Waking Up Engaged to a Cool Yandere Beauty: My Wild Journey with a Love-Obsessed Senior - Episode 25: The Rise of the Dark Horse. Could They Be the Second Protagonist!?

Episode 25: The Rise of the Dark Horse. Could They Be the Second Protagonist!?

“…That’s enough, isn’t it? Step aside, Kuremiya.” Mariri proclaimed before she stood a man in the hallway of the West Building—a literal embodiment of bulk.

“I won’t step aside. They want to see the club president.”

There was a peculiar determination on his face, one that suggested he wouldn’t budge no matter what. His eyes had the stubborn glint of a child unwilling to back down.

Mariri decided it would only be fitting to play her trump card in that case.

“I see. If you step aside now, I was considering purchasing a bench press for the clubroom.”

For a moment, silence hung between them. “…Guhah! You got me!” Kuremiya collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.

Victory. “Not bad, Kuremiya. But you’re too much of a musclehead. Now then… with no one left to hinder my return home…”

“Not so fast, President.” “You!!”Emerging from behind the fallen hulk of a man was a soldier with golden hair.

“Isaka Akira. Reporting for duty. Looks like I made it just in time.”

“So, it’s you.” Frankly, if Uka had shown up here, it would have been a complete mental wipeout for Mari, but if it was this guy, she could handle it somehow.

“Glad I found you before Rei did.” “Ha, ha!? What are you even—!?”

“Let’s have an honest talk, shall we? Unlike Rei or this moron lying here, I know how to read the room.”

“Wait! What are you even—?” “We could chat here, but let’s change the setting, yeah? This guy seems to be faking it anyway.”

Shinji’s shoulder gave a noticeable twitch. Way too obvious.

“…Fine.” Mariri and Akira decided to head to the rooftop. The fact that the lock on the door was broken and staff still hadn’t noticed gave them free access.

They climbed the stairs and opened the steel door. A strong wind greeted them as they stepped onto the rooftop, revealing a clear blue sky and jagged mountains beyond the fence.

The two leaned against the fence, maintaining a distance of about a meter between them.

“President, you like him, don’t you?” Akira broke the silence, speaking as if he were casually naming her favorite food.“!?”

Mariri was at a loss for words. Anything she said would feel like digging her own grave.

“What’s your goal…?” “Didn’t I say it? Let’s have an honest talk. That’s all I’m here for.”

Akira began rummaging through his pocket, pulling out a small white-and-red box and a lighter.

“Mind if I smoke?” “Go ahead. Didn’t know you were a smoker.”

“Well, just occasionally.” Something about him seemed entirely different from his usual self. Typically, he was goofy, stupid, and always up to something ridiculous. But now, he carried himself with a surprising air of maturity.

“Thinking I’m different from usual? Well, I’m a guy who tends to mirror the vibe around me. If I’m with idiots, I’ll act like one too.”

“Uh, okay. I guess.” He sounded cool, but Akira was completely oblivious to the fact that people called him “The Golden Idiot” behind his back.

“Ahem. So, what do you want, Izaka?” “Nothing much. I just thought if my best friend had someone they liked, I’d like to see who it is.”

“Ha!? That’s not—!” “Lies. I told you, I can read the room.”

Confidently. And annoyingly accurate. Mari couldn’t deny it—he’d hit the mark.

But—“No! To me, you’re just an idiot, okay!?”

Mari couldn’t help but recall his horrendous swing during the sports festival. No matter how cool he tried to act, she couldn’t see him any other way.

“…Anyway, what do you want to know?” “What’s so great about him?”

“Ha!? That’s—!” “Honestly, I thought he was cooler last year. Had that aloof vibe, like he wouldn’t let anyone get too close.”

As he said this, Mariri couldn’t help but picture Rei from a year ago.

Always scowling, like emotions were alien to him. Rude, unsociable, and lacking basic politeness. Yet, despite all that, he had an odd charm that made him popular among the girls.

Sure, he looked cool, but that wasn’t what drew Mari to him.

“…That’s not it. He’s better than himself. He’s fun to be around and a good person.”

“Ah, you do like him.” “Wha—!” She’d been tricked. Damn it! “So, are you going to confess?”

Akira exhaled a puff of smoke, grinning mischievously. “There’s no way…” Because Uka… he already has someone.“Well, isn’t that fine?”

“Huh?” “Honestly, I couldn’t care less who Rei dates. But,” Akira said, extinguishing his cigarette and turning sharp eyes toward Mariri, “he’s my best friend. So if you’re going to mess with him, don’t do it half-heartedly.”

“…Hey, Uka.” “Yeah? What’s up?” They were still searching for the club president when Sunahashi tugged at his shirt sleeve.

“W-what do you think of Mariri—the president?” “Mariri? Well, I trust her, owe her a lot, and yeah, she’s cute.”

Not just her looks, but her demeanor, her words, the little things that made her who she was.

“R-really. Then… do you see her as someone you could… love?” “What’s with you all of a sudden?”

Though Sunahashi’s behavior was always a little odd, today, he seemed especially awkward—like he had something he desperately wanted to say.

“N-never mind that! Just answer me!” His nervousness was clear, but his eyes were serious.

“Well…” Why couldn’t he find the words? Was he hesitating? No, he had a girlfriend already.

“—Answer me, Uka.” “Why are you so…” Something was chilling about the intensity in Sunahashi’s gaze.

“Mari’s serious! She… she likes you! So why… why didn’t you realize it when you’ve always been together!?” “…No way.” The meaning behind his words. The sheer weight of Sunahashi’s impassioned plea.

“That means…” He wasn’t dense enough, or foolish enough, not to understand.