Chapter 71: Having a gathering on Christmas is a sign of being popular.

“Today, I was thinking we could all go to karaoke and have a Christmas party. Would you like to join?”

“…Eh?”

A Christmas party?

Could it be the kind of event you see in manga, anime, or light novels, where popular people gather and have fun just

because it’s Christmas?

That thing that has absolutely nothing to do with me, both in my past life, before I regained my memories, and even

after I regained them?

“U-um….”

“I’ve already reserved the karaoke and everything!”

“U-um, Miyauchi-san…?

Could you reconsider?

If I go, a classmate who hasn’t met anyone privately for a year will come, and the atmosphere will definitely become

super awkward, don’t you think?

Don’t you think I’ll feel out of place since I don’t even have any friends in class and can’t gauge the distance with

others?

I’ve never joined any of the group activities before, and now, just because it’s Christmas, I’ll end up being that

awkward person who intrudes?”

“W-well, I… um….”

“Do you perhaps already have plans today?”

“Not really…”

“Then, did I do something wrong?”

“Th-that’s not it…”

I, a loner, wouldn’t have any plans on Christmas, the event that belongs to the popular people, Miyauchi-san.

And although I don’t have any plans now, if I go and mess up the party’s vibe, it might all be Miyauchi-san’s fault.

Ah, does she want to see me, a loner, fumbling around at the party?

Is Miyauchi-san turning into an abuser like Izutomo?

Miyauchi-san’s gaze is sharp.

Her gesture of reaching out slightly, as if hoping I wouldn’t refuse, is so pitiful that I almost nodded without realizing it.

“U-um, I’ll just go to the bathroom for a moment, and then I’ll decide when I get back…”

“Ah, okay! Take your time!”

Honestly, if I could, I would pretend to go to the bathroom and escape to my house, but right now, my gut is telling

me that I shouldn’t do that.

Sigh…

What should I do?

Sitting on the toilet in the bathroom, I thought about it, but of course, no answer came to me.

So, in this situation, I had no choice but to ask my greatest ally, Koga-san, for help.

[Kai-no Izumiko: Koga-san, this is a big problem.]

[Koga Suzuha: What happened?]

When I sent Koga-san a DM about the situation, the reply came almost immediately.

As expected of Koga-emong!

[Kai-no Izumiko: A classmate from my class suggested going to a Christmas party together.]

[Kai-no Izumiko: What should I do? Please help.]

[Koga Suzuha:…? Just go and have fun.]

[Kai-no Izumiko: What if it’s part of some plan?]

[Koga Suzuha: Don’t say nonsense, just go and have fun.]

[Koga Suzuha: Anyway, you have a broadcast at 8 PM, right?]

As expected, popular people don’t understand the feelings of loners.

Normally, Koga-san always acts like she can read my mind, but why is she so clueless in situations like this?

…Or maybe?

Maybe she knows what I’m thinking and is deliberately trying to tease me?

If that’s the case, Koga-san is really a devil…

[Koga Suzuha: Caught you.]

“Eeek…”

[Koga Suzuha: Well, if you really don’t want to go, you can refuse.]

[Koga Suzuha: But if someone’s offering the invite, I think it’d be fine to go and enjoy yourself.]

[Koga Suzuha: Didn’t you say you’ll be in the same class for three years at your school?]

[Koga Suzuha: Wouldn’t it be better to get a little closer from now on?]

Koga-san’s words were certainly right.

If our class were to change next year when we become second years, I would have already escaped without hesitation,

but at our school, we’re in the same class for three years.

If I run away now, I have no idea what will happen after winter break.

[Kai-no Izumiko: …I’ll go.]

[Koga Suzuha: Contact me when you get home.]

[Kai-no Izumiko: Okay…]

I just hope she wasn’t calling to tease me…

The Christmas streets are bustling.

Carolers singing, twinkling decorations, various events for Christmas.

It’s flashy and chaotic, but it’s also proof that people are having fun.

In other words, it’s a scene that has absolutely nothing to do with me.

“This is the first time I’m going out with Kaya-no-san like this!”

“I’m excited, aren’t you?”

“Haha…”

The loud voices of my classmates echoed.

This is awkward. I don’t even know what kind of reaction they want from me.

But in situations like this, I have a secret weapon.

The very technique that has made me the ultimate time assassin.

Reciting the Heart Sutra in my head.

Mahā-prajñāpāramitā-hṛdaya-sūtra.

Guṇāvati-bodhisattva-ṛṣis-samayā-sūtra.

Sariputra, form is emptiness, emptiness is form. Emptiness is neither separate nor identical.

Sāri, form is not emptiness, emptiness is not form, form is exactly emptiness, emptiness is exactly form…

“Ah, we’ve arrived.”

