My New Life as a Mob Epilogue

For instance, I wonder what people think about the characters after a story ends. The protagonist, the heroines, the hero, the villain, and the countless nameless mobs.

Readers might not care at all about the fates of those who have stepped outside the framework of the story.

But personally, I find that a bit dissatisfying.

Take a single route in an eroge, for example. For the characters, the story shown is just a tiny fraction of their lives; a long, long continuation awaits them beyond the ending. A universal, mundane daily life that no one turns into a story must be waiting for them.

Then, what about the heroines who don't even get a route?

The so-called "losing heroines"—what becomes of their lives after losing the protagonist?

Do they look for a partner they can fall in love with even more than the protagonist? Or do they continue to pine for him for the rest of their lives?

In this world, everyone is the protagonist of their own life, and everyone is simultaneously a supporting character in someone else's.

From the perspective of a story, the protagonist is nothing more than a supporting character to the heroines.

I’ve rambled on for a while, but essentially, I only want to say one thing.

As the person who created Soshite Sekai wa Aiiro ni, I hate Soshite Sekai wa Aiiro ni more than anyone else in the world.

◇

Late at night after the entrance ceremony, the moment I woke up, I was convinced I had reincarnated as Saita Kanade.

A frail-looking appearance, a hunched back. And a room I recognized. I remember the eroge protagonist's room clearly because it gets used infinitely for sex scenes. There was no way I could mistake it.

"So, I'm in trouble... huh..."

I muttered blankly in the single room. Honestly, I don't remember if I died in my previous life. I only have memories of being about to start my fifth consecutive all-nighter, so perhaps my unhealthy lifestyle finally caught up with me.

It didn't feel real, but I checked the date and realized that today was the day the story of Seka-Ai began.

"Sending me here so suddenly, what am I supposed to do...? No, perhaps this is a trial entrusted to me."

I gently traced the smartphone screen displaying the date.

In my previous life, I was a scenario writer. I was the very person who wrote the script for 'Soshite Sekai wa Aiiro ni' and sent it out into the world. I thought of everything, from the heroines' personalities to the protagonist's background. I know things that aren't even in the fan books, let alone the main game.

Given that, if this reincarnation was executed with intent...

"Is this my last chance to change the scenario of 'Seka-Ai'?"

As long as it was being sold as a game, I had to think of the players first.

Practically speaking, that’s how I shaped the characters and wrote the story, but there are many points I'm not satisfied with.

However, now that I have reincarnated here, I can rewrite this story freely.

Not from a third-person perspective this time, but as the protagonist, Saita Kanade.

◇

There is only one reason why I hate And the World Turned Indigo.

In the main game, the emphasis is placed on the protagonist's growth. In other words, Seka-Ai is a harem rom-com about the pessimistic Saita Kanade learning to look forward.

But what about the heroines? While the protagonist saves them, they fundamentally function as existences that give advice to the protagonist.

In the story I created, none of the heroines' core problems are actually solved. After pulling the protagonist up, the heroines carry their traumas and backgrounds with them as the story just ends.

With things left in that state, it’s a bit dubious whether you can call it a true Happy End.

"In short, if I can just save the heroines properly, that’s all that matters, but..."

I sighed. My brain isn't working properly yet. I just reincarnated, after all. I guess that can't be helped. Deciding to observe the situation at school starting tomorrow before thinking further, I pulled the covers over my head again. There are still plenty of things I don't understand, but I am the person who created this world. No matter how the story deviates from the original route, I should be able to get it back on track.

Perhaps because there were fewer elements to worry about regarding the reincarnation than I expected, I fell asleep immediately without having time to think about anything else.

◇

A week has passed since I reincarnated into this world. Lately, I’ve dedicated my time to observing the situation and thinking about how I should move forward.

There hasn't been any major movement from Ayame, Kanna, or Natsuki. However, there is one thing that concerns me.

—The existence of Nishikikoji Kaede.

In the original work, he was the villain of this story—an indefensible piece of trash who continued to bully the protagonist.

That guy is, by all accounts, docile. He comes to school every day without absence, and apparently participates properly in committee activities. Although he seems to be avoided by his classmates, he doesn't seem to be interacting with them, yet he appears to be getting along amicably enough.

