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 22 - Bold Confessions

Chapter 22 – Bold Confessions

The party started, and I waited at a nearby coffee shop for an hour, wondering if I would be called.

During that time, nothing happened.

I had asked Shiori to contact me immediately if anything happened, but there’s been nothing from her for the last 30 minutes. The shop they’ve gone into seems to be a famous chain in this world, and there were many other customers there, so it didn’t seem like any trouble was going to happen.

“Damn it…”

I swore softly, surrounded by the smell of coffee, which I didn’t like.

It was something I had expected from the beginning. There was no talk of Nanami getting involved in any incidents in the game, I also looked up that man on the internet while I was waiting, but not a single bad rumor had come up.

The reason I was suspicious of that man in the first place was just speculation. This is the world of that NTR-themed game, after all, and that man was in that kind of relationship with Nanami, one of the heroines. Naturally, I thought he was suspicious. I had hoped there would be some hidden motive.

“…I’m the worst.”

Somewhere in my heart, I had hoped that maybe Nanami would be drugged or threatened, and that I would be the only one who could save her.

Ibuse Reo has given me overwhelming power as a male, something that was unthinkable in my previous life. I had deluded myself to be a hero, thinking I knew everything about this world. I was convinced that I could do anything now.

Even when I saved Akari, there was no need to exchange contact information with her. It could have been anything else in return.

In Shiori’s case, there was no need to go out of my way to fight with those guys. I should have just explained the situation to Shiori, got all the evidence I could, and called the police.

As for the protagonist… Miyano Kaede hates me. Even though he hates me, I also avoided talking to him because I was afraid. I was scared that if I approached him, everything I had gained would be taken away.

Eating lunch with my annoying junior, laughing together with a serious senior while being scolded by her, getting closer to a gloomy classmate who’s scared of me…

Everything I wanted from that game is right in front of me.

“I really am the worst…”

As I was blaming myself and struggling with the thoughts in my head, my smartphone started ringing. I looked at the screen and saw that it was Shiori. Maybe something happened…

“What’s wrong?!”

“I-Ibuse-kun, you’re too impatient.”

Shiori was surprised for a moment by my voice as I answered the phone vigorously, but she quickly calmed down and began to speak as if to cool me down.

“…We’re finishing up now. Nothing happened.”

“Is that so…”

I fell into self-loathing again. When I realized it was Shiori calling, I was excited that it was finally my turn to save the day.

But when she told me “nothing happened,” of all things, I thought “what a shame.”

“…Ibuse-kun. I’m so frustrated.”

While I was despairing over myself, Shiori’s voice on the other end of the call was filled with frustration.

“You were right. There’s definitely something going on with that guy. He was acting suspiciously during the party. But if they’re all brushed off as coincidences, I can’t argue against that. It’s frustrating, but… I can’t uncover what that man is hiding.”

Shiori’s frustrated tone only deepened my self-loathing. I wasn’t acting out of a sense of justice like Shiori was.

“I’ll talk to my parents about this. They might be able to uncover some evidence. As for Nanami… I’ll give her a strict warning for now. I’ll tell her to be cautious about interactions with people she met online.”

“…Please.”

Feeling completely pathetic, I decided to leave the coffee shop to meet up with the two of them.

“It was so much fun! I’m glad you came today! Thank you both for coming along!”

“I see. That’s good then.”

“…Yeah.”

Nanami looked very happy after the party. Her usual shyness was gone. She was talking about what happened today with glee.

I saw a glimpse of the angel in the game in her appearance. If she continues like this, she would probably progress as planned in the game and end up dating that guy.

Even if Shiori’s parents investigated the man, it might be too late. There’s a high chance Nanami could get involved in something bad.

I’ve been thoroughly defeated. A college student with no notable qualities in my previous life is no match for that cosplayer man. He’s in a realm beyond what a kid like me, who thought he understood society through games and part-time jobs, could reach.

“……”

I received a questioning look from Shiori, who was chatting with Nanami. I knew I had to do something. If Shiori was right, there must be something wrong with that man.

But how to stop it? Which option would save Nanami? How could I convince Nanami to avoid getting involved with that man?

I have no idea. As someone who only relied on game knowledge, I have no idea what to do…

“Oh, the train is coming soon! We need to hurry!”

“?!”

While I was lost in thought, we had suddenly reached the station. I heard that high-pitched sound from the platform, as if urging me to make a decision.

“…Wait!”

“Eh?!”

I instinctively grabbed Nanami’s hand. I felt like everything would end if we got on the train like this, so I didn’t think about what would happen afterwards.

“W-w-w-what is it?!!”

I also want to know what I’m doing. What do I really want to do? In the first place, Nanami’s doom flag is just my own imagination. So why am I so desperately worried and so obsessed with Nanami?

“Hey Kinoshita, do you like that guy?”

“Huh!? N-no, it’s not like I like him or anything…”

No, the answer should have already been clear from my earlier self-questioning.

I acted like a hero, saved the heroines, and there was only one thing I wanted beyond that.

I don’t care about things like a borrowed body or knowledge of the game right now. What’s wrong with helping a woman who I know will be unhappy in the future?

Right now I’m Ibuse Reo. Nothing more, nothing less. And there’s no way Ibuse Reo would let another man take his woman.

There’s no need to think about the consequences now. Don’t worry. There’s no turning back now that I’ve come this far.

