Gamers!-DLC 2, Chapter 1 – Ayumu Kiriya and Close Encounter

< Hell’s Blood > All Achievement and Hardcore Difficulty Live Stream – Part 24.

Hello, I’m Torabasami. Nice to meet you.

Well, we’ll be doing a walkthrough on < Hermit’s Valley > this time.

Even though you don’t need to complete < Hermit’s Valley > to push the main story, we can collect three rare pieces of equipment here.

So, I’ll go over ways to acquire these gears a bit detailedly as we go through < Hermit’s Valley >.

Due to the time limit, we’ll save the boss battle for the next time.

Well, let’s start.

*

“Phew…”

I turned off the mic after recording about 10 videos at once. Then, I stood up from the chair and took a big stretch.

“Sigh…”

Finally, I sighed deeply. I managed to completely drag my consciousness back from the live stream to my miserable reality.

The kotatsu is covered with empty coffee cans and chocolate wrappers. The ground surrounding the chair is filled with walkthroughs I bought for reference.

There are also the data files, magazines, news, and my tablet for the game wiki page. The entire apartment is so messy that there’s nearly nowhere to stand.

A lonely college girl is standing at the center of this room. I had a sweater on top but panties underneath only.

“…Sheesh, …I hate this.”

I scratched the back of my head clumsily.

Where did that hardcore live streamer Torabasami go? In reality, I, Ayumu Kiriya, don’t even have the slightest energy to improve my life.

I don’t know what I should do after imagining how much I need to clean this. So, I just stood there dazedly.

However, the cold January breezes invading my cheap apartment don’t allow me to do so. My body temperature is leaking away rapidly once my thin legs are outside the warm kotatsu.

I tried my best to fight against my desire to crawl back into the kotatsu. I wore my jeans and immediately started cleaning the house. Basically, I don’t want to spend any energy on things that are not live streams. However, that’s why I need to work hard to maintain my lazy lifestyle. That’s why unbelievably, my room isn’t like a garbage disposal. I have to thank my parents for raising such a serious kid.

I threw the trash, packed up the books, and started sweeping the floor.

Finally, I washed the empty pot as I looked at the trash disposal schedule on the fridge. Then, I suddenly realized something.

“Oh, right, it’s 10 AM tomorrow.”

I remembered a meeting with my friend. …This feeling of losing what day it is due to the sluggish holiday is really daunting. Even so, I jotted down my entire schedule on my phone. There are notifications and alarms. I hate failing to deliver my promise.

After washing the pot, I wiped my hands with the towel and returned to the kotatsu. After that, I looked at my phone.

Then, I opened the calendar and checked tomorrow’s event again. …I can’t help but smile bitterly.

“Right, this is it. How can I miss such an important event? It’s more like how can I forget this until just then?”

It seems that my personality switches whenever I start live streaming, and I hate it. That’s why I forgot that slightly “depressing” event.

Well, I can’t forget it again once I remembered.

Suddenly, my face turned stiff from the nervousness. I read what I wrote on the calendar out loud.

“Visiting Otobuki High School’s Game Club- ah…”

This is the first time such complicated emotions rose up in my heart since my first live stream.

*

I met with Otobuki’s Game Club president, Karen Tendou, around 2 weeks ago.

It was supposed to be a meeting with my online friend, SALT0519. We promised to see each other at the arcade. However, she came instead – Karen Tendou.

In reality, the problem is that…she, Karen Tendou, isn’t SALT0519.

After that, Karen Tendou explained that the real SALT0519 is also in the Game Club. She’s a girl named Nina Oiso.

In other words, this Karen Tendou girl came to her place.

There are a lot of reasons behind us. …Please allow me to skip them for now.

No, even if there are reasons, Karen Tendou did something wrong to Nina Oiso and me in reality. …She sincerely apologized and suggested this plan.

I’ll meet with Nina Oiso again in Otobuki’s Game Club.

Honestly, I was a bit hesitant. However, this Karen Tendou seems to be a strong girl that won’t back down easily. Also, most importantly-

(I’m a bit interested in…the school that Keita goes to.)

This is why I eventually accepted her suggestion.

