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 - 20

Chapter 20: The Perfect Weather for Going Out 3

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Kirari, who normally picked up the phone within three rings at the latest, strangely took a while to answer this time. The reason became clear the moment she spoke.

『Kazuto, what’s up〜? I’m super busy right now editing all the saved photos and videos of Princess Nazuna to make a movie, so if you need something, make it quick〜』

“You really never waver, do you……”

『What’s that, are you complimenting me?』

“Well… in a way. But we’re not the Film Research Club, we’re the Manga Research Club, you know……”

『I know that〜. I’m making this just for my own personal enjoyment〜』

“Enjoyment, huh… Anyway, more importantly, I have something I want to ask you―”

I quickly summarized the situation for Kirari.

『Wait a second, Kazuto…… So that means you saw the Princess in her waitress outfit this morning, right? So obviously you took pictures, right? Send them to me right now!!』

“Sorry…… I didn’t take any……”

『Farewell……』

“W-Wait, please! I’ll stop by again on the way home and ask her to let me take some pictures!”

『Well, if that’s the case… I guess Kirari-chan will help you out!』

I could clearly tell from her voice that her excitement had shot upward. It was a bit irritating, but I had no choice but to rely on Kirari here.

“I owe you one……”

『A place that doesn’t cost money, and that Hiyori-chan would probably like… Obviously there’s only one place!』

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The location Kirari recommended was a free footbath on the outskirts of town. Nestled quietly along a street lined with hot spring inns, a rectangular footbath slowly released white steam into the air. As expected, the few people already soaking their feet were all older folks. Even for someone like Konno-san, I wasn’t entirely sure she would genuinely enjoy this, so I brought her here without telling her the destination. When I told her this was where we were headed, Konno-san looked extremely surprised.

“Kurosaki-kun, you knew I get cold easily?”

The moment we arrived, she asked me that, and I couldn’t help but be impressed by Kirari’s information network.

“O-Oh, really……?”

“And I love hot springs, but I had no idea a place like this existed”

Her eyes sparkled with excitement. She looked unusually cheerful. This person really wasn’t a sloth at all. She was like a cat through and through. Konno-san quickly removed her boots and socks. She lightly dipped a toe into the water to check the temperature, then slowly immersed her feet and sat down. The relieved breath she let out carried a faint sensuality that made me unintentionally stare.

“Kurosaki-kun, aren’t you getting in?”

“I-I’m coming……!”

Rolling my pants up to my knees, I sat across from her. The water was probably around 40°C—neither too hot nor too lukewarm. Even with just my feet submerged, I felt my whole body gradually warming up.

“Feels so warm and comfortable……”

With her eyes narrowed into straight lines, her face looked completely relaxed—she seemed on the verge of falling asleep.

“Actually, Kirari was the one who told me about this place……”

“Oh, I see. So it’s your first time here too?”

“Yeah. I couldn’t think of a place right away that you might like……”

“Hey, I’ve always wondered… Why does Kurosaki-kun care about me so much?”

“Well… I’ve said this before, but I thought we had similar circumstances… That’s all”

“Hmm. Well, Kurosaki-kun is nice to other girls too, huh…”

Kurosaki-kun too…? Her eyes drifted into the distance, and I was sure she was thinking about Shiratori again. Right now, it was still impossible for me to make her forget him.

“You know… I really got courage from you, Konno-san. Every time I saw how strong your feelings were for Shiratori, it made me want to cheer you on, and it made me feel like I should do my best too. That’s why… I want you to be happy. At the very least, as a small repayment, I want to help you however I can”

“D-Do I like Shiratori-kun that obviously……?”

Even though it was just a footbath, her face was flushed as if she were overheated.

“N-No! It’s not like that! It’s more like… I was always paying attention to you, so I could tell……”

“Hey, Kurosaki-kun… Are you trying to hit on me? I’m not that easy, you know?”

Her suspicious stare then softened just a little.

“N-No way! I wasn’t trying to hit on you! I’m just watching over you like a guardian, hoping you can enjoy your school life……!”

Watching me flail around, Konno-san burst into her usual laughter.

“Puhaha…… What is that?”

Her laugh made me feel like it wasn’t a lie after all.

“Konno-san, are you enjoying school right now?”

Still looking downward toward the water, she answered.

“Hmm… It’s so-so, I guess……”

“If you’re enjoying it, then I’m glad……”

“Hey, Kurosaki-kun……”

She raised her face at the same moment she called out to me.

“Hm? What is it?”

“Thanks!”

It was a scene that looked like it could’ve been used as a full-page spread in a manga. That simple word made me feel like I had been saved. Her smile, wrapped in rising steam, looked almost mystical, and I forced myself to smile back while desperately holding back the tears that threatened to spill.

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