I Want to Completely Avoid Troubled Girls, but It Seems I’ve Reincarnated as a Background Character in the Most Dangerous Yandere Academy - Chapter 25-26

Chapter 25: Akashi Satsuki

“Disappear?”

Satsuki’s statement was enough to make my mind go completely blank.

“Probably, yes.”

“Why? You’ve only just come to this new world. Your dream is finally coming true.”

“Right now, I’m in an ideal situation. It’s a blessing. But I’m taking over Kurokawa’s mind.”

The body Satsuki was using as a vessel belonged to Kurokawa Kana.

I didn’t know what had happened to Kurokawa’s soul or consciousness.

At the very least, it was clear that Satsuki was the one controlling Kurokawa’s body right now.

“It would’ve been better if I could have entered someone who was empty.”

“…So, you’re saying that Kurokawa’s mind is fighting back?”

Satsuki nodded.

Originally, Satsuki had forcibly interfered with Kurokawa’s consciousness, pushing her own awareness forward.

It was an abnormal situation that shouldn’t have happened, and now that things were trying to return to normal, it was only a matter of time before Kurokawa’s consciousness reappeared.

Satsuki said she had always felt uncomfortable in this body, even from the beginning.

Gradually, the headaches got worse, and she started feeling as though her soul might slip out.

“Yesterday, I had a gut feeling I wouldn’t last past today.”

“You’re at your limit?”

“If I let my guard down even a little, I feel like I’ll disappear.”

Satsuki had pushed herself to spend the entire day today. It was only natural that she’d want to make the most of her remaining time.

“Satsuki, is there a chance you’ll come back?”

“I don’t know.”

“…That makes sense.”

“No matter what, the fact remains that I’m a sinner. Even so, spending these two days with you, Issei, was the best time of my life.”

“Satsuki…”

“I may disappear, but you’ll be fine, Issei.”

Satsuki continued speaking.

“Both the happy memories and the painful ones will live on inside you, Issei. If you ever want to remember me, just look at the clothes we bought. I was living on borrowed time anyway, so just leaving behind memories and keepsakes is enough for me.”

Seeing her force a smile made my chest tighten.

“Is that true? Are you really okay with this, Satsuki?”

“I…”

“I’m sure there’s a lot on your mind, but this might be the end, right? If there’s anything you want to say, say it.”

Satsuki turned her back to me and reached out toward the stars.

“I always thought that days spent happily with you, Issei, were like those stars—things I could never reach. I held onto the impossible ideal of sharing everything. That was my wish in my previous life.”

She pulled her hand back and continued.

“But now I’ve realized. Maybe I could’ve had those happy days with you without hurting you. My first love twisted everything. I couldn’t see that the most important things were right there in my hands.”

If only she had realized that in her previous life, how happy could we have been?

“I have one request.”

“A request?”

“I want to leave without seeing your face. If I look at you, I know it’ll be too painful.”

“If that’s what you want, I’ll accept it.”

“And one more thing. Please take care of Kurokawa. Her memories flowed into me, and I realized she’s just as clumsy as I am. Treat her well.”

“…I will.”

There were so many things I wanted to say to Satsuki, but my thoughts were all tangled, and I couldn’t get the words out.

If I said them, Satsuki might not be able to leave peacefully.

“Take care, Issei.”

“I loved you, Satsuki.”

“That’s enough. I’m fine being someone from your past. Goodbye… for now!”

“Yeah.”

Satsuki reached out toward the sky as if trying to touch it. She stayed in that position for a while.

Then, as if the strings of a puppet had been cut, Satsuki—Kurokawa’s body—collapsed.

I managed to move just in time to catch her before she fell.

After a moment, there was a groan.

Her eyes opened.

“Huh…? Where am I…?”

“You’re awake?”

“Issei? Why am I here?”

“Are you… Kana?”

“Ah, of course. I am myself, and no one else can enter me. Normally.”

“Normally?”

Kurokawa continued.

“I don’t believe in phenomena that can’t be explained scientifically. But this time is different.”

“What do you mean?”

“It seems I lost consciousness for several days.”

She vaguely remembered the sensation of someone else moving her body. She didn’t remember what had happened, but she knew something had occurred.

“And… fragments of an unfamiliar woman’s memories flowed into me. I experienced the weight of her twisted love. Just who was she…?”

“She was someone precious to me.”

“I see.”

That was all Kurokawa said in response.

“So, you brought me here, to this hilltop known as a couple’s sacred place.”

“Yeah.”

“That woman, with her twisted love—I received her feelings loud and clear.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’ll help advance my research. I can’t help but be curious about the ‘power’ of love that can drive people like her and you to madness.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve become even more interested in you, Issei.”

If she had received Satsuki’s intense emotions, it was no wonder she felt that way.

“I’m curious, both intellectually and as a woman. I want to know more about you, Issei.”

—

Chapter 26: Doubts About Each Other…

Akashi Satsuki disappeared.

In her place, Kurokawa Kana’s soul returned to where it originally belonged. You could call it an equivalent exchange.

What Satsuki’s disappearance means to me—honestly, I can’t put it clearly into words.

Is it the sadness of her vanishing, the relief of being freed, or perhaps…

One thing is for certain: my thoughts are too tangled to make sense of.

After Kurokawa returned, we all went back to our respective homes. It was already late.

And so, the next morning arrived. I didn’t sleep very well and woke up early.

