Chapter 230.2

Chapter 230.2. The Villainous Mob

“Because Masatoshi-san belongs to Susano’o, they gave instructions from above for us to act together.”

“Oh… So you joined the same party with your lover, right, Se-chan?”

“I’m a candidate for a fiancée.”

“You like him, don’t you?”

Talking about love, talking about love, I asked excitedly, and Sena smiled wryly, with a slightly sad expression at the corner of her mouth.

It’s a strange reaction. Maybe Sena doesn’t like Masatoshi after all.

“Of course, I do like him. He may be straightforward and impulsive, with some rough edges.”

“…What do you like about him?”

It sounds like a terrible man. With a cold, skeptical look, Sena bursts into laughter upon seeing that.

“Well, his personality is, um, difficult at times, but he’s constantly growing in a better direction. He has helped me multiple times and acts for the sake of powerless people. He’s someone whose future I’m looking forward to.”

“Oh, so you’re in love?”

“But I don’t think it has developed into a romantic relationship. Besides, I feel guilty because I’ve been bossing him around.”

“He probably thinks of it as a reward, you know?”

He’ll likely be excited and happy, thinking it’s a reward, even if she makes him work like a draft horse, saying, “Work for me, ohoho,” while whipping him.

“I can’t deny that… because it’s Masatoshi-san.”

She seems to be aware of it, after all. Well, he’s someone who enjoys headbutting, after all… He used to take Sena’s charges head-on without any defense.

“But… I’m the terrible one, so I probably won’t truly fall in love unless this guilt goes away.”

Looking up at the night sky, Sena speaks with a distant look.

Hm… There seems to be more to it. I wonder what happened? Maybe it’s related to the events in the novel?

She wants to ask more, but she’s afraid it might be rude. As Mii-chan becomes restless, Sena murmurs softly.

“If… suppose the ending is predetermined, and no matter how many times you repeat, you can’t escape the same fate… what would Mii-chan do?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

It’s a meaningful line, and I’m about to lean forward and ask Sena back, but then I feel a soft sensation on my back.

“Kon-chan, I’m all clean now~.”

Jumping into the bath, splashing water around, Tamamo sticks to my back with a sly grin.

Hmm, Tamamo seems to have become quite heavily armored. Hmm, it’s not like I’m jealous or anything.

“By the way, did Shin-san seem strange to you?”

Yamiyo swims closer, making splashing sounds.

“Strange? In what way?”

There was indeed something off about him. A kind of strange feeling. Yamiyo must have felt it too.

“Something… The atmosphere around him has changed.”

“Yeah, the atmosphere was different. He didn’t give off that annoying vibe today~.”

With a puzzled expression, Tamamo also agrees with Yamiyo’s words.

People’s images can change with subtle gestures and tone of speech.

Since I often talk with Shin, and his actions stand out, I remember the previous impression of him.

Yamiyo and the others have quite a keen observational eye. Seeing Shin today, they must have noticed a slight difference.

“Yes, that’s right. Shin-san was different today… He didn’t hesitate to help our classmates in danger.”

Sena nods in agreement. She also felt that something was off.

He’s a righteous person who jumps to help without reading the atmosphere. Today, Shin seemed like the protagonist from the original story.

Usually, he would indirectly try to turn things to his advantage.

He’s truly a cunning guy. It’s terrible, right? It’s something innocent Mii-chan could never do.

“Something must have happened, and he had a change of heart.”

While hugging Mii-chan, Tamamo tilts her head, wondering what happened to Shin.

“As the eldest son of the Duke’s family, it might not be good. He might have gained that acting ability too.”

For some reason, Yamiyo also clings to Mii-chan. It’s a bit embarrassing since we’re naked.

“Yamiyo-chan, you’re so sharp. But I wonder if he had a change of heart…”

He may have a change of heart… One of Grandpa Odin’s theories. A protagonist just like in the original story…

“I don’t know if he had a change of heart, but with that personality, I don’t think he would do anything weird.”

Sena’s words make sense. If he’s the protagonist from the original story, he wouldn’t scheme against others or do anything dirty. That kind of corrupt behavior is not like the protagonist’s.

That’s Kanna Shin, the protagonist with a strong sense of purity, goodness, and justice.

However, even if the protagonist doesn’t do dirty work… It’s a different story if the people around him are prepared.

Sena is probably thinking the same thing. Her gaze is sharp.

And tomorrow is our time for the mining dungeon’s exploration. It’s probably going to be full of twists and turns.

Anyway, Yamiyo-chan, Tamamo-chan. Can you both let go of me now? It’s ticklish.