In the original settings, he was more like a delinquent, or rather, he should have been a mess of extortion and violence.

It’s too strange. Before I could even think it through, I arrived at one hypothesis.

Is it possible that Nishikikoji, just like me, has reincarnated into this world?

Conversely, I can't accept it unless I think of it that way.

Having established a hypothesis, I decided to try talking to Nishikikoji. I pride myself on having a reasonably good eye for people.

In my opinion, the person inside Nishikikoji is a good-natured, ordinary human. He’s not particularly aggressive.

When I spoke to him, he was a bit flustered, and when I tried to trick him by bringing up the conversation on the stair landing, he was clearly shaken.

My conclusion after talking to him a few times is that the person inside Nishikikoji is not harmful. Rather, since his actions are restricted by his fear of death flags, it seems I can make full use of him to move the story along.

While the classroom was buzzing with excitement, I sighed, remembering the time shortly after I was reincarnated into this world. In the end, things didn't go so well with Kanna. That’s because Nishikikoji made a move that exceeded my expectations.

"Time to think again, I guess..."

I muttered absently.

I believe that life is determined by choices.

—I want to see it. This world, where I have made my own choices.

◇

Around the time the rumors about Kanna had died down, my chat app made a ping sound.

The notification icon was Kanna's. The message read: Can I come over to your house now?

...Come to think of it, I did tell Kanna she could come over anytime.

After hesitating for a moment, I replied that it was okay.

She replied with Heading over now, and five minutes later, the chime rang. With that timing, she must have been right near my house.

I unlocked the auto-lock, and a short while later, Kanna in her uniform opened my door.

"Sorry for intruding, Nishikikoji-kun. Sorry for the sudden message ok?"

"No, I wanted to talk to you too."

That was half true and half lie.

In reality, I hadn't had any opportunity to talk to Kanna after that incident.

At school, I couldn't talk to her because I was theoretically the one who threatening her, and Kanna hadn't come to my house either. I thought our connection might have been cut off just like that, but surprisingly, Kanna came to see me right away.

However, strictly speaking, it would have been better for me as a mob if I had remained estranged from Kanna. With somewhat mixed feelings, I faced Kanna.

"Here. It’s nothing special, but."

A paper bag was thrust right in front of my eyes. It was from a cake shop nearby with a reputation for being delicious.

"No, it's fine. Honestly, I feel bad accepting it. I mean, I’m taking 'that' kind of attitude at school."

"Even so, the fact that the rumors disappeared is effectively thanks to you, Nishikikoji-kun, right? Take it."

Kanna forcibly took my hand and made me grip the paper bag.

"Can I look inside?"

"Go ahead, go ahead. I agonized over it quite a bit, you know~? Also, there’s a special present."

As told by Kanna, I opened the paper bag.

First, right on top, was indeed a cake box from the neighborhood shop.

But what caught my eye even more was something wrapped underneath it.

When I picked it up, Kanna flashed a mischievous smile.

"Is this it? The special present?"

"Who knows, maybe?"

I carefully removed the wrapping paper, and what emerged was some kind of card. It looked elaborate but somehow handmade.

"Magical ♥ Maid...?"

"Ta-da! The special present is a first-time free card for the maid cafe where I work! I made this myself, but basically, it means it’s my treat. Come visit sometime, okay?"

Come to think of it, during the field trip before, I feel like she did say she wanted me to come to the maid cafe. I didn't expect to be reminded in this form.

"Got it. If my schedule lines up..."

I can't exactly hijack the protagonist's role. Besides, going alone is too embarrassing.

Kanna looked a little dissatisfied at my answer, then pointed to the wrapping paper I was holding.

"By the way, there’s one more thing."

"One more?"

Indeed, I could still feel the texture of stiff paper in the wrapping.

When I slowly peeled away the paper, another handwritten card came out.

"Do Anything Housework Ticket...?"

"That’s right! As thanks for various things recently, this is a ticket where I’ll do any housework in this house. I want you to use it whenever you like."

"No, honestly, I feel like that's really asking too much..."

"I won't be satisfied otherwise. Even if it’s not housework, I’ll do anything. It’s more luxurious than the maid cafe ticket earlier, so I think you should accept it."

