DLC Chapter 1 – Gars and War of Gaming
"Speaking of gas, the ones in the past should be better, right?"
Aguri-san is still clicking on her phone with a humpbacked position today, just as usual. She lazily questioned sothing about gaming.
The gal that has absolutely zero sense in gaming said that. …It made the three of us – Keita Amano, Karen Tendou, and Hoshinomori, imdiately dropped what we were doing.
So, the normie that's usually a bridge between ordinary people and gars, Tasuku Uehara-kun, tried to comfort us. "Alright, alright."
"You guys know Aguri's not trying to an anything, right? Calm down."
He put up a smile. However, I still answered with an irritated face.
"If you think everything can be forgiven as long as they didn't an it, you're dead wrong, Uehara-kun. For example, …if soone accidentally pressed the nuke launch button and caused the apocalypse, will you forgive him just because he didn't an it?"
"That taphor is way too ridiculous!"
Uehara-kun complained. However, strangely, my nesis Chiaki helped out at this ti.
"No, I feel like that's really close to what Aguri-san just said! If you threw a bomb like that during a gars' online eting, a real-life wrestling fight will bound to happen in 30 minutes!"
"Gars are way too easy to piss off! Hey, help out here, Tendou!"
"I understand. Well, Aguri-san, please co here and grit your teeth."
"I can't believe you're the easiest one to piss off! Don't slap soone because of this!"
Uehara-kun finally stood up and stopped us. We can only pause in the middle of our anger unwillingly.
…Aguri-san, who's still isn't used to this, stopped clicking on her phone and sat upright to face us.
"Uh, …I feel like I should say sorry. Like what Tasuku just said, I really didn't an it…"
After hearing her apology, the three of us more or less cald down. Then, we apologized as well. After that, Aguri-san spoke up again, tremblingly.
"However, …think about it, you can see that everywhere on the internet and at so other places. People often say, 'The good old days are better.' Although we can see that in every realm, from my impression, I can hear that the most in the gaming industry. T-This is just what I personally feel, though…"
Aguri-san finished her speech while shivering. I sighed at her look before deciding to agree, unwillingly.
"Ay, …I guess you're right. You can see 'the past is better' everywhere in the film and entertainnt industry. But, I guess it appears more frequently in the gaming world."
Chiaki agreed with what I said.
"Yeah. Perhaps it's because this industry has many serialized gas accumulated through the ages, and the old version often receives remakes. Also, technology's catching up fast."
Aguri-san, who doesn't understand what she just said, tilted her head. "Hiya?"
"If that's the case, basically, aren't gas always improving then? It's like computers, right. When the industry advances, …uh, the graphics will be better, right?"
After hearing what she said, we, "the people that are actually playing the gas…"
"…Sigh."
Including Uehara-kun, the four of us sighed deeply.
Aguri-san protested strongly.
"Why are you guys giving a 'this girl doesn't know anything' vibe! What did I say!"
"No, … it's about your 'the graphics got better' speech. …Although the way you put it is pretty dumb, you didn't say anything wrong. By the way, graphics, …graphics, right?"
"Alright, Amanocchi, co here and grit your teeth."
"The term 'grit your teeth' appeared twice within 5 minutes from the start of the discussion. I think this Hobby Club is way too vicious. Ay, but, …sorry, I guess I did act a bit rude there. Aguri-san, it's just like what you said. Gaming technology has indeed advanced a lot. Graphics are getting better, and the loading ti is significantly reduced, while so focused on online battles…"
"Right? Uh, …if that's the case, then modern gas are indeed better, right. The 'good old days' faction is just a bunch of otakus that beautify their mories, am I correct?"
"…Sigh."
"Please don't give this kind of 'hopelessness' so explicitly, alright! You guys said that non-gars can enter the Ga Hobby Club, right!"
Her boyfriend, Uehara-kun, answered what Aguri-san said helplessly.
"You're right. …However, how should I put it? Everything that you said will make all gars' hmph' out loud."
"What do you an?"
"Uh, … here's an example. You love family restaurants, right? Then, if people that don't go to the restaurants casually said 'why don't we visit a better one instead of family restaurants' while chatting, how would you feel?"
