I Was Reincarnated as a Mob in a Completed School Rom-Com Manga, and When I Tried My Best to Cheer Up the Broken Losing Heroines, I Realized I Had Surpassed the Original Story - 12

Chapter 12: Nazuna’s Request Part 2

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In the early morning of the day we carried out the plan, Kirari came to my house without telling Moe. I was woken up by her endless, persistent phone calls and was summoned outside in front of the house.

“Why did you come…?”

“Because I’m worried…And because I care…”

“Moe is probably still asleep, so… Do you want to come inside for now?”

“Yeah…”

Once we moved to my room, Kirari began grumbling unhappily.

“If reincarnation exists, then switching bodies might exist too, right…? Hey, Kazuto, wanna try smashing our heads together once, as hard as we can?”

“No way… And what if we can’t switch back after going through that pain…?”

“I’d be fine with that though…”

Hearing Kirari mutter that, I decided to ask something that had been on my mind for a while.

“Kirari, don’t tell me… You like Akaboshi-san romantically?”

“No… I don’t think so. But it still feels like a dream, like I’m floating or something…”

“I feel the same. I never would’ve imagined I could actually become friends with the heroines I admired…”

“I still want Princess Nazuna to be happier than anyone else in this world. Hey… If she ever wants an ending with you, Kazuto… Then when that time comes, be sure to make her happy, okay?”

Kirari looked at me with eyes as blue as a southern sea, her expression wrapped in a fragile atmosphere.

“To be honest… I still don’t understand things like love or romance. And besides, there’s no way Akaboshi-san would ever like me… That’s impossible!”

“I see… Well anyway, today you’d better play the role of the princess’s boyfriend perfectly and chase off that gross bug bothering her, got it!?”

With a complete shift from her heavy expression, Kirari seemed to regain her usual brightness.

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The meeting time with Akaboshi-san was set at 5 p.m., after her shift ended. The place was the back of the family restaurant, where the employee entrance was. The plan was that when she came out with her coworkers after finishing work, she would directly introduce me as her boyfriend. Just as I arrived at the meeting spot, Akaboshi-san stepped out of the back door.

“Kazuto-kun… Thank you for coming…”

“No… It’s nothing…”

Maybe she still wasn’t used to calling me by my first name, or maybe she was just nervous—her eyes were darting slightly. The man who came out behind her was the same employee who told me she had left early the last time I came here. Light-brown hair, tall, and with a vibe that seemed popular with women. Judging by his appearance, he was probably a college student.

“Takamine-san, this is my boyfriend, Kazuto Kurosaki-kun…”

“Oh, so this is the guy—”

When Akaboshi-san introduced me timidly, the man—Takamine—gave me a quick look from head to toe as if evaluating me, then smirked triumphantly as he continued.

“Nazuna-chan, what part of this guy did you like?”

His tone was practically overflowing with mockery. I admitted he was far more handsome than me, but calling someone you’ve met once “this guy” felt rude. I was honestly relieved that Akaboshi-san hadn’t chosen this man.

“W-well, he’s kind, and I can feel that he really values me…”

She answered just as we practiced. So far, so good.

“I feel the same way though?”

“B-but…”

Contrary to our expectations, the man didn’t back down easily, and Akaboshi-san faltered.

“I won’t do anything bad to you, and you can still switch to me, you know? I can even give you a ride home today!”

“N-no…”

Akaboshi-san looked troubled by his persistence.

“You just went out with him because you were heartbroken and vulnerable, right? You two don’t match at all. You should break up while you can!”

Even if I was just a fake boyfriend, to hit on her in front of her “boyfriend” this boldly… Well, I’d give him credit for guts. Still…

“Um, Nazuna is uncomfortable by your advances, so could you stop?”

My irritation slipped into my voice. And irritation spread quickly like a plague.

“Hah? What are you talking about?”

The man furrowed his brows.

“For the record, Nazuna isn’t the kind of shallow girl who dates someone just because she’s swept up in the moment. Don’t insult her.”

“You sure talk big for someone who’s obviously an introvert, huh?”

With the atmosphere growing tense, Takamine stepped toward me—but Akaboshi-san quickly moved between us.

“U-um!”

“W-what’s wrong, Nazuna-chan? A scary face doesn’t suit you, you know?”

I couldn’t see her face from behind, but from the shock on his face, I could imagine it.

“Kazuto-kun isn’t the kind of person you think he is! Please stop speaking badly of my boyfriend!”

“Why are you getting so worked up about…?”

“That’s obvious. If someone badmouths the person I like, there’s no way I can stay quiet!”

“Tch, fine…”

He clicked his tongue, looking frustrated, and finally left. Once he was out of sight, Akaboshi-san suddenly collapsed down onto the spot as if her legs had given out.

“A-are you okay!?”

I hurried over and supported her shoulders; her body trembled slightly.

“Kurosaki-kun… I just… I just acted without thinking…”

From the glimmering reddish-brown eyes staring up at me, I could tell how much courage she had mustered to say that to him.

“You pushed yourself… But thank you. I was really happy.”

“N-no… I was the one who was happy…”

Akaboshi-san gently held the hand I had on her shoulder. Her fingers were slightly cold, and I worried she would notice how sweaty my hand was.

“But with this, mission accomplished…”

“Yes… Thank you so much…”

After letting her rest for a while, I decided to walk her home. On the way, she asked hesitantly.

“Um… Kurosaki-kun…?”

“What’s up?”

“If it’s okay with you… Can I keep calling you Kazuto-kun from now on…?”

“S-sure, but why?”

“Is it not okay… If I say it’s just because I want to call you that…?”

Her fragile upward gaze made me suck in a breath. If this had been Kirari, she definitely would’ve fainted.

“O-okay…”

“A-and if you could keep calling me Nazuna… I’d be happy too…”

“Y-yeah…”

Flustered by her shy tone, I answered without thinking. Later, it went without saying that Kirari interrogated me when she noticed our way of addressing each other hadn’t changed.

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