Discussing Impressions with The Most Beautiful Girl
[Thank you for the book recommendation, Tanaka-kun. It was a great read!]
Saito was sitting next to me as a matter of course, her eyes sparkling and smiling happily. Her floral sweet scent softly tickled my nostrils, and I couldnāt help but feel a thump in my chest.
Since that day, sheās been sitting next to me.
I didnāt know why she was sitting next to me. I saw on the internet that one of the ways to make someone aware of the opposite gender is to āsit next to themā, but there is no guarantee that she is sitting next to me for that purpose. (TN: Nvm guys, heās still as dense)
However, there is a part of me that is hoping that is the case. Iām not sure, but Iām hoping that she likes me. I was holding that expectation in my heart. (TN: hold my milk)
[Have you finished reading?]
[Yes! It was so interesting that I read it in one go. Iām a little sleep deprived because of itā¦]
Then she opened her mouth and yawned a little sleepily. The way she was rubbing her eyes, trying not to sleep was cute. She looked somewhat like a cat. She opened her eyes and looked at me again with a glow on her face.
Itās only been 2 days since I lent her the book, but she seemed to have finished it already, which is a sign that she really loves books.
Perhaps she found it amusing, and today she was more excited and talkative than usual.
[Wasnāt there a great scene when the twist was revealed?]
Unlike usual, the way she spoke was cheerful and bright. She had a soft, innocent atmosphere appropriate for her age, instead of her usual adult-like self.
It looked like a child talking innocently, which made me smile, and my mouth loosened up.
[Yeah, I got goosebumps when I first read it, too. I couldnāt predict the trick]
[Exactly! I was so surprised that I had to read that part over and over again. Itās the first time Iāve had my expectations so vividly betrayed!]
It made me happy that other people could enjoy my favorite book, and it made me a little excited. Her mood made me talkative as well.
[Well, thatās great. Were there any other scenes that caught your attention?]
[Letās seeā¦ The last scene moved me to tears]
[The last scene? What scene?]
[Itās this sceneā¦]
[Hm?]
She opened the book and pointed to where the scene was written, so I leaned in close so I could see it better. My attention was so focused on the book that I bumped into her shoulder.
I felt the soft touch of her skin through the cloth and hurriedly pulled away. When I glanced at her, I saw that her cheeks were blushing and she was looking down.
[M-My bad]
[N-No, I donāt mind sticking with Tanaka-kunā¦ so, itās fine, right?]
She shyly lowered her eyes and wriggled uncomfortably. She glanced at me for a moment, then leaned in closer. She closed the distance between us to zero.
Our shoulders touched each other, and I could feel faint warmth from her body against mine. The soft girlish touch made me strongly conscious of her, and my cheeks became hot.
Surprised by the unexpected situation, I hurriedly looked at her.
[H-Hey]
[L-Look, itās easier to see. Thereās no other choice]
She turned her face away from me, and gave a quick excuse. I knew in an instant that her excuse was not her real intention.
[I-Is that soā¦]
My face heated up, realising what she was aiming for.
I didnāt know what to say, so I just back channeled her and looked at her back. I could see that the back of her ears and her nape were red. [PR: Back channelling is the feedback which a listener gives to a speaker to show that theyāre following, or understand what the speaker is saying.]
I felt embarrassed looking at it and dropped my gaze to the book, not looking up anymore.
AN:
Iām planning to update once a week (*ć»Ļć»)*_ _)
TL:
Translator here. If you think thereās a lot of stuttering, itās because the author seems to love doing it, Iām just doing what they are. Anyways, Iām tired and I just got back home from another trip, I feel bad for myself.