"…Hmph!"
"Exactly."
"I see." Aguri-san understood Uehara-kun's explanation as she agreed. They're really couples, what a way to present themselves. However, I guess Aguri-san is still not entirely convinced. She continued questioning us.
"Hmm, …but that's not the sa as als. In reality, modern gas just have more parts that are better than old ones, and yet the past is still better?"
After hearing that, I imdiately denied with a "no, no, no."
"Actually, we're not saying that old gas are better. Even so, it doesn't an that current gas are better than the past as a whole. It's like the relationship between family restaurants and regular diners. You can't just say one is nicer than the other."
"Oh, I see. In other words, … it's like Bamboo Shoot Chocolate and Mushroom Hill Chocolate!" [Note: It's a about the two sister brands of iji chocolate. Japanese people like to fight over who's the supre one, and the company hosted a contest to raise sales successfully.]
"No, Mushroom Hill Chocolate is obviously better!” "No, Bamboo Shoot Chocolate is obviously better!"
The four voices overlapped each other at the sa ti. Moreover, Tendou-san and Uehara-kun are in the "Mushroom" faction, while Chiaki and I belong to the "Bamboo" faction.
"…………"
Sparks soon ignited between us. Then, …Aguri-san was dumbfounded.
"…Anyway, about that, I felt that I was adding fuel to the fire. Sorry."
A truce was made between us from what she said. …Even though Bamboo Shoot is definitely tastier! I'm not planning to back down! Hiya, Tendou-san's glaring at . Ugh, …even if I'm fighting with Tendou-san, I will never back down on this one…"
"Ahem!"
Chiaki cleared her throat. She continued and brought us back. "However, it's actually…"
"This conflict has always existed, about whether the past is better."
"In reality, vintage gas are fun."
I glanced at Uehara-kun with a shocked expression after he said that.
"Eh, Uehara-kun is in the nostalgic tribe?"
"I guess so? It's because I played gas for longer in the past."’
Tendou-san agreed as well.
“I think so. Although I admit, the online match environnt is much better than the past, from a simple, fast competitive perspective, and the epito of reaching new high scores, I think the ones in the past are the best.”
After I heard their opinion, I nodded and agreed. “I see…” On the other hand, I retorted.
“From my perspective, if I including so of my personal, twisted opinions, I guess I’m in the modern faction. It’s because the voice of old gas is better is always the loudest. ‘No, no, no, modern gas aren’t going to lose as well’ is what I feel often.”
Unexpectedly, my rival Chiaki strongly agreed with what I said.
“Ah, yes, yes, yes! Keita, I feel the sa too! I should say, I hope that I can objectively acknowledge the added scores from my mories.”
“Yeah, yeah! Exactly, Chiaki!”
Chiaki and I just started chatting excitedly. -So, Uehara-kun and Tendou-san got into a sour mood and retorted us.
“N-No, even if we deduce the impression scores from the mories, the simple yet creative titles in the past are elegant. This is an obvious fact…”
“Ha?”
“Ha?”
A murderous atmosphere imdiately engulfed the Ga Hobby Club. Aguri-san gulped.
“Well, …e-everyone? I-I’m thinking whether we should move on…”
However, what she said was entirely ignored. -The two groups started battling.
Firstly, I reminded the two of them with a bitter smile.
“No, no, no, Tendou-san, Uehara-kun, you two have to see the reality calmly. While vintage gas are indeed amazing, but the modern gas that ‘inherited’ those works are pretty fun as well. You need to acknowledge that.”
However, Tendou-san responded to what I said with a cold laugh. “Ha!”
“Things that inherited famous titles will definitely be better? Aren’t you being too shallow, Amano-kun?”
“Even though it’s not vastly surpassing the first one, they’ll still improve in small areas….”
I tried to smooth things over, yet Tendou-san sighed as she continued reviewing sequels negatively.
“ssed up new elents, removing the best plot in the first ga, overly looking for creative elents, and resulted in a story that can’t resonate with the audience at all. Also, they keep up the sales figures with a bunch of paid DLC and half-hearted 3D attempts.”
