Mob Character Reincarnation Loner: As a Result of Supporting the Heroine Who Had Been Rejected, I Ended up Being the Recipient of Her Heavy Emotions…
At the shopping mall, Nanase and I window-shopped and hit the arcade. We were enjoying some classic student-style fun.
Right now, we’re eating ice cream while holding hands.
You could say the mall date is going smoothly…
Though, man, the ice cream shop clerk’s gaze was intense.
It was like she was saying, “Hey, you brought a different girl this time, didn’t you?” That look… it was pure female rivalry.
Still… we’re still holding hands. Honestly, I thought once we let go, it would stay that way.
But every time, Nanase reaches out to take my hand again.
“Come to think of it, you bought my birthday present over there, right?”
Nanase pointed toward the variety store we’d visited before with Serizawa-san.
“Yeah. That’s right.”
“Can we stop by for a bit?”
I nodded, and Nanase pulled me into the variety store.
It had been over a month since we bought that present with Serizawa-san here. Feeling a touch of nostalgia, I scanned the goods displayed on the shelves.
“Oh, wait… is this…?”
Where Nanase’s gaze fell, the aroma stone set I’d given her was displayed. She looked at the aroma oil next to the stones.
“The aroma stones you gave me, Bun kun. I use them every night when I study. Thanks.”
“I’m so glad you’re using them. …Did you run out of aroma oil?”
“I still have some~ I just wanted to add a few more scents. I want one for when I want to relax and unwind~”
“…I see.”
“Come to think of it, all the gifts everyone gave me… they were all things with relaxing effects… I wonder why?”
That’s exactly it.
Nanase browsed, checking the scents with the aroma oil samples.
“Hmm. I’m not really sure… What do you think would be good, Bun kun?”
“Well… Is there a scent that makes Nanase-san feel calm? Maybe you should pick something similar to that?”
“A scent that makes me feel calm… Ah!”
Nanase’s face lit up as if she’d had a sudden realization, and she stared intently at me.
“Bun kun, don’t move for a sec… Here we go.”
“Huh? Wait!? Whoa!?”
Nanase suddenly hugged me. I let out a weird sound. Then she started sniffing me, making little sniffing noises.
“Wh-what are you doing?”
“Sniffing Bun kun’s scent.”
“Wh-why?”
“Bun kun’s scent is really calming, so I thought I’d try to smell similar.”
Oh, I see. I don’t really get it.
I don’t really get it, but… her breasts are pressing against me like crazy, so whatever.
“………………………… Is this gonna take long?”
“Hmm? Hmm…”
…Um, Nanase-san. People are starting to look.
“I really like Bun kun’s scent~”
Stop it. Don’t say things like that while rubbing your face all over me. It’s making me feel weird.
Several tens of minutes later, we bought an aromatherapy oil with a scent we liked and left the store.
…The shopkeeper’s gaze felt kinda scary.
“Bun kun, is there anywhere you want to go?”
“Hmm… Oh, well, just one place.”
We ended up at a cat cafe inside the mall.
Nanase and I sat side by side on a wooden bench, playing with the cats.
To be honest, I’d noticed it since we first arrived. But going into a cat cafe alone as a guy felt way too intimidating, so I’d given up…
“Meow…”
“So… cute…”
The kitten that jumped onto my lap was so adorable, I couldn’t help but smile.
As I stroked the kitten, the staff brought over the cat latte art I’d ordered.
“Wow…!! Nanase!! Isn’t this super cute!?”
“Yeah. You’re right. It’s cute. Bun kun.”
To preserve this moment, I took a photo with my phone. Honestly, it was so well-made I didn’t want to ruin it, but it would eventually disappear anyway. More than that, I gratefully drank it, thinking of the barista’s feelings.
“Mouu, Bun kun, you’ve got white whiskers on your mouth.”
While drinking the latte art and playing with the cats, Nanase gently wiped my mouth.
“Eh, ah… thanks.”
Embarrassed, I instinctively looked away from Nanase.
Then, the cat that had been on my lap just moments ago swiftly moved up onto Nanase’s lap instead.
“W-what? My cat… got taken.”
“Bun kun, you don’t have to look so sad…”
So this is what NTR feels like…?
While I was reeling from the shock, a new cat came and settled on my lap.
When I stroked its head, it started to relax properly.
Looking at its profile, its name seemed to be ‘Hiyori-chan’.
It curled up on my lap even more boldly than the previous cat. It was as if it was saying, “This is my spot.”
Hmm, hmm.
“…Does Hiyori-chan have strong possessive tendencies?”
“Eh…! N-no, that’s not it at all!?”
“Huh?”
“Huh? …Ah, no, it’s nothing.”
Apparently, she thought I was talking about her. Nanase turned her face away, looking embarrassed.
I shifted my gaze back to Hiyori-chan and stroked her head again. She responded with a contented purr.
Somehow, this affectionate vibe feels similar to Nanase’s.
Hiyori-chan alone isn’t enough. I want to play with more cats.
“…Ah, right. I have this.”
When I held the cat treat that came with my cafe latte in my left hand, the other cats gathered around.
I see… So this is what they call being popular.
As I stroked Hiyori-chan with my right hand, I suddenly felt a nudge on my cheek from beside me. Looking over, I saw Nanase, her cheeks puffed out in a sulk.
“Bun kun, I’ve been trying to talk to you for a while now…”
“Huh? Oh… sorry.”
Oh right, I’d been so focused on Hiyori-chan I hadn’t noticed.
“You’re ignoring me, your date, and getting cozy with Hiyori-chan the cat~?”
“Well, the way you put it… But yeah… Sorry I didn’t notice. What was it?”
“…Pet me, please.”
“…Huh?”
“You haven’t done it for today, right? Head petting time.”
No way… Was she serious about that thing the other day?
“Pet me.”
“Um…”
Nanase leans her face in close. I flinch at how near she is.
“Pet me!”
Apparently losing patience, Nanase grabbed my right hand and placed it on her head.
Just like before, I gently stroked Nanase’s head.
“Hehehe…”
Nanase-san smiled contentedly.
“…Meow!”
Ah, Hiyori chan is asking for a pet!
My left hand… was still feeding the cats their snacks.
Well, no choice then. I pulled my right hand away from Nanase’s head.
“…Ah!”
Nanase frantically grabbed my right hand the moment I pulled it away and brought it back to her head.
…Looks like this isn’t over until Nanase is satisfied.
I apologize to ‘Hiyori-chan’, resume petting Nanase’s head, and glance around.
Fortunately, this isn’t a glass window. Unless someone enters the shop, no one can see us.
If someone I know saw us like this…
“Bun kun? Your hand stopped…”
“……………….”
“……………….”
When I looked up, Tenma and Ichika were standing there.
Tenma was grinning in disbelief, while Ichika-san’s eyes sparkled as she snapped photo after photo with her phone.
“”It’s not what it looks like!!””
Faced with their questioning stares, Nanase and I shouted in panic.