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

53

10. The Caged Girl is Bound

I was feeling exhilarated.

Going out to play, surrounded by friends.

Such a simple thing, yet I couldn’t contain my excitement.

At my old school, everyone saw me as a model student, someone who only studied.

But now, free from that model student label, I’ve made a lot of friends.

I’m looking forward to buying a swimsuit, and to the pool as well.

I’m so content with my life right now, I almost regret having to sleep.

A month has flown by since I got to know everyone.

Time flies when you’re having fun.

“I heard we’re buying swimsuits.”

“Count me in!”

“Go home! Go hooome!”

Mr. Jumonji, Mr. Akechi, and Ms. En were causing a commotion at the department store.

But it wasn’t a fight, more like playful banter and the usual antics.

“But I know Risa best. When it comes to choosing swimsuits, I’m your man!”

“Stop it, brother, it’s embarrassing!”

Risa, blushing with embarrassment, pleaded with her brother to stop, a classic case of brother complex.

“These guys are a bit loud, but you’re used to them, right?”

“Y-Yes! I’m fine.”

Mr. Akechi, considerate as ever, struck up a conversation with me.

His kindness made me think, ‘He’s such a nice guy.’

“Um… Mr. Akechi, are you dating Emi?”

“Eh…?”

Mr. Akechi looked up at the department store ceiling, pondering.

His hesitation to answer made me wonder if they weren’t actually dating.

“We might seem like a couple to others, but I just see us as childhood friends.”

“Childhood friend, right?”

“Their house is next door, and since we’re not really together with anyone else, I don’t think I’ll get involved with anyone. On the other hand, I think the Tenmuchi siblings are suspicious.”

“Uh? But they’re siblings, right?”

“Risa-chan is a hidden BL fan, and she’s really into Takel’s stuff. She loves him that much.”

“Ah?!?”

What’s this, a sibling who’s a siscon and a BL fan?!?

That’s so interesting!

She loves him that much, Risa is so scary!?

“Hey, you’re a pervert! Don’t monopolize my eternal love!”

“Shut up, les! There are two of them there, so give in!”

“Hehehe”

We’re all scattered and don’t have a sense of unity as a group.

But despite that, we’re all getting along and having fun, and I don’t want to go home.

I wish I had met Miyabi-san and Emiko sooner.

“Swimsuit allowance…”

“It’s okay, it’s okay! Don’t worry about it, don’t worry about it.”

“But…”

I ended up paying the full swimsuit allowance for the girls, and it’s really embarrassing.

So even if I say I’ll pay half, or 1000 yen, it’s not like they’ll listen.

“Then, let’s splurge on the pool day. Pool entrance fee, lunch fee, locker fee…”

“Understood! Thank you!”

“Uh-uh… I’ve become someone who has to pay for things, and I’m like an angel…”

“Don’t beg, please…”

For some reason, Ei becomes embarrassed.

The only ones who find it funny are the people in Ei’s harem.

The pool day is going to be fun, but what can you do?

Pac-Man.

I got hit on the cheek.

“Eternal, you’ve been acting weird lately, haven’t you?”

“…”

Dad was furious today when he found out I went swimsuit shopping with my friends.

“Why do you think we moved? Didn’t I tell you it was to push friends away from you?”

“…You did.”

“Friends don’t matter, focus on your studies.”

“I am, I am studying!”

With that, I was slapped across the cheek again.

“I heard from your mother. You’re coming home late even though you’re not in any clubs, aren’t you?”

“That’s because I’m studying at school…”

“There’s no sign of study in your notebooks, is there?”

“Ah…”

The notebook that was in my bag spilled out of Dad’s hands.

Mom, understanding my situation, had been on my side.

But now that it was discovered, she too was slapped across the cheek just like me.

“There’s no need to be lost in the moment with so-called friends. Such things can be obtained later.”

“No, I don’t want that! I love my friends now!!”

“I don’t want you to fail your exams and fall from grace like I did. You understand, don’t you, Eien?”

“…I don’t understand! You failed your exams just because you were dumb! I’m already smart enough!”

“You…!”

Slapped, over and over again.

From noble mtl dot come

Dad slapped my cheek so many times that even my stunned mother tried to stop him.

“Ugh… uuuh…”

“What’s so great about friends! Wasting money on swimsuits! The pool is off-limits too!”

Dad, holding up the paper bag with the swimsuit I got from Yen, made my head go blank.

But still, I screamed.

“Stop it, don’t touch me!”

“This thing!”

“Ah…”

He pulled, and the swimsuit tore.

The paper bag was also meticulously torn apart…

The joyous events of today have been reduced to mere trash…

“From now on, I’m setting a curfew. If you’re not home by 5 PM on weekdays, you’ll get no food, no bath, no room. You won’t even be allowed in the house! I’ve already confiscated the key to your room. Your mother will be watching everything!”

“…………”

With those words left hanging, my father retreated to his own room.

After he was gone, my mother came to apologize, saying, “I’m sorry.”

Forced to part ways with my elementary school friends, and now my current friendships aren’t even acknowledged…

What is my life?

Does my life belong to my father…?

Somebody… help…

Someone, please break this birdcage!

As I cry, the words of a friend echo in my mind.

“Hi, Eien! Nice to meet you! If you ever have any trouble, feel free to talk to me about anything!”

Those were the words of the girl who gave me the chance to make a new friend.

I’m in trouble now.

I wonder if talking to Emi could change something…

After all, she’s a third party.

But perhaps, if I consult her, I might get the cooperation of Akechi-san and Jumonji-kun, and they might help me find a solution.

I’ve decided to tell her about my situation.