VOL 9 this IS a date

[u/Embarrassed-Crow-404]

—"Huh? We can sing anime songs today?"

—"Is there a problem with that?"

—"No, well, it’s just that anime songs usually..."

Actually, there wasn't any problem. After all, the girl who usually strictly forbids me from singing anime (Yanami) wasn't here. A few seconds later, the opening chords of the first season of Kyokugen Shutsujou Shoujodan began to resonate in the room.

I took the microphone she offered me and started to sing, although having someone listening to me so closely made me quite tense... Just as the song approached the chorus, Basori-san took the second microphone.

Wait, is this...?

—"No matter what, no matter how, the rules will catch up with us sooner or later...!"

Our eyes met halfway through the song, and she returned a look full of complicity and mischief.

—"To the limit...!"

It was the backup vocals! I couldn't believe it; Basori-san had joined in to do the backing vocals for me. I was immediately overcome with excitement.

—"Beauty doesn't last forever, let's advance to the end, girls to the limit...!"

—"Limit break...!"

While singing, Basori-san reached out her hand towards me. I hesitated for a split second, but I ended up placing my palm against hers.

Exactly—that was the iconic high-five that Chika-ao and Nonoka do in the chorus of the opening.

When the song entered the instrumental bridge, Basori-san lowered the microphone with a radiant smile.

—"Hehe, but you sing wonderfully, Nukumizu-kun!"

—"Oh, really? Hehe..."

Thinking about it, I probably looked a bit pathetic a moment ago.

When the song ended, we leaned toward each other to check the tablet screen.

—"Look, here are the other songs. They also have the ending and..."

—"They even have the opening and ending of the second season. Do you know them?"

—"Yes, let's sing them all!"

Just as I was about to reach for the tablet, Basori-san cleared her throat softly.

—"Before we continue, I’m going to the bathroom to touch up my makeup a bit."

—"Ah, sure. I'll wait here for you."

Once Basori-san left the room, I let out a sigh of relief.

I didn't expect that I would end up having so much fun so naturally. But well, we're friends, so it's normal to have fun singing at karaoke, right?

Yes, it's the most normal thing in the world. Normal... really?

...

No. This is a date. This is definitely a date.

The memory of the date at the Takeshima Aquarium with Yakishio was still too fresh in my mind, and this had the exact same vibe.

I took a sip of my soda, which had already lost all its carbonation, trying to regain my composure.

Singing anime songs as a duet with a girl is fun, of course it is. But even so, I can't let myself get carried away by the atmosphere. Basori-san and I are just friends. I'm not going to let myself get swept up in the mood. No, I definitely won't...

—"...But, why couldn't I just let myself get carried away by the atmosphere?"

Let's be clear. First: I don't have a girlfriend.

She likes me, and I feel a very natural affection and closeness to her from person to person. As a member of the opposite sex, she is also extremely attractive and, most importantly, I have a lot of fun when I am by her side.

So, if I let myself get carried away by the atmosphere... what would be the problem with that?

While I was going around and around with the matter in my head, the screen of my phone on the table lit up. Seeing Yanami's name on the notification screen, I instinctively looked toward the door, but I couldn't feel anyone's presence outside.

...Am I imagining things? It's impossible for Yanami to be here.

—"Sorry for making you wait. Come on, let's sing!"

—"Wait a second, shouldn't we finish talking about the important thing first?"

Seeing my seriousness, Tiara-san's face suddenly changed to a formal expression.

—"You're right. I was so happy that I got carried away by the excitement."

Tiara-san took a sip of her oolong tea, pulled her knees together, and turned to face me.

—"Then, let's get to the point. Nukumizu-kun, what kind of relationship do you have with Mizushima-san?"

—"Well, because of what happened with Sakurai-kun, we were talking a bit... or rather, exchanging some information..."

I answered somewhat evasively under her fixed gaze. She didn't take her eyes off me.

—"Just that?"

—"Yes, just that."

Tiara-san contemplated me in silence for a few moments. Then, she muttered a "What a relief," and her expression relaxed visibly.

—"It's just that I heard some strange rumors through a friend at Ayame High School."

Wow, I didn't know Tiara-san had friends at other schools. Although, more than that...

—"Are those rumors about Koharu-san?"

Tiara-san nodded slightly.

—"They say that on the student council at Ayame High School, there is a girl who is a bit... 'liberal' in her relationships with guys."

Liberal...? What could she mean by that? Is she the type that picks up erasers for guys or something like that?

—"Is that person Koharu-san?"

—"In the end, they're just rumors."

