Animania: Everyone Loves Me

The bright moon hung high in the night sky, scattered starlight adorning the firmament.

It was undoubtedly a beautiful night. The neon lights resembled electronic fireflies, swaying between the skyscrapers that pierced the clouds. The soft yet warm lights of the convenience store spilled over the vending machine. The sound of a can falling startled the birds perched on the antenna, fluttering across the city skyline with a few chirping calls.

But Bocchi's mood was far from relaxed.

After boldly saying those words, the timid girl named "Gotou Hitori" had used up all her strength.

She kept her head low in fear, biting her lip tightly. Her heart was pounding "thump thump" as if it were about to jump out the next second, like a prisoner awaiting judgment, nervously facing her end.

But the judge had yet to bring down the gavel.

If life were a galgame, then right now, he clearly faced two choices.

[Option One: I also like Gotou-san, and I want to always be with you.]

[Option Two: I only see you as a friend.]

These were not just two different branches, but two… completely opposite fates.

The difference was, choosing the first would officially unlock the "Gotou Hitori" romance route, and from then on, it would be soul-binding, sky-soaring, "three kids in three years"… On countless quiet and ambiguous nights, he could fully savor her beauty.

But if he chose the second, the timid, deer-like girl would forever leave his world. Cruelly rejected, she would never have the courage to approach him again. Their fates would become two parallel lines that never intersect, destined to drift apart.

The outcome, rested in his single thought.

To be fair, Kaito clearly knew, he did have some feelings for Gotou Hitori.

Although this feeling was more akin to the affection a pet owner has for their pink hamster rather than romantic fondness between the opposite sex.

But feelings were still feelings. Just like hate-fueled fame is still fame.

His master once told him: ("Never hurt those who care about you, or those you care about.")

Kaito didn't know who in this world cared about him, but there probably weren't many.

Just like in this world, there weren't many he cared about either.

And the girl before him… clearly occupied a spot.

Like the ring finger among the five fingers. Even though it's not as flexible as the index finger, nor as strong as the thumb, without it, the hand feels incomplete.

There really wasn't much to hesitate over.

He had already accepted Yumiko and Soyo. Adding one more Bocchi… didn't seem like a big deal?

His master hated indecisive men the most. If she were here now, he'd probably be getting scolded again.

That thought flashed by, and Kaito let out a helpless smile.

Then, he stood up, answering her with his actions.

———

'What is the president thinking?'

Gotou Hitori didn't dare lift her head. The little deer in her heart was about to smash itself to death.

She even began to regret it. She shouldn't have drunk tonight… no, she shouldn't have gone out with Miura in the first place.

The president was such a dazzling, noble existence. And she was just a dark watermelon bug, unnoticed under the sunlight, yet she'd dared to crave a light that wasn't hers…

'I'm going to be rejected, right? I must be rejected, right? Ugh…'

The girl's pretty face turned completely pale.

Being rejected would be painful. But even worse for Bocchi was… if the president distanced himself because of this, or worse, found some excuse to kick her out of the club, what would she do then?

'My life… is probably over now, huh?'

'Dad, Mom, and Futari… thank you for always putting up with such a useless me. At this point, to preserve the final dignity of the Gotou family, I must die with honor. Your great kindness… I will repay in the next life…'

"Eh?", As she spiraled into despair, the girl suddenly froze.

Something warm wrapped around her. A faint, pleasant scent, not of soap or shampoo, but something more natural and refreshing, like a sturdy snow pine under the winter sun, or a mountain spring flowing through the forest.

'This…'

'This this this…'

'This this this this this!'

A cinnabar-colored flush spread from her ears to her cheeks. Finally realizing what had happened, the pink-haired girl was completely stunned.

Her face turned bright red, her brain overheated, and her body tensed up.

Her rationality was completely destroyed by the sudden intimate gesture. Her central processor groaned under the overload, black smoke almost rising.

'Am I about to be eaten?'

In her daze, such a thought flashed through her mind. She was like a tender lamb under the lion king's paw, just waiting for that mighty beast to lower its head and bite through her throat.

The strong, warm scent closed in.

Finally, the lion king approached her neck—

But the imagined pain never came.

The mighty beast withdrew its claws… and gently patted the little lamb on the head with soft paw pads.

"I did receive… your feelings."

Kaito didn't know what the little social anxiety girl was thinking.

But he keenly noticed the girl in his arms had tensed up, she was obviously nervous.

This was normal. Even the brash Yumiko had trembled like a drawn bowstring when she confessed to him for the first time, always on the verge of snapping.

So, almost instinctively, he took a gentle approach, and patted her head.

It was something he did with Hitori often. In terms of frequency, even Yumiko didn't compare.

The effect was better than expected.

The girl stiffened for a moment, but then slowly relaxed.

After a long time, two small hands cautiously wrapped around his waist.

Her movement was hesitant, like a stray cat probing the kindness of a stranger in the wild, alert, always ready to flee.

Kaito didn't shake her off.

This seemed to give Hitori courage. Gradually… she hugged him tighter.

This timid hug lasted for a long time.

The pink-haired girl lifted her face, her night-sky-clear eyes sparkling with starlight, finally, a glimmer of life appeared in them.

Then, she bit her lip, leaned in gently, and her long lashes trembled slightly.

Kaito lowered his gaze, stared at the camellia-blush on her face… and slowly lowered his head.

———

Beside them, the blonde girl lay with her eyes tightly shut, breathing evenly.

As if she were having a pleasant dream, the corners of her pretty lips curled up slightly. Her peaceful sleeping face… looked especially sweet.

═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═

patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator

🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.

https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y