Chapter 58: The God's Nickname is, Naturally, God!
Although they hadn't known each other long, Hasabe Haruka could feel that Sakura Airi was the type of person who was extremely poor at socializing. Thus, she thought of using this method to close the distance with Airi and reduce the pressure in the other girl's heart.
"Using nicknames can wait a step; Airi-chan, you at least have to address us by our given names!"
Haruka pointed a slender, fair finger toward Sakura Airi.
"It was 'Ai-chan' just a second ago, and now it's 'Airi-chan.' You're just doing whatever you want," Katsuragi Keima muttered a small retort from the side.
Hearing Haruka's words, Airi could only nod somewhat blankly. Mustering all the strength in her body, she managed:
"Ha... Ha... Ha... Hasabe Haruka-san!"
After saying the name, Airi felt as if she had exhausted every bit of energy in her entire body; her whole being went a bit limp. However, in her heart, she was happy. This was the first time she had addressed someone by their given name.
"Good job, Ai-chan!"
"Is it back to Ai-chan again?"
"From now on, you have to at least address the rest of us by our given names!"
Hearing Haruka's words, Airi nodded, but her gaze instinctively landed on Keima's face.
'Address Katsuragi-kun by his given name?'
Airi's brain whirled at high speed, constantly imagining such a scene.
...%&
Her brain felt like it was overloading, nearly emitting smoke, and her cheeks were so red they seemed ready to explode. Airi quickly lowered her head, burying her face in her hands.
"Ai-chan, are you okay?"
"I... I... I'm fine..." Airi finally took a deep breath, adjusted her state, and looked up again. "I—I understand! Hi... Hiyori-san... Elsie-san... Ke... Ke... Ke..."
Before she could finish, Airi's head overheated again, and it slammed onto the table like a ball.
"Ai-chan?"
"Maybe Airi-san worked too hard studying just now! Let her rest for a bit!" Elsie said from the side.
"Alright then—that just leaves one person!" Haruka's gaze moved to Keima's face.
"Have mercy on me, you—"
"Ma-kun? How about Ma-kun?"
"It's very 'not how about'!" Keima sighed helplessly. Since Hasabe Haruka joined the study group, the atmosphere had undergone a very obvious change. It was developing in a strange direction!
"Haru-chan! Nii-sama actually has a dedicated nickname!" Right then, Elsie looked toward Haruka with a serious face.
"What?" Haruka asked curiously.
Shiina Hiyori's gaze focused on Elsie's face, and even Sakura Airi, who was nearly losing consciousness, turned her head slightly to aim her ear in that direction.
"Wait a minute, wait a minute!" Keima seemed to realize what was coming.
"The God of Conquest!!!" Elsie shouted out Keima's nickname with immense pride.
"..."
The moment Keima heard the voice, he pulled out his handheld and started playing.
'I can't hear anything! I can't hear anything!' Although Keima always referred to himself as the God of Conquest, having Elsie shout that name so proudly in front of outsiders was truly embarrassing.
"Haha, I know that name," Shiina Hiyori said with a smile.
"Oh?"
"After all, Katsuragi-kun—sorry, should I be calling him Keima-kun now? Keima's online handle is 'God'!"
Hiyori was also completely inexperienced in this regard. Although she felt shy deep down, under Haruka's lead, she was gradually adapting. Addressing those close to her by their given names was actually something Hiyori wanted to do.
She just never knew how to express her thoughts; after all, though she was better off than Sakura Airi, Hiyori's social skills were still lower than those of an average person.
"So you gave yourself the nickname 'God'? It really fits your style!" As Haruka spoke, she pressed her hands together and nodded toward Keima. "Amen, Amitabha... bless me, God."
"..."
-
-
-
After Haruka joined, the study group's atmosphere became even more relaxed. However, calling it "studying" was a stretch; half the time was spent chatting. The nervous tension in Airi's heart eased considerably.
"Then let's call it a day for now. Tomorrow and the day after are the weekend, so there won't be a study session."
The time was about up, and Keima prepared to leave. Beside him, Airi instantly became serious again.
'A-After the study session ends, I'll find Katsuragi-kun alone to give him the gift!'
After managing to say Hasabe Haruka's name earlier, Airi felt for a moment as if she had grown once again. Perhaps she should use this surge of courage to give the gift.
But, but... but! How should she address him? Was she really, really, really going to use the name "Keima"? At the thought of this, Airi's cheeks flushed red again, and her body trembled slightly.
'I must... I must speak up!'
While Airi was still trying to tame her own brain, Shiina Hiyori walked up to Keima's side:
"Keima, do you have plans for later?"
Hiyori's voice also seemed a bit nervous; compared to her usual slow pace, she was speaking a bit faster this time.
"What's up?"
"I tried the game you recommended yesterday, and it's truly wonderful! This is the first time I've encountered this sort of thing... It gave me an experience outside of reading books!"
When talking about related topics, Hiyori's expression became exceptionally serious again. Today was her first time trying a game, and it provided a very special feeling. Hiyori couldn't wait to share it with Keima, just as she used to want to discuss an interesting novel with fellow book lovers. In this school, Hiyori didn't have any book friends. But if it was games, it was different. Discussing plots and sharing insights—Hiyori loved doing such things.
"Would you like to go to the school cafe later and have a coffee together? I also have some questions about the game I'd like to ask you."
"Ugh..." Hearing Hiyori's words, a small whimper escaped from the depths of Airi's throat.
"Sorry, Hiyori." At that moment, Keima pushed up his glasses. "I have other arrangements tonight."
Read ahead (60 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting