CH 16

Mobs don’t need emotions



–Fool them.



–Fake it.



–Deceive.



That’s what I told myself, and I smiled smugly at Ryuzaki.



“Nothing really happened, okay? Well, I knew Shimotsuki-san was a girl with a hard side. I wanted to hit on her, but she didn’t even give me a chance.”



The character, a dog that plays around with the heroine.



In the end, it’s just a stage set to give the impression that he is no match for the heroine.



“Hit on her? Did you try to seduce Shiho?”



“No, because she’s so cute. …… It was hard to say, but yeah. I somehow managed to ask her to have lunch with me. Shimotsuki-san is kind and …… reluctant, but she ate lunch with me.”



As soon as I said that, Ryuzaki relaxed, as if he was at once relieved.



“What, that’s what you mean. …… You were just a challenger.”



“Heh. Well, I didn’t make any progress in the end! But since there is such a beautiful girl in my class, I wanted to give it a try. …… I called her here and tried to hit on her somehow, but then Ryuzaki came. It made Shimotsuki-san go crazy, so she left.”



I put a smile on my face.



The pain that prickles in my heart is probably due to the fact that I still have some pride left from mistakenly thinking that I was once the protagonist.



I don’t need that.



I’ll just be a mob character.



I don’t mind throwing away anything that disturbs Shimotsuki.



–Flirt.



–Heckle him.



–Wag my tail.



Just act like a pathetic high school boy.



Be a nameless character that makes Ryuzaki feel like he’s insignificant.



“Well, maybe that was a rejection. …… There’s nothing I can do about it, Shimotsuki-san has a high standard! But I’m not giving up. …… I’ll try again, again and again!”



I’ll pretend to be foolish.



I play the part of a pathetic clown who falls in love with an ungrateful woman.



Seeing me like this, Ryuzaki was clearly distracted.



“So …… you called her here and created a situation where the two of you are alone. I misunderstood, I’m sorry. You’re right, there’s no way Shiho would hide anything from me. …… We’re childhood friends, so it’s only natural.”



Then, he conveniently complimented the setup.



This is the arrogance and weakness of the protagonist.



I was relieved at first that I was able to deceive him so easily.



Then, I decided to set up a strategy so that I would not be bothered by Shimotsuki in the future.



“Your childhood friend is strong! But I’m not going to lose either. …… Someday, I’m going to get along with Shimotsuki-san somehow!”



I played the role of a cheerful and stupid boy.



This should make Ryuzaki think that I’m just a mob character trying hard to get her attention, even if I’m talking to Shimotsuki in the future.



“Watch me! I can do it too if I try!”



I must have looked like a hothead. Ryuzaki laughed, clearly dismissive.



“Huh. …… Well, good luck with that. Shiho is a girl with a lot of difficulties, so I think it’s probably impossible. The only person who understands her is me, her childhood friend.”



He seemed to be in a good mood.



Ryuzaki smiled refreshingly and held out his hand to me.



“I was wrong about you, Nakayama. You’re a pretty funny guy. …… Let’s be friends from now on.”



…… What was funny about that?



Does he think it’s funny that I am a mob character and I’m messing with the main heroine?



He thinks me and him are friends?



You’ve got to be kidding me.



“I can’t.”



“…………Huh?”



It didn’t work.



No matter how hard I tried to pretend, I couldn’t.



No matter how much I fool myself, no matter how foolish I play myself, …… there is one feeling I can’t lie about, no matter how hard I try.



–I hate you, Ryuzaki.



Of course, I’m not going to say that I hate him from the bottom of my heart.



I immediately smiled fondly at him, since saying that much would defeat the purpose of eliminating my presence as a mob character.



“Because you’re my biggest rival! If I take advantage of my position as Ryuzaki’s friend, I’ll never be able to get along with Shimotsuki-san. I know I can’t win, but let me try!”



I gave him a good reason.



Then Ryuzaki, who looked puzzled for a moment, seemed to be relieved.



“I was surprised when you suddenly glared at me. …… If that’s the case, I guess I can’t help it. I’m not going to be your friend, but I’ll be glad to work with you from now on!”



Ryuzaki said nodding his head. He probably recognized that I was just a small fish.



I think I’ve succeeded in fooling him somehow.



Now Ryuzaki will not get involved with Shimotsuki.



“So, I’m going back to class. And Nakayama, make sure you’re not late, okay?”



With those words, Ryuzaki finally left.



After making sure that he was gone, I slowly exhaled.



“Phew. ……”



I sat down and clenched my fists as I collapsed on the spot.



“Huh!”



I slammed into the ground and let my anger out.



“…… That hurt.”



I looked at my bloodied fist and regained some composure.



I flattered him. I humbled myself to the main character. It was still frustrating, but ……, well, it’s okay.



“I am a mob character. I don’t need to feel emotions.”



I muttered sarcastically and forced myself to laugh.



I don’t need to look in the mirror to know, I’m sure the smile I’m wearing right now is so distorted, it’s unbearable to look at.