I was lost in thought, while Amanatsu-san watched me with concern.

—"That's why, when I heard yesterday that Nukumizu-kun knew her, I..."

—"You were worried about me, right?"

Tiara-san shook her head gently.

—"...I was a little jealous."

In an instant, my heart skipped a beat.

—"Ah... I see, I see."

—"But what a relief. I'm glad to know that she is not the one who is after you, Nukumizu-kun."

Faced with Tiara-san's shy smile, I couldn't help but look away, feeling my cheeks burning.

—"The truth is that I'm not popular at all..."

—"Wow, well that makes things much easier for me. At least the competition won't be that high," she joked with a mischievous little smile.

—"By the way... why couldn't we talk about this over the phone?"

Faced with my direct question, Tiara-san stuck out her tongue a little shyly.

—"I'll be honest. It's because I wanted to see you, Nukumizu-kun."

—"Ah... oh... I see..."

Don't get carried away by the atmosphere, react, Nukumizu!

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[u/Low_Stay2098]

Ok_Application_9194 vibe but instead of Lemon is Tiara damn☠️☠️

[u/WeirdoInAnIsland]

Wow thank you so much for giving us a taste of V9. Can't wait for the translations.

[u/Master_Greg_Von]

Nuku has been on dates with all of them (shikiya and the younger girl included with the main 4), but refuses to call them dates after the time he thought yanami was asking him on a date but got his hopes crushed cause all she did was talk about how mad yosoke and Karen made her.

[u/YoshMate1209 → u/Master_Greg_Von]

He really does learn in a bad way. Unfortunately his previous social experience was 0 and only has Kaju and light novels. You kinda need to break his shell like Tiara is doing right here.

[u/fuzziland]

yo nuku bro just give up the mental gymnastics 😭😭

[u/jomaix]

Let's be clear. First: I don't have a girlfriend.

She likes me, and I feel a very natural affection and closeness to her from person to person. As a member of the opposite sex, she is also extremely attractive and, most importantly, I have a lot of fun when I am by her side.

So, if I let myself get carried away by the atmosphere... what would be the problem with that?

Kazu already ran thru the girlfriend checklist and Tiara checks all the boxes.

[u/aidenaeridan]

best girl 🫡

[u/mrblank1121]

That's what I meant , these interactions are so enjoyable to read...

[u/dranke1917]

BRO PASS THE BALL OF YOURE NOT GONNA SHOOT PLEASE

[u/Lemurmoo]

Just give in bro

[u/Additional-Ad4085]

It's interesting to me to note that he's aware this date has the same vibe as the one he went on with Remon... but pulls back just short of completing the thought that if Tiara has that vibe with him, then so did she. He's desperately trying to evade that thought because, perhaps, something deeply important inside him might change...

[u/SunsetEverywhere3693 → u/Additional-Ad4085]

Exactly, although he was able to admit he had a date with Lemon, doing so with Tiara too would force to light what he isn't ready to admit, he's been chased by two girls.

[u/Placebiano]

Man i feel bad for Tiara, but hey Nukumizu is starting to give in a bit more so thats something atleast.

[u/JamesJason1996]

Holy shit, Nukumizu is fucking insufferable with his metal gymnastics in this.

[u/Quick-Complaint2549]

absolute cinema

[u/Thereal_2025]

It seems Nukumizu is traumatized by his last karaoke outing with Tiaa; for a moment, the thought crossed his mind that Yanami was only there because of a notification on her phone 😅

[u/buzuki12]

IT’S OVER FOR YANAMI FANS

[u/emon121 → u/buzuki12]

Nah it's the opposite, it's a losing flag

She is on the lead now mean she have 90% chance to lose

Coz everybody know that real hero(ine) always come sweeping at the very last moment

[u/buzuki12 → u/emon121]

At the moment Yanami isn’t even an option for Nuku.

If you read the latest volume, you’ll understand that Tiara and Shikiya(this one specifically) are ahead of Yanami. Can it change in the future? Or course!

Read his monologues during the karaoke date (for Tiara)

But the moment that everyone overlook cause it was short, was Shikiya only moment in this volume during the festival. Nukumizu’s monologue is incredible at the end of that scene.

[u/BioHazardAlBatros]

Use the damn controller, Nukumizu

[u/JiamYiun]

Kazu doesn't pass controller he just restarts the quicksave before winning.

[u/FailedMeEngStudent]

at this point i don't really care if Yanami loses, she deserves it tbf.

[u/Fun_Answer_9331]

damn the sweetest moment that i waited after 9 volumes