Episode 37 – The young lady faces forward, restraining the mob

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 the commotion subsided, daily life returned.

After school meant… the usual test study time.

Right after returning to the art room, while Akito and the others were happily chattering away at their study session at a distant desk, I was being held captive by that scary senior.

“…You chose a rather mild method, didn’t you?”

“Is that so? It’s essentially exile. I think it’s a pretty fitting conclusion.”

Needless to say, she was referring to the earlier incident.

Neither killing nor destroying Hayase and the others, but sending them abroad under the guise of study abroad—Yukimi let out a somewhat deflated “Hmm.”

Being an attack-specialized young lady, she probably had some thoughts on the matter.

But I think this is fine.

As declared, I ended it cleanly.

Above all, what I wanted Yukimi to see was the fact that you can crush your opponent without resorting to revenge.

Furthermore, it only holds meaning because Akito was the one to execute it.

Yukimi was impressed by Akito’s skill, decisively abandoned her revenge plan, and grew even more interested in him… the best possible scenario.

I must say, I’m quite the strategist.

“Haa… I understand. I’ll stop with revenge for good.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. You showed me something worthwhile.”

As expected, Yukimi declared it.

Hearing that, I soared inside like a soccer player who’d scored a game-winning goal.

Despite the twists and turns, Yukimi’s event was finally complete.

Originally, the protagonist, Akito, should have easily recovered from her revenge simply by talking to her straight. But because the role of helper shifted to me, a mere background character, we ended up taking a much longer, more circuitous route.

But still, the ending matches the original story.

Thanks to Akito’s efforts, Yukimi has changed her ways. She’ll surely live honestly from now on.

All’s well that ends well.

“…Thank you for stopping me. I almost ended up with a murder conviction.”

Being thanked made my nose itch.

So, to hide my embarrassment, I brought up the one thing I still had lingering doubts about.

“Speaking of which, Hayase’s brother…”

“Ah, you noticed too. That man was the one I was letting run free.”

“I knew it.”

I already knew it, but I nodded upon hearing it from Yukimi.

Then, I asked directly.

“So, about that guy… you still haven’t—”

“You needn’t worry about that.”

I’d only restrained Hayase and Ami; I hadn’t even made contact with Hayase’s brother, the one Yukimi had been concerned about from the start.

That’s why I wanted to talk about it.

Yukimi’s immediate reply made me feel slightly flustered.

“You didn’t actually kill him already—”

“Could you please stop talking about me like I’m some kind of murderer? I’m still leaving him alone because I said I hav a plan.”

“From the way you put it, I gather you’ve secured him.”

“Yes. I noticed because I’ve been monitoring your surroundings all along. That man, it seems, intended to use his sister’s plan to lure me out and take revenge.”

“…I see.”

She told me I was being monitored as if it were obvious, but was it better not to react anymore?

When I gave her a sidelong glance, she continued.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll leave the rest to the police.”

“Huh? But then—”

“That man can be arrested for drug possession. Remember? I said we’d let him run free until we got a surefire reason to take him down.”

“Ah, so that’s what you meant.”

Come to think of it, she had mentioned something like that.

I’d assumed it meant something like catching him red-handed the moment he made a decisive move and killing him on the spot—but apparently not.

He mentioned hanging out with that anti-social group at the university, so it’s not like he wouldn’t have drugs on him.

Using that as leverage, we could handle it separately from Yukimi’s case. A criminal record would finish him off completely.

The only issue was that Yukimi wouldn’t be satisfied. But now that the heat of revenge has cooled with this incident, that doesn’t matter either.

Turns out, Yukimi had a clean way to handle it from the start.

So, I said, “Oh, come on, Senpai, don’t scare me like that.”

“Huh? Killing was a done deal. I only changed the plan after hearing your story.”

“……”

Yukimi was still Yukimi, after all.

And then, I steered the conversation back.

“Actually, if you want to thank anyone, thank Akito. He’s the one who actually took action and talked them into it.”

“True.”

I glanced at Yukimi as she nodded.

Her profile was turned toward Akito, who was studying in the seat ahead.

Her expression held a clear interest, unlike before.

Rarely, it seemed my plan to adjust her feelings had worked.

And the same was true for Shinori.

I quickly returned my gaze forward and stared blankly ahead.

I’d called Shinorito that scene specifically to show off Akito’s cool side.

To Shinori, unaware of the circumstances, that scene must have looked like Akito’s one-man show.

To her eyes, it must have looked like this: cool Akito, who brilliantly saved me after I cried out for help when Ami got revenge on me.

