I, Who Reincarnated as the Villain in a Romance Game, Somehow Became Doted on by the Heroine. And That Heroine Turned Out to Be a Yandere Stalker - Chapter 18: The Incident Where Fujitou Mitsu Turns Out to Be the Villain After All

Episode 18: The Incident Where Fujitou Mitsu Turns Out to Be the Villain After All

Several months have passed since I, Fujitou Mitsu, came to this world. The cherry blossoms have withered away, and the classmates who were once tentative around each other have formed close-knit groups.

“Hey, Tendou-kun, let’s hang out sometime!”
“Tendou, why only play with Reika?”
“Shu-chan, you’re going to the mall with me!”

Tendou Tsukasa, or perhaps I should say the former protagonist, has become a central figure among them. Just as in the original work, the girls who don’t interact with me are forming a harem.

The cute and stylish Reika, the tsundere Mimi, and the little sister character Mana are all present. While they are all popular main routes in the original work, it feels odd that the true heroine is missing from the mix.

The princess of Yo’inyo Academy—Yuzaki Hiyono-san.

She commands respect among her classmates. However, she rarely interacts with Tendou Tsukasa, just like Rinka, Mi-kai, and Chiu, who all seem uninterested.

Undoubtedly, it can be said that I’m disrupting the original work’s flow.

While it’s nice to become a prominent character, part of me wishes I could have remained in the background like a mob character. However, that’s not possible, as I’m nothing but the villain waiting for destruction in this world.

I’ve overcome both small and big challenges.

And today, I’m about to face another major event. To be honest, I’m quite nervous…

“Mitsu-san, you look quite serious today.”
“Huh? Oh, do I? Just lost in thought, I guess.”

It seems my expression gave me away. But my gaze is fixed on Tendou Tsukasa.

Today, he and I are going to have a confrontation. And I’ll be accused by our classmates.

The reason for this—well, it’s starting.

“Hey, has anyone seen my gym uniform that I left here?”

A girl casually throws out those words, and gradually, more people join in. Of course, Tendou Tsukasa overhears it.

While we’re not going as far as accusing anyone, the search begins.

Could it have been misplaced? Was it intentionally hidden? And after asking everyone, Tendou-kun finally comes to me.

“…Fujitou-kun, do you know where her gym uniform is?”

If this were the original work, I’d say, “Huh? It was in the way, so I tossed it outside.”

And I—

“Huh? It was in the way, so I tossed it outside.”

Just as in the original, I say it with a smirk.

◇

“I knew it would be tough…”

After school, I’m slumped over on the rooftop. The mental shock is substantial.

After that, I faced a torrent of criticism from everyone. They see me as the lowest of the low, as expected of Fujitou.

By the way, the gym uniform really was outside the window. It was caught in the bushes, making it quite a hassle to retrieve.

Without a doubt, I’m bombarded with insults and backstabbing.

“…Mitsu-san, are you okay?”
“Hiyono-san?”

I suddenly notice Hiyono-san standing next to me. Like me, she’s looking out over the rooftop.

“Are you okay…? It must have been tough.”

My heart pounds. Why? What’s wrong? Why does she think I’m suffering?

“What do you mean… what’s tough?”
“It looks like you’re really suffering. From the classmates’ insults and gossip. I wanted to defend you, but I thought it might make things worse.”

“Defend me? What are you talking about?”

I didn’t understand. I made sure everyone heard me say, “It was in the way, so I tossed it outside.” Surely Hiyono-san heard it too. Why defend me?

“Well, even if you did do it, there must have been a reason, or maybe the other person was at fault, right?”

Suddenly turning to face me, Hiyono-san brushes her hair back coolly. Finally, she smiles.

She believes in me unconditionally, and if the other person was at fault, she’ll stand by my side.

Inconceivable. How could she…?

“…What if there was no reason? What if I just did it because I was annoyed?”
“Well, in that case, let’s go apologize together. People have bad moods sometimes, you know?”