“Ugh!”
Chiaki and I took severe damage! We can’t help but press our chests as we moaned. However, Tendou-san is still trying to go on.
“Ah, also, personally, I think this kind of ‘RPG that emphasizes ACT battle’ is surging in popularity recently. If I have to list out actual examples-“
“Don’t.”
It’s not just Chiaki and . Even Uehara-kun stopped her with a serious look.
Tendou-san tilted her head for a mont. “Ay, whatever.” She still pressed on.
“Anyway, so gas screwed up because they inherited the famous titles in the past. So focused on developing new techniques, and it reduced the playability of the ga. This is what I’m bringing up. In other words, …if the two factions are fighting, the ‘old gas are better’ side will definitely win!”
“Ugh, ughh…”
Our faces are getting stiffer and stiffer. In comparison, Tendou-san and Uehara-kun’s faces are starting to show a confident smile. Also, …Aguri-san began to clicking on her phone again.
Just as I’m wholly destroyed, Chiaki retorted for sheepishly.
“…T-The two nostalgic mbers, aren’t you being a little too cunning with your point?”
“Why?”
Tendou-san raised her eyebrows. Chiaki lowered her head and continued.
“I-Indeed, there are a lot of famous gas in the past. So, it’s a fact that so series are ‘sinking’ down. However…”
At this point, Chiaki suddenly raised her face and pointed out her proposal loudly.
“Behind all that, the endless desert of history is also filled with a bunch of crappy titles. That’s also a fact, right!”
“Uwah!”
This ti, Tendou-san and Uehara-kun pressed their chests. Chiaki pressed on.
“There are a bunch of crappy ga disasters in the past that can’t even be imagined with modern trics, right! Think about it! Nowadays, the gas released as free mobile versions that got brutally complained once sold by nearly 8,000 yen! A generation of innocent kids was bombed by these landmines!”
“U-Ugh…”
“People only rember those fun experiences when they’re morizing gas in the past! However, I feel like you guys should rember those ‘how did they screw it up’ experiences too! Don’t just throw out all those good old days from Super Nintendo and Square Enix! Please try to rember! Many crappy gas randomly got a contract with a celebrity, and the weird ones adapted from a famous manga artist!”
“AHHHHHHH!”
At last, Tendou-san and Uehara-kun’s camp wrapped their hands around their head and started struggling. As for Chiaki and , we raised and high fived each other in satisfaction. …I slightly changed my mind for you, Chiaki!
-So, we started a continuous, back-and-forth tug of war between gas.
“Old gas got a ‘soul’ in them.” “If we can play old gas right now, we can say that ‘now’ is eternally the peak of gaming.” “No, those experiences can only be gained when you play in that era.” “You can feel that in this generation as well!”
Anyway, we can’t reach a conclusion, but that’s why it’s so intense.
So, just as the conflict is reaching its climax…
“Right-“ Aguri-san suddenly interrupted as she raised her head. Then, she threw another grenade at us with a super relaxed look.
“By the way, speaking of consoles, Nintendo’s the best, right?”
“…………”
Right away, we stopped arguing about whether old gas are better as we fell silent. Just as Aguri-san is frozen, …all of us shrugged and mumbled.
“…That’s what a non-gar looks like…”
“Hey, what’s with that attitude! I really hate the Ga Hobby Club today!”
Aguri-san put her phone on the table as she started throwing tantrums. I sighed helplessly before facing her again.
“Aguri-san, …I didn’t know you are literally the John Paul of today’s Ga Hobby Club.”
“I really didn’t expect myself to be compared to the antagonist that tried to spark civil wars across the globe in Project Itoh’s either!”
“I didn’t know that a gal actually knows where John Paul ca from!”
In a sense, this is the most unexpected event of this year. However, I think this gal focused on her grades before she got into high school. …She really matches in so weird perspectives.
So, just as we’re sohow smiling mischievously at each other with our shared knowledge. People started to give us a suspicious look. Aguri-san cleared her throat and continued.
