Ch.68 How They Met. Mizuki's Story

"Anyway, the last one is Mizuki, huh."

"Fufufu—, the main act has arrived!"

"...In your case, rather than the main act, you are the final boss ha."

"It's the same thing."

I do not think they are even similar.

The real star should have been on our side.

"I know how the two of you met, but I don't know the details. Like the circumstances."

"Let's see. It was morning then, and more importantly, it was just Mahiro's lines."

Looking back now, I'm amazed that she managed to remember so many of my words.

"So, what was it like? I'm curious because Mizuki-chan is always so attached to Mahiro-kun."

"...Me too. I'm curious about Mahiron's coquetry in seducing that perverted lol*con Ojou-sama."

"Do not talk about coquetry!"

That makes me sound like some kind of crazy pervert, does it not?

Also, I think 'tis usually about methods of deception or the techniques that prostitutes use to seduce men, and definitely not about making someone fall in love with you.

"So, how did Hiro-kun and Mizuki-chan meet?"

"Ahh, right. Back then—"

◇◆◇

'Twas September yet again when Mizuki and I met.

I feel like too much has happened to me since the second semester of last year ja...

'Tis a bit late now though...

Now, if you are wondering how I, of all people, came to know Mizuki, a massive lol*con, well, 'tis a fairly simple story.

Since 'tis too much trouble to explain, I will just go back a little bit from when we first met to tell you what I thought of Mizuki at the time.

"Haa~, Uishi-san is really beautiful, isn't she?"

"I totally get it. That classic Japanese beauty is so appealing! Rich, pretty, and smart—she's definitely a winner, seriously."

"Maybe I should try confessing my feelings."

"Don't do it. When you're talking about someone like Uishi-san, family background is important too."

"Yeah, I guess so..."

While listening to our classmates' conversation, Kengo, Yuya, and I ate our lunch without paying much attention-

"But seriously, She is really popular, isn't she? That Uishi-san."

Or at least I thought so, until Kengo suddenly brought up the topic of the aforementioned Uishi-san.

"What ja, Kengo? You like her?"

"No way. But, if there's a famous person in your grade, you'd probably talk about them, right?"

"There's some truth to that. Celebrities are attention-grabbing just by their presence."

"You are one of those people after all."

"Please don't say that."

When I said it teasingly, Yuya made a tired expression.

What exactly happened to him?

"I think I heard that the number of times she's been confessed to since she started school is... in the triple digits."

"Which 2D heroine is that ja?"

"No, I'm serious."

"Even though she's been confessed to so many times, she's never said yes even once."

"It seems so. Whether it's simply because the hurdles are high, or because of her family background, or because she's engaged, or for some other reason, the rumors never end."

"Some other reason?"

"Yeah. Apparently there's a rumor that she might be gay."

"...How did such a rumor start noja?"

She is the daughter of the president of a major corporation, is she not? How on earth could there be any rumors that someone like that is a lesbian?

I have serious doubts ja.

"I don't know much about it myself, but there are reports that when Uishi-san was walking home from school, she saw a girl and her cheeks were flushed with delight, and there are also stories that she was reading a book with a yuri-like theme in an empty classroom at the school."

"O-ooh..."

Where there is smoke, there is fire, as the saying goes.

I never imagined such a story would exist...

"But this is a rumor with little credibility. It's just that there's a rumor like that out there."

"Fumu. I see..."

While 'tis possible she genuinely has such hobbies, there is also a good chance this is just a rumor spread by a girl who is jealous of this so-called Uishi-san.

That said, 'tis probably not something that concerns me ja.

I have no connection to that person, after all.

"Oh, you just thought, 'That has nothing to do with me,' didn't you?"

"...Do not read my mind."

"No, you're pretty easy to read when you're like that."

"Mahiro-san's emotions are often easily visible on your face. This time, that's what happened."

"Mumu... I must be careful."

Being someone whose emotions are easily expressed can be considered a weakness in a way.

Well, it bothers me not.

However, considering the future, maintaining a poker face seems important. I will try to improve it as much as possible.

(TL: He didn't manage to improve)

"I mean, if you think like that, you're definitely going to end up getting involved, so just don't start setting up your own flags, okay? You've always had a lot of trouble with girls."

"Really? I feel like all I have been doing is just going about my day as usual."

