What Do You Mean, I'm Your Galgame Love Interest?

My name is Xian Yu, and I'm a total couch potato.

My everyday routine is watching anime, reading novels, and zoning out with my head on the desk.

Then she showed up.

She borrowed my books, asked how far I'd gotten every day, and came over to pick them up.

Other people: She's really paying attention to you.

Me: She just wants to read the books.

Other people: Then why make a special trip over?

Me: ...She just wants to read the books.

Other people: Why does she have to remind you every day where to sit?

Me: ...She just wants to read the books.

Roommate: And why did she touch your forehead when you had a cold?

Me: ...Shut up.

Every day, she reminds me: “Tomorrow at noon, in the cafeteria, at that table. Don't sit in the wrong spot.”

But I've never sat in the wrong spot.

She doesn't remind me every day because she's worried I'll sit in the wrong spot.

Maybe she just wants to make sure I'll show up.

I'm overthinking it. She just wants to read the books.

Nobody says, “I like you.”

There's only “Let me borrow it when you're done.”

Only “Because I want to know how much you've read.”

Only “Don't catch a cold again.”

Other people: When did you realize you liked her?

Me: ...I don't like her.

Other people: You've said “She just wants to read the books” ninety-nine times.

Me: ...The hundredth time. She just wants to read the books.

Other people: When did you realize you liked her?

Me: ...I don't know.

Other people: Then we'll wait.

This isn't that kind of youth.

There are no confessions, no partings, no unforgettable moments.

There's only sweet-and-sour ribs in the cafeteria, and hexagonal pencils in the bookstore.

And that daily reminder: “Tomorrow at noon, in the cafeteria, at that table.”

It's just not quite as youthful as you'd expect.