Chapter 123: I Want To Ask

**I Want To Ask** is the one-hundred-and-twenty-third Chapter of *Boku no Kokoro no Yabai Yatsu*.

## Summary

It is the day of the closing ceremony before Summer Break. Moriya yells at her class not to laze around, and to remember that entrance exams are coming up, while Ichikawa takes a look at his report card. He packs up his things to depart, looking longingly at Yamada's desk while internally monologuing how she was off today due to work, and considers how his "break" won't be much of one anyway, since he'll be attending cram school.

Outside the school, Ichikawa runs into Yamada's usual three friends, and Serina is asking about a retreat that Moe is talking about. He is surprised that she's going along with it, while Moe continues advertising it, bringing up the ocean. Chi is surprised when Serina reacts warmly to the idea, and they continue discussing possible location options. Chi says that this kind of scenario requires a rich character who owns a beach house, and they wonder how they can afford such a thing with a rental place. Chi suddenly turns around, and Chi mentions that some *thing* is following them, and Ichikawa speeds up his pace, afraid that she's talking about him. She clarifies that she isn't, though, and they notice a woman wearing a mask and fashionable clothing peering out from behind a utility pole. They stare each other down for a time, then the shady character walks up to them, asking if they are Anna Akino's friends, and saying there's something she needs to ask. The three girls panic, thinking she's an obsessed fan or reporter, but Moe recognizes her as Koda Niko, and she pulls down the mask to affirm. Moe gushes over her as the girls all get excited, but Ichikawa insists that she's still a dangerous person. She addresses him, asking why he didn't answer her LINE messages. He recalls a bunch of weird messages he received a few days ago, but he ignored them because they seemed like spam. Moe asks how Ichikawa knows such a famous model, and he begins to explain, but Chi loudly asks why she's in a place like this. She declares that the adaptation of *Your Color's Octave* that Yamada is in is a trap.

After an off-screen discussion, the group end up at Custo, a notable restaurant chain, which amuses Moe and Chi, who enjoy that she eats at restaurants and does normal stuff like eating steak. Ichikawa tries to direct the conversation back to the production being a trap, and Niko begins by saying that her conversation might be a bit intense for them. She goes over the sordid affairs of the cast and production staff of the show that Yamada is participating in, including the actors Momose Shun (Nigorikawa), Kasai Toma, and the director, Shinoyama Hajime. Moe declares that she also heard such rumors on her news feed, as Niko orders a grilled chicken with garlic sauce. Serina is doubtful, however, asking if any of this is true, while Niko offers that the news never lies. She summarizes, saying that this drama is like a forest of wild beasts, and that in time, Yamada will end up receiving a "late night acting lesson." The three middle-schoolers glare disbelieving at her, with Serina finally asking if this is some kind of virgin fantasy of hers, and causing Moe to spit out her drink. Nonplussed, Niko continues her rant, saying that the drama also has various sexy scenes, and a kiss scene, which Yamada might be forced to do. She asks the girls if any of them have even thought about this drama like this, and they answer they haven't, but Ichikawa realizes that they really do think alike. Suddenly, Chi pulls out her phone and calls up Yamada, who answers, saying they're on break. Despite Niko's panicking insistence, Chi asks directly if there are any sex scenes at this job, and Yamada panics, suddenly yelling out "sex scenes!?" and freaking out the actors around her. She nervously continues, lowering her voice, and tells Chi that there aren't, while Serina chides Chi, saying there's a big difference in sex scenes and sex*y* scenes. Niko is pleased to hear Yamada's reaction, but Moe presses her, asking about anything lewd in the production, which Yamada insists there isn't, and telling them off for having Konno Ruru, the actress next to her, react to their talk.

Ichikawa realizes that none of this talk really settled anything. Chi brings up how Niko must be really rich with the quality of the food that she eats, but she insists that isn't true, because her agency pressured her into buying a second house in Kamakura, claiming it would be a good tax reduction strategy. At this news, Moe and Serina turn to each other, realizing they have a solution for their study retreat problem.

That night, Ichikawa is in his room and is talking with Yamada on the phone about their plans at Niko's vacation home. She says the whole thing is wild, though he claims not to fully understand how it got to this point. They talk over the specifics, saying that nothing is decided completely, and she brings up how she'll have to buy a swimsuit. He grunts in affirmation, and she teases him for it, then she asks if he's done studying. He says he's done for today, but tomorrow will be even harder, and he asks her about the drama. She says it's fun, but more fast-paced compared to a movie, so it's a bit tiring. He resolves to ask her himself about the kiss, but fumbles his question, leading her to believe he wants to kiss through the phone. She affirms, and leans in enact it, with him realizing and following suit. She closes her eyes, and asks suddenly if he did it, which causes him to nearly drop his phone, and he tries to clarify he meant kissing in the drama, which leaves her embarrassed.

A bonus page is Yamada clarifying over the phone that Miria's kiss scene isn't until Volume 21 of *Your Color's Octave,* and won't be a part of their adaptation. He admits that he should have realized that. In his head, he imagines Yamada pondering a potential Season 2, where such a thing might happen, and he prays that the drama flops.

## Trivia

* Custo's is a parody of the real-world Gusto's chain of diners in Japan, which are largely known for their Western-style cooking.
* Koda Niko orders a steak and chicken, which is probably due to her diet. High-protein foods and low calories are common eats for models.