Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Bus
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As soon as the next morning dawned, I sent Harumi a message. 📱 Messenger [Me] Hello, Miss Kanemochiru. [Rumi] typing... [Rumi] Oh, it's you? Why? [Me] When should we schedule our next meal? [Rumi] typing... [Rumi] I'm swamped for the time being, so no can do. I'll hit you up when my schedule clears. Later. Damn it...
I'd planned to meet up in person, treat her to a meal, and figure out what the hell was going on, but if she's gonna brush me off like this...
Still, forcing it when we've only met once would be a huge red flag.
Frustrating...
Harumi.
What the hell happened to you? ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Rooftop at lunchtime.
"Yah!"
Suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder.
It was Saki.
Ren was sitting primly, eating her bento, while Saki—seated beside her in her skirt, legs folded under her like a guy—munched on some bread before slapping a hand on my shoulder and grinning.
"Yu, why the thousand-yard stare?"
"Huh...? Oh. It's nothing. Just... lost in thought."
My half-hearted reply made Ren pause mid-bite, glancing at me with a hint of worry.
Getting fussed over by a heroine feels amazingly warm.
"Sanghyeon-oppa, is something wrong...?"
"Whoa!? You two are on a first-name basis now?"
Saki finally clocked that Ren was using my given name. She shot up in surprise, her skirt fluttering just enough to flash a peek of pink panties.
'Pink, huh...'
She doesn't seem the type on the surface, but damn if she doesn't have a girly side.
"Y-yeah, pretty much..."
Ren's ears flushed pink as she poked at her untouched bento with her chopsticks.
"Hahaha! Nice! Yep yep. That's how it starts between guys and girls—first names."
Forgot you're calling me by mine too, huh.
"D-don't say it like that!"
Ren still got embarrassed flaunting our little flirtation in public.
"Anyway, why the long face, Sanghyeon-kun? Hungry or something?"
Saki slipped in my name nice and casual.
Her eyes crinkled in a smile, but the skin beneath trembled ever so slightly—that telltale sign she was playing cool while blushing inside.
She must want to close the gap now that Ren and I are tight.
"Sanghyeon-oppa, are you hungry?"
Ren asked like she'd split her bento with me on the spot. Normally, I'd be fantasizing about indirect kisses and licking the box clean like a dog, but today? Zero appetite.
All because that lonely girl shuffling into her rundown shack popped into my head.
'Harumi.'
What the hell was that?
I couldn't even begin to guess what scene that was.
The gap between the glamorous Harumi from the game and that pitiful girl in reality was massive.
Her wolfing down the food at that restaurant I took her to, beaming with teary-eyed joy... Was she really just starving?
Then what's with the rich-girl act?
Was she poor all along, with some luxury complex or compulsive lying making her play the heiress?
No way.
Her vibe at that fine-dining spot was pure upper crust, effortless. Especially dropping that nugget about the sous-chef at La Touche getting promoted to head chef? That's no bullshit artist's line. Only someone who's actually been there drops info like that.
And the finesse—like peeling the crispy skin off duck-leg confit, slicing the meat separate, then dipping both thigh and crust together? That's muscle memory, not faked.
So what the fuck is it...?
Did her family's business tank or something?
Come to think of it, what about her parents?
"Sanghyeon-kun!"
"H-huh?! Sorry, zoned out."
I snapped to—both Ren and Saki leaning in close, faces etched with concern.
Unintentionally being a buzzkill.
"Agh... Sorry, Saki. Ren. I'm just off today. Nothing to worry about, seriously. Promise?"
"...Okay."
I forced a grin to reassure her, but Ren pulled back with a pouty look.
"You jerk!!"
Wham!
"Ow?!"
Saki suddenly grabbed my face with both hands and rubbed it like dough.
"A cute girl! Is! Worried sick about you! Puts her heart into it! And you just brush her off like that?! It hurts her more! You trying to betray Ren-chan's feelings?!"
Rub rub
"O-oww... s-sor...ry..."