Also, the wealthy lady with me at that time, Ao Saika, was invited too. She showed a business-like smile and answered, “I’ll go if I have time.” I’m 90% sure she wouldn’t go. This can’t be helped. There’s no reason for a wealthy lady not interested in games to visit a school’s Game Club. She didn’t even graduate from that school.

Anyway.

So, right now, it’s 9:50 AM on the promised day.

I, Ayumu Kiriya, walked into Otobuki High School during winter break.

*

“But I didn’t expect Ao to show up too.”

We got on the flops used by visitors as we walked across the corridor to the old school building. During this time, I spoke up to the person next to me.

After hearing that, Ao rolled the tip of her hair with her finger and answered a bit embarrassedly.

“W-What? Didn’t I say I’ll go if I have time?”

“No, well, yes. I didn’t expect people who said she’ll go if she had time to actually show up.”

“…You got a problem?”

Ao chuckled. Her smile is filled with pressure.

“N-No…”

I looked away and scratched my head.

I still don’t understand this ojou-sama, …Ao Saika at all. Even though she’s not interested in games, why did she come all the way to this unknown high school’s Game Club with me?

We walked silently for a while. I looked at her. She’s biting the nails of her thumb as she mumbled.

“I have enough to worry about Keita Amano-kun. …How can this girl meet more and more gaming buddies? Sheesh…!”

“Hmm? Ao, what did you say?”

“Nothing. Ayumu-san, please have fun and play games with me today.”

“Eh? Oh, sure…”

…Why do I feel like my parents are watching me attending a public lecture? I hate this nervousness.

We followed Karen Tendou’s instructions sent to our phone as we moved to the Game Club. Although it’s during the holiday, there are still some students attending club activities here.

Just as we’re crossing the corridor and entering the old building, Ao spoke up.

“Let me confirm this. The people we’re meeting today think Ayumu-san is a guy, right?”

“Yeah, I guess. Well, didn’t Karen Tendou think we are a couple when we last met her?”

“Yes.”

“By the way, I was going to correct her. Why did you stop me?”

“Y-Yes.”

The ojou-sama looked away and started whispering. …Why does she love people treating us as a couple? Did her mind snap from not being able to find a guy?

I sighed and continued.

“Well, if Karen Tendou thinks that I’m a guy, perhaps she already told that to the Game Club members we are about to meet. In the end, won’t that make the entire club treat me as a guy?”

“Well, you’re right…”

“So? I’ll correct them during my self-introduction, okay?”

My gender isn’t really that important if we’re just going to be playing games. I’m fine with other people treating me as a guy…

Ao showed a slightly frustrated look. Then, she answered with a serious face. “No.”

“Ayumu-san, I think you should pretend as a guy here at Otobuki.”

“I’m okay with it, …but why?”

“You still don’t understand? Of course, this is the school that Keita Amano-kun is in!”

“…Oh, I see.”

I finally got it. Indeed, …no matter how friendless he is, he may have the chance to know my gender from the Game Club members.

Ao continued asking.

“Does he have a connection to the Game Club?”

“Eh? Uh, …I’m not sure. I faintly remember that he said he’s in a certain hobby club. …Also, I faintly remember that he rejected the invitation to a certain club too…”

“Why do you always only ‘faintly’ remember what Amano-kun said?”

“Uh, no, what he says is pretty boring, after all. …However, he sometimes gives me diabetes by showing off. That’s why I don’t really remember his words…”

“I-I understood. Anyway, Ayumu-san, you need to pretend to be a guy in this school. Get it?”

“Alright, alright, I got it, ojou-sama. …Oops, my jeans are too big. I hope no one saw my panties. That was close.”

“Ayumu-san!”

“I-It’s okay. E-Even if someone saw my panties, as long as I say that I’m a guy, people will only think of me as a guy that wears girl’s underwear!”

“That’s terrible in a whole other sense!”

“Oh, we’re already at the Game Club.”

After that, I pointed at the sign on the door. Ao cleared her throat…and switched to her ojou-sama mode with a smile. …I feel like she’s wearing a different mask whenever she’s not with me.

