Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 32: If That’s the Case—
After school, at the café where I work part-time.
“Acchan, I’m really sorry for having you let us reserve the whole place. At school, everyone’s watching us, so this is the only place we could talk in peace…”
“Don’t worry about it, Akkun! You asked, and besides, it’s understandable. I mean, Asuka Ashiya, SuzuTakarazuka, and Keina Kobe are all famous. And even Himeji-chan is well-known at school, right? It’d be weirder not to draw attention with the four of them together.”
After that morning, I had been bombarded with questions from classmates and even students from other grades.
All I could do was run away.
For some reason, Asuka suddenly pushed our desks together and started taking classes beside me, Takarazuka kept turning around to look at me during class, and Himeji stopped talking altogether—like she’d reverted to her old “Ice Queen” self.
No matter what I did, I could feel everyone eavesdropping, so it was impossible to speak freely at school.
“Anyway, it was crazy. It took a while to calm everything down…”
Meanwhile, Keina had been peacefully napping all the way until after school following her morning bombshell.
I don’t know if she’s just mentally tough or what…
Maybe if I slept more, I’d grow taller like her?
“Sounds like it was rough… But what’s going on? Everyone looks so tense.”
“Well…”
I looked around at the table we were sitting at.
Aside from Acchan and me, Himeji, Asuka, Takarazuka, and Keina were also there.
The atmosphere was clearly intense.
“What did you mean by what you said this morning?”
Asuka pressed Keina directly.
“I meant exactly what I said~ I like Tsumu-tsumu, so I want to go out with him.”
“Eeeeeeehhhhh?!?!?!”
It was Acchan’s first time hearing this, and she let out a shocked yell.
“Sorry, Akane. That reaction already happened this morning.”
“…Seriously?”
“Everyone, calm down. Keina’s always been like this. It’s not that she likes me, but more like she loves the clothes I design. She wants to date me so she can wear them, right?”
“Geez, Tsumu-tsumu always says that. I told you that’s not it…”
Keina pouted and slumped over the table.
“Sounds like you’re going through a lot too…”
Even Asuka, who had looked annoyed just moments ago, seemed oddly sympathetic toward Keina now.
Wait, what just happened in that moment? What changed!?
“More importantly, Go-kun, what’s your relationship with Kobe-san? Calling her by just her first name makes it seem like you’re really close…”
Takarazuka gave me a sharp look from behind her half-lidded eyes.
Himeji nodded along in agreement.
“That’s because, back then—”
Just as I started to explain, the door suddenly burst open with a loud bang.
A woman entered, panting heavily.
“Excuse me, but the café is reserved right now, so…”
Acchan tried to politely usher her out, but the woman spoke first.
“Keina-san! Huff huff… I finally found you!! Why on earth did you withdraw from GalColle?!”
“Oh, Tarumi-chan. What’s up?”
It seemed like she knew Keina—maybe her manager?
“‘What’s up?’ is not the issue! You came all the way back from studying abroad in France, and now you’ve dropped out of GalColle and even transferred schools—it’s been a nightmare trying to track you down! The agency is in a total panic! I can accept the transfer, but how could you just casually announce you’re quitting on social media like that?!”
“Ehh, I mean, isn’t it boring to be in a Japanese fashion show now? Tokyo Teen Girl Collection or whatever? It’s just full of influencer brands and lookalike designs. Totally boring~”
“W-Well, compared to overseas collections, it might lack some flair, but this is about your career! Thinking about what comes after modeling, you need to establish your presence in Japan too!”
I see, I thought.
The peak of a fashion model’s career on the international stage is surprisingly short—usually between the late teens and early twenties. Very few make it into their thirties.
Even famous models often have to audition to be in shows, and since trends shift so quickly, it’s hard to sustain a long career as a model alone. Many eventually move into careers as TV personalities or actors.
So participating in GalColle was meant to help build her domestic popularity, solidifying her foundation for a second career.
“For an agency to support someone like Keina Kobe with such a long-term view… that’s a really good agency.”
“Keina, you just said you were quitting on your own, right? I was worried you got sick or something. I bet your fans are worried too. You’ll apologize properly later, okay?”
“…Ugh… I’ll say sorry…”
“Wha—!? Keina actually listened to someone!?”
Keina’s a free spirit and a bit of a moody person, but she’s always listened to me since way back.
“But still, it’s just so boring—I can’t get motivated at all.”
“Please don’t say things like that, Keina-san!”
Despite Keina’s reluctance, Tarumi-san pleaded with her earnestly.
“Then how about this—if Tsumu-tsumu makes me some clothes, I’ll do the show. I really wanna wear something he made again.”
“Wait, me!?”
Suddenly being dragged into the conversation caught me off guard.
“If that’s what it takes for Keina-san to appear… I don’t know much about you, but please, could you make something for her? I know it’s a lot to ask, but I’m begging you!!”
Tarumi-san bowed her head deeply to me.
I can’t just ignore someone who’s clearly in trouble.
“P-Please, raise your head. If you’re okay with me, I’ll do my best… but honestly, I’m totally unknown—would someone like me even be allowed to participate in GalColle?”
Even though I accepted, the doubt slipped out of my mouth.
“You don’t need to worry about that. Tsumu-tsumu’s clothes are amazing, and most importantly, he’s the apprentice of that ‘CELENA.’”
“Ehhh!? But I heard ‘CELENA’ doesn’t take apprentices…!”
“We can’t waste any time then! If we promote this as a brand by ‘CELENA’s apprentice,’ it’ll have great publicity impact, and I’m sure there’ll be no issue with him appearing in GalColle. Actually, I’ll contact the organizers right now and make sure it happens, no matter what! See you!”
With that, Tarumi-san rushed out of the café.
“She was… intense.”
“Yeah, Tarumi-chan’s always like that.”
For someone as laid-back as Keina, maybe a fast-paced person like that is the perfect match.
And just like that, I suddenly found myself participating in GalColle—as a designer.