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Chapter 151: The Chaos Converges at Shuka Festival
🕑 Added 2025-02-23 16:35:20 +0000 UTC"Ahhh! Stop thinking about it! Stop thinking about it!"
Back home, sprawled over her desk, Shinjo Akane let out a groan.
She should have been studying.
She should have been preparing for tomorrow's meeting with Rikka about Monster of the Human Heart.
Instead, she'd been sitting here for over an hour, unable to concentrate.
All because of Minami Shouji.
"Am I an idiot? Am I seriously an idiot?"
She scolded herself, gripping her head.
How could she spend this much time thinking about him of all people?
Was she actually getting brainwashed by his bullying?
But—
"The memories in my head..."
Akane rested her head on her desk, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.
"If those memories are real, then Rikka should agree to my request and bring those two guys with her..."
That's right.
If she wanted to confirm whether the vivid fragments in her mind were real, it wasn't that difficult.
All she had to do was ask Rikka.
If Rikka brought along Yuta and Utsumi...
The thing was, Akane knew Rikka.
But those two? Yuta Hibiki and Sho Utsumi?
If not for the memories, she'd never even heard their names before.
Was it reality?
Or was it just some fantasy she'd built in her mind because she was too fixated on Minami Shouji?
If Rikka agreed to bring them, she'd have her answer.
Click.
Akane picked up her phone, scrolled through her LINE contacts, and found Rikka's profile.
It had been months since their last conversation.
They weren't in the same class, and after moving once, she hadn't really kept in touch.
"Will she even say yes...?"
Acting in a tokusatsu stage play was a hassle.
Why would Rikka agree to something like that for a "friend" she hadn't talked to in over half a year?
But...
"I have to try."
Taking a deep breath, Akane typed out a message, asking if Rikka was free tomorrow and if she could ask for a favor.
Then she set her phone down.
"Will she reply...? Will she agree...?"
Feeling restless, Akane picked up the Raichuran Seijin figurine on her desk and began absentmindedly fiddling with it.
Half of her was worried Rikka would reject her outright.
The other half was terrified that if Rikka did say yes—
She would have to face Minami Shouji again.
Two conflicting emotions pulled at her from opposite sides.
Shinjo Akane didn't know what to do.
Just as she was still lost in thought—
Her LINE notification sound chimed.
Hurriedly, she grabbed her phone from the desk.
Unlocking the screen, she checked the message Rikka Takarada had sent her.
And then—
"She actually… really agreed…?"
Looking at the message from Rikka, confirming not only that she was willing to help but that she'd also be bringing two friends along, Akane's expression faltered slightly.
Rikka had accepted her request—and she was even bringing two friends.
Everything was unfolding just like the memories in her mind.
If her guess was correct, those two should be none other than Yuta Hibiki and Sho Utsumi, whom she had never met before.
If things continued progressing like this… following the path laid out in her memories…
"Does that mean, in the end, I'll really end up with Minami—"
Shinjo Akane's fair, rosy face instantly turned red.
Could it be… she really would end up with Minami, getting married and having children?
Was Minami truly her destined partner?
No, no, no, no—
Even though she had already accepted it in her heart, outwardly, Akane still refused to admit it.
She furiously toyed with the Alien Reguran figurine in her hand, grumbling with indignation:
"That guy is supposed to be my fated partner? What's so great about him, huh?"
"That narcissistic show-off! Always talking like he's all that!"
The Alien Reguran figurine creaked pitifully under her rough handling.
But Akane didn't seem to notice, continuing to talk to herself:
"So what if he's a little handsome, speaks a little eloquently, excels a little in studies, and has a little talent for writing? Besides those, what else does he have? Nothing! He's empty-headed, slow-witted, and completely clueless about a woman's heart!"
Letting out a heavy sigh, Akane, feeling satisfied after belittling Minami in her mind, placed the figurine beside her desk.
But if…
If she really did end up with Minami in the end…?
At that thought, Akane stared seriously at the Alien Reguran figurine on her desk, as if it were Minami himself:
"You clueless idiot! I bet no one's even invited you to go to the Festival, huh?"
Yes, if her memories were correct,
On the day of the Festival, Minami should be going out with her.
And after the festival, the two of them would confirm their romantic relationship…
Thinking of this, Akane crossed her arms over her rather ample chest, proudly envisioning the scene of her and Minami meeting:
"Oh dear, what a pitiful guy. Such a big festival, and you have to spend it all alone."
Then, clearing her throat, she imitated Minami's voice, imagining him overwhelmed with emotion as he clung to her leg:
"Waaah, Shinjo-san, I was wrong! You really are my destined one! Waaah, I've been such a fool, always bullying you—please, please, come to the festival with me!"
After finishing her little monologue,
Akane's expression stiffened again, as if she was helpless against this completely nonexistent Minami:
"Now you remember to apologize? You slow-witted man! But fine! I'll be the bigger person and forgive you! Since you're willing to invite me, I suppose I can consider—"
This time, Akane's one-person act was only halfway through—
When suddenly, her phone rang sharply.
Startled, she picked it up and glanced at the screen—instantly, she froze.
Because the caller was none other than Minami, the very person she had just been "scolding."
Holding the phone, Akane instinctively glanced at the Alien Reguran figurine on her desk.
Recalling her earlier antics, she suddenly felt guilty, like a thief caught red-handed.
To be honest, she really didn't feel like answering this call.
But—
Wait a second.
Just as she was about to quietly hang up, Akane's pale fingers hesitated over the screen.
Come to think of it, why was Minami suddenly contacting her?
