Extra

This is the bonus chapter and manga from the second volume. 

Enjoy!

Extra Story: The Girl Who Isn't Good at Socializing

*****

Fuwa Aya is troubled.

Aya leaned on her bed while squeezing her cushion. Her bedroom is simple without any decoration, not even plushies. She dislikes adding stuff inside her room since it’ll only gather dust.

She often got presents from the store’s customer, but rather than accept it she chose to return them through Karen-san. Aya prefers to live without any ties of obligation toward others and lead a simple, quiet life. But of course it would be a whole different case if it’s concerning her adult video collections.

The cushion she’s hugging right now was bought for the sake of entertaining her guest. Rather than a guest, maybe a lover? 

Aya buried her face to the cushion inside her arms and sniffed it.

The cushion has the same aroma scent that resembles her lover’s, like she was currently inside her room. 

(She’s right, this smells refreshing.)

Aya might understand why her lover is hooked on stuff like aroma.

She kept doing that for a while and then let out a huge sigh.

This isn’t good, she intended to change her mood, but since she failed at it she ended up escaping from reality.

“What should I do?”

Once again, she confronted the problem ahead with a serious demeanor.

Saturday two weeks from now, Aya is going on a double date.

Her plan to expose the truth about her relationship with Marika went smoothly. It was mainly thanks to Matsukawa Chisaki that everything went faster than she imagined. Aya thought she gave Marika quite a shock by this outcome.

But the trial doesn’t end there. This double date will act as a test to see if Aya could fare with Marika and her friends.

(I can’t mess this up.)

To be honest, deep down Aya thinks of these as a bother. 

Marika is Aya’s opposite, she properly classifies everything to make sure her social life goes smoothly. Even though Marika also agreed that choosing your friends and talking about things you like is up to your own discretion, she is totally against that mindset when she’s in school.

(Not that I get it though.)

No matter what happens, if by any chance Marika turned into some sort of cult’s extreme believer, I’m confident that I can still respect her will and support her from the sidelines.

That example was too extreme, but what I want to say is I’ll respect her belief and where her interests lay. I won’t deny her interests and accept her ideals.

And since that was the case, I decided to think about this thoroughly.

But the result is…

Getting along with people is Aya’s flaw, and she’s really bad at it. She has zero confidence, but she really needs to do it well, and that’s why she’s troubled.

(This is hard.)

To maintain a good relationship with Marika, being good at sex is not everything. Even though she did make Marika fall for her, it still wasn't enough. Aya wondered if Marika thought it was a simple thing and everyone could do it as well as her since she can do it easily.

But, well.

(It's worth the struggle…)

Aya can approach Marika and talk to her whenever and wherever she wants after all. On top of that, she can spend a lot of school events together with Marika.

(Haah, let’s just do my best.) 

Aya still has no idea how to make the upcoming double date into a huge success, but she is used to it. When she’s lost, she just needs to ask other people who seem to understand the solution to her problems.

(I’ll do what I can for now.)

Aya spread out her notebook while taking out her phone to check her schedule for today. She’s short on time, even one day is precious for her.

**

“Huh? Double date? So youngsters nowadays are still doing it.”

Aya works at a lesbian bar placed in Shinjuku district.

Even though it’s a lesbian bar, the customers aren’t limited to lesbians, there are quite a few straight customers who often come. Considering the store is placed deep in the alley with lack of advertising and just relies on the word-of-mouth strategy. So, it isn’t really crowded normally.

That day, there is another bartender who works on the same shift as Aya.

“Hee, sounds fun. It must be nice to be a high-schooler, how young, how envious.”
“Hearing an ‘envy’ word comes out of Towa-san’s mouth could incur others wrath, you know?”
“Eeeh, but I'm already 22 years old, right? And right now, the only people here are me and you.”

The bartender named Towa responded to Aya with a laugh while moving her mop. 

It’s already business hours, but since Karen-san has an errand and would be late for today, it’s just two of them inside the store.

While wiping the table, Aya continued her questions toward her senior.

“Is there something you need to focus on during a double date?”
“Hmm, let’s see.”

Towa is a tall woman with a bob-cut and a friendly upbringing. During the day, she’s a graduate student but apparently before she worked here, she experienced an SM-club for a short period of time. A natural-born queen.

When she quit her job as a queen, she said something along, “Because, everyone who came to the store was asking to get bullied by their own will, it’s kinda boring.”

Towa is someone who’s far more free-spirited than Aya, just like a little bird who jumped from one tree to another. That’s why a lot of customers considered seeking Towa’s pure kindness is something like a pipe dream. Towa let out a laugh.