We glanced at each other-

“Well, let’s go, Ao.”

“Sure.”

-I knocked on Otobuki’s Game Club’s door.”

*

“Welcome, you two!”

“H-Hey…”

The blonde girl- Karen Tendou, is releasing her ultra beauty aura in a room filled with consoles. She smiled and greeted us.

However, on the contrary, …two students are staring at us silently. That’s a guy with sharp eyes under his glasses and a girl chewing on bubblegum lazily.

“…………”

Ao and I stood still at the entrance with this “entered the wrong room” atmosphere.

As for Karen Tendou, she immediately noticed this and asked us to enter cheerfully.

“Hey, hey. Please come in! Please come in, you two!”

“Ah, sure…”

We followed her like she’s our savior.

Honestly, whether it’s Ao or me, we were a bit afraid of her the first time we met. Even so, …she’s the only one we can rely on today.

She asked us to sit on the guest seat after leading us into the room. However, with this thorny atmosphere, both of us stood still.

Seeing that, Karen Tendou…started to show anger too. She scolded the two senpais.

“Senpais, why are you two immediately releasing this repulsive aura!? D-Didn’t I tell you guys this before? These two are the college gamers I met earlier, Ayumu Kiriya and Ao Saika-“

“We know.”

“Then you two should at least greet them, right!?”

“…Welcome.”

“Do none of the year 3 students here can communicate properly!? Ugh, if only Mizumi-kun’s here today. …Why does he have to-“

“This club member surely likes other people worrying about him.”

“How dare you two say that!? Sheesh! I finally figured out again why no new members came after him today!”

“Don’t mind it, Tendou.”

“Why are you two the ones to comfort me!? Tell me! Why!?”

The “strong girl” vibe from Karen Tendou immediately disappeared at this moment. All she can do now is complain. …This Game Club is amazing. I guess those weird club activities in limited light novels have to admit defeat too.

Ao and I dropped our jaws. Karen Tendou snapped out of it and cleared her throat.

After that, she turned to us and started introducing those two characteristic members.

“Ahem. W-Well, allow me to introduce the Game Club again. Let's see, first of all, …that four-eyed guy who looks like he’s playing < Data Basketball > is Gakuto Kase-senpai.”

“Oi, Tendou. That’s not an introduction. You’re just mad at me.”

“Well, Kase-senpai. How about you introduce yourself?’

“Uh, …I’m Kase. …Hehe, my accuracy will be 100% at this distance.”

“Don’t pretend to be that character if you can’t!”

“Uh, really? …Whatever, nice to meet you.”

After that, this Gakuto Kase guy pushed his glasses and started playing an unknown game again. …How should I put it? Even though I still don’t understand him a lot, for some reason, I know exactly how he’s like. …Unexpectedly, I don’t hate him at all. I’m a person that plays games calmly and concentrates on data as well, after all.

“Sheesh, whatever.” Karen Tendou shrugged before glancing at that girl. Then, she showed a vague smile to me and said,

“Also, …Kiriya-san. I’ll be frank here. She’s Nina Oiso-senpai. In other words, …she’s the real SALT0519.”

“Eh, ah, oh, I-I see.”

I almost forgot about it due to the chain of events. Come to think of it, I came here to see her in real life.

I suddenly grew nervous and looked a bit suspicious. However, I still tried my best to greet her.

“H-Hello, I’m that Torabasami. My name’s Ayumu Kiriya.”

It’s my first time meeting someone I know online, after all. I’m a bit restless.

Ao pouted for some reason as she watched us. She, …Nina Oiso, slowly looked at me.

Her moist and flirtatious lips said…that important sentence which started our real-life interaction in the first place. I had high hopes.

“Oh, hi.”

“…………”

Then, Nina Oiso returned to her game screen.

…………

…Alright, that’s the end of our fateful encounter. Good job, everyone.

After seeing her ice-cold reaction, Karen Tendou got angry for me.

“How could you do that!? Nina-senpai, …there’s something else you should say, right!”

“Hmm? Oh, …which type of arcade controllers do you use, Kiriya?”

“What kind of topic is that!?”