Kanna said this while twirling her hair with her finger.

I couldn't hide my agitation at this unexpected development.

I hadn't intended to do that much, and I thought Kanna wouldn't come to my house anyway.

"By the way, it can be used an infinite number of times, okay?"

Kanna smiled as if to deliver the finishing blow.

"Infinite!?"

"It’s a ticket that says until you start dating someone or get married, Nishikikoji-kun, whenever you call, Maid Kanna will come right away~."

I was supposed to be thoroughly committed to being a mob.

I’m supposed to be a mob who can't invite the heroine to his house or do anything like that.

In the first place, a mob shouldn't even be able to talk to the heroine, and even if he could, it should just be trivial daily conversation with no relation to the story.

"T-Then, maybe I’ll use it when the housework gets tough."

"Certainly, Master. Make sure to call me, okay?"

Kanna gave a light bow. As expected of someone working at a maid cafe, the gesture looked natural on her.

"Sorry. Asking you to let me in just for this today."

"No, it’s fine. I was free."

"I'm glad then... well, I guess I should get going~."

Kanna started to open the front door, then turned back as if remembering something.

"Really, thank you for the other day."

"Ah, don't worry about it anymore."

I truly thought it was fine the way it ended.

I became somewhat hated, but the rumors about Kanna vanished. I didn't plan on making friends in this world anyway, so even if my classmates kept their distance, it was no loss to me.

Except for the single point that, in the story, I had stepped one foot closer to being the villain.

"Honestly, I never really understood you, Nishikikoji-kun. In middle school, you caused a lot of incidents like extortion and stuff, and you were always with girls."

The Nishikikoji before I reincarnated must have been nothing but the worst. That’s why Kanna’s words, "I never really understood," snagged at me a little.

"But, how do I put it? With this incident... hmm. What should I say? Because of this, I feel like I understand the current Nishikikoji-kun very well."

"The current me...?"

"Yeah. The Nishikikoji-kun since becoming a high schooler. I’ve said a lot of things, but anyway, I was saved by you, Nishikikoji-kun. By you, who always treated me with everything you had. Really, thank you. I’m so grateful I can't even thank you enough."

Kanna closed the door she had started to open and bowed deeply.

I didn't intend for that. I just acted because I thought I had to.

"No, raise your head. I didn't do anything big."

"Nu-uh. I think I’ll be grateful to you forever. That’s how much you gave me, Nishikikoji-kun."

This time she opened the door properly and waved her hand flutteringly.

"See you later. Let's keep getting along."

"Yeah. Thanks for today."

"Make sure you use Maid Kanna~!"

Saying only that at the end, Kanna disappeared beyond the door.

My agitation lingered from the tumultuous turn of events. Looking down at my hands again, the round, handwritten letters saying This House's Do Anything Housework Ticket caught my eye. There were illustrations of pandas drawn around it too.

"Being able to get a heroine to do housework for me as many times as I want... that’s insane."

If my past self heard this, he would weep with envy.

I carried that overly luxurious item and the cake to the table, and then I remembered.

"The current me, huh..."

From the perspective of the people around me, perhaps I do appear slightly different from the old Nishikikoji.

"Anyway, if Kanna was saved, then I guess it’s fine..."

No matter how many good deeds I accumulate, no matter how much I pretend to be a mob, the deeds of the previous Nishikikoji won't disappear.

However, even so, there are people like Kanna and Narita who see the current me.

Feeling just a tiny bit saved by that fact myself, I gazed at Kanna’s handmade card once more.

◇

In the dead center of the classroom, Kanna is talking happily with her friends.

After that, Kanna came to my house several times.

When I didn't use Kanna’s housework proxy ticket at all, one day she just suddenly forced her way into my house. Since then, she has been regularly making dinner for me. I never thought things would turn out like this, letting a heroine into my house to this extent, but since Kanna looks a little happy about it, I decided not to worry about it anymore. After a while, she’ll probably get bored and stop coming.

"That turned out well. For Sasaki-san."

"Yeah. It was good... though I was on edge back then."

