Escape Galge Chapter 16.1

About twice as long as other chapters so I split it. Next chapter should be out within a couple of days.

Kōryaku Taishō-sha na Watashi wa Gyarugē Shujinkō kara Nigetai wake de!

 [Part 1]

　I remain in a somewhat melancholic, somewhat edgy, restless state till school ends.
　In the end, I still didn't manage to talk to Mashiro.
　Even though I thought that talking to the 3 who'd given up would be the impetus for Mashiro to open her eyes…

　I told him to wait for me by the back gate.
　Because we'd stand out too much if he comes to pick me up at my cla.s.sroom.
　It seemed like he had something to say when I was talking to him but I got my way when I persisted that I wouldn't go if we aren't meeting by the back gate.

"Kii."
Translated at nakimus.h.i.tl.wordpress.com
　Even in a plain place where the grey stone of the floor and school walls occupies most of one's vision, the bothersome sc.u.m shines. Pointlessly.
　While it's the back gate where there's a lack of people, it isn't as if there's no one at all.
　Owing to the lack of people, he's standing out to the greatest extent.
　With this, there was no point arranging to meet by the back gate.

"I have kept you waiting."
"I just arrived. Even the time spent waiting for Kii is delightful and enjoyab—"
"Let us leave at once."
"… Yeah."

　Lines that gets on my nerves will be shutout!
I'm not letting you finish your words, kay.

"So, where are we going?"
"Um… Is there anywhere you'd like to go?"
"Eh?"

　I didn't think he'd ask me in return.
　Maybe he wasn't searching for a place to go when he looked through the magazine this afternoon?

"Does senpai not have any?"
"I-I…"

　From his panicky expression, it appears he doesn't have a place in mind.
　I feel exasperated; why was he even looking through the magazine then? Still… if this is the case, there's hope.

"Please bring me to a place you like, senpai."
"Eh…?"
Translated at nakimus.h.i.tl.wordpress.com
　Chances are, in order to conform to the capturable characters, Kagurazaka Aoi masked himself in a facade.
　My preference was a『reliable and mature man』.
　That was why he pretended to be like that in front of me.
　And I, too, thought he was such a person.

　What came to mind when I witnessed him reading the magazine during the day――.
　It might be that I haven’t been 'looking' at Kagurazaka Aoi.
　Therefore… just for a bit, I thought of wanting to know the true Kagurazaka Aoi.

"Please bring me somewhere senpai feels is『truly fun』and somewhere you『honestly like』.
"… If so, Kii will definitely not have fun, you know?"
"I do not mind."

　'Somewhere I won't have fun', I've no idea where that is, but I wonder what kind of place is it?
　He appears hesitant, but when I nod as he a.s.serts again that『It won't be fun, you know?』, he starts walking with heavy footsteps.
　I smack away his hand that tries to hold mine, and follow behind him.

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Translated at nakimus.h.i.tl.wordpress.com

"This is… an internet cafe?"
"Technically, it's the most stylish one I know but… I'm sorry."

　The place we arrive at is an internet cafe within the arcade in front of the train station.
　Certainly, the interior is more stylish than the impression an 'internet cafe' gives.
　It's simple, Westernised and its color scheme has a calming tone.
　So there's a place like this, huh. It's kind of exciting.

"Fufu. I have wanted to visit at least once!"
"R-really?"

　I've wanted to visit at least once, but my friends probably don't.
　While courage is needed, you also need to hold a great amount of interest to come here alone. This is such a place.
　Thus being brought here makes me unexpectedly happy.
　The receptionist big sis' a beauty and with that black ribbon necktie attached to her white shirt, she seems more like a waitress in an expensive restaurant rather than a receptionist of an internet cafe.
　She smiles happily at the sight of the sc.u.m but her enthusiasm seems to decreasing after noticing me. Did the sc.u.m sink his poison fangs in you too?

"Amazing, isn't it! To think the drinks are free-flow! They also have soft serve ice cream and regular ice cream!"

　The service is also better than expected!
　Although there aren't many customers, I do see women around, so it's surprisingly not too uncomfortable.
　Oh man, my enthusiasm is rising!

"Do you come here often?"
"Once in a while… nah, I come quite often."
Translated at nakimus.h.i.tl.wordpress.com
　Didn't he almost lie for a second just now?
　Why, even though I can't care less how often he lies.