“Ah, my apartment has thin walls. So I always use the silent-types…”

“You caught on with her!? Kiriya-san, you caught on with her!? That’s all of the emotions of that impressive first encounter we had!?”

“Eh? Ah, well, honestly, I think it’s better to chat about games right away than anything else. It’s more efficient to get to know each other.”

After I said that, that Gakuto Kase-san suddenly punched the table.

“Nice one! I like you, Ayumu Kiriya!”

Kase-kun is suddenly interested in me. Tendou-san pressed her forehead.

“I can’t deal with these senpais…”

I feel sorry for this girl. I feel like…she always suffers from the relationships here.

Anyway.

So, we finally grew closer to each other and started the Game Club tour again.

*

“Sheesh, you’re just as cunning as before.”

“No, you’re the one that’s unwilling to give up.”

An hour has passed after that.

Right now, I’m sitting with Nina Oiso as we fought each other in fighting games.

Although I was a bit nervous initially, she turned into the real SALT0519 that has fought me countless times this year.

Come to think of it, the two of us…are year-long rivals and friends, at least in this game. So, the distance between Oiso and me is immediately closed. Then, everyone in the Game Club seemed to have a chain reaction, and we just started talking. Well, at least that’s true for me.

On the other hand, Ao, who’s a total newbie at games-

“Gakuto-kun, Gakuto-kun, what did you just do?”

“…I’m just setting landmines.”

“I see. …Ah, Gakuto-kun, Gakuto-kun, what was the thing that just popped out?”

“…Someone stepped on that landmine, and I scored.”

“I see. This score thing just keeps adding on, right, Gakuto-kun?”

“…Yes.”

“In other words, …Gakuto-kun, you’re very great at this ‘battle simulation’ game, am I right?”

“…I-I guess so.”

“I got it. No wonder I’m having so much fun watching you even though I know nothing.”

“…R-Really?” 𝒇𝘳ℯℯ𝚠𝙚𝑏𝗻𝑜ѵ𝑒𝙡.co𝑚

-For some reason, she’s having fun with Gakuto Kase. Also, the reason why Ao’s calling his first name isn’t that they are close. Instead, it’s because she already bit her tongue twice when she called him Kase-kun. This seems too big of a blunder for a perfect ojou-sama like her. In the end, she chose the easier Gakuto-kun. …Hiya, the guy in question looks pretty embarrassed, though. Well, I’m a pretty careful person, so I called everyone by their last name except Kase.

After seeing that, Tendou came next to Oiso and me. She chuckled and mumbled.

“This is an amazing discovery. It looks like Kase-senpai…is too much of a pure gamer. He can’t deal with total non-gamers at all.”

Oiso smiled mischievously after hearing that.

“It’s rare and interesting to see him like this. Tendou, record it. We’ll make fun of him later.”

“Got it, Nina-senpai.”

“You guys are pretty brutal to each other…”

I can only see the members insulting each other after I came to this Game Club. Is this the so-called hardcore gamer group? …No, I don’t think that’s true.

Then, Kase’s match is over. The battle between Oiso and I ended as well. So, all of us decided to take a short break.

Tendou quickly boiled some water with the kettle. She prepared some instant coffee and shared them.

We took a sip and sighed before continuing chatting.

Tendou immediately started asking Ao and me.

“By the way, where did you two graduate? Don’t tell me…you’re from our school?”

After hearing that, I bitterly smiled and answered.

“No, no, I don’t have a boring secret like that. I graduated from a school in Kanagawa.” [It’s a bit south of Tokyo.]

“I see. Well, how about Saika-san…?”

“Ah, I’m a local. However, regrettably, I didn’t graduate from Otobuki. How should I put it? It’s called Hekiyou. Heard of it?”

Tendou smiled and said, “Of course!”

“One of my friends is the student council president there.”

“Hiya, what a coincidence.”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“Even though I’m not the president, …I was in the student council for 3 years. That experience is truly valuable to me.”

Ao smiled after saying that. This is the first time I’ve heard about this too.

“I’ve heard the rumors in my university. That Hekiyou…chooses its student council members based on how cute the girls are, right?”

