Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai! Novel 1

by Torako

  “As always, I can’t follow your train of thought! Well, that’s not the reason why I like her.”

  I finally noticed that I fell into her trap. Curse my rebuttal nature! That defective part of me emerges again.

  “So you’ve finally fallen for her, huh? Well, it’s not like I didn’t know.”

  “……Please be silent.”

  I couldn’t say anything but such an uncool request.

  “Only about ten percent of our class knows. Be relieved.”

  “What about everyone else?”

  “News may travel fast!”

  That daring Nibutani smile returns again. It’s a truly frightening sight. I don’t think she’s shown that to anyone but me. No one else in our class knows that smile.

  “Though you say you like her, you don’t admit to changing her.”

  “Demon! Brute! Devil! Mo, Mori-sama!”

  Though I said the last one in some sense of honor, it came out like an insult.

  “Don’t call me Mori-sama! Agh, look, don’t say that! Do you want to die in agony?”

  It’s like she said before. That’s definitely a new way to kill someone. Sorry! I don’t want to die by embarrassment!

  “Ah, I got it. Everything. I got everything.”

  “Wow, hearing that really makes me want to get away. Everything, huh? Oh well, it is what it is. It was fun to see you fumble around.

  I feel like I don’t know her true weakness at all. Past, present, everything seems to be rolled against me with how much she knows about my past. Is she a demon? Is Mori-sama really a demon? She’s not really a light monster? If so, then why is the Devil King (Rikka-titled) afraid of her…

  “Well, I’ve got to go to club activities. I imagine Takanashi-san will be done soon. Waiting for her?”

  “Even if you didn’t say anything about your lesson, I would have…..”

  “Alright, later. Bye-bye!”

  “Bye”

  And then thirty minutes after she left, a weary Rikka returned to the classroom. Perhaps Rikka’s inability to do the lesson exceeded Nibutani’s predictions.

  ◆◆◆

  Rikka was really disheartened when she came back to the classroom. I could feel it from deep inside her. Though we weren’t having our study meeting, she turned her chair towards me and collapsed on my desk.

  I asked her why she was so tired, and she replied that today Nana-chan was like a Spartan. She kept replying “Wrong! Again!” Well, I can imagine her doing that today.

  “Even though you went through that, you got some reward from it. What were your results?”

  Rikka stretched out and for some reason grabbed her pencase from her bag and pulled out her usual mechanical pencil. What kind of results are these?

  “Yuuta, here’s the results of my practice. Watch.”

  “Okay.”

  I thought she would show me how she solved a difficult problem, but it looks like she’s going to do something else. I will say that she was brimming with confidence though.

  She grabbed the pencil and brought it in front of my face. Next she swung the pencil around.

  “The results of practice, huh? Have you thought about a name?”

  “This is the first time I’ve produced such a technique, yet anyone could see that it’s an optical illusion!”

  Well, yes, I’m sure you could call it something like a rubber pencil illusion. But my impression was that she was lazing about. Perhaps during the solitary lesson, maybe her thoughts wandered and she looked at the scenery outside….

  And then Nana-chan went Sparta on her.

  “What name sounds good?”

  “Well, I think you could name it something like Rubber Pencil Illusion….

  “Hmm, that’s not very cool.”

  “…..You’re right, but isn’t simplistic naming alright? It reminds me of an eraser.”

  “I’d like something stronger!”

  “Stronger? How strong can an ordinary optical illusion be….. Oh! How about using something like a sword title? Something like ‘Rubberball: Wave Tuning Sword.’”

  Wow, that’s old. That’s so old it’s dangerous! I was the one came up with that comparison, I know people have been comparing pens with swords for years. As usual, my taste varies tremendously.

  “Yuuta is certainly a genius! From hence forth this shall be called ‘Rubberball: Wave Tuning Sword!””

  “You actually like that name?! Well, thinking about it, names like that aren’t popular, so they won’t be passed on… Granted, they’re typically rejected….”