“C-Co to think of it, why are you guys not satisfied? You will think of Mario when it cos to gaming, ad then you will think of Nintendo when you brought up Mario, right? In other words, isn’t Nintendo the best in the industry?”
“What an amazingly new logic!”
Gars can never think of it like this. Including Uehara-kun, all of the Ga Hobby Club mbers shook their heads. So, Aguri-san added fuel to the fire casually once more.
“Well, how about I guess sothing else? It’s PS, right. Playstation’s the best, right?”
“Please stop.”
The Ga Hobby Club started trembling. What’s wrong with this gal? Is she really going to be the John Paul of the gaming industry? She didn’t say all that on purpose, right?
I guess Tendou-san can’t take it anymore. “Listen.” She raised a finger and started explaining to the gal.
“That’s just like arguing whether the past or present is better, especially for the fight between consoles. It’s an extrely sensitive topic on the internet.”
“Oh, I see. …Well, in the end, which console is the no.1?”
“You didn’t understand what I an at all! The point is not on who’s the best!”
“Eh, …why are we concluding this like a cheap sports event where everyone is no.1? It’s boring…”
“W-Why are you saying it’s boring? …Uh, …Aguri-san, how about I ask a family restaurant lover like you this…”
“What?”
“Speaking of family restaurants, which chain is the best?”
The family restaurant lover Aguri-san bounced up angrily upon hearing that question.
“What do you an by ‘the best,’ explain it! I can’t answer such a vague question! All family restaurants have different good points! Everyone is different, and everyone is good!”
“Exactly!”
“Ahh!”
Aguri-san imdiately got convinced. …Tendou-san’s amazing.
She said this after taking her seat.
“Wel, how about I put this in a survey mode> Uh, …personally, which is the best console in your eyes? This question is okay, right?”
“Yep, sure.”
“Uwah, …this group of chic gaming otakus pisses off…”
Although Aguri-san regretted the mont she asked us, we didn’t listen to her.
Everyone thought about it silently for 10 seconds. Then, I guess we reached our own answers. …This friendly group shared the sa opinion for the most part. -So, with that in mind, we responded at the exact sa ti.
“Nintendo 3DS.” “Xbox One.” “Playstation Vita.” “Mobile.”
…………
“…Huh?”
The four of us started bickering again. At the sa ti, Aguri-san noticed the mood. So, she ejected herself from our conversation with a “thanks for the work, everyone.”
However, gars like us can’t spare any ti to care about her already.
First of all, I smiled…and pulled a fast one.
“No, no, no, please don’t act like that, alright? I feel like a real gar should bring up a not-too-popular console. Usually, how should I put it? …People ‘normally’ answer with 3DS since it’s the most secure option.”
However, Tendou-san interrupted and spoke up.
“I’m so disappointed with you, Amano-kun. I can’t believe you call yourself my boyfriend.”
“Uh, I don’t really call myself ‘I’m Tendou-san’s boyfriend’ outside…”
“…W-Well, then you can bring this up to others more confidently. I-It’s because you’re my proud boyfriend…”
“…I-I understand. Uh, …I-I’m…Tendou-san’s boyfriend! Yes!”
“Amano-kun…”
“Tendou-san…”
Both of us looked at each other while blushing. Uehara-kun and Chiaki imdiately interrupted. “Hey, what’s happening!?” They complained about us.
The two of us cleared our throats as we started battling again.
“Even so, I’m still really disappointed with you, Amano-kun. Even though I love you wholeheartedly as a boy.”
“That’s my line, Tendou-san. You picked Xbox One. …It sounds like a console loved by hardcore gars. …Even though I love you because of that, partially.”
“Jeez, you’re annoying, Amano-kun. I really love that part of yours.”
“You too, your understanding of casual players will never pass a certain boundary. I really love this determined side of yours too.”
“What kind of argunt is this!”
The three violently complained about us once we snapped out of it. …Although Tendou-san and I didn’t understand why we’re being blad, we still stopped flirting with each other. …Then, we dragged Uehara-kun and Chiaki into the discussion and started again.
“Well, why did Chiaki suggest PSV then? It feels a bit surprising. If we’re picking handheld consoles, my impression of you is a 3DS player…”
Chiaki shook her seaweed head helplessly at my question.
