I guess staying up late to watch anime in real-time and then delivering newspapers was ++too much++ for a weakling like me after all…!

At times like this, I need the Saint! Just one glance at her, and I’d regain my stamina! After that, a short nap should help me survive the day.

Despite my sister warning me, “You’re not exactly the strongest guy, so don’t push yourself too hard,” I sacrificed my sleep for anime. Foolish, right? Completely lacking foresight. Especially since I don’t have a strong body or anything.

Anyway, maybe I should tell you a bit about myself. You never know, there might be some higher lifeform observing me from beyond this world. I’m Tsuchiya Bunta, seventeen years old. Just your average high school guy. How would I describe myself in one word? Ordinary.

–That’s it! And if there really is an observer out there, let me tell you something upfront: there’s nothing interesting about peeking into my life! After all, nothing ever happens.

Unlike me, with nothing worth mentioning, the Saint is never short of topics. Honestly, I have nothing more to say about myself, so let’s change the subject.

I first saw her six months ago. It was when I started my newspaper delivery part-time job, which made me take an earlier train to school. The shock of seeing her for the first time? It felt like an angel had descended from the heavens. I legitimately thought I’d somehow boarded a train bound for heaven.

Just seeing her filled me with incredible euphoria. Her appearance made me wonder if she was even human. It was beauty in its purest, most overwhelming form. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say my motivation for continuing the newspaper delivery job, which I originally started for the money, is now to see her.

The old saying really is true: ++*”The early bird catches the worm.”++

If this were one of the anime I’m obsessed with, this is where I’d start fantasizing about some kind of “boy meets girl” scenario between me and the Saint. But, alas, I’m a realist. I know the difference between reality and fiction.

That’s why I only catch glimpses of her from the corner of my eye. After all, she’s a complete stranger, and if a girl notices an unfamiliar guy staring at her, she’d feel anxious and uncomfortable.

So, as usual, I boarded the train today with the intention of discreetly catching a glimpse of the Saint, but…

++…What the…!? She’s not here!? No way!++

I pretended to look for an empty seat so I wouldn’t seem suspicious. My eyes wandered discreetly, using the stealthy techniques I’d honed over the past six months.

Has God abandoned me? How could he take away the small, modest joy of seeing the Saint from someone as plain as me? This is cruel and unjust!

Realizing I wouldn’t see her today, I suddenly felt dizzy—probably from the lack of sleep after my late-night anime binge and the morning delivery. My frail body couldn’t take it…

I stumbled toward an empty seat and sat down, my head drooping in defeat. I must’ve looked like someone completely drained of life.

“You look pretty down. Didn’t see who you were hoping for, huh?”

“Yeah, the Saint isn’t here… wait, what?!?!”

I was spoken to so casually that I just… kind of… blurted it out. My tongue slipped. And as soon as I realized that, a sweet fragrance drifted into my awareness.

My brain instantly registered it as the scent unique to girls. How would I know something like that when I have zero experience with girls? Well, it’s sensory information I’ve picked up from my little sister.

I felt the seat next to me shift slightly, accompanied by a soft creak. Slowly, cautiously, I turned to see who was sitting beside me, only to be met with—

A gal. A girl who looked nothing like the Saint.

She had long, straight, golden hair flowing down to her waist, and her uniform was worn in a daring, fashion-forward way. Her short skirt boldly revealed her thighs, and with her legs crossed, well… let’s just say there was a lot to take in.

Her makeup was minimal but expertly done, enhancing her natural beauty, and even her nails were perfectly styled. Every aspect of her appearance was uncompromising.

If the Saint’s attribute is ‘healing,’ this girl’s attribute is ‘thorn.’ She was a beautiful gal, the kind of girl an introvert like me would never interact with in a million years. My instincts screamed at me to stay away.  

“Beautiful flowers have thorns,” “honey trap”—those phrases were frantically running through my head.

“Uh? Um, who are you!?”

My voice came out in a ridiculous, panicked squeak.

Does stuff like this actually happen in real life!?

“Nice to meet you. Do you have a moment? There’s something I want to ask.”

‘Is she going to extort money from me?!’

“…Oh. So I look like that kind of girl to you?”

“I don’t have any money!”

“You little—! Maybe I’ll really take it from you.”

“Eek!”

“Calm down, I’m just kidding. Don’t freak out. But let’s cut to the chase—Otaku-kun, right? You’ve been watching that girl on this train, haven’t you? What’s your deal?”

!next

If you want updates for future chapter releases and new series, Click here to join our Discord Server now.