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 37: Game Center 2

Episode 37: Game Center②

First time. I mimic Ayame’s earlier moves, but they don’t go well. “Hmm. I think the method is mostly correct, though.”

“There’s a little trick to crane games. In this case, if you hook it here—”

Ayame places her hand over mine from the side and presses the button together. Wait, hold on a second. Isn’t this way too close? And is it just me, or does her hair smell good!?

“See? It worked, right?” “Y-yeah.” when I move my hand the way Ayame suggested, I grab the plush toy. I got it, but…  The proximity is still too much, and the fact that she’s the girl I like only makes my heart race even more…

“Y-you’re amazing, Hananoi-san. You’re good at crane games.” “Yes! I studied by watching videos on YouTube. It’s my specialty.”

Ayame smiles triumphantly. Ugh, so cute. The plush toy in her hands only adds to the effect. Plus, Ayame’s character in the game was always the demure, soothing type, so seeing her like this feels so fresh and irresistible.

“Wait, I’ve seen one of those videos before, but they looked super hard.”

“Hehe. I also practiced a lot. I’d grab prizes for my little brothers, and I even earned money from part-time jobs to keep practicing.”

“Wow? You worked so hard. That’s awesome.” “R-really…? Being praised so much makes me a little embarrassed.”

I never knew Ayame had a hobby like that. Even though I’ve played through the original game countless times and explored all the routes, there was no mention of this anywhere.

So, is this something unique to this world? Or maybe the protagonist didn’t pay enough attention to her? Well, to be fair, I’m guilty of that, too.

“This is my first time going to an arcade with a friend.” “Huh? Really? I just assumed you’d gone with other girls before.”

“No. I’ve never even mentioned this hobby to my friends. Honestly, I have a thing for wild, childish activities, but most of my friends are into more traditionally feminine things, so I never really talked about it…”

“I see.” Maybe that’s why the protagonist didn’t know either. Probably because, from the start, Ayame saw the protagonist as her destined partner—or at least, as someone she was conscious of as a boy. Well, I mean, they did get pretty close early on.

Maybe she’s only opening up to me because we’re friends.
…Wait, does that mean I have a shot as a side character?

“That’s why this plushie is a memento of the first time I shared a secret with a friend!”

She said that with a bright smile, clutching the plush toy like it was a treasure.