I was Rejected 10,000 times by My Childhood Friend, but After I Gave Up, I Suddenly Started Getting Popular? - Ch. 1 - Episode 1 p15

First of all, read a love textbook

For a while, Shirahata-san was enjoying her experience with the self-serve drink bar.

Apparently, she didn’t even know that there was coffee at the drink bar. When she found out, her excitement clearly could not be contained… She was very impassioned.

Once she calmed down to some extent, we decided to get right down to business.

“Then, let’s begin.”

“Yes! But first, can I ask you a question?”

“Hm? A question? W-Well, that’s totally fine.”

After I permitted her to ask a question, Shirahata-san first took a sip of her coffee, seemingly preparing herself to ask.

“Is Momiji-san your true love?”

The innocent expression on her face suggested that she was thinking, “I didn’t say anything strange at all, did I?”

But damn, she’s throwing a lot of different pitches! Even I, the catcher, couldn’t catch this one!

However, if I stayed silent here, she would probably take it for affirmation. So, I had to make it clear here.

“Nah, it’s not like Karen is my true love or anything. But in the first place, why ask this question?”

“Up until now, I’ve always thought that Momoji-san and you, Kaminoki-san, always had that kind of atmosphere around you, even though you guys weren’t dating. Wait, no, this morning, I saw you with that adorable little girl… maybe Kaminoki-san supports polygamy?”

“Of course I don’t! You’re totally wrong! Karen and I are just… childhood friends now. Really, it’s the way that you’re thinking of it.”

Although I was saying that, I understood that from a third person’s point of view, we did indeed look that way. Though, I think I shouldn’t worry so much about what people think. Well, that’s just theoretical. In reality, it makes me sick to the stomach when people look at me that way.

“That’s how it is… So, Kaminoki-san, are there any other girls that you’ve taken a liking to?”

“I guess… no, I don’t think so.”

“I see… Well, it’s not like every high school student has to be in love.”

“Right.”

Though, I did want to be in love.

But as I have said many times before, there won’t be encounters just lying around, all over the place. I knew that finding a new love right after I gave up wouldn’t be feasible.

Even so, I would keep my eyes peeled for possible encounters. As a result, I kind of felt that I was going in a strange direction. Okay, time to close my eyes.

“If there is someone you like, Shirahata-san, why did you go and… confess to me?

“Well, I did do that. But if the reason for choosing someone to love is that ‘it’s fun to be with that person’, then, in my opinion, I think Kaminoki-san fits that condition.”

“Wha—!”

Kyu, what’s she smiling about all of a sudden?

(TL: This man’s heart just skipped a beat with a little kyu sound. No cap.)

She’s either stupidly straightforward or overly pure… Doesn’t this girl have any shame in love? Love should be a compulsory subject in education.

“But, for me, distinguishing between a friend and a lover is difficult because I don’t have any friends. Maybe I’m just differentiating them by gender.”

That’s where she really shows her composure…

“Well, that makes sense. So, Shirahata-san, you don’t have any friends?”

“No, I don’t. I don’t know why others think I’m so unapproachable.”

I don’t know for sure, either.

When I first met her, since I didn’t know anything about her, I was overwhelmed by this beauty’s angelic aura. It didn’t really feel like we were close.

In reality, she’s just a high school girl who gets excited at a self-serve drink bar and is a tad bit crazy. Oops, I take that back. She’s pretty funny too. I had to tell the full truth.

“That is true… Oh, but I can be your friend if you want me to…?”

I never thought I’d say such a cheesy line in my life.

However, that’s just what I was feeling at the time.

Shirahata-san’s face lit up at my words, and she held my hands in hers.

“Really?! Thank you very much! You’re my friend… I’m so happy!”

“O-Oh… if you’re really okay with me…”

“I really am okay with you, Kaminoki-san! Please take care of me in the future!”

“Yeah!”

Who knew she’d be so happy about something like this… it kind of made me happy, too.

But now I can put a name to the vague relationship between us: me teaching her about love.

Shirahata-san seems to be pleased with herself. She really is an angel, though… Yeah.

“So, teach me about love…”

Shirahata-san removed her hand from mine, returning to the main topic.

“Oh, right. Though… to be honest, I’m not sure if I can teach you that much, but… I have one proposal.”

“A proposal?”

(TL: No, you dimwit readers. A suggestion. Not a marriage proposal. Relax. Also, I’m sorry for calling you dimwits.)

Shirahata-san eagerly nodded her head.

Indeed, I did have an idea.

I didn’t know if it would lead her in the correct direction, but I was confident. 

“Why don’t you try reading a shoujo manga?”

“Shoujo manga?”

Yes. All girls love them. It’s their bible of love: Shoujo manga.

(TL: Sup!)

(ED: It’s about time our TL does some work smh)