CM Chapter 17

Chapter 17 – What I Like About You

Chapter 1, Part 6.2

Novel Title: ひとりじめ (Completely Mine)

Author：椎崎 夕 (Shiizaki You)

Illustrator：小山田 あみ (Oyamada Ami)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: 細川 湊 (Hosokawa Minato -MC) & 荻原 浩志 (Ogiwara Koushi -ML)

*Please read at knoxt.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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The unexpected suggestion made Minato’s heart lift for a moment, but he quickly remembered his prior engagement and felt a pang of disappointment.

“…I’d really like to, but I already have plans tonight.”

“Can’t you reschedule them? To be honest, there’s something I really need to talk to you about.”

Ogiwara’s voice from the passenger seat was unusually subdued. Feeling guilty about the poor timing, Minato couldn’t shake the sense that he was doing something wrong.

He wouldn’t have many more chances to spend time with Ogiwara like this. That thought made him want to cancel his plans, but tonight, of all nights, that wasn’t an option.

“I’m sorry. I really wish I could. But I was the one who made the plans, so I can’t cancel. Is another day okay? I’ll make time for you, whenever.”

“Then never mind.”

Ogiwara’s short response was followed by silence. He stared straight ahead at the windshield, his profile unusually rigid. Minato found himself at a loss for words.

“…Is it okay if I just drop you off in front of your house tonight?”

“Either way is fine.”

Ogiwara’s reply was curt and devoid of any emotion. The rare reaction cast a heavy silence over the car.

Soon, Ogiwara’s house came into view. Minato stopped the car by the gate as he had before Ogiwara’s hospitalization. Ogiwara unfastened his seatbelt and turned to Minato.

His gaze, sharp and unrelenting, sent a chill down Minato’s spine.

“…Thank you.”

“Sure. Take care. See you next week…”

Minato’s voice sounded dry even to himself. He wanted to say something else but couldn’t find the words.

He didn’t understand why Ogiwara had suddenly changed so drastically.

Ogiwara closed the car door and headed through the gate toward the front door without looking back. Even after the black door shut behind him, Minato remained frozen in place, unable to move.

***

At the dining bar ‘Lila’, Minato’s friend Koumoto showed up just a few minutes before their 9:30 meeting. Minato, leaning against a utility pole outside while reading, looked up as Koumoto approached with a surprised expression.

“You’ve been here this whole time? You could’ve waited inside since we have a reservation.”

“No, I just got here. I was reading in that café over there until a moment ago.”

“Ah, I see. …That’s very you.”

Smiling at Minato’s reply, Koumoto lightly patted him on the back and ushered him into the restaurant. Once inside, Koumoto spoke to the staff, and they were guided to their table. Koumoto made sure Minato was seated first and handed him the menu, even explaining the dishes and recommendations. It turned out Koumoto had been here several times before.

Minato couldn’t help but be impressed by the difference in their social circles. For Minato, dining out at night usually meant a family restaurant, fast food, or a chain izakaya. He had little experience with such stylish establishments. The interior, with its potted plants dividing each table and customers mostly consisting of couples or professional groups, made Minato feel out of place. Sensing his discomfort, Koumoto skillfully steered the conversation to make Minato laugh and ease his nerves.

Koumoto truly was a good person, Minato thought as he ate. This was their third time meeting this month, and despite showing clear interest in Minato, Koumoto never came across as pushy or overbearing.

And yet, Minato’s thoughts were preoccupied with Ogiwara’s expression when they parted. That unusually sharp, emotionless gaze kept resurfacing in his mind during every pause.

Ogiwara often made unreasonable requests, but Minato had never been able to fulfill all of them. Even so, Ogiwara usually accepted alternative suggestions, though often with a pout.

But this time, Ogiwara hadn’t even given him that much. There were no words, no glance back—only a back turned on him. It was the first time he’d reacted this way.

Where had Minato gone wrong?

Even three months ago, during that accident, Ogiwara hadn’t uttered a single complaint. He’d even gone so far as to defend Minato. If Ogiwara had found something unforgivable, what could it possibly be?

“Minato-kun? Is something wrong? You seem distracted.”

Startled, Minato realized he’d been entirely lost in thought. Seeing Koumoto’s concerned expression filled him with guilt.

“I have something I need to tell you,” Minato said.

Taking a deep breath, he looked at Koumoto, who sat across from him.

In the end, it always came back to Ogiwara. Minato’s biggest concern, the one who occupied his mind, the one he wanted to be near—it was always that younger high schooler. No matter how much it frustrated him, he couldn’t tear his heart away from Ogiwara.

Despite deciding to give up, my feelings kept chasing after him, and I couldn’t do anything about it.

“You’ve invited me out many times, and I’m truly grateful for you spending time with me like this today, but I don’t think I can do this. So, meeting like this—just the two of us—should stop now.”

“Is it because Hosokawa-kun has someone you already like?”

Minato was at a loss for words at how Koumoto knew. Observing Minato’s reaction with quiet amusement, Koumoto smiled.

“I’ve heard about it. That you’re planning to give up, but it hasn’t been going so well. Even knowing that, I’m still determined. But is it still no good?”

“…The problem is with me. It’s disrespectful to both the person I like and to you if I keep meeting you while feeling this way. Besides, Koumoto-san and I just don’t match. As you know, I’m plain, not very thoughtful, and bad at talking. You’d just find it boring to be with me. That’s why—”

“-That’s exactly what I like about you, Hosokawa-kun.” Koumoto’s voice was calm, without the slightest hint of hesitation.

Minato was used to being criticized by others and even by himself, but this was the first time someone had affirmed him directly and said he liked him for those very reasons. When Koumoto smiled warmly at him, Minato reflexively lowered his gaze.

“But, counting today, we’ve only met five times, right? And two of those times were with Eisuke and the others around.”

“As long as love at first sight exists in this world, the number of meetings doesn’t matter. Besides, watching you with Nagashima-kun and Yoshiharu made me like you even more—your awkwardness, your honesty, and the fact that you can’t lie.”

“Haaa…”

“Can we keep seeing each other as friends for a little longer? I don’t intend to pressure you, and it’s fine if we remain friends in the end. Who knows, I might find someone else first.”

Minato looked up reflexively at Koumoto’s unexpected words, and his eyes met his. He must have been watching him the whole time. As Minato struggled to look away, Koumoto continued slowly.

“Or maybe you’ll meet someone else, someone you end up liking even more than the person you can’t give up on. That’s possible too. And if we think of it as something that could happen to either of us, there’s no need to feel so burdened, right?”

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*Translator’s Note: Yep. This guy is so smooth with his words… -K

Next update: 2026.08.15

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