Vol. 2 Chapter 13 – Jealousy and Level Up (2)

“Huh…? Popular…?” (Reiya)

I asked back in a dumbfounded voice at the utterly unexpected question, and she gave a small nod.

Her expression was serious… she didn’t seem to be joking.

“No, no, no… Not even a tiny bit of that.” (Reiya)
“Then, there was no need to change it so drastically, was there? You look kind of cooler than before…” (Hikaru)

She pressed further, puffing out her cheeks sulkily.

Seeing that face at this distance gave me a strong sense of déjà vu.

Tracing the threads of memory, I arrived at the events in my room a few days ago.

It was the same displeased expression she had when she stopped just before putting makeup on my face.

Could it be… she wasn’t angry, but jealous…?

“Pfft… Kuhuhu…” (Reiya)

Realizing this fact, laughter involuntarily bubbled up.

“W-Why are you laughing…” (Hikaru)
“Well, because… To think you spent the entire first period glancing over here, thinking about that the whole time…” (Reiya)
“To me, it’s not ‘just that’ at all…” (Hikaru)

Her moody trait activated, and now she showed a sulking expression.

“Sorry, sorry… But really, that wasn’t my intention.” (Reiya)

Although that wasn’t the intent, having Hikaru think that way gave me a certain sense of response.

A level-up fanfare echoed in my head.

Kageyama Reiya leveled up to Level 2!

Confidence increased by 1 point!

Self-esteem increased by 1 point!

Learned the special skill “Conceit”!

“…Really?” (Hikaru)
“Really.” (Reiya)
“Okay, I’ll believe you… but just in case, can I mess up that hair completely?” (Hikaru)
“I’d rather you didn’t… I spent time setting it, after all.” (Reiya)

I pulled back to escape Hikaru’s hands, which were raised above my head.

It was the fruit of several minutes of effort this morning.

More importantly, throwing away a weapon that made Hikaru show such childish jealousy was unthinkable.

If anything, it motivated me to keep setting it from tomorrow, even if it was a hassle.

“Ugh… Then, just a tiny bit…” (Hikaru)
“You say ‘a tiny bit’ while trying to grab it with both hands…?” (Reiya)

I engaged in a back-and-forth struggle with Hikaru, who persistently tried to ruin my hairstyle.

During this, I caught sight of Hino-san in the corner of my vision, trying to stifle her laughter.

Somehow managing to survive the ten-minute break, Hikaru returned to her seat, looking resentful.

And so, the second and third periods passed—

Walking down the hallway to the fourth-period chemistry lab.

It was here I finally realized one fact.

…Nobody really cared about me at all.

I was still getting strange looks, but they paid no mind to the change itself.

However, thinking about it, that might also be natural.

The center of everyone’s attention, no matter what, was always Hikaru.

My existence was only recognized as something like the concept of ‘a gloomy type who doesn’t know his place.’

There was no way they would notice if such a person’s appearance changed slightly.

It felt like I had been spinning my wheels; I started to feel a little embarrassed…

But I didn’t think it was entirely pointless either.

Originally, I was a Level 1 weak mob.

I couldn’t just barge into the final boss’s chamber and defeat them like some kind of bugged Any% speedrun.

Steadily, step by step… no, I had no choice but to crawl my way up.

Walking down the hall with renewed determination, I spotted a familiar face in the direction I was heading.

Ogata-san was walking towards me, chatting cheerfully with several girls who seemed to be her friends.

Every time I saw her, she was with different people; her circle of friends was truly wide.

As I thought this and was about to pass them, she noticed me.

“Ah, Kageyama-kun! Mornin’!” (Akane)
“G-Good morning…” (Reiya)

Having unfamiliar girls nearby made me hesitant, but I managed to return the greeting.

“Oh? Did ya maybe follow my advice ‘n get yer hair cut?” (Akane)
“Well, it was getting long anyway… thought it was good timing…” (Reiya)
“Hmm… I see, I see~…” (Akane)

She circled around me, examining my head with an appraising gaze.

The other girls didn’t seem to know me, looking at me with ‘who’s this?’ expressions.

Ugh, this is embarrassing in a different way…

“Lookin’ good, lookin’ good! Ya became quite the handsome man, dontcha think?” (Akane)
“Y-You think…?” (Reiya)
“Yep, just as I figured! So, how’s the state’a mind? Did ya gain a little confidence?” (Akane)
“Well… so-so, I guess.” (Reiya)
“So-so, huh… Well, guess ya can’t change that quickly.” (Akane)

When I replied in a Kansai-like manner, mimicking her, she dropped her shoulders slightly in disappointment.

“Akane~! If we don’t hurry, we’ll be late~!” (Reiya)

The accompanying girls who had walked slightly ahead called out to Ogata-san.

“Sorry, sorry! Comin’ now, wait up! Well then, let me hear the rest later!” (Akane)

Saying that, Ogata-san ran off towards her friends.

As I started to walk back in my original direction, I heard their conversation from behind.

“Who was that just now? An acquaintance?”
“Hm? Kageyama-kun… you know, the ‘boyfriend’ from the rumors about Hikari.”
“Ahh…! So that’s him…!”
“Wow~… But, I heard he was kinda plain~ and dull, so this is a bit surprising.”
“Yeah, kinda different from the image… He was pretty cool, actually.”

Surprised by the unexpected words, I turned around, just as Ogata-san turned around at the same time.

She grinned broadly, gave me a thumbs-up, and turned back towards her friends again.

“See? Pretty cool, right? But no poaching, okay?” (Akane)
“Ahaha. Like we’d have a chance against Asahi-san. No way.”
“But maybe just putting dibs wouldn’t hurt? Akane, introduce us properly next time.”
“I said no! Hikari’ll get mad at me!” (Akane)

I stood frozen, watching them disappear down the hall.

I didn’t know how much of that conversation was serious and how much was joking.

But in my head, the level-up fanfare was ringing out again.

I hadn’t intended to be popular with other girls, but honestly, it felt good.

Feeling slightly guilty towards Hikaru, I started walking down the hall with the lightest steps I’d had all week.