Chainsaw Man: Mangekyo Sharingan

Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Confession (EC)

When Kobeni Higashiyama returned to the Reading Club’s clubroom, Kotone Asaba had not started eating yet. He had planned to wait for Kobeni to come back so they could eat together.

"You’re back already?"

"Yeah. Nazuna said I didn’t need to see her off..."

Kobeni Higashiyama had never been good at hiding the secrets in her heart. Whenever something was on her mind, it easily showed on her face.

For example, she definitely would have been too embarrassed to tell Asaba about the things she had just discussed with Nazuna, but a panicked expression still appeared on her face involuntarily.

Kotone Asaba naturally noticed that detail, but he did not pay too much attention to it.

He assumed it was just some family matter between Kobeni and her younger sister Nazuna, and did not think it had anything to do with him.

"You went through all the trouble of making food, and class is going to start soon. Come eat."

Kotone Asaba said this to Kobeni Higashiyama.

"Mm-hmm."

Kobeni Higashiyama then sat down beside Kotone Asaba.

When they started eating, Kobeni Higashiyama was very concerned about what Asaba’s reaction would be. Her eyes kept sneaking glances at Asaba’s face, and she even forgot to move the chopsticks in her own hand.

Kotone Asaba naturally noticed Kobeni’s gaze. After taking two bites, he commented, "Mm... It’s pretty good."

He was not deliberately saying something nice. He was telling the truth. It really was pretty good.

Besides, having a girl his age personally cook for him was a pretty special experience.

"R-really?"

The moment Kobeni Higashiyama heard that, she was instantly overjoyed.

"Of course it’s true."

Kotone Asaba nodded.

[Kobeni Higashiyama Affinity +5%]

[Kobeni Higashiyama Affinity progress has reached 50%. Achievement reward acquired: Constitution +1]

Now that Kobeni Higashiyama’s Affinity had reached fifty percent, the fifth page of the Affinity Codex should be unlocked too.

Kotone Asaba immediately made the Codex appear through his thoughts and flipped to the fifth page.

And the person unlocked on the fifth page was Aki Hayakawa.

Sure enough, just as Kotone Asaba had previously guessed, Aki Hayakawa would be unlocked in the Codex sooner or later.

His current Affinity with Aki Hayakawa definitely would not start at 0% like the other targets. The Affinity progress displayed in the Codex was already 40%.

However, he had not received the Constitution reward for the time being. Perhaps he would only receive the activation reward and achievement reward after making first contact with Aki Hayakawa following the Codex unlock. Added together, that would give him 5 points of Constitution.

After Kotone Asaba finished handling Kobeni’s situation, it would be time for him to go to Tokyo Public Safety.

Aki Hayakawa’s Affinity was already not far from 50%. When the time came, he would be able to unlock the sixth page of the Codex too.

After the afternoon classes ended, they finished cleaning, then held their usual club activities in the Reading Club.

There were still only the three of them, Kotone Asaba, Kobeni Higashiyama, and Rika Matsumoto.

Kotone Asaba also did not plan to recruit any new members. After all, he would not be staying at this school for long. If he tried recruiting people, it would definitely attract a whole crowd, and he had no interest in managing that many people.

The Reading Club had originally been created specifically for Kobeni Higashiyama anyway.

"By the way, did you get all these books, Asaba?"

Kobeni Higashiyama had actually noticed the books at noon. She had wanted to ask back then, but her mind had been focused on cooking, so she had forgotten.

"Yeah, I borrowed all of them from the library. A Reading Club has to have books, right?"

Kotone Asaba did not say he had bought them. If he said he had bought them, Kobeni would definitely feel guilty again.

"This is wonderful!"

Kobeni Higashiyama was extremely happy.

With so many books in the Reading Club, she would no longer have to run to the library every day in the future.

"You’re so thoughtful, Asaba. You actually borrowed these books especially for Kobeni, didn’t you?"

Rika Matsumoto guessed.

"Yeah, that was part of it."

Kotone Asaba admitted it directly.

Seeing no trace of embarrassment on Asaba’s face, and seeing him admit it so frankly, actually surprised Rika Matsumoto.

She had originally wanted to see Asaba blush.

But this was good too. Asaba’s personality was fairly straightforward, and that was a good thing for Kobeni.

Otherwise, if Asaba were also as shy and indirect as Kobeni, the two of them would have a very hard time making progress.

Hearing the exchange between Rika and Asaba, Kobeni Higashiyama finally realized that this had been for her.

Previously, she had wondered if Asaba had founded the Reading Club for her sake. At the time, she had thought she was just flattering herself, but now it seemed that really was the case...?

As it happened, Rika Matsumoto asked that exact question. "Then let me guess again. Could it be that this Reading Club was also created by Asaba specifically for Kobeni?"

"Yeah, that’s right too."

Kotone Asaba nodded slightly, without the slightest attempt to hide it.

Rika Matsumoto opened her mouth, an astonished expression appearing on her face. Then she immediately hugged Kobeni Higashiyama beside her and whispered into Kobeni’s ear, "Are you still worried now, Kobeni? Isn’t Asaba basically making it obvious that he likes you too?"

Kobeni Higashiyama nodded with her face flushed red, her eyes not daring to meet Asaba’s.

Even though things had already reached this point, she still did not dare believe that Asaba liked her too.

Kotone Asaba also vaguely heard what Rika Matsumoto whispered to Kobeni.

He said nothing in response, nor did he deny it. That counted as silent agreement.

"Then what are you waiting for? You can just confess to Asaba right now. I think he’ll definitely accept."

Rika Matsumoto continued urging her in Kobeni Higashiyama’s ear.

Kobeni Higashiyama remained hesitant, her face growing even redder.

Although the encouragement from her younger sister Nazuna and Rika had indeed made her want to throw caution to the wind, she was also very afraid that Asaba would reject her or even hate her. If she did nothing, at least they could still remain friends, so she still did not have the courage to confess.

Seeing Kobeni’s hesitant expression, Rika Matsumoto deliberately provoked her. "If you don’t go, then I’m going to confess to Asaba first. A boy this gentle and strong would be such a shame to miss out on~"

"N-no, you can’t!"

That sentence was extremely effective. Kobeni Higashiyama instantly could not help getting worked up.

"Oh~?"

The corners of Rika Matsumoto’s mouth curved up in a satisfied smile.

"Ah... No, that’s not what I meant..."

Kobeni Higashiyama hurriedly tried to explain. She was not saying she would not allow Rika to confess to Asaba. She did not have that right. It was just that she had accidentally gotten too worked up just now.

"If you don’t want me to beat you to it, then you’d better hurry up, Kobeni."

Rika Matsumoto continued urging her.

Kobeni Higashiyama lightly bit her lower lip. This time, she really was going to throw caution to the wind. Her heartbeat grew more and more intense, and the blush on her cheeks spread all the way to the roots of her ears.

"As-Asaba!"

Her hands unconsciously and awkwardly grabbed both sides of the hem of her clothes, and she could almost hear nothing but the pounding of her own heart.

She ignored everything else, and her voice was very loud.

"I like you!"

:)

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