I, Who Was Reincarnated as an Evil Character With Cheat-Level Stats in an Eroge, Will Live Freely in This Life
“Alright, that should do it.”
Two days after the test ended—which is today, actually—I had a dinner planned with Saki’s family, something we’d arranged before the exam.
So I was checking my appearance and getting ready to head out.
Given what I’d said to Kana, I hoped I could make some kind of move today if possible. But with Saki’s parents present too, I wasn’t entirely sure what to do.
Well, I’ve only met Saki’s father, Gaku san, twice, so I don’t really know him. But with her mother, Harumi san… I can’t help but feel, somehow, that she might want to push Saki and me together… Of course, it’s just a feeling, but I got that impression from our recent contact too.
If that turned out to be true, I’d be incredibly happy, of course.
By the way, I did confirm this directly with Saki before the test, but it seems Harumi san already knows that Kana and I are dating.
It wasn’t so much that Saki told her, but rather, it seems she heard it when talking with Kana’s mother, Natsumi san.
Well, since the families are close, it wouldn’t be strange if that were the case.
Actually, just now it hit me—I want to date Kana, Miku, and Saki, but if that happens, wouldn’t things like how their families get along come into play too?
Thinking about it now, it really is great that their mothers are such good friends.
Anyway…
“They should be here soon.”
Since Gaku-san is driving over to pick us up for dinner tonight, I should probably wait near the entrance soon.
By the way, this is just an aside, but Kana mentioned tonight’s dinner was a bit pricey. I looked into it, and honestly? I kinda agree.
I have quite a bit of wealth, but I don’t really spend money on leisure myself. My sense of value is still from my past life, so judging by that, it definitely feels expensive.
Thinking about it now, I also realized the Hiiragi family probably earns quite a lot too.
I don’t know how much Saki makes as a VTuber, but her income standards are surely the same as in my previous life. Considering that, it must be substantial.
And Harumi-san works for a major corporation, and Gaku-san is quite famous in music circles…
Saki never indulges in luxury at all normally, so I hadn’t really thought about it much.
“Ah well, that’s fine.”
Anyway, it’s a rare opportunity, so instead of being shy or awkward, I’ll just enjoy it.
And if things progress with Saki on top of that, that’d be nice.
◇
――Ten minutes later, Saki and the others arrived, so I went outside.
“Seito-kun, are you ready?”
“Yes. I’m ready.”
“Well then, nice to meet you today, Seito-kun.”
“Nice to meet you, Saki. And thank you for inviting Harumi-san and Gaku-san today.”
“No, this is partly to thank them, so don’t feel awkward—just go and enjoy yourselves.”
“Exactly. Seito-kun and Saki, don’t worry about anything and just have fun.”
“Well then, I’ll take you up on that offer.”
“Alright, let’s go.”
――And so, we got into the car.
“By the way, I heard you’re really good at studying, Seito-kun?”
Gaku-san asked as he drove.
It’s not like that… I kinda wanted to say that, but since I am top of the class, I couldn’t really say that.
Well, who knows how this test will turn out.
“Um, yeah, I guess I am pretty good at it.”
“Saki mentioned it, but staying top of the class since middle school? That’s amazing.”
“It really is. I thought no one in Saki’s age group could be smarter than Miku-chan… it’s surprising, right?”
Gaku-san and Harumi-san said that, and Miku really is amazing… But I don’t think Saki’s any worse, and Kana’s definitely incredibly smart too if she puts her mind to it.
Besides, being smart doesn’t just mean being good at studying.
Just as I was thinking that, Saki spoke up.
“You two are both really amazing… Miku-chan was too, but Seito-kun is also incredibly good at teaching. For this test, partly because you two taught me, I feel really confident.”
“Come to think of it, Seito-kun said he studied with you too. Seito-kun, thank you for teaching Saki.”
“No, no, it’s fine. I just did it because I wanted to. It’s nothing to thank me for.”
Honestly, I actually quite enjoy teaching the three of you. I do it because I want to.
So that’s what I replied. But then, Harumi-san and Gaku-san said happily:
“Hehe, what a humble boy. It’s truly wonderful that Saki has a boy like you by her side.”
“It really is. He seems to understand and support Saki’s activities too. It’s a huge help.”
“H-Hey… What’s with you two all of a sudden?”
Saki said that, looking a little embarrassed.
“Haha, we just said it because we genuinely thought so.”
“Exactly. And since she got close to Seito-kun, Saki seems really happy too.”
