Dullard Buddy-kun: Heading Reluctantly to School Again Today - Episode 48

“Hey Mamiya-kun, that donut earlier was delicious, wasn’t it?”

“Ah. It was delicious…”

I feel like I walked quite a bit, including some detours.

The aquarium is there, and according to the smartphone map, Rotten World itself is just around the corner.

Even so, there are still a lot of people here despite it being a weekday. As expected, it’s like Harajuku in Japan. For better or worse, the weather is nice, and my eyes occasionally start to feel a bit dazzled.

In short, it’s not that I particularly dislike it, but it’s not a place I’m good at either.

“Hey, Mamiya-kun. Sorry. Can I go to that convenience store over there to use the restroom?”

“Uh, oh, please, go ahead.”

Indeed, what you see there is the exterior of a Japanese convenience store.

It’s easy to understand at a glance, so that’s appreciated.

For now, the quiet figure of Mr. Yamamoto entering the convenience store.

Even so. I can’t help but think it over and over again, there are really so many people.

Even now, people in our school’s uniform occasionally come into view, but surprisingly, they are mostly from other classes whose names I don’t even know.

The meaning might be a bit different, but there’s a saying that goes, “If you want to hide leaves, hide them in the forest.” With so many people around, it seems like I don’t run into the same classmates very often, which makes me feel a bit relieved.

Well, even though Yamamoto-san is probably incredibly well-known at school, I’m a loner. For those in different classes, my recognition is almost zero.

In fact, even now, I can still see a woman in our uniform over there in the distance, but I don’t know her face…

Yeah, I know.

What on earth are you doing this time?

Mr. Shibuya…

I’m talking to a red-haired guy in a school uniform I don’t know at all?

Moreover, behind that man were about five or six people, including a man with a video camera and another with some kind of unfamiliar equipment. There were some tough-looking guys and men like me wearing glasses, creating a rather strange mix of people. Is this some kind of filming crew?

And as far as I can see, Shibuya-san is still maintaining her usual composed poker face, but what on earth is going on? And alone, no less?

Could it be that it’s something like a dispute or something like that?

Honestly, in her case, it’s not entirely wrong to say that line, but it’s also undeniable…

Just in case, since Yamamoto-san still hasn’t shown any sign of coming back from the restroom, I think it’s probably unnecessary, but maybe I’ll sneak a little closer and eavesdrop.

Even at a time like this, I end up having to use the eavesdropping skills I’ve been honing while pretending to be asleep…

While thinking such foolish thoughts, I blended in with the others so as not to be noticed and made my way to the bench at the bus stop near them.

And so, I quietly cross my arms and eavesdrop.

What on earth are you talking about?

The red-haired man is talking to her with an overly exaggerated smile.

“You’re cute. You’re Japanese. Would you like to play a little game?”

(You’re really cute. You’re my type. You’re Japanese, right? Would you play a game with me for a bit?)

A little game.

Then, the scene where the seemingly harmless bespectacled man next to her speaks to her in Japanese.

“He’s a famous YouTuber here, Park Jungkook. He would like to conduct a brief survey with Japanese school trip students. Would you have a little time to spare?”

I wonder. It feels like he’s translating the words of the extremely red-haired man, but the meaning or nuance of what he’s saying seems quite different.

No, is it just that I can’t translate Akagami’s words well?

And then, just as I was thinking about such things, the red-haired man opened his mouth again.

“If I win, let’s go on a date.”

If I win, will you go on a little date with me?

Date…

And then, just like before, the man with the red hair speaks, followed by the soft-spoken man with glasses.

“If you could answer the survey, of course, we’ll give you a reward. Just a little bit of your time would be great. There’s a nice café right over there, and I’ll treat you to the popular soufflé pancakes we have here.”

No, if this is indeed that red-haired translation, it feels like there are various discrepancies…

“Hmm, pancakes… I don’t really need them unless I have to be in a video or something.”

Come to think of it, Shibuya-san, despite that appearance, really likes candy and sweet stuff…

“No, no, this is just a survey. We’ll make sure to properly apply the mosaic.”

But, I wonder. I only saw a bit of the interaction, but these guys really seem like a bunch of troublesome people…

“Well, but…”

And she, too, seems to be sensing some kind of discomfort, though it doesn’t show on her face as usual; she appears to be quietly troubled by something.

Then, behind the glasses-wearing person and Shibuya-san who were negotiating, the red-haired man was seen whispering something to a somewhat intimidating-looking man.

It doesn’t really have anything to do with me, and I can’t do anything about it anyway…

Well, since we are somewhat acquainted, it’s a bit…

Well, I don’t think anything will happen, but if we leave it as it is and something were to happen… it would be too hard to sleep well.

For now, if I’m mistaken, I’ll just prepare to disappear with a full bowing apology and just call out…