I Play the Role of (Villain/Heroine) in a Japanese-style Otome Game Chapter 23 Part2

Why does it feel like Chako's the heroine? And that sounds like a confession, Kousuke!!!

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Wafū Otome Gē de (Akuyaku/Hiroin) Yattemasu

I Play the Role of a Heroine
 – Attaining Everything 7 [Part 2]

Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl
Support the translations by reading at the translator's site.

　Summer break is ending soon. I continued going to the Student Council as usual.
Tomotaksenpai and I didn't get awkward or hostile subsequently, our relations.h.i.+p didn't change.
Rather, the distance between us might have shortened as a result of him being able to talk to Chako directly.

　Just like the summer break in the 2nd round when I worked hard in the Student Council, I wake up in the morning and head to school slightly early.
Chako comes and picks me up and we separate after entering school.
While I work at the Student Council, Chako waits at Tomoyuki-san's house, studying or gaming.
“The aircon is cooling, the television is huge, the food is yummy”, Chako grinned from ear to ear.
Kousuke-kun and Yuusei-kun would apparently visit at times and everyday seems really fun.
Tomoyuki-san, too, doesn't find Chako who goes there everyday, troublesome. He keeps her company while handling his work moderately.
If you didn't read this at nakimus.h.i.+tl, this has been stolen.
　In the morning, I chat with Tomotaksenpai a bit before doing the Student Council work.
After completing the work, I'd go to Tomoyuki-san's place and if time allows, play with everyone.
Sometimes I'd also forcibly bring Tomotaksenpai…
And walk home together with Chako.
After that, I'd change my attire and train with Yuusei-kun.

　I feel pretty worn out in terms of stamina but everyday is truly fun and fulfilling.
Everyone weren't connected to each other before, but their connections pile up even without me now and it's a little amusing to watch.

"I respect you, Kamo-senpai."

　We're relaxing at Tomoyuki-san's house after Student Council when Kousuke-kun talks to Tomotaksenpai, all of a sudden.
It appears Kousuke-kun finally told the person in question his sincere sentiments[1].
Tomotaksenpai, sitting across me at the dining table, chuckles and looks at the Kousuke-kun sitting beside me.
Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl
"You won't get anything flattering me, you know?"
"No, that isn't it…"

　Kousuke-kun probably startled himself too.
His eyes swim around a little… but are still fixed on Tomotaksenpai.

"I thoughtlessly sympathised with you. It may just be me, but I thought our problem was similar."
"… Aa."

　Tomotaksenpai returns only a troubled smile at Kousuke-kun's direct words.
Kousuke-kun and Tomotaksenpai's problem.
That is, self-deprecating because there's someone amazing nearby. It's probably that.

"I have a big bro. You probably know, but I've always been told I'm a『Good-for-Nothing Fox』. Even I think of myself as one."

　Kousuke-kun spoke indifferently.
Tomotaksenpai didn't stop him, and simply stares.
On the other side of the living room, Chako and Yuusei-kun can be seen laughing happily.

"Not liking myself, or the existence of my big bro… all I did was rot away. Even though I wanted to be strong, I didn't know how… So all I did was deny."
Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl
　Kousuke's brows knit in pain.

"Even if I persuade myself, "I'm not weak, I'm not weak", the sense of hunger in my heart didn't fade."

　The amber eyes sway.

"However, Kamo-senpai even went to serve as the Student Council president of this school. Your upright figure… was amazing, I thought."
"… It wasn't upright."

　Tomotaksenpai laughs self-derisively at Kousuke-kun's words.
Yet, Kousuke-kun shakes his head lightly and stares at him.

"Kamo-senpai has always been working hard, I thought."
"Working hard… is it. I think the fact that one has no choice but to do so is pathetic, though."
"… That isn't true. Because I didn't even do that."

　Kousuke-kun gives a small sigh and bites his lips.
Seeing such a Kousuke-kun, Tomotaksenpai stops speaking, as though he's thinking.
He then slowly spins his words.

"… Phantoms don't get stronger by working hard, right?"
"But there should've been things I could do…"
"And you, did do them."
If you didn't read this at nakimus.h.i.+tl, this has been stolen.
　Tomotaksenpai's deep blue eyes narrow gently at Kousuke-kun, who closed his eyes in pain.

"I think that you, who do what you can and is able to accurately put them to words like that, is amazing."

　Those words of Tomotaksenpai weren't consolation. One can feel that they truly came from his heart.
Kousuke-kun's momentarily stunned at those words, before he looks at Tomotaksenpai with a troubled smile.
Looking back at such a Kousuke-kun, Tomotaksenpai then glances towards the living room.
There, the back of a laughing Chako playing games can be seen.