“Sorry, usually I don’t really need to mind my attitude since people keep latching on to me, so I don’t really know how to handle that kind of situation.”
“I see.”

Aya thought that was the end of their conversation.

When Aya turned her back to continue her task, Towa let out an apology gesture, “Ah, I lied, that was a lie, sorry.”

“There’s stuff you need to consider during those kinds of events, you see. For example, you need to mind the way you act so the little puppies won't fight each other.”
“Haa.”
“In short, that thing, Harmony is the Greatest of Virtues.”
“I know that much.”
“Good, you’re ready to go. As long as you keep smiling and being courteous, I’m sure that you will be alright. You are a beauty after all.”
“Does that have something to do with this?”

It won’t make any differences since the other members are a group of beauties anyway. For now, Aya can’t really decide whether Towa’s advice is reliable or not, but she took a mental note on that one.

Being courteous, smiling...smiling when there’s nothing funny happening is a bit difficult though. Let’s use the experience during my working hours, it’ll be okay somehow.

**

“Things to consider during a double date, huh.”

The next day, the one who has the same shift as Aya is a bartender named Nana. She has short black hair with a composed air around her, a boyish type of beauty.

She calmly smokes her cigarette, her movement gives off a cool impressions. Apparently a lot of her fans made a petition to lift the smoking ban inside the store and submit it toward Karen-san. Of course she rejected them lightheartedly.

“Let’s see, I really want to give my hard-working junior a good advice, but.”
“Yeah.”

Nana avoided Aya’s straightforward gaze.

“I’m also not really good at socializing with people.”

A lot of regulars here always said that “Her voice makes me like I’m in heaven...” since Nana has a sexy husky voice.

“Come to think of it, Towa-san said that ‘Asking Naa-chan is kinda useless though.’ yesterday”
“Wait.”

Nana, who replenished the store's inventory turned her head at Aya, looking dissatisfied.

“Did she really say that? Sounds like her. Wait a moment, I’ll give you proper advice.”
“Thank you.”

Aya nodded her head. Actually, Towa did say that, but followed by, “...Is what you better say, or else she will definitely evade your question with some random excuses.” Aya has no idea about the true form of their relationship, she only knows they are long-time acquaintances. 

Aya is fully aware that rather than a social type like Towa and Marika, she’s far more compatible with someone like Nana since they share the same views about interpersonal relationships. That’s why she believes that Nana will be able to understand Aya’s feelings when facing something like this. But still, is this method really necessary, Aya wondered.

When Aya recalled the plan Marika had for her, she admitted that it’s something a bit complicated for her own standard. That’s why, with the same time limit, Aya made her own plan that suited her characters. 

So it didn’t mean Aya “didn’t want to do it”, rather, Aya “didn’t have the confidence to do it”. They simply have different standards for stuff like this.

But put them aside for now.

“Let’s see, this is something that should be done by both parties, but I think it’s important to listen to what they say.”
“Listen.”
“Yeah, you must be wondering why I say something that simple, but actually it’s not. Giving a proper response based on what the other party says is important since you usually respond to them inside your head without actually saying anything.”
“That’s...true.”
“That attitude will give off an impression that you’re ignoring them. It might be hard to look for the right timing, but whatever happens just give your proper response.”

Nana sounds like she also said the same thing for herself

“You also don’t really need to show off your capability with any sensible response, sometimes it’s better to let them say whatever and give a normal response. You can say something like, “Ah I get it, you make it sound interesting it piqued my interest,” to show your enthusiasm. I think it’s something along those lines, what do you think?”

Aya typed everything inside her phone and read them a few times.

“Thank you for your advice, Nana-san. It’s very helpful, kind of unexpected.”
“Is that also something that Towa taught you?”
“No, this one is my personal view.”
“...I did tell you to give proper responses, but don’t say anything unnecessary.”

How complicated.

**

“Aya-chan, I heard that you asked for advice from others?”
“Ah, Shiori-san.”

And the next day, Aya met Shiori-san inside the changing room.

Shiori-san is the rare type of employee. 

During the day, she works as a receptionist lady in a major firm which is a bit unusual. It’s normal to have a double job, but considering the scale of her company, it’s not weird that she’s very busy that she doesn’t have any spare time to do a side job.

Even then, since she’s one of the very first staff who helped Karen-san build this store, she has a close chemistry with this place. That’s why sometimes when her job is getting less busier she will show up like this to help around.

“If it’s okay, would you like to give me some advice too?”
“Oo, to Aya-chan? Leave it to me! Let’s see.”

Shiori who had her hair up into a bun swayed her body like she’s having fun with a smile plastered on her face.

