CH 15

Episode 15: “Goddess of Victory (Favoritism)”

“Well, that’s what happened, Baron-san.”

“Oh… what a intense day we had, Canyon-kun. Are you secretly a troublemaker?”

That’s impolite. I’m just an ordinary high school boy…

But ever since I started dating Nanami-san, every day has been a series of surprises and events. The old me would never believe my current situation.

Being confessed to and starting a relationship with one of the top gal-style beauties at school through a punishment game.

…The punishment game aspect is the only point that can be somewhat believed.

However, these past few days, I’ve been immersed in a state of extreme happiness, so it’s still hard to believe.

“But well, it was also due to the atmosphere at the time… You did well, you know… effectively winning with a ratio of 30 to 1… In that three-point shooting contest, the score must have been 90 to 3, right? Ahaha, a huge difference indeed.”

“Well, it’s probably because of the atmosphere and because he thought he lost.”

Yes… I did win against Shibetsu-senpai in our competition… but if you judge it based on actual points, it was a disastrous defeat for me. After all, I only made one three-point shot.

Before my match with Shibetsu-senpai, I had him show me about 20 three-point shots as a demonstration. I watched closely and pretended to learn the technique.

The real purpose was simply to wear him out even just a little. And I also hoped that he would mess up his rhythm before the actual match, while I received guidance for my poor three-point shots.

…As the captain of the club, he was really caring and I felt sorry for him, but for now, I received a careful lesson on shooting form.

And then, I poured all my strength into the first shot… I focused on nothing but making that first shot… and it was successful.

Pure luck, it was just luck that I made the first shot… but Shibetsu-senpai’s agitation was clearly visible.

Nanami-san cheering for me might have contributed to his agitation.

But I was the same… How could I not be shaken when she said things like “So Cool! Wonderful! I like you so much!”?

Wait, when I look back now, did she say she liked me? …Was it just my imagination?

Well, anyway… By making that one shot, I fulfilled the condition for my victory.

I had the advantage that even if I made just one shot, I would win. At least at this point, there was no way for me to lose.

If there was a miscalculation, it would be that after his agitation, Shibetsu-senpai proceeded to make 10 consecutive three-point shots.

After throwing about 20 shots, including the ones I made, he even gave me guidance despite my poor skills. And not only did I fulfill my victory condition first, but Nanami-san also supported me.

With all these factors causing agitation, it was astonishing that he managed to make all 30 three-point shots, including the initial 20.

I have no experience in basketball, so I can’t really understand… Perhaps those initial 20 shots ended up being a warm-up, or maybe he was just that comfortable with that number… It’s hard not to say that I underestimated the captain of the basketball club.

And so, effectively, it was 10 to 1… If I made those first 20 shots, it would have been a 30 to 1 scenario.

Normally, even with the handicap taken into account, it would have been a draw at best. In fact, what I felt was a sense of defeat.

But that sense of defeat was blown away by Nanami-san’s words.

“Youshin wins!”

Based on the condition I proposed, which was “Let Nanami-san herself decide the outcome of the match,” Nanami-san declared me the winner.

It was a predetermined result, but Senpai accepted that outcome.

“Seriously… Cheating is cheating, but if your girlfriend makes the final judgment, then even if you didn’t make a single shot, you would still win, right?”

“Well, yes. It’s definitely cheating.”

If, by any chance, she had been attracted to Senpai after the match, the result would have been reversed no matter what the circumstances.

Well, I didn’t think Nanami-san would make such a choice after once rejecting a relationship with him… But there’s always a slim possibility.

After all, Senpai’s three-point shots were so cool that even a guy like me was mesmerized.

Since this relationship was part of a punishment game, I had a slight worry about what could happen.

Well, it turned out to be needless worry.

(Manga panel ) and Misumai is wearing shibetsu’s outfit cause he didn’t had his own .

…Nanami-san’s hugging attack after the match was incredible… Soft, warm, and a pleasant fragrance… With her revealing outfit, there was a lot of exposed skin to touch…

From there, she would feel embarrassed, blush, and then move away just a little. That was the set pattern.

I honestly can’t forget that sensation… It was my first time being hugged, after all…

“Hey, Canyon-kun. Do you remember what I said to you at first?”

“What did you say at first?”

Baron-san changed the topic. What I was told at the beginning…

Well, I’ve been told various things every day, so I can’t narrow it down… Bringing it up at this moment…

“Was it about making her to like me?”

“Excellent answer. As always, you’re not bad at figuring things out.”

“Well, since it was what you said at the beginning, I remember it.”

It was because of my consultation with Baron-san that I chose to date her. And… I’ve been making efforts, in my own way, to make her like me… Or at least, I think I have?

But, somehow… I’ve been careful with my words and actions, unlike before.

I wonder if there was something concerning Baron-san about that?

“You know, have you fallen head over heels for your girlfriend?”

When those words appeared on the screen, my heart skipped a beat once.

It hit the nail on the head…

“Oh, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that as a bad thing. If you’ve fallen for her, I think that’s a really good thing.”

“…Is that so?”

I thought that I would be scolded for something like that, but… well, I couldn’t imagine Baron-san saying such things, but I thought it might be something similar.

However, the next thing he said was shocking to me.

“Yeah. Because it’s pretty clear that she’s head over heels for you. So if you like her too, then it’s officially mutual. No obstacles, no problems.”

