Chapter: 5. It Turns Out You Are the Protagonist of a Romantic Comedy
——Lucky, the Lucky Pervert Incident!?
Nagi suddenly returned to her senses and immediately realized what had happened to her.
The unexpected incidents that could only be seen in comics, anime, or games actually happened to her one day — Nagi felt a little touched, even though she was the one “giving benefits.”
At this moment, her state of mind was probably similar to that of an otaku on a “pilgrimage to holy sites.”
As for the feeling of anger, Nagi couldn’t quite grasp it.
After all, she could tell it was completely an accident.
The black-haired boy in front of her had initially intended to reach out to steady her after their collision, but instead, they ended up in a “wall slam” pose while she tried to regain her balance.
Since he acted out of good intentions, Nagi, having lived two lifetimes as a boy, could empathize to some extent. Not to mention, his hand hadn’t even touched her skin directly, it was separated by her uniform jacket, shirt, and even her underwear, so Nagi planned to forgive him.
Especially when she saw the expression of utter despair on his face, as if he thought his life was over, Nagi surprisingly found it a bit amusing.
Perhaps due to not having used “starlight” powers for too long, she couldn’t control her emotions well and couldn’t help but let out a light laugh.
The heavy atmosphere of despair that lingered between the two dissipated because of her crisp laughter, like a breeze after rain.
…
It seemed like Kanade, finally returning to her senses, hurriedly withdrew her exceedingly rude hand and distanced herself from the incredibly cute face that could make someone fall in love at first sight. Particularly with her last smile, Kanade felt like she was about to be drawn in and lost entirely.
Fortunately, her rationality reminded her that it wasn’t a situation that should be taken lightly.
“Um, um…” Kanade, flustered and somewhat flailing, wanted to apologize for everything that had just happened, as well as to express her gratitude for what she had just done — gratitude? In any case, her complex emotions wrestled in her mind, leaving her at a loss for a moment.
“Are you okay?”
In the end, it was the pure-hearted girl, the 100% victim, who broke the awkward atmosphere between them.
And her first words expressed concern for her own well-being.
Kanade’s instincts didn’t pick up any insincerity in her concern.
—What a gentle and kind beauty!?
He couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
Although it was an accident, he had just committed an unforgivable act against a girl.
Kanade had originally prepared herself for the mental scenario of “expulsion” and “social death,” but the unexpected turn of events felt elating, like a death row inmate suddenly being declared innocent before execution.
“Yes, yes, I’m fine, I’m sorry.” Kanade immediately bowed seriously and apologized.
“Don’t exaggerate~”
With her head lowered, Kanade once again heard the girl’s silver bell-like laughter.
His brain was thrown into chaos.
Kanade really didn’t understand what he had done to elicit so many smiles from this beautiful girl.
Could it be—
Even though Kanade knew it was just his delusion, it wasn’t surprising that the blood-fueled high school boy would have such thoughts at this moment — she likes me?
Once again, the notion appeared in Kanade’s mind as one of life’s three great delusions.
“Hmm, it seems you really are fine, so be a bit more careful next time~”
Kanade felt her body being scrutinized from head to toe by the black-haired beauty before her.
This made Kanade unconsciously straighten his back, trying to appear taller.
It seemed that the girl noticed this gesture, which elicited another dreamy and enchanting giggle from her.
—What’s going on!? Why is she smiling at me all the time?
—Could it be that she really likes me?
—Could my spring finally be coming???
Kanade’s mind was completely in disarray.
And after confirming that her body was indeed fine, the girl smiled, left a word of caution, and turned to leave.
Until that long, dark hair, deep as the night sky, vanished around the corner, Kanade felt he finally regained control of his body. The brilliant smile of that girl, like starlight, seemed etched onto his retina, lingering for a long time.
…
…
On the other side.
Nagi was unaware of the impact her unintentional charm had on the innocent boy.
Her earlier laughter stemmed from finding his reaction interesting.
Viewing his nervous and flustered demeanor from a girl’s perspective for the first time, Nagi realized the fun in it and found herself somewhat immersed. If it weren’t for the fact that she was running late, she might have tried to tease him further to see more interesting reactions.
And just as Nagi was on her way to the classroom.
The garuda, which had disappeared earlier, sent words to Nagi once again through the breeze —
“Truly worthy of being my master — though I want to compliment you, you were completely unconscious when you did that, right?”
“Huh? Did what?” Nagi looked bewildered.
“Sigh, I knew it—”
The garuda sighed, then slowly explained under Nagi’s skeptical gaze:
“The boy you bumped into just now is the one suspected to be the protagonist — Tsukimi Kanade.”
“…..Eh!?”
Nagi, who was slow to realize, began recalling her actions from before, and a layer of unease quickly covered her cute face:
“Could it be… I ruined the first impression of meeting him?”
Could it be that he would misunderstand her as the kind of girl who enjoys teasing boys for fun?
“…..I must go back —”
“—No, on the contrary… I have to say you did beautifully.”
Just as Nagi was a bit anxiously about to enter the Kaoru Box, the garuda interrupted her.
But the garuda also continued to sigh inwardly.
When will her master notice her overwhelming charm as a top beauty?
Though she knew she was a beautiful girl, it seemed she didn’t truly understand how immense that charm was. Take her recent encounter with that boy as an example —
Even if it was a coincidence, he still made a considerable mistake that could have led to her getting angry and slapping him or calling a teacher. Yet she naturally forgave his rudeness and even worried if he was hurt.
This drastic difference in attitude and reaction could shatter an ordinary person’s psychological defenses—simply put, their mental barriers would be instantly breached.
Especially since she frequently displayed that kind of enchanting smile capable of making anyone, young or old, fall in love at first sight, leading to life’s three great delusions.
It was as if she were an unintentional seductress drawing in everyone around her, yet completely oblivious to the feelings directed at her, like a human-shaped, automatic charm.
The garuda couldn’t help but want to retort — “So, you really are the protagonist of a romantic comedy, aren’t you?”
