Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai! Novel 1

by Torako

  In Rikka’s case, I don’t know now.

  “Yuuta is a good contractee.”

  As Rikka said that, her usual cute smile blossomed on her face.

  “Hey, why did you choose me as your contractee?”

  Something from yesterday burst in me and I had to ask.

  Her reply, “…..It’s a secret.”

  That damn smile.

  “It’s alright! Why did you choose me? Come on, you can tell me!”

  “It’s a secret.”

  Once she gets in this mode, she won’t say anything. Stubborn girl. Oh well, it’s alright. I shrugged my shoulders and grabbed her hand.

  “Did you know that everyone’s searching for you since you went off randomly? Your departure was a bother to everyone. If we don’t get back quickly, they’ll be mad.”

  I looked at my wristwatch. It was half past twelve. Crap…

  “Look at the time, let’s go!”

  “Yeah.”

  We quickly headed down the mountain as is. We went through the exit point and got on the bike I had left. Alright, it’ll take what, ten minutes by bike?

  At that time my phone buzzed. It was an unfamiliar number.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey you! Why’d you turn off your phone?!”

  From the first word, her voice rang in my ear. Of course that voice is probably…

  “Ah, it’s Nibutani. Sorry, I didn’t know that I would be in a place where I couldn’t get reception. I didn’t turn off my phone….”

  “Where were you that you couldn’t get any reception? Did you find Takanashi-san?!”

  “After a number of things, I guess you could say I did. I found her. Sorry, we’ll be there shortly.”

  “Everyone else is already here. Nana-chan found out shortly afterwards and got angry!”

  And with two clicks I heard our conversation end.

  ….So they’re angry. Of course they would be, but they’ll be angry at both of us.

  “Rikka, it sounds like everyone’s a bit angry. Let’s ride double so they won’t focus their anger at just you.”

  “Ooh….they’re angry….”

  “Then they’ll be angry at me too.”

  “Ooh, understood.”

  I straddled the bike and Rikka got on behind me. She fit just right in the luggage carrier behind my seat.

  “Oh yeah. Rikka, here’s your eyepatch. Did you lose it?”

  “You had it Yuuta?”

  “You must have lost it around here. Why did you take it off?”

  “I removed it in order to activate my powers. It must have fallen out of my pocket.”

  After getting back her eyepatch, Rikka put it on. For some reason, it feels like she was destined to wear it. It’s like a guiding light to Rikka’s soul. While I was waxing poetically, what happened to her father came to mind. If he doesn’t exist, then I couldn’t find him…….That’s just a delusion! Though my poetry skills are in decent form today, I’m not that pleased.

  “Alright, ready to go?”

  “Incidentally Yuuta, what is the name of your dragon underling?”

  “If you’ve got nothing to say, let’s go! Wait, name? Why would I do that?!”

  “If you tame something, you have to name it. Then I shall name it. Ah, it shall be ‘Anteros’[7].”

  “I don’t know what you mean by that! Did you just pick it because it sounded cool?!”

  I remember seeing that name before, but what did it mean? Ah, no good, I can’t remember with this pressure.

  “I have embarked. We shall depart now!”

  With her hands around my stomach, I could feel the warmth from Rikka’s body. A bit embarrassing, but I’ll have to hide my feelings. We’re off!

  Ten minutes shouldn’t make any difference now. If anyone gets mad, we’ll just apologize.

  Ten minutes later, we got off the bike just before arriving to the plaza. Courage? It was wisdom and smart judgment I say. Rikka had returned to looking discomforted.

  Naturally, everyone was gathered at the plaza. The moment they saw us, Nana-chan recklessly ran over to us “Hey! Where were you two?! We were very worried about both of you!”

  “So-sorry……Rikka ended up being like a lost child.” Beforehand we developed a countermeasure to deal with Nana-chan. Rikka had decided that she would be a lost child while on the bike.

  “A lost child….”

  “We couldn’t get in touch with you Ms. Tsukumo! You know that, right?”

  “Yes……..”