I replied to Narita, who was gazing in the same direction as me. Narita gave a wry smile. For Narita, who had been by Nishikikoji’s side the whole time, that version of me probably didn't even reach Nishikikoji’s feet.

I intended to make as scary a face as possible, but I don't know if I actually pulled it off. I never got that angry in my previous life. I’m extremely worried that I might have just been making a weird face out of sheer nervousness.

However, it seems even that patched-together attitude had a tremendous effect. I am currently being famously feared by the entire class. Rumors have circulated all the way to other classes, to the point where just walking down the hallway causes people to recoil with a "Hieee!"

Now that the incident has settled, a generally peaceful mood drifts through the classroom, excluding me. And if I think about it properly, there won't be any events where Nishikikoji interacts with the heroines for a while unless I get involved myself.

"I guess I’m safe for a while."

"Safe from what?"

"No, nothing."

Man, thinking I can enjoy my school life as a mob is a relief, but it’s a little disappointing too.

Narita stared at me with a look that said I don't know what you're talking about as I suddenly muttered to myself.

—That day. The day I played the villain for Kanna. Narita opened up to me, and since then, his attitude has become frank, as if any awkwardness slipped right off. He doesn't seem frightened like before.

When we were talking in the park, it seems he hadn't fully organized his thoughts yet, and I heard a few more things bit by bit in the days following.

The trigger for his decision to talk was, as expected, the moment I protected Kanna. No matter how beautiful the girl was, it was something the obvious Nishikikoji would never do. And the threat looked nothing like Nishikikoji’s style. It seems he resigned himself to something then.

"Even so, I wonder why Kaede reincarnated."

"Ah~"

I shifted my gaze away from Narita. I’ve already told Narita what kind of person I was before reincarnating. However, I haven't explained yet that this world is a game.

"I don't know about that."

If he knew the world he lives in was being played as a game by someone, he’d feel sick. I myself don't understand the reason why I reincarnated into the game, so I intend to remain silent about it from now on.

Hmm, Narita nodded.

"Speaking of not knowing, in the end, we never found out the culprit who took Sasaki’s photo, did we?"

"None of the people in the class could track them down either, right?"

"You’d think we’d be able to figure it out. But I guess the photo is the only clue..."

"Well, someone probably just took it for fun while passing by."

The post in question was deleted from the bulletin board. It’s still a hot topic, but the guys who were inciting it so much are keeping quiet, perhaps out of awkwardness.

—More importantly.

I looked toward Saita, who was keeping quiet in the corner of the classroom.

When he saw Kanna’s bulletin board post, Saita should have been the most shaken. Enough to run out of the classroom instinctively.

Seeing that level of panic, I can't imagine Saita is the culprit.

Which means the culprit is someone else.

"It’d be good if we found them. Since that guy still has the photo, technically."

I nodded at Narita’s words.

I still don't know what Saita’s goal is, now that I know he’s a fellow reincarnator. However, it is certain that the story is changing regardless of Saita’s schemes.

In the first place, if I keep charging forward as I am, I’m going to revert to being a villain. Honestly, that might be the biggest problem.

Stifling the urge to sigh, I turned toward the homeroom teacher announcing the start of the morning homeroom.

◇

"He's been acting really quiet lately, but I guess Nishikikoji is still a delinquent after all."

That is the current impression of me.

By the time the field trip ended, I wasn't feeling alienated anymore, but thanks to my words to Kanna, I’ve completely backslid.

Is it a saving grace that people I’ve talked to reasonably well, like Miki and Yamada, have kept a soft attitude toward me even after this incident? Anyway, rumors circulated centered around the people who were victimized by Nishikikoji in middle school, and somehow, the "me" everyone talks about seems to have become something outrageous.

"Hey, Nishikikoji, were you a delinquent?"

While I arrived at the library feeling like a certain prophet parting the Red Sea because people avoided me every time I walked down the hall, Natsuki tilted her head. Today is our weekly committee duty.

"Umm. I-I guess you could say I washed my hands of it... maybe..."

When I gave a vague answer to the difficult question, Natsuki made an awkward expression.

" ...You never washed your hands until now?"

"No, obviously I wash them every day. What I mean is, I guess I 'was' a delinquent, but I thought I had to live my high school life seriously. Because it'll cause trouble for those around me."

