Chapter 346: A Tomboy Met in the City #2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 346: A Tomboy Met in the City #2
An event like that could be called a classic cliché in romantic comedies.
Usually, when the heroine is about to be dragged off by some clueless guy hitting on her, the protagonist witnesses the scene, offers a helping hand, and resolves the situation one way or another. The heroine, in turn, thanks him, and her affection level rises.
But the situation Hiyori was in was a little different.
The person blocking her path wasn't just some random guy, but a host.
I had no proof, but from his clothes to his hairstyle... he was definitely one of them.
“Just one coffee with me. Seriously, just once.”
“No, thank you.”
“I’m begging you, please?”
“Ugh... I said no.”
Hiyori scowled at the clingy bastard.
Her blatant rejection should have been enough to wound his pride, but the host stuck to her shamelessly.
Thinking something like, ‘This is annoying, I’ll just let him buy me a drink to get rid of him,’ could lead to serious trouble.
They’re skilled talkers and are usually equipped with handsome faces, so even if the first meeting is unpleasant, a few conversations can often change a woman’s mind.
Getting involved with a host can send your life spiraling into the abyss.
They usually start with a sales tactic called ‘hone,’ using all sorts of methods to meticulously wear a woman down, and the end is rarely good.
They saddle women with debt, forcing them to work in the adult entertainment industry or earn money through street prostitution, trapping them in that world forever.
I, who use various methods to seduce the heroines myself, might not have the right to criticize them, but still, I’m a thousand times better than those bastards whose goal is to make money off women.
Don’t even compare us.
In any case, it seemed the guy was targeting Hiyori for his ‘hone.’
Or maybe he was genuinely trying to make her his, given she was more beautiful than most ordinary women.
Of course, I didn't think for a second that Hiyori would fall for a guy like that, but just the thought of her getting involved with a host was incredibly irritating.
Frowning, I walked over to the host and Hiyori, who were still in a standoff.
“You have company? Then I’ll buy them something too. Do you like cheesecake?”
“Hey, just...! I don’t, so get away... huh?”
Her expression of disgust turned to one of wide-eyed surprise as she saw me approach.
She blinked her long eyelashes a couple of times, as if to confirm I was real, and then her face brightened.
“Matsuken!”
The shortened nickname from Matsumatsuken was ridiculous.
And now she wasn't even adding ‘senpai’ to my name.
But it was good to see her, and this was probably an act to show the host we were close, so I decided to let it slide.
“What are you doing here?”
I asked, glancing back and forth between the host and Hiyori.
Hiyori moved to my side, sticking close as she answered.
“I was getting hit on by a host. I think he was planning to sell me into the sex industry.”
It seemed Hiyori knew the basics about hosts.
But wasn't that a bit too blunt to say right in front of the guy?
She must have gotten a surge of courage now that she had someone to rely on.
“S-Sell you...? I really had no intention of...?”
The host stammered, flustered by Hiyori’s direct accusation.
I stepped between them, looking down at him slightly.
“Just go.”
“Yeah, get lost.”
Hiyori peeked out from behind me, chiming in. I almost laughed but managed to hold it back.
The guy was reasonably tall, but shorter than me, and the difference in our builds was significant.
Did he feel intimidated?
The host made a foul expression, then gave a slight gesture with one hand as he turned away from us.
A normal guy trying to pick her up is one thing, but a host...
I memorized his face. When all this is over, I’ll ruin his life so thoroughly he’ll wish he were dead.
“Haa... he was so clingy, it was exhausting,” Hiyori muttered, watching the host quickly disappear.
I looked around before turning to face her directly.
“There aren’t many entertainment districts around here. You just had bad luck.”
“I know, right? I guess it’s just not my day. Or wait... is it good luck?”
She said, staring up at me.
It seemed she considered my timely appearance in her moment of trouble a stroke of good fortune.
I took in Hiyori’s grateful gaze and then scanned her outfit, sucking my teeth.
“When did you change your clothes?”
“I had a change of civilian clothes in my locker.”
“Why is your skirt so short? Dress more respectably. Guys like that think you’re easy and hit on you because you dress like that.”
“Hey, why are you nagging me...! To someone who just went through something awful...!”
“I’m saying it because it needs to be said. You always wear skirts when you come to the cafe as a customer, too. Don’t you own any pants?”
“I do.”
“Then wear them.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Don’t think, just wear them. And aren’t you going to thank me?”
“I was going to, but now I don’t want to since you keep nagging me.”
“Then don’t.”
“I’m kidding. Thanks for saving me.”
Her words were sincere.
I looked away from her uncomfortably earnest gaze and said, “You were speaking so informally just a moment ago, but now you’re back to polite speech?”
