My Wife in The Web Game is a Popular Idol Chapter 1 Episode 9

Chapter 1

Episode 9

TLed by: TanoshiKara

The place I was led to was the roof's staircase landing. An unpopular spot where it is hard for conversations to be overheard. I probably will not stand out here.

"Ah, it is Kazu-kun! Long time no see!"

Kurumizaka hops down from a low spot on the stairs as she notices me. At that time, her skirt flutters gently—I quickly looked away, feeling guilty for seeing a certain fabric by accident.

"Hm? What is wrong Kazu-kun?"

"It is n-nothing"

"I see. Thanks for going out of your way to come here, Kazu-kun!"

Seemingly overjoyed, Kurumizaka-san, who breaks out into a smile, grasps my hands enthusiastically. So s-soft...... I experienced bliss even without a handshake coupon. I might get ganged up on if her fans know of this.

"With this, my role is over I guess~"

"Uh-huh, thank you Kotone-chan!"

The girl called Kotone leaves but stops halfway through as if she had second thoughts. She then looks at me from top to bottom and, seemingly satisfied, nods and turns to face Kurumizaka-san once again.

"Ah~. That guy might be honest and kind"

"Uh-huh, I know though?" Kurumizaka-san replies as if it were the most natural thing to say.

She has a mysterious level of trust in me even though we have not seen each other much. For me, rather than feeling happy, I feel troubled. I might have even felt fear. On the contrary, I would really like to be spared trust that I do not remember earning.

"Hmmmm, I seeee"

The girl known as Kotone gazes at me as if to evaluate me. Just as I felt uncomfortable, Kotone went, Uh-huh, Uh-huh, as she nodded, seemingly satisfied, and went down the stairs

"W-What in the world was that?"

"What is it I wonder. There is no deeper meaning to Kotone-chan's words and actions so it might be good to pay them no mind"

I do not quite understand, but if it is what Kurumizaka-san says then I should forget about it. ......That is that but.

"Eerm, Kurumizaka-san?"

Looking down at her hands that are still grasping mine, I try hinting to her that I am in a bind. My embarrassment surpassed my joy.

"Ah, sorry! I could not help myself......"

Kurumizaka-san blushed as she took a step back. It is just a guess but I probably have a similar expression as well.

"......So what is the matter Kurumizaka-san?"

"Ah, yeah. Erm......I have a request for Ayanokouji-kun"

"A request?"

What is it I wonder. I do not think that an Online Game Goner like me can fulfill the requests of an idol. What do I do if she tells me to buy a hundred CDs with handshake tickets......

I feel uneasy as I wait for Kurumizaka's words. I was then met with an unexpected request.

"Please get along better......with Rin-chan!" Kurumizaka-san says as she bows her head with much energy and momentum.

"Get along better...... I do think that we get along quite well as friends in an online game though"

"That is not it. Not as gamer friends; I want you two to be closer in real life"

"Even if you say that......"

I want to talk to Mizuki-san every day as well. But isn't that bad?

"We are idols of course so there will be a tinnyy uproar if we get close to a specific male, but......"

"I do not think it will stop at being tiny. That is why Mizuki-san and I talked it over and decided not to talk in school"

"I see. That is why Mizuki-san has been enjoying herself but also feeling lonely lately"

"......?"

Enjoying herself but also feeling lonely? An expression that I do not quite get.

When I tilted my head, a gentle expression appeared on Kurumizaka's face.

"Can Kazu-kun be the one to get closer to Rin-chan? I think Rin-chan will be elated if that is the case" She suggests.

"I would like to if I am able to but...... Would a rumor not spread in the school and in society if we were to talk cordially?"

"If that is the case...... Get along with each other in secret without everyone finding out!"

"Ehhh......"

Kurumizaka-san's eyes sparkle as if it is an excellent idea.

I cannot hide my bewilderment at this odd version of an aggressive appeal.

"Or is it that Kazu-kun dislikes Rin-chan?"

"No, that is not the case but......"

"Please! Please get along with Rin-chan!" Kurumizaka-san pleaded desperately.

Seeing her like this, I decided to hit her with a question regarding a simple doubt of mine.

"......Why does Kurumizaka-san want Mizuki-san and me to get along?"

From the perspective of an idol, isn't the risk high? If anything would it not be better for her to be handing me money to cut my ties with Mizuki-san and saying, "Do not approach Mizuki-san!"?

It is just probably my exaggerated imagination but I think that the problem of an idol being with a guy is so sensitive that it should be handed that way, especially in this day and age.

"T-That is becauseeee...... I cannot be the one saying it, or rather, I cannot say it......"

