NOVEL NEXT chapter 18
18. The Nurse’s Office
After taking Mashiro to the nurse’s office, I explained the situation to the school nurse.
As it turned out, Mashiro had lightly sprained her ankle when she fell earlier, and she was treated with a cold pack and taping.
If I hadn’t moved at that moment, the role of taking her to the nurse’s office would have likely fallen to the protagonist, Fusegawa Yorito. From there, a new relationship with the heroine would have started, developing into their love story.
I was able to prevent that. However, the cost was significant. As a result of exercising my role as a villain against the protagonist, my existence would have been recognized as a complete villain in advancing the story of “Fusekoi.”
But that is still just the beginning. From here, after going through several events, it should eventually lead to the event that condemns me.
—
And if the story unfolds as in the original, that moment will come in the third term of our first year.
Right now, it’s still the first term. In other words, there’s still time; I need to maneuver somehow to avoid disaster. That’s the only option left to me.
As I pondered this method, I spoke to Mashiro, who was sitting on the bed after finishing her first aid.
“The next class is gym, right? Don’t push yourself; just rest in the infirmary.”
“Yeah. I’ll take it easy in the infirmary until the next class.”
“I should head back to the classroom soon. I’m still safe from being late, but being absent would be a bit problematic.”
“Ryusuke, you’re cutting it close with your attendance, huh? But, um, before you go, can I say just one thing?”
“What is it?”
Mashiro, who had called me to a halt, had a faint blush on her cheeks, and her gaze was swimming around restlessly.
Gathering her courage, she opened her mouth. In a slightly shaky voice, she said to me:
“The Ryusuke who helped me was really, really cool. Thank you, Ryusuke.”
With a flower-like smile, Mashiro hid her face in the white blanket, embarrassed.
The moment I saw her blushing face, my heart skipped a beat. I felt my own face flush red, to the point where I instinctively turned my back.
Both of us, with our faces bright red, looked down.
A sweet and ticklish atmosphere flowed between us.
Overwhelmed by the awkwardness, I decided to head back to the classroom.
“I-I’ll come check on your leg again after school. Don’t leave; just wait in the classroom.”
“Yeah, I’ll be waiting. See you after school, Ryusuke.”
I waved goodbye to Mashiro as I left the infirmary.
In this world, I was clearly recognized as the protagonist’s enemy, but that felt trivial compared to how deeply Mashiro’s words had shaken my heart.
I had managed to protect Mashiro from the protagonist. That fact filled my heart with warmth.
I didn’t even know what this feeling was. But for now, all I felt was relief that Mashiro was safe.
However, the contact from Fusegawa Raito towards Mashiro would likely continue. I couldn’t let my guard down; I had to keep protecting her from him.
And I had no intention of ending things like this either.
I hurried to the classroom, where the lesson had already begun, while gathering my thoughts.