Chapter Twenty-Six: The Selfish Self
Sunlight spilled onto the streets of Chuanye City.
The sky was as blue as if it had been washed, with a few pure white clouds leisurely floating by.
It seemed to add a touch of gentle embellishment to the tranquility and peace of the city.
But beneath this serene scene.
Extraordinary beings were stirring in the shadows.
“Hey, that girl…”
“What a cute kid.”
“Such a nice figure, could she be a model or something…”
The trees lining the streets were lush and green, their leaves shimmering in the sunlight.
Nagi walked along the verdant street.
The murmurs of passersby reached her ears.
Scenes like this happened almost every day.
Having lost her starlight, Nagi had yet to get used to the feeling of being the center of attention…
Not entirely, though.
Rather, she had gradually become accustomed to this “delightful discomfort.”
But from another perspective—
“I-I’m a bit excited…”
Nagi, in her previous life, was a lover of poorly made games.
Naturally, she possessed the skill of “transforming pain into pleasure.”
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to get through one terrible game after another.
So regarding her gradually awakening masochistic tendencies.
Although she didn’t want to admit it, everything had its roots.
“Ah~” Nagi sighed to herself.
She let the gazes of the passing pedestrians sweep over her.
Today was the day of her first date.
As someone who had lived three lives.
As someone who had crossed over into a galgame world.
It was astonishing that she was only now experiencing her first date in this life.
Nagi felt incredibly ashamed about this.
Though it might also be the first date for Kanade in this life.
Considering his actual age.
Nagi silently shed tears in her heart.
As an elder of sorts, she ought to provide some benefits for her pure-hearted junior.
Embracing such self-destructive thoughts.
Nagi had completely let go of her dignity and self-respect and dressed up nicely.
After all, having once been a boy, she understood the longing boys have for their first date with a girl.
Or perhaps it was a pang of conscience.
Today, Nagi was fully powered up, determined to leave a good first impression of the date for Kanade.
She wore a pure white dress, complementing the innocent impression she usually gave others.
In her starlight-deprived state, she found it hard to handle a dress that was too short.
Thus, the hem of this dress reached just above her knees, swaying gently with her brisk steps, her feet emerging from the dress adorned in simple white sandals, revealing fair and delicate insteps.
The dress was cut simply and elegantly, with delicate lace embellishing the neckline, adding a touch of sweetness and innocence.
The thin straps on her shoulders crisscrossed delicately, exposing her slender collarbones, her fair skin appearing particularly tender in the sunlight.
The white dress outlined the curves of her body, accentuating her slender waist perfectly, while her long legs hinted at maturity beneath the hem.
But the most eye-catching feature was undoubtedly her soft, full bosom, which swayed slightly with her light steps.
The fresh and adorable outfit, combined with her curvaceous figure, created a tantalizing contrast.
Even merely walking normally, she undoubtedly became the center of attention on the street.
When Nagi arrived early at the designated meeting spot.
She saw Kanade waiting for her from afar.
Kanade had grown quite a bit since last year, and his aura had become slightly more outgoing and positive.
He wore a simple white T-shirt paired with a light blue jacket, radiating a refreshing and gentle vibe like the sun.
Paired with his increasingly handsome face as he aged.
Many passing girls could be seen glancing back at him.
Setting aside the filters of the original work.
And the fact that Kanade was the “protagonist.”
From a normal person’s perspective, Kanade was undoubtedly a kind, gentle, and handsome boy.
It’s likely no one would dislike being with him.
And Nagi herself didn’t dislike the time spent with him.
If they had met under different circumstances, perhaps they could have become close friends?
Now, their relationship was built on a foundation of lies.
The selfish self, taking advantage of his kindness, purity, and gentleness.
What he truly cared about wasn’t her, but “Hoshimiya Nagi.”
Whether it was Kanade, the Hoshimiya family, or all the social connections she had built over time.
In their eyes, she wasn’t truly herself—
Hmph, at this point, what are you still thinking about… Nagi couldn’t help but smirk self-deprecatingly in her heart.
This world was never one she should occupy.
Did she really think she could find a unique home here?
What she could do.
Was to play the role of “Hoshimiya Nagi” in front of everyone.
Nothing more.
…..
…..
Kanade arrived at the designated meeting place early in the morning.
Because he knew the charm of his childhood friend.
If he let her wait alone, she’d surely be approached by other men.
And the naive girl might easily be tricked away by bad people.
He wore clothes that Yukino had taken him to buy the night before.
A simple, plain white T-shirt, light-colored jacket, and long pants.
After putting them on, he found he looked surprisingly sharp.
