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 103: Why Did I Suddenly Remember Him…? (Saeki’s Perspective)

“Oh, by the way, what were you doing outside, Hiro? Were you out shopping or something?”

“Hm? Oh, no, I was just playing outside with some friends. I’m on my way back now.”

“Ah, I see. But isn’t it a bit early to be heading home? It’s just now four in the afternoon.”

“Oh, well… Actually, one of the friends I was with recently got a girlfriend, so we broke up early today because he’s going out to dinner with her. Geez…”

Hiro sighed as he spoke, looking a bit down. Well, it’s only four in the afternoon, so it’s natural he would want to play with his friends for a bit longer if he could.

“I see. But isn’t that nice? It means your friend really cares about his girlfriend, right? Besides, they’ve just started dating, so it’s good for now to let him prioritize her.”

“Well, that’s true… but still, all those guys with girlfriends seem like they’re having so much fun, and I’m really jealous of them…”

“Is that so? But if you’re so envious, why don’t you get a girlfriend too, Hiro? Then you could go on double dates with your friends and have even more fun, don’t you think?”

“Wha—what!? Ah… no, well, um…”

I casually made that suggestion, thinking that if he’s jealous of people with girlfriends, he should just get one himself.

I asked lightly, without much thought, but Hiro suddenly started getting flustered. I didn’t think I asked anything strange, though.

“Um, well… anyway, it doesn’t really matter what’s going on with me! What about you, Saeki? How about you, do you have a boyfriend or something…?”

“Huh? Me? Hmm… well, I’ve got a lot of things I want to do right now, so I’m not really interested in having a boyfriend at the moment.”

“Oh… is that so? Haha, I see! But, well, Saeki, you’re still a kid, so it’s not like you could get a boyfriend even if you wanted to! Haha!”

“It’s not that I want one, but… well, I guess if I met someone wonderful, it might be different. Someone kind, dependable, a wonderful man who…”

—You can always count on me…

“…!”

At that moment, I suddenly remembered that day. The day when I got caught up in some really nasty flirting. Come to think of it, I’ve always been helped by Kuzuhara-kun in all sorts of situations…

(…Huh?)

And as I thought about that, I felt my face getting hot. I think my face must be turning red too. But…

(Huh…? But, why…?)

I had no idea why my face was heating up, or why it was turning red.

“Hm? What’s wrong? Your face is getting red, Saeki.”

“Huh!? Ah, no… it’s nothing! Well, um… I guess I’m just waiting for a kind, wonderful, dependable gentleman to come along.”

Hiro suddenly pointed out that my face was red, so I hurriedly denied it and tried to cover it up.

“Is that so? Haha, but a kind, wonderful, gentlemanly guy… haha, there’s no way such a good guy would ever fall for someone rough and childish like you, Saeki!”

“Sh-shut up. Well, but still, if there was someone who liked me, even if I’m rough, as long as he’s kind, it would be totally fine.”

Hiro laughed at me, but still, if I were to date someone, it would make me the happiest if they were kind and dependable. What’s wrong with stating my ideal?

“It’s not something to get angry about. Haha, you really are still such a kid, Saeki. Oh, that reminds me!”

“Hm? What is it now?”

“Well, since we ran into each other outside, how about we grab some tea together? Lately, we haven’t been going to school together or eating lunch together as much… so, let’s take it easy and catch up for once.”

Hiro made such a suggestion to me. If it were the old me, I would’ve accepted right away, but…

“Um, I appreciate the invite, Hiro, but… I really need to head home soon. So, I’ll have to pass today.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Yeah. I promised my mom that I’d show her my hair after I got it styled, so I need to get home quickly. She’s looking forward to seeing how it turned out.”

“Oh, I see. Well, I guess it can’t be helped then. Alright, see you at school.”

“Yeah, see you. And don’t stay out too late, okay?”

“Yeah, I know.”

And so, I turned down Hiro’s invitation and headed home ahead of him.

(Hmm… but why did I turn down Hiro’s invitation today, when I would’ve normally accepted?)

Even though I had 20 or 30 minutes to spare to have tea with him… But I just didn’t feel like going, so I ended up declining.

Hmm, why didn’t I feel like going with Hiro today…?

—

Chapter 104: Kuzuhara-kun’s Hairstyle!? (Saeki’s Perspective)

Monday of the following week.

In the classroom I attend.

“Hmm, hmm~♪”

I came to school early again today and studied by myself. But today, unlike usual, I was humming happily while studying.

Of course, there was a reason for my good mood. It was because…

— Oh, it looks really good on you, Saeki.