“Keita, I’m so disappointed with you. I can’t believe you’re calling yourself my rival.”
“Uh, Chiaki, it’s okay for to not call you my rival…”
After I answered, Chiaki suddenly started asking with tears in her eyes for so reason.
“Why, why! If we’re going with the flow, it should be just like what you said to Tendou-san. You’re supposed to beg and act more like a tsundere!”
“N-No, I an, it’s fine if I’m in front of my girlfriend. However, why do I have to act like a tsundere in front of my rival…?”
“Keita, …y-you would want to beco a rival with a special place in my heart, right! Right!?”
“Ehh…? Oh, …yep, yeah. I guess…so?”
The seaweed head that’s begging for so reason makes feel sincerely sympathetic. So, I can only answer this. So, Chiaki imdiately puffed up her chest and exhaled from her nose loudly.
“Jeez, you can’t be helped, Keita! Ay, even though I can already see that you were still far from a man when you recomnded 3DS! I can’t believe you’re calling your rival. That’s hilarious!”
“I really have no idea what Ms. Seaweed Head is trying to say here.”
What’s wrong with this girl? Is she emotionally unstable? Also, why did Tendou-san glared at Chiaki and ? Moreover, why are Uehara-kun and Aguri-san giving an extrely disgusting smile? I really don’t know how did the Ga Hobby Club’s mood turn into this. Is it because I’m a loner? Or is it because I’m not observant enough?
Just as I’m spiraling down into a vortex of confusion, Chiaki continued.
“It’s because the current PSV is ‘just right’ for a handheld console, right? Whether it's about capabilities, graphics, and the software in store. Moreover, I don’t really care about 3D vision, so PSV is the only choice!”
“How should I put it? …W-What a common reason.”
“W-What’s wrong with being common! I don’t want to hear that from a normal-type like you!”
Although Chiaki is quite pissed, in reality, it’s a regular opinion, so it got a common understanding. I have nothing to retort.
I can only change the topic.
“If we take a hundred steps back, Chiaki’s choice is alright. …The problem is with Uehara-kun. Why did you choose smartphones? You answered that when we’re asking for your favorite console. Uehara-kun, are you the weird kid that answers ‘human’ when you’re asked what your favorite animal is? Is that so?”
“W-What’s with that tone! There’s nothing wrong with loving smartphones! You and Hoshinomori love playing mobile gas so much!”
“While that’s true…”
Indeed, I spent a lot of ti on mobile gas too. So, I never think that mobile gas aren’t real gas. However…
This ti, Tendou-san helped and complained about Uehara-kun.
“But when you answer smartphones when asked ‘your favorite console,’ instead of saying you’re trying to trick us, it’s more like you’re just being stubborn.”
Uehara-kun finally stood up and protested after hearing what she said.
“What’s wrong! You guys are all ganging up on ! You’re saying that like I’m a narcissist that’s reveled with this ‘I got a temper, so I’m amazing’ mood!”
“…………”
“What’s with that look! Eh, what, don’t tell people really view like that!”
Uehara-kun’s expression turned cold, so I answered him with a bitter smile.
“Indeed, …Uehara-kun, you once suddenly compared yourself with Aesop’s fables…”
“S-Stop it! Also, it’s not like what you guys think! I’m really fond of smartphones! After all, you can download all the RPG remakes in the past with way lower prices. Also, the graphics are quite nice, and the controls are easy. Most importantly, it’s very convenient. Co to think of it, smartphones already surpassed all those similar-looking consoles, right.”
“…I guess so.”
Indeed, smartphones’ evolution in gaming software has improved a lot. From this perspective, of course, I agree that mobile phones are excellent consoles. However…
Just as the three of us are hiding our thoughts inside our hearts, Aguri-san, who’s as sharp as usual, suddenly mumbled.
“I feel like this is what Tasuku’s trying to say. It’s like a ‘which family restaurant is your favorite’ questionnaire. Still, you just have to write, ‘I love touring food streets because I can try out more dishes.’ …Does it feel like that?”