  Everyone started to look dejected at us. Although we got in touch with everyone in the class, we should have gotten in touch with Nana-chan too. Everyone was reflecting on what we should have done, but didn’t do. Rikka was also in reflection as well.

  “Alright, it’s a little bit later than scheduled, but let’s start preparing the barbeque! Those in charge come over here and everyone else will wait for instructions!”

  The people in charge dashed over to Nana-chan. What a good teacher she is. She’s always composed with a smile until the very end. Such a nice teacher. Granted, she’s our homeroom teacher but she does have a bit of superiority complex.

  “Yuuta, would they be angry if you had said I was the ‘Midnight Lost Child’ instead?”

  “Why would you think of that now?! Of course they would!”

  Have some delicacy. You were a lost child for a noon appointment. I thought it was clever…… Oh well, but it looked like Nana-chan didn’t have any sympathy for us.

  “I’m glad I didn’t have to talk.”

  Good grief. I’m not sure if she was actually reflecting on what happened or not. Oh well, she’d say these kind of things if she was reflecting too.

  While we had this back-and-forth, our classmates came over to see us. The first person to speak had to be Nibutani, of course.

  “Hey Takanashi-san! Just where did you go? The demon world? Don’t you think that’s a bit too chuunibyou even for you?”

  “…..I did not go to the demon world.”

  “Well, I don’t know whatever you ended going to, but it doesn’t matter. Did you mean to cause trouble for everyone?”

  “…..That is…….”

  Rikka kept silent after that. She probably doesn’t know a good way to apologize.

  “Huh? You’re going to end it like that?”

  “…..My father….”

  “Your father?”

  “…..Nibutani. I’ll apologize for her. She was tired from the trip over here and wandered off by herself. I was the one who led her around. Sorry. I apologize for bothering everyone.”

  I bowed my head towards everyone. Everyone else accepted that.

  “You be silent! I was talking to Takanashi-san.”

  ….Rikka was looking down and remaining silent. But being silent here might not be a good thing.

  Rikka took a deep breath and then yelled out.

  “Everything was my fault. I won’t do that again! I won’t inconvenience everyone! I promise!”

  That was a very Rikka style of apologizing. The plaza went silent. One girl broke that silence.

  It was Kannagi-san. “I really wanted to go to the demon world today too! How about going sometime with me Takanashi-san?”

  ……The other person who voted for that was Kannagi-san?! Everyone in the class was surprised. After being silent, everyone in the class started to laugh.

  And then another person chimed in. It was Yukimaru-san .

  “This detective game was fun. I don’t care what happened!”

  And then one-by-one everyone rang in,

  “I don’t mind either! I had fun searching!”

  “That’s so Rikka-chan!”

  “I wanted to be the one who found Takanashi-san! AGH!!!!!”

  saying things like that. Really, we have such a sweet class. Seeing their reactions to what had happened, it was almost enough to bring tears to my eyes.

  “Hmm, well I don’t accept her apology! Chuunibyou is definitely no excus
e! That kind of person would never think of others….!”

  “Shinka used to ask us to call her ‘Mori-sama’ didn’t she? Wasn’t that it?”

  The one who spoke was Kannagi, with a smile on her face.

  “Don’t call me Mo…mo…mo…Mori-sama! Kannagi, don’t you hate to be called wind chime?! You’re not cured are you? I will definitely cure you!”

  “Huh? My nickname is wind chime, but you pronounce my name Kazari. It’s not very effective against me.”

  “Aghhhhh!”

  Nibutani, or rather, Mori-sama, was bright red in her face as she stomped the ground. Looks like everyone has an affinity huh? If Nibutani is light, then Kannagi-san must be Spirit.

  “Yuuta, everyone is so nice. I had no idea. Kannagi-san might be a Spirit.”

  Rikka came beside me while I wasn’t paying attention. Everyone, including Rikka, looked so happy. Her usual smile was broad. Nonetheless, it’s quite creepy when I come to the same conclusion as her.

  “Yeah, they’re good people.”

  “Yes.”

  With a big smile, she nodded.