“Stop it… You don’t have to say things like that…”
Saki still looked embarrassed, but listening to that conversation, I found myself thinking about something.
It was about my past.
Harumi-san and Gaku-san probably like me this much, or care about me this much, partly because I helped Saki, but they shouldn’t know anything about what came before that.
It’s not like I’m deceiving them, and maybe it’s unnecessary thinking, but I can’t say I don’t feel a little guilt, or something like that.
It was the same with Kana’s parents. I still think my past isn’t something I can avoid… or rather, shouldn’t avoid, even if it’s not just about me.
Of course, some people might think, “Why even worry about that?” But I feel it’s better to be honest.
As I was thinking about this, Saki asked me.
“Seito-kun? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, just…”
“If something’s on your mind, it’s okay to say it? To me, or even Mom and Dad. You looked kind of troubled.”
Hearing that, I realized it must have shown on my face.
But since we’re here, maybe I should just say it? Definitely better than bringing it up during dinner.
Maybe I didn’t have to say it, but it felt better to get it off my chest without overthinking it…
“Um… I figured I should probably say this. Saki already knows, but even though Harumi san and Gaku san say I’m a good kid now, the truth is, I used to be…”
Just as I started to say that, Harumi cut in.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. I don’t care about the past. The fact that the Seito-kun I’ve seen is a good kid is enough for me.”
“Besides, you risked yourself to protect Saki. There was never any reason to doubt you in the first place.”
“I… see…”
“Yeah, yeah… Wait, not that! For now, it’s the right one!”
“Huh? Oh, right!”
After that exchange, the conversation ended.
I hadn’t said anything yet… but from the flow of my words, I’m sure they both realized I was about to bring up the past. Yet their reactions were completely different from what I expected.
Maybe they already knew? Normally, something like this would make you curious enough to ask…
The only thing I’d definitely told Harumi-san was that I lived alone.
When I saved Saki, she’d mentioned my parents too, but I’d politely declined that as well. I don’t recall ever bringing up my family myself.
Did Saki tell them…?
Thinking that, I looked at Saki and asked in a low voice.
“Did you already tell her?”
“No. Not really… I think she probably just doesn’t mind that much”
Saki had no reason to lie here. Could it be she genuinely didn’t mind?
Or maybe she heard it from Natsumi and knew, but didn’t want to make things awkward? I dated Kana, so she might have talked about me… What was going on?
Considering she went out of her way to interrupt the conversation to butt in, it seems more likely she was being considerate and stopped it knowing full well…
Just as I was thinking that, Saki spoke up.
“Seito-kun, look! Kana-chan and Miku-chan are at a cafe together right now!”
I don’t know if it was because I’d gotten lost in my thoughts again, but Saki sounded a bit more excited than usual when she said that.
“Cafe?”
“Yeah! Look! A photo just got sent to the group!”
What Saki showed me was a picture Kana had taken while excitedly fiddling with her phone, with Miku looking slightly exasperated.
Of course, it was just a photo, so it was hard to tell for sure, but I was pretty certain that was the case.
“Really? It looks like something those two would do.”
“Yeah, right! They’ve been looking really happy lately, and like Seito-kun said, they’ve changed for the better. Especially Miku-chan, you know. And… well… it’s a little embarrassing to say this where my mom is, but… some people tell me I’ve changed too… but… but that’s thanks to Seito-kun too, right?”
Saki said this looking a little embarrassed, then gently took my hand.
…This is it, right? She’s telling me I don’t need to dwell on the past.
Just like we did, people can change. That’s what Saki’s saying…
The extent of change between Saki and the others and me is huge… But maybe I don’t need to worry about that anymore.
Saki’s smile, her bashful expression, and the hand she held out to me made all my worries vanish in an instant.
So I squeezed her hand back and said.
“Thanks, Saki.”
“Yeah!”
I really think Saki’s thoughtfulness like this is amazing, and I truly love this side of her.
Kana and Miku are like that too, but Saki is even better at noticing others and acting accordingly. She’s such a genuinely kind girl…
Thinking that, I found myself liking Saki even more.
Ideally, I’d have preferred to do it today, but maybe I shouldn’t just wait for the right timing… I might want to make progress today after all. It’s a good opportunity.
By the way, Harumi-san and Gaku-san were talking about the road at that moment too, so they probably didn’t hear our conversation… probably.
Well, holding hands in front of Saki’s parents would have been a bit embarrassing anyway, so it worked out perfectly.
After that, we arrived at the restaurant where we were going to eat.
Maiban