At present, I have a few problems involving the Three Great Beauties.

Number one: Ruriko-san.

She has doubts about Kurokawa’s erratic behavior. This needs to be handled.

Breakfast comes every morning, so I’ll have to explain myself right away.

Number two: Kurokawa Kana.

She retains some of the memories from when Satsuki was here. This must be affecting her thoughts greatly.

I’ll need to keep a close eye on her from now on.

Number three: Asai Yu.

She’s also one of the current Three Great Beauties—I mustn’t forget that.

Her jealousy is unmatched. Who knows when it will explode? It’s terrifying.

Currently, Kurokawa holds a considerable lead.

It wouldn’t be surprising if Yu, desperate to catch up, took some rash action.

In short, I’m in a precarious situation.

Ding-dong.

It must be Ruriko-san.

When I opened the door, my prediction turned out to be correct.

“Good morning, Shimizu Issei-kun.”

“Morning.”

“You look lively today, as always.”

Her tone was unusually polite. Distant, even.

“Are you mad, Ruriko-san?”

“Of course. Explain what happened with Kurokawa-san.”

“So that’s it.”

“Obviously.”

She spoke in a voice that was just shy of exaggeration—like she’d torn through dozens of metaphorical patience bags all at once.

“Your behavior during cooking class, as if you were possessed. Then, the next day, you and Kurokawa skipped school together. No matter how you look at it, something’s off.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah. You and Kurokawa-san being so close—that’s brand-new information. It doesn’t suit you, Issei-kun, who’s pretty bad at lying.”

She knows me well—I am bad at lying.

“You just didn’t know Kurokawa’s true nature, Ruriko-san.”

“I know people change drastically when they’re in front of someone they care about. But this is the first time she’s been so forward with you.”

I doubt she’d believe me if I said, “Her personality was taken over by someone named Akashi Satsuki.”

It’s not ideal, but I’ll have to bluff my way through this.

“So, what were you and Kurokawa doing alone yesterday?”

“Just a little outing.”

“Are you saying it was a date? When two people who are interested in each other spend time together, isn’t it fair to interpret it that way?”

“Maybe to you, Ruriko-san.”

“A date… That was unexpected.”

Ruriko let out a groan.

“I guess I can’t afford to be so optimistic anymore.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll have to make sure you only look at me.”

“Hold on, are you planning to take some extreme measures?”

Ruriko’s expression hardened, as if the words “extreme measures” had struck a nerve.

“This is just a suggestion for your sake, Issei-kun. If we spend our days together in a special, enclosed room, no one would be able to interfere. That’s the only way…”

“Cut the jokes. You say it’s for my sake, but it sounds more like something to satisfy your own desires.”

She acts like a good person, but saying things like “I’ll have to confine you” is downright dangerous.

Let’s not forget, Ruriko is also a character in The Most Dangerous Yandere Academy. Her thoughts are twisted in strange ways.

“I can’t deny that. But there’s no other way to save you.”

“At least tell me why you’re so desperate. Otherwise, I can’t accept it.”

“In that case, doesn’t the same apply to Kurokawa-san?”

“That’s…”

Ruriko was right. I had no comeback.

“There are things people can’t talk about, you know? One or two secrets.”

“Yeah.”

“I won’t dig into Kurokawa-san’s situation. So let’s agree not to interfere with each other’s business for now.”

“If that’s the deal, then okay.”

She didn’t want to explain her reasons.

In the game, Ruriko had a belief: “Once I’ve fallen for someone, it’s destiny.”

Because of that, she can justify even the most outrageous actions to herself.

I can safely assume she’s acting on the belief that I must be saved.

But as long as she doesn’t press me about Kurokawa, that’s fine by me.

After the tense atmosphere settled, we returned to a friendly tone.

“Hey, did you know? Today’s the first day of the pool.”

“Seriously?”

Now that I think about it, it really is that time of year.

“The weather’s nice today, so it’s perfect for the pool.”

“Yeah, it is.”

“Look forward to seeing me in my swimsuit.”

“Isn’t it just a school swimsuit? I promise I won’t look at you weirdly.”

The fact that I’m saying “I promise” already shows how much I’m secretly looking forward to it.

“Liar. You’re such a big liar, Issei-kun.”

“I’m perfectly decent.”

“Then are you saying you don’t find me attractive at all?”

“That’s a black-or-white way of looking at it.”

“But still, how do you really feel?”

“…You’re attractive.”

I answered, though I quietly buried the thought that this felt like a trap.

“But don’t let your eyes wander to other girls.”

“I’ll be careful.”

“The only one you’re allowed to look at is me. I believe the day will come when you understand that.”

“You’re unusually fired up today.”

“It’s not like I’m jealous of Kurokawa-san or anything.”

“You could just be honest, you know.”

Her awkward honesty is part of her charm.

If only she didn’t have that burning yandere intensity simmering underneath.

If I’m not careful, I’ll make the same mistakes as before.

I don’t want to push these girls to the point where they’re cornered and resort to unthinkable actions. For their sake, and for mine.

I’ll dodge trouble at all costs.

I’ll live in peace. If trouble seems likely, I’ll stop it before it starts or handle it properly in the moment. I’ll steer the yanderes back on track.

I know it’s arrogant of me, but maybe that’s the meaning of this new life I’ve been given.

“Since we have swimming this morning, let’s finish breakfast quickly. Then we can have a nice, long talk.”

“Nothing like being honest about what you want.”