Chapter 252. [Let’s Go To School]

 

Inside the departing school bus, it was surprisingly noisy.

 

It wasn’t just because the engine was loud enough that people had to shout to be heard…

 

《If you don’t understand something, I’ll teach you, okay?》

 

《Stupid, this kid is definitely smarter than you. We should actually get her to tutor us instead.》

 

《Hahaha, no doubt about that!》

 

《Ah, ahaha…》

 

Conversations revolved around me like this.

 

My seat, adorned with a wry smile, was surrounded by girls from all directions.

 

Because it’s America, they don’t suddenly ask your age to avoid manners violations.

 

But because of that, there seems to be a misconception that I skipped a grade rather than being the same age.

 

《Ah, what luck! Seems like I’ve found my angel!》

 

《An angel! An angel has descended upon me!》

 

《Hey, pinch my cheek a bit! I somehow saw an angelic hallucination. It’s happening!》

 

《Wait, what if it’s not an angel but a fairy!?》

 

I could hear voices like that from the far end of the seats.

 

Huh, in America, do they pinch their cheeks to confirm reality? Now is not the time for such thoughts.

 

Who could be a fairy!? In VR social networks (VRSNS), often called Fairies by the Japanese, you can wander around VR space as your favorite avatar.

 

Preferring small avatars, being few, and withdrawing to private areas, they tend to flee when spoken to.

 

But unfortunately, this is reality.

 

《Um, well, I…》

 

《Yeah, yeah!》

 

《What, what!?》

 

《Never mind, forget it》

 

Sigh. The only solace is that if I sit down, I can block out most of the gazes.

 

The seats were unusually tall, with no seat belts, making me keenly aware of my small stature.

 

In case of an accident, these cushioned seats would serve as airbags.

 

《Your outfit looks so cute, just like a doll’s!》

 

《Um, well. Ah-nee picked it out for me…》

 

《Wow! You have a sister!》

 

《Ah, no. I say sister, but she’s just a friend from the neighborhood.》

 

As I speak, I glance down at my attire.

 

Unlike in Japan, I’m wearing my clothes to school.

 

I’ve opted for a casual look to fit in with America, but I still feel like I’m overdressed.

 

Here, being natural is considered “cool”… Even sneakers, deliberately dirtied from being too clean.

 

Come to think of it, what AngOug said.

 

I recall the conversation when she saw me off—.

 

《One thing particularly saddens me about coming to America. It’s not being able to see Iroha in her school uniform anymore!》

 

《Does it really matter?》

 

《How could you say that!? When I was in Japan, I’d always see her at just the right time whenever I went out to play. Why don’t American schools have uniforms!? They’re so cute!》

 

《Hmm? Wait a minute. Angu Ogu and Mai often came over to play before I got home, waiting in my room. Could it be…》

 

《…No, I think your current outfit is not bad! But with such a simple attire, it makes you look even more childish. Oh!》

 

《Hey, look at yourself before saying that》

 

I clutch my bag tightly against my stomach.

 

I-I’m not feeling insecure under this barrage of questions.

 

I just wanna take out my earphones from my bag and watch some streams already!

 

I wanna escape reality for a bit!

 

《Wow! Your name’s Iroha-chan, huh~》

 

《Where are you from? You’re Asian, right?》

 

《Um, from Japan》

 

《Really! By the way, wasn’t there another Japanese person on this bus?》

 

Huh, meeting a Japanese person here is quite unusual.

 

As I ponder this, one of the girls loudly calls out to that person.

 

《Hey, ‘Shitenno’! Come say hi to Iroha-chan too!》

 

“Haha, never thought I’d end up on the same bus as you… Iroha! It’s been a hundred years since we met here!”

 

From one of the seats, a head pops out.

 

Confirming the face of the person addressed with a strange nickname.

 

Who???

 

“Um, who?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Who is this guy, seriously?

 

Why does he know me? It’s creepy.

 

“Hey, remember? We were in the same middle school. Well, not the same class though. You took my spot as one of the ‘Four Heavenly Kings’ from when we first enrolled, and I’ve been plotting to reclaim it.”

 

“…?”

 

“Hey, didn’t I help translate for the whole world back then!?”

 

“…Oh! That time!”

 

“You really don’t remember anything except VTubers, huh!? Show some interest in me! I came to study at the same school just to beat you!”

 

“Eek, creepy… are you still a stalker?”

 

“N-no way!? What do you mean ‘still’!? And why ‘creepy’!? Though, I did confess to you in the past.”

 

“…Did you? Confess what?”

 

“Aaaahh! Mooooom!”

 

Shitenno-kun? Was that it?

 

Ah, no good. I’m really sorry, but I genuinely can’t remember. Not even his real name.

 

But I’m deeply impressed by his determination and spirit.

 

After all, even faced with a language cheat, he continues to challenge himself.

 

Perhaps he’ll become a truly remarkable linguist in the future.

 

Not through cheat like me. But through hard work and talent.

 

《Hey, what were you guys talking about?》

 

《Um, well, actually…》

 

《Eeek! Is that romance!? Hey, Shitenno! Sit closer to her!》

 

No, no. He’s a guy, and besides, he seems to have mommy issues.

 

Above all, it has nothing to do with VTubers.

 

If it were them, I’d be more. Wait, what am I thinking!?

 

I shake my head and hastily cut off my thoughts.

 

《Alright. Hey, Iroha-chan, we’re almost there!》

 

After a barrage of questions, the school bus finally arrives at its destination.

 

Finally, the first day of high school begins!