"I see~. Natsuki heard all sorts of things about you, like you actually have a big koi fish tattoo on your body, or you’re actually the secret young head of a yakuza clan, or maybe committed murder back then."

Isn't that beyond the level of a delinquent...?

I had heard stories from Narita, who has a wider circle of friends than me, but I didn't think it was this bad. It’s actually strange that Natsuki is happily talking about rumors that sound too dangerous for anyone else to even be associated with.

"If there's someone spreading those rumors, please correct them for me. I don't have a tattoo, I have nothing to do with yakuza, and so far I haven't done anything that would land me in prison."

Wait, did Nishikikoji possibly do something that would land him in prison...?

Honestly, I can't be certain about the Nishikikoji before I reincarnated into Seka-Ai.

In contrast to my panic, Natsuki laughed with a mischievous expression.

"Natsuki doesn't believe them, obviously. Because talking to you Nishikikoji, Natsuki can tell that you aren't the type of person to do that. Even when you were late to the library the other day, you apologized super profusely."

"Well, that was because I was in the wrong."

"Nu-uh. Properly apologizing and doing committee activities seriously is admirable."

Natsuki reached out her hand toward my head. However, she couldn't quite reach.

Given our height difference, that’s only natural.

With a frustrated grunt, Natsuki stood on her tiptoes and gently touched just the tips of my hair.

"Here, look. Natsuki will pat your head for you."

"No, doing committee activities is just expected."

I backed away slightly before my head could be fully patted.

Natsuki is an eroge heroine, after all. Closing the distance like this is too bad for my heart.

"Is that so~? Natsuki doesn't think so, though."

"Come on. We have to work quickly. There’s a lot to do today."

Here, I said, handing Natsuki the books that needed to be returned to the original shelves.

"Okaaay."

Natsuki took them and began checking the book classifications. Just as I felt relieved that I managed to distract her, she let out an "Ah."

"Come to think of it, aside from the committee, Natsuki heard there’s going to be a Student Council election soon."

"Student Council election...?"

"Yeah, yeah. Apparently, Yukka's friend is going to run. Natsuki just heard about it this morning."

"Ah, now that you mention it, the homeroom teacher said something about talking about it after school this morning."

"Right? Natsuki wonders if any first-years will run."

As far as I remember, the Student Council election was definitely in the Seka-Ai storyline.

Ayame, who had the top score in the entrance exam, and Saita, who was second, both receive recommendations from teachers and run for the office.

Nishikikoji doesn't do anything in particular, stopping at just harassing Ayame excessively around this time. It’s after Ayame and Saita are elected to the Student Council that he starts making moves to interfere with their relationship. I think Nishikikoji started bullying Saita in earnest around the time they officially began activities as the Student Council in the Ayame route.

"Well, there probably will be."

"True. It’s amazing, running as a first-year."

"Yeah. You have to give a speech in front of the whole school."

Since I reincarnated as Nishikikoji, standing out is forbidden, but even removing that handicap, I don't have the courage to speak in front of a large crowd.

"Natsuki thought that you might run for the office, Nishikikoji."

"No, I definitely won't."

Even thinking back on my previous life, I never did anything particularly standout. I have a mob temperament, so that’s natural.

"Hey, you two, you’ve been chatting way too much."

While I was organizing books in between conversations, Ikuta appeared from the shadow of a bookshelf. Narita was next to her. It seems Ikuta and Narita are getting along surprisingly well, and they’ve apparently gone to hang out a few times since going to the concert together. As someone who knows Narita’s ruin ending, this is nothing but delightful.

"Sorry, Yukka. The conversation just got lively."

" ...Well, a lot has happened, after all."

Ikuta directed a somewhat sympathetic gaze at me. She probably heard the detailed story from Narita.

From there, we continued working as a group of four and chatting moderately until the chime rang. Perhaps because we’re getting used to it, I feel like our efficiency has gotten much better.

...Even so, has the talk reached Natsuki’s class?

—In the sense that I made a villain move and am charging straight toward a death flag, isn't this pretty dangerous?

◇

Considering that my bad reputation spread more than expected, I might have done something terrible.

