CH 63

Lilia dropped a manga called “Hero’s Game”.

The original title in Japanese was “英雄遊戯.”

Fortunately, the hospital bookstore had everything up to the latest edition, so I bought it and immediately went to my room to read it.

(hmm… interesting)

I was so absorbed in reading that I got caught up in the night.

There were expressions that I don’t often hear in my daily life, and it was also good for studying English.

The work was made in a way that is typically a group drama, with many main and sub characters.

In fact, the character popularity poll sandwiched in the middle showed that the main character was not even in first place.

Meanwhile, “Kujou Yuma”, who (I thought) looks similar to me, was ranked 4th, which wasn’t so bad.

Written in kanji, it would be 九条優馬.

With that in mind, I looked at my face in the mirror.

While staring at myself in the mirror, I crossed my arms and thought.

(Even though I was told I was ugly by Kashiwagi-san, but now after seeing this… maybe I’m actually not that bad looking…?)

When I think about it, Kashiwagi-san is quite strange— she has a unique sensibility.

In the first place, most men probably won’t even reach average standards based on the beauty standards of someone like Kashiwagi-san.

I don’t think I look scary, but I at least want to think that I’m presentable enough and not just ugly.

However, for some reason, every time I see Lilia, she runs away from me—

(Wait a minute!)

At that moment, a flash of inspiration occurred to me.

For Lilia to blush and run away from me…

And for her to look at me from the window.

And maybe Lilia likes the character that resembles me in the manga.

When I put this all together—

(… Maybe. Lilia really likes Japanese people! And she prefers faces like mine!)

The moment I came to that thought, I heard the sound of the door of the next room opening.

(She is probably going to the courtyard to read the manga!)

I, who had gained a little confidence on my own, headed to the hospital courtyard with the volume 3 of Hero’s Game that Lilia had dropped off.

◇◇◇

“Good evening, Lilia-chan.”

“……!”

So, I spoke softly to Lilia, who was sitting on a bench in the courtyard reading a manga.

Lilia looked startled to see me.

It should be alright though, perhaps she’s just shy…

“I found a manga in front of your room, is this yours? I’m sorry I surprised you back then. I realized there was a cute little girl watching me, so I couldn’t help but to wave at her.”

“………”

Although it’s a somewhat smooth talk, she’s just an elementary school student and this is America.

It will not be donned.

Lilia’s face turned even redder.

Lilia took the manga I offered her and started reading it without saying anything, hiding her face with another book.

As I sat down next to her, Lilia shivered.

Looks like she was still wary of me as she kept sending furtive glances at me.

It’s okay, the way she was looking at me now was different from the way she used to look at me back then.

People around me used to be scared of me because I was fat and ugly, but now I’m sure I’ll be fine.

I should be able to become friends with Lilia right now as well.

So, I encouraged myself.

“So, since our rooms are next to each other, I was thinking maybe we could be friends. How about it?”

” —?”

“See, it seems like you also like reading manga, Lilia-chan. I’m Japanese, so if there’s anything you’re curious about, I think I can help.”

As I was hoping to become friends with her, Lilia whispered something in a small voice.

” —Creep.”

“… Eh? What?”

When I asked her to repeat herself, Lilia took a deep breath.

Then, with a still red face, she said it again.

” —You creep!”

“… ehh?”

“Are you a pedophile to even start following me around? I hate your face, your voice, your personality, the fact that you are always helping people, I hate everything about you! I would never befriend you, even if it kills me!”

In fluent English, she said it at great speed.

It was the result of my study. Even though she spoke so fast, I was able to hear and understand what she meant.

That’s why I wanted to die now…

Lilia’s expression as if she was about to start crying gnaws at my heart even more.

In the end, Kashiwagi-san’s assessment was correct.

I don’t have the face to walk in the public eye.

My Yamamoto style was clumsy and unsophisticated to begin with.

“… About that. I’m sorry.”

I apologized sincerely to the sixth grade girl.

Thus, I successfully earned the title of “Painfully misunderstood b*****d”.

My heart might not have been able to bear it if I hadn’t been surrounded by the beautiful flowers around me that I took care of myself with Worlat-san.

I absolutely won’t make the mistake of thinking “I’m handsome” anymore.

That night when I made up my mind, the moon was beautiful.