I’ve Been Reincarnated as the Strongest Villain in an NTR Eroge, so I’m Going to Break the Heroines’ Doom Flags on Behalf of the Main Character! - Chapter 21 - Joint Investigation With Shiori

Chapter 21 – Joint Investigation With Shiori

“You look absolutely amazing! The detailed decorations are just like in the show——”

After the photo session, I watched Nanami talk to the man from a distance. As far as I could see, there were no problems. It would be fine if it ended like this… But as I was thinking that, Shiori called out to me with a serious look on her face.

“…Is there some bad rumor about that person?”

“No… It’s just a gut feeling.”

Right. This is purely just a hunch. Even if those two were to start dating, there’s a chance it would be a healthy relationship. If that’s the case, it would be fine. But how to confirm that fact? A successful man like him wouldn’t easily reveal his true nature.

“Alright. Then I’ll step in.”

Before I could come up with some kind of solution, Shiori moved towards the two of them.

“…Please be careful.”

“I understand. I’ll call you immediately if anything happens.”

That man wouldn’t want to cause a fuss in a place like this either. Believing that she would find some kind of evidence, I decided to leave it to Shiori.

……

…

“Sorry. Can I take a picture for you too?”

“Eh?!”

“Oh, I’m sorry. We were just talking… Yes, of course. Do you have any specific requests for the pose?”

When I called out to him, the man readily agreed. I couldn’t sense any bad vibes from his appearance or the way he spoke. I hope it was just a groundless worry from Ibuse-kun.

“Well… I’m not very familiar with these kinds of events myself… I came here today to accompany this girl. And since you were so lovely, I couldn’t help it. Do you have any recommended poses? I’ll leave it to you.”

“I see. So, you’re friends.”

“…Ah, yes! That’s right!”

After the man confirmed that Nanami and I were friends, he smiled with satisfaction.

“Thank you for the compliment. Let’s go with a powerful pose.”

And so he struck a pose that I didn’t really understand, and I took just one photo for the time being. It was my first time taking a photo with someone, but… this is good. I’ll take a photo of Ibuse-kun’s sleeping face someday.

“Thank you. It was a good experience.”

“No, thank you… By the way, I was talking with your friend about your plans after this…”

I see. You really have a good sense when it comes to these kinds of situations.

“No, nothing in particular.”

“Then how about we go out for dinner? There’s a party after this, and of course I won’t be the only one, so don’t worry.”

“But we’re still students and underage, so we can’t stay up late…”

“Don’t worry about that either. There will be other student participants, so we plan to wrap up early. After all, the event continues tomorrow. We adults can’t drink too much either.”

The invitation made sense and seemed very reasonable. However…

“What do you want to do?”

“Eh… Me?”

I started talking to Nanami, who was looking at me with a worried look on her face.

“Do you want to go?”

“W-well… I was thinking I’d like to talk more if possible. I have some things I want to discuss, and I heard there will be many famous cosplayers coming too… I’ve already told my mom I’d be out late…”

“I see.”

I could forcefully pull Nanami away, but it seems better to discuss this with Ibuse-kun first.

“Sorry. I need to think about it for a moment. I have to contact my parents too.”

“Understood. If you decide to come, just send me a DM.”

After telling us this, the man went off somewhere. Once he was out of sight, Nanami spoke to me.

“…Are you worried about me? It’s okay, Shiori-chan. He’s famous and he’s not a bad person. He’s really kind for helping out an amateur like me.”

“…I hope that’s true.”

Nanami has completely deified that man. She must have seen him as such a distant figure that now that she’s close, she’s blinded.

Because of this, she doesn’t notice his gaze, the creepy way he kept staring at our bodies.

With that in mind, I took Nanami, who seemed like she wanted to say something, and we headed back to Ibuse-kun.

…

……

“I see…”

While Nanami was taking photos of another cosplayer, Shiori told me the information she had obtained earlier.

The man’s smooth talk and his gaze toward Shiori and Nanami were suggestive, but none of that was conclusive. Still, it was useful information.

“What will you do? Nanami seems quite smitten with that man. If we don’t intervene, she’ll likely go to the meal with him.”

“Well, there’s not much we can do…”

There are still many uncertainties. It might just be a regular after-party. It’s important to consider the possibility of something more, but there is too little evidence. It’s doubtful that Nanami will be convinced.

“Apparently, a lot of people will be attending. It’s hard to imagine them doing something to a minor. Maybe we should just issue a stern warning to Nanami?”

“…If that’s the case, I’d like the President to accompany Nanami to the after-party. I’ll cover the expenses, and if anything happens, I’ll wait at a nearby restaurant.”

“Understood… Fufu.”

As Shiori and I were seriously discussing the matter, she suddenly burst into laughter.

“What is it?”

“Well… I told you my parents were police officers, right? That’s why I admired them, too. You know, they also have conversations like this. Apparently my parents worked together when they were young. Sometimes they helped each other, sometimes they clashed, but they worked hard together, and before they knew it, they got marri——Ahh!!”

After talking proudly about her parents, Shiori suddenly blushed and became flustered.

“No, no! I’m not saying you and I are like my parents or anything!?”

“…Well, isn’t that obvious?”

“…You’re such a dense guy.”

“Why!?”

Even though I replied that it was obvious, for some reason she became upset.

“…Anyway, I’ll let Nanami know I’ll be going too. It should make her feel a bit more at ease than if she were going alone.”

“Thank you. And——”

“Don’t do anything reckless. Right?”

Before I could give my warning, Shiori pressed her finger to her lips and responded.

“…Got it.”

I was taken aback by her adult-like yet childish behavior, and instinctively looked away from Shiori.

“…What’s wrong?”

Shiori must have sensed something in my attitude, as she entered my gaze, which I had averted, and peered into my face.

“No… It’s nothing.”

“It’s definitely not nothing. When you act like that, you’re definitely hiding something. Come on, spill it. I won’t get mad, just tell me. Come on.”

Shiori kept pushing closer and closer. She accuses me of being dense, but now she’s acting like this herself. She should look in the mirror.

“What is it? It’s pointless to hide things now. Or are you planning to do something behind the scenes like you did when you helped me? Trying to show off in front of Nanami?”

“I’m not! And please don’t bring up that incident again. It was really embarrassing when it got exposed…”

“In that case, you should confess. Come on. Don’t think you can outwit me.”

When Shiori gets like this, she can be really persistent. It might be easier just to confess…

“…Shiori-chan, you seem to be having fun.”

“What?! No… I’m not having fun!?? Definitely not!!!”

As we were going back and forth like this, Nanami had come back to us without us even realizing it. Hearing Nanami’s remark, Shiori started to panic again, and thanks to that, her focus on me was lost.

Afterwards, Shiori decided to join the after-party and informed Nanami, who, looking very pleased, sent a message to the cosplayer.