“Exactly!”
“Ugh!”
Uehara-kun sulkily hmphed while we’re convinced with the excellent taphor. Even though Aguri-san knows nothing at all, …her words can still point at the exact center.
When she turned her attention back to her phone, Tendou-san continued for the speechless Uehara-kun.
“By the way, why is everyone focusing on convenience so much? If we’re from a simple ‘high-quality gaming experience’ perspective, ho consoles are the only options, right?”
Chiaki retorted what she said.
“However, if that’s the case, shouldn’t we just buy a PC, no, the entire arcade cabinet?”
“Logically, we should be able to limit the area to ‘ho consoles,’ right. Then, I’ll still recomnd Xbox One.”
Tendou-san emphasized her “logical” speech, and it damaged Uehara-kun ntally as he let out a moan. Accidentally insulting others while not aning it, …Tendou-san often does that.
I guess Chiaki got competitive after seeing Tendou-san’s attitude, so she continued to fight.
“I-If we’re talking about gaplay experience, everyone bringing their handheld consoles together and beating the level is sothing that you can’t get on ho consoles!”
Chiaki does have a point. I can’t help but feel throbbed as I voiced my support. “I guess so. Perhaps it’s really like what Chiaki said.”
At the next mont, Tendou-san, who looks a bit irritated, smiled as she dropped sothing brutal.
“Hiya, but what does that have to do with loners like you two?”
“Uwah!”
Chiaki and I imdiately did a blood-spilling pose! We took massive ntal damage! However, Tendou-san pressed on.
“Y-You can go online on handheld consoles too…”
I retorted sheepishly. However, Tendou-san imdiately defeated .
“Yeah. However, if that’s the case, ho consoles give you a smoother experience, right?”
“Ugh…”
“Moreover, most importantly, in terms of you two’s situation…”
“W-What…”
Chiaki and I started trembling from the forewarning of a powerful attack.
As for Tendou-san, …she smiled while presented us with the cruel truth without hesitation.
“In the end, you two just keep your consoles at ho to play, am I right?”
“AHHHHHHHHH!”
Revealing the truth in front of otakus is way too brutal! Yeah! We spend ti on it after school or when we’re out, but loners are almost always ho! What’s wrong with that!? Why does it matter!?
…Chiaki and I glared at Tendou-san with tears in our eyes.
I guess Tendou-san felt a bit guilty, so she looked away with a stiff face. “Ugh!”
“A-Anyway, I don’t have a grudge against handheld consoles. I’m good as long as the title of King of Consoles belongs to ho consoles. Hohoho…”
Tendou-san acted smugly. Chiaki, Uehara-kun, and I clenched our fists, unwilling to admit defeat.
During this ti, …Aguri-san corrected all of us calmly.
“Uh, but I didn’t even ask who’s the king of consoles…”
“Eh?”
“More importantly, based on what I’ve heard, I would think my boyfriend’s smartphone recomndation is the best for gas since I’m not familiar with it.”
“Eh!” “Aguri!”
Three gars are showing their discontent explicitly, while a boyfriend is breaking down into tears since his girlfriend voiced out for him.
…The discussion ended up getting nowhere. So, Tendou-san changed the subject once again.
“However, co to think of it. Basically, I always feel ‘these guys really have the energy to argue with each other’ when I see gaming debates like this online. …Then, I can’t help but feel triggered before I snapped out of it.”
Chiaki agreed with her too.
“Yeah, yeah! Actually, I do love old gas too, and I’m a big fan of ho consoles. …However, I didn’t realize I’m this biased to one side.”
Uehara-kun and I went along with their opinions as well.
“Indeed. Usually, my bias towards handheld consoles is around 6:4. However, I realized the stance that I just took is basically a 10:0.”
“Ay, it’s not just gaming. We can see that in every argunt. It’s like a see-saw, you can’t stop once you started leaning towards one side, and you won’t change side either.”
After Uehara-kun made a conclusion, the gal shrugged helplessly.
“Jeez, that’s why I hate gaming introverts.”
“Shut up, you’re the one who caused all this.”