“Yes, well, although it’s awkward for me to say this, …for some reason, their tradition is to choose cute girls as members. They even have a voting system.”

Ao continued a bit embarrassedly. I’m not really interested, and I mumbled.

“Of course, there’s no way Ao isn’t in the student council. By the way, how are you not the president?”

“!”

“…What?”

…Ao’s ears turned red as she plopped her head down after I snapped out of it. …The Game Club members looked at me with a shocked face.

“What’s wrong?” I tilted my head in confusion. Oiso sighed deeply.

“…I feel like…you reminded me of someone who’s always flirting with girls unconsciously…”

“A-Ahaha…”

“Sheesh…”

Tendou laughed awkwardly. As for Kase, he hmphed like this doesn’t interest him at all. …What happened?

Tendou spoke up to change the mood.

“S-So, what was Kiriya-san’s school like?”

“I-It’s hard for me to say. …We don’t have a cute girl voting contest, though.”

“Do they have a Game Club?”

“Ah, yes, I remembered. However, I always went home earlier and played RPGs alone. So, I wasn’t invited, but the Game Club does exist.”

“Really? By the way, what’s the name of that school?”

“Hmm? Oh, it’s called Arakami, …do you know it?”

“Arakami, …Arakami. …Eh, …why do I feel like…I’ve heard of it before? …I think it’s around elementary? But how did I know about a high school’s name in elementary?” [The Shiina sisters transferred to Arakami at the end of Seitokai. Tendou knew that because she used to play with Mafuyu (SS Ch.1).]

Tendou started mumbling something on her own.

Kase continued the conversation a bit helplessly.

“Is that Game Club good?”

“Good? Ah, …no, …I think I’ve toured it before, but it’s not impressive. That Game Club has a chill atmosphere. The president was pretty casual as well.”

“I see.”

Kase immediately lost interest after hearing that and started drinking coffee. He’s a really easy-to-understand hardcore gamer. I don’t hate this attitude of his.

After the school topic was over, Oiso threw a new question out.

“By the way, Kiriya, are you doing live streams?”

“-Eh?”

My heart skipped a beat after hearing that sudden question. I secretly glanced at Ao. Although she’s not as shocked as I am, she does look a bit awkward and glances at me. Of course, …this would be bad if word got out to Keita, after all.

I took a sip of my coffee again as I looked away from Oiso before answering.

“Uh, …w-why did you suddenly ask that?”

“Ha? It’s not sudden, right? Didn’t you send me a message before? You said something along the lines of stop interrupting your stream.”

“Oh…”

Indeed, I didn’t think of this when I first started interacting with her. I accidentally revealed that I’m a live streamer.

However, luckily, Oiso doesn’t seem to be interested in live streams-

“Oh, I just checked on my phone. Hiya, …Torabasami is quite a famous streamer.”

“Huh!?”

She touched on some dangerous intelligence in the blink of an eye. It looks like she’s not just unpredictable in fighting games.

Sweat’s raining down my forehead as I scrambled my brain.

(E-Everything’s still fine. Nothing will go wrong even if she knows I’m Torabasami. That’s all of the information she can get. It’s okay. This is still not related to Keita yet-)

“Hmm. Eh, …according to the wiki, I think you’ve found a partner called Jiraiya recently, and your views grew up too?”

(SHE TOUCHED IT! HOW!? WHAT!?)

What’s wrong with this Nina Oiso!? Is she as great at attacking people’s private lives as she does in fighting games!? She’s really a genius!

I felt speechless. She, …just like how she’s in-game, grabbed the opportunity and sent out chains of combos.

“Oh, …this Jiraiya guy loves games, but he’s not good at it. Kiriya, you know a guy like that?”

“Eh? Hmm, oh, …I guess so.”

I looked away again and forced my brain to calm down.

(C-Calm down, Ayumu Kiriya. No matter how talented Oiso is at fighting games, everything’s still fine if she stops here. There’s no way she can dig up more details. If she can do that, she’s already a god-)

At this moment.

“Ah, …come to think of it, I know a guy like him too. His name’s Keita Amano.”

