Vol. 2 Chapter 8 – Asexual

The next day, Wednesday lunchtime.

I entered the usual empty classroom, sat in a random seat, and reached for the sandwich I’d bought—

“…Why are you still eating lunch here?” (Hayato)

Just as I was about to take it out of the bag, Hayato suddenly asked.

“Why…? I always eat here. What’s the big deal now…?” (Reiya)
“No, no, no, you have a girlfriend who’s beyond cute… like, words can’t even describe her level, right? You should be eating lunch with her. Seriously, I’m so jealous.” (Hayato)
“Yeah, yeah!” (Yuuma)

Yuuma chimed in agreement with Hayato’s words, which were mixed with about 70% jealousy and 30% blessing.

“We talked about it and decided that for lunch, I’d prioritize my existing friendships for a while. Also… she’s not, technically… my girlfriend yet…” (Reiya)
“Whaaaaaat!? What do you mean she’s not your girlfriend!? She confessed to you, didn’t she!?” (Hayato)
“She confessed, but… I haven’t exactly given her a clear answer yet…” (Reiya)
“Asahi Hikaru confessed to you, and you haven’t answered…!? No, no, no, you’re kidding!? Any normal guy wouldn’t have any choice but to say OK in 0.1 seconds!” (Hayato)

As Hayato practically snapped at me, Yuuma next to him nodded emphatically, ‘Yep, yep.’

“It’s not like you dislike her or don’t feel anything, right?” (Hayato)
“Of course not…” (Reiya)
“Then why haven’t you answered her?” (Hayato)
“Well… it’s like…” (Reiya)

Faced with Hayato’s perfectly natural question, I struggled for words.

“Ya lack confidence, dontcha? Enough ta proudly act like yer Hikari’s boyfriend.” (Akane)

As I hesitated, my thoughts were pinpointed in Kansai dialect from a different direction.

The speaker, Ogata-san, was calmly eating her lunch mixed in with us, for some reason.

“Well, to put it bluntly, yeah…” (Reiya)
“Confidence? You don’t need that crap to date someone. If you get confessed to, it’s yes or no based on whether you like them or not. Heck, the standard high school romance is ‘Well, she confessed, might as well give it a shot…’ right?” (Hayato)
“Isn’t that a bit too casual…?” (Reiya)
“You’re the one overthinking it! By some miracle, the Asahi Hikaru said she likes you, so just roll with it! Say OK before she changes her mind and enjoy the springtime of youth that’s way too good for you.” (Hayato)
“Hmm… I kinda get where Kageyama-kun’s comin’ from, though~” (Akane)

As Hayato and I argued, Ogata-san spoke up, taking my side.

“Even among the girls, there’re quite a few who get nervous bein’ around Hikari, ya know? They probably feel like they’re bein’ compared by everyone, or they unconsciously compare themselves, which ain’t fun. Though someone like Kyo is totally tryin’ ta compete with her.” (Akane)

Ogata-san continued, laughing.

“Besides, maybe the fact that yer so darn serious, ta the point where a normal high schooler might find it a bit heavy… maybe that’s part’a why Hikari fell for ya?” (Akane)
“I-I couldn’t really say…” (Reiya)
“Well, guess we won’t know unless we ask Hikari… But, just one piece’a advice!” (Akane)

Stopping her meal, Ogata-san raised a finger and her voice.

“It’s fine ta worry, but don’t ya forget yer seriously takin’ Hikari’s kindness for granted, okay? Right now, Hikari might be satisfied just givin’, but if that never gets returned, it’s definitely gonna hurt her eventually.” (Akane)
“That, of course… I understand.” (Reiya)

As I answered respectfully, Hayato beside me muttered, ‘What a luxurious problem…’

I knew myself that it was a luxurious problem.

But I couldn’t easily overcome the inferiority complex brewed over long years of being a gloomy type.

“If ya understand, that’s fine… But, confidence, huh… So basically, ya want everyone ta bless ya as a ‘well-matched couple,’ right?” (Akane)
“I wouldn’t go that far… but I do want to be able to stand next to her more confidently…” (Reiya)

I didn’t know how difficult it would be to become a man capable of doing that next to that light-attribute protagonist.

Of course, she herself would probably say she didn’t care about such things.

But I didn’t want to accept her feelings while still burdened by this inferiority complex.

“Hmm… In that case, I could give ya a little assist, ya know. Nothin’ major, but how ’bout I spread the word that Kageyama-kun is a ‘serious, good guy’? That might change how everyone sees ya a bit.” (Akane)
“I appreciate the thought, but… why would you go that far for me, Ogata-san…?” (Reiya)

I asked the question that had been bothering me since the day before yesterday.

From the moment she first approached me, her words and actions hinted at something beyond kindness or curiosity.

Having an ally was helpful, but unless that something was clarified, I couldn’t shake off a sense of unease.

“Hmm… Well, guess it ain’t fair ta just ask questions ‘n not say anythin’
’bout myself…” (Akane)

Responding to my words, she paused as if thinking for a moment, then continued.

“Do ya know what ‘asexual’ means?” (Akane)
“”Asexual…?”” (Reiya)

Hayato and I tilted our heads at the unfamiliar word, and Yuuma answered for us.