She’s someone who treated Aya like her own little sister. She’s also the one who taught Aya how to apply makeup and many other stuff.

From Aya’s point of view, inside this bar managed by Karen-san, the only person who has a good head on her shoulder is Shiori-san.

“Hm, I think what suits you best is being considerate with others.”
“Which means…”
“You need to broaden the way you see things!”

Like a kindergarten teacher who patiently taught her student, Shiori enveloped Aya’s hands with hers.

“Aya-chan is, when you have someone you like, you will rush ahead without any care just for her sake, right?”

Shiori stretched out her hand as a gesture for rushing ahead, and then she placed her hands on her hips.

“But you see, girls dislike it when someone tries to ruin the circle. Even if it’s because you want to spend time together with your girlfriend, the way you act according to your own will is a big turnoff.”
“That’s scary.”
“But fret not!”

In response to Aya’s response, Shiori let out her thumb.

“When you want to be alone with your girlfriend, but you’re not in the situation where you can say it, there’s a way. You just need someone else to assist you to create a mood, by letting them say something vague like, “Hey, let’s split up for a bit,” what do you think?

Aya recalled that time when they hung out together looking for Decorative Plant Series’ strap. That time, Chisaki nonchalantly asked her to tag along and since then Aya is able to get along with Marika’s group. Thanks to that, she even had the chance to do double-date together. So properly reading the mood is really important after all.

“Thank you for your advice.”
“Right, right? That’s the way of being considerate with girls. Just be honest so you can understand each other’s intention.”

Near Shiori’s mouth, there’s a mole as her trait. When she rests her hand on her cheek, the mole can be seen between her fingers and it gives off a lovely impression. Aya likes it whenever she does that.

“According to your stories, I think it’s important to do things like that, right? Of course, you don’t have to do it if you’re unwilling to since that’s also another form of socializing with others.”

Deep down, Aya thought that everything is bothersome.

But after Chisaki helped her that one time, she also realized that it’s not good to act only based on self-interest. Aya is also sure that having friends who could help each other when in need would be a comfortable place for her.

“Aah, um.”

Aya nodded her head. This side of hers is something she won’t show Marika.

“...I’ll try.”

Considering people’s thoughts and feelings, act based on that and give some support. 

Those sound complicated and Aya was getting a bit worried, if that’s the case, as expected being alone is the easiest way out there.

...but, perhaps.

“She probably went through all of these whenever she pulled my hand.”
“I see.”

Hearing Aya’s words, Shiori let out a little laugh and then patted Aya’s back.

“Even though you’re so reluctant to do things you’re bad with, you sure do your best for her sake, huh. You really treasure her, I see!”

A familiar, Marika’s faint scent was filling up her chest.

“...Yes, she’s precious to me.”

Shiori looked pleased when she saw Aya let out her natural smile.

“Don’t worry, you can do it. In case something goes wrong, your effort will still come into fruition so it’s not like that everything would become pointless. Do your best!” 

Shiori’s unexpected hot-blooded side made Aya bewildered, but in a good way.

When Karen had a bad day, especially when the store’s sales weren't very good, the one who encouraged Karen-san and stayed by her side is Shiori.

“I’ll do my best.”

So, hearing that kind of encouragement from Shiori is very reassuring. That day Aya thought that she’ll do her best for Marika’s sake.

**

After that, Aya took a few pieces of advice from a lot of people and formed her own plan to make sure everything goes smoothly. She categorized things into stuff she definitely can’t do and stuff she can manage somehow as the base for her image training.

To do a perfect simulation, she needed to know about Yume and Chisaki’s personality so she needs Marika’s input for this. But since she prefers to keep this as a secret from Marika, she chose to rely on the related parties themself.

So, she gathered some information about Yume from Chisaki, and some information about Chisaki from Yume.

When Aya said her reasons, they generously cooperated. In the end, Aya listened to them bragging about each other. 

Bit by bit, she felt the excitement from the double date slowly piling up and also made her nervousness fade. 

Looking at her memo that was jam-packed with the fruit of her labor, Aya was finally able to look ahead with a brimming confidence.

**

A few days before the day of the double-date.

A lot of people from the bar including Karen-san gave Aya a lot of interesting topics so she can use it for conversation. These people are really good at talking and it also stands as a conversation practice for Aya.

Astalotte who sometimes showed up is a bit useless but she still encouraged her by saying, “I’ll cast a magic spell so everything will go smoothly since you are my precious friend!” with a smile while shaking Aya’s hands. Aya felt like she just received some energies from her.

That’s why she couldn’t help but think that she sure is surrounded by a lot of kind people.