Looking away from me awkwardly, Kurumizaka-san begins fidgeting.

"Might it be that Mizuki-san has requested something of you?"

"That is wrong! Rin-chan has not said anything! I am doing this at my own volition so!" She denied it with extreme zeal.

Took me aback a little there.

"Ah, I see......"

"You see, I want Rin-chan to become even happier. There have been many troublesome things up until now after all......"

"......"

She does not mean in terms of being a student idol. I got the feeling that she was using the word troublesome in a very different context.

"You see, I want Rin-chan to find happiness both as an idol and as a girl. I think that I do not want her to give up on either one"

"I see......"

I do not get the situation at all. However, Kurumizaka-san's seriousness has even reached my heart, painfully so.

"Will you get along with Rin-chan even in real life?"

"Well, yeah...... 'If only Mizuki-san and I could get along even more in real life' is something I did think about so......"

"Really? That is a relieff"

Kurumizaka-san lets out a sigh of relief.

I see that she really cherishes Mizuki-san.

"So, regarding getting along, what should I do specifically?"

"Eeerm...... Something like trying to change the way you call her for starters?"

"The way I call her?"

"Uh-huh. Honestly, it seems like Rin-chan hates that Kazu-kun calls her like he does someone else"

"Eh? Is that so?"

"Uh-huh. That is why Kazu-kun should call her Rinka"

"For real? That is, a bit......"

That is an extremely high hurdle. Tachibana and Saitou have said this before, but I do not have even an ounce of such courage. Please do not underestimate an Online Game Goner. We can only be Heroes in the virtual world.

"Will you be nervous, as expected?"

"Uh-huh. I will"

There is no way I will not. My heart is racing just from thinking about it.

"Then your chance will come next Saturday. I think that you should start by calling her name in-game then go on to get used to it in real life"

"Will I get used to ittt......?"

There is a very big difference between calling her Rin and calling her Rinka. The nuance changes.

"I will casually back you up so do your best and call Rin-chan by her name!"

"......Okay"

Kurumizaka's slightly firm tone pushed me to nod my head. This forceful pushing stance of hers resembles Mizuki-san.

"Thank you Kazu-kun! As expected of you!"

"......Kurumizaka-san is more selfish than I thought......"

I was requested to become cordial friends with Mizuki-san in real life. Since we have a shared interest in online games, I would like to believe that it is not that difficult.

"Alright, Kazu-kun. Please exchange contacts with me"

"Eh, is that alright?"

"Of course! We need them to discuss the plan for Rin-chan and Kazu-kun to get tog—or rather, get along, right? So, I think it will be more convenient if we know each other's addresses. This is obvious, but we cannot allow Rin-chan to know of this"

"Well, that is true......"

If Mizuki-san were to know about this secret meeting, she would most likely get mad. There is a need to keep this a secret to protect Kurumizaka-san's standing.

"Let us quickly exchange them"

Urged, I took out my smartphone. The exchange concluded without any problems.

"Alright, we are all okay like this!"

With this, my smartphone has the contacts of two popular idols registered. ......This smartphone might have the most value out of everything in the world.

"The Great Plan for Rin-chan and Kazu-kun to get along is on!"

"......O-Oh yeah?"

What is it about this I wonder. This gives me ‘clear the decks’ vibes. I also feel like Kurumizaka-san progresses the conversation forcefully before I get to think about anything.

However, I would be happy for now if I am able to get along with Mizuki-san. The problem would be whether the people around would notice but...... Fortunately, we have a shared world that is cut off from the real world. It should be fine as long as we do not make a grave blunder.

□

That evening, I received a call from Mizuki-san while I was playing an online game.

"......?"

While thinking that it is rare for her to call, I pause the harvesting and pick up the call.

"Hello"

"Kazuto-kun yes? I am sorry for calling so suddenly"

"No problem, I do not mind"

Other than Mizuki-san's voice, I can hear the soft voices of girls in a hurry. From the quality of the voices, they sound like idols. 

Did Mizuki-san call me in between her practice sessions?

"The break is about to be over so I cannot talk for long but...... There is something I have to ask Kazuto-kun about no matter what"

"What is it?" I asked without thinking much about it.

......That was the mistake.

"—What were you doing with that girl during lunch break today?" Mizuki-san asked in a lower tone than her usual, cool tone.

--------

Surrprrisseee, a slightly earlier release to celebrate Thanksgiving! Wishing all who celebrate Thanksgiving aHappy and Enjoyable Thanksgiving! And to all readers, thank you very much for reading the series I translated! I hope you enjoyed the chapter!