The Saintess Next Door is a Super Popular VTuber Whose Character was Designed by Me
Tonari ni Sunderu Seijo-sama wa Ore ga Chara-Design o Tantoushita Daininki VTuber deshita
Chapter 17 - The Two's Views on Love
versi terjemahan
One week had passed since the end of the test, and it was lunchtime on a particular day.
Today was the day when the test results after the winter break were posted, and the school grounds were noisier than usual.
"Are you not going to check your rankings?"
By the time everyone finished their lunch, almost all the classmates had gone to see the results, leaving the classroom nearly empty.
In the midst of this, Kanata approached Iori, who had stayed behind to take a nap now that the classroom was deserted.
"Well, we'll get our report card later anyway."
"That’s a reasonable answer indeed."
"If my rank were to go up by going, I would, but it probably won’t change, right?"
"You’re pretty calm about it, aren't you? I envy you from the side that’s anxious about the rankings."
Right now, Iori needed rest more than worrying about the result due to work, and since he wasn't particularly interested, he answered nonchalantly, and Kanata seemed somewhat impressed by that.
As he was about to drift off to sleep, a girl appeared behind Kanata and interrupted.
"No, Kanata, he’s not being calm. He’s just simply apathetic and indifferent to everything."
With those words, a girl appeared behind Kanata and denied it.
"That’s a harsh thing to say."
"Isn’t it true though?"
"I’m saying you should be more tactful. Your boyfriend managed to be tactful."
That girl with medium-length reddish-brown hair who showed up was Asagiri Kurumi, a female student dating Kanata.
Kurumi was a pretty girl with a different charm compared to Asumi.
Though she had a sharp tongue, she was basically caring and had good grades
Her personality was similar to Kanata's, making them a well-matched pair.
"If you don’t want to be told that, then you should try harder. If you change your image, join a club, or become more sociable, girls will start to notice you."
"That sounds like too much work."
"Man, you’re getting quite an earful from Kurumi."
"Kanata, why don’t you give him some advice as a friend?"
Though receiving some stern criticism, Iori didn’t get angry since it was clear that the remarks were made out of genuine concern.
Besides, he knew a girl who was even stricter.
"Don’t you want a girlfriend, Tokisaka-kun?"
"I don’t need one. I’m even confident that I’d get dumped right away if I did."
"I don’t think that’d be true."
"He's right, and you’re not doing too badly in the girls’ eyes by the way."
"That I’m seen as quiet and cool?"
"Oh, you knew? Did Kanata tell you?"
"No, I didn’t tell him."
It seemed that the rumors Asumi had mentioned among the girls were true.
But what would girls think when they actually got to know the real Iori?
Would they be disappointed? The thought was a bit scary.
"So how do you know then?"
"Just rumors."
"That sounds suspicious."
"Very suspicious."
"Don’t be suspicious."
"Well, it’s mostly known among girls. Do you actually have a girlfriend?"
"No, I don’t."
"I see. But having a partner is nice, right? Isn’t it, Kanata?"
"Yeah, it’s the best."
"Stop it, don’t get all lovey-dovey. The atmosphere is getting too sweet here."
Just when Iori thought they were grilling him, they ended up bragging about their relationship and then started getting all affectionate right in front of him.
It felt like they were just looking for an excuse to flirt. At this point, it was getting annoying.
Once they started drifting into their own world, it became embarrassing to watch.
So, Iori decided to kick them out of the classroom with a "Hurry up and go check your rankings, you dumb couple," but... it didn’t work.
"Oh my, isn't it Miss Saintess!"
"Hello, Asagiri-san."
The reason for this encounter was that they had just run into Asumi, who was returning to the classroom after some errand.
It seemed that Kurumi and Asumi were acquaintances.
It's no surprise since both of them were always at the top of the rankings.
They often swapped first and second places on tests.
"Did Miss Saintess go to check the rankings?"
"No, I went out to buy a drink."
"Are you not going to check?"
"Well, the ranking won’t change just because I look, right?"
"That's true. As expected, Miss Saint is so wise."
"Hey, aren’t you reacting differently than me?"
Iori protested that even though Asumi’s answer was the same as Iori’s, Kurumi’s response was the exact opposite.
"Of course it's different. Unlike you, she’s not apathetic and indifferent."
"Damn, I have nothing to retort."
"Oh, by the way, Miss Saintess. I think you and this guy would get along well."
"......I already know."
"What did you just say?"
"I asked 'What do you mean?'."
Suddenly, Kurumi recommended Iori to Asumi, and she only replied in a mutter.
When Kurumi couldn’t catch what was said and asked again, Asumi rephrased her answer.
"I asked him the same question just earlier, and he gave the same answer as you. You two seem like you could get along well, you know?"
"Oh my."
"You’re not in a relationship with anyone, are you? He has his quirks, but he’s definitely not the type to cheat, so I’d recommend him."
"...No, thanks."
"Looks like you got shot down. Too bad."
"Hey, don’t do that without my consent! This is just the saddest thing ever."
"Hehe. Sorry."
Before he knew it, Iori was subject to the cruel treatment of being recommended and then rejected.
Once, Asumi glanced over at him, so she must have known what Kurumi was doing when she said that.
Plus, she smiled right after.
He realized he was being teased by the two girls' jokes.
What a bunch of troublemakers. Iori could only give up inwardly.
"So, let's go check the rankings, Kanata?"
"I hope I get the first place this time."
"We studied together, so it should be fine."
"Yeah."
And then, as if nothing had happened, the two of them entwined their hands and left, flirting with each other.
"You really got played, didn’t you?"
"Damn. They did whatever they wanted, and you joined in on the fun too."
Once the two of them were left alone in the classroom, Asumi spoke up with a hint of amusement.
Iori grumbled with a resentful tone, she just chuckled and said, "I just went with the flow."
"But it doesn’t mean it’s a no-go for you, right?"
"What do you mean?"
"It means you might get a girlfriend someday, Tokisaka-san."
"I wonder about it?"
"Yeah. I mean, you earn money, can cook, are kind, and you’re considerate. Yep, you’re definitely someone who would be popular."
Asumi tried to reassure him, but he still couldn’t feel positive about it.
For some reason, Iori himself didn’t understand, but no matter how much he was praised, he just couldn’t believe he would ever have a girlfriend.
"It sounds impressive in theory, but the reality is that I’m single."
"With just words, I think you could probably be a good mom, too."
"These days, you’re the one taking care of me, though."
"That’s true."
As they exchanged these remarks, both of them shared a wry smile.
Perhaps the reason Iori wasn’t trying to date anyone was that this kind of relationship was the most enjoyable for him.
Even with Kanata and Kurumi, it felt easier to interact with them while maintaining a certain distance.
This was a result of Iori’s accumulated experiences and stemmed from his unique way of living.
So, the idea of having a girlfriend didn’t really click with him.
"Speaking of which, what about you? Why don’t you have a boyfriend?"
"Even if you ask me why. I wonder why that is."
When Asumi was asked this, she shrugged her shoulders in confusion.
For people of their age, it was strange not to feel anything about meeting someone at the dinner table or having what could be considered a fateful encounter.
She had previously said she wasn’t planning to date anyone, but maybe she was just like him and had no interest in romance.
He interpreted it that way on his own. In reality, Asumi was thinking the same thing about him.
Because of this, it seemed like it would be a while before their feelings towards each other would change.
[To be Continued]
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