Don’t Look Back, Megumi Kato [22]

Tokyo
Rokutenma Mall
Café

Sawamura Eriri sat nervously in her seat, fidgeting as she stole glances at Izumi Yuu sitting across from her.

Compared to her unease, Yuu looked completely at ease, sitting naturally opposite Eriri.

“Uh? W-well… I am.”

After hesitating for ages, the girl finally squeezed out a few words, half-admitting her identity as Eiri Kashiwagi, the illustrator.

Yuu lounged in his chair, one leg crossed, a faint smile on his handsome face, hands resting on the table. His deep, dark eyes quietly studied the girl across from him—stone-faced and stiff ever since he walked in.

Kashiwagi Eiri—otherwise known as Sawamura Eriri.

You had to admit, even if it sounded self-absorbed, Eriri really was a rare beauty.

Over these past days, Yuu hadn’t met more than ten girls who could compare.

The petite girl before him had real golden twin-tails—hair so much richer in color and texture than any bottle-blonde gyaru.

Her clear blue eyes sparkled like jewels. Her porcelain skin looked almost too perfect to touch.

She wore a light yellow dress.

Her pale, nimble hands were twisted together between her knees.

Her long, pale legs pressed together under the table, wrapped in black knee-high socks. At her skirt’s edge, a hint of soft thigh peeked through, as tempting as vanilla ice cream—just looking made you want to take a bite. Her dainty feet were tucked into little leather shoes.

And she carried a natural air of elegance and grace, the very image of a well-bred ojou-sama.

The only “flaw” might be that “impoverished-yet-proud” chest of hers.

Other than that, it was no wonder the whole school recognized her as a top-tier beauty.

In both looks and presence, she could hold her own even against the school’s legendary ojou-sama, Shinomiya Kaguya.

If only she weren’t such a “blonde loser dog.”

[You look at her dainty, tempting feet and a bold thought pops into your head. With nobody around, maybe you could use her secret as leverage and have her do something for you under the table with those charming little feet…]

I’m just here to talk about a deal worth a few hundred thousand yen, not some billion-yen contract, Yuu rolled his eyes inwardly. How did a “pure love war god” like me get saddled with such a trashy meta narrator? Always thinking of the sleaziest tricks…

“Kashiwagi-sensei, why do you look so serious? Are you just not the smiling type?”

Yuu smiled gently, watching the golden twin-tailed girl squirm.

A floating status screen hovered before Eriri’s eyes:

[Name: Sawamura Eriri]
[Age: 16]
[Status: Blonde loser dog, lost at the crossroads of life]
[Affection: 31 (Somewhat curious collaborator)]

[Available Endings]:

[① Loser Girl Who Gives Up Her Dreams — Condition: If Affection is under 70, use her secret as leverage to force a relationship.]
(Reward: one bottle of Obedient Miracle Water, ¥1,000,000)

[② The Loser (Doormat) Girl Gets Worse — Condition: No personal interaction; just let things unfold. She might become a loser or a backup because of Kato Megumi’s involvement.]
(Reward: ¥100,000)

[③ Who Says Losers Don’t Get a Spring? — Condition: If Affection reaches 70+, and she sees Aki Tomoya’s true colors.]
(Reward: +3 Physique, +3 Strength, +3 Agility, +3 Stamina, ¥5,000,000)]

Obviously, the first ending was out of the question.

No way am I throwing my youth away for some “iron rice bowl” like that.

Even the second ending had a reward—probably because of some twist with Kato Megumi, and he was the wildcard. Still not an option.

Clearly, the third route was the right choice!

Yuu quickly worked through the options in his mind, then put the analysis aside and looked calmly at Eriri.

Hearing Yuu’s question, Eriri froze for a moment. Her face stayed expressionless, but her thoughts were spinning.

Of course! Who could smile after getting their real identity exposed by someone like you?! If my classmates found out I’m an R18 doujinshi artist, how could I ever show my face at school again?

Shame and anxiety flooded her.

She never expected to run into a fellow student from the same academy, let alone someone she actually knew.

And if the guy in front of her had bad intentions, using her secret as leverage, she’d have no way to fight back—she’d be completely at his mercy!

