Romantic Troubles of Duanmu-kun

“While I’m not fond of meeting strangers, and our first impression was terrible, I wouldn’t normally be so hostile. I only spoke that way because I wanted to drive you away.”

Standing on the stairs, Fujishima Misao waved to Class Rep and the Novelist sitting on the sofa.

“Come up.”

“Is this… your bedroom?”

The Novelist looked around, asking with some surprise. There was indeed a simple bed in the corner of the room. But what immediately captured visitors’ attention upon entering were the shelves filled with video tapes, game cartridges, and board game boxes, along with various gaming consoles of all sizes and their controllers tangled in wires sprawled across the thick carpet.

“As if I’d bring a guy I just met into my bedroom… don’t get any weird ideas.”

Misao had them change into indoor slippers as she responded with a wry expression.

“This is the game room. Usually it’s where I spend weekends relaxing. Though lately, since I’m recovering at home, I’ve been spending more time here.”

She sat cross-legged on the bed.

“It’s still early for dinner. How about we play some games to pass the time?”

As she spoke, Misao forcefully pushed controllers into their hands.

…Video games, huh.

The Novelist didn’t dislike them—quite the opposite, he was quite interested. But being extremely uncoordinated, he usually stuck to visual novels or RPGs with strategy guides. For games requiring actual skill, he could only experience them through watching gameplay videos.

Generally, his gaming time was mostly spent on social games that just required logging in to use up stamina.

“Um…”

Itou Maho likewise showed a troubled expression.

As for Class Rep, being the model student she was, she probably rarely had the chance to play video games.

“But you know, I never would have expected Fujishima-san to have this kind of hobby. I thought you were completely disconnected from this sort of thing…”

This level of collection wasn’t something a casual player would have. Despite being set up as the “athletic girl,” did she actually have a “gaming otaku” side?

“It’s a bit different.”

Fujishima-san appeared to be choosing her words carefully.

“I’m not particularly passionate about video games, and even my love for sports is only ‘so-so’—what matters to me is the joy of winning and completing challenges.”

Whether it was a test of mind or body, she could find ways to overcome challenges and gain advantages more easily than others. While that was certainly a good thing, it could also make things boring—

Misao casually delivered these rather remarkable words.

“But video games are a rare exception! Not because they’re particularly difficult, but because they’re so diverse in design that they’re always offering me new kinds of fun! Though lately, games have been getting pretty similar to each other, which is frustrating.”

Is that so?

Gaming enthusiasts were as diverse as the games themselves. The Novelist couldn’t quite grasp Misao’s mindset. But trying to put himself in her shoes, he could somewhat understand the feeling.

“So? What are you planning to have us play?”

“Pokemon.”

“I refuse. Besides, isn’t that not exactly the kind of casual family game everyone can enjoy together?”

“Right, you two can just watch.”

Then what was the point of giving us controllers!

Misao tossed the controllers back onto the soft carpet, muttering “I see…” before determinedly standing up with her crutch.

“Then let’s try some tabletop games!”

Misao’s collection included not just cards and chess sets, but also trading card games like Magic: The Gathering and tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons.

“It’s a bit tough with three people… but we can try!”

As she bent down to reach for a box deep in the bottom shelf, swaying her hips as she stretched her arm out, there was something captivating about the girl’s silhouette… probably due to her tight pants.

“Th-that… let me help!”

Class Rep was worried about her friend’s condition with the cast on her foot.

“No need.”

Fujishima Misao pulled out a box, blowing off the dust with a “phew.”

The Novelist shifted his gaze from her to survey the room. His attention was quickly drawn to a certain “special” item that stood out jarringly from its surroundings, impossible to ignore due to its distinctive appearance—

“Fujishima-san, that’s…”

“Hm? That’s an astronomical telescope. What about it?”

The girl turned her head to answer.

A black-cased optical instrument with a mount, quietly resting by the window.

“It was a birthday present from my mom. Because I kept pestering her about wanting to look at stars back then. But no matter how beautiful the starry sky is, you get bored of it quickly. And now it’s pouring rain, so it’s completely useless.”

“So you haven’t used it in a long time?”

“Ah… yeah, that’s right.”

At some point, the Novelist had made his way to the telescope’s side, speaking casually.

“But that’s a lie, isn’t it?”

The game room fell silent.

Class Rep looked confused, likely concerned about the sudden shift in atmosphere.

Misao’s eyes widened slightly in surprise before she let out a soft laugh.

“What makes you think that?”

“Nothing much. Just that this telescope shows signs of recent use.”

It wasn’t some subtle detail hidden away. Moreover, the user clearly hadn’t made any effort to hide the evidence of use.

“But I just said I got bored of looking at stars ages ago.”

“In that case, there’s only one possibility left.”

The Novelist replied calmly.

“When you got tired of the stars, you turned your gaze back to earth. Fujishima-san, you’ve been using this telescope to peek into the western-style house next door, haven’t you?”

It seemed that Fujishima-san, confined at home while recovering from her right foot injury, had been passing time not just with video games, but also with voyeuristic activities.

No matter how entertaining or replayable a game might be, eventually its value would be exhausted, leaving only tedium behind. If we’re talking about something that could be observed repeatedly while still providing what Fujishima-san called “new kinds of fun,” it would have to be “humans” themselves.