NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 24 - Erika who likes Games and Karen who Hates to Lose
Starting from the time we went shopping for clothes together, there had been several other instances where I went shopping with Karen and Erika.
Finally, the situation I had been dreading occurred at school.
“Hey, hey, Kakami-kun. You were shopping with a really beautiful girl the other day, weren’t you?”
–Wha!?
A really beautiful girl… Erika? If it was Karen, she would probably go ask her directly.
Well, in that sense, it’s a good thing it was only Erika. I’m really glad I wasn’t seen with both of them at the same time, seriously.
“Um, you must be mistaken.”
“No way. I was so surprised I hid and watched you for a while. You two were really affectionate. Was that a date or what?”
You went that far to check on me!?
A female classmate, um, I think her name was Fujimura? What’s her purpose for asking me this? It wasn’t a date, although Erika insisted that it was.
“Is she a model or something? She was so beautiful I couldn’t help but wonder. You’re not one to stand out, Kakami-kun, but maybe you’re actually a go-getter in your private life?”
Ah, I see. Is this the kind of romantic curiosity typical of girls? From a female perspective, Erika must indeed stand out as a beauty, probably.
“She seemed pretty flashy. She’s a student from another school, right? Which high school? Or is she a college student? An older girlfriend?”
“Ah, um, you see—”
What should I say? Should I just get up from my seat and escape?
Just when I was considering that, a voice suddenly called out from the front of the classroom.
“Um, Seiichiro-kun. There’s a message for you from the teacher.”
The voice, although slightly flustered, was familiar. It was Karen.
She probably threw me a lifeline in a pinch involving Erika.
“Who’s Seiichiro?”
“Who did Kamishiro just call?”
“Has Kamishiro ever called someone by their first name before?”
But it completely backfired. It only increased my troubles.
Of course, it did. She called me by my first name, after all!
“Um, that was a slight mistake.”
A visibly flustered Karen.
If I leave her be, she might dig herself into a deeper hole.
“Sorry, I’ve been called over.”
“Eh? Uh? What?”
I gave a light nod to the confused Fujimura-san, and left the classroom with Karen.
Afterward, we pretended as if nothing happened until the end of the day, but I could hear my classmates whispering about Karen and me.
Maybe it’s better to just own it at this point…
“That was close today. Well, if Karen and Erika don’t care, then school life and all that doesn’t matter to me either.”
“Then why not just stop hiding it? Like saying, ‘So what if they’re both living in my house?'”
“No way. Why would I announce it myself? That’s crazy.”
We were playing games as usual after returning from school, but lately, Erika has been coming into my room and grabbing a game controller.
Having a beautiful girl who looks like a model sitting on the bed next to you is quite a situation. Honestly, it took me a while to get used to it.
“Erika really stands out, doesn’t she? Ah, hurry and get that item.”
“Uh? Ah, this one, right. What do you mean by ‘stands out’? Being cute isn’t a waste.”
We were currently in the middle of playing an online multiplayer game as a team.
By the way, there are two monitors in this room. One had been brought over from the living room by Erika. Now we’re using that monitor for gaming.
“If we get found out, we’ll just have to accept it. Anyway, you’ve gotten really good at this game, Erika. Last time you couldn’t do anything, but Karen still can’t.”
“Ah, my sister isn’t good with action games? Maybe she’s better with puzzles or something—Ah, I died!? Are you kidding me!?”
“Hmm, in that case, maybe it would be fun to invite her to play a crafting game next time?”
“Hey, help me out here, will you!?”
“Okay, just collecting the items.”
“Hey, big brother~”
Well, well, might as well help her out.
“By the way, what’s our sister doing while we’re gaming like this?”
Lately, whenever I’m playing games, Erika often joins in, but what about our sister? Is she okay being left out?
“Hmm? She’s usually studying.”
“…And you?”
“…What about you, Makoto?”
…Alright, let’s drop this topic.
“Ah, ha, haha. Yeah, maybe I should get some studying done too. I don’t want to score too poorly, considering my sister.”
“Wow, you’re responsible.”
“Not really. I can’t match up to my sister. Let’s call it quits after the next time I die.”
“Sure thing.”
As she declared, Erika left the game and exited the room.
“Hmm, studying, huh.”
I’m not in the mood to start now, but losing Erika also killed my drive to continue gaming. Now, what to do?
As I headed downstairs to grab a drink in the living room, I ran into Karen.
“Done studying?”
“Huh? Oh, you heard from Erika? Yeah, I finished today’s portion, and I didn’t want to disturb Erika, so I came down.”
Did Erika really start studying? I feel oddly guilty for not doing the same.
