The Villain Who Got Pinned Down Until He Ran Out Of Stamina ~ This Time I Raised The Protagonist's Affection Too Much And Everyone Fell For Me~

After lunch, we had a session to learn about nature, listening to a presentation while looking at materials projected on a screen. It was supposed to be a thought-provoking talk… but being full from lunch, I didn’t remember much after a certain point.

After dinner, we had free time until lights out at 10:40 PM.

I had gone to the vending machine because I was thirsty. Just as I was about to head back to my room with my drink…

“Hey, Kasajima-kun. What a coincidence.”

“Mahiro-san…”

Mahiro approached me while waving her hand.

“Good work today. It was fun but tiring, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah, it was…”

…Was this one of those patterns where I had to continue the conversation? Having completely missed my chance to escape, I watched as Mahiro bought a drink from the vending machine.

“Well, Kasajima-kun. You know why I’m here, right?”

“Why you’re… ah…”

“I want you to take some ‘candid’ photos of Yuito during the school trip…”

No, that was not the right memory.

“Three would be fine. Could you give me some photos with Yuito in them?”

That’s it. And I had suggested limiting it to two photos instead.

I took out my smartphone from my pocket and operated it.

“I managed to take several…”

“Oh? May I see them?”

“You’re clever, Mahiro-san.”

She probably intended to have me send her the photos of Yuito that she liked.

When I showed her the photos, Mahiro brought her face close to the smartphone screen, looking intently. She would probably look at all the photos I took, and after a few seconds, she started scrolling sideways.

After viewing them all, Mahiro said, “I wasn’t expecting much, but… these are quite a nice collection. Especially this one… Yuito dozing off lying on the bed in the room… adorably cute ♡.”

There it was, that melting expression.

She seemed satisfied.

“But isn’t this photo almost like voyeurism?”

“…You’re the one who asked for it in the first place.”

“How kind of you~”

Her bashful appearance was cool too. But combined with my embarrassment, it was somewhat annoying!!

Sorry to Yuito, but this was the one photo I’d taken without permission. Taking a sleeping boy’s photo had made my heart race… for the first time. Of course, I meant in the sense of being nervous about whether I’d get caught taking the photo.

“Anyway, this one for the first photo. For the second one… I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s photos.”

“I thought you’d say that.”

So I’d be taking more photos of Yuito tomorrow too. My photo folder was already full of pictures of Yuito and me together. If someone saw it, they’d get the wrong idea.

“I’m heading back now. It was helpful that you were right here, Kasajima-kun.”

“I was startled when you approached me.”

“You’re exaggerating. Just because I’m popular in class…”

A heroine who was aware of her own popularity… I didn’t dislike that. Too much modesty or denseness eventually got annoying.

“The popular Mahiro-san must have a busy evening schedule too.”

“Actually, I received an invitation from some girls in our class. Not in a sexual way, of course! They want to play cards.”

“I see. So, Riina-san too?”

I imagined them as a set.

Though I’d asked without any particular meaning… I didn’t miss how Mahiro’s expression darkened momentarily.

“Riina… despite appearances, she’s not good with socializing. I think she’s just lounging in her room tonight too.”

“I see.”

“Well then, I’ll be going now.”

Mahiro left, waving her hand.

“…She cut the conversation short suddenly.”

As if to avoid talking any more about Riina… about her past.

“Ugh… why are you here at this timing… Is this harassment…?”

On my way back to my room, I found Riina leaning her back against the wall in the hallway.

…Wasn’t she supposed to be lounging in her room?

“I need to talk to you.”

“…Really?”

I tried to ignore her… but she spoke to me as if she had been waiting.

“What if I refuse? Why me?”

“I’ll scream. I thought you would… understand since we’re similar.”

Though she seemed to be evading the content of the talk, I somewhat understood. She probably wanted to talk about her past. She was talking to me because we shared the same situation of being easily misunderstood by appearances.

But why so suddenly…

Getting involved with the beautiful sisters was scary, but ignoring her seemed wrong…

After deliberating, I said, “Sorry, but come back later.”

“Are you running away again, like at the amusement park…?”

“I haven’t taken a bath yet.”

“You haven’t taken one yet?”

It was understandable that Riina was surprised.

It was past 9 PM. Most students would have finished bathing early to enjoy their free time.

“It’s the public bath, by the way. Because Yuito said he wanted to go.”

“…Then I’ll come back later.”

“Please do. Also, it’s conspicuous here, so let’s meet where the vending machines are. I should be done around 9:40.”

“Understood.”

Riina walked in the opposite direction, perhaps returning to her room.

Where was the annoyance from the amusement park? She’d complied so obediently.

She really wanted me to hear her out… the morning incident must have affected her significantly.

◆

“There’s really no one here. Sorry, Yuji-kun, it’s because I fell asleep.”

“It’s totally fine. Actually, it’s better to have it to ourselves.”

Yuito and I were in the changing room of the public bath.

As expected, most students had taken their baths early, so only we were in the changing room.

Just as I started unbuttoning my shirt, Yuito spoke.

“By the way, while you were out of the room, our classmate Tajima-kun came by.”

“Oh?”

“He said they’re collecting 300 yen from each class member for Takebayashi-sensei’s birthday present, and to give it to Tajima-kun by today or tomorrow.”

“So they’re going ahead with the present after all.”

Well, I expected that.

Our class had 25 students, so… that was 7,500 yen total. They must have chosen quite a nice present.

“Apparently, they’re giving the present tomorrow.”

“Doesn’t that make it not a birthday present anymore?”

Well, I supposed it was a birthday present that included a surprise element. Giving a birthday present when the teacher was completely distracted from not being celebrated on the actual day… he’d definitely burst into tears.

“Also, Yuji-kun.”

“Hm?”

Instead of continuing with present-related talk, Yuito was fidgeting…

“Um, if it’s alright… could you turn around? I’m… embarrassed…”

“Oh, I understand…”

It was normal to feel embarrassed showing your body during puberty.

I turned in the opposite direction.

“Th-thank you.”

“Sure.”

Having finished taking off my shirt, I suddenly remembered.

“Until you verify the penis, they’re a girl.”

Hibari’s strange saying really stuck in my mind.