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 the school camping trip ended, a week passed in the blink of an eye. It was almost June.

“Thanks for the meal. Phew, today’s food was delicious too.”

I rubbed my full stomach after finishing the dinner Hibari had prepared for me.

Hibari placed after-dinner coffee in front of me and began clearing the dishes.

“It was nothing special. Yuji-sama, you eat with such enthusiasm that it’s satisfying to watch. It makes cooking worthwhile.”

“That’s because Hibari’s food is delicious. I even had three extra servings of rice today.”

Today’s menu was ginger pork. Pork loin tended to get tough when grilled, but Hibari’s ginger pork had each slice of meat tender, coated perfectly in a slightly thick sauce that made me smile the moment I tasted it. It was exquisite—no wonder I kept adding more rice. Every time I thought this, as her cooking skills were genuinely restaurant-level.

“I’m very happy when you say it’s delicious, but if your food intake and exercise aren’t balanced, you’ll eventually gain weight.”

“Yeah, I know…”

Lately, I’d been subtly concerned about my weight… Since Kasajima’s original build was so good, I was afraid that someday the muscles would turn to fat and I’d head straight toward obesity. I wanted to avoid that fat flag. Sit-ups, back exercises, push-ups… I should do more today.

“By the way, Mahiro-san… no, that won’t work. A girl in our class apparently took a photo of me and Hibari.”

“A photo? Was it taken without permission?”

“Ah, no… My explanation was a bit lacking. On the day the camping trip ended, apparently we looked like we were having an enjoyable conversation as we left the school gate, and she couldn’t help but take a photo. She said she printed them out in case we wanted them.”

Well, it was close to unauthorized photography, though.

“I received two copies, so would you like one, Hibari?”

“I don’t particularly like photos. No matter how many times I’m photographed, my expression is always expressionless.”

“Oh, I see…”

Maybe this was a topic I shouldn’t have brought up…

I had heard that Hibari had struggled during her school days because she couldn’t express her emotions well. And when we went to the amusement park, she’d confided in me about worrying about her expressionless face.

I glanced at the photo I’d gotten from Mahiro after returning home. The quality was excellent since it was taken with a DSLR camera, and while Hibari maintained her usual expressionless face… the atmosphere somehow looked fun.

“Well, I won’t force you… But you know, they say the school trip isn’t over until you return home. So that photo becomes part of our school trip memories together… or something like that. Hahaha…”

Wham was I saying? Hibari didn’t even participate in the school camping trip, and she’d already mentioned she was uncomfortable being photographed. Of course she’d refuse…

“In that case, I’ll take it.”

“Oh, really? Then I’ll give you the photo later.”

“Thank you. Yuji-sama, you’re very good with words.”

“Huh? Thank you?”

“The fact that you do it unconsciously is somewhat… sigh“

“What?! What was that sigh for?! Was what I said earlier actually an insult?!”

I thought I was gradually getting better at reading her expressions, but… sometimes I just couldn’t understand what Hibari was thinking. Could I be dense? No, no. I was not some dense protagonist from a story, definitely not.

The next day, after the first period ended, during break time.

One group in the classroom was particularly lively.

“Mahiro-san, listen to this!”

“My story goes first!”

“I have something too!”

“Calm down, everyone. We have classes until sixth period. That means six break times… I can listen to each of you properly.”

“Mahiro-saaaan!”

When Mahiro smiled, the girls around her melted. Just like in the game, she was incredibly popular. As expected of the prince.

Quite some time had passed since the entrance ceremony, and the girls who’d initially only watched Mahiro from afar were now approaching her more directly. Mahiro seemed to handle it skillfully, so there appeared to be no problems. Meanwhile, Riina was happily interacting with Yuito, taking advantage of Mahiro being preoccupied with the girls.

“Ah, the bell is about to ring.”

“Mahiro-san! Let’s talk again during the next break!”

“Of course.”

I stood up as soon as Mahiro was finally alone. Yuito, who sat near Mahiro, gave me an expectant look, but… sorry, Yuito. This time it’s not about you.

I approached Mahiro from behind. For some reason, Riina was glaring at me…

“Mahiro-san, do you have a moment?”

“Oh, Kasajima-kun. What is it?”

“I wanted to thank you again for the photos. Thank you.”

“I should be apologizing for taking them without permission.”

“Well, that’s… not news anymore, is it?”

This prince had even asked me to secretly photograph Yuito before.

“Haha, that’s true. I guess you’re used to it, Kasajima-kun.”

“Not that I’m happy about it. Oh, the photos turned out really well.”

“It’s because I use a somewhat expensive DSLR camera. I’m glad you liked them. Did your maid receive hers as well?”

“Yes. She must have liked it because she put it in a frame and displayed it. Mine’s just in an album.”

“I see. That makes me happy.”

Just as I was about to return to my seat after finishing my business…

“Alright, everyone take your seats! We’re about to start the quiz I mentioned yesterday!”

Our second-period math teacher, Ishitsuru-sensei, entered the classroom carrying a stack of papers. Sensei was in her early thirties with black straight hair and glasses, looking sharp in her suit.

Huh? Quiz…? Did she just say “quiz”?