At that time, I raised my voice thinking I didn't care about myself anymore, but now, I have nothing but regret. No, it’s not that I regret doing it, but I can't help thinking there might have been a better way.

While letting the homeroom teacher's talk about the Student Council candidacy and election schedule flow from right to left, I held my head in my hands.

I’ve completely become a villain. It’s no longer on the scale of a villain to the protagonist. I am a magnificent villain on the stage of the story.

"Therefore, since the deadline for candidates is next week, please think about whether you want to run by then."

The teacher concluded the talk, and the class buzzed vaguely.

"If anyone runs from the first years, it’d be Hananoi, I guess. She’s a genius who was at the top of the grade."

Narita muttered that while looking at the distributed handout.

Ayame isn't a reincarnator, so she’ll naturally run. The problem is Saita.

I still have absolutely no idea what Saita’s objective is. I feel his intent to keep me away from the heroines, but honestly, I can't even guess how Saita himself wants to act beyond that.

I’ve ended up in a position like a villain now, so I really want Saita to act according to the story as much as possible.

Students started to leave sporadically, and just as we stood up to leave as well—it happened.

"Excuse me."

From the front door of the classroom, a single female student peeked inside. Long silver hair, with features so flawless she hardly seemed human, and striking blue eyes.

She alone radiated a different color. There was no mistaking her. It was Ayame.

The classmates became incomparably noisier than before.

"Is this the correct classroom for Class 7?"

◇

The students, seemingly bewildered by Ayame's appearance, paused for a moment before nodding vigorously.

Seeing that, Ayame looked around the classroom restlessly as if searching for someone. For a "Flower on a High Peak" like Ayame, she would likely have a wide network of connections, but I have a bad feeling about this.

"It’s rare for Hananoi to come to another classroom."

"I haven't heard about it either."

I haven't heard any talk about Ayame having close friends in this class so far. In other words, she shouldn't be here to meet a friend.

She meets Saita for the first time during the Student Council election, so I don't think they know each other.

While I watched Ayame, sweating in cold sweats, she suddenly looked my way. I’ve said it many times, but I have a very bad feeling about this.

Ayame’s expression brightened instantly, and she walked briskly toward me and Narita.

"Nishikikoji-san...!"

The inside of the classroom went silent as if doused with water.

In the space that felt frozen, only Ayame approached without a care in the world. I assumed she would have heard the rumors and avoided me long ago, so hearing my name called made me cringe. Does Ayame not know about that rumor with Kanna?

"I was looking for you. I peeked in a few times during lunch break, but I couldn't find you."

"A-Ah... true, I’m not in the classroom during lunch."

"I thought so. That’s why I came here after school today."

Narita looked back and forth between my face and Ayame’s, seemingly unable to grasp the situation.

While the silence persisted, Ayame wore a completely serious expression.

"Umm, so what is this about?"

"Yes! I think you heard from the homeroom teacher earlier, but the deadline for Student Council candidacy is next week."

"True, we just heard that."

Narita next to me nodded along, confused as well. The silent stares from the entire classroom asking 'Why Hananoi-san is talking to you?' were painful.

"So, this is an invitation: would you like to run for Student Council too, Nishikikoji-san? I think you’d be a perfect fit. Even more so than me. Besides, I want to work in the Student Council together with you, Nishikikoji-san."

Naturally, at those words, boos flew from all over the classroom.

One of the girls from Kanna’s entourage walked briskly toward Ayame.

"Umm, Hananoi-san. Nishikikoji-kun is a bit... how should I say, I don't think he’d want to do that kind of thing."

"Yeah. He said before he hates that kind of work."

"I think Hananoi-san is the right person for the Student Council. I mean, you're good at both academics and sports, and you can do anything."

Everyone probably hates the idea of Nishikikoji Kaede holding power in the school and doing whatever he wants. True, considering the Nishikikoji from Seka-Ai, even I hate imagining it.

Well, first it would become a rigged race where Nishikikoji definitely wins, and then he'll use the teachers and money to make school rules or whatever that suits him, and eventually he'll start manipulating people's impressions and doing nasty things. It's obvious.

"Besides..."

The female student who had come right up to Ayame pointed at Saita.

