I Reincarnated as the Villain of an NTR Game, But I Don't Want to Make the Main Heroine Unhappy so I'll Live Earnestly

Chapter 100: Yukimura and Ayako Are Really Cool

After Ayako had smacked my back several times, I sighed and spoke up.

“Haah, come on… Anyone could tell just by looking at you all this time. You’ve always been cool, Ayako.”

“Haha, thanks. But you know, I was only able to keep being cool because you and Yuuna were there for me.”

“…Huh? Me and Yuuna?”

“Yeah, exactly. I mean, you took care of Yuuna in my place, cleaned the house… and you both always supported me in my work, right? That’s why I’ve been able to work so hard up until today—because I had you two cheering me on.”

“Ayako…”

“Well, even you had a pretty strong rebellious phase after starting high school, didn’t you? Haha!”

“Ugh… I-I know, I really caused a lot of trouble back then…”

“Hehe, it’s fine. I caused all sorts of trouble when I was in high school too.”

Ayako said that with a gentle smile.

But seeing her smile at me like that made me feel a mix of embarrassment and guilt. It was a strange feeling.

The embarrassment was stronger, so I scratched my cheek and tried to change the subject a bit.

“Um, well… But still, I think both you and Yukimura are amazing for working so hard. I need to get my act together too…”

“Hmm? Hehe, thank you. I also think that trying your best is a wonderful thing, just like you said. But I think people who try hard always encounter some big challenge at some point, like I did in the past.”

“Eh? Oh, yeah, I guess…”

Since Ayako got married and had me, a lot has happened, and it’s true there were countless tough times before the three of us—Ayako, Yuuna, and I—could live together.

Now, Ayako is so cheerful, but back when I was a kid, she used to cry almost every day…

“So, if Saeki ever faces a big challenge, make sure you’re there to help her out, okay?”

“Yeah, of course. That’s a given.”

“Good. Hehe, that’s my son.”

—Pat, pat…

Saying that, Ayako smiled gently again and softly patted my head.

It made me feel really embarrassed, but at the same time, I also felt a bit nostalgic.

“…Okay! Now that Saeki’s job is done, it’s time to deal with your hair too! But I’ll be charging you the proper rate, since you’re working a part-time job now.”

“I know. I planned to pay the proper rate from the start, so… Please take care of me today.”

I said this while bowing politely to Ayako. And what I was asking for, of course…

“Sure, leave it all to me! I’ll make you look super handsome! Now, let’s head back inside quickly.”

“Yeah, got it.”

With that, Ayako went back inside the salon first.

I was about to follow her in, but then I paused and glanced toward the station.

(…She should have arrived at the station by now, right?)

Yukimura will probably show her family her new look as soon as she gets home. She’ll definitely do it with a big, happy smile.

“…Haha.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the thought. It wasn’t because I was mocking her; I just clearly imagined Yukimura’s smile, and that made me laugh.

“Haha, I can’t believe Yukimura’s smile comes to mind so easily now.”

When I first came to this world, Yukimura always glared at me with dead fish eyes. I never thought I’d ever see her smile, let alone get this close to her.

But now, Yukimura smiles at me a lot, and we’ve even gone out together like this. I never imagined we’d become this close.

“But… so much has happened in these past few months…”

We searched for books together, baked cookies, played with Yuuna, treated each other to meals, studied together… We did so many things together.

All of it was so much fun for me. And the fact that I found everything so enjoyable probably means…

(…Yeah, I really do like Yukimura.)

I reconfirmed my feelings for Yukimura.

And I was genuinely happy to have become close enough to see her smile so many times.

“So I have to work hard too, like Yukimura and Ayako.”

I know I have to confess my feelings, but now isn’t the right time. I have to wait until I become a proper high school student. So, for that reason…

“…Okay, I should go back in.”

With that thought, I steeled myself and headed back into the salon. From now on, I’ll work hard too, so I won’t lose to Yukimura and the others. I’m aiming to become a proper high school student.

—

Chapter 101: On the Way Home (Saeki’s Perspective)

It had been a while since I left Ayako’s salon.

“Whew, finally made it back.”

I hadn’t made any detours and went straight to the train, arriving at the nearest station just now.

Of course, I came straight back to show my mother this new look, but…

“Hmm, but it’s a bit early to go home just yet.”

I opened my phone to check the time. It was just past 4:00 PM.

I could head straight home, but Ayako did such a beautiful job with my hairstyle that I wanted to walk around outside a little longer.

“…Alright, I’ll stroll around a bit before heading home.”

So, I decided to take a walk around the shopping district near the station before going home. Besides, I was in a good mood, so maybe I’d pick up something sweet as a souvenir.

“Humming, hmm-hmm-hmm~♪”

With that in mind, I entered the shopping district, humming as I wandered around.

Today was a really fun day. Dressing up like this really does lift your spirits.

“Hmm-hmm-hmm~… Hmm?”

I spotted a large display window outside a clothing store and stopped for a moment.

Using the window as a mirror, I looked at my reflection.

There I was, with beautifully styled dark brown wavy hair.

“Hehe, it’s amazing… I can’t thank Kuzuhara-kun and Ayako enough for making it look this nice.”

To be honest, I never really cared much about my hairstyle when I was a kid.

Sure, since starting high school, I sometimes styled my hair when going out, but being in a sports club, I usually kept it in a practical ponytail.

But now, here I was with this fashionable, loose, wavy brown hair. Hehe, anyone who knows me would never imagine this.

“But no matter how many times I look, it’s still amazing. Even someone as childish as me can look this stylish and mature…”

I muttered this as I looked at my reflection in the window again. And seeing myself like this made me decide something.

“Yeah. I should try out more new things from now on!”

Of course, I’ll take on more things after I become a university student, but I thought I should start pursuing more of what I want to do.

Like today’s hairstyle, I’m also really interested in fashion, makeup, and even nails. So, I thought I’d try more new things.

And it’s all thanks to Ayako that I could make this decision. Until now, I thought stylish things didn’t suit me… but thanks to today’s makeover, I’ve gained a bit of confidence.

So from now on, I’m going to live more for myself! Hehe, just kidding.

“Hehe, I wonder how Mom will react when she sees me like this?”

As I stared at my reflection in the display window, I imagined what my mom’s reaction would be. Maybe she’ll say something kind and sweet, like he did earlier…

――That hairstyle really suits you, Yukimura.

“…Hehe.”

I couldn’t help but grin, remembering the conversation at the salon. I was really happy when Kuzuhara-kun said that to me.

Wait… but…

(…Wait, hasn’t Kuzuhara-kun said similar things to me before…?)

Come to think of it, I realize that Kuzuhara-kun has often said nice things like that to me.

Until now, I just brushed off his words as flattery, but today, I genuinely felt happy hearing them.

But why do his words, which I never took seriously before, make me so happy today?

“…?”

I tried to think about why I felt so happy hearing Kuzuhara-kun’s words, but I couldn’t figure out the reason.

“Hmm… oh well.”

I didn’t understand why my feelings had changed, but the fact that I was happy to be complimented by him was true. So, I decided to hold on to that feeling as I headed home.

“…Huh? Saeki?”

“Hehe… hmm?”

Just then, I thought I heard someone calling my name. I stopped and turned around to see who it was.

“Oh, it’s Hiro. Hey, good evening.”

“Huh? Oh, uh…”

It was my childhood friend, Hiro. I smiled and greeted him.