“-GOD!?” 𝙛𝚛𝙚ewe𝗯𝓃𝗼ѵ𝚎Ɩ.𝒄ｏ𝐦

I yelled loudly due to the massive shock and stood up. Everyone in the Game Club jumped as well. …As for me, …no, both Ao and I glared at each other as our faces went pale.

Under this emergency, she and I quickly started exchanging looks.

(What the hell!? Hey, what the hell’s happening, Ao!?)

(I-I don’t know! It’s already a miracle that his name can appear this suddenly! Who in the world is this Oiso person!?)

(She’s just a fighting game player!)

(Fighting game players are amazing! This is how they turn out after reaching the top!?)

(No! That’s usually not the case! A-Anyway, what do you think we should do, Ao!?)

(What can we do when we’re up against a god…?)

(Ugh…!)

It’s exactly like what Ao said. There’s nothing we can do against a god.

Well, if there’s anything I can do right now, …it would be to struggle. It’s better than doing nothing.

“Hiya, sorry for screaming out loud. I just…got a 5-star card from my mobile game. Yes.”

“I-I see.”

Tendou looked relieved. I took the chance and changed the topic.

“Y-Yes, my friend recommended this game to me recently. I tried it, and it’s quite fun!”

“Really? What game is it?”

Nice, Tendou took the bait. …This can work!

Ao and I nodded as we went deeper into the mobile game.

“Uh, it’s called < Gate of Mars >-“

“Oh, that’s the one Amano-kun and Chiaki-san are playing now!”

“IS THIS A LANDMINE FIELD!?”

What is this!? What the hell is wrong with the Game Club!? Don’t tell me this club has a close relationship with Keita!?

I tremblingly…asked Tendou, who was shocked by my scream again.

“Uh, …the name that just appeared multiple times, that Amano-kun guy, …h-how should I say this? …Is he a member of this club…?”

I asked.

This time, …Kase pushed his glasses and answered.

“That’s impossible. He just came here for a tour.”

“Oh, I-I see.”

Ao and I were relieved.

(Nice, even if they know each other, it’s okay…)

Kase continued.

“Sigh, …he does have a big influence on this club, though.”

(WHY DO YOU SOUND LIKE HE HAS AN UNUSUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU ALL!?)

What did you do!? Keita, what the hell did you do!? What in the world did you do when you visited this club!? By the way, you left such a big impression on these characteristic people after a mere visit! What the hell did you do!? Did you murder someone in here!?

Ao and I were totally checkmated here. Both of us exchanged looks again.

(A-Ayumu-san. At this point, …we can only…)

(Yes, …I understood, Ao. I know…)

We nodded. …Then, ..both of us chugged the hot instant coffee at once.

Bam! We forcefully put the empty mugs on the table. After that, the two of us grabbed our belongings and coats as we stood up.

“WELL, WE’LL BE LEAVING!”

“That sudden!?”

The Game Club’s members were shocked after hearing our sudden departure.

We quickly greeted them as we left the room like we were escaping-

“P-Please wait!”

-At that moment, Tendou pulled a fast one. She raised both of her hands and blocked the door. My face twitched as I smiled at her.

“T-Tendou? …We need to show up at the university right now. …Right, Ao?”

“Y-Yes, you’re right. We have to go there now.”

Tendou backed down after hearing our excuse.

“R-Really? Sigh, …this can’t be helped...”

Although Tendou still looked unconvinced, she put down her arms and moved out of the way.

So, we passed her and walked outside of the room. Both of us bid farewell to the members.

“W-Well, see you. I-I had a good time today.”

“M-Me too. Well, see you.”

“S-See you…”

Everyone in the Game Club couldn’t follow up at all. However, they reluctantly bid farewell to us. Just as we’re chuckling while closing the door-

“H-Hey! I’ll walk you two to the entrance!”

Tendou stopped us fiercely.

Honestly, …please don’t. However, we didn’t have a good reason to reject her. So, Ao and I could only admit defeat. The three of us are walking in the corridor now.

“…………”

We were silent for a while. …Tendou clearly suspected us. However, …I guess even she couldn’t think of the reason.

So, when we’re approaching the new building, Tendou spoke up.

