I Reincarnated as the Villain Who Bullies the Protagonist in an Erotic Game, but I Just Want to Stay a Nobody, Yet Somehow the Heroines Keep Obsessing Over Me - Episode 11: How Should I Say It?

Episode 11: How Should I Say It?

Whether it was lucky or unlucky, I had a jacket with me. Not only that, it was in my backpack, so it wasn’t wet.

If this were a shoujo manga, I’d probably silently drape the jacket over her shoulders or something like that. But there’s no way I could pull that off in real life. Besides, Nishikikoji probably doesn’t like me, and having someone you dislike suddenly throw a jacket over you would be the worst.

That said, doing nothing wasn’t an option either. Realizing later that her clothes were see-through would be awkward no matter how you look at it.

“Uh, um…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Uh, aren’t you cold?”

“Well, yeah, I got wet, so it’s cold… but Nishikikoji-kun, are you cold? I have a handkerchief if you need it.”

“No, I’m fine. I’m not cold at all.”

Kana pulled out a handkerchief, ready to wipe me off. I hurriedly stopped her.

I mean, it’s already pretty obvious, and if she stretches or something, well… And besides, I’d feel bad if she used her handkerchief for me.

“I see. So, what’s wrong…?”

“Well, uh…”

How am I supposed to explain this…

The last thing I want is for her to think I’m creepy. Sure, being seen as a background character might be better in the grand scheme of things, but I’d like to preserve at least a bit of my dignity.

“If you’re cold, do you want my jacket?”

“But it’s not unbearable or anything… Besides, I’d feel bad if your jacket got wet.”

“Right…”

Why am I the one being talked out of it?! Surely there was a better way to handle this.

“But seriously, I’m not cold. It’s really not good to catch a cold, so just wear it. Look, it’s not even wet.”

I pulled the jacket out of my backpack and handed it to Kana. She took it but looked at me curiously.

“Why are you insisting so much?”

“Well, um…”

“Hmm?”

Kana tilted her head with a small smile.

Oh no. For a second, I almost let it slip. That smile was seriously dangerous.

I averted my eyes from her, unable to bring myself to say it. Kana followed my gaze, looking at her own uniform. Then, as if realizing something, her face turned red.

“Ah, so that’s what it was. Sorry, and thanks for telling me. I’ll borrow the jacket. I’ll wash it and return it tomorrow.”

“Yeah. Oh, but you don’t need to worry about washing it.”

“No, no. I borrowed it, so I have to do at least that much. I wouldn’t feel right otherwise.”

“Got it. Thanks.”

“Nishikikoji-kun, you’re kind, aren’t you?”

“No, I wouldn’t say I’m kind.”

“You are. You were being thoughtful just now, weren’t you?”

“Well, it’s not so much thoughtfulness as it is common sense…”

“Maybe, but I think it’s kind. Thank you.”

She said it with an unusually serious expression. Was this related to those bad rumors?

“Uh, yeah. You’re welcome…”

“The rain isn’t letting up, is it?”

“Yeah. The forecast doesn’t even mention rain.”

“Maybe it’s just a passing shower?”

“Probably.”

“Nishikikoji-kun, you’re not cold?”

“Not really. What about you, Sasaki?”

“Thanks to you, I’m not cold at all.”

“I see. That’s good.”

The conversation was awkward, maybe because we were both nervous.

“Hey, Nishikikoji-kun.”

“Yeah?”

“I’ve been keeping something secret from everyone…”

“Okay.”

The rain was pouring outside, and except for its sound, everything was still. Kana’s voice seemed to echo in the quiet.

“I work at a maid café.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I just wanted to tell someone. I figured you wouldn’t react in a way that’s too over-the-top.”

“Well… I’m a bit surprised, but not that much.”

Not that surprising, considering I already knew.

“Good. That’s a relief… Oh, by the way, if you have time, you should come by sometime. I’ll give you special treatment.”

“Uh…”

“Don’t worry; it’s not a serious invitation or anything. No pressure.”

“Well, I’m happy you’d invite me, but…”

Is it okay for a background character like me to get invited?

…Wait, isn’t this the sort of thing that’s supposed to happen to the protagonist?

What’s even going on in this game world right now?