Reborn as the Man Who Takes Away the Protagonist’s Beloved Childhood Friend

This is also a sign of growth.

For me, that girl… Kotone, if asked if I wanted to see her, I wouldn’t want to. It might be despicable to say this about a girl younger than me, but I remember every word she said to me, so it can’t be helped even if it turns out this way.

“What will the president do?”

“Well… even if you ask what I’ll do…”

Well, it’s likely to turn out this way… but is this also the first time Shuu has met Kotone like this?

He might have heard about her existence and name from Shuu, but I certainly don’t grasp those details… nonetheless, since I’m curious, I should go see her quickly.

“S-so, you’re standing behind me!”

“Yeah.”

It seemed unusual for Iori to be a little nervous.

Having only seen him act confidently, seeing Iori scared like this was truly refreshing.

For now, I asked Iori to stand back, and I went over to Kotone.

“What are you doing?”

“Y-you are…”

Her eyes shot at me with hostility… but unlike before, there was no sharpness, just weakness.

(…So that happened. It’s natural for a middle schooler to end up like this.)

Kotone had the experience of witnessing her mother being manipulated in front of her eyes and almost becoming prey… in the game, things conveniently changed, but in reality, it wouldn’t be strange for everything around her to become frightening.

Even if she’s trembling with fear like this, the reason she’s here is probably Shuu.

“There are still events where Shuu will participate. Or if you want, I can call him. What will you do?”

“W-well…”

“Even in the previous events, there were cool parts about him. If his cute sister is here, I think he’ll try even harder, don’t you think?”

“…”

At times like this, it’s better not to be overly considerate and just say these words that would make Kotone happy, I thought. Whether it worked or not, Kotone blushed and seemed embarrassed, which, at least with me, was a decent reaction.

“Well, what will you do?”

“…”

As I asked, Kotone looked down, but then raised her head and said:

“…Why… why do you talk to me like that? I am–“

“It’s because I’m not bothered. Both me and Ayana have already moved forward.”

We are already looking ahead… so we’re fine now.

Certainly, the words released by her and the others, including Hatsune-san, were painful, but with just a change in mindset, you can feel however you want… now, even if the same things were said to me, I wouldn’t care at all… well, instead, Ayana might get angry.

“…”

“…Knowing fear or pain makes you more empathetic to others. That cheeky little girl who used to hurl insults at me just by looking at me is now so meek.”

“St-Stop it!”

Normally, a more vulgar response would be expected… But no matter how many times I say it, I have no intention of doing such a thing. Instead of causing someone pain, I’d rather savor the happiness close at hand as much as possible.

“So… I forgive you.”

“Huh.”

“I know things have been complicated through Shuu. Despite being good friends, I don’t like how you and his sister keep bickering. I’m not asking you to get along… Well, I’m counting on you.”

Alright, I’ve managed to convey everything I wanted to say for now.

Iori, who had been silently by my side all along, looked at me with a hint of curiosity and said with a smile, “I don’t know the details. But Yukiyo, you’re really something… Watching from the sidelines, you seem much older than me… Oh, I said the same thing again, didn’t I?”

“I might be a human who died in a past life and was reincarnated.”

“Oh, you make jokes like that?”

It’s not a joke or a jest, though.

She seemed to sense something between me and Kotone, but without asking for specifics, I thanked Iori. I thought it would be nice to introduce her to Shuu while we were at it.

“It’s break time, why don’t you go meet Shuu. This lady here will take you.”

“Huh?”

“Oh, is it okay if I do it?”

“Rather, because you’re the student council president— and you’re the closest person to Shuu, so it’s fine.”

“Huh!?”

I muttered the latter part in a voice low enough that Iori wouldn’t hear.

Although there was still a lingering awkwardness between Kotone and me, just being able to approach her like this and exchange words could be considered progress.

“Um… Can I ask a favor?”

“Of course. …Hey, Yukiyo. What did you say?”

“It’s nothing. Well then, I’ll leave the rest to you.”

I gently pushed Kotone towards Iori.

Iori seemed curious about what I said right to the very end, but well, regardless of the kind of relationship that will settle in, at the very least, the presence of a woman with compassion should be necessary for Kotone right now, and I think Iori is just right for that.

“Yo, Yukiyo!”

“Aisaka.”

Aisaka appeared as if to switch with Iori and slapped my back quite strongly.

It was a bit annoying, but when I looked at his dazzling smile, any irritation faded away.

“Oh, you’re Sasaki’s sister… Huh.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well… I just thought you’re amazing.”

“What’s that supposed to mean… I need to go to the bathroom now, what about you?”

“I’ll come too.”

Wait, did he just watch that exchange earlier… I didn’t think I did anything embarrassing, but since then, Aisaka had been continuously praising me, so it was about time to firmly tell him to stop.

“Senpai Aisaka!”

“Oh… Mari-chan!”

“Wait, you’re Mari-chan…”

Aisaka, who had a rarely seen expression upon seeing Mari who appeared out of the blue… Seeing him like that, I realized I had just obtained new material to tease him with.

After that, the sports festival resumed once the break ended.

Without any major issues arising, the closing ceremony proceeded smoothly, marking the end of one event.