CH 13

I’d Rather Be a Mob Character Than a Dull Protagonist



“What’s going on here, Nakayama! What have you been doing with Shiho!?”



Ryuzaki yelled at me like he was about to grab me by the chest.



I guess he’s upset. His face, which is usually full of composure and a wry smile, is distorted with confusion. Seeing this, I felt a dark emotion rising up in me.



It seems I am not a very friendly person. I found it interesting that Ryuzaki was so upset.



I’m aware of it, but I can’t resist it. I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to control myself now that I don’t have Shimotsuki next to me…….



“Shiho is weak, you know. She’s so sickly that she gets sick if she doesn’t sleep all the time, even at school. …… Maybe you brought her outside!”



…… sickly and weak?　



I’ve never heard of that.



I’ve been friends with Shimotsuki for two days now and I’ve never seen her show any signs of being sickly.



In fact, she seems to be quite healthy.



She said that the reason she sleeps at school is because she is bored and at home she would rather stay up all night playing games or something. …… What does that mean?



(Maybe that’s what this guy thinks?)



Ryuzaki probably doesn’t know Shimotsuki very well.



It’s not surprising if you look at her attitude. She was cold towards Ryuzaki at all times and would not speak to him. …… I feel that Ryuzaki has made up his own mind that she is sickly and weak.



“Eh, let’s see. ……”



And Azusa was cowering behind Ryuzaki.



A few moments ago, she looked somewhat tense…… yet determined, and now she looks confused.



Since I am her stepbrother, I can tell by the expression on her face what kind of feelings my sister is having.



She must have been trying to tell Ryuzaki something important.



She called him out to the back of the school building where there was no one around.



I think she was trying to confess …… or something similarly serious.



No, you don’t need to be a stepbrother to know this.



Being called to the back of the school building is the perfect situation for a confession. It’s not an exaggeration to say that it’s a common practice.



But Ryuzaki doesn’t notice it.



He’s a bit dull and unaware of love.



…… Although my sister no longer has any connection with me.



I knew it was a shame that her determination was not rewarded, so I couldn’t help but offer her a helping hand.



“What’s up with you two all of a sudden?　Why did you come to the back of the school building, where there is no one around? …… Were you planning to talk about something important?”



Not to Ryuzaki.



I looked at Azusa and called out to her.



She looks at me with wide eyes.



But she quickly looks away. It’s as though she’s pretending to be someone else.



“I don’t know. I was called away by Azusa. …… That can wait. Don’t change the subject, explain to me what you were doing with Shiho.”



But Ryuzaki is insensitive in every way.



He didn’t seem to be aware of Azusa’s feelings in the slightest.



I despised the pure thoughts of that girl.



It’s still hard for me as a family member.



As an older brother, it is natural for me to hope that Azusa’s feelings will at least be rewarded.



“Nothing, of course not. Nakayama-san, if you have something to say, why don’t you say it clearly? If I’m in your way, I’ll go away.”



…… It’s still hard for me to call Azusa, Nakayama-san, though.



But I promised her that before. She doesn’t want people to know that she’s actually my sister. Because the ideal Onii-chan for her is not me, but Ryuzaki.



“Oh, uh, …….”



But Azusa is still a bit shy.



She is a quiet girl at heart, so it must have taken a lot of courage for her to decide to confess.



I think it was really great that she overcame that and called him.



When I thought about Azusa’s feelings, my heart ached.



It’s a feeling that won’t be directed at me anymore, but …… at least, I hope that she will be happy.



In the past, I was the ” Onii-chan “.　



However, that thought never seemed to reach Ryuzaki……



“You’re making a scene. …… I’m sorry, Azusa. Can you give me a moment alone with him? If you have something to say, I will listen to you later.”



In this way, Ryuzaki dismisses the thoughts of the girl.



Due to his insensitivity, he has no malicious intent. So I don’t think it’s malicious.



Not realizing it is evil.



It’s just laziness to not realize that there is so much affection coming from them.



This is the reason why I hated Ryuzaki after all.



“Uh-huh. I’ll see you later, Ryoma Onii-chan.”



And even as Azusa quietly retreated as she was told, anger boiled over.



Is that what she wants?



Is that the extent of Azusa’s feelings?　



She was so excited to tell me that she had found someone he liked, and then she cut me out of her life for the sake of that person. …… And now she’s retreating?



I want to scream.



She should have told him clearly how she felt.



But I couldn’t say that because I had so many happy memories with Azusa.



I never wanted to see her crying face.



“…………”



So all I could do was look at her in silence.



…… Oh, I see.



I used to think of myself as a protagonist, but …… I’m not.



I can’t be so selfish as to ignore the feelings of such a pure girl.



No, I don’t want to do it. …… I would rather be a mob character than hurt a nice girl like that with the excuse of being insensitive.