“I did that earlier to make us seem close so he’d back off faster. You didn’t even realize that?”
“I knew.”
“You didn’t look like you knew. You’re so dense, senpai.”
I’m just pretending to be, you know.
You find this more refreshing than if I acted casually like that host who ran off.
It’s called hitting your preference, in other words. Or not.
“What were you planning to do here? Meet another friend?”
“Yup.”
Our Hiyori... sure has a wide social circle.
She must never be bored. Is that why she never messages or calls me?
“Why isn’t Mitsushima with you? You two are always together.”
“We live separately, and we were supposed to meet at the location. What are you doing here, senpai?”
“I’m looking to buy some board games or a game console.”
“Oh, really? I know where the board game store is. Should I take you?”
“Aren’t you meeting your friends?”
“I am, but I still have plenty of time.”
“Then let’s go together, I guess.”
“Okay. Just trust me and follow me. I won’t kidnap you, so don’t worry.”
I kind of wish you would.
The thought of being devoured by you sounds incredibly hot.
I swallowed those words and matched my pace with Hiyori’s, who was giggling like a mischievous kid as we headed to the store.
* * *
“Miniville! This one is super fun.”
She pointed to a management game, like Monopoly for two to four players.
The recommended number of players was four, but it could be played with two. I could probably use this to invite Renka and Chinami over and help them get closer to Miyuki.
Are there any games for five or six people?
Eventually, I want to include Hiyori and, if possible, Miho, so I’d like to find something more people can enjoy.
“This one is for finding the werewolf, right? This is fun too, and Hanabi and Halli Galli are good for a light game...”
Hiyori chattered excitedly as she looked over the long rows of board game boxes.
She was always talkative, but she was even more so than usual. It seemed her affection level had gone up quite a bit after seeing me maturely step in to get rid of the host, and then genuinely, if conservatively, looking out for her.
I bought a few of the games Hiyori recommended and left the store with her, who seemed delighted.
“Are you heading back now?”
“No. I’m going to buy a handheld console, too.”
“A handheld? You like games?”
“Not really, but I heard something called Animal Forest is fun, so I thought I’d give it a try.”
“Animal Forest? You haven’t played it yet?”
“Have you?”
“Yeah. I play it with my friends sometimes, not often, but every now and then.”
“Still?”
“Yup.”
Then I definitely have to buy it.
I heard you can steal things online. I should raid her house for materials whenever she gets cheeky.
I went into the store with Hiyori and bought two consoles and two copies of the game.
And Hiyori didn’t question why I was buying two of everything.
She seemed to have guessed that I was planning to play with Miyuki.
I wish I knew what she was thinking, but her expression was so innocent I couldn’t read it.
With a large shopping bag in each hand, I left the store and asked, “You leaving now?”
“Nope. Not yet. I’m going to help you set up your account before I go. You don’t know how, do you?”
“There’s an instruction manual.”
“That’ll take forever. Hurry up, turn it on and give it to me.”
“Can’t we do this in the car?”
“Sure, let’s do that.”
Chatting away, Hiyori and I got into my car in the public parking lot and tore open the console’s packaging.
Hiyori set up the account with surprising skill.
After having me confirm my date of birth and the verification code, she set my account nickname to whatever she wanted.
“All done.”
She handed the console to me. I frowned at the message on the screen: [Welcome, Moron-ken.]
“Thanks, but... what’s with the nickname?”
“I picked one that suits you perfectly.”
“Can’t I change this?”
“You can change it whenever you want. Can’t you see the ‘change’ button right here?”
“Ah, you’re right.”
“Were you always this slow? You’re such an idiot.”
Hmm... being called an idiot by Hiyori is quite the experience.
“I’m probably smarter than you.”
“I think you’re more of an idiot than me, though.”
“Talk after you do well on your midterms.”
“Ugh, why are you bringing that up again...! You wanna get scolded?”
Scold me. Please, just devour me.
“You think you can handle it?”
“Nope. I’m done now, so I’m gonna go. See you tomorrow.”
She said her piece and got out of the car.
I quickly rolled down the passenger-side window and raised my voice.
“Hey! Where are you going? Is it far?”
“Not that far... Are you going to give me a ride?”
“Yeah.”
“What the... you should’ve said so before I got out.”
“Just go by yourself then.”
“Nooo...! I wanna ride.”
Hiyori whined in a cute, pouty voice, then trotted back and opened the car door.
Today’s event was pretty standard, but thanks to Hiyori’s personality, it felt like a whirlwind.
I wish we could stay together a little longer... Should I just be shameless and ask her to hang out?
As I was thinking that,
“Go out to the main road, go straight, and then turn left at the intersection!”
I heard Hiyori’s energetic directions, let out a fake sigh, and released the parking brake.