Volume 3 Chapter 11.3

Volume 3 Chapter 11.3

Translator: Kureha

Editor: Weasalopes

In reality, if it wasn’t for Hiroshi’s mentality, his phobia is server enough that he will not be able to work alongside any female. Haruna has also avoided his triggers well which minimized the emotional pressure on him. So, Hiroshi’s condition was improving to the point where he was fine even if Makoto, Mio and Aearis were around.

It is likely that when Hiroshi was in Japan, the comfortable distance between him and any female would have been much further. The reason why he could go to a mixed-gender high school was the great amount of support the school has provided for Hiroshi. They have even adjusted their program so Hiroshi could have the bare minimum contact with female students and teachers.

「I guess it’s best to not go to school…」

「I think that’s a little extreme.」

「For people like us, schools are like going to hell.」

「Ya ‘ight, the high school I’m in has a better environment. But middle school felt like hell.」

「Everything’s great after you’re hospitalised.」

The three of them could not agree with the way Japanese society worked from many different aspects. The awareness of issues similar to bullying has improved in recent years. However, the education and social system in Japan still had a lot of room for improvement.

「I’m sorry for asking you something like this.」

「 Don’t be, tis not ya fault.」

「Even though I wasn’t in your middle school, that doesn’t mean I was completely unrelated to the reason why you might have felt uncomfortable at our high school so…」

「But Haruna-san’s not za type of purson who would talk behind people’s back or judge someone’s worth based on their appearance.」

「But that’s meant to be a common sense. I didn’t judge other guys based on their appearance because I don’t have any interest in male fashion… And I didn’t like hanging out with girls like that anyway, so…」

「Even then, nothin’ would’ve changed even if Haruna-san said somethin’ ‘bout the situation.」

Every possibility which Haruna brought up was cut down by Hiroshi’s comment. Unless a person has been caught by a good-looking pervert, people around Hiroshi’s age will not easily change how they view other people. It is when they really join the society, get yelled by their boss and see the bigger world for themselves, that they learn that a person’s appearance doesn’t mean a thing.

「Hiroshi-sama, are you afraid of us?」

Aearis threw in a blunt question as she saw a break between Hiroshi and Haruna’s exchange.

「If I’m bein’ honest, I’m scared if ya within arm’s length from me.」

「Then how about our current distance?」

「Tis fine.」

「Is that because you are acquainted with me? Or is it because this distance will allow you to escape if something was to happen?」

「… If ‘t wasn’t Haruna-san or Elle, I couldn’t tolerate bein’ in the same room with a female for this long…」

The closest distance which Hiroshi can be around Haruna, Aearis and Mio is currently a radius of 90 centimetres. It was a distance where if Hiroshi was to inch away from them, the girls would be out of his reach. If it was Artiem, he wouldn’t feel comfortable standing that close to her due to certain issues. However, if the two of them was to have a conversation while sitting on a chair, Hiroshi wouldn’t have any issues as long as Octogals aren’t present.

「So you are not scared of myself or Haruna-sama?」

「Welp recently, I’m mighty scared of Haruna-san from time to time. But ye, in general, I ain’t scared of ya two.」

「Oh~ I’m really sorry about that. I overreacted didn’t I…」

「N’ if ya can, could ya stop teamin’ up with Mio? Tis mighty terrifyin’ when ya two do that.」

「I’m really sorry about that…」

The Japanese people gave a bitter smile to Haruna’s apology. Whenever Haruna overreacts or teams up with Mio, it was usually over an issue which involved Hiroshi. She only wants to protect him; however, she ends up overreacting as a result. So, her fierce attitude was like a mask to hide her true feelings towards Hiroshi.

The reason why Makoto was acting cold towards Rainy was that she was dragged into the whole mess after Haruna and Mio teamed up. The reason why she was acting so excessively manner was also for the same reason.

「Shall we go back to our original topic?」

「Oh, sorry ‘bout that, I’ve gone completely off track.」

「Please, do not worry about it.」

Aearis brought the conversation back to the original topic as she detected the reason why Haruna would have overreacted.

「If you are afraid to come in contact with people of the opposite sex, how about practising with us? So you can shorten the comfortable distance between other females.」

「Practicing?」

「Indeed, for example, starting off with something light like holding hands?」

「Don’t ya think that’s a little difficult for it to be a startin’ point? Even for the people without phobia?」

Haruna blushed bright red and shook her head as if to agree with Hiroshi. Even if it was just hand-holding, she would be too nervous and too over the moon that it wouldn’t be a good practice.

「If hand holding is too much, we could start from coming in contact with the other person’s hands, shoulder or other areas where you are likely to come in contact with on a daily basis. So, what do you think about this idea?」

「Ya really tryin’ to get me practicin’ here…」

「I personally believe that humans are social creatures which seek to come in contact with one another. I believe that humans can gain comfort by physically being near one another. And it upsets me to see that Hiroshi-sama is afraid of physical contact and is not able to gain that kind of support.」

Douga and Tatsuya nodded in agreement after Aearis explained the importance of physical contact seriously. As the two people in the group who have a wife, they understood the comfort which physical contact from some you truly trust can provide.

「It should not trigger your phobia if we were the ones to assist you. We will do our best to avoid your triggers. So please, try and overcome your fear of coming in contact with other females.」

As Aearis finished talking, she looked over to Haruna, slowly walked towards Hiroshi and gently placed her hand over Hiroshi’s right hand. Taking in Aearis’s advice, Hiroshi gathered all the courage he could find in himself and slowly placed his left hand over Haruna’s hand. Haruna was overjoyed at this moment. However, she moved her hand away seeing that Hiroshi was close to reaching his limits. When Haruna moved her hand, Hiroshi felt relieved, but at the same time, he felt disconnected, leaving him very hesitant about his feelings.

「The practice will be merely repeating this process. So, what do you think about closing in your safe distance over time through a process like this?」

「tis goin’ to be difficult…」

「Yes, I understand that it will be difficult at the start.」

Hearing that Hiroshi sounded much calmer than Aearis has originally expected, she gave a small smile and quietly walked away. Not as close as Haruna, but not as distanced as Artiem, or the thorny attitude which Mio has, Aearis has made use of the odd distance she has with Hiroshi. In a way, this was a very tactful move.

「Hiroshi-kun…」

「Hm?」

「Um, I was…」

Haruna held Hiroshi’s hand once more, looking directly into his eyes and putting in all her feeling towards him into the slightly firmer grip she had on his hand. Hiroshi waited for Haruna’s next words, feeling a little awkward being able to see his own reflection in Haruna’s blue eyes.

「Even if something like today happens in the future, I’ll always protect you, okay?」

Haruna managed to express her determination calmly today. It was completely different from yesterday where other party members made fun of it. Haruna knew that this determination was coming from a place of romantic attraction. That has always been the case ever since she realised her feelings at the Elf’s forest. Yet unlike yesterday, she was able to make a proper decision.

「So, just a little, if you could trust us just a little more, that would make me really happy.」

She let go of Hiroshi’s hand when she has finished talking. She walked back to where she was originally standing as if to miss the comfort she had from holding Hiroshi’s hand. Hiroshi internally took a sigh of relief as he was freed from the feeling of dread and fear. However, he did notice the very slight loneliness deep down his heart, once again leaving him very hesitant over his feeling.