"...You said thst, yet you just recently managed to bring down the class president."

"The class president? ...Oh, you mean Miho? We only become closer than before ja."

"Considering that, I feel like your distance with each other is miniscule."

"Really? That is normal, no?"

""Normal……?""

"What ja, with that suspicious look?"

Are you saying you do not trust me that much?

I have been interacting with Miho normally since that incident, but that is about it.

"Not really?"

That response is really annoying.

"...Anyway, please be careful, okay? Mahiro-san, you tend to get trapped in the most unexpected places."

"Do not say trapped."

I wonder what these 2 think of me.

◇

"--! --"

"――――! ―――"

"Mu, what ja?"

One afternoon after school.

That day was during the preparation period for the school festival, so even this me was unusually busy.

As I walked down the school corridor, bathed in the setting sun, I heard a voice coming from outside the window.

Curious, I opened the window as quietly as possible to see what was happening,

"I like you, please go out with me!"

"I'm sorry... but I don't think I could ever like you..."

"Guh..."

The scene of the confession was there.

And if I look closely, is that not the so-called Uishi-san ?

When I looked at the person who confessed to her, he has a perfectly normal, attractive face.

Fuumu. He seems quite an ikemen, but... She is not interested in dating him?

That is quite a poignant way to decline, is it not?

The ikemen collapsed on the spot, struck by the piercing words.

I feel sorry for him.

"...!"

"Mu?"

Suddenly, I felt like I made eye contact with that so-called Uishi-san.

Moreover, she looks quite surprised.

...Fuumu. Well, 'tis probably just my imagination ja.

Most likely, she was surprised that someone saw the confession in progress, or surprised to see that black guy behind or below me.

"Oh, I should probably head back to the classroom now."

Remembering that I still have work to do, I hurried off to the classroom.

"...That person just now..."

◇

And so, with things like that happening, the days continued, and then came a holiday.

"The school festival starts the day after tomorrow... I am looking forward to it ja."

All the preparations for the school festival are complete, and all that is left is to wait for the big day.

...Or so I would like to say, but there is still tomorrow.

Today is Saturday, and tomorrow is Sunday.

For students, weekends are truly an oasis.

'Tis no different for me, as 'tis a day when I can just relax and do nothing ja.

As someone who loves sleep, the idea of ​​having school on a holiday is out of the question... but I suppose 'tis okay if 'tis for preparing for the school festival.

I like things that are out of the ordinary.

I especially love festivals like school festivals ja.

Since I love festivals, I naturally love the preparations for them too.

Therefore, I am perfectly fine with you going to school tomorrow. Well, there is a compensatory holiday, so that is one factor to consider.

So, that day, I did the same things I always do on my days off: I did the laundry and cleaning, ate lunch, took a short break, and then lay down on my bed in my room.

Then, I closed my eyes, and my consciousness began to drift off...

"She's over here! Quickly, put her under control!"

"Ojou-sama! Please wait!"

"No! I'm absolutely not going back!"

I could hear something that sounded like an argument.

Or rather, there is a lot of noise from cars and other things, making it extremely loud.

What on earth is going on?

...Well, never mind. I will just ignore it and go to sleep.

"Please don't come!"

"No! We will chase you until we managed to bring you back!"

...Ugh.

"This road is now blocked! Let us hurry and go home!"

"I don't want to!"

'Tis noisy, making sounds like "Buzz!" and "Screech!"

I mean, what are you two arguing about in front of someone's house?

"Shigeharu-sama will forgive you!"

"Absolutely not!"

"...How noisy!"

No matter how much I try to sleep, 'tis too noisy outside, and even though I am drowsy and dazed, there is no sign of me being able to fall asleep.

This is so infuriating, so much so that it makes me want to kill them.

Damn it.

"...Eei, I am gonna complain!"

I got out of bed and went outside still in my pajamas (short-sleeved shirt and shorts).

◇

"Mizuki, let's go home."

"Let go of me!"

When I go outside, I see a man with an extremely intimidating appearance (wearing sunglasses that suited him surprisingly well) grabbing the arm of a girl who looked to be a high school student.

The woman is resisting, with a look of genuine disgust on her face.

What even is this ja?

Looking around, I saw a large number of people in black suits and several black cars parked near the house.

By the way, they have also closed the road. Or rather, that is a traffic restriction, is it not? What the hell are these guys doing noja?