  Or in other words, people understand best that it’s just a pencil moving back and forth.

  Thought she rejected my earlier idea, she’s enjoying playing around with her pencil like a sword. Speaking of cutting things, I need to talk to her about something.

  “Oh yeah, Rikka. Do you have some spare time today?”

  “Time has no meaning for a being such as me. Any time could be considered spare time.”

  You started off very magnificently, but that second part kinda fell apart a bit. So let’s abbreviate it instead. Say something like that, and let’s just ignore the magnificent portion.

  “I’d be really happy if you stopped by my house today.”

  Or course, this is neither a date nor an invitation for one. Regardless, I hope my face doesn’t appear too embarrassed. To be honest, I really need Rikka to come over as soon as possible.

  “Let’s go! Let’s go! We’re leaving now!”

  I’m so grateful that’s she’s this interested. With how she was lazily playing around with a pencil, it’s hard to believe she had the energy to quickly pack her things. She’s even rushing me…why?

  But I’m really relieved. I had to request she perform an urgent mission. It’s not what you’d think, but it would definitely relieve me some.

  As we left school, I told Rikka what her mission was while we headed towards my house. The mission, in short, is to remove the eyepatch from my sister, Yumeha. Normally that girl would get tired of it after a day or two, but she’s shown no signs of removing it any time soon. Her black eye is still sealed to this day.

  One day I told my parents about Rikka and the reason why she started wearing an eye patch. They started to worry about what the neighborhood would think and gave me a warning.

  If Yumeha would have fun making things up by herself, that’s fine by me. The problem comes when you wear an eyepatch. Typically, you only wear one when your eye is injured, so that’s cause for the neighbors to worry. Obviously that would be the normal reaction.

  Whenever I asked her to take it off, she would be stubborn and say “I’m going to destroy aliens with Rikka!” So as a last resort, I’m asking Rikka to help me get her to remove it.

  “Oh well, we’ll have to initiate a method of awakening that does not involve sealing.”

  And so I hope Rikka will be able to do something about this.

  When we arrived, the only person at my house was Yumeha. Since she goes to a nursery near our house, she doesn’t have a problem coming home by herself. Back when I was her age, my parents would worry I would go somewhere else, but now that I’ve grown up, those worries have gone away. So let’s go meet my sister.

  “Onii-chan, welcome back! AH! Rikka! Rikka! Rikka came here!”

  As soon as Yumeha saw Rikka, her voice became energetic and she started jumping up and down. I’m really happy that she became attached to Rikka for some reason since they first met. Seeing how happy she was made me just as happy.

  “Rikka! What are you carrying out today?”

  “Yumeha, thank you for continuing the seal. Yuuta has brought me forth for that reason. We must execute practices to continue awakening Devilish Truth Stare Another Type.”

  “Ooh!”

  Rikka had bent down to look Yumeha in the eye while talking. I guess she likes children. Though it wasn’t her usual smile, she gave off a big one to them. It helped produce a cuddling atmosphere, so it’s quite eas
y to see why Yumeha became attached to her. The two of them were quite a scene.

  As I watched over this charming sight,

  “Now let’s hurry to Yuuta’s room for practices!”

  And all of a sudden I became a bit upset at what Rikka just said.

  “Eh? Nonono, what’s going on?! Why can’t you use the living room?!”

  “I want to enter Yuuta’s room. I wanna, I wanna.”

  Now she’s just a spoiled child. She’s reached Yumeha’s level.

  Well, by straightening things, I should have hidden anything they shouldn’t see. I just don’t want to be embarrassed by having them in my room. As usual though, she’s so stubborn that I have to give in.

  “I’m going in.”

  “That’s not desiring anymore, that’s actually doing it!....I got it, I got it. You can practice in my room.”

  I had to accept this would happen. Well, I did go into Rikka’s room, so I guess payback takes priority over my own feelings.

  “Yay! Let’s to Onii-chan’s room! Let’s go!”

  And the three of us entered my room.

  “This is Yuuta’s room. It’s unusually white.”