If she’s alone, she won't be able to prepare things up to this extent. Everyone said that this happened thanks to her own effort, but she didn’t think that it was completely true. Everyone could do their best, but it’s not enough if they don’t have the luck, and Aya is blessed with that.

Her encounter with Marika where they ended up dating, once again she thought that she really ought to thank her luck for everything that happened in her life.

Aya rested her body on her bed while hugging her cushion and staring at the ceiling. 

“...Marika.”

Aya was supposed to have already made Marika thoroughly fall in love with her, but it seems like reality said the opposite.

“Let’s do this.”

***

Finally things calmed down and her peaceful everyday came back after the storm with Sae had passed. 

Aya prepared herself in front of the mirror.

She applied her makeup and put on her natural-colored lipstick as the final touch. 

But as for today, she arranged her hair more than usual. Since she still had some time, she did it a bit more carefully. 

She combed it and curled her hair lightly. It made her hair look wavy compared with her usual style.

Her hair smoothly swayed when she finished arranging her hair, she wondered if she overdid it.

She changed into her uniform, and checked herself in the mirror for the last time before she left for school.

It was her usual appearance, it’s just that she put in more effort than usual for her hair.

(It feels a bit odd somehow.)

She left her house and headed to the station.

For now, Aya thought maintaining the status quo is the best. Today will go like yesterday, tomorrow will go like today. She had a dream where everyday will keep going like her usual, an unchanged future.

That’s why she saw Marika who kept walking forward step by step everyday into another new path as someone amazing since she couldn’t do something like that. That’s what she thought.

(But…)

She pondered. She feels like something is changing inside her, but she doesn’t hate it.

She felt weird since that day, she couldn’t sleep well after what happened with Marika.

Everything has changed since she met Marika.

She passed the ticket gate and stood on her platform waiting for the train. Her appearance really invited a lot of gazes from other passengers, but she didn’t really care. She’s used to it.

When she opened her phone, she found the usual message from Marika, a good morning message with a stamp. Even though they will meet soon after this and it’s kind of useless to reply to this message now, she still sent a simple sticker as a reply.

It felt ticklish.

She is aware that something like this doesn’t suit her.

But when she thought that a simple gesture like this is making Marika happy and she could convey her feelings, she’ll gladly do it. It’s really something she couldn’t imagine when she remembered her past-self.

Marika replied to her message in an instant, [It seems like today will get very cold!] just like an emergency notification. She couldn’t contain her cheek from forming a smile when suddenly a voice called out for her, “Umm.”

Aya raised her head and found a boy whom she has no recollection of. 

His uniform looks a bit tight on his broad shoulders. Aya got an impression like he has already prepared himself for this. She absentmindedly stared at him, He really didn’t leave much impression inside her.

“What?”

He looked startled by Aya’s response, but then he gathered his courage and opened his mouth.

“I always saw you at the same train...a-and today, your hair looks different than usual, it suits you.”
“Aah, ‘kay.”

Aya let out a simple response and brought her attention back to her phone. The boy looked like he wanted to say something more, but looking at her who seemed uninterested, he gave up and left.

Aya wondered what just happened.

She really didn’t understand what his intention was and thought about it inside her head. But the moment Aya arrived at her destination and stepped out from the train, she completely forgot about that little event with the boy.

Aya passed her usual route to the school. Walking along the trees, she could see a lot of autumn-colored leaves. While feeling the winter is near, she blended in with other students who also walked toward the school.

After arriving at the shoe locker, she changed her shoes into the indoor one and headed to the classroom.

Once she walked, the atmosphere of all-girls school was really filling up her surroundings. After walking past the usual town, entering this kind of environment really gave off a sense of oddness. Loud voices, smell of girls, swaying skirts. Sometimes her gaze will wander toward some cute girls she met during her walk. Aya reflected a bit on that.

It’s a bit more until the classroom. Usually, she goes straight to her desk right beside the window and puts down her bag. After that, she’ll take a seat and gaze at the scenery before her, that’s how her usual everyday life started.

It’s not like she has something specific to do. She usually recollected what happened yesterday like her work, or the manga she read, or maybe listening to Marika’s voice from another side of this class.

Even though they were in the same classroom, she felt far away, it was part of Aya’s everyday life.

But.

“Ah.”

Once she stepped into the classroom, she heard a voice she longed to hear.

Marika who’s surrounded by others is looking at Aya with a gleam in her eyes, and their eyes met.

Aya broke down the wall that separated her world from Marika’s.

“Good morning, Sakakibara-san.”

Marika’s cheeks that look soft smeared in red. Like hiding her embarrassment, she hid her expression using the back of her hand.

