Chapter 24 : Oh No, I Screwed Up!

Clack-clack, clank-clank. The train’s rumble echoes. During high school dismissal, the car is surprisingly empty. Probably all the salarymen working overtime.

“…” “…” In the car, Suzuki Hikaru and Shangguan He sit side-by-side. When their eyes accidentally meet— “Haha.” “Hehe.” Awkward but polite laughter, that is.

Hikaru’s still “considering” Miki’s proposal. Planning to head straight home, she got dragged by Miki at the gate, then Shangguan He appeared. The timing was too tight—no chance to explain. With her personality, even given time, she’d struggle to clarify.

Though not ideal, she doesn’t mind him. He’s a good guy. For social practice, she wants to chat more… But about what? Her brain locks up the moment she thinks.

Shangguan He’s equally torn. He can’t stand the awkwardness—as the protagonist, he should break the ice. But if he follows this path, will he trigger Hikaru’s route? Silence is the NE play, but—

He sneaks a glance. She’s fidgeting, just like their first date in the first playthrough. No good—if the heroine takes the lead, trouble. It’s just chatting, right? I’ll control the scope—stick to normal classmate topics, kill time… Event cleared perfectly?

Action follows thought—he’s decisive. He speaks gently. “Suzuki-san?”

“Ah! Here!” Hikaru jolts, straightens, turns stiffly like a robot. “W-W-What is it!?”

“Ha, relax—just small talk. First day back, right?”

“Ah, yes…”

“How’d the placement exam go?” He smirks inwardly—exam talk kills romance vibes. No route risk. “Honestly, I blanked. Might retake Saturday.”

“Huh, ha…” She nods. “I… felt okay.”

“Thirty’s passing, right? ‘Okay’ means?”

“Just… okay…”

Clack-clack, clank-clank. The train’s white noise drones on.

Huh? This guy’s serious about chatting? A whole spring break of social training and this?! Shangguan He’s shocked.

Hikaru senses it—her response snuffed his spark. Guilt rising, she jumps in before it dies. “S-S-Speaking of, Shangguan-san, this train—”

He cheers her effort inwardly. “This train, i-it’s really… a train.”

The moment it leaves her mouth, she wants to die. She meant the tram they’re on. But post-opener, her brain blanks on train facts. So she blurts nonsense.

“Indeed, not a car, not a locomotive. From afar or riding, it’s peak train.”

But he plays along perfectly. With a straight face, he tops her idiocy.

“Huh? What are you saying?” Hikaru blinks, confused.

“Huh? You’re gonna roast me with that calm, clear gaze now?” He sweats. “I thought we started a ‘who’s dumber’ contest…”

“There’s no such contest…” She mutters.

“There is! Check World Weird Encyclopedia at home—tons of fun stuff.” He pauses. “Like a woman in the US addicted to eating her husband’s ashes…”

“Huh? For real?”

“An Indian old man who didn’t bathe for 37 years to get a son…”

“Ew, gross! His wife’s unlucky!”

“A venomous snake dying after biting a model’s fake boob…”

“Whoa, tech’s OP.”

The vibe warms. Hikaru relaxes, absorbing his topics, planning to reuse them. Shangguan-san really is a good guy…

… … Train arrives. They grab bags and exit. Same district, different neighborhoods—paths split at the station.

“Bye, Suzuki-san!” He waves, turns decisively. Mentally replaying the chat, he’s satisfied. Safe topics—no flirty drift.

“Yes! Keep it up!” He pumps a fist, alone on the street.

“Um…” An unexpected voice behind him.

“Huh?” He turns. Panting Hikaru. She looks like she sprinted. Why chase me? His guard shoots up.

“S-Sorry, wait…” Facing his puzzled stare, she fumbles. Opens her bag, digs for two minutes, pulls a card from the bottom, thrusts it forward.

He takes it, reads: Super Affordable! GoodEats Family Restaurant 20% Off Card! PS: Staff Friends & Family Only. Return on Employee Departure.

“Huh…” He sweats buckets. Never got this key item in the first playthrough.

“Shangguan-san.” Hikaru gathers courage, voice clear. Blushing in the sunset, she stammers, “Y-Y-You said… you’d come again! S-So this! For you! Bye!”

She dumps her lines and bolts.

He stands frozen, card in hand. Looks at it, then her fleeing back.

Oh no… did I already start Hikaru’s route?