I Was Reincarnated As the Hated Scummy Best Friend in a Gal Game and the Protagonist Is Useless

19

Chapter 3: The Noise Factor 1, Tsugaru Madoka

Two years have swiftly passed since then.

Having finished the first half of elementary school, I was now in the fourth grade.

“Big brother, looking forward to your new class?”

“Yeah, I can’t contain my excitement!”

“That expression of yours, Tojimonji-kun, is quite good.”

The game’s protagonist, Takeru Tojimonji, was already surrounded by Risa and Emi, effectively in a harem.

The disliked, scumbag villain and best friend, Hideyoshi Akechi, unfortunately, had no spring in sight.

“It would be nice if Hideyoshi could be in the same class.”

“Ah, yeah…”

“I want to be in the same class as Hideyoshi-kun next time too! Or rather, I wish it would always be that way.”

“There’s no way such coincidences would keep happening…”

Takeru and Emi were almost in tears wishing to be in the same class.

It’s a mystery why such a warm-hearted kid could only be seen with eyes of hatred in the game.

“I can see it now.”

The bulletin board announcing the class changes was crowded with people.

At times like this, the original Hideyoshi would probably push his way through with his gift, but I refrained from using my powers to keep my gift hidden.

I wonder what kind of people will be in my class as I crane my neck to see.

If I don’t meet the original characters, that’s fine.

“Look, look! Hideyoshi and I are in the same class!”

“Yes, indeed…”

I ended up in the same class as the protagonist of the original work again.

I feel God’s intention not to let my relationship with Takeru naturally fade away.

“No way! I’m not in the same class as Hideyoshi-kun…”

“Hahaha, Hideyoshi and I are bound by fate.”

“We’re supposed to be tied by the red string of destiny!”

“Now, now, Emi-san, aren’t you in the same class as me?”

Emi casually mentioned the word “red string,” a phrase used in her character introduction on the official website of the original work. Could it be that she’s not getting closer to the original story?

I got goosebumps, so to distract myself, I looked through the class list for everyone.

Hmm.

There are no names of other heroines or side characters.

It seems it’s just Takeru and Hideyoshi.

Good, the next three years seem like they’ll be peaceful.

“See ya, Risa and Emi-chan! Catch you later!”

I step into the new class.

It’s the beginning of a new spring.

My class is a calm one.

…But I didn’t know that a new breeze was blowing somewhere else.

—

“Don’t be so down, don’t be so down.”

“But…”

“I can’t be in the same class as my brother either.”

“…Yeah.”

I’ve been in different classes from Risa-chan until now, but since we started talking about love, we’ve interacted more.

Risa-chan is a good girl, and I like her too.

But if I were to aim for someone after Tojima-kun, it seems like Hideyoshi-kun would be a bit of a danger point.

If we became rivals, I feel like I would lose…

Just like Tojima-kun, I think Hideyoshi-kun is also oblivious.

“Because we’re seated by rank number, we’re close, huh?”

“Or rather, right behind Emi-san.”

Realizing that’s true, we shared a laugh.

It feels like I’ve gained a strong ally.

The girl next to me seems ladylike, which puts me at ease a bit.

She was reading a book, so I decided to greet her lightly.

“Hello, you’re my neighbor, right? Nice to meet you.”

“Yes. I’m Tsugaru Madoka. Pleased to meet you. Um, may I ask your name?”

“Oh right, I’m Sasaki Emi.”

“Eh?”

“Eh?”

The moment she heard my name, my neighbor’s attitude flipped.

Risa-chan too, was visibly shocked by the sudden change.

“Eh? The person behind Sasaki-san?”

“I’m Juumonji Risa, nice to meet you!”

“Ah!?”

For some reason, just hearing our names makes her complexion change drastically.

“What’s wrong? Do you need to go to the infirmary?”

Seeing her looking unwell, I rushed over to Ms. Tsugaru and reached out.

“Don’t touch me!”

“Eh?”

“I don’t want you to find out my weakness. Don’t drag me into your hunt for Juumonji Takeru’s Achilles’ heel! I have nothing against you, Sasaki-san, but Akechi Hidetaka is behind you, right!? It’s scary, so scary…”

Tsugaru-san’s voice was clear with rejection, filled with fear.

I don’t understand, why are the names of Takeru-kun and Hidetaka-kun coming up…?

“Sorry, please don’t involve me in the original work…”

She muttered just that.

Risa-chan and I exchanged glances.

And so began an awkward school life.