“Um, I’m really sorry about earlier. I accidentally called you by your name…”
Suddenly, Karen looked apologetic and lowered her gaze. Seems like she’s concerned about her own carelessness.
“Just be careful next time. Everyone makes mistakes. But aren’t you going to help your sister with her studies?”
“Thank you, I will be. As for studies, she’s the type who can do well when she tries. She’ll come and ask if there’s something she doesn’t get.”
I see. Respecting her sister’s autonomy, huh? What a good older sister.
When we got into the living room, she naturally started making tea. And just like that, we ended up having tea together.
I’ve become so accustomed to this sort of vibe…
“I might have asked before, but you’re fine not studying, Seiichiro?”
“Well, I sorta listen in class, and if I at least read the textbooks, I won’t fail.”
“If you can score that easily, why not aim for higher grades by actually studying?”
“…That’s a possibility, I guess.”
“Why don’t we study together? It could be more fun for both of us.”
Karen seemed to propose this hesitantly, but with a hopeful atmosphere.
Ugh. Normally, such earnest and straightforward suggestions would make me want to decline, but when Karen says it, I naturally want to accept. Weird.
Her charm is different from Erika’s allure. She has the ability to genuinely move people’s hearts, likely without even being aware of it. She’s gifted in captivating others.
Talking about human emotions or whatnot, maybe it’s just me being captivated by allure.
While talking about human emotions, it might just be me who’s getting captivated by her allure.
“Ah, maybe we can study together from tomorrow if I feel like it.”
“Okay. Then, I’ll prepare for that just in case.”
Hm… The utterly innocent and happy atmosphere she exudes, along with her faint smile…
From the way I put it, it sounds like I’m probably not actually going to do it. But I’m sure Karen is really planning to prepare for our study session. She’ll probably organize her notes, think of explanations, and the like.
Knowing this, it makes it incredibly hard to refuse her offer.
“She’s a terrifying woman…”
“Huh? Did you say something?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
“How about we play a game together for now?”
“A game?”
It’s rare for Karen to suggest such a thing.
“Sure, what are we playing?”
“Of course, it’s—”
“—You just wanted a rematch?”
“Because losing all the time is frustrating…”
What Karen suggested were various gambling games. The kind I previously won big at when we played it as a trio, including Erika.
She really hates losing, doesn’t she?
“I mean, it’s not like we’re betting money. But if I seriously play a gambling game, I don’t think you stand a chance.”
“Hmm? You’re pretty confident.”
And for good reason. Just how much have I earned from these games?
“But I can’t give up without a fight. Let’s duel!”
“Fine, let’s go.”
About an hour later…
“I lost…”
“I told you.”
“I thought I had a chance if I calculated the probabilities properly.”
“That could work if you’re incredibly smart. But it’s generally difficult.”
“How do you win, Seiichiro?”
“How do I win? It’s hard to explain.”
“I just see it.”
“See? The other person’s cards?”
“No, not like that. It’s more about knowing when to bet or fold. I don’t win every time, you know?”
“So, it feels like some kind of superpower?”
“It’s not exactly that. It’s more like a sense of intuition.”
“In any case, never winning is frustrating. Isn’t there any way I could beat you, Seiichiro?”
“Well, I can lose my focus too, so maybe if you try some psychological tactics… but trying psychological warfare suddenly in gambling would be difficult. Ah, how about we settle this with this?”
I show her a coin from my wallet.
“A coin toss? Just guessing heads or tails. If it’s a one-time gamble like this, you could win if you’re lucky.”
“…Let’s do it.”
Her eyes become sharply focused. She’s incredibly cute when she’s like this.
“Alright, let’s go.”
I flip the coin and catch it, covering it with my other hand.
“Okay, let’s say it at the same time.”
“Got it. Ready, set—”
“Heads.”
Both of our voices overlap.
I remove my hand.
“It’s heads.”
“So, that means…”
“It’s a draw.”
“Hm… I still couldn’t win.”
She’s really…
Even when she’s sulking, she’s incredibly cute.
“That’s amazing. It’s incredible to think there are many people like you.”
“Well, they did call me a gifted gambler and all. But I’m not sure that term really applies to me.”
“Gifted?”
The term ‘gifted’ usually refers to children with exceptional talent in specific areas. I later found out it’s a term with various definitions, and I’m not sure it really applies to me. But it’s often used quite loosely.
Being gifted isn’t just a simple compliment either; it often comes with its own set of challenges. Not that I consider myself ‘gifted,’ but looking at the end results, there may be similarities. After all, I am a misfit in society.
After that, Erika, tired of studying, burst in, forcing an end to our competition. Even though I wanted to leave the issue of studying together unresolved, we ended up worsening the situation by including Erika and agreeing to study as a trio.