I Was Reincarnated as a Mob, and After I Kept Listening to the Losing Childhood-Friend Heroine’s Complaints, I Somehow Maxed Out Her Affection Rating - 53

Chapter 53: The Couple on the Night Before the Date, and Kaede’s Plan

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Kaede’s POV

When the doorbell chimed, the one who came out was Shouma’s mother.

“Oh my, Kaede-chan…”

“Excuse me, is Shouma here?”

“He’s been holed up in his room all day today. I wonder if he’s feeling unwell.”

Shouma’s mother wore a troubled expression, one that carried a hint of concern.

…He’s really taking it hard.

A sharp ache pricked deep in my chest. But there was another feeling that was even stronger.

Well… It’s kind of his own fault, though.

I didn’t say it out loud. But in my heart, I had already reached my conclusion. As I was thinking that, Shouma’s mother asked.

“Would you like me to pass along a message to him?”

“Oh, no… Just please give him this handout.”

“Is that so? All right.”

After bowing politely, I left the house.

It kind of feels like… It’s over.

I murmured that to myself in my head, without saying it to anyone. It felt much easier than when I had been the one dumped.

…Because Yuuta-kun is here.

At that moment, my own cheeks softened into a silly smile. When I returned to my room, tossed off my uniform, and lay flat on my back on the bed.

…What should I do about tomorrow’s date?

The switch in my brain completely flipped into “girl-in-love mode.”

“A white dress…? No, but it’s hard to move in… If it’s a skirt, I have to worry about the wind… Pants feel too formal… Ahh, what should I do…!?”

I squatted in front of the closet, pulling out clothes one by one, lining them up, agonizing over them, then putting them back. It was an endless loop.

“Achoo!”

Another sneeze. For some reason, it had been happening a lot today.

Is someone talking about me…? But it’s probably just another “Kaede and Fujiwara” rumor, right?

Thinking that made my heart flutter just a little. After a while, exhausted from choosing clothes, I collapsed onto the bed.

I wonder… What kind of face Yuuta-kun will make? Will he say I’m cute? No. He’s going to say it. I’ll make him, no matter what.

A syrupy, dreamlike future spread out in my mind. But at the same time, my chest tightened.

…I have to properly tell him that I like him.

Tomorrow wasn’t just an ordinary “date.” It was the day I would take a real step forward.

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When I got home, I found myself opening my closet without thinking.

What should I wear tomorrow…?

I checked each piece of clothing my hand touched in turn. Then, suddenly, I noticed an outfit Kaede had once chosen for me with a smile, saying, “This would look good on you.”

“…This should be fine.”

No. Just a mere “fine” wasn’t quite right. Deep down, I had probably already decided. The clothes I’d wear on the date would be the ones Kaede had chosen back then. I glanced up at the ceiling.

…If things keep going like this, and I end up with Kaede…

My chest grew a little warm. But at the same time, a chill of anxiety traced down my spine.

If I’ve “broken the original story,” so what will happen to this world? …If the world collapses, will I not be able to see Kaede anymore?

My clenched fist trembled slightly. If that kind of future really came, then I would…

“…I have to protect it.”

My quiet murmur melted into the late-night room.

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Kaede’s POV

“…Mmm…?”

The sound of the alarm clock made the ice-cold air tremble. The moment I slowly opened my eyes, I immediately noticed something was wrong.

…My body feels so heavy…

It wasn’t that the blanket was heavy. My body itself felt like it had been stuffed full of lead and wouldn’t move. And then…

“So cold…”

A chill ran down my back.

Huh… This…No way… It can’t be…

With trembling fingers, I grabbed the thermometer and tucked it under my arm. Several dozen seconds later, it beeped and the moment I saw the display…

“…You’ve got to be kidding me.”

The number made me feel hopeless. My heart sank with a heavy thud, like something out of a manga.

Of all days, today…!? …Today is our date…!

I buried my face in the blanket and let out a small scream.

“Why do I get a fever at a time like this, you idiot!!”

Yelling didn’t lower my temperature, and it was obvious I wasn’t in any condition to go on a date. Reluctantly, I took out my phone and typed a message with shaking fingers.

『I’m sorry… I have a high fever today and don’t think I can make it…』

My finger pressing the send button felt heavier than lead. A few seconds later, a reply came right away.

『Are you okay? We can do it another time, so don’t push yourself.』

“…Ugh… He’s so kind…”

His kindness soaked into my chest, and at the same time, the reality of “I can’t go” hurt even more.

…Even though I was really looking forward to this date…

I dejectedly burrowed into the blanket and hugged my phone tight.

…Wait, huh?

At the very bottom of my despair, a tiny light flickered on.

…Isn’t this…Actually… A chance?

Inside my head, an emergency meeting of the “girl-in-love devil council” was convened.

High fever → nursing → just the two of us → distance closes → setup for a confession…!

My eyes gleamed sharply. Just moments ago I’d felt like I was dying, and now I was energized.

Okay, not energized, but my motivation is maxed out…!

From inside the blanket, I gripped my phone tightly.

“The moment I think of it, I act immediately! That’s my love strategy!!”

With trembling fingers, I typed out another message.

『Hey… Uum… I have a small favor to ask…』

Sent.

…All right. There’s no turning back now.

Holding my fever-heated cheeks, I waited for the next reply.

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