"If you’re looking for someone to run with, I think Saita-kun would be a better choice than Nishikikoji-kun in our class. He organizes everyone, and his grades are good."

Right? the girl asked, and everyone nodded.

It was a level of popularity and trust unthinkable in the original work.

Although his appearance hadn't changed much, Saita was positioned completely at the top of the caste within the class.

Ayame seemed bewildered, being suddenly pressed with such intensity.

Umm... she repeated several times, gulped, and then raised her face.

"Umm, even so, I want Nishikikoji-kun to run."

I don't know what she liked so much about me. But her desire for me to run seemed unshakable within her.

I wanted to say something to help Ayame, who seemed to be getting nervous as things escalated, but the timing was too terrible. Or rather, it felt awkward to open my mouth because I felt like I’d be dismissed with a "You stay out of this."

It seems to be a stalemate. No one is speaking anymore.

I took a deep breath. Suu.

"Putting aside why you’re recommending me, I have no intention of running."

"But... if you try it, you might change your mind."

I don't know what part of me she was looking at to have such expectations, but Ayame seemed quite serious. Her expression was even more serious than when she entered the classroom, to the point where I almost thought she was angry.

Just as they say a beautiful woman’s angry face is scary, Ayame’s earnest face made me almost nod involuntarily.

However, I absolutely do not want to join the Student Council. That is the one thing I cannot yield on.

Saita will probably join the student council. I don't want to have anything to do with Saita anymore, because I don't know what he's thinking, and if the original story changes completely, I won't know what to do in the future.

It’s not just a matter of "death flags will surely rise if I join the Student Council." I absolutely, absolutely want to live a long life in this incarnation. I want to die surrounded by family, watched over by my grandchildren.

"Sorry. This is something I’ve already decided."

"I think you really look at people, Nishikikoji-san, so I really want to try working together with you. Please."

I glanced toward the back corner of the classroom. Saita was just staring at us. He didn't look like he wanted to say anything.

I gulped down my saliva. There’s no point in dragging this out any longer.

That’s right. Everyone is troubled. Someone has to move.

"You know,"

I cut my words there once. Narita was looking back and forth between me and Ayame as usual.

"The Student Council is the biggest drag, so I hate it."

If I use this tone in front of a heroine, I’m definitely confirmed as a villain. Moreover, this is different from before. With Kanna, she realized I was protecting her, but this time, I’m acting the villain in front of Ayame, who knows nothing.

The looming death flags are scary. Scary, but more than that, things will proceed better if I fully commit to being a villain. The question of why Ayame called out to me remains a subtle mystery, but that will probably be smoothed over nicely by Ayame’s heroine correction.

She doesn't seem like she’ll back down if I refuse gently here, so this route will work better. I told myself that.

"I don't know why you’re recommending it so much, but honestly, it’s a pain in the ass, so I wish you'd stop."

I couldn't bear to look at Ayame’s face.

Until now, we had a relationship where I just helped her, but saying this much might hurt her considerably.

Even the surrounding guys said in unison that I went too far. I thought so too.

" ...How do I put it? Maybe you’re not confident, but you have enough popularity to gather this many people, so why don't you just run on your own? I don't want to do it, so it's troubling if you force it on me."

I added just that as an afterthought and picked up my bag.

I can't say anything more hurtful than this. It was a countermeasure that came out on the spur of the moment, but I’m aware I pushed her away quite harshly.

Ayame stood still next to my desk. Narita didn't follow me.

Since a fair amount of time had passed since classes ended, I advanced through the sparsely populated hallway.

Ayame was probably disappointed in me after what had happened earlier and probably wouldn't talk to me again.

In the first place, wanting to be a mob but getting involved with the heroines was weird. Conversely, it might have been good that our relationship was reset.

I shouldn't think "that's a shame" even by mistake.

More importantly, right now I need to focus on brushing off the death flags that are raining down on me.

As I continued to walk briskly down the hallway, a slightly high-pitched voice echoed from behind: "Hold on!"

"Nishikikoji-san, I’m sorry for forcing the invitation on you earlier. You were right. But, even apart from that, there was something I wanted to talk about."

The trembling end of her sentence was reminiscent of the entrance ceremony day.

