ch21-ch40 · 040-ch40

Chapter 40: Please Be a Kind Gal

"Are you an idiot? If the quiet-looking guy is actually the quiet character type, then the sexy older lady would obviously be the fanservice character, right?"

"...What did you... say?"

During lunch break, on our way back from eating ramen outside, I was standing in front of the vending machine by the school entrance.

Soushi, this guy, is he a genius?

Alright, today I'll make a feint toward Sato-san and go to the older lady's window.

No, this is just practice for feints.

I wonder if the older lady is here today?

I insert 200 yen into the vending machine.

"Alright, I'll treat you to a juice too. Pick whichever you like."

"Seriously? Thanks, man."

With that, Soushi pulls the change lever.

"I'm gonna go grab the packaged juice from the cafeteria, so head back first— Oh, and when my birthday comes around, I'll treat you next time—"

He runs off.

I guess I'll wait here expectantly.

"You're living pretty large, aren't you?"

Whoa. A black gal.

Of course, not the one from the Association, but the one from my class.

This black gal is slender with pinkish short hair and heavy makeup under her eyes.

I look around.

"Aiko's the only one here, so relax."

The goddess doesn't seem to be here.

I'm relieved.

And so am I.

"It's true you became an adventurer?"

I'm always with the goddess, so I shouldn't have talked to the black gal before, but...

Where is she getting her information from?

"Hm? What are you talking about?"

"The president of the World Goddess Fanclub, you know? I never imagined you'd actually become an adventurer. Damn, Aiko's gotten thirsty, hasn't she?"

This girl... Is she trying to get something out of me?

No, what's this "Goddess Fanclub"? And am I the president?

I should drive her away.

"Pick whichever you like—"

I add another 200 yen.

Fortunately, my wallet's full.

It's best not to cause unnecessary trouble.

This is our little secret from the goddess.

I don't want to be treated like some otaku.

Please be a kind gal.

"Whoa. Seriously? I was just teasing you a little... Does being an adventurer really pay that well?"

Oh? You sound interested?

Right now, I've got an opening in my party.

Soushi was saying it'd be good to have a girl in the party too.

But that's impossible, huh.

The black gal and the goddess are childhood friends, right?

And she seems to have known the goddess's sister who passed away.

I should hold off on inviting her.

"For now, it's decent enough, I guess?"

"Hmm. Then as thanks, let me give you some advice. You try to act cool in front of Saori and don't say anything, but that's actually working against you. Girls like guys who are good talkers and fun to be around. Well, not that you had a chance to begin with, now that you're an adventurer."

Saori... that's the goddess's name.

The black gal's name is Saito... uh, sorry.

I just met this black gal in the same class this year.

It's only been two months, after all.

All I know is that she's the goddess's childhood friend.

The goddess called her "Eko," I think?

That Eko, the black gal, turns the vending machine's button... no, the change lever.

"Aiko's getting a packaged juice too."

With that, she heads toward the cafeteria.

No, you guys, the packaged juices are only 100 yen—

Back in the classroom.

Saori... Mizuki Saori is also in the classroom.

The school's most beautiful girl, nicknamed "the goddess."

She has slightly brownish long hair and a doll-like fragile appearance.

Maybe because of her otherworldly looks, there's a strange pressure when you get close to her.

She's talking with Shirai-san next to her.

Shirai-san is a black-haired girl with distinctive slanted eyes.

She's been in the same class as the black gal for three years, and since they're always together, the guys call her the "white gal."

She doesn't look like a gal, but apparently all high school girls are gals nowadays.

The two of them seem to be enjoying their conversation.

But according to the black gal, I don't have a chance.

Well, since I'm apparently the fanclub president, I'll just be satisfied watching from afar like a proper fan.

"Hey, Aikawa. This is from Haruki."

Soushi has returned.

He has two packaged juices in his hands.

And he presents them to the desk of the girl sleeping next to him.

Huh? Not for me?

"Oh, seriously? Thanks, prez."

She was awake... no, she just called me prez.

The black gal's source of information must be this guy.

Aikawa has been in the same class since last year, but she's been sleeping all the time since this year began.

Was she just pretending to sleep?

She sleeps during class too, so I'd completely let my guard down.

"It's my treat. Pick whichever you like."

The black gal seems to have returned too.

She has three packaged juices in her hands.

She bought for three people...

No, I was at the vending machine from the beginning to buy my own drink.

She really was just teasing me.

Maybe she didn't want to make it seem like she was taking something.

This way, the juice bought with my money reaches the goddess.

It's a kind choice where nobody loses out.

The black gal won't talk about it.

I'm relieved.

Apple, grape, and peach juice.

My recommendation is the peach one.

The goddess chooses apple, and the peach goes to the black gal.

Since that day, whenever I'm watching the goddess, my eyes meet with the black gal's.

She returns what looks like a mischievous smile, but I know there's a kind gal in this class.