What If You Spoil a High School Girl Who Looks Like a Landmine? - Volume 1 Chapter 4.3

Fight a monster with a monster 3

“Wow, it has a mysterious power when you see it up close.”

“It’s a sight you don’t see elsewhere.”

Walls were angled in various ways, and numerous colorful protrusions were set on them.

There are mats laid at the base of the walls.

It’s Sunday, our usual day out.

Chifuji-san and I were at the bouldering gym that recently opened near the station.

“But, Raihara-san, I didn’t know you have experience with this too. Was it with your family?”

“Yes, we’re a family that loves to stay active.”

“That’s very healthy. Your father was a soccer player, and your mother was a former amateur wrestling athlete, right? And they still work in related fields?”

He remembered. That makes me really happy.

About my father and mother, I only casually mentioned it once…

It might seem silly to get so excited over something so small, but I can’t help but feel happy.

Being careful not to let my voice sound strange, I continue the conversation.

“Yes. Hehe, my two younger sisters went off to do skating, but I’m not particularly passionate about any sport, so I feel a bit guilty towards my parents.”

“So, nobody does soccer or wrestling then?”

“Yes. But from my parents’ perspective, they’re probably glad we didn’t. When it comes to their specialized sports, watching their children as an athlete can be a bit hard and painful. Because they might end up having too many expectations.”

“…That’s certainly a thing, isn’t it?”

While saying this, Chifuji-san stretches his arm.

…Is it just me, or do all women feel their cheeks getting hot from seeing gestures like that from the man they like?

This alone makes me so glad that I came.

Ah——

Yes, I genuinely feel that way.

—This is the worst.

“Sorry to ask, but could you teach me about it, Raihara-sensei?”

“Hahaha, please don’t call me ‘sensei.’ I’ve only done it with my family a few times.”

It’s not a lie. A few years ago, my mother wanted to try it after seeing a special feature on TV, so we all went to do it together.

But even if I hadn’t done it before… I think I would have still invited him out today.

『Then let me teach you! I’ll guide you through every step and take perfect care of you~!』

…It was Wednesday when I heard those words, and there were still days left until Sunday.

However, there’s enough time to try something out.

That’s why I tried to invite him to take over the role of taking care of this man from his younger female coworker.

That’s what I did.

Because Jealousy, impatience, competitiveness, selfishness, and possessiveness surged within me.

“After hearing that there’s a place to do it nearby, I wanted to try it again after a long time. I’m sorry for dragging you along.”

“No, actually, I was thinking of trying it myself. A junior even invited me.”

…That’s exactly why I invited him today, but I wonder if Chifuji-san does not see the two as related?”

If that’s the case, it’s comforting in a way, but it’s also sad that it means I’m hardly on his mind at all.

“I’m glad. I was wondering how it would be since I made a selfish request.”

“Haha, letting you be selfish is essentially my role after all.”

His way of putting it as a ‘role’ is accurate. After all, that’s the premise under which we’re hanging out.

It’s selfish of me to feel lonely about this.

In other words, going out to practice being selfish towards others doesn’t really make sense anymore. There is no need for it.

Today, I wanted to practice ‘asserting where I want to go from the destination,’ which is why I invited him here, but that’s really just an excuse.

When it comes to him, I’m already a selfish and self-centered ‘Jirai-kei (Landmine type)’.

It doesn’t matter even if I’m wearing sportswear different from my usual outings, because that’s my true nature.

“We’re climbing that wall, right? Um…”

“Yes, basically—”

I explained to Chifuji-san about the rules, manners, and precautions of bouldering.

It’s pretty simple, so I remember what I learned before.

I even watched a video yesterday to review the information again.

“I see-I see. So, the rocks attached to the wall… the holds? We climb using only the specified ones from the start to the goal. That becomes the course.”

“Yes. There’s a mark on each hold, and in this place, colored tape with numbers is attached, so you follow the holds with the same color and number.”

“Ah, I thought we could just climb as we wanted.”

“Hehe, it’s not necessarily wrong to do that, but the real charm of bouldering is, after all, thinking about how to conquer the specified course and challenging it.”

“Ah, since arm lengths differ, the way to conquer might differ for everyone, right?”

Chifuji-san nods with interest.

…Wow, he’s cute. So cute… too cute…

…

……

…Ugh… I’m at a loss for words.

“Can I try it right away? I start by holding the start hold with both hands and lifting both feet off the ground, right?”

“Yes, good luck!”

Chifuji-san steps onto the mat and approaches the wall then puts his hands on the holds.

“…Alright, …okay, …where to next, …is it that one?”

Although it’s the course most suitable for beginners, Chifuji-san climbs smoothly without much difficulty.

It doesn’t seem very dangerous.

I do think that he’s amazing and cool… but why does the feeling of him being cute overwhelm everything else?

I wonder if the reason for this lies within me?

Safely, Chifuji-san placed both hands on the goal hold and held for three seconds.

He cleared it.

Maintaining that posture, he turned his head over his shoulder and showed a delighted smile.

No, no… No.

Ugh.

That…

I mean, I feel like I’m going to faint.

…Ah! A photo! I didn’t take a photo or even a video!

Wait, why didn’t I take it?

I really didn’t? No one took it?

Uh, if someone other than me had taken it without my permission, I wouldn’t have forgiven them.

But yeah, if I didn’t take it, then probably no one did.

While such thoughts intensely swirled in my head, Chifuji-san had descended from the wall and came back.