The Heroine Is In Love With Me

I'm Scared

This was back when I was in junior high school.

   I felt uncomfortable in an unfamiliar school uniform, I
   straightened myself out as I listened to my classmates’
   self-introductions. While I was wondering to say when it was my
   turn, a girl in front of me stood up. That girl walked with a
   spring in her step and smiled as she stood at the front of the
   class.

   She’s pretty cute.

   I think I’ve seen her somewhere, but I think that was because
   she was doing model work or something?

   As I was thinking, the girl kept that huge smile as she said–

   “I’m Mika Nonoyama! My hobby is playing video games! I
   especially love romance simulator games!”

   –A line that would confuse the classroom.

   I was also confused. Still, the girl in question returned to
   her seat with a smile, without worrying about the hubbub around
   her.

   Still confused, I stood up at the front of the class and gave a
   safe introduction.

   “I’m Saki Hamura. Umm, I like bullet hell games and badminton.”

   I think it went something like that…

   Anyway, as I introduced myself, homeroom ended. From the front
   seats, Mika suddenly looked back at me with a smile.
   "
   "

   “Hey, Hamura, do you like bullet hells?”

   “Eh, ah, yeah,” I said.

   At my vague answer, Mika smiled. “Then, do you know Casting
   Rose?”

   She just said the name of the vertical bullet hell that was
   touted as yesteryear’s masterpiece.

   “Eh, I know what it is, I really love it, but… how do you know
   such a hardcore bullet hell game?!”

   “Well, you see, I saw it in a game magazine, on an article
   featuring classic shooters. I thought the Steampunk aesthetic
   and the Stage 5 boss were really cool,” Mika replied with a
   smile.

   Incidentally, that boss was a beautiful woman in a men’s
   tailcoat. Now that I think about it, Mika’s love for beautiful
   women dressed in men’s clothes started right around this time…

   “Umm, I’ve got the home console version thanks to my New Year’s
   gifts and my pocket money, would you like to come over to play
   it?” I asked.

   “Seriously?!” Mika said. “Thank you!”

   Then, later that day, Mika and I decided to play bullet hell
   games at my house. Mika struggled with the game’s unique quirks
   but once she got the hang of it, she cleared the stage without
   any issue.

   “Thank you! That was fun!” Mika said, a carefree smile on her
   face as she cleared the final stage and watched the ending.

   “Yeah, I’m happy you enjoyed yourself,” I said.

   “Come play games at my house next time!” Mika said. “I don’t
   have many shooting games, but I’ve got plenty of other games we
   can enjoy together, like rhythm games and competitive puzzle
   games!”

   “Sure, thanks,” I said. “Well then, I’ll hold you up to your
   promise.”

   With that, we got to know each other and started playing games
   together.