“…Eh?”

After reciting the Heart Sutra about three times, we arrived at the karaoke place.

To celebrate Christmas, there was a Christmas tree in front, and a flashy signboard with various event details.

Discounts, and benefits for members who join, and so on.

Of course, it had nothing to do with me, so I didn’t pay much attention.

“All the rooms from A to D are reserved for our class. Just go into the one you’re most comfortable with and have fun!”

At Miyauchi-san’s words, everyone started moving to find their close friends.

Me? Of course, I entered the very first room, Room A, without hesitation.

I didn’t want to stay behind and end up alone, making the situation awkward for everyone.

It was better to get a brief glance like, “Oh, she was here first?”

Not everyone is going to enter this room, anyway.

“Oh, it’s Kaya-no-san!”

“It’s really her.”

And the one who called my name and entered was the most popular girl in our class, Tateyama-san.

Following her in were… who was it?

I checked the name tags, and in order, it was Tokuhara-san, Onodera-san, and Hayase-san.

I guess these are the friends Tateyama-san mentioned during summer vacation in Akihabara.

“Hey, Kaya-no-san!”

“This is the first time we’re seeing you like this, huh?”

“Kaya-no-san must have had her reasons too.”

“Right. It’s all about learning how to respect others.”

“If someone overheard this, they’d think I said something bad!”

Overwhelmed by the constant barrage of conversation, I lowered my gaze and silently nodded.

Even after clearing the Arcana Shooter: Purgatory, I still couldn’t handle the overwhelming communication skills of these girls.

In front of them, I was just a mouse trembling before a cat.

Is this really what a popular JK is like?

What was I even doing on my broadcasts?

“Kaya-no-san, do you want to sing first? You were here the earliest.”

“Ah, um, it’s fine…”

It’s not that I’m not confident about singing.

No, in fact, I’m confident when it comes to singing.

In my past life, I often went to karaoke alone, and now, I’m a TS (transsexual) cute girl!

If I were to sing now, I’m sure I’d get reactions like, “What’s up with your voice?”

Even so, the reason I’m not grabbing the mic comes down to two things.

The first is that if I were to sing while everyone’s attention is on me, I’d definitely end up vomiting.

The second is that the songs I can sing are not the kinds of songs you’d sing in a crowd of popular people.

I know this from my long internet experience.

If I were to sing something like an anime OST, the atmosphere would instantly freeze.

I’m not embarrassed about being an otaku, but at least in situations like this, I can be mindful of the mood.

“So, should we sing first?”

“….”

It’s not a matter of who sings first; I could just keep singing if I wanted to.

I’ll just sit here, in perfect harmony with the chair, and waste time…

“Kayano-san.”

“…Eh?”

When I snapped back to reality from being called, Tateyama-san was singing, and Miyauchi-san had somehow already sat next to me.

“Are you enjoying yourself? I’m sorry for dragging you here…”

“No, it’s fine. It’s just… the truth is, I haven’t joined in when everyone gathered until now…”

Honestly, what I really wanted to say was that I just wanted to go home as quickly as possible, but I couldn’t say that

in front of Miyauchi-san, who was looking out for me like this.

“Aren’t you going to sing?” she asked.

“U-uh, no…”

“That’s a shame.”

What’s a shame?

Is she planning to mock me if my singing is a mess?

If that’s the case, I’d be a little upset…

“By the way, Miyauchi-san, aren’t you going to stay with your friends…?”

“Oh, I’m just keeping an eye out, in case anything happens.”

“I see…”

“I’m sorry…”

“Kayano-san always goes home early, so we don’t really get to have private conversations like this… That’s why I came looking for you…”

If I had friends, I would’ve stayed in the classroom and chatted with them. But unfortunately, I’m a pro at being a

loner who values time and efficiency.

I know there’s nothing to do if I stay in the classroom, so I can’t afford to waste time. I need to get home quickly,

watch some manga, play games, and prepare for the broadcast.

— Saying this makes me sound like I’m living an incredibly diligent life, right?

“No, you’re fine. I should be the one thanking you for coming today despite everything.”

Tired?

Well, I suppose. All the students in school are naturally tired and exhausted.

“Miyauchi-san too, you’re always working hard…”

It must be a hassle for her to even take care of someone like me, who stands out in the class as the odd one.

I want to tell her, “It’s fine, I’m a harmless loner, so don’t worry about me!” but it’s probably not something a class representative can easily say.

“Especially because of me…”

“…Huh? No!”

At my words, Miyauchi-san jumped up from her seat in surprise.

Her sudden reaction made me shrink back involuntarily, and naturally, the gazes of other classmates turned toward us.

“I’ve always been the one receiving consideration from Kayano-san!”

“…Huh?”

Consideration?