"I received an NTR video accompanied by the message, 'Boyfriend, are you watching? lol.' In response, I sent back a clip of me and someone flirting, along with the message, 'Loser, are you watching? lol.'" - Episode 3

“Can we talk somewhere right now?”
“I suppose we can.”
“Okay. Give me a minute.”
Hoshina Kawashima’s tone was sharp—cold, even. Just like the look in her eyes, it might not be intentional, but it still left that impression. I didn’t mention it, and we ended up heading into a nearby fast-food place to sit and talk.
It was a spacious restaurant, with enough seating for around a hundred people. After ordering, we found an empty table and sat down.
Hoshina took a bite of her hamburger, chewing with obvious satisfaction.
She looked like a content squirrel. Despite her cool demeanor, she had an unexpectedly adorable side.
“This burger is amazing.”
“Best thing ever. I could eat this every day.”
Was she being serious? Did she really like burgers that much?
“So, what did you want to talk about?”
“…Just a hypothetical.”
“Go on.”
“You’ve got a girlfriend, right?”
“…How do you know that?”
“Just a rumor.”
Rumors are usually vague, but clearly this one had legs. I wanted to ask where she heard it, but she pressed on, her expression suddenly serious.
“Anyway, let’s say—purely hypothetical—what would you do if that girlfriend cheated on you?”
“Easy. I’d break up with her. Why stay with someone who betrays you like that?”
“That’s… pretty blunt.”
“Isn’t that normal? I wouldn’t say forgiving infidelity is wrong, but I’m definitely not the type who can.”
“I see. So, you wouldn’t forgive her…”
What was this girl getting at?
I sipped my shake, letting the sweetness distract me.
“You’re pretty generous, Hoshina.”
“Me? How so?”
“Well, you’re still with someone who has a reputation for being unfaithful. If cheating’s a pattern, and you’ve stayed, that makes you unusually forgiving.”
“I don’t want to forgive him… but maybe you’re right.”
“That’s how it looks to me. Maybe others feel differently.”
Hoshina paused, her hamburger halfway to her mouth, her mood clearly sinking.
“What kind of feeling is that, exactly?”
“Feeling betrayed but not knowing what to do about it. Especially if it’s your first relationship.”
“Maybe I should just break up with him…”
“Then do it. Just tell him: ‘We’re done. You cheated.’ Simple as that.”
“Is it really that simple?”
She looked at me, eyes serious. Was she really that naive? Or maybe she’d just been sheltered from these kinds of situations.
“Honestly, why did you even start dating Netori? Everyone knows his reputation. He’s not exactly boyfriend material.”
“Yeah… I’ve become that one girl who actually went through with it.”
Her tone was heavy, but she started eating again.
“I thought he’d protect me. He’s strong, and people said it’d be good if we dated.”
“People? You mean classmates?”
“No. His friends.”
“Well, there’s your first mistake. Anyone close to Netori is probably bad news too.”
Hoshina nodded quietly. She looked serious but clearly uncertain.
“So, what do you want to do now?”
“I think… I want to break up. His reputation is awful, and he cheats all the time. There’s no point in staying together.”
“Then that’s that. Just end it and move on.”
“…But I can’t break up with him yet.”
She looked me in the eyes—ketchup still clinging to the corner of her mouth. It was oddly charming. I couldn’t help but smile and reached for a napkin.
“Wait—don’t!”
“Oh, sorry.”
She flinched, genuinely upset. I had tried to wipe her mouth without thinking, but it was a careless move.
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“…It’s fine. I just don’t like being touched. Kind of a germaphobe.”
“Really? That makes it worse then. I only noticed the ketchup and tried to help.”
“What?! Ketchup?!”
Her face turned red as she quickly grabbed an alcohol wipe from her bag and cleaned her mouth. The whole scene was too cute—I couldn’t help laughing.
“W-what?”
“No, it’s just… you’re cute, Hoshina.”
“C-cute?! Me?!”
“Yeah. You’re famous at school for being beautiful, you know.”
“What?! No one’s ever said that!”
“That’s odd. I mean, people should be saying it.”
Or maybe no one dared. After all, she was Netori’s girlfriend. People probably saw her as one of those untouchable girls—beautiful, but off-limits.
“Maybe everyone’s just scared of Netori.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Honestly, yeah. You should break up. Nothing good will come out of staying with him.”
“A good future… I wonder if I’ll ever have that.”
“You will—if you go after it.”
At those words, Hoshina smiled for the first time. It was small, shy—but powerful. It echoed in my chest.
That smile was dangerous.
If I wasn’t already dating Megumi… I might’ve confessed to her right then and there.
“Anyway, happiness is up to you. If being in a relationship makes you happy, find someone better. If something else brings you joy, pursue it.”
“Pursuing happiness… how do you know what makes you happy?”
“If you don’t know yet, maybe start by figuring it out.”
She finished her burger, then murmured softly, “I see…”
“Will you help me find it?”
“Why me?”
“There are… a few reasons.”
“…What?”
She mumbled something under her breath, but I couldn’t catch it.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing! So? Are you going to help me or not?”
“Hmm… I wonder.”
This felt like more than I’d signed up for. Why should I help her find happiness? She hadn’t even given me a clear reason.
“Well, first—can you help me with the game? I only just started and still don’t really get it.”
“Now that I can do. Leave the game stuff to me.”
“Thanks.”
I had the feeling she’d roped me into something bigger than I realized… but that was fine.
She launched the game again and, sipping her juice, turned to me.
“So… how do I touch the monsters?”
“…Wait, you’re not even sure how to play the game yet?”
“U-um, I just followed the prompts on screen! That’s all I know!”
Despite everything, Kawashima was cute—even when flustered.
“I’ll teach you more tomorrow. It’s getting late.”
“Okay. Then let’s start tomorrow.”
“Got it. But hey—don’t talk about me to Netori. I don’t want any drama.”
“Of course not. I wouldn’t dare.”
She looked a little down after that.
Still, I couldn’t shake the question: Why can’t she break up with him yet?
Whatever the reason, I couldn’t guess it. I just watched her quietly, thinking about how tomorrow I’d be teaching her how to play.
I couldn’t help but feel excited.
I don’t have many friends who play this game.
Actually… I don’t have many friends at all.