  “Oi! Go prepare the barbecue! Gather over here!”

  After hearing Nana-chan’s yell, everyone went towards her.

  “Remember this. One day, I will put a stop to you.”

  Nibutani makes a really good villain. But I’m sure that anyone who says those lines tends to be destroyed.

  “I do not know what you are referring to. I am the genuine user of the Devilish Truth Stare.”

  And the strongest chuunibyou patient. I don’t know if she’ll ever become aware of it one day.

  But today’s class trip was really fun. I had fun and I think Rikka did as well. Someday, I think Rikka will open her heart more.

  But now it’s time to go enjoy the barbecue.

  Chapter 9: Love Story – Story of Passion –

  It was Tuesday and I had something on my mind. This was something that really worried me. I had experienced such a wonderful feeling the previous day when I was talking with Rikka on the mountain.

  Up until now I had thought she was cute, that I couldn’t leave her alone, and that I wanted to hang out with her, but this was new. Don’t get me wrong, I still think she’s all of that. This feeling was something that kept building in me until I just suddenly realized it.

  Or course I think you know what I’m talking about, but I’m not sure if it’s right for me to like her like I am now. If you knew how I was in middle school, you’d obviously think that I would never care for someone. I’d be perplexed once this emotion finally arrived. It’s embarrassing to confess my faults, but that’s how it is. I never once felt this way when I was in elementary school, middle school, character, or an inhabitant of some random manga’s universe. It’s just infatuation!

  Though I didn’t actually raise my voice in frustration, this has left me really confused. It’s like I’m reading a detective novel and I’m not sure who the villain is. Let’s try to spoil ourselves. I need to talk to someone who’s felt this way before.

  And so that’s why I was eating lunch in the cafeteria with Isshiki. As we were dining, we two men were talking about love.

  “You just now realize you like her? Please man, tell me what you’ve done so far for her wasn’t ‘liking’ someone.”

  “Well, it’s kinda like that? I’d have to say that you described exactly our situation, sir?”

  Emphasis on the sir. It’s kinda important to show some respect since I’m asking him for advice.

  “Hell, how would you explain what you’ve done for her thus far if you didn’t fancy her?”

  “Well, I’ve always thought she was cute. She was like a little sister or one of those type of people that’s a pain. But I never liked her romantically before now. Wait, that’s somewhat vague. Can’t you think someone’s cute without liking them? I think that’s possible. I mean, I think Kannagi-san is cute, but I don’t like her. That’s not to say that the rest of the class, including you Isshiki-san, can’t fall in love with her.”

  “What’s this now? I love all women man!”

  “You’re a man of many passions!”

  Not really, but I want to hear about your past stories of love, so I gotta prop you up!

  “Well, I do know my fair share of love stories! Togashi, from what you’re experiencing , I’d say it’s similar to what people talk about when they’re in love. You’re just worrying too much about it.”

  “I see now… You sound pretty confident about that, and while I think you have a special outlook on this…. You’re still single. What’s the best way to put this…”

  It’s a really embarrassing topic to talk about. Love stories are definitely something that makes you blush easily.

  “Hmm, I get what you’re trying to say. Even though I have my fair share of stories and know what being in love is about, why don’t I have a girlfriend huh?”

  “Ah, that! That! Isshiki-sensei knows what I’m talking about without me even saying anything!”

  “I’ve been wondering about that too man. I get all this information and write it down in my memo pad, I have such enthusiasm for women, and yet I don’t have a girl.”

  “You’re just a pervert!”

  “…..It’s like that? I’m just a pervert eh? Maybe love is blind. I haven’t experienced real love either, but I had a big crush on someone before. There was a girl I really liked in elementary school.”

  “Ah, was it someone who energetically showed off her panties?”

  “Nah, she didn’t wear any.”

  “………..” I couldn’t think of a retort. What can you say to that? I mean, you don’t expect something like that to pop up in the middle of a story. Damn it, he’s blocked off any escape routes from his story.