Everyone’s blaming look pissed Aguri-san off as she retorted. “What!?” …Uh, Aguri-san, perhaps you weren’t aware of it. But, based on the situation, your attitude is almost like the final boss in a ga. Seriously, at least you only caused an argunt between gars right now.
During this ti, Uehara-kun suddenly looked at the clock in the classroom. Then, we realized that ti’s almost up.
“Well, we’ll end this here?”
“Thanks for the work, everyone.”
After a mild announcent of dismissal, each of us started to pack up. Since it’s the Hobby Club, we didn’t have any rules for things like this. From a conclusion’s perspective, …are all the mbers supposed to yell, “This is the end of today’s gaming discussion!” together? Well, I don’t want to do that. However, I actually want to see Tendou-san doing a weird pose embarrassingly. I should say I really want to see it.
Just as I’m thinking about useless stuff, Tendou-san grabbed her bag and talked to .
“Well, Amano-kun, what are you going to do next?”
“Ah, yes, I was planning how to embarrass you when I’m on the way ho.”
“Hiya, what did this boyfriend of mine just say?”
Crap. I quickly took back what I said and answered again.
“I’m planning to go ho…without thinking about anything. Seriously.”
“It’s been a long ti since I’ve heard such an untrustworthy testimony. …Sigh, whatever. Uh, do you want to show up in the Ga Club with ?”
“Ah, going to the Ga Club…”
The Ga Club is different than our Ga Hobby Club. It’s a legitimate club activity where everyone hones their gaming skills with Tendou-san as its head. With this relationship, I went to the Ga Club a couple tis. However, the style of their club has a subtle distance from a casual player like …
“No, I don’t think I should go. Based on what happened today, I feel like I’ll start a brainless conflict with the Ga Club…”
“Yeah, I figured it out.”
Tendou-san smiled bitterly. During this ti, Aguri-san and Uehara-kun finished packing first, so they left together. After we bid farewell, Tendou-san turned to Chiaki, who’s searching for sothing in her bag.
“Ah, Hoshinomori-san, do you want to go to the Ga Club with ?”
“Eh?”
I was slightly startled at the unexpected invitation. But, of course, Chiaki freaked out and rejected.
“N-No thanks, I really appreciate you for inviting . However, I’m afraid that I’ll disturb the club’s atmosphere. Well, I’m not used to be in the Ga Club anyway…!”
“Hoho, you really sound like Amano-kun. How regrettable, I’m rejected again.”
Tendou-san didn’t seem to particularly mind the fact that she’s rejected, and she even smiled. So, for so reason, Chiaki and I pressed our chests in relief.
The three of us tagged along as we left the classroom. We’re walking across the corridor. Unexpectedly, it’s just the three of us, and I’m in the center sohow. Instead of saying that I’m hugging girls left and right, …this looks more like I’m between an angel and demon. Stuck between my beloved girlfriend and the rival that always bickers with , …what should I even feel right now?
Just as I’m getting nervous, Tendou-san spoke up.
“…I’m sorry, you two.”
“Eh?”
Tendou-san suddenly apologized. Chiaki and I tilted our heads in sincere confusion. After Tendou-san glanced at us, she smiled bitterly and continued.
“After the debate went hot, I feel like I’m practically throwing insults out left and right.”
“…Ah.”
It looks like she’s rembering the loner speech she made during the console conflict. Chiaki and I imdiately denied.
“No, no, no, if we’re talking about that, both of us said a lot of an things too. I guess we’re now equal.”
“Yeah, yeah! Keita’s right, Tendou-san! That was way better than Keita and I going all out and slamming each other!”
“Thanks for that.”
Tendou-san smiled after she said that. Then, she sighed exhaustedly.
“However, like what I’ve said before, I still shouldn’t spew out all those things. I always get angry once sothing matters to …”
Chiaki agreed with her.
“Yeah. It’s hard for you to not want to win when you put a lot of emotions in it.”
“Yeah, …hiya, I’m going to the Ga Club. I’ll bid farewell here.”