Scenes from a recent doujinshi she’d finished flashed through her mind.

In that story, the heroine is blackmailed by a blonde delinquent and forced to submit, while her oblivious, four-eyed childhood friend doesn’t realize anything’s wrong—until one day he catches his childhood friend going into a love hotel with the blonde and finally puts the pieces together…

The only difference was… Izumi Yuu was way better-looking than any blonde delinquent.

In both looks and vibe, Eriri had never met such a good-looking “yellow hair.”

If Yuu really wanted to do those things, he probably wouldn’t even need blackmail—the doujinshi’s heroine would just go along willingly.

Of course, that only happens in doujinshi.

Eriri tried to steady herself. On the surface, she kept a cool front.

“Izumi-sensei, you look kind of familiar. Haven’t we met somewhere before?”

As soon as she said it, she regretted it.

Why did I have to bring that up? Maybe he hadn’t remembered who I was—now he definitely will!

“No surprise there. We have met before.”

Yuu tapped his finger lightly on the table and grinned. “I seem to recall we’re neighbors. And we go to the same academy.”

Oh no!

A cold shiver ran down Eriri’s spine.

Her mind flooded with panic and humiliation.

It’s over! He really does know who I am! Now he’s got my secret!

“Sawamura-sensei… or rather, Eriri-san, if you don’t want your secret to get out to the entire school, you know what you have to do, right?”

The phrase popped unbidden into Eriri’s mind.

Looking at Yuu, it was as if he’d become a demon lord, while she was a helpless maiden trapped at his feet, waiting for her doom.

Damn it!

Why does this feel a little exciting?!

To her horror, Eriri realized that, mixed with her shame and panic, there was a faint thrill.

It’s like my fantasies are becoming reality…

My own storylines are happening to me.

Why am I actually… looking forward to this?

No! No way! This can’t be happening!

Realizing how shameful her thoughts were, Eriri silently screamed in her heart, trying desperately to drive the feeling away.

Noticing the girl’s body trembling slightly, Yuu pressed a hand to his forehead, exasperated.

Do I really seem that scary? Or that much like a villain?

She looks so worried I’m about to do something unforgivable to her.

“But… today, we’re meeting as a light novel author and an illustrator—as work partners.”

Yuu’s tone shifted, suddenly serious as he looked at Eriri’s delicate face.

“As for our school identities and all that, they don’t matter here, right, Kashiwagi-sensei?”

“Huh?!”

Eriri, still anxious, froze again—then instantly caught the real meaning of his words.

He was saying that, for today, their relationship was strictly professional, and he wouldn’t bring their real identities into it.

Clearly, Yuu had figured out who she was. But he was sending her a signal: today, it’s just about work, nothing more.

“In that case, Izumi-sensei, let’s get down to business!”

Eriri bared two adorable fang-like teeth and turned her head slightly. “You really are hopeless, aren’t you~? Can’t wait to see my genius art in action, right?”

She didn’t say thank you—but every word was full of gratitude.

She really is a textbook tsundere. No wonder she keeps losing out to Aki Tomoya. Tsundere versus a guy who keeps running away—totally unwinnable match-up!

Yuu couldn’t help but think as he watched the awkward, prickly girl in front of him.

Eriri’s affection score shifted in real time:

[Name: Sawamura Eriri]
[Age: 16]
[Status: Oscillating between lovesick puppy (romance) and master artist (ideals)]
[Affection: 42 (A partner with real fondness for you)]

Seeing things progressing faster than he expected, Yuu felt secretly delighted as he observed the girl.

She turned her head a little, but kept stealing glances at Yuu from the corner of her eye.

[You see her cute little fangs, and resolve to make a bold move. No matter how stubborn a girl is, she can’t win against a guy who’s truly assertive! Still, before that, you’ll need to use your leverage to open a door—and make sure it doesn’t slam shut on you once you step inside…]

Now you’re just skipping all the steps and sending me straight to my grave, huh?!

Hearing the trash narrator’s latest rotten idea, Yuu almost choked.

This damn narrator really must be my mortal enemy!

Yuu raged inwardly, full of complaints.

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This is a fan translation of 加藤惠别回头，我是伦也君 by 故人归 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!