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 152-153

Chapter 152: Yukimura’s Favorite Novel

It was lunch break that day.

I was having lunch with Yukimura in the classroom.

A while ago, we made a promise to eat lunch together from now on, so unless we had something else to do, we basically ate lunch together every day.

“Oh, by the way…”

“Hmm? What is it?”

As we were eating, I suddenly asked Yukimura something that came to mind.

“This is from quite a while back, but didn’t you go to a book signing at that big bookstore near Sasahara Station?”

“Oh, yeah. That did happen. It was back when you were still a rambunctious boy, right?”

“Ugh…I regret that now, so please forgive me…”

“Hehe, of course, I know.”

When I said that, Yukimura chuckled softly and teased me a bit. Well, I knew she was joking, so I exaggeratedly slumped my shoulders in response.

“Hehe, so? Why bring up something from that long ago?”

“Oh, it’s kind of late to ask, but…what book did you buy at that signing event?”

“Huh? Why are you asking about something so old?”

Yukimura looked puzzled and tilted her head. So, I explained why I was curious all of a sudden.

“Well, for you to go to a book signing means you must really like that author, right? And, I figured I should know everything about what a girl I like is into.”

“Oh, I see…Wait, what!?”

Yukimura looked shocked, and her face turned bright red.

But soon after, she gave me her usual sharp glare and scolded me with full force.

“Wh-What are you saying with such a serious face!? You…you’re not allowed to say embarrassing things like that! Gosh, seriously…”

“Haha, I was just stating the truth.”

“Ugh…So…seriously…ugh…”

Watching Yukimura, flustered with a red face, I couldn’t help but think she was the cutest girl in the world.

“Haha. Anyway, back to the topic…So, that author at the signing event is one of your favorites, right?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, that’s right. He’s the author I’m the most into right now. He’s an old man who writes mystery novels.”

“Really? Oh, I see. Now that you mention it, isn’t mystery your favorite genre?”

“Huh? Y-Yeah, it is! I love how you can think things through while reading, and the satisfaction when all the mysteries are solved is just the best! And that author’s mystery novels are…”

When I asked, Yukimura’s face lit up as she enthusiastically talked about the joys of mystery novels.

It was clear from her expression how much she loved mystery novels.

“That sounds really interesting. Hey, would you mind lending me one of your favorite books by that author?”

“Yeah, of course! …Wait, what!? Y-You’re planning to read the mystery novels I’m into?”

“Haha, well, why else would I borrow a book? Since you talk about it so passionately, it must be really good, right? So, if it’s okay with you, I’d love to borrow one of your favorite mystery novels. Once I finish it, we can talk about it together.”

“Huh…?”

I casually made the request, but Yukimura seemed startled and froze for a moment after hearing my words.

(Did I say something weird?)

Confused by her reaction, I tilted my head.

But soon, Yukimura snapped out of it and hastily replied.

“Oh…Y-Yeah, sure! Actually, I have the latest book by that old man, the author…If you’d like, I can lend you that one. It’s really good too!”

“Really? If you have his latest book, I’d love to read it! Could you lend it to me?”

“Yes! O-Of course! I’ll bring it tomorrow…hehe!”

“Great, I’ll be looking forward to it.”

So, tomorrow, I’ll borrow one of Yukimura’s favorite mystery novels by her most recommended author. I’m really looking forward to reading it.

(Hmm…But Yukimura’s face…She looked really happy, didn’t she?)

I didn’t expect her to be so delighted over something as simple as lending me a mystery novel, so I found her reaction a little curious.

—

Chapter 153: Yukimura Is Called Out by a Senior Girl

One morning:

“Here, take this.”

“Hm? Oh, wow!”

As I entered the classroom, greeting Yukimura like usual, she handed me a book. It was the mystery novel by her favorite author that she had promised to lend me.

“Thanks, Yukimura! I’ll read it as soon as I can!”

“There’s no need to rush. I’ve already read it, so you can take your time.”

“No, I want to finish it quickly so we can talk about it together again.”

“Oh…I see. Well, then…hehe, I’m looking forward to it.”

Yukimura blushed a little but seemed happy as she said that.

After that, I planned to spend the morning chatting idly with her. But…

“Good morning, Kuzuhara! Yukimura, good morning to you too!”

“Huh? Oh, Kuroki. Morning.”

“Good morning, Kuroki-kun.”

Suddenly, our classmate Kuroki greeted us from behind. It seemed like he had just arrived at school too.

“You’re here earlier than usual today. Did you wake up early?”

“Well, I had to submit a form to the basketball coach before morning practice, so I came a bit earlier than usual.”

“Ah, I see. That sounds tough. Good job.”

“Nah, it’s no big deal. It’s my fault for not submitting it sooner anyway…Oh, right! Yukimura-san!”