“If that’s the case, then stop seeing that man.”

“Eh… why would Ibuse-kun say something like that…”

It’s all or nothing now. If this is the world of that game, then this is the quickest way to destroy the doom flag. This is the only way I can think of to help Nanami.

“…I like you.”

“……Ehhh????”

Nanami froze upon hearing my words, and Shiori, who had been anxiously beside me, looked as if she had seen a ghost.

“I’ve always… liked you.”

“Ehh??? What…??? Ehhh??? Me?”

It seems Nanami doesn’t understand what I’m talking about. Of course, there’s no way she could if it was said so abruptly.

“Yes, I like you.”

I continued to speak as if to pile on the flustered Nanami. Actually, I was really embarrassed too. My face felt like it was on fire.

“I want you to go out with me.”

“Huh…? Aah… I… I don’t know… what to say…”

Finally understanding my confession, Nanami started to act timid as if her enthusiastic attitude from a moment ago was a lie, reverting to her usual self.

To deliver the final blow, I pressed forward despite my embarrassment and delivered the most Ibuse Reo-esque line I could think of.

“Become my woman.”

“?!?!?!?!!!!”

When Nanami heard that, her face turned red. She pushed me away, and shouted in a voice I had never heard before.

“P-please let me think about it!!!!”

As if fleeing from me, Nanami passed through the ticket gate and disappeared onto the station platform.

“…Hah~”

The stares of the people around me hurt like crazy. I mean, confessing near the ticket gate? What was I thinking? Moreover, Nanami also ran away. This is definitely going to be exposed on social media.

But… before that…

“Ibusuki-kun???? Care to explain what’s going on???!!!”

Right now I need to deal with the raging woman next to me first.

……

…

“Oh, so that’s what it was… Don’t surprise me like that…”

“Sorry…”

We sat on a bench near the station and I told Shiori the truth behind my earlier confession. That said, I didn’t tell her about my past life or anything. I said my confession was just a last resort that I thought of on the spot.

“No, even if that’s the case, that’s no good, Ibuse-kun. It’s not good to make a fake confession. What if Nanami takes it seriously?”

“…I’ll take responsibility then.”

“But you have Akari-chan…”

Shiori tried to talk about Akari but stopped. She was probably trying to be considerate. But I understood that already without needing her to say it.

“It’s okay. I understand Sera’s feelings.”

“…What do you mean it’s okay? If you understand, then don’t casually talk about responsibility!”

Shiori, upset by my statement, stood up and grabbed my collar, scolding me. I had no right to argue with her anger.

“I’m disappointed! I thought you were someone who could care more about others…”

I was even prepared to be punched. But Shiori gradually suppressed her rising emotions, let go of my collar, and sat back down on the bench.

“…I’m sorry. I lost my composure.”

“It’s okay… I can understand why you got angry, Pres.”

Shiori was silent for a while, then exhaled as if making a decision, and faced me.

“You said you’d take responsibility if Nanami took it seriously. So, what about Akari-chan?”

“…I’ll take responsibility.”

“…This country doesn’t approve polygamous relationships, you know.”

“…Well, let’s change the law then.”

“Don’t joke about things like that…”

Shiori smiled at my ridiculous comment and suddenly started patting her lap.

“Hmm?”

“…I don’t want to.”

“Hmm?”

“No, there are people around…”

“Hmm!”

“…Fine.”

Deciding that I couldn’t make Shiori any more angry, I decided to obediently put my head on her lap.

“What’s wrong? Your face is red, you know?”

“Of course it is… I’m being watched…”

“I see. In that case, this is your punishment. Enjoy it to the fullest.”

It wasn’t just a lap pillow. She was gently stroking my hair, as if she were combing each strand. It was more than embarrassing.

“If Nanami does take your confession seriously… I’ll support you as well. Nanami might be okay, but Akari-chan will be angry. You won’t be able to handle it on your own then.”

“…Thanks.”

“I find it easier to entrust Nanami to you than that shady man. Though, given that you’ve been staring at Nanami’s chest, you might be the same type?”

“…It’s hard not to look at that.”

“Yes, yes. Akari-chan’s going to get angry with you again.”

Shiori spoke to me in a soft voice, as if she was soothing a child. Is she really a student?

“Oh? Your proud blonde hair is turning black. You should go get it dyed soon, shouldn’t you? Oh, but Nanami might be scared of blond hair, so it might be better to go back to black.”

“It doesn’t really matter what color it is…”

“No, it does matter. If you’re going to be Nanami’s boyfriend, you should take my advice.”

This situation is too embarrassing. At this point, I might as well pretend to be asleep. Actually, I might as well fall asleep for real.

“…Are you listening?”

Ignoring Shiori’s question, I pretended to fall asleep, deliberately making it sound like I was exhausted.

“…You’ve been on edge all day. Good job.”

That’s right. So just let me sleep in silence. Let me escape this embarrassment until the next train comes.

“…Hey, Reo-kun.”

Then suddenly, Shiori whispered my name in my ear. I have a really bad feeling about this. I feel like if I don’t wake up now, I’ll hear something outrageous.

Thinking that, I tried to open my eyes, but…

“I like you.”

My judgment was a step too late, and I ended up hearing the feelings Shiori had probably been hiding all this time.

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T/N: Kusoo!!! This strict senpai is too cute!!!!!!!