That day, I was even more sleep-deprived than usual. I’m often a little short on sleep, but today was on a whole different level—and the reason was completely different from usual.
Today was the first time in my life that I was meeting up with a girl.
Even if it was the result of a punishment game, it was still my very first time meeting a girl like this. Of course I’d be restless.
Baron-san told me to arrive by seven… but I ended up heading to the meeting spot even earlier. I couldn’t sleep and woke up way too early, so I caught almost the first train. It was only 6:30 a.m. right now…
I vaguely told Mom I had something to take care of at school and left the house. Saying I was meeting up with a girl just felt too embarrassing.
At this rate, I’d arrive an entire hour earlier than planned. Well, it’s much better than being late. I figured I’d just kill time with my social game while waiting.
That’s what I was thinking… but something unexpected left me confused.
She… Nanami-san was already there.
Even though it was still an hour before our meeting time, she had arrived earlier than me. Just standing there alone, she had a certain presence… It was still early morning and there weren’t many people around, but every man who passed by glanced at her at least once.
Huh? Did I get the time wrong?
…No. My phone clearly said 6:30, and her message definitely said 7:30. I wasn’t mistaken, and time itself hadn’t warped or anything. The time was correct.
Then why was she here so early?
I was bewildered, but I didn’t want to keep her waiting. Baron-san said it himself—being late makes it look like you don’t value the other person.
Well, this wasn’t technically being late… but now that I’d seen her, I couldn’t just leave her standing there.
Panicking slightly, I jogged over to her.
For just a split second as I approached, she seemed to flinch, shrinking back as if startled by someone coming near. But when she realized it was me, relief washed over her face, and she smiled.
“Nanami-san, sorry. Did I keep you waiting? I thought we were meeting at 7:30… Did I get the time wrong?”
“Nope, you didn’t. I just got here a little early… Good morning, Youshin.”
“Ah… good morning, Nanami-san.”
So I hadn’t gotten the time wrong. Still, getting here this early… wasn’t that too early?
She greeted me with a smile, and I returned the greeting. I never imagined there’d come a day when I’d casually exchange good mornings with a girl like this.
She was wearing her usual school uniform, but today she had a slightly larger shoulder bag than yesterday. I think yesterday’s bag was more compact. Maybe girls just change bags depending on their mood?
…She confessed to me yesterday, didn’t she? Even if it was a punishment game… Seeing her again today, it still felt unreal.
“But even though I got here early, you’re pretty early too, Youshin. I woke up early because I had something to do, but…”
Her words snapped me back to reality. Should I just be honest? There wasn’t really any point in making up a strange excuse.
“Ah, sorry… It’s my first time meeting up with a girl, so I was too nervous to sleep well… I ended up waking up early. But I’m glad I didn’t make you wait, Nanami-san.”
“Hmm… I see. You didn’t have to worry that much… But yeah, if it means we got to see each other earlier today, that’s kind of nice.”
Her words sounded casual, but she was smiling. The way she looked at me made it seem like she was genuinely happy we met early. That confused me a little.
I mean, I was happy too…
But from her perspective, wouldn’t she rather not spend too much time with a guy she’s only dating because of a punishment game?
Girls’ hearts are a mystery…
As I looked at her, I suddenly noticed something different. Yesterday her hair had been straight, but today it was braided.
That reminds me of what Baron-san said…
“Listen, Canyon-kun. If you notice even the smallest change in your girlfriend, you have to compliment it. If she’s popular, that means she’s probably putting in effort every day. So don’t just say ‘you’re cute.’ Be specific. If her hairstyle changes, tell her that hairstyle suits her.”
“Is that from the internet too?”
“Of course. I’m the type who doesn’t notice and gets scolded. And as a working adult, that kind of comment could even be considered harassment. You can only pull this off because she’s your girlfriend—even if it’s temporary.”
Right. Even if it was internet advice, complimenting her was important. I couldn’t think of anything to say about the bag… so at least I’d compliment her hair.