For the time being, I should probably side with the woman, visually speaking.

"Now, now, you cannot use force for things like this, you know, for things like this..."

So, without any particular fear, I grabbed the arm of the tough-looking man who was holding the girl's arm, and said that while still a little drowsy from sleepiness.

"W-who are you?"

The tough-looking man glared at the suddenly appearing boy with a suspicious expression.

Oh, how scary.

"What do you mean, 'who'? This is my house. If a commotion like this happens in front of my house, of course I am going to get annoyed and go complain ja. Besides, a bunch of men surrounding one girl looks absolutely awful."

"This is a our family matter. Don't let outsiders get involved!"

Fumu. Outsiders, is it?

Well, in that sense, I might indeed be an outsider...

"As I said before, this is my house. And you two are fighting right in front of my house ja. 'Tis a nuisance to have this much noises going on around my house ja."

"Why don't you just be patient for a little while?"

"Huh? Why should I have to put up with someone I do not even know noja? 'Tis true that many Japanese people are the type to avoid trouble, and even if trouble like this happens nearby, they just ignore it and put up with it. But I am the type of person who speaks my mind. No matter how tough-looking you are, I will still complain."

"...It's blue."

"Whether 'tus blue or not is irrelevant. First of all, how can you communicate if you cannot say what you want to say noja? I am not the kind of person who only does what I am told. I mean, 'tis normal for me to complain, is it not? What is the point of having a head and a mouth otherwise ja?"

No matter what they say, I will argue back.

Everyone except the tough-looking man in front of me—that is, the girl whose arm was being held, and the men in black suits surrounding her—was, for some reason, wide-eyed with surprise.

I know not of the reason.

Could this man possibly hold an important position?

...Well, that is irrelevant.

"...And you, girl over there, why were you being chased noja?"

I turned to the girl whose arm was being held by a tough-looking man and asked her what was going on.

Whether 'twas because she was suddenly spoken to, or because she was frozen in surprise, I do not know, but the girl began to explain the reason a few moments later.

"...I have no freedom."

"Freedom, you say?"

"Yes... Since I was little, I was constantly told what I shouldn't do and what I should do. No matter what I did, it was as if someone was watching me nearby, and I couldn't even freely pursue my hobbies or have a romantic relationship..."

"Fumu..."

"...And I got fed up with it, so I ran away from home."

"I see..."

Is that the reason?

From what I have heard, this girl might be from a pretty good family.

I used to know a girl from a wealthy family, so I kind of understand.

Yui-nee was sad about it back then too.

So, this person is in a similar situation, then?

"...Well, it seems to be a matter concerning another family, and I have absolutely nothing to do with it, so 'tis not really my place to say anything, but... well, you see. Are you this person's father?"

"I am, so what?"

"Listen, 'tis not good for parents to be controlling ja."

"...What's with the sudden change of topic?"

Being told "not good" so abruptly made the man's already stern face even more grim.

He looks like he could be a yakuza boss or something.

Even with those thoughts running through my mind, I continued to ignore his questions.

"She is definitely going to die, okay? By commiting suic*de."

"That's impossible!"

Fumu. A direct denial.

Well, 'twas pretty much as expected... I guess this is how 'tis supposed to be.

Therefore, I will continue speaking.

"I gave never been a parent myself, so I cannot really say for sure, but if you are too controlling, of course you will get hated, right?"

"Hated you say? What are you talking about—"

He scoffed, but I continue talking, not paying any attention to it.

"That is why she actually ran away from home like this."

"Ugh..."

"Some discipline is important, but if they do not have an environment where they can thrive, they will just break down."

"B-but..."

"Well, I am but an ordinary person, a kid who does not know much about society, but I can tell you that much. I mean, this situation is troublesome, is it not? Is it not a hassle to have her run away from home and then have to go all the way to look for her?"

"..."

"This happened because you, as her father, were too controlling. So, I think it would be best to create an environment where she can live freely, in my opinion."

"Is that, how it works...?"

With a slightly troubled expression, the man asked back.

"Well, indeed. She looks about the same age as me, but people this age are quite sensitive. Or rather, I had a similar acquaintance who was what you would call an Ojou-sama, and she told me about the kinds of problems that people like her have."

"......"

As I spoke, recalling that time, the man fell silent.

