022. The Way a Background Girl Encounters Romance

The persistent beeping of the alarm clock once again echoed through Jiang Yu’s bedroom. His eyelids felt impossibly heavy, yet he reached out blindly for the alarm at his bedside, eyes still closed. Due to the awkward angle of his sleeping position, he tumbled from the bed with a dull thud.

The impact of flesh against the floor sent a jolt through his nerves, reaching his brain and registering as pain. The signal seemed to subdue his fatigue, if only a little. Rubbing his aching knee and chest, Jiang Yu grimaced as he climbed to his feet, silencing the alarm—the culprit of it all.

At least the fall had jolted him fully awake, enough to get up and prepare breakfast for himself and Umibe Tsuchiya. But Jiang Yu, seasoned in such matters, knew this clarity was only temporary; soon, the exhaustion would return, overwhelming him, and his brain would send every cell the message: “I want to sleep.”

It was inevitable that he’d doze off through the morning, especially if he relaxed his nerves or sat still for too long—both unavoidable at school. Not to mention, could Jiang Yu admit that back in high school, he’d been punished to stand in class for staying up too late, and nearly fell asleep on his feet?

He shook his head, trying to stay alert. After a brief wash in the bathroom, he tied on his apron and began preparing breakfast: simple fried eggs, bread, and milk, as time was short.

Before Jiang Yu could call her, Umibe Tsuchiya emerged from her bedroom, yawning, her spirits still better than Jiang Yu’s unusual burst of energy. By the time the meal was ready, she had finished washing up and was seated at the table.

Jiang Yu, still in his pajamas, and Umibe Tsuchiya, wrapped in her hamster cloak, exchanged glances and broke into smiles.

“Eat quickly,” Jiang Yu urged. “Once you’re done, get changed and get ready to head out.”

“Mm…” Umibe’s face still bore traces of longing for spring break, practically declaring “I don’t want to go to school.” The two then echoed in unison, “Let’s eat,” and fell into a companionable silence as they began breakfast. Jiang Yu took the opportunity to reply to Aki Ryu’s message with a quick “Depends.”

He ignored the barrage of messages that followed, a string of exchanges between fellow night-owl enthusiasts—debates about the best new anime, which games were worth playing, and so on.

Incidentally, the LINE app displays whether a message has been read.

After breakfast, Jiang Yu shooed away Umibe Tsuchiya’s attempts to help clear the dishes, quickly washing everything under his sister’s indignant glare.

Then, both retreated to their rooms to change into their school uniforms.

Just as they were about to leave, Jiang Yu suddenly remembered something and smacked his forehead. He dashed into his room, packed a full set of “Love Metronome” into a paper bag, and prepared to take it to school.

Umibe Tsuchiya eyed the bag curiously. “What’s that, brother?”

“Ah… a light novel for a friend,” Jiang Yu replied after a moment’s thought. He supposed Megumi Kato was a friend now—wasn’t she?

“Pfft—so you have other real-life friends besides Aki Ryu?” Umibe laughed, covering her mouth.

“Don’t imagine your brother’s social life is that pitiful,” Jiang Yu protested.

Umibe quickened her pace, turned to look at him, and teased, “Sure, sure, lots of friends.”

Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow in silence. He couldn’t refute his sister; even if he counted the not-so-close senior Hazuki, classmate Sawamura, and Ayane Mizuno whom he met yesterday, he barely had five living, breathing friends.

Could “living, breathing” really be used to describe friends, protagonist?

Soon, Jiang Yu and Umibe Tsuchiya walked to the three-way intersection, chatting idly as they went. Jiang Yu attended the private Toyonokishi Academy, while Umibe Tsuchiya went to Arayata High School—nearly at opposite ends of the neighborhood.

If one drew a straight line between their schools and found the midpoint, Jiang Yu’s home would be just a bit closer to Toyonokishi.

So, at this intersection, they parted ways for their respective schools.

Jiang Yu found he was almost used to walking with Umibe Tsuchiya, attracting the attention of passersby. Thankfully, his genes were excellent; his appearance was far from plain, bordering on handsome. As he received the admiring and jealous glances of others, he could only sigh.

Just before they separated, Umibe Tsuchiya unexpectedly gave him a quick grooming: she smoothed the wrinkles on his shirt, straightened his jacket hem, and finally stood on tiptoe to pat his hair. Before Jiang Yu could react, she giggled and hurried away.

Jiang Yu smiled, accepting the envious looks of passersby as he strode toward his school.

As he neared the school, he spotted a familiar figure.

He quickened his pace and caught up, calling out, “Good morning, Kato!”

“Ah, Jiang Yu, good morning,” Megumi Kato replied in her usual calm tone, turning her head slightly.

As Jiang Yu pondered how to avoid awkward silence, Megumi suddenly said, “Oh, about the club. I thought about it yesterday—if it’s after school, I’m not in any club, not working a part-time job, and not planning to study too hard, so I’ll join you.”

“Kato, isn’t your agreeableness a bit excessive?” Jiang Yu stared in shock at her nonchalant decision.

“Well, I don’t have much to do anyway… And I won’t stay for activities every day—sometimes I do have things to take care of,” she replied, her expression saying, “Is that how you see me?”

“Cough, right, Kato, yesterday you said you wanted to check out some light novels? I brought you a set today,” Jiang Yu said, raising the paper bag.

“Hmm, there’s no need to rush… Besides, I only said I haven’t read any, not that I want to read them, Jiang Yu,” Megumi replied as she reached to take the bag.

“Uh… I’ll give it to you in the classroom.” Embarrassed by her response, Jiang Yu avoided her hand and decided to carry the bag to class.

After all, Megumi was a girl, and “Love Metronome” was five volumes thick. As a guy, Jiang Yu felt he should be a bit considerate.

Megumi thought for a moment, then said, “Alright, thank you, Jiang Yu,” withdrawing her hand.

They continued in silence for a while, entering the campus. Just as Jiang Yu was wondering how to break the awkward quiet, Megumi spoke again. “By the way, Jiang Yu, how’s your own light novel coming along?”

Jiang Yu was startled, reassessing his earlier assumptions about Megumi.

So, Megumi was actually quite good at sparking conversation, wasn’t she?

He rubbed his nose, gathering his thoughts. “Well… The first volume is almost done, I’m about ready to submit it…”

Why did talking about his own work with a friend feel so oddly embarrassing?

“Oh? Have you decided which publisher to submit to?” Megumi’s delicate face showed a hint of curiosity.

“Not yet… It’s a tough choice,” Jiang Yu wanted to cover his awkward expression, but realized his hands were occupied with his bag and the light novel.

“I see.” Megumi nodded thoughtfully.

And so, until they entered the classroom, their conversation remained in this warm (but not too lively), harmonious (but not too bland) everyday rhythm.