, don’t brush me off so casually! Gals are sensitive to that kind of treatment because we get brushed off a lot more often! “

“Sensitive to being brushed off, huh? Well, be strong and strive to overcome it.”

“Of course! I’ll live a long and healthy life, just like o-udon noodles!”

“I don’t know, but is Tsumakawa the type to add ‘o’ to udon? It’s kind of cute…”

“Hey, could you not suddenly say things like that? Seriously, it’s creepy!”

“…Sorry. Saying ‘cute’ from a guy like me, who’s an introvert, probably comes off as creepy, huh?”

“N-No, not that… It’s just that pointing out the udon thing is what’s creepy… Anyway, you should say ‘cute’ more often. Say it at least once a day. Actually, just say it again right now, come on!”

As Tsumakawa blushed deeply, she said this while using her clenched fist to playfully rub my shoulder.

Amidst such a conversation, the chime signaling the start of the fourth period rang out.

In response, Tsumakawa stood up from Masuda-kun’s seat, simply said, ‘Then, bye-bye!’ and returned to her own seat, carrying her school bag.

I might get nervous again next time if she suddenly talks to me again.

That’s why, please make sure to schedule an appointment before talking to me next time!