Seizing the opportunity, I continue.

"Also, having so many people moving around and putting up traffic restrictions like this is annoying and a nuisance to the neighbors ja. As I said before, I am a resident of this house, and I cannot even get a decent sleep like this ja. I just want it to be quiet! I want to sleep ja! Do this kind of thing somewhere else!"

I finally blurted out my true feelings at the very last moment.

Perhaps due to the serious (or so it seemed) things I had been saying up until then, the atmosphere around me had been serious, but my recent statement left most people stunned.

"...You didn't come out just to say that, did you?"

"Well, that was my intention at first. But now that I have heard the whole story, what I said earlier was my honest opinion. What good does it do for parents to restrict their children? They are not puppets, you know? No matter how much you want your children to be happy, 'tis not right to make them do everything you say."

I said this with a slight smile.

Then,

"...Hahahahaha! I never imagined you'd come all the way here just to complain to me and then lecture me, all just so you could get some sleep... What an interesting man."

The scary and confused expression from just moments ago had completely vanished.

The man's stern face broke into a wide grin, and he said this while laughing loudly.

"What ja? Did I say something funny?"

"No, that's not it... I never expected to be lectured by a child. And what's more, it was a rather unpleasant lecture."

"Muu?"

"Well, you're absolutely right. It seems I was too controlling of my daughter, even if I just want her to be happy."

"What ja, you are being surprisingly obedient noja."

I thought for sure,

『I don't care what you're saying! Don't act like you know everything!』

I thought he was going to say something like that...

"I'm a business owner, after all. This isn't the kind of job for someone who gets angry when their shortcomings are pointed out."

"Is that so? ...Well, that is good then. How lucky you are."

"Ah, um, well..."

Smiling, I told her that, but the girl still seemed confused, not quite grasping the situation.

"In summary, you will have more freedom than before. ...Right?"

"Yes, you're right. I'm sorry, Mizuki. It seems I was wrong. From now on, you can do as you please."

"...Is that alright?"

"Of course. I understood after this guy told me. You must have had something you wanted to do, right?"

"…...Yes."

"Then you should do that. ...As for that matter, I would appreciate it if you could tone it down a bit, if possible."

"No, I'll do it my way!"

"......I-I see."

Mu, what ja? The man had a really strained expression on his face.

I am curious about what they are referring to, but I am an outsider to begin with. It would be inappropriate for me to pry.

"...Well, I think I will go back to sleep now."

"I see. In that case, how about this? If you'd like, I'll treat you to dinner."

"No, I am good. I like sleep more than three meals a day. I am a light eater to begin with, and I do not eat that much. If I am not careful, one rice ball per meal is enough to make me full."

"Hahaha, you're a really funny guy. ...Anyway, I'd like to thank you."

"Do not worry about it. See you later. Fuwaaaah~..."

Having said that, I turned on my heel and went back home with a big yawn.

"T-thank you very much!"

I heard a thank you from behind, so I gave a slight wave in return and went inside the house.

◇

After that incident, whenever I walked around the school or town, I often felt like someone was watching me.

At the same time, I began to frequently cross paths with and make eye contact with the black-haired beauty—that is, Mizuki—but I did not pay it much attention and continued my daily life as usual.

◇◆◇

"—Well, that is about it."

""""True to desire...""""

"Haha, do not praise me."

"No one's praising you."

Is that so?

But I never imagined that the girl from back then was Mizuki.

I was surprised when I heard about it the day after we submitted our marriage registration.

"Oh, wait? Umm, Mahiro-chan?"

I was thinking, "No way," when Mizuki spoke to me with an indescribably complex expression on her face.

"What is it?"

"Um, is that all?"

"By 'is that all', you mean?"

"Well, um, about how we first met..."

"Indeed. Now that I think about it, that was pretty much the only time we interacted. We only started becoming friends during spring break."

"Even so, it's too short! I mean, everyone else's stories about how you met them were much longer than that! And in Aristia-san and Mashiro-san's case, their stories spanned two parts, you know?! What's more, mine is only in the four digits, you know?! Everyone else's was in the five digits, you know?!"

(TL: Breaking the 4th wall yet again, aren't we?)

"W-what is wrong noja? Or rather, what exactly are you talking about?!"

Mizuki seemed to be saying, "That's unfair!"