— Yeah, yeah, I like your usual hairstyle, but that hair arrangement is also really lovely.

“…Hehe.”

After I parted ways with Hiro on Saturday, I went straight home and showed my hair to my mom. She smiled brightly and said those things to me.

(Hehe, it really makes you happy when someone compliments you.)

So, I found myself smiling as I remembered those kind words.

Of course, that hairstyle was just for the day, so today I’m back to my usual black ponytail. I have tennis club practice today, after all.

“Hmm, I like this hairstyle too since it’s easy for sports, but that stylish hair Ayako-san did for me was really nice…”

I touched my current hair and muttered to myself. That hairstyle was so fashionable and stylish that even I was impressed. I was really surprised that it suited me so well.

Because of that, I felt more strongly that I wanted to try out more stylish things from now on.

(Oh, winter break is coming soon, so maybe I should look for something to do during the long holiday.)

Even if I come across something I don’t understand while researching, I can easily consult Ayako-san now, which is really reassuring. I’m so glad I met such a dependable and stylish teacher.

(Hehe, thinking about it, I can’t thank Kuzuhara-kun enough.)

I thought to myself. Someday, I need to properly thank Kuzuhara-kun for this.

“Hmm, hmm~… wait, huh?”

As I was thinking that, I suddenly realized something.

Now that I think about it, Kuzuhara-kun hasn’t come to the classroom yet. Usually, by this time, he’s already here, and we’d be studying together… Oh, right.

“Oh, right… The midterms are over.”

Now that I think about it, Kuzuhara-kun only came early to study for the tests.

And since the test period ended last week, there’s no reason for him to come to school early anymore…

“I see… That’s a little lonely… Wait, what?”

I was a bit surprised by what I said.

Because that means… I’m feeling lonely because he’s not coming early?

“Eh… Eh!? N-no, but… w-why would I feel lonely…!?”

I had no idea why I was feeling lonely because Kuzuhara-kun wasn’t there, and I started to feel more and more confused.

N-no, but still… Lately, I feel like I’ve been thinking about Kuzuhara-kun a lot…

◇◇◇◇

A few dozen minutes passed.

It was about time for students to start arriving, and my classmates began to trickle into the classroom.

“Oh, good morning, Yukimura-san.”

“Good morning, Saeki-chi!”

“Ah, yeah. Good morning.”

I continued studying while greeting my classmates as they entered the classroom.

— Buzz, buzz…

“…? What’s going on?”

After finishing greeting my classmates, I suddenly noticed some commotion in the hallway. Did something unusual happen?

(Hmm, but it’s not good to be nosy.)

The noise in the hallway made me curious, but I decided it wasn’t a good idea to be nosy, so I stayed at my desk and continued studying.

But then…

“Hey, Saeki.”

“Huh?”

Someone called out to me from behind. It was a voice I knew well—a male student I was familiar with. It was Kuzuhara-kun’s voice.

It seemed that Kuzuhara-kun had just arrived at school and greeted me.

So, I paused my studying and turned around to greet him back, but…

“Oh, good morning, Kuz…uh…hara-kun?”

I froze the moment I saw Kuzuhara-kun.

B-because the person standing there was definitely Kuzuhara-kun, but… but…!

“Eh… Eeeh!? W-what’s with that hairstyle!?”

The person standing there wasn’t the usual blond delinquent-haired Kuzuhara-kun, but Kuzuhara-kun with a very clean-cut black short hairstyle.

I was so surprised by the drastic change in Kuzuhara-kun’s appearance that I couldn’t help but raise my voice. So, that’s why the hallway was so lively earlier…

“Oh, well, I finally made up my mind. After you left on Saturday, I asked Ayako to help me go back to black hair. Haha, so how does it look? Do I look a bit more like a serious high school student now?”

“Eh… Eh!? Ah, w-well… um, yeah, you look very serious…”

“I see, that’s good to hear.”

When Kuzuhara-kun asked for my opinion on his new look, I replied nervously.

(…Nervously?)

At that moment, another question popped into my head. Why did I feel nervous when I saw Kuzuhara-kun’s new look?

“…Huh? What’s wrong, Saeki? Your face is turning red.”

“Eh… W-wait, what!? N-no, it’s nothing!”

“R-really? Well, if you say so, then I guess it’s fine.”

It seemed that my face had turned very red. I touched my cheek to check, and it was burning hot.

(W-why is my face so hot!?)

I was shocked by how hot my face had become, but I looked at Kuzuhara-kun again.

Up until recently, Kuzuhara-kun had a slightly intimidating blond delinquent hairstyle, but now, he had a clean, neatly combed black short hairstyle.