[Scum Mob Reincarnation] I Awakened to the Bug Skill "Erotic Doujin" in an All-Ages Dating Simulation Game, so I’m Going to Enjoy All the Super-Cute Heroines Like It’s an Eroge~ The Protagonist Is Too Pathetic, so It’s Okay if I Steal the Heroines, Right? - Chapter 8 - ◇ The Boy I Always Loved ◇ [Iroha’s POV]

Chapter 8 – ◇ The Boy I Always Loved ◇ [Iroha’s POV]

[Iroha’s POV]

It’s been years since I stepped into my childhood friend’s house.

In the messy room, there are traces of childhood memories.

“Sorry, Iroha. It’s messy, but have a seat.”

“O-okay.”

Ryouji and I were classmates and lived near each other. We used to play together in elementary school.

But after his dad left, and his mom started working nights at a bar, things changed.

He changed.

His words became rough, and he started picking fights with anyone and everyone.

He was so passionate about martial arts, but even that got him expelled because of how violent he became.

But now… I don’t know why, but something about him feels different.

That harsh, aggressive aura is gone. Instead, he reminds me of the warm, kind older brother——or maybe the clingy little brother——he used to be.

When we were little, he was like a spoiled little brother, but after we grew up, he became like a reliable older brother.

His appearance is still rough, but the intimidating stubble is gone, and even his voice has softened.

“It’s been years since we last talked like this…”

“I wonder… I can’t even remember. But I’m really glad you decided to stop by.”

“Ryoji…”

“I was hoping we could talk again like we used to… I’ve done a lot of stupid things… I didn’t think I could ever face you again, Iroha.”

“Idiot, I never cared about any of that.”

A sense of relief rose within me when he called me Iroha like he used to.

“Can I…call you Ryo-kun again?”

“Of course. And… Can I call you Iroha again too?”

As we reminisced about the past, he smiled, the same smile I remember from our childhood.

And I, overjoyed, found myself talking more and more, unable to stop.

His smiling face brought back memories of the past.

I liked Ryo-kun. In the past, he had a carefree smile, he was kind, strong, and dependable.

I still remember him taking martial arts classes and coming home covered in wounds. Seeing him like that always made me worry.

Though we were classmates, I thought of him like an older brother. But, somewhere along the way, those feelings slowly turned into something more——something I can clearly remember as love.

The warmth and the pleasant, heart-thumping feelings are definitely still there inside me.

“Iroha…”

“Ryo-kun… Eh, ah…”

Before I knew it, he was sitting next to me. Then, he laid down his big body and put his head on my lap.

I never thought he’d do something like this, but strangely enough, I accepted it.

For a moment, I felt a slight sense of danger, but he leaned into me like he was seeking comfort.

“Ryo-kun…”

“Sorry… I know it’s pathetic, but when I saw your face after such a long time, I couldn’t help myself.”

As I put my fingers into his rough, dyed blonde hair and combed it with my fingers, I could hear Ryo-kun’s faint breathing.

“Such a spoiled brat…”

“Please don’t say that… I know it myself.”

“You’re spoiled, but cute…”

He turned his face away to hide his embarrassment, and he looked just like he did when he lost a fight as a child.

For some reason, I felt a bit light-headed and started feeling a warm, pleasant sensation spread through me.

I continued stroking his hair, immersed in the good mood.

◇　◇　◇

T/N: Dem, this is somewhat wholesome, me liek…