At the same time, it also created a situation where Akito directly punished Aimi’s bullying, which was the root cause of Shinori’s worries.

I forced Akito to overwrite the scenario I had already resolved.

Actually, I’ve been watching them all this time, and Akito and Shinori seem pretty close today too.

They said they made plans to hang out on the phone for Friday, so they’re definitely at that stage where they’re just one step away from dating.

The significance of my operation this time lies not only in dealing with Hayase and Ami, but also in redirecting Yukimi and Shinori’s feelings to where they truly belong.

Now that everything’s over, I feel like there’s a gaping hole in my chest.

Is this what they call loss?

Though honestly, I’m done with incidents like that.

Then, I suddenly glance down at my hands.

Actually, right now, I’m the only one not studying for tests—I’m being made to help Yukimi with her painting.

“Um, I’ve got exams coming up too, so how long do I have to stay here?”

“Shut up. Water.”

“…Yes.”

Yukimi, busy coloring her watercolor painting, snapped curtly.

I handed her the brush washer.

It’s been like this since earlier.

Somehow, I’ve been relegated to menial tasks.

“Paint.”

“Ah, yes.”

“That’s not it.”

“Huh? Then… which one?”

“…”

Yukimi’s lack of clarity left me flustered.

She set down her brush and sighed.

“You’ve been completely distracted since earlier.”

“Huh?”

“Haven’t you noticed? You’ve been staring at Hanesaki san the whole time.”

“…”

Her words made me realize.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t looked at Yukimi’s face much at all.

When I turned my gaze to her, Yukimi was staring intently at me.

“Are you that concerned about Hanesaki san and Suga san’s relationship?”

“Huh? What are you talking about? I just think they’re a good match.”

“Oh, is that so? I thought you looked envious.”

“Huh? Me?”

What on earth is this person talking about?

Envious? Me, Akito?

Envious that Shinori likes gim and they get to be all lovey-dovey?

Does she actually think I’m jealous?

I wish she’d cut the crap.

“Come on, stop talking and focus on finishing your work. If you don’t finish, I can’t study, you know.”

“You’re the one who never studies and just thinks about other things all the time.”

“…Well, never mind that.”

Since I’d been seen through, I covered it up with a forced smile.

Then, Yukimi spoke up.

“It’s no wonder Hanesaki san feels favorably towards him. Suga san’s approach earlier was truly dazzling, a flawless performance.”

“So I’m telling you, I’m not jealous or anything—”

“But that’s not true, is it?”

Just as I tried to deny it, Yukimi cut me off.

She smiled at my surprised expression.

“That was merely a performance you prepared.”

“—Huh?”

Caught off guard by her unexpected words, I blurted out my confusion.

But she remained composed, her words piercing straight to my heart.

“Suga ‘ans performance certainly shone. But you were the one who created that stage. An idol can’t shine without the box the producer prepares. And no matter how skilled the painter, they can’t create a perfect painting without a canvas.”

“…”

“It’s all your achievement. The one I’m grateful to is you, and no one else.”

Yukimi’s words stirred my heart.

No.

I didn’t do anything.

Well, sure, I did come up with 90% of the strategy behind the scenes.

But still, it wouldn’t have succeeded without him.

If he hadn’t been the protagonist, the words wouldn’t have reached Hayase or Ami’s hearts.

it’s different.

It wasn’t me.

I’m just a background character.

And yet—.

“You looked cool. More than anyone else, you.”

“Huh!?”

Her hand brushed my left arm, making me jump.

Though hidden under my uniform, the scar was still raw and visible.

Yukimi smiled faintly.

“Thanks to you, I could think about moving forward.”

“No, that’s because Akito—”

“It’s not just about today. You were the only one who sincerely engaged with my wild plans and consultations, who didn’t brush me off, who argued with me head-on trying to stop me. And you showed me that by sticking to your path, even at the cost of injuries like this.”

“……”

Ah, no.

My plan was full of holes after all.

It seems I missed the crucial part this time too.

Looking at Yukimi’s face, I realized.

This time, I hadn’t managed to return to the original scenario either.

“I will live facing forward. So—”

— “When that time comes, it would help if you were beside me, facing the same direction.”

She whispered it softly, and I—despaired.

Yukimi turned her face away immediately after speaking.

Through the parting of her long hair, I could see a glimpse of her cheek, flushed a surprising crimson.

And I was probably just as bad.

“Ha, ha… ha, ha ha…”

All I could manage was a dry laugh.

―◇―

【Shichikajo Yukimi】

Affection for Akito: 30% (↑)

Affection for Kyota: ?% (↑↑↑)

Maiban

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