Could it be… just like in her memories, Minami was about to invite her to the Festival?
It was highly possible.
After all, Rikka had just accepted her invitation, exactly as her memories had predicted.
So it wouldn't be strange if Minami were to invite her to the festival next, right?
If that was the case,
Shouldn't she be the one holding the advantage here?!
Realizing this, Akane's confidence in dealing with Minami surged again.
Yes—she was the one in control now!
Minami calling her at this hour definitely meant he was about to invite her to the festival, just like in her fragmented memories.
She could take her time, refuse him a little at first…
Wait until that narcissistic guy started getting anxious, then give in… Hehehehe…
That'll teach him for always messing with me!
With this plan in mind, Akane decisively answered the call.
"Hello? Minami! What's the deal, calling me this late? Ugh, I have tons of things to do, you know?"
She deliberately sounded annoyed, while secretly, she was gleefully awaiting Minami's invitation to the festival.
This time, she would be the one teasing him—
And then—
"It's nothing big. Just wanted to check with you. I handed you the script earlier, but we haven't discussed the actors yet. Do you have anyone in mind?"
"Eh?"
Minami's calm voice traveled through the receiver, leaving Akane stunned.
No… he wasn't inviting her to the festival?
Oh—I see.
Akane stroked her chin.
She had figured out Minami's mindset.
He definitely wanted to invite her,
But he was too proud to say it outright…
Geez, Minami, you and your little mind games—fine, fine.
Humming to herself, Akane felt satisfied. Even if it wasn't in the way she expected, Minami taking the initiative to call her was already enough.
Might as well give him a way out.
With that thought,
Akane smiled and said, "I'm trying to get in touch with some old friends."
"Is that so? So it's fine if I leave that to you?"
"Of course, no problem… But speaking of which, Minami, I seem to be totally free on the day of the Festival."
She threw him a lifeline.
Come on, Minami! The stage is set—just invite me already!
However—
"Oh?"
Minami's voice remained as calm as ever.
And that left Akane, who had been fully prepared, completely stunned.
Just "Oh?" That's all you're going to say?
Wait a second—I've already laid the groundwork! Shouldn't you be all grateful and take the chance to invite me?
She was completely baffled.
And just as she sat there, looking utterly lost, Minami spoke again:
"Well, if there's nothing else, I'll hang up now."
Huh?!
"Wait!"
Minami still sounded calm, but Akane was the one panicking now. She shot to her feet, stopping him before he could hang up.
He's really about to hang up?
What about the festival invitation?!
What about the love confession, the shared dreams, the perfect storyline?
"Is there something else?"
Minami sounded puzzled.
What do you mean, "Is there something else?"
The Festival invitation!!
Akane was so flustered she could barely speak, but still, she mustered the courage to stammer:
"Um… Minami… about the School Festival…"
"Hm? The School Festival?"
Minami asked, sounding genuinely confused.
What about the Festival promise?
Minami sounded a little confused on the other end of the phone.
"Ah… um… I mean… the Shuka…"
"The Shuka? Oh—are you talking about Shuka, the school magazine? I already submitted my novel. If you want to submit something, make sure to contact Ishikawa-sensei from the language department early."
No!
That's not what I meant at all!
Akane was so anxious she started stomping her feet.
Her delicate, refined face twitched slightly in frustration.
According to the plan—
Shouldn't the next step be Minami inviting her to the Shuka Festival, then her pretending to hesitate, and finally, after some "reluctance," agreeing to go—just like in the perfect script she had in mind?
Why was it turning out like this?!
Her soft pink lips opened and closed several times.
After a long moment, she finally stammered:
"I mean… um… on the day of the Shuka Festival… I'm free… as in, I have time…"
"Oh—so that's what you meant."
On the other end of the call, Minami finally let out a sound of realization.
"..." Shinjo Akane.
Shinjo Akane let out a sigh of relief.
Finally, this guy understood.
All her hints hadn't been in vain—
"So, in other words, Shinjo-san, you're free on the day of the Festival, so you want to invite me to go with you, right?"
Huh?!
No!
Did he completely mix up the roles?!
Aren't you supposed to be the one inviting me?!
Shinjo Akane's mouth twitched.
But since Minami had already said it so outright, and since her words earlier did kind of imply that meaning...
Shinjo Akane decided not to struggle against it anymore.
But still...
"Sorry, Shinjo-san, I'm not sure if I have any other plans that day, so let me think about it."
Minami pondered for a moment before responding, "Well then, let's leave it at that for now. If there's nothing else, I'll hang up."
Click.
The call ended.
Their conversation was over.
Shinjo Akane stared blankly at her phone for a long time before murmuring in disbelief:
"How did things end up with me inviting him, and him saying he'll 'consider it'?"
Wasn't Minami supposed to be the one inviting her from the start?
How did she end up being the one inviting him?
And why did he say everything she was planning to say?!
Even if she was the one inviting him...
Shouldn't he be so grateful that he'd accept immediately?!
Why did it end with a mere 'I'll think about it'?
Shinjo Akane sat there dazed for a while.
Then, suddenly snapping back to her senses—
She dove straight into her soft bed, kicking her legs wildly, her black-sock-covered feet flailing in frustration.
"That guy!!!"
"That guy, arghhh!!!"
Buried in her blanket, Shinjo Akane let out a muffled, teeth-gnashing growl.
Comments
BurglarOfTurds
Been in the pat for a couple weeks? Now lol but just now getting around to catching up, but maaaan do i want kaguya or chika to show up lol