"What do you do here?"
"I play online games, read manga and watch DVDs. What shall we do?"
"Do not mind me and do what you want, senpai."

　I've no idea what to do, plus the objective today isn't for me to enjoy myself.

"… Let's watch a DVD. Is there anything you want to watch?"
"Hmm…"

　I wanted to let him choose the DVD, but it landed in my field of vision.
　The zombie action horror movie I'd been curious about.
　Before I knew it, my hand held the DVD and swiftly presented it to the sc.u.m.

　The sc.u.m's face stiffens for a moment when he receives it and looks at the packaging. Is he bad with things like this?
　I was fine with changing it if he doesn't want that but he already started heading towards the room with the number we were a.s.signed to. Thus I follow him.
　He didn't say a thing but is this okay?

Translated at nakimus.h.i.tl.wordpress.com

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"AH… HHH…!"

　… Turns out it wasn't okay.
　His face is stiff and his body withdrawn.
　Who's this good-for-nothing letting out a pathetic voice?

"Senpai, are you bad with things like this?"

　On screen playing the DVD now, the protagonist is rapidly defeating zombies.

"I-I'm not scared! You know how it's surprising to have a bat[2] appear all of a sudden? I just wasn't able to stand that."
"Oh."

　I halfheartedly respond to his excuse that I've no interest in.
　I want to focus on the showing.
　So please don't distract me with your irritating voice.

　The room we are watching the DVD in is narrow and private.
　I suppose the width is about one tatami?
　The amenities are pretty much just a television, a sofa and a small table against the wall that drinks can be placed on.
　It's dark as the lights are off and the only light source is the screen.
　The two of us are sitting on the sofa, side by side.

"…"

　… It really is squeezy; our shoulders make contact no matter what.
　At first, I was conscious about how close we were and it was unpleasant.
　I stopped caring as the movie progressed though.

"Uwah!"

　 The moment the protagonist feels relieved after defeating all the zombies, a surprise attack comes from behind.
　He's in deep crisis with a zombie clinging to his back, about to bite him any time.
　At the aforementioned scene, the shoulders of the guy beside me jump in shock.

"Lame."

Translated at nakimus.h.i.tl.wordpress.com
　Hehe.
　I reflexively laugh. The pretty face, illuminated only by the light from the screen, seems to turn away sullenly. My laughter wells up even more.
　It's the first time I see him make a face like that, huh… It may be kind of cute.

　When I return my line of sight to the front, the protagonist had somehow torn the zombie off his back. After which he showers it with bullets and kicks off its head.
　How inefficient, especially when bullets are limited.

"He should have kicked from the start if he was going to do so. Don't you think the bullets he shot were a waste?"
"…"

　There's no reply even though I talk to him.
　When I look beside me once again, his eyes are closed.
　Well now, is he using the strategy of 'not seeing'?

"If you're so scared, shall we stop watching?"
"I-I'm watching!"
"You are not watching, though."
"… I'm watching."

　I draw nearer in order to make sure, and certainly, they are faintly open.
　That, you can barely watch like that, right.
　You don't have to force yourself so hard to watch.

　Right then, my urge to do mischief grows and I grin in the dark.
　The target doesn't realise I'm looking at him. He's timidly staring at the screen while doing his best to not see a thing.

"HA!!"
"AHHHH!?"
Translated at nakimus.h.i.tl.wordpress.com
　I firmly grab his shoulder and at the same time, let out a loud sound by his ears.
　After which, he gets so shocked that it surprised me; he fell from the sofa.

"Fufu."

　Stupefied, he looks at me with wide eyes.
　After falling from the sofa, his clothes are out of sorts and his expression has broken down. He looks silly.
　As I stare at the pretty face that remains stiff even now, I didn't manage to stop myself and break out in laughter.

"… Kii. I thought I was going to die."
"Senpai can just turn into a zombie if you die. You can join them, you know."
"… Goodness, I'm really no match for Kii."

　Hanging his head, he returns to the sofa as I point at the screen and laugh.
　His nervousness may have dissolved after receiving a shock; he has this strangely lax expression.
　What makes him so happy?

"I won't be scared if Kii is willing to hold my hand, though."
"Be scared for the rest of your life then."

　He's even getting so spirited.
　Let's leave him alone and watch the movie.
Translated at nakimus.h.i.tl.wordpress.com