Marika moved closer and with a small voice answered Aya’s greetings, “M-morning, Fuwa…”

She displayed her cuteness since early morning.

Since Yume and Chisaki hadn’t come yet, Marika was talking with other classmates that Aya was unfamiliar with. During this time, Marika always looks different than usual since it’s her way of treading her relationship with others. 

Aya didn’t want to bother Marika, so she waved her hand and went straight to her desk. A simple greeting in the early morning is enough for her. Just by that simple gesture, Aya felt that every hardship she went through has paid off.

(Today too, Marika looks cute like usual)

Aya played the scene where Marika smiles a few times inside her head when suddenly she felt a presence from her behind.

Feeling surprised, Aya swiftly turned her back only to find Yume who also looked startled.

“T-that was surprising...Ayaya, how did you figure it out?”
“...Somehow?”
“I see, I still lack training...I’ll do my best to strive for it okay? Being a ninja.”
“I think you can do it.”
“Hey did you really mean that!? Did you really think that I would be able to become a ninja!? From deep inside your heart!? Hey, answer me!”
“You’re being rowdy.”
“Ouch!”

Chisaki suddenly showed up while chopping Yume’s head.

Her appearance looked neat as usual, she raised her hand and said a simple greeting, “Yo.” Aya nodded her head a little as her response, “Morning.”

At first she thought of Chisaki as someone intimidating, but she’s getting used to that as of late. Sometimes she would show her sharp tongue but it’s not like she has bad intentions and being unreasonable. 

“Ah, come to think of it, the new event has started. Did you do it, Fuwa?”
“Yeah, I've been playing it since yesterday. I already got the limited characters.”
“Too quick. Don’t tell me you didn’t sleep?”
“I just stayed up late last night, will sleep at school anyway.”
“Don’t sleep now.”

They had small talks for a while until Marika arrived.

“Good morning Chisaki, Yume. Hey listen, today I didn’t get to eat my breakfast and I also forgot to buy something at the convenience store. Just imagine if my stomach growled during the class, ugh that would be a nightmare.”
“Poor Mari, are you okay? Want to eat some lip cream?”
“Ah, I’ll give you my tissue then! Here, you can eat them.”
“Don’t need them! You can’t simply stuff your stomach with whatever!”

Aya thought that Marika who retorted back at her friends looks cute and she ended up giggled. Looking at Aya’s reaction, Marika blushed a bit and grumbled, “Geez…”

“Fuwa was laughing at you.”

Aya learned that if she honestly said what she thought that Marika is being cute, she’ll get scolded. 

“Sakakibara-san’s reaction is amusing after all.”
“Ah is that so, to make Fuwa laugh since morning sure is a grand achievement.”

Marika puffed her cheek to show her displease. Aah, she’s cute Aya wanted to hug her.

This is the down side of hiding their relationship.

While she’s aware that she’ll evoke Marika’s wrath if she behaves like her lover, she also wanted to trouble Marika with that.

No, Aya steeled herself. But still, one day she might not be able to control herself if this situation keeps happening.

“Ah, that’s right.”

Marika directed her gaze at Aya. her gaze isn’t the way looking at her lover, she smiled normally like she showed her friends under normal circumstances.

“Today, your hair looks different than usual. It suits you very much.”

Aah.

Good grief, Aya really wanted to roll around while covering her face with her palms.

It’s like Marika already saw through her, that everything she did is for Marika.

This is why Marika is so...geez.

“E-eh, what is it? Why are you grabbing my hand, did I say something weird?”
“Sakakibara-san, let’s go to the bathroom.”
“Eh don’t want to! Your eyes are scary!”

Everything Marika did for her always tasted sweet. That sweetness is something that always messes with Aya’s heart.

Aya is sure that from now on, Marika’s request for her will keep piling up.

Marika thought of Aya as someone perfect after all, and answering that expectation would be hard.

But Aya is sure that those hardships will bring her into a new, bright future filled with happiness. 

Aya is determined to do everything for Marika’s sake.

Just like the way Marika filled Aya with her love.

Since they are lovers.

*****

Bonus Manga

Translator's Note:

And that's the end of the second volume. The third volume will released on February 10th. If anyone is interested in taking over just drop me a message and it'll be completely yours. In case no one show up, I will work on it but it might take times. 

For more detailed info about the novel click here

Edit and Announcement

Arioto will be taken over by another group, thank you for sticking with me until now and you can enjoy the third volume soon. Sorry for dropping this series but I have my own limit since I also need to work for living (lol). Translating this series is fun, and I hope you can keep supporting Aya and Marika's story from now on!

Credit:
TL and everything else: Meatbun
Proofread: Hourai

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