“Is that so…? She feels that way about me…?”

“No, if she didn’t feel that way, I wouldn’t be able to believe in women anymore.”

Huh? We’ve only just started dating… It’s only been three days since Tuesday. Can things be accomplished that quickly?

But… if that’s the case… I’m a little… no, I’m quite happy.

“I don’t think so… Definitely… She’s just toying with you.”

Suddenly, Peach-san interrupted our conversation. Well, it’s not really interrupting since it’s a chat, but her opinion made my head suddenly go cold.

“I mean, she’s a gyaru type, right? They just play with guys and laugh behind their backs. I’m sure her friends were giggling, thinking that Canyon-kun didn’t know anything…”

…I don’t know, but with her words, my head suddenly went cold. Her words are negative and filled with prejudice, but… it’s true that Otofuke-san and Kamoenai-san.

( TLN : well sometimes translations of Japanese names are quite weird as her name is more like kamoenai but as of now I have used kagone instead of that so from now on I’ll use kamoenai same goes for ayumi which in reality is ayumu,sorry I’ll try to improve in future ima go edit in previous chapters aswell tehee..),

Nanami-san’s friends, were looking at me with those giggles… but…

“Peach-san, I appreciate your concern for me. Thank you… But I don’t think she’s such a bad person. So please don’t speak ill of her like that.”

I didn’t sense any ill intentions in those smiles.

And… didn’t they say at the beginning, “We won’t reveal that it’s a punishment game ourselves”?

So I’m sure those giggles had a different meaning.

“…I’m sorry. I was just worried about you, Canyon-kun.”. ( TLN : Ooooo)

“No, thank you. Thanks to you, I could calm down. From now on, I’ll work even harder to make her like me more.”

Yes, I still have a long way to go before I can become conceited.

After all, it’s only been three days since we started dating… She’s surprisingly easygoing… Unless she’s what they call a “Choro-in,” it’s probably better to think that she’s portraying her own “ideal girlfriend image.”

( TLN: Can’t find a proper meaning of choro-in

“…Sorry, I’m going to log out for today.”

Saying that, Peach-san disappeared from the chat.

She was harsh in her words, but she must have been worried about me. Perhaps she has some unpleasant memories with gyaru-type girls.

“I thought it would be affected by Peach-chan’s words, but I’m glad you took it positively. Sorry, but I don’t think she meant any harm.”

As Peach-san left, Baron-san’s comment appeared. She probably felt the same way as I did.

She’s truly a reliable person.

“No, I don’t mind. Besides, thanks to her, I’ve cooled down. I want to make more effort to be liked by her.”

“…I don’t think you have to worry anymore. Well, it’s a good thing to have a positive attitude, and there’s nothing wrong with making the right effort.”

What should I do for now?”

“If you don’t rely on me, it would be even cooler… I mean, most of my advice is just regurgitated from the internet, so you could look it up yourself, couldn’t you?”

…He always says that his advice is just regurgitated from the internet, but is that really true?

To be honest, I’ve tried looking up various things on the internet… But none of them really resonate with me.

However, what he says always hits home for me. It’s convincing, or rather… So I can’t help but ultimately rely on him…

“Well, never mind. Take care of her and give her some care tomorrow. She might be a little worried after what happened today, so comfort her properly.”

“Worried… I won, so I thought everything would be fine…”

“Mm… I think she might be worried about the point that ‘more people like you will challenge you to the same kind of game in the future.’ That’s what I think.”

…Ah, I see. There’s a possibility like that too. In that case… Was it a bit reckless for me to accept the senpai’s challenge?

Based on what you told me about her, she’s just a hypothetical girlfriend image, but… Maybe she’s worried that you’ll be in danger because of her own actions. So, even if it’s a lie or a bluff, you should show her that you’re okay with it and reassure her.

“…I see, you’re right… Thank you.”

After that, we held hands and walked home together… But if she was really worried deep down… I feel incredibly pathetic for not noticing.

“Well, with the result of ‘winning against the basketball club’ spreading with all sorts of rumors, I think tomorrow will be peaceful. Enjoy your time together as much as you want. Maybe talk about your Sunday date.”

“…Yes, that’s a good idea. I’ll listen to her and decide which movie to watch.”

“Yeah, that’s a good plan.”

I still get excited just by seeing the word “date,” and it feels somehow pleasant.

If she’s feeling anxious… No, even if she isn’t, I should think of something nice to say by tomorrow. I can’t rely on Baron-san for this.

Normally, I would be focused on playing my mobile game, but this time I’ve been constantly thinking about the words I should say when I meet her tomorrow.

…By the way, after that, I received a bunch of messages from Nanami-san… And all of them were compliments about me.

I haven’t really done anything to deserve such praise, but I still felt guilty about winning with dirty tactics… However, that feeling was blown away by the next sentence.

“I hugged you… Should I have given you a peck on the cheek as a reward?”

Honestly… I’m happy, but if she had done that in that moment, my heart wouldn’t have been able to handle it, Nanami-san…

Interlude : Meanwhile, Nanami-san

“I sent it!! I sent a message about giving him a peck on the cheek!! He read it, so say something, Youshin!! It’s embarrassing!!”

I realized what a terrible thing I had sent immediately after getting excited and sending the last message…

Youshin read it right away, but he didn’t respond for a while… And I was left agonizing alone in bed… Of course… I got scolded by my mom for being so loud…