NOVEL NEXT chapter 36
36. The Final Showdown
Due to the seating arrangement during the test, I was able to observe Fusegawa Yorito from behind, even while the test was in progress.
He was in top form.
From the moment the test papers were distributed and the bell rang, the mechanical pencil he wielded never stopped moving. I could see him solving problem after problem from his silhouette.
And he never let his guard down. It seemed he was meticulously reviewing both the questions and his answers to avoid any careless mistakes.
As expected of a protagonist. His focus at this critical moment was beyond that of an ordinary person. Without a doubt, he was awakened to defeat an unreasonable existence like me.
But I couldn’t afford to lose either. I had to win.
Armed with the knowledge I had accumulated until now, I carefully tackled each problem one by one.
Thanks to the thorough review I had done during the preparation period for the test, all the knowledge I had gained in my previous life had returned to me.
I concentrated that knowledge solely on the scope of the test, sharpening it even further. There were no problems I couldn’t solve; I could definitely arrive at the correct answers.
I focused intently on the problems before me, checking both the questions and answers to ensure there were no mistakes. I was also exhibiting astonishing concentration.
What bolstered that concentration was the support of my friends.
The images of Reo and Nishikawa floated in my mind, along with Mashiro’s dazzling smile, giving me strength.
With overflowing hope in my heart, dreaming of the future I desired, I continued to solve problem after problem.
And then the bell rang――.
The first test was over, and the tension among the students relaxed all at once.
As everyone finished the test and let out sighs of relief, I simply stood still, waiting for the next test to arrive.
I strained to listen to the conversations around me.
“How did it go, Yorito-kun? How was the test?”
“It was perfect. The test questions matched Yuuna’s predictions exactly. I solved them with surprising ease.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Please keep up the good work for the next test.”
“Of course. The next one is math, but I’m aiming for a perfect score. Yuuna, Kakeru, I’m counting on your support.”
“Yeah! Go for it, Yorito! You can definitely get a hundred!”
“We’re right here with you. Don’t worry, Yorito-kun.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Fusegawa Yorito appeared to be brimming with confidence.
And then he shot a sharp glance in my direction.
‘Now you understand, right? You’re not worthy of being the protagonist.’
‘I have the best heroines by my side. A wannabe protagonist like you should just stay out of it.’
I felt as if I could hear that voice.
I understand.
This test, for Fusegawa Raito, has the “protagonist’s bias” working in his favor.
Just a moment ago, he said, “Yuna’s predictions were spot on.”
From the very beginning, this battle was orchestrated to ensure that the protagonist, Fusegawa Raito, would win. No matter how brilliant Hanazaki Yuna is, being the top student in her grade, there’s no way she could predict every question that would appear on the test.
But that’s what makes the protagonist’s bias possible.
The protagonist’s bias refers to the overly convenient developments that occur for the sake of the story’s progression. The protagonist can never lose; fate will always side with them to ensure their victory.
The heroine, Hanazaki Yuna, unconsciously understood the questions that would appear on the test in order to support the protagonist, and she conveyed that knowledge to Fusegawa Raito in the form of predictions. It’s as if the world itself is preemptively revealing the test content to ensure the protagonist’s victory.
Everything is to lead the world to the conclusion as it was originally written. The lovestruck maiden is in love with Fusegawa-kun, and the fact that the protagonist, Fusegawa Raito, is set to crush me, the villain, is merely a stepping stone.
And I realized the reason why they don’t directly interfere with me. By defeating me, who has given it my all, they aim to crush my spirit completely, proving that I am, after all, the villain. They are trying to break my heart, making me believe I cannot escape the predetermined ending.
In this overwhelmingly advantageous situation, there’s no way the protagonist can lose.
Fusegawa Raito thinks so too. The heroines believe it. Even the god of this world does not doubt it.
But you know, I know.
The god of this world is not a perfect being; I learned that through Mashiro.
The failure of the encounter between the protagonist and Mashiro proves that.
So, absolute certainty is impossible.
The chance that I can defeat the protagonist, Fusegawa Raito, is not zero.
(Sorry, but… Fusegawa Raito, I have no intention of losing either.)
I have my pride. I have my reasons for not being able to lose.
No matter how desperate the battle may be, I will never give up.
Mashiro, Reo, Nishikawa.
Wait for me; I will definitely show you that I can win.