“Asexual, that’s the thing, right? People who don’t feel romantic or sexual attraction towards anyone, regardless of gender? Like, non-gendered attraction?” (Yuuma)
“Yeah, that’s it. That’s me.” (Akane)

Suddenly, a major coming-out occurred.

“Is that… something you should be telling us…?” (Reiya)
“It’s fine, it’s fine. I’ve already told my friends ‘n stuff.” (Akane)

I was stunned by Ogata-san’s nonchalance.

People who don’t feel romantic or sexual attraction.

I knew such people existed, but I had never considered someone close to me might be.

However, it did make sense why even we, who had no immunity to girls, got used to her so quickly.

“So… what does you being asexual have to do with my situation?” (Reiya)
“Err… Before that, this is also somethin’ I’ve told my close friends, but… I’m actually aimin’ ta be a stage actress.” (Akane)
“An actress…!? R-Really…?” (Reiya)

I was genuinely surprised by this unexpected fact.

I glanced at Hayato, asking ‘Did you know?’, and he shook his head slightly.

“Yep, I’m actually part’a a theater troupe ‘n even get roles ‘n stuff.” (Akane)

Ogata-san said, sounding slightly proud.

Though it was a world I wasn’t very familiar with, I understood it was probably something impressive.

“But, I’ve got this personality ‘n I’m pretty small, right? So, up ’til now, I mostly got ‘comic relief’ roles, ya know, the funny side characters. But then, the director, dunno what got into him, decided ta cast me as the heroine in the next romance play.” (Akane)
“Wow… That’s, congratulations… I guess?” (Reiya)
“Yeah, that itself is somethin’ I’m really grateful for, but… like I said earlier, I totally don’t get romantic feelings or the subtleties’a relationships between men ‘n women. Tryin’ ta act in a romance… especially as the heroine, in that state, is kinda proving difficult…” (Akane)
“Couldn’t you ask them to change your role…?” (Reiya)
“Someone young like me can’t say stuff like that. I might not get roles anymore… Besides, actin’ is fun precisely ’cause ya can become someone completely different from yer real self… Anyway, challengin’ myself with a difficult role is fun.” (Akane)
“I see… I think I can kind of understand that.” (Reiya)

I didn’t know anything about theater, but I strongly empathized with that opinion.

The joy of experiencing a world different from your usual self… different from reality.

That was common ground with why I loved games.

“So… back ta the main topic, I actually thought Hikari might be the same type’a person as me. ‘Cause, she’s so popular but never dated anyone, ‘n she kinda had this vibe like she was avoidin’ guys, right?” (Akane)

The three of us nodded along like bobbleheads as Ogata-san continued talking.

“…Or so I thought, ’til I saw that same Hikari make a passionate, grand confession right in front’a me.” (Akane)
“Reiya-kun, was it really that amazing of a confession…?” (Yuuma)
“Well, uh… I wonder…” (Reiya)

I deflected Yuuma’s question from the side.

It might have been passionate, but saying so myself was embarrassing.

“Anyway, that’s why I got interested in yer relationship. How did that Hikari fall in love? If I could hear ’bout that, maybe even I could understand the ‘R’ in romance, ya know?” (Akane)
“I get the reason, but… like I said before, there wasn’t anything particularly special, and I don’t think I can tell you anything helpful…” (Reiya)
“Nah, my intuition’s tellin’ me there’s definitely somethin’!” (Akane)
“Even if you say so…” (Reiya)

She wouldn’t listen, convinced with excitement, leaving me at a loss.

“Don’t say that, please! I’ll cooperate in various ways from my end too!” (Akane)

She pressed her hands together, pleading strongly as if in prayer.

Stage acting…

It was a completely unknown world, but I understood she was genuinely dedicated to it.

“Well, if it’s okay to just talk about things I can discuss without causing trouble… Though I really can’t guarantee it’ll be helpful at all…” (Reiya)

Maybe it was just my nature, but having been touched by her passion, I couldn’t just brush her off.

“Really!? Wow, I’m so happy!! Thanks a bunch!! Thank you!!” (Akane)
“Wh-Whoa, Ogata-san…” (Reiya)

With incredible force, she grabbed my hand and shook it vigorously up and down.

“Maybe that kinda thing is the problem in the first place…” (Reiya)
“…Hm? Oh, right… Normally, if ya grab a guy’s hand, ya gotta act a little shy or somethin’, huh… Ahh… Geez, I really don’t get the normal distance between guys ‘n girls at all…!” (Akane)

Perhaps she had done it naturally, as she clutched her head in anguish.

Now that she mentioned it, this somewhat excessive reaction did seem to fit the image of a stage actor.

“Ah well. I’ll try ta be a bit more conscious’a that stuff from now on… More importantly, as thanks for cooperatin’, I’ve got a suggestion for ya right away.” (Akane)
“A suggestion…?” (Reiya)
“Yep, Kageyama-kun wants ta gain enough confidence ta stand proudly next ta Hikari… meanin’ ya wanna boost yer self-esteem, right?” (Akane)
“Mm… Well…” (Reiya)

As I felt slightly embarrassed having my feelings put into words again, she continued.

“In that case, how ’bout startin’ with the form first?” (Akane)