Escape Galge Chapter 7.1

Chapter 7 – The True Heart [Part 1]

　When I open the front door, the slightly damp air brushes against my skin.

　I think the weather forecast yesterday did mention it’ll rain from noon onwards.
　Perhaps I should bring an umbrella.

　While it isn’t a『refreshing morning』, it isn’t blindingly bright either, and fits my current mood perfectly.
　Perhaps they are reflecting my listlessness; the soft curls that I should have curled properly[1] are limp.

　I was unable to sleep well last night.

　This is all Kagurazaka Aoi’s fault.

　With these thoughts in my mind, I turn the door knob.

“G’morning, Kii.”

　See, I knew it.

　Thank goodness.

　…Nn?

　What did I mean by『Thank goodness』?

　It’s no good; my head may have turned strange because I didn’t get proper sleep.
　I have to get myself together.

　Just as I was thinking that, my gaze stops at his foot and I recall.
　His foot was sprained yesterday but…

“Senpai, your foot…”

“Is that so. I wasn’t concerned at all, but… thank goodness.”

　I purposely speak in a disinterested manner and walk pass him.

　My anger bubbles at both how my intention wasn’t transmitted and at that grin on his face.

“… Sigh.”

　I don’t like this『naturally, we’ll head to school together』feeling.
　I unknowingly let out a sigh.

“I have a favour to ask you, Kii.”

“There isn’t an issue when I walk, but I doubt I’m able to chase after you if you escape. That’s why, can you give escaping a rest today? Besides, today’s the Friday that I tend to spend with you. I want to be together with you.”

“…”

　I want to say, ‘First of all, listen to what people have to say’.
　It’s tiring to retort every single time, so I won’t say it though.

　『Friday』, he says.

　I don’t want to think about it. I don’t want my mood to turn even gloomier than this.
　It will rain.

“Shall we go somewhere after school?”

“I’ll pick you up when class is over.”

“I’ll come and pick you up.”
“…”

　He shoots me a smile the same time his words are fired. This smile that charms a large number of girls is nothing but a threat to me now.

　If I ignore this guy when he comes to pick me up, the favourability rating people have of me will be reduced again.

　Ah… but, I wonder if the guys will cheer for me.

　Moreover, if I continue ignoring him as he pursues me throughout the day, it feels like I’ll get stabbed by the girls at some point.

“If you stay quiet during the other break times, I’ll accompany you if it’s just after school…”

“… It’s just for today.”

　Let’s treat it as thanks for shielding me from my fall off the stairs yesterday and endure it.
　We’ll probably go out of school when school ends so let’s take it that I’ve managed to protect school’s peace… yep.

“How serene.”

　The weather forecast is still off its mark at this point; it hasn’t rained.
　I stretch and loosen my body as I gaze at the cloudy sky beyond the window.

　The morning classes are over and it is now the long break time:『lunch break』.

　It’s been a while since I can spend my time in school undisturbed… at the instant I was thinking so.

“…Whoa.”

　The moment I relaxed, I encountered that guy in a totally unexpected place.

　Perhaps it’s due to the lack of sleep; my head’s a blank. Hence I decided to take a nap and went to the backyard.

　The bench isn’t exactly pretty, but it’s perfect when you want to lay down horizontally.

　I thought that there won’t be anyone here with the weather being so unpredictable today, but someone beat me to it.

　What is he doing in a place like this?

　I’m curious about the book he’s reading so I strain my eyes but I still can’t see it clearly.
　I think it’s some kind of magazine…

“『Understanding her preferences』will give you a high evaluation. Your choice of the shop and your choice of the present is key…”

　He’s scanning the page pensively while muttering about something.
　Does that magazine contains such complicated content?

“Present… nuh huh, what I have to take note is that depending on her mood when she receives it, it may feel oppressive or shallow… so the timing is important too. If it’s the previous Kii-tan, she’d like cute…-ish and girlish things, but the current Kii-tan seems like she prefers pretty and fashionable things, huh.”

　I heard something about me from his mutterings?
　Or rather… is it me or it sounds like he’s thinking about what to give me for a present?

　Watcha doing, to the extent of hiding in such a place!?
　For some reason, I grew embarrassed; my face turned hot.

　No, this isn’t due to bashfulness nor happiness.
　It’s because I was called『Kii-tan』again, such an embarrassing way of calling my name…!

“Moreover, she seems to admire Shiori… should I ask Shiori for suggestions? I wonder if she doesn’t like accessories anymore… I didn’t manage to get her to accept it after all. Also, where should we go today? It’s so hard… ahhh, what should I do-jaaaa!”

　『Ja』!? [2]

　I wonder if he’s going all brouhaha because his body became young.

　If I treat it like daycare, I’m not too unwilling to go for just a 1-day date y’know.

　… Wait, it’s not the time for that.

　Is this the『true Kagurazaka Aoi』?

　I realize the moment that came to my mind.

　Just as how he wasn’t looking at my true self, I, too, wasn’t looking at the true Kagurazaka Aoi?

“Isn’t this harder than the bar exams…!?”

　… Even though I was reflecting on myself seriously.

　Let’s give up on napping and go back.

“To think it’ll be so tough without the capturing data… I really had been enjoying myself so far, huh.”

　He’s still muttering away, but I bet it’s something foolish.
　I think I’m starting to want to escape after school…

[1] She’s talking about her hair.
[2] Some Japanese add stuff to the end of their sentences (think Naruto’s “-dattebayo”). “-jaa” is a suffix associated with the older generation.

Chapter end