I was completely bewildered because I could not understand anything Mizuki was saying.

What do you mean, 2 parts? And what do you mean by four digits and five digits?

(TL: By four and five digits, she meant the raw's word count for those chapters)

"Ugh, mine seems to be the only one that's so shallow..."

"You say your personality is shallow, but yours is quite strong, is it not? In fact, the very first day we met, you and Miho were treating me like a dress-up doll."

"I'm not saying shallow in that sense; I'm saying our first encounter was shallow!"

"T-that may be true, but..."

Honestly, that is all I can tell them.

We were in different classes to begin with, and I have never confessed my feelings to her, nor has she ever confessed hers to me. As I mentioned earlier, the only time we interacted was when I lectured Mizuki's father.

Moreover, most of the conversation at that time was with that lol*con chairman...

Furthermore,

"You keep saying 'tis shallow, but if that is the case, should you not have tried to contact me after that day? If you had, I think we could have talked for a longer time."

That ja.

Upon further reflection, this fellow never tried to make contact with me. On the contrary, all she did was stalk me under the guise of observing me.

""""Certainly.""""

The husbands, with the exception of Mizuki, agreed with my statement.

"Hau."

"Now that you mention it, you're right. In fact, Mizuki is the only one here who hasn't really taken any action. I've been interacting with you quite a bit since we started calling each other by our first names."

"I used to invite you to the pool and engage in physical contact."

"...Me too. We went out to eat and went out somewhere."

"We also played together, studied together, and even went to an amusement park~!"

As if suddenly remembering, the 4 of them began to talk about their memories of me.

Now that they mention it, indeed.

Since that day, I often talked with Miho in the classroom, and we even went out to play together with Kengo and Yuya.

As I mentioned when we first met, Aria and I went to the pool together, talked at our part-time jobs, and hung out.

My friendship with Mashiron also began with a meal together, so whenever our schedules aligned, we would go out to eat or hang out occasionally.

Since my relationship with Yui-nee was approved by our parents and she was older than me, we would play together and study together.

And as for Mizuki, the current main character...

"Even though we became friends during spring break, 'twas just a normal friendship ja."

"Hauuuu!"

Mizuki collapsed, clutching her chest.

The damage must have been quite severe.

"B-But, I mean, I like little girls, don't I...?"

"That was sudden... Well, I suppose so."

Is that something you should say while slumped over your desk, with a somewhat sad expression on your face?

"I do think I was in love with Mahiro-chan. But my feelings for girls prevented me from getting closer to you..."

"Things are already a bit off at this point...but keep going."

"The previous Mahiro-chan certainly had a girlish face. But you were still a man... And I felt I couldn't go back on my beliefs. Because my preference is for little girls. I was attracted to Mahiro-san too, but... I still prefer girls...! I was really struggling with this decision..."

"O-oh, I see."

What on earth is she talking about?

The others also seemed to be thinking something like, "Hmm?" with furrowed brows.

"I kept worrying about it like that, and before I knew it, my first year of high school was over."

"Wait a minute. What? You have been troubled by this ever since that day in September until March?!"

"Yes……"

What an idiot ja! She is a real idiot ja!

Normally, no matter how much you agonize over something, it only takes about a month, right?!

T-that was way too long.

"Looking back now, I regret not trying to get in touch with Mahiro-san."

"I-Is that so?"

"Yes... I mean... if we had been in touch, I could have become friends with Mahiro-chan, who changed from Mahiro-san to Mahiro-chan, while maintaining a somewhat close relationship!"

"Sorry, I have no clue as to what you are saying."

"If that had happened, I think I would have been able to naturally play with Mahiro-chan, go on dates with Mahiro-chan, and do all sorts of things with Mahiro-chan! It would have been a whirlwind of yuri-filled s*x spring!"

"Did you just use the wrong kanji for 'youth'?"

(TL: She said 性春 (s*x spring) instead of 青春 (youth), both are read as "seishun")

"So, what I'm saying is..."

"...What is it ja?"

"Thank you so much for letting me do all those yuriyuri and eroero things!"

"THIS PERVERTED LOL*CON OJOU-SAMAAAAAaaaaa!"

My heartfelt outburst in response to the outrageous and unrestrained remarks of that pervert brought an end to this abruptly started "how we met" Revelation session (?).

The ending was horrendous!

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