“Hey, …did we do something that made you two unhappy?”

She looks really worried. Ao and I quickly shook our heads repeatedly.

“No, no! Of course not! Right, Ao!?”

“Yes, of course! It’s more like we’re sorry for making you worry about us!”

Tendou looked relieved after we denied it quickly.

“Good to hear that. However, the Game Club is really bad at welcoming guests…”

“Well, indeed. All of you aren’t really easy going people…”

“Yeah…”

“However, Ao and I really love your Game Club. Whether it’s Kase, Oiso, or of course, you, Tendou are nice people. We had a pretty good time today. I sincerely feel that.”

“Yes, …I’m happy to hear that. Thank you, Kiriya-san.”

Tendou smiled. She’s as adorable as an angel. Even Ao looked dazed.

We walked into the main building and turned into a corridor. The entrance is right in front of us.

Tendou looked into the distance with lonely eyes. She mumbled.

“…if only I could play games with Amano-kun in the Game Club again.”

“…………”

Ao and I got nervous again after hearing his name from her mouth.

As for Tendou, she always noticed our moods as well. The girl quickly covered it up.

“Oh, sorry. I kept saying a student’s name that you two don’t know…”

“No, please don’t mind it…”

Ao and I couldn’t help but look away from her. …Tendou, that’s not why we’re releasing this aura.

…It’s more like the big problem is that we have a pretty close relationship.

For some reason, Tendou sighed depressingly. Ao gently poked my arms and whispered to me.

(Although I’m not sure of the details, it seems that Amano-kun and the Game Club don’t have a good relationship.)

(Yeah, but that’s the best case for us. Well, even though I’m a bit sorry for him.)

(Yes, at least they won’t immediately talk about us in front of Amano-kun.)

(I almost panicked just then…)

We’re finally free from the intense nervousness as we sighed.

Well, we’re already at the entrance. Both of us returned the flops, and we got back on our own shoes.

After that, we turned around. Tendou waved at us with a charming smile.

“Well, see you, Kiriya-san, Saika-san. I really appreciated you two today.”

“We’re the same. Well, see you, Tendou.”

“I had fun today. Even though I don’t want to yet, we have to bid farewell here.”

Ao and I said our goodbyes. We waved and walked out of the gate.

When Ao and I walked out of Tendou’s sight, …we sighed heavily. …Today was exhausting.

I grabbed my phone to check the time as we arrived at the station that leads to our home. Ao spoke up. “Ah, right.”

“Ayumu-san, we should at least confirm Amano-kun’s relationship with the Game Club, right?”

“Oh, you’re right. Let me see…”

I opened the messenger and asked Keita…as naturally as possible.

< I just visited the Game Club in our university. I still don’t feel like joining them. I guess I love playing alone more. >

Let’s start the intro with a small lie. After that…

< Ah, come to think of it, Keita, did you have a bad relationship with your high school’s Game Club? >

…Yes, the text is very fluent. This way, he can’t possibly think that Ao and I visited Otobuki’s Game Club, right?

He replied after one minute.

< We don’t have a bad relationship! Sigh, but it’s really complicated right now… >

“Yeah, looks like we’re safe.”

Ao looked at the screen and mumbled. Indeed, …Keita’s relationship with the Game Club is cold at best right now. If that’s the case, I don’t think they’ll share our information with him. -Right here, I received another message from Keita.

Just as I'm about to reply with a random emoji, Ao and I checked the screen casually. It shows-

< The Game Club’s president is my ex-girlfriend, after all. >

“Oh, I see. Karen Tendou is his ex-“

…………

……………………

………………………………………………………………!?

Our faces touched each other as we looked at the screen. We read that message again.

After that, both of us couldn’t help but scream loudly at the rural station.

“WHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!?”

< Time until Keita Amano’s girlfriend enters Ayumu Kiriya’s apartment: 3 and a half months >

[Seitokai readers may notice this bug already. Key-kun’s in the 32nd and 33rd student council. Konoha’s the 37th. So, unless all members get re-elected, Ao can only be in the 34th, 35th, and 36th. She should be in year 1 of uni. However, DLC 1 already said that she’s in year 2.]