Aoharu Point

Chapter 2

Translated by Houshi

Now then, even a mere high school student with dullness being his sole trait in his life like me has something of a pleasure to look forward to. That pleasure is lunch break. After the chime indicating the end of the fourth period rang, I headed in the audiovisual room direction.

Taking a seat next to the window, I waited patiently. I already bought my bread. Looking at the clock, maybe she might come, and perhaps she won’t, I thought quietly. Finally, a girl entered the classroom. Her name is Kokoa Naruse. The moment she opened the door, I felt like my grey-colored world suddenly burst with color.

“Good work today,” Naruse said to me like she always did. Do I really look that tired. Yeah, I probably do.

Naruse has 74 points. I also once saw the breakdown of her points. I don’t remember all the details, but I’m sure I have them written in my notebook. For the most part, it all boils down to one crucial factor – she’s incredibly cute. In other words, she’s super cute. And probably the cutest in the whole year.

If I were to put Naruse’s appearance in a nutshell, “‘ A genius at hardworking” would be the best way to put it. Everything about her seemed perfect by nature: Well-defined features, a pristine white skin bordering on transparent, a lovely high nose, big and wet eyes, and a slender neck.

Adding to that, she had bright, medium-long hair that was evenly cut to perfection and which always appeared to be smartly polished. A body figure which shows no imperfection. Thin eyebrows and full pink lips. Every part of her behavior seemed to hold a measure of calculated shrewdness. And this sweet smell would always waft from her whenever I stood next to her.

“Say, Aoki,” Naruse got her bento(lunchbox) unpacked over the audiovisual room table, getting prepared to eat.

“During class, you’re always writing something down on your notebook, right? I’m pretty sure it has nothing to do with the lesson. Would you mind telling me what’s that about? “Naruse asked, which made me fall into a deep panic.

If she ever got to know the existence of that notebook, she’ll most likely get grossed out. And, he had to admit, anyone would probably find that notebook disgusting. That much was obvious to even himself.

“Ah, it’s nothing that important… I swear, It’s nothing. “

As I said that, Naruse seemed like she wanted to say something, but, in the end, she did not… There was a moment of awkward silence. Naruse then tried to change the subject, as if trying to leave the awkwardness behind.

“Ah, that reminds me. I finished reading Ikuemi Ryou, the one you lent me the other day. “

” How was it?”

“It was super good! So heart-wrenching; I cried. “

“Naruse, you’re always like that. Crying, I mean. “

“That’s not true! Geez, sometimes Aoki says some really harsh things. “

Naruse then pursed her lips with a defiant expression on her face. Trying not to let it show on my face that I just stupidly thought that “Naruse is so cute!” inside my mind, I throw her the best indifferent expression I can. Like this, I and Naruse both would have these occasional banters about shoujo manga in the audiovisual room during lunch break. These are some of my rarely private times that I can have for myself.

-Originally, there had been no common grounds between Naruse and me. And that shouldn’t come as a surprise; Naruse is one of the important persons in the higher echelons of the class hierarchy, a heroine leading a fulfilling, bright school life. On the other hand, I am just your average Joe, with an average sum of 54 points.

Someone like Naruse always talks with people with high points, like Soyama. In fact, it seemed to me that the guys who Naruse usually talked with are mostly from Soyama’s group.

How an average person like me managed to find common ground with a person of Naruse’s caliber goes back to 2 months ago, on a certain day in August, long after classes ended.

By the way, I’m actually an avid reader of Shoujo manga. The reason behind me getting to like shoujo manga is nothing glamorous; while reading the ones from my big sister’s shelf to kill time, I just naturally got hooked on them. There was a time when I stayed home quite a lot, so with my excess of free time, I decided to venture into the shoujo manga rabbit hole, reading any and every shoujo manga I could get my hands on. I got so hooked at one time that I started using my allowance as well to buy shoujo manga.

However, I hid from people the fact of me being a shojo manga nerd. I had no doubt that if a guy were known as a shoujo manga nerd, he would have his points sinking sharply for sure.

But, on a certain lunch break, Naruse caught me reading a shoujo manga, which I sneaked into school.

“Aoki-kun, do you like shoujo manga? “Naruse said, to my surprise. Damn, I’m done for, how am I going to explain this to her, I thought as my mind reeled with panic.

“I also like them. ” However, at the same time, I was also surprised that Naruse, whom I had nothing in common with until now, suddenly spoke to me.

“You like shoujo manga, don’t you? “Naruse said, then I looked at her with a startle. As that was technically the first time I got a good look at her face at such close range, I couldn’t help but admire her cuteness yet again.

“It’s just that it’s embarrassing. Could you please keep this a secret? “I asked, trying not to let her get suspicious.

“I think it’s nothing in particular to be ashamed about, though. “

Then, with a strangely serious face, Naruse said. “Hey, Aoki, lend me your recommended shoujo manga. “

The next day, still reeling from yesterday’s shock, I tucked all the manga I had in my home in a paper bag, then went to school.

“Hey Naruse, “Waiting for my chance in the lunch break, I finally managed to call out to her.

“What is it? “Now that Naruse turned to look at me, it just dawned on me how awkward it would be to continue our conversation inside the classroom.

“Would you mind going to the audiovisual room? “

“Sure. “

The audiovisual room was free from any other students. I wonder if it has to do with the fact that it’s pretty far from the school building we usually use. I took all the trouble to choose such a place. 

“Y-You brought this many… T-thank you.” 

Naruse said in surprise upon seeing my collection of 31 volumes of my recommended shoujo manga. However, it sounded to me like I made her feel uncomfortable by how I went overboard, so I got dejected.

“Sorry for bringing this many. “

“What the hell is that? It’s nothing like what you think. You’re just over conscious. “

Then, it became somewhat of a habit for us to occasionally meet in the audiovisual room and have these lighthearted conversations about shoujo manga. Well, I think that Naruse was simply in dire need of someone she could talk to about shoujo manga. Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense why she would bother to speak to someone who has remarkably low points and is not worth speaking of, like me.

Anyways, Narue is cute. So, maybe that’s why I get this sudden urge to open up to her and talk to her about everything every now and then. Maybe I should tell her about the points, maybe she’ll understand me, maybe I have a chance—my hopes would get the better of me, and I’d get such thoughts.

Not just about the points. Would Naruse accept this shameful inner part of me that’s outright bound by these trivial points? Like that, I would have these hopeless expectations… Well, it happens just for an instant. Then I immediately would give up.

Honestly, I just want to come out clean and tell Naruse about everything. Maybe telling her, “I like you.” Or maybe, “I’m in love with you.. “

But I can’t say it. There’s no way I can. Naruse and I are, after all, utterly incompatible with each other. If you ask me, there’s just too much of a point difference between us.

And despite that, I still want to cherish this precious time that could only be called a miracle. That’s why it’s enough for me as things are. I don’t wish for anything beyond that—after wrestling with my thoughts, that’s what I finally decided.

This is obviously not a story about me, who has average points, working hard to grow up as a person, mind you, nothing of the sort. This is an insignificant story of how I strive to live a reasonably fulfilling life without spreading myself too thin, while aiming for a happiness within the realm of my capability. I, after all, know fairly well that “living a moderate life is the best.” That’s why I never harbor any lofty hopes. Take Naruse for example, I would never think—nor hope—to ever go out with her.

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