Don't Call Me By My Username! - Chapter 2

unedited

(So many people…)

The meeting place was under the clock tower in front of the train station.

It was a common meeting place for the locals.

As expected of it being in the middle of winter break, the area around the clock tower was crowded with young people.

I felt as if all the voices of people passing by were gossiping about me, and my stomach started to churn.

I was already being made to dress in a humiliating way, and now my uneasiness only became worse because the people around me might find out that I was a guy. My hands started getting cold sweat.

Ugh, I want to go home. The meeting time is three in the afternoon. The other person should be here by now.

But, now that I think about it, I didn’t know anything about the other person. All I knew was that I’m being made to cross-dress and was told the time and place of the meet-up, but I forgot to ask the most important thing.

In such a crowded place like this, it’d be impossible to find someone that I’ve never met before.

[Hey, what’s the other person’s characteristic?]

[Ahh, my bad. I only know the name.]

[What? You’ve got to be kidding me! How am I supposed to find him?!]

I took my eyes off the phone screen and glared at Kazuki, who was unexpectedly hiding behind a building. He clasped his hands together and signaled ‘sorry!’ to me.

But wait a second… maybe this is a chance for me. If the other person couldn’t find me then this plan would be over!

I felt as if something brightened up in front of my eyes.

That’s right. If I couldn’t meet him nothing would happen. I guess God hasn’t abandoned me.

“…Is making a hundred of different faces your hobby?”

“!”

Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice rang out, causing my shoulders to jump a bit. I fearfully turned my gaze in the direction of the voice and saw a guy about a head taller than me staring down at me.

I guess his height would be about 180cm? He has a striking look, with a strong-jawed masculine face and cool, almond eyes.

The surroundings that had been so noisy a moment ago become quiet as if water had been splashed on them. Occasionally I could hear whispering voices of people saying “That person is so cool, isn’t he?” while looking this way.

His long, slender legs and dignified stance made him look like a model or a celebrity.

Don’t tell me, this is the guy I’m supposed to meet? No, no, no way!

What then? Is he just hitting on me? Could it be that this guy has bad eyesight?

The guy who appeared in a casual outfit of a black down jacket and denim was far too different from what I had imagined of him that it made me confused.

“Are you Haru?”

“Ye-yes!”

Nervousness ran through me when he called me with the username that Kazuki registered. So he’s really the guy…

He’s not unpopular at all! If anything, he’s definitely the kind of guy who could choose any girl he likes without having to search for them on an app!!

Somehow, I feel like I’m already losing as a man, it’s frustrating. Now that it has become like this, I have no choice but to quickly fulfill my goal.

The tall guy is observing me from top to bottom as if he’s trying to evaluate me.

What’s wrong with this guy? He’s staring at me so much even though we had never met before.

Even if I were to dress normally, anyone would probably feel uncomfortable being stared at this much.

Could it be, that he already found out that I’m a guy?

“…..Hmm…”

“U-umm.”

“Oh well. Let’s just go for now.”

Before I could say a word, he pulled my waist close to him in a skillful manner.

With a refreshing smile on his face, he began to walk slowly and half forcefully.

Where on earth are we going? I mean, should I run away from him?

While I was hesitating, our steps were moving further away from the train station.

I was thinking to just kill some time in the train station by talking whatever with him, but I was actually in a panic.

There are many cafés in and around the train station. If we were in a café, I could just take the photo randomly and run away when I pretended to go to the restroom. I couldn’t run away even if I wanted to now, because he had a firm grip on my waist, restricting my movements.

“Umm, where are we going…?”

“Hmm? To somewhere nice.”

What do you mean by ‘somewhere nice’?!!

As usual, his act of unnecessarily giving a refreshing smile as he talked made my face tense up.

Anyway, isn’t this a very bad situation?

Oh right, Kazuki! I wonder what happened to Kazuki. Didn’t he say he’d help me if I’m in a pinch?

“Your friend… won’t come here.”

“…!”

As if he had read my thoughts, he whispered to me as we walked, and an unpleasant sweat broke out on my back.

When I hurriedly looked up, I saw his almond eyes staring at me. His face was smiling, but his eyes weren’t smiling at all.

What should I do, he must have found out that I’m a guy.

I feel like my body is getting cold from the top of my head.

What’s going to happen to me…?

If I apologize now, will he forgive me?

“Well then, here we are. What are you going to do?”

“Eh. What, you ask?”

While I was thinking in circles, I was brought to the nearest parking lot. In front of me was a plain white car. No special fancy decorations, no modifications, really just an ordinary wagon car.

Is he telling me to go inside? That’s the same as digging my own grave.

The worst-case scenario flashed through my mind, and my whole body broke out in goosebumps.

“What’s wrong?”

The door was opened politely and my legs froze. He looked like a cool handsome guy at one glance, but I’m sure he’s one hell of a criminal. If I get inside the car I’ll definitely be…

Wait, what about Kazuki?! I wonder if he’s safe.

“Um, what about Kazuki? What happened to my friend?!”

“Hmm, so that kid’s name is Kazuki. Let’s see… I’ll tell you if you get inside the car quietly.”

His almond eyes narrowed and the corners of his mouth turned up in a sly grin. I had never known a smile could be so terrifying.

“So? What are you going to do?”

He asked me that once again and I was at a loss for words. But, I already know that I have no other choice.

I could definitely run away and escape now. But what would happen to Kazuki if I were to do that?

…I couldn’t possibly abandon my friend.

“…I’ll get in.”

My voice that came out was so hoarse that it even surprised me. I clenched my cold fists and took the first step in fear.