Even if he felt good looking in the mirror, he still felt a bit self-conscious and uneasy.
Not because he wasn’t good enough.
But because Nagi’s brilliance was too dazzling.
Dazzling enough to make him question whether he truly deserved to stand beside her.
Nagi was the brightest star he encountered in his dark nights.
During those dark days when he was abandoned by his parents.
It was because of the companionship of that star that he managed to emerge from the long night.
Once, he had simply hoped—
To be content just gazing upon that star from afar.
But the selfish self was now unsatisfied with merely gazing at that star.
He wanted to pluck down that star and keep it forever by his side.
At that moment, a brilliant splash of color appeared in Kanade’s vision.
It was a beautiful girl dressed in a white dress.
Her long hair was as deep as the night sky, cascading smoothly over her shoulders and falling straight to her waist, like a tranquil black waterfall, her strands gently swaying in the breeze, shimmering with a natural sheen.
The beautiful girl had exquisite and beautiful features, her cute cheeks slightly flushed with embarrassment, resembling tender, enticing peach blossoms.
The off-shoulder white dress outlined her delicate, graceful figure.
Her chest was more mature and fuller than that of her peers, her slim waist was tightly defined, and her rounded hips were also accentuated perfectly by the dress.
Especially under the light, the pure white fabric subtly revealed the contours and skin beneath, adding an inexplicable allure.
The moment Nagi appeared.
Kanade could no longer tear his gaze away from her.
He also noticed a delicate bracelet tied around her wrist, with stars on the bracelet sparkling softly in the sunlight.
Thinking of how she was still wearing the gift he had given her filled Kanade with joy.
—Oh no, my childhood friend is really so cute!
“Nagi, sorry to keep you waiting, have you been waiting long?”
Nagi jogged over to Kanade.
Although he knew it was inappropriate to do so, as a teenage boy.
His gaze was unconsciously drawn to the swaying presence caused by her movement.
Only when Nagi stood in front of him did Kanade barely manage to pull his gaze back.
Nagi’s cute face now bore an expression of guilt.
It seemed she felt sorry for arriving so late.
“No, I just got here…” Kanade shyly averted his gaze and replied.
While internally shouting that the dating tips Yukino had given him last night were indeed useful.
He never expected such a standard greeting between couples would actually happen to him.
“Kanade, you’re so gentle…”
“Ah no, I’m serious…”
“Well then… Kanade, how do I look?”
Nagi spoke while stepping back slightly.
So that Kanade could take in her entire figure.
But Kanade, feeling too flustered to properly appreciate the sight, could only respond with a flushed face, looking down:
“Y-You’re very cute, it really suits you…”
“Liar, you clearly weren’t looking at me…” Nagi leaned toward Kanade with discontent.
The faint fragrance and warmth emanating from her made Kanade feel inexplicably cared for, his heart racing.
“Because you’re just too cute, Nagi… I can’t help but be mesmerized…” Kanade replied candidly.
This was what the dating guide had taught him.
If faced with such a situation, one had to honestly express their feelings.
“R-Really…” Hearing this, Nagi withdrew slightly.
Her lovely face now had a light blush, and combined with her carefully done-up makeup, exuded an alluring charm.
Kanade, secretly watching all of this.
Couldn’t help but shout in his heart once more: “Is it really possible for such a cute girl to become my girlfriend!?”
If she truly accepted his confession, wouldn’t he be so happy that he’d die on the spot!?
“Kanade… you look very handsome today, it’s the first time I’ve seen you in this style of clothes.”
“R-Really? Actually, this was Yukino—”
“—Ugh!” Nagi suddenly pouted, letting out a cute protesting sound, interrupting Kanade’s words.
This made Kanade realize his mistake all at once.
Though Yukino was his sister.
How could he mention another girl right at the beginning of his first date with his “girlfriend”?
“Ah, I’m sorry!” Kanade said anxiously, thinking he had messed things up.
But unexpectedly, Nagi laughed and explained:
“It’s okay, I wasn’t actually angry.”
“I just read in a dating magazine that it’s better for boys not to mention other girls’ names while on a date with their girlfriend.”
“So… Kanade, you mustn’t make such mistakes anymore when you’re dating a real girlfriend.”
Her words suddenly cast a shadow over Kanade’s heart.
That’s right, she was still not truly his girlfriend.
At the same time, Kanade noticed that the smile on Nagi’s face now revealed a hint of loneliness and sorrow.
This made him feel inexplicably anxious.
He didn’t want to see Nagi showing such a smile; he wanted to bring her a happier expression.
“Well then, let’s go.” Kanade reached out his hand towards Nagi as if trying to shake off the gloom in her smile.