“Why are you on my side like this?”
“Because I know the real you. You helped me when I was being bullied, stopped Rin’s bad behavior, cheered up Mi-kai, helped Chiu with her truancy, and even caught a peeping tom. With such kindness, why would I doubt you?”

Her transparent voice and sincere gaze. She’s even more thoughtful and wonderful than I imagined. I should have explained from the beginning…

“Thank you… Hiyono-san. But for now… can you not ask me anything?”
“Sure thing! Shall we go home then?”

Without saying anything, without asking anything, Hiyono-san reaches out her hand to me. I accept it.

◇

A week later, Tendou-kun calls me out to the backyard. He looks puzzled as he asks me,

“Fujitou-kun, why did you lie?”
“…What do you mean?”
“You didn’t throw away the gym uniform, did you? A classmate just told me it was her. It was… me.”

“Hmph, I don’t know.”

Yes, I lied. Just as in the original.

This was an essential, losing event.

Suppose we label the girl whose gym uniform was mistakenly thrown away as A, and the girl who threw it away outside as B.

B happened to find A’s gym uniform and was trying to move it when she stumbled and accidentally dropped it outside. Naturally, B could just say it was an accident. However, she couldn’t.

Because A and B had recently been quarreling and had a strained relationship. It might have started from something trivial, but it was clear that this was done out of spite. As B struggled to explain, I noticed and lied to cover for her. It’s like a template episode where the villain has some redeeming qualities.

Of course, my reputation takes a hit. However, Tendou-kun learns the truth and becomes interested in Fujitou Mitsu, raising his favorability towards me. Moreover, it was the only option for A and B to reconcile. If I had accused B as the culprit, the misunderstanding would not have been resolved, and A and B would have remained estranged. I wanted to help those two as well.

Knowing all this, being condemned as the worst of the worst by everyone is still tough. Moreover, I couldn’t prepare for this event since I didn’t know when it would happen. I only realized the moment the gym uniform was dropped.

“I don’t know anything.”
“…Fujitou-kun, wait.”
“See ya.”

It may seem calculating, but it was a necessary event. I was prepared for it, but now the burden has finally lifted.

However, the condemnation from everyone remains the

same. Although the two girls clarify it was a misunderstanding, they still think Fujitou Mitsu made them say it.

“Huh… Hiyono-san?”

But at the school gate, Hiyono-san is waiting for me.

“Is the conversation over? Shall we go home? It seems like the misunderstanding has been cleared up.”
“…Did you know everything?”
“I wonder, but I do know that the two girls have made up without a fight.”

I’m impressed. Apparently, I can’t hide anything from Hiyono-san.

“I’ve been defeated.”
“Hehe, Fujitou-san, you’re amazing as always.”

However, my reputation has taken a hit. Everyone caused me grief…

“Mitsu-chi! Let’s go home!”
“Tch, Tendou-kun… Thanks for your hard work.”
“Stupid, stupid ♡”
“Big bro! Let’s go!”
“Oh, Onii! Let’s go!”

Rin, Mi-kai, Chiu, and the delinquent kid appear from ahead.

“Why… you guys…”
“We were going to defend you right away, but Hiyono-san said to stay quiet for now and let you handle it!”
“…Yeah. So I know everything.”

I see. They probably stopped because they knew I was trying to do something, and they stayed silent after understanding what I wanted.

“Thanks… Hiyono-san. Well then… let’s go home.”

Even now, there will be several events to come. However, with my friends by my side, I can overcome anything.

“Any reward, Mitsu-san?”
“Hah, well then. Let’s go.”

Hiyono-san extends her hand to me. I take it.

“Ah! Unfair! Me too!”
“Me too…”
“Me too! Me too!”
“Onii, me too!”
“Delinquent, not you.”

On the way home, I feel like I’ve come to love this world even more.

I took a step back but felt like I’ve taken four steps forward.