"Besides… doesn't Tomonagsan have fun when she's with you?"
Support the translations by reading at the translator's site.
　At those words, Kousuke-kun makes the most astonished expression he'd made so far, and looks at Tomotaksenpai.
He glances at Chako's back and speaks with knitted brows.

"… Chako smiles prettily only when she's with you, Kamo-senpai."

　Tomotaksenpai returns a bitter expression to those words.
They exchange glances, and both avert their eyes.
I burst out laughing at the atmosphere that turns strangely fidgety.

"Why are you giving way and ceding Chako to each other?"
"… Naba."
"I'm not ceding though?"
Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl
　Finding the two looking at me with exasperated faces amusing, I laugh out loud even harder.

"Too bad, but Chako laughs the most happily when she's with me."
"… Well, can't deny that." [Kousuke]
"That's true." [Tomotaka]
"By the way, right now she's laughing with Yuusei-kun, not any of us three." [Yui]
"… Right." [Kousuke]
"… Aa." [Tomotaka]
If you didn't read this at nakimus.h.i.+tl, this has been stolen.
　All three of us look reproachfully at Chako, who's joking around with Yuusei-kun.
It seems Chako felt something. She turns our way, looking at us with her deep blue eyes, "What? What happened?"
When we stare at Chako silently, she speaks in hushed tones into Yuusei-kun's ear as though she thought of something.
Then, Yuusei-kun mumbles something too, and looks at us with a smirk.
Chako starts smirking too.

　… These two are definitely talking about something improper.

　As my brows knit tightly, Tomotaksenpai swiftly stands up.

"It's about time I leave."
"Yes. I will be heading home with Chako."
"Aa, you've worked hard."
"Yes, you have worked hard too."

　Kousuke-kun silently stare at the exchange of words between Tomotaksenpai and I.
Tomotaksenpai smiles gently at such a Kousuke-kun.

"… Thanks. I was happy."
"No, I was glad to have spoken to you too, Kamo-senpai."

　Tomotaksenpai gives Kousuke-kun's shoulder a goodbye pat.
Kousuke-kun responses with a small smile and sees off Tomotaksenpai's back figure.
When Tomotaksenpai's figure can no longer be seen, Kousuke-kun places his left hand on the shoulder that was patted.
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"Just now… something…"
"Nn? What's wrong, Kousuke-kun?"
"Ah, nah… It's nothing."

　Although Kousuke-kun's expression remains quizzical for a while, he shakes his head, going "Was it my imagination?"
I give a smile to such a Kousuke-kun and stand up.

"Let's play a game together."
"Yeah, we should."

　Kousuke-kun stands up too, and heads to the sofa Chako and Yuusei-kun are on.
All four of us sit on the sofa and start the usual party game.
Wanting to corner everyone, Chako picks one of the larger game pads.
Apparently, she wants to play the role of the villain.

"UHAHA, try escaping!"
"Wait, Chako! My side is…!"
"Okay, I'll let Yui-chan off."
"Alright, I think we'll be let off if we stick with Naba."
"Stop! Don't come here, Yuusei-kun!"
"Ehh, so troublesome. I'm gonna erase everyone along with Yui-chan after all."
"Chako, you idiot!"
If you didn't read this at nakimus.h.i.+tl, this has been stolen.
　Yuusei-kun's character approached mine, who was taking refuge in a corner.
Grabbing that opportunity, Chako who didn't attack my side until now, starts attacking us.
The mushroom character I'm manipulating is baked by flames and its hearts[2] disappeared in the blink of an eye.
By the way, Yuusei-kun is skilfully jumping and avoiding Chako's attacks. How mean.

"I had to retire because of Yuusei-kun…"
"It can't be helped. Just diligently send us 4, 5 and 6 dice blocks, Naba."

　When I glare silently at Yuusei-kun, he snorts and orders me arrogantly.
When my brows knit tightly at that, Chako looks at me, nodding "Leave it to me".

"Wait for me, Yui-chan. I'll let Kousuke-chan and Yuusei-chan join you."
"… Un. Bring them down, Chako."
"… Naba. You're part of our team, right?"

　I look at Kousuke-kun and Yuusei-kun with resentment-filled eyes, and Kousuke-kun gives me an exasperated look.
I shake my head lightly.
My hearts probably won't recover.
In that case, ending the game quickly so the next will start is more beneficial for me.
Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl
"I'll play the villain next. And defeat Yuusei-kun."
"Nah, you suck, Naba. You'll probably just end without retiring anyone."
"I can do it. I'll work hard."

　When I clenched my fist and make a resolution, Chako cheers "So cool!".
The summer break we spent spiritedly was really fun.