  “….Actually, I jotted that she didn’t wear panties in my memo pad. Back then, my memo pad wasn’t all about girls. I wrote a fair bit about the guys in my class too. As fate would have it, Akari-chan joined our class’s ‘brat group.’”

  “How sad……” For Akari-chan.

  “And then, would you believe it, Akain-chan read out loud to them what I had written down in my memo pad. I cried man. It wasn’t just because of what she did….”

  “Akari-chan….!”

  It was a story that moved me. Of course, the poor protagonist wasn’t Isshiki, it was Akari-chan. I would cry too if something happened to my friend. Why would she know about such a thing?

  “I cried because she said ‘Now what you’ve written will be spread to everyone’ to me.”

  “Were you crying happy tears?!”

  “And then I took a vow. From there on, I would collect information and give it to everyone. That’s how I became the man I am now.”

  “So it’s Akari-chan’s fault you’re crooked now?!”

  “Well, I was joking about that. I don’t have a past that good. This funny story never really happened.”

  And Isshiki moved back to his usual determined look after a sigh. How far would he go for a joke? Well, I guess the rest of the story wouldn’t be spread around.

  “Regardless, I can tell you that the Togashi I see in front of me is splendidly in love for the first time, yet he never noticed it before now.”

  “Ah, we’ve reached the conclusion of your theory.”

  Instead of finishing his story, he returned our conversation to what I asked him about. Since I want him to instruct me about love, I have to be grateful. Well, I’ll show my gratitude by not mentioning that joke again.

  “Well, Togashi man, you need to keep a memo pad. You can write various things in it and let me know what you find out. It’d be a lifesaver.”

  “I wanted to be taught about love, not perverted actions! How did you misinterpret that?!”

  Should I really have asked my friend to teach me? He seems more like a stalker than anything. Well, that stalking is more taking notes than actual stalking of girls (though I am grateful for any information he could share with me), but I’m not su
re it’s very healthy for him.

  “Anyways, you like Takanashi-san, right?”

  “Yeah, I think I get that part, but while I’m grateful to you, there’s something I just can’t sense. It’s like my mind’s foggy somehow.”

  “I see man. Well, things were pretty good for you.”

  “Huh? What do you mean?”

  “Got some bad news for you. Looks like Takanashi-san has a boyfriend.”

  Huh? Boyfriend? Rikka? Boyfriend?! Seriously? You’ve got to be kidding me. Who? How? When?!

  In an instant, my head went into chaos. I was really upset over that news. Come to think of it, there are many things about Rikka that I don’t know. Considering that she lives alone and has a somewhat haughty attitude, I figured that she wouldn’t have many guests. She would be someone special like that.

  But this… this isn’t funny. Objectively, she’s pretty cute. On looks alone, she’s top class. Even Isshiki said that before if I remember correctly.

  I thought she was someone that wouldn’t be asked out. Then again, that’s based on how she acts now. Perhaps this boyfriend knew her earlier. I didn’t know how she acted in middle school, so it wouldn’t be strange for love to blossom then. Ah, so that’s how it is. She had a boyfriend before we met. I see what you were doing Isshiki. You wanted me to know so I could be brokenhearted quickly. I get you man. You know, isn’t this the first time I’ve been brokenhearted? How should I act around Rikka now? I don’t know.

  So in an inhumanly sad voice, I asked,

  “Hey, Isshiki,”

  “Gotcha.”

  “Did you want my heart to be broken!?”

  I pinched his cheeks until they were red. Of course it’s a lie. Coming from this guy, it had to be one!

  “O-Ow man! Hey, I almost bit my tongue there!”

  “I’ll rip that liar’s tongue to shreds!”

  “Well, do you see now? You really like her, don’t cha? Incidentally, Kannagi-san does have a boyfriend.”

  “Seriously?!”

  “Yep. You know, I was shocked as well when I heard about her. Oh well, he is an upperclassman. Against that type, your odds of success are low.”

  “Is that so? Well, you’re right; that was a shock. A system shock.”

  “Well, what do you mean by system shock? I’m not talking about shock therapy, but you know what I mean.”