"S-Saki! It's fine! Sanghyeon-oppa might just have his own stuff going on!"
Ugh.
That's my Ren.
Main-wife energy on point.
"Argh... So frustrating. Whatever, me or Ren-chan—we're here anytime you wanna vent."
Her "anytime" line jogged the memory of that hospital handy.
Tempted to tease Saki, I shot her a sleazy look.
"For real? Anytime?"
"Duh. What're you—wait..."
She caught on mid-sentence, face heating up red.
"A-anyway! Theater club calls—I'm out. You two have fun!"
"Eh? Saki, already?"
Ren looked puzzled as Saki scratched her beet-red cheek, fumbling an excuse.
"Y-yeah. Catch you later!"
Saki shoved the stairwell door open, glanced my way, and shook a fist.
-You punk...! Die?!
Her eyes screamed it.
I smirked and waved lightly.
But as she turned to head down, Saki hesitated, then mouthed words silently. "-If you really
-can't hold back" She gulped, forced a grin past the blush, and circled her finger—soft stroking motion, just like I'd taught her for a dick. "-I'll
-do it
-for you..." That little vixen...!
"...Sanghyeon-oppa?"
Saki's bold ambush left my jaw on the floor. Ren tilted her head, following my gaze to spot her.
"...Huh? Saki still here?"
"Eep! N-nothing! G-gonna go now! Bye!!"
Scurries off!
Sheesh.
Feels like she's the one getting clingier sometimes...
Or does she legit think she can just help with a quick tug whenever?
Who knows.
She's an unroutable sub-heroine who barely got screen time in the game, so her personality's a mystery. All the heroines are molded so distinct—tough to peg her as your average co-ed.
Guess I'll figure her out bit by bit.
Anyway, chilling with Ren and Saki's lightening the mood.
Harumi's thing yesterday tanked my vibe all day.
"Thanks, Ren."
Should thank Saki later too.
"Huh? For what?"
"Just you being here? Means the world."
Dead serious.
Knowing someone's always there, eyes on you? Huge blessing.
Pre-possession, I had nobody. Hits different.
I gently took her hand.
"Thanks."
"...Compared to all you've done for me? This is nothing."
Ren smiled shyly.
"Ahem... Class committee stuff. Heading down. You're off practical duties till week's end—rest up."
"You sure?"
"Totally. Discharging after days from that injury was nuts. Make it up next week."
"Only got thanks for you."
"Hehe... See ya."
Ren giggled softly and followed Saki down the stairs.
"Haa."
They sorted my head out, mostly.
Right.
Moping like this ain't me.
I got isekai'd to fix every damn thing that hits the heroines. Harumi's baggage? Whatever. I'll handle it.
Time to move.
Direct approach it is. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Harumi was the heroine who skips class till midterms, popping up right after.
So yeah, zero clue on her current routine.
Even so, I strolled her neighborhood again like yesterday. People don't hole up forever.
Lucky timing—door to a second-floor unit in that rundown apartment creaked open. Out came Harumi.
But shockingly casual getup, nothing like her usual polish.
Off-campus, she'd still rock the academy uniform and stilettos. Today? Baggy training pants, short-sleeve tee from god-knows-where. Sneakers swapped for her signature black heels.
Of course, with her base cuteness, she pulled it off effortlessly.
It's 4 p.m. now.
Weird hour. Where to?
Tailing her had me feeling like a full-on stalker.
Screw it...
In this insane world crawling with NTR traps everywhere, it's the world's fault, not mine.
And stalker? Pfft. If it keeps my heroines safe, sign me up.
Hit the roadside—and bingo, I clocked her destination.
Bus stop...?
Heading downtown?
I knew she'd gone dirt-poor outta nowhere, but buses? News to me.
Odd time too—restaurants'd be in break mode.
As I eyed her puzzled, Harumi pulled out her phone and dialed.
"Y-yes... I'll... be there soon..."
Tense as hell voice.
Who's she talking to?