I’ve Been Reincarnated as the Childhood Friend of a Doomed Heroine. Since I Don’t Want to Get Caught up in Her Bad Ending, I’ll Make Sure She Ends up Happy
After cleaning time ends, it’s time to go home.
“Toyono seems like an otaku, but he’s got a strong personality, huh?”
“What’s with the ‘but’? Strong-willed otaku exist in this world too. Don’t go saying stuff like ‘idols and virgins can’t coexist’ or whatever.”
“I don’t get what you’re saying, but it’s funny. Creepy.”
“……”
Today’s walk home was way livelier than usual.
Next to me was a ponytailed, gal-like, outgoing girl.
Hiiragi Kisa.
“I bet Toyono’s the only underclassman who’s ever stared down Shichikajo Senpai head-on, right?”
“That’s an honor, I guess.”
“But the Shichikajo Group is an insanely huge organization. By now, that furious senpai might be contacting Toyono’s family, labeling him as an enemy faction. …And then, on the way home, the moment we split up and he’s alone, he’ll be dragged into the shadows—”
“…This isn’t funny. Stop it.”
Shichikajo is a super-massive conglomerate that controls many companies whose names you’ve probably heard of.
I’d heard dark rumors about them at school, and more importantly, I knew quite a bit about her family from the Sakuchiru scenario.
That’s precisely why I understood this wasn’t a joke.
I’d acted bold, thinking I didn’t care if she hated me, but what if that woman used her family’s power to eliminate me?
Wouldn’t that be worse than getting dragged into a jump?
Sweating cold sweat, I smiled at Kisa beside me.
“Thanks for coming home with me. Stay by my side. I don’t want to be alone.”
“Eww, gross~”
She laughs it off heartily, making it easy for me to joke around.
Or rather, talking to her is way more relaxed than talking to Shinori or Yukimi.
Since she’s not a romance option, I can interact with her casually.
It’s also nice that my actions won’t affect whether she lives or dies.
Still, what should I do?
If the game’s scenario plays out normally, the event starts next month when Akito and Yukimi bump into each other in the hallway.
In other words, they shouldn’t even have any connection yet.
I never imagined I’d be the one to make contact first under these circumstances.
Right now, I’m on good terms with Akito.
So if I make any weird moves, Akito might end up meeting Yukimi at a different timing than in the original story.
If that happens, things could get messy again, so I’m stuck for a while.
Honestly, I’m in a pretty awkward situation.
As I was spacing out thinking about that, Kisa spoke up.
“Toyono, do you like Shinorin?”
“Guh! C-cough cough… Huh? What?”
I was stunned.
So stunned that saliva shot into my windpipe, and I forgot how to breathe, nearly choking.
“No, no, what are you talking about? And what exactly did you see?”
“Just your usual conversations. But to me, your Love Points seemed pretty high.”
“Love points? Is that like a relative of love hotels or something?”
“Love points, you know? Like affection levels. He seemed to be giving Shinorin some pretty intense looks?”
“That’s absolutely not the case.”
“Eh?”
“No, really. It’s a matter of life and death. I won’t admit it even if you rip my head off.”
“…That’s practically saying you hate her.”
“…”
Even Kisa couldn’t help but give a wry smile at my complete denial.
She looked totally grossed out.
But it’s the truth.
Any misunderstanding that I like Shinori is a life-or-death matter, seriously. I’m denying it with everything I’ve got.
There’s no way a mob character x main heroine pairing should exist.
What awaits beyond that is probably a violent double suicide where a deranged Shinori pushes me off the apartment building.
…Well, I mean, the original story doesn’t explicitly mention that route, and honestly, I don’t know what actually happens.
But as long as there’s even a one-in-a-million chance, I’m rejecting any route that doesn’t guarantee I avoid death.
“But I think you two would be good together? Maybe Shinorin is more open to it than you think?”
“No way. There’s someone way more suited for her than me.”
“Is there?”
“Akito.”
I said that because even calling him by his last name felt like a hassle, and Kisa burst out laughing.
“Are you serious? Shinorin would never go for someone that non-delicate.”
“Nah, he’s got his thoughtful moments.”
“No way. That’s not a special effect for sensitive girls. He’s equally nice to everyone, right? But a girl like Shinorin needs a guy who’s only nice to her, or she’ll get sick.”
“Ugh.”
This was a more accurate assessment than I’d expected.
After all, even in the normal ending, she’s the only heroine who gets sick and commits suicide.
She hit the nail on the head.
But I’m not giving up either.
“According to Hanesaki, I’m a non-delicate type too.”
“That’s just playful banter. She teases you precisely because she has opened up to you.”
“…Ugh, forget it! Anyway, I have zero interest in dating her!”
I can’t let myself get swept up by this popular girl.
When I denied it vehemently, she burst out laughing.
Then, just as she seemed to finally back off—she whispered one last thing.
“So, what about me? As a girlfriend candidate?”
“—Huh?”
“…Pfft, ahaha! Just kidding! You took it seriously and I’m laughing my ass off—”
“……”
I really do hate popular gals.
Kisa looked at my face and rolled around laughing for a while.
Maiban