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 134

That afternoon, after school.

“Hey, good job today.”

“Huh? Oh, Kuroki. Good job to you too.”

Since Yukimura had already left for club activities, I was thinking of going home alone when my classmate Kuroki called out to me.

“You looked sleepy all day today. What’s up?”

“Oh, well, I stayed up late last night. That’s why I couldn’t stop yawning today.”

“Is that so? But staying up late on a weekday shows you’ve got some energy.”

“Haha, maybe you’re right.”

Kuroki pointed that out, so I explained why I was tired with a laugh.

“So, what’s up? Why did you call me after school, Kuroki? Do you need something from me?”

“Huh? Oh, I just wanted to ask you something, Kuzuhara. A while back, did you help out a first-year male student?”

“A first-year student… Oh, right, I did find a boy collapsed in the hallway early one morning and took him to the nurse’s office. Why do you ask?”

Kuroki asked me this, and I answered while recalling the incident from a while back.

“Ah, so that was you, Kuzuhara. Actually, that student is a junior of mine from the basketball club.”

“Really? What a coincidence.”

“Yeah, it really is. He told me today that before morning practice one day, he started feeling sick and collapsed in the hallway, and that a second-year student named Kuzuhara helped him out. So, I thought it might be you and decided to ask.”

It seemed that the student I helped had some connection with Kuroki, and Kuroki told me the story. Lately, I’ve been running into the basketball club a lot.

I helped out the girls’ basketball team recently, and now it’s a boy from the boys’ team… I guess it’s a strange kind of fate.

“I see. So, is that first-year student feeling better now?”

“Yeah, he’s totally fine now. He said he wants to thank you properly, Kuzuhara.”

“Haha, no need for thanks. I just did what any upperclassman would do. But if he’s still worried about it, tell him to take good care of his juniors when he becomes an upperclassman.”

“Got it. I’ll let him know.”

So, I asked Kuroki to pass on the message. Then, Kuroki looked at me and said something unexpected.

“Still… Kuzuhara, you’re a really good guy. And you’ve really changed, haven’t you?”

“Huh? I have? I don’t think I’ve changed that much…”

“No, you have. You’ve become more easygoing, kind, and mature… something like that.”

“Oh, um, thanks.”

Kuroki said this with a laugh, but I felt a bit embarrassed, so I scratched my cheek to hide it.

“Oh, right. It’s a bit late to ask, but you’re not in any clubs, are you, Kuzuhara?”

“Huh? Yeah, I’ve been in the go-home club since I started high school.”

I’ve been in the go-home club since entering high school. I was busy with part-time jobs and going out at night, so I never joined any club activities.

“I thought so. Then, would you be interested in joining the basketball club?”

“Huh? Me, in the basketball club?”

“Yeah, exactly. From what I’ve seen in gym class, you’re pretty athletic. Plus, you’ve got a good build. Why not use that athleticism and play basketball with us?”

Kuroki gave me a bright smile and invited me to join the basketball club. A while back, the girls’ basketball team put up posters to recruit members, so maybe the boys’ team is also looking for new members.

(Hmm, the basketball club, huh…)

I know I’ve become more physically capable since I was reincarnated as Kuzuma.

I guess Kuzuma’s physical potential was always high, but working physical labor jobs at construction sites must have pushed my abilities even further.

So, I was happy that Kuroki, an athlete, praised my athleticism, but still…

“Hmmm, I’m glad you invited me, Kuroki, but I’m sorry. I’m pretty busy after school these days, so I don’t think I can join a club right now.”

“I see, that’s too bad. But if you’re busy, there’s nothing you can do about it. So, what’s keeping you so busy after school? Are you going to cram school or something?”

“No, I’m not going to cram school… Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time after school studying and hanging out with Yukimura. That time is really important to me, so I don’t think I can make time for club activities right now.”

Kuroki knows that I like Yukimura, so I told him honestly.

“Haha, I get it. Yeah, that’s definitely an important time for you, Kuzuhara!”

“Yeah, exactly. Sorry, Kuroki, for turning down your invitation. But if it’s just hanging out, I’m always up for that, so feel free to ask me anytime.”

“Sure, I’ll take you up on that. I’ll definitely invite you to hang out more often.”

Kuroki said this with a bright smile. Then, still smiling, he added,

“Haha, but seriously, you’re an amazing guy, Kuzuhara.”

“Huh? Amazing? What are you talking about?”

“Well, most guys would feel embarrassed and hesitate to talk about the girl they like, right? But you’re always so straightforward about liking Yukimura. That’s why I want to support you as your friend.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. But there’s no point in being embarrassed about it. The fact that I like Yukimura doesn’t change, after all.”

I responded with a laugh.

Most guys might feel embarrassed, hesitate, or even lie about liking someone. But I’ve always openly admitted my feelings for Yukimura. There’s no point in hiding it since it’s the truth.

“Yeah, you’ve got a really clear and straightforward personality, Kuzuhara! Alright, I’ll keep supporting you in your love life! So if there’s anything I can do to help, don’t hesitate to ask, okay?”

“Thanks. Hey, since we’re at it, how about we stop by the burger joint near the station before heading home? Maybe I’ll think of something to talk about while we’re there.”

“Sure, sounds good! I’ll get ready to go, so just wait a minute.”

“Alright.”

And so, we decided to stop by the burger place near the station and deepen our friendship before heading home.