  “What does that mean?! It’s white like any ordinary room!”

  I think she might have thought badly of it since it’s white. Well, I can’t say that there was a time where everything was covered in pitch black cloths.

  “Mother said that Onii-chan’s room used to be pitch black before.”

  Too fast! Rikka, having sharp hearing, picked up what Yumeha had said and looked towards me with a nod and smile that said “That’s the Yuuta I know.” Damn, I’m not going to get embarrassed. I’m not going to. I’m going to draw up a barrier to protect me from dying today.

  “Now, let’s begin practicing!”

  And so she began reading in a monotone voice. It was a skill that wore me down.

  “Well, since I don’t have anything to do with your practices, I’ll go grab snacks and something to drink. It’s fine to go ahead without me.”

  “Alllllll right! Rikka, hurry and start!”

  Yumeha began tugging on Rikka’s skirt in a happy manner. That was the scene which I flusterly left my room to. After shutting the door, I could still hear Yumeha’s energetic voice. It appeared that they were starting their exercises.

  I murmured “Rikka, I’m counting on you. Please remove her eyepatch,” as I headed towards the refrigerator.

  I easily found tea and coffee inside the refrigerator, but there was a variety of snacks. I poured three glasses that I found in the kitchen. I put them, plus some onigiri crackers, on a tray before heading back to my room.

  ―I’m at a loss for words.

  What awaited me was the sight of Rikka and Yumeha cuddling while Rikka read out loud portions of a black notebook. I thought I had perfectly hidden it. I had no idea I would return to this picture. Well, perhaps it would take some time to understand what was there.

  While I was quickly gone from my room, their practices had turned it into Hell. Looking down at the scene, I saw tragedy, or as you might guess, my dark history.

  “WHOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

  I had reached the breaking point. I’m not sure you could call what I said English.

  “Rikka.”

  “My name is Yumeha!”

  Rikka looked serious while Yumeha had a smile on her face. The two looked up as I yelled my nonsensical outburst and re-introduced themselves for some reason. After a moment, the two returned looking at the headquarters of dark history, my dark notebook (the real thing!).

  Simply saying that traffic lights were going off in my head would be incorrect. All I could see was red lights flashing before me. Bright red traffic lights were signaling me to be cautious in proceeding any further.

  “No, Nottt, Gooood. That’s not alright! Re- re-return thaaaaaat!”

  I placed the tray in my hand, which was blocking me from retrieving that notebook, on my bed and headed in a straight line towards Rikka. I thought it would be easy to get it back since we’re in such a cramped room.

  But Rikka’s speed outclassed my own. Her skirt fluttered. Her hair bobbed. It was like we were moving in slow motion the instant I returned back.

  “What?! That fast?! Wow!”

  I went towards the space where my notebook was being held, but I lost my balance and went head first towards where Rikka was previously.

  “It’s imprinted!”

  I could hear Yumeha’s voice beside me in my fallen down state. She was clapping her hands towards Rikka. No respect for your older brother, huh? I can’t let my little sister see her cool brother like this!

  “Re, return that!”

  I laid prostrate on the ground. I had just showed my little sister just how uncool her brother can be.

  “No! This notebook is required for our practices!”

  An immediate denial. I guess it’s my lot in life to surrender to her, huh?

  “No, it has nothing to do with them! Besides, it’s dangerous! Dangerous! If you look at it, your eyes will explode!”

  That’s all I could think up! Surely she’ll recognize how dangerous that book is now!

  “If that is true, then the seal transition cannot be completed.”

  “Huh……?!”

  Seal transition, or removing my sister’s eyepatch in other words, requires Rikka to have that collection of my dark history abilities I wrote down. My dark history is compensation for that removal. If I don’t let her have it, the eyepatch stays on. The decision lies with me. That’s an expensive eyepatch…..!

  “Isn’t there another way you can transition it…..? Surely there’s some other way, right?

  “Hmm, can’t we use the one Yuuta wrote down in here? If you used it, then surely it’ll work out.”

