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…
“That wraps things up for now. Thanks for your hard work. Senpai, thank you for helping out.”
“Yeah, you too, Kirifuji-san.”
After school, I’d been called in to help Kirifuji-san with student council duties.
The task was just organizing supplies, so it went smoothly without any issues.
My arms and back ached, but I tried not to show it.
“Sorry about that. The president and vice president were busy with other matters today, so I ended up relying on you, Bungaku-senpai.”
“Nah. You should lean on me for stuff like this. I mean… I am your senior, Kirifuji-san.”
“…………Thank you. Thanks to you, I’ve gained some variety.”
“Huh? Variety?”
“Ah, no, it’s nothing. You really are dependable, Bungaku-senpai.”
Kirifuji-san, with her usual perfect smile.
What did she mean by “variations”? It bothered me, but Kirifuji’s smile silenced me.
“Bungaku senpai since you’re free, would you like to grab some tea in the student council room?”
“Ah, sorry. I, I actually have plans…”
“Ara, what a shame. I’ve been rejected…”
“Huh!? Ah, no… well, actually, I already have plans with Tenma-kun. It’s definitely not that I’m neglecting Kirifuji-san!!”
“Hehe, it’s okay. I understand perfectly. Have fun.”
…I’d been completely teased.
I left the empty classroom, watched by Kirifuji-san giggling softly.
Walking down the hallway, I checked my phone. Tenma seemed to be done with work too, and both Ichika and Nanase had responded to his message.
I sent a message myself and headed to the meeting spot.
Tonight, Tenma, Ichika, Nanase, and I had plans to go out for dinner together.
Wondering if I really belonged in this group, I walked along.
“Hmm… My bangs just won’t cooperate…”
There was Nanase, intently adjusting her hair while looking at the mirror left at school.
She seemed to be struggling quite a bit.
“Okay, this looks good. Properly… cute… right?”
“Nanase-san”
“Eek!? B-Bun-kun!? W-When did you get there!?”
“Um, since you started fixing your bangs.”
“T-That’s the part I least wanted anyone to see!”
Nanase’s face flushed crimson.
“…It’s okay. You look cute like that today too.”
“Eh, ah, uhh… Oh, I see… Ehehe, hehehe.”
“Yeah. I’m sure Tenma-kun would think you’re cute too.”
Even though she got rejected, Tenma was someone Nanase liked.
Wanting to look cute for him, even just a little, wasn’t strange at all.
“…Punch.”
She delivered a cute punch right to my chest.
Huh…? Did I maybe mess up the conversation choice…?
“I just want Bun-kun to think I’m cute, that’s all.”
“Eh, uh, yeah…”
I wish she wouldn’t put so much stock in my opinion…
As if sensing my feelings, Nanase sighed exasperatedly and nudged my arm with her elbow.
After that, we met up with Tenma and Ichika and entered a certain cafe.
That cafe was the one Nanase and I had gone to together on the day she got dumped.
Who would’ve thought the four of us would end up here again?
So much has happened since then. Feeling a little nostalgic, I sat down.
“Bun-kun, this place’s fried shrimp is absolutely amazing. The tartar sauce is especially delicious.”
“Oh, really?”
As I opened the menu to look, Ichika told me her recommendations. Come to think of it, the three of us used to come here often.
Alright, I’ll take the senior’s advice on this one.
“…Well then, I think I’ll go with the Hamburger Steak & Shrimp Fry Set.”
“By the way, the wild grape juice is also recommended… Tenma-kun? Why are you laughing?”
“Well… seeing Ichika so excited just made me… she was all giddy yesterday about teaching me all sorts of things about Bungaku.”
“S-Stop it, Tenma-kun!! We agreed not to mention that!”
Tenma-kun pats Ichika’s head gently as she puffs out her cheeks.
These two are flirting using me as a prop.
“Bun-kun, turn the page for me.”
“Ah, sure…”
I turn the page as Nanase, peering at the menu beside me, instructs.
Nanase is ridiculously close—our shoulders are practically touching. Or rather, she’s practically leaning on my shoulder.
“If you’ve decided, I’ll take your order.”
The waiter came to take our orders, so we each placed ours.
I got the hamburger steak & fried shrimp set, recommended by Ichika, with mountain grape juice as my drink.
After chatting casually for a while, the waiter brought our food.
“…Bun-kun, I need to talk to you about something.”
“Eh, y-yes…”
Just as I was about to dip my shrimp fry in tartar sauce, Nanase, looking solemn, spoke up.
“Bun-kun, we’re best friends, right? We’ve been through a lot together, and I think our bond has grown really strong. So, don’t you think it’s about time you stopped calling me ‘Nanase-san’?”
“…Um, I do call you by your name sometimes?”
“That’s only during petting time!!”
“Ah, yes…”
I got scolded…
“But why bring this up all of a sudden?”
“…You call me by my last name, but you and Kimura-kun, who you just met recently, call each other by nicknames, right?”
…Why does she care so much about this?
“Bungaku-kun. That’s not right.”
An unexpected follow-up attack from Ichika.
“How you address someone represents the distance between you, in a way. Plus, Bungaku-kun calls me ‘Hana-san’ and Tenma-kun ‘Tenma-kun’, but you call Hiyori-chan ‘Nanase-san’. That makes it seem like you’re excluding her.”
“Well… you might be right about that?”
“Exactly… The four of us are going to be together for a long time from now on, so we have to be mindful of things like that.”
Somehow, doesn’t that “long” nuance feel off?
“………………Bungaku-kun”
“………………Bun-kun”
Nanase & Ichika glaring at me.
…The pressure from the two of them is intense.
I look to Tenma for help, but he shakes his head as if to say give up.
“…Alright. Then from now on, I’ll call you Hiyori.”
“…It’s not a nickname. Like ‘Hii-chan’ or something.”
Hiyori mutters discontentedly.
Hiyori-san. That’s harsh… ‘Hii-chan’ is harsh for a guy.
“But isn’t Hiyori the only one called by just her name? I’m Tenma-kun, Ichika’s Hana-san, and Ryota’s Ryu-kun, right?”
“…That’s true. So, does that mean only Hiyori-chan is special?”
“Eh, well… I guess so.”
It was true. But would Hiyori accept that reason?
“Oh, I see… So I’m the only special one… Well, I guess that’s okay… Ehehe.”
Huh? She looks kinda happy about it?
Seeing Hiyori smile happily, Tenma & Ichika exchanged exasperated smirks and said in unison.
“Bungaku really is a charmer, isn’t he?”
“Bungaku -kun really is a charmer, isn’t he?”