Would this raise her affection level…? It was a gamble… But no one dislikes being complimented. I’d believe that.
“Nanami-san, you braided your hair today, huh? Um… that hairstyle suits you too… it’s… it’s cu— I mean, it really suits you.”
…I failed. The word “cute” was just too high a hurdle for me. “It suits you” was my absolute limit.
Seriously, what kind of mental structure do people have to casually say “cute”? Someone please teach me. I’ll ask Baron-san later.
“It… it suits me? I see… I’m glad. I’m glad it suits me… I actually did this hairstyle for you.”
“Yeah, it suits—… Huh? For me?”
“Your messaging app icon is that girl with braided hair, right? So I thought maybe you like this kind of hairstyle.”
A chill ran down my spine.
I messed up! I exchanged contacts with a girl and forgot to change my icon from a female anime character! And not just any character—it was a girl from my favorite social game!
I hardly ever exchange contacts, and it’s usually just with guys, so I never thought about it… I should’ve changed it to something safer…
“Hey, don’t make such a despairing face all of a sudden. It’s fine if it’s an anime icon. That’s not unusual these days. I go watch anime movies too. If you like it, that’s fine.”
There was an angel standing in front of me.
She must have understood from the start—after all, she’d styled her hair like my favorite character. I’d just jumped to conclusions and panicked on my own. She didn’t mind at all.
…What a kind girl.
“You like this hairstyle, right? So? Is it cute?”
She lightly pinched the braided part of her hair and tilted her head at me.
After going this far for me, would I hesitate again? No. Even if I’m an introvert, I have my pride. Kindness deserves kindness in return.
This isn’t real life. This is a social game chat. In chat, I can type ‘This new character is cute.’ This is just an extension of that. So say it!
“…Y-Yeah… It’s cute, Nanami-san. That hairstyle suits you, and it’s cute.”
I said it!! I actually said it!!
But the stamina drain was insane. I felt like I’d used up all my energy for the day. I need a recovery item—no, wait. This isn’t a game. Get it together.
When I came back to my senses, I saw her face bright red, smiling like a blooming flower just like yesterday. She looked genuinely happy, fidgeting slightly on the spot.
…Yeah. I don’t need a recovery item. Just seeing that refilled my stamina to max.
While we were talking, it became exactly 7:00. It was still thirty minutes earlier than planned, but there was no point standing around any longer, so we decided to head to school together.
Just as I started walking, she suddenly held out her right hand toward me.
“Mm.”
“Huh?”
I didn’t understand the meaning behind her simple gesture.
Oh… is this like… a girlfriend fee?
That makes sense. After everything she’s done, of course there’d be a charge. Expecting to enjoy this free-to-play was naïve. Maybe the cost of one ten-pull gacha…?
No, stop mixing this up with a game. And I’m mostly free-to-play anyway.
As I fumbled for my wallet, I snapped out of it and looked at her. Our eyes met, and after blushing slightly, she spoke.
“We’re dating, right? Let’s hold hands on the way to school. Or… do you not want to hold my hand?”
“I don’t mind.”
Instant answer. Who wouldn’t answer that immediately?
Hearing her words as she tilted her head and looked up at me, I instinctively grabbed her right hand with my right hand.
…Yeah, that’s a handshake. Just like yesterday. I panicked.
Maybe my reaction was funny, because she burst out laughing.
“Ahahaha! That’s just like yesterday’s handshake. We can’t exactly walk to school like that.”
“Right… um… this way, then.”
I carefully took her hand again—this time with my left hand. Just like yesterday, her hand was small and soft. Maybe because she’d been waiting outside, it was a little colder than before.
“This kind of thing is kind of embarrassing.”
She smiled shyly at me, her cheeks flushed red. Only then did it truly hit me—I was holding hands with a girl. My face grew hot as well.
…What do I do now, Baron-san? I’ve already achieved the goal.
In my heart, I reported my progress to Baron-san, who had given me advice and a goal just yesterday.
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