  Then I’ll die. I hate this.

  “It’s not useable! Everything in there is not useable! Is there any other way…..?”

  “Alas, there is none.” Rikka commented while shaking her head. The one who’s depressed is me, not you!

  I stopped before retorting again. I remember what happened earlier today. Oh well, guess it’s time to use my trump card.

  “There is none, huh? I thought the Devlish Truth Stare was supposed to be the best!”

  Rikka’s reaction fluttered. She looked somewhat delighted at hearing that. This started well, but I’ve learned not to be too optimistic.

  “The Devlish Truth Stare is the best, but with this notebook, our success rate jumps to 100%. That’s why it’s absolutely necessary.”

  “…………”

  Looks like my only choice is to give up. It’s a bitter option, but after a period of silence, I gave my dark past over to Rikka.

  “……….I understand. Make it happen…..!”

  My eyes started to water. It’s not laughing matter. I’m seriously going to cry here.

  “Understood.”

  “……..So how did you find this…..”

  “Yumeha discovered it! I pulled it from Oni-chan’s drawer!” Yumeha replied to my grumbling.

  “Don’t open things on a whim!”

  “Allllll right!”

  She shows no remorse! Damn…. I thought by putting it in there, no one would find it amongst the other notebooks in my desk. Big mistake…..

  While I was hanging my head, I moved to my bed and picked up the tray. I poured tea into the glasses and handed one each to Rikka and Yumeha. Both of them drank it all in one gulp. After that, Yumeha snuck over and grabbed one of the onigiri crackers. She’s really not reflecting on her actions.

  Rikka was reading my dark history notebook, not with a smile, but seriously. That’s my only saving grace in this situation right now. If she starts to laugh, I’ll die immediately!

  “Yumeha, I am going to prepare a new way of awakening without having to seal your eye.”

  While she was reading the notebook, Rikka informed my sister of the start of her seal t
ransfer.

  “Oh! Amazing! Amazing! Now! Now!”

  Wait just a moment. Rikka replied as she was flipping through the pages of the notebook again. “Yumeha, what kind of intermediate would you like to use? Something like a doll would make this possible.”

  “A doll?”

  After looking puzzled, Yumeha quickly got up and pitter-pattered over to her room. Without any questions, she came back holding a doll to show Rikka.

  “This! Onii-chan bought it for my birthday! He’s called Dosukoi Kuma Gotarou!”

  “The bear is quite lovely.”

  Hearing her praise the bear feels like a compliment to me, but then again, he’s not that fashionable. When I got him, I was having trouble picking out something that my sister would like. When it came time to choose, I asked if there was “One that didn’t look like it was relaxed.” Of course, Yumeha thought Dosukoi Kuma Gotarou was cute. It was my pleasure little sister.

  Incidentally, if you press the belly button of this not-so-cute doll, he’ll sing “Geberobe.” Definitely not a cute doll at all. Well, the most important part is that she likes him.

  “Will Dosukoi Kuma Gotarou be alright?” Yumeha inquired with concern as she and Rikka looked over the doll.

  “He’ll be fine. Now, prepare for awakening transitioning.”

  While she was saying that, Yumeha handed over Dosukoi Kuma Gotarou.

  “In order to seal, the eyepatch is needed as well.”

  And Yumeha successfully took it off. Way to go Rikka! Looks like the mission I gave you was a success. After Rikka said that, Yumeha turned around and looked for validation.

  “Is this alright?” she asked in a concerned voice.

  “His and your safety is assured.”

  What kind of danger would happen after this…. I don’t even remember a fraction of what technique this is. If I tried to do it now, I’d be completely lost.

  After she confirmed their safety, Rikka cuddled close to Yumeha. She slowly began to brush her head.

  “The mystical ceremony now releases power.”

  “OH! Yumeha’s power is being released! WOW!”

  “The technique has ended. Now switching to ultimate secret phase. Phase one completed. Phase two begin. Haaaaaaaaa”