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…
“…Hoshino, let’s start the strategy meeting.”
After school, while drinking the new Frappuccino at Starbucks, Misuzu began speaking with a solemn expression.
“Strategy meeting?”
“…Yes, about this matter.”
Written there was ‘After-School Bowling with Irie kun’.
“Ah, I think he did say he was going…”
“Yes… Irie seemed really happy about it.”
…Why does she look so frustrated?
By the way, Irie and Hiyori aren’t here today because they’re apparently going out to eat with Kamito and Ayabe-san, the four of them.
“Isn’t that fine? It’ll probably be good to blow off some steam hanging out with just guys for once.”
“That’s fine. The problem is… this bowling tournament. The fact that girls from other schools are participating.”
“…Ah.”
“Hiyori got it from a reliable source, so I’m sure it’s true.”
Probably something like Kimura → Kamito → Ayabe-san → Hiyori…
…Irie’s private info really gets leaked everywhere, doesn’t it? I’m starting to feel a little sorry for him.
“Well, it’s probably fine, right? The girls from other schools are probably too obsessed with Kimura to even notice him—”
“Kirifuji Sena”
“………………”
“Hoshino, look this way.”
“…So, what’s the plan?”
“Hoshino, you join the bowling tournament and stick to Irie like glue so the girls from other schools don’t get near him.”
…Huh?
“Hoshino, Hiyori and I have already arranged for you to go to the bowling tournament. You’re in.”
“No, no, no… Why do I have to go!? One of you two should go instead!”
First of all, I wish you wouldn’t make plans behind my back.
“Honestly, I wanted to go myself and chase those girls from other schools away, but unfortunately, Hiyori and I have family matters… Hoshino said she had no plans for that day.”
Guh, so that’s why she suddenly asked about my schedule the other day…
“N-no, I didn’t have to do this. I could’ve just said I didn’t want to go…”
“Hoshino… What if Irie hates you for being so selfish?”
“I’ll really beat you up.”
A few hours after the strategy meeting with Misuzu ended.
I was playing a game while sitting on a sofa so comfortable I couldn’t move.
I was playing an RPG where a character I thought was my best friend turned out to be an enemy commander, leading to an intense battle.
“…Haa.”
Fighting my “best friend” character, I remembered the “strategy” Misuzu had mentioned and sighed.
“I’m home~”
The sound of the door opening was followed by a carefree voice.
“Ah, Tsukimi-san. I’m home.”
“…Mm.”
Irie, the owner of this house, had returned. Simultaneously, the battle with the character I’d thought was my best friend came to a peaceful conclusion.
Irie, who was also playing the game, must have been curious. He peered over my shoulder at my screen with keen interest.
“Huh, wait… that character was an enemy? I thought he was the best friend…”
“He was pretty strong, though.”
“…I just got spoiled, you know.”
“It’s your fault for not rushing through it, Irie.”
“Yes…”
Irie slumped his shoulders, set down his bag, and loosened his tie.
“So, why are you here, Tsukimi-san?”
“Well, I got a spare key.”
“That’s because you’ve been coming over a lot lately, so I let you in when I’m not home, and also as a refuge for your otaku stuff—”
His expression suddenly changed, as if he’d realized something.
“…No, I’m asking why you’re here right now.”
“Is it true you’re hanging out with girls from another school tomorrow?”
The moment I asked, Irie’s shoulders jerked.
This is bad… no doubt about it.
“W-where did you hear that… It shouldn’t be on the shared calendar.”
“From a reliable source.”
“M-my privacy is…”
That was absolutely true.
“…So, is it true?”
“W-well, it is true, but…”
Irie answered nervously, trembling under my intense questioning.
“What? You want a girlfriend or something?”
“…I wouldn’t go that far, but seeking new encounters. Sort of.”
“…………Hmm. Sounds like it’ll end in disaster.”
“It’ll be fine. I learned some… techniques? For seducing girls? From Ryo-kun… Tomorrow will definitely turn out well. Probably, most likely, for sure.”
That doesn’t sound okay at all…
Well, personally, I’d be relieved if it ended badly. Those two scare me.
Still, new encounters… huh. Doesn’t seem like something this guy needs right now.
Whatever. Let’s just accomplish what I came here for.
The goal of getting this guy to give up on going to the bowling tournament here.
“Shouldn’t you just skip it? You’re not good with the ‘Woohoo!’ types, right? The super outgoing ones?”
“Ugh…”
If it’s the crowd that womanizer Kimura gathers, it’ll definitely be those kinds of people. Knowing this, Irie stumbles over his words.
“Gals? There’s no way your personality would mesh with theirs.”
“Well, maybe they’re nice gals?”
“Give up that fantasy.”
“Ah, yeah…”
“Anyway, if you go, you’ll just end up being the foil for some ‘Woo-hoo!’ type handsome guy, right?”
“Ugh, no… Maybe a slightly unusual, beautiful girl who isn’t interested in handsome guys will come…”
“No way. Absolutely not.”
“…Right.”
Good, good. His voice’s weaker and quieter than before. I’m rolling him over nicely.
…Well, a slightly odd beauty who’s not interested in handsome guys? That’s Misuzu right there.
“So, why not just decline and go with Hiyori or Misuzu—”
“Even so, I’m going to the bowling tournament.”
“…Why?”
“Well, Ryo-kun invited me… and he helped me plan and consult on things for this day, after all.”
“Th-then, couldn’t you just make it up to him some other way? You don’t have to force yourself to go to the bowling tournament, right?”
“…Tsukimi-san. Why are you so fixated on this? Could it be… you don’t want me to go to the bowling tournament?”
“Huh? I’m not fixated or anything…”
Right, I’m not really fixated. I’m just getting a little worked up.
…Huh? Why am I getting worked up?
…………Nah, it’s probably just because the plan is too much trouble. That must be it.
“Well, whatever. I warned you.”
With that parting shot, I grabbed the remote and switched from the game to a video site.