I Want to Completely Avoid Troubled Girls, but It Seems I’ve Reincarnated as a Background Character in the Most Dangerous Yandere Academy - Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Ruriko’s Justice as the True Wife

Ruriko came to my rescue.

She had given me a device beforehand, just in case. Since this mansion was out of cell service, it was the perfect way to stay in contact.

After repeating the loop so many times, Ruriko had learned to prepare for situations like this.

In any case, it was a close call.

The restraints on me were loosened for the moment. I took a step back from Shigeo, just in case something else happened.

“I only caught part of it, but I heard the story,” Ruriko said.

“Whether you’re a friend of Shimizu-sama or not, outsiders must leave.”

“I’m a legitimate party here. We’re not officially dating, but he’s very important to me.”

“If there’s no official relationship, that leaves room for the young mistress. I, Shigeo, won’t back down.”

Shigeo seemed determined to follow through no matter what. Ridiculous.

“Kana Rukawa, you’re wrong.”

“Wrong? What’s wrong with asking Shimizu-kun to marry me?”

“You fell for him after a few days? That’s naïve.”

“What would you know? You don’t even know me.”

Ruriko let out a mocking laugh.

“I know you. You feel distanced from the rest of the world. Shimizu Issei is the first decent guy you’ve found, and you’re willing to do anything to have him. When you act, you always rely on your servant, Shigeo. After all, chasing your dreams alone is too scary, isn’t it?”

After looping for so long, Ruriko must have come to understand what kind of person Rukawa was.

I couldn’t help but agree with Ruriko’s assessment.

“Sh-shut up! Don’t talk like you can see right through me. It’s rude!”

Rukawa protested while covering her mouth.

“Hit the nail on the head, didn’t I? You cover your mouth when you’re hiding your true feelings.”

“Wha—”

Rukawa immediately removed her hand from her mouth.

“And that’s not all. Your eyes are darting toward Shigeo. When you lack confidence in what you say, you look to your lifeline for support. Am I wrong?”

The color drained from Rukawa’s face.

Ruriko’s sharp gaze pierced through her. The way she cornered Rukawa was like a predator driving prey into a dead end. Her presence was overwhelming.

Her deductions, built on years of observation, were impossible to ignore.

“Who are you? You act like you know me better than I know myself… You’re like a demon.”

“A demon, huh? I’ll take it. After all, I’ve crawled out of hell more times than I can count.”

Having repeated countless alternate realities, Ruriko had become something beyond human understanding.

How would others perceive her?

Perhaps, to those unaware of her circumstances, she might appear as a demon disguised in human skin.

For Rukawa, whose true self had been laid bare, such a thought was inevitable.

“You’re free to pursue Issei-kun if you want. But if you do, you have to face him head-on. If you can’t, then back off.”

“Ugh…”

Rukawa was at a loss for words. She must have realized that any rash rebuttal would only backfire.

“What will you do? Without me as your weapon, young mistress, you’re…”

“I won’t retreat. I’ll press forward.”

“Are you out of your mind, young mistress?”

“Out of my mind? I’ve been out of my mind for a while now. The very fact that I tried to put the one I love to sleep and imprison him shows that.”

“Ahaha, at least you understand that much,” Ruriko said mockingly.

I refrained from pointing out that Ruriko herself had once resorted to threats involving confinement.

“Kazuki-san, was it? Honestly, you’re terrifying. More so than anyone I’ve met in the industry.”

“I’d expect nothing less.”

“You have a composure I could never match. But even if the time we’ve spent together is short, I have one advantage.”

“And what might that be?”

Ruriko’s question prompted Rukawa to think for a moment.

“My innocence.”

“…I see.”

“You have a mature, worldly aura, but the fresh feelings of a new encounter are lost to you. They’re a thing of the past.”

“You’ve given it some thought. Time doesn’t just grant you things—it takes them away as well…”

Ruriko’s gaze drifted into the distance, lost in the past. She must have had her own thoughts on the matter.

“Kazuki-san, Shimizu-kun. I want to promise not to resort to underhanded tactics anymore.”

“So you’ve had a change of heart?”

“I thought it was fine to use any means to have you. But now, I realize there’s no meaning in obtaining someone without their consent.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Shigeo didn’t interfere with Rukawa’s declaration of change.

On the contrary, she simply said, “Understood. I exist only to follow the young mistress.”

“That’s how it is. I’ll still aim for you, Shimizu-kun.”

“Alright, got it.”

“Now that things are settled, why don’t we call it a day?”

“Good idea.”

At Rukawa’s suggestion, Ruriko and I left the mansion.

We didn’t leave empty-handed—Shigeo drove us to the nearest station. Rukawa rode with us, as Shigeo insisted, “I can’t leave the young mistress alone.”

“Thank you so much,” I said, bowing deeply after we got out of the car.

“Don’t mention it. I’m glad the device was useful.”

“It really was a close call.”

“When the signal came, I infiltrated the mansion right away, but it took me a while to find your room. Thinking about what could’ve happened if I was a few seconds late gives me chills.”

“That’s what we call a happy ending, right?”

It was indeed a happy ending. Rukawa’s reckless actions were stopped, and she was persuaded to change her ways.

“Wait a minute.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I think I’ve triggered the Rukawa route.”

“You stopped the confinement route, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, but I might have inadvertently given her hope to stay in the heroine race… Rukawa-style.”

“Ah! You’re right. In the end, you didn’t sever ties with Rukawa-san.”

What else could I have done?

Being her seatmate, declaring an end to our relationship outright wasn’t an option.

Perhaps if I were more ruthless, like during Satsuki’s case, I could have done it.

“The past can’t be changed. We’ll just have to coexist as classmates.”

I realized my optimism was only possible because I had Ruriko as my ultimate shield and sword.

“Well, let’s make the best of it. After all, there’s still potential trouble waiting at the swimming event.”
“Yeah, no time to relax.”

Someone might get into danger at the beach, leading to another pivotal moment.

Whether it’s the three great beauties, Rukawa, or another force, I couldn’t afford to let my guard down.