When I turned around, Ayame was out of breath, her hair slightly messed up. Only that part might have been the opposite of the entrance ceremony.

"Speaking of which, I heard about it. That Nishikikoji-san was somehow very scary"

She wore a gentle smile that looked almost forced.

I realized something from that expression. Ayame probably understands.

That I had deliberately acted that way.

"Well, that was... no, it wasn't like that."

When I denied it immediately, Ayame shook her head.

"That's not what I mean. I have something I want to say, and that is..."

Ayame took a breath, sighed softly, and then began to speak.

"Nishikikoji-san, you're amazing. You went to such lengths, moving so earnestly, just to help someone."

Unable to say anything in response, I just remained silent. Whether she took that as affirmation or denial, Ayame opened her mouth again.

She seemed to be trying to keep a straight face the whole time, completely different from her usual confident self. To the point where I almost thought she looked like a lost child.

"It’s completely different from me... Unlike you, Nishikikoji-san, I just think 'I have to do it'."

As Ayame lowered her gaze further, I felt strangely anxious, thinking I had to say something. Even though I’m a villain. Even though right now, I’m surely not even a mob, but a villain. Even though I shouldn't have the right to offer her any words.

What floats to the surface of my mind is that moment when I was playing Seka-Ai. The moment I was moved by that line. The moment I decided to change too.

I took a breath. Maybe I don't have to say it. It might be unnecessary.

But I changed, too. I was changed by that one word from "Ayame."

I was changed, saved, came to this world, and that’s why I could overcome this.

I surely don't need to convey it to Ayame, but I just want to say it as a way of settling things for myself.

I looked straight into Ayame’s eyes. Remembering Kanna, who told me she was saved, I opened my mouth.

I don't have arrogant thoughts of saving her, but if I can just offer some words.

"I have a phrase I cherish... It’s something someone I really respect had said: to be the kind of person I don’t hate.' and I’m working hard for that."

Slowly, Ayame’s eyes widened.

"I’ve been thinking I need to do that too. But, well, it’s obviously difficult. How do I put it... You know how they say, ‘Hypocrisy in action is better than doing nothing at all’? It feels better that way, so in the end, I guess I’m just doing it for my own sake... I guess."

Hmm, I scratched my head, finding it hard to put into words.

"Anyway, what I mean is... Hananoi-san, you probably consider other people’s feelings way more than you realize. And since I’m sort of the same way, I think that rather than doing something just to be with me, you should do what you think is right Hananoi-san. That is why I don’t want to do the Student Council work."

Ayame blinked repeatedly, but remained silent.

Watching her like that, I remembered the events of this past month.

I reincarnated as the villain of an eroge, so I wanted to become a mob... but.

In the end, have I been doing it well?

I ended up interacting heavily with the characters, and I’m talking to Ayame like this now too, so I don't know if I managed to become a mob.

Since the time I first delivered the notepad to Ayame, the anxiety and regret that the death flag hasn't been broken haven't disappeared.

Moreover, I just volunteered to play as a villain earlier... didn't I just head even further toward a death flag?!

Beside me, holding my head as I imagined the worst future, Ayame completely reversed her lonely expression from earlier and smiled.

"Is that so... But somehow, that kind of kindness is very 'you', Nishikikoji-san...!"

"Very me...?"

I looked up at the unexpected words. Those words were just secondhand borrowing. So, I didn't expect to be told it was "very me."

"Yes. The part where you declare it’s for your own sake. It’s exactly the Nishikikoji-san I know."

I am neither a particularly kind human nor an accomplished one.

—However... if I could be told that borrowed words were "very me," then maybe there was some value in working hard.

Leaving aside whether I reincarnated or not for now. Maybe the past life I thought was a waste is actually serving a purpose in this one.

I quietly savored that tiny bit of happiness, careful not to let Ayame notice.

Right now, I am probably heading straight toward a "Dead End."

I’ve interacted more and more with the characters, and I’ve slipped back into being the villainous Nishikikouji Kaede.

But this is where it really starts. From now on, I have to work harder to uphold my motto: "Pure, Righteous, and Mob-like."

Clenching my fist tight, I gave an awkward smile to Ayame, whose expression had softened unlike before.

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