CH 53

Declaration of War

Thus, Ryoma Ryuzaki awakened.

His only flaw is that he’s a slob, but now that that’s gone, he’s almost the strongest of them all.

I wonder if there is anyone who can compete with him.

At least, I can’t do anything about it as a mob character.

I’m a nobody, and I can’t stop the protagonist.

There are very few people who can interfere with him right now.

The main heroine, Shimotsuki, or one of the subheroines……, are the only ones with enough influence to change Ryuzaki’s mind.

Now, it begins.

Ryoma Ryuzaki’s solo performance has finally begun.

“…… Hey, Nakayama. Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you.”

When I returned to the plaza, Ryuzaki spoke to me as if he had been waiting for me.

“I’m sorry about earlier. I got a little emotional …… and showed my disgraceful side.”

I don’t know if I should apologize. I didn’t have anything to say in response, so I shrugged my shoulders and looked toward the square.

The preparations for the campfire must have been finished.

A large flame rises from the center of the square wooden structure. The wavering smoke drifted in the wind and disappeared.

Everyone was watching the flames.

According to the schedule, a light entertainment was to be held after this.

There was a simple stage set up in the square where they were going to perform comedy, songs, and dances.

Everyone seemed to be in a good mood. It was noisier than usual, and I wanted to cover my ears.

Unfortunately, I’m not in the mood to enjoy it.

In the first place, I don’t know if I would have enjoyed a campfire under normal circumstances……, but at least now I wanted to be alone and sleep.

When I think of Azusa, I feel like my heart is going to burst.

But I can’t let that happen, because this is where the real battle begins.

“What do you want?”

I don’t need to play the role of a dog anymore. The relationship between me and Shimotsuki was already known, so I said something emotionless as usual.

“Yeah, there’s something I want to tell you. …… I’ve decided to confess to Shiho. I thought I’d tell you.”

…… Oh, no.

I already know, since I was eavesdropping earlier.

It’s not like I’m surprised now. So I nodded, expressionless.

“I see.”

“What……? I was expecting more reaction from you……. As expected, you can afford it. Do you think you’ve already got Shiho? The game is not over yet.”

But the protagonist is perverse.

Without malice, he moves the story in a way that suits him.

“It is true that you and Shiho are good friends. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous. …… But you haven’t confessed to her yet, have you? It’s not like you’re officially dating, is it? If that’s the case, then there must be a chance for me, too.”

Ryuuzaki then clenched his fists in an attempt to inspire himself.

“You’ve made me realize something. I was satisfied with just being childhood friends with Shiho. I’ve been thinking that if we could just be next to each other that would be enough, even if we didn’t become lovers. But that’s not good enough……. No other man would leave a girl as wonderful as Shiho aside.”

As usual, Ryuzaki’s words were self-indulgent.

He was not thinking about Shimotsuki in the slightest, he was just looking for a result that would make him feel good.

“I’ll be honest, I’m …… scared to confess. I’m so nervous I think I’m going to throw up……. There is someone who likes me like this. If you’re a man who can’t confess your love to someone, it’s disrespectful to that person……. I have to be a cool Ryuzaki Ryoma.”

The protagonist’s monologue is as incomprehensible as ever, and it makes my head hurt.

However, I have one question.

“Why are you telling me this?”

I don’t get it.

What do you want from this mob character?

Do you think I’m going to give you a push?

It’s ridiculous……. There’s no way I’m going to support you.

…… Well, I’m sure Ryuzaki didn’t mean to say that either.

“Because you’re my rival. This is a declaration of war.”

Ryuzaki smiled fearlessly and turned his back on me.

He seemed to be satisfied with his one-sided conversation.

“It’s more anticlimactic than I thought. I thought you would be more emotional, but Nakayama is a guy I don’t understand……. It’s boring.”

It seems that the fiery protagonist overestimated his rival.

Don’t get your hopes up. Unlike you, I’m a mob character.

I’m not in a position to intervene in the story.

So, if possible, I don’t want you to get involved in anything, but I can’t say that when I think about …… Shimotsuki.

After this, she will be confessed to.

Moreover, by a person who is very bad at it, she is told that he likes her.

I want to help her somehow.

But I can’t stop Ryuzaki from confessing his love to her……. In the end, I didn’t know what to do, and time just slowly passed by–