"Compared to a mature, reliable, gentle onee-san type who's good at taking care of others, gentlemen—I prefer younger girls."
A cute, energetic kouhai might tease you with a bit of mischief, but the consequences are never serious. She's always lively and positive, lifting the mood of everyone around her—just watching from afar is enough to make you feel better.
Then there's the quiet, taciturn ice-queen kouhai type. Even among peers she's unusually mature and composed, yet she desperately wants you, her senior, not to treat her like a child. That desire makes her lose her composure and do things that seem childish and impulsive to you—only to get so embarrassed afterward that she wants to deny her own recklessness.
Or perhaps the gentle girl-next-door little sister type: traditional, classic, the standard heroine of old-school romance manga. She doesn't have an overpowering personality, but she's like water—able to accept and accommodate your flaws. The romance might lack the sharp excitement of the other two types, but living together would be unquestionably comfortable.
All of the above were the girl archetypes that Narumi Tōru—who had never dated anyone—had scavenged from novels, films, and dramas as things that would make his heart flutter—
But no matter how much he liked younger girls, the strike zone absolutely did not include the gloomy, self-deprecating type who shrinks into corners, desperate not to be noticed yet secretly longing to connect with others.
Yes. This is very specifically referring to Gotō Hitori.
"I-I-I'm so sorry! I've been staring at you rudely this whole time!"
Being called out directly made the pink caterpillar want to die even more. She desperately suppressed the urge to wriggle away and flee, unable to meet the sharp gaze of the curly-haired boy.
Why did Narumi-kun get so scary… Give me back the little Narumi-kun from my memories—the one who was KY but at least gentle and patient!
Reuniting after years as childhood friends who once shared everything, only to be met with constant clashes—this was exactly why she shouldn't have placed any hopes in human relationships. Bocchi-chan sank into quiet despair.
Could it be… because I secretly formed a band without telling him…? If that's the case, it makes sense he'd be angry… We promised to form a band together…
Already prone to gloomy overthinking, Bocchi lowered her head, her heart filled with guilt and self-blame toward her former friend.
I knew it… I messed up another relationship without even realizing it. He was such a hard-earned friend from childhood, and now I've gone and made him angry… What can I even do right…
Yet for some reason, her timid, apologetic, utterly dejected appearance only made the irritation inside Narumi grow stronger.
What is this… It makes it look like I'm bullying her. We could've just talked normally and caught up—why does it feel like I'm the unreasonable one here?
"If apologizing worked, what would we need the police for?"
By the time he realized it, he'd already said something completely opposite to what he was actually thinking.
No, seriously—this version of me is way too suited to being a petty delinquent bully.
"Y-Yes, I'm sorry! Please don't call the police…!"
And somehow Bocchi-chan apologized again—earnestly, even—breaking out in a sweat as she tried to dig money out of her bag to placate him.
"If it'll make you feel better… I'll give you however much you want, so please take it!"
This girl is absolutely easy to scam. No doubt about it.
Normally, Narumi Tōru would probably have just found this amusing—and once the novelty wore off, he wouldn't have continued being this mean.
But unfortunately, doing that wouldn't synchronize him with the "him" of this future.
"Money isn't enough. A sincere apology means compensating according to the other person's needs, doesn't it?"
The curly-haired boy lifted his chin, looking down at Bocchi as she avoided his gaze, the corner of his mouth curling into a suggestive smile.
"At the very least, doing exactly what I say—only then does it count as proper compensation."
Bocchi didn't owe him anything, and there was nothing she truly needed to apologize for. But when an opportunity to boss someone around walks right up to you, how could you just let it go?
"Let me see your sincerity. You pink caterpillar who likes hiding in corners and staring at people with that voyeuristic look."
Ugh—he's totally pushing it now. What a terrible person.
Nijika Ijichi watched the trembling Bocchi with clear concern. Not knowing their history, she hesitated over whether to step in and smooth things over—hoping to end this one-sided oppression as soon as possible.
"As long as it's nothing illegal, th-then… it's fine…"
Hey—why did you agree so fast?! Bocchi-chan, is your M attribute going wild?!
"T-This feels like it's about to turn into a criminal case, senpai…!"
Even the hyper-normie Kita Ikuyo could tell this was a completely one-sided bullying. She shot a desperate look for help toward Yamada Ryō, who sat beside her calmly eating not only her own food, but Kita's as well.
"Oh? Nah, it'll be fine."
Unlike the flustered Kita, Yamada Ryō merely waved her hand dismissively, never even pausing her chewing.
"That's probably just his way of getting closer to someone. Like how little brat boys who are curious about girls end up bullying them to hide the fact they want to get along."
"That's such an awful way to do it!"
"Ah, sorry about that. We weirdos tend to use unconventional methods to express goodwill."
Yamada Ryō smiled with an expression that said "we're weirdos, so cut us some slack" though there wasn't a shred of remorse in it, more like shameless pride.
What a strange senpai… but somehow, she had a different kind of charm.
Kita Ikuyo blushed as she glanced at Ryō's cool (scummy) smile, then looked back at the seemingly satisfied Narumi. For a moment, she found herself thinking, These two might actually get along pretty well.
Only the Ijichi sisters let out weary sighs. As the only two reliable people there, dealing with situations like this and taking care of problem children was exhausting.
Especially after the curly-haired boy stood up, breaking what little harmony there was.
"Thanks for the meal, Boss. I'm satisfied."
He offered a token thanks to Ijichi Seika, then shifted his gaze to Gotō Hitori, who sat stiffly, waiting for him to speak.
"Pink caterpillar. Come to the venue three hours early tomorrow."
He continued in a firm, unquestionable tone—more command than request.
"If you're late, I'll never forgive you."
Keyword triggered: "I'll never forgive you."
Feeling thoroughly threatened, Bocchi-chan froze, nodding like a machine that responds automatically when prompted.
"Y-Yes…!"
I really should step in…!
The worry on Nijika's angelic face was now completely undisguised.