When we reached the school entrance, Tendou-san stopped. So, after we said goodbye, perhaps she wants to leave a proof of reconciliation, she put her right hand to Chiaki and asked for a handshake. Although Chiaki blushed in embarrassnt, she still grabbed her hand tightly and shook it a couple tis. What a heartwarming scene. I’m just as relieved when I can see these two are getting along-‘
“Well, well, Tendou-san! Good luck with your club! I’ll go ho with Keita together! See you!”
“…Hmm?”
Tendou-san’s face imdiately turned stiff along with her smile…? Huh, what’s wrong? I’m not that dense. As Tendou-san’s boyfriend, I know that she’s unhappy, …yet I’m uncertain why.
However, they ignored my confusion and continued the conversation while still holding their hands with a smile.
“H-Hoshinomori-san? If I rembered correctly, …your ho is in the opposite direction of Amano-kun’s, right?”
“Ah, yes! But ‘the two of us’ ‘want to visit the ga store’ ‘together’ before we go ho! Ah, this is just a pure coincidence!”
Chiaki told her this without aning anything. Although Chiaki’s just describing the fact, …I don’t understand why she’s incredibly excited about staying next to her rival.
Just as I’m dumbfounded by this nacing aura that’s radiating around, Tendou-san’s face twitched even harder.
“R-Really…? Well. I-If you two are just going to the ga store, it’s natural to go together. It can’t be helped, …perhaps.”
“Yes! Exactly! ‘It can’t be helped!’ Sigh, I can’t believe I’m going out with Keita. What a pain! …Hohoho.”
The seaweed girl is laughing like an idiot. …What’s wrong with her?
(…Don’t tell she’s planning to drag into an alley and punch when we’re heading back?)
Co to think of it, it’s reasonable for my rival to be this excited. I theorized that I’m in big trouble soon, so I started shivering. As for Tendou-san, her face kept twitching as she pressed on.
“I-If that’s the case, …t-there are gas that I want to check out too. Well, I don’t mind skipping the club today and going with you two…”
At the mont Tendou-san said that, Chiaki’s the one who’s smile turned stiff this ti.
“Y-You can’t do that! There’s no way you can do that! Say no to skipping club activities!”
“I-I’m just skipping the club. Why are you saying that like I’m a drug addict…”
“No, no, no, it’s crucial to participate in clubs! Yes, no need to say anything! Tendou-san, you’re the Ga Club president, right! That’s before you beca Keita’s girlfriend! That’s before you beca a mber of the Ga Hobby Club! That’s before you were even born!”
“Uh, I think my life’s more important than being a club president…”
Tendou-san was slightly startled by Chiaki’s enthusiastic attitude. As for , …I can’t help but feel horror at what Chiaki just said. That’s because…
(The only reason that my rival is trying her best to persuade her, …yes, she’s definitely trying to beat up! We’ll be going to so lonely and dark alleys!”
I’m sure of my own theory. However, Chiaki didn’t seem to care about our reactions and continued.
“Anyway! You can leave two people chatting happily while heading to the ga store to Keita and ! That’s not what a girlfriend is responsible for! That’s the rival’s responsibility!”
“No, that’s absolutely what a girlfriend should do!”
Their argunt is getting heated. There’s no way for to interrupt already. Also, …when they’re yelling at each other, my precious after school ti is still disappearing second by second.
I stared at their pointless argunt for a mont. …Then, I made an extrely reasonable conclusion.
(Right, I’ll make a beeline to ho alone. Why do I have to wait to be punched here.)
Thanks to my long-term loner experience, I’m great at hiding my movents.
I secretly disappeared from their argunt. Then, I quickly changed my shoes and left the school. I reached the road that heads toward downtown.
The sun is slowly setting within the gardens. I looked at the idyllic scenery unintentionally. …At the sa ti, I realized the conclusion we reached today contradicts the conflict that Tendou-san and Chiaki are in. So, I can’t help but mumble.
“Huh? People still get angry even if it’s not about sothing they love…”
…It looks like the world isn’t that simple.
I acknowledged the unbelievability of interpersonal relationships. …However, at the next mont, I started looking forward to the ga store.
I’m casually strolling alone on the road painted with the sunset just as usual.
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