“Hm? Me? What is it, Kuroki-kun?”

Kuroki, as if remembering something, suddenly addressed Yukimura. It was so abrupt that she looked a bit startled as she turned to him.

“Yeah, when I went to the teacher’s office earlier, I ran into Sakaki-senpai. She said she wants to talk to you, so she asked if you could come to the third-year classroom during lunch.”

“Huh? Sakaki-senpai?”

“Wait, who’s Sakaki-senpai again?”

I was confused since an unfamiliar senior’s name had suddenly come up, so I asked Kuroki. But…

(Who is this person? If it’s a male senior, I’m not going to like that…)

Feeling a bit anxious, I waited for Kuroki’s response.

“Oh? Ah, Sakaki-senpai is a third-year student and the captain of the girls’ tennis club. My older sister is in the same class as her, so I’ve talked with her a few times.”

“Oh, I see! So, Sakaki-senpai is the captain of the girls’ tennis club!”

Well, that was a relief. Sakaki-senpai turned out to be the captain of the girls’ tennis club, which meant she was a female student.

“Huh, that’s interesting. By the way, I didn’t know you had a sister, Kuroki.”

“Yeah, I have an older sister who’s a year ahead of me. She’s pretty quiet and cool.”

“I see. Haha, so your sister is the complete opposite of you?”

With that, I learned something new about Kuroki. He had a sister who was a year older than him.

“Haha, yeah, people often say that. They say the Kuroki siblings are total opposites…Ah, but wait, we got sidetracked. We were talking about Sakaki-senpai, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right. So, this Sakaki-senpai is the captain of the tennis club? So, in simple terms, she’s like Yukimura’s boss?”

“I don’t know why you’re making a work analogy all of a sudden, but yes, that’s correct.”

When I asked, Yukimura confirmed that was the case.

(Hmm, the captain of the tennis club…I wonder what kind of senior she is?)

In the main game, Yukimura had scenes where she played tennis, but the captain never appeared. So, I had no idea what kind of person Sakaki-senpai was, but now I was a bit curious.

“Hmm, I see…So, what kind of person is Sakaki-senpai?”

“What kind of person? Well, in this school, she’s the most famous member of the tennis club.”

“Really? I didn’t know that.”

“Yeah, she’s like an idol here. She’s incredibly cute. There was a beauty contest at last year’s cultural festival, and she won first place with an overwhelming number of votes.”

“Whoa! That’s amazing!”

“Haha, I can’t believe you didn’t know…Oh, right. You didn’t come to school much last year, Kuzuhara. No wonder you missed the beauty contest. When you see Sakaki-senpai, you might fall for her immediately. She’s that ridiculously cute…Ah…”

“Huh? Wait…Oh…”

“…”

As Kuroki and I were getting excited talking about this, I suddenly noticed that Yukimura was glaring at me with a sharp, cold gaze.

“Uh, um…Haha! Anyway, I told you about Sakaki-senpai, so I’ll head back to my seat now. See you later!”

“Ah, yeah. See you.”

With that, Kuroki quickly returned to his seat, leaving me alone with Yukimura once again.

Still glaring at me, Yukimura opened her mouth.

“…Hey, why were you getting all excited?”

“What? No, I wasn’t excited or anything.”

“Hmph, is that so?”

Yukimura’s intense glare made her words sting. I didn’t want her to think I was interested in any other girl, so I responded with a serious expression.

“Like I always say, Yukimura, you’re the one I like the most. So, you don’t need to worry about me being interested in other girls.”

“Wh-what!? What are you saying!?”

Yukimura’s face turned bright red as she stammered.

“Huh? I’m saying that I like you the most, Yukimura. You’re worried about me looking at other girls, right? Don’t worry, I’m only focused on you.”

“Wh…What!? No, that’s not what I meant…Ugh…I…I don’t know anymore!”

With that, Yukimura turned her flushed face away from me in a huff.

◇◇◇◇

A few hours later:

It was now lunchtime.

“I’m heading to the third-year classroom now.”

“Ah, got it. See you later.”

“Yes, I’ll be back soon.”

With that, Yukimura left for the third-year classroom. So today, I’d be eating lunch alone for the first time in a while. It’s been a while since I’ve eaten by myself.

“Hey, Kuzuhara!”

“Huh? Oh, Kuroki.”

Just then, Kuroki called out to me again.

“We meet again. What’s up this time?”

“You looked kinda bored, so I thought I’d invite you to the cafeteria. Wanna grab lunch together?”

“Haha, thanks for the invite. Yeah, sure. Let’s head to the cafeteria before it gets crowded.”

“Alright, sounds good!”

So today, I ended up having a relaxing lunch with Kuroki at the cafeteria.