Chapter 49 - Losing Heroine < Protagonist < Former Mob Heroine < Me (Side Character)
"So Fuko, you like Sato, huh?"
Wannai-san didn't even mince her words, she just hurled the question directly at Mogami-san bluntly, without any sugarcoating.
Hey, c'mon. Don't poke at that. It's a sensitive topic, you've got to be a little more delicate.
"W-well… I don't know if it's 'like,' or maybe 'admiration'… I mean, he's kind of like a god, someone that a person like me could never, ever measure up to."
"…A god?"
And what was I even supposed to say to that? I couldn't help but be shocked that she'd skipped right past 'admiration' and turned me into an 'object of worship' in her mind. I was nothing more than a side character, yet in Mogami-san's eyes I had somehow reached divine status. The power of delulu was terrifying.
"You've got to be kidding… You really like him that much, huh? This plain guy who looks like a weed? And it's one-sided? Doesn't the power balance seem totally off???"
Wannai-san was completely confused. Power balance, huh… If I drew it out as a diagram, yeah, it would definitely look weird.
Something like that? Yeah, it was weird. Somehow, I was sitting at the top of this romcom.
"…Yep, there's just no way. I'll probably forget your face by tomorrow."
Wannai-san stared hard at my face, as if trying to identify some distinguishing feature. She was probably trying to figure out why Mogami-san liked me. But she clearly couldn't find an answer, because she just gave up and shook her head.
"How can you like this type of guy and yet have zero interest in Saiga? I don't get it."
"Everyone has their own preferences. I understand why you like Sanada-kun, but that doesn't mean I feel the same way."
"…Then prove it."
From the bottom of her heart, Wannai-san simply couldn't believe Mogami-san's feelings. She kept glancing back and forth between me and Mogami-san, full of doubt. Apparently my face was really that plain. Well, I didn't really care what other people thought… but Mogami-san seemed to feel differently.
"Does me liking Sato-kun really seem that unbelievable to you?"
"Yeah. I mean, he's just an ordinary guy. He doesn't even compare to Saiga."
"Fine. Then I'll prove it to you. I'll show you just how wonderful Sato-kun really is."
…Huh?
I got the feeling this conversation had taken a weird turn. Wasn't this whole get-together just supposed to be a minor event, like the introduction of the losing heroine? Or maybe a setup for me to get involved in Sanada's romcom…? However, it wasn't going in that direction at all.
If anything, it was going the exact opposite way.
"Just go on a date this weekend. I'll stalk you two from afar and watch."
Wannai-san's words were becoming the trigger for our romantic comedy.
Was this really okay? I wasn't entirely convinced, but it seemed like this "date" was already a done deal. The girls ignored me completely and began discussing things on their own.
Mogami-san was usually timid, but the moment something involved me, she'd immediately become incredibly proactive, like a different person. She can't seem to act for her own sake, but she can act for the sake of others. That was the kind of altruistic personality she had.
"Alright. Wannai-san, can you give me your contact info? I'll let you know once we've decided where to go."
"Yeah, please do."
"If there's anything you're curious about regarding Sato-kun, just ask me directly, okay? And absolutely don't, like, stalk him or anything, alright? I can let it slide that you were stalking me, I guess… but I'd prefer if you just asked normally."
"R-really? Okay. Hmm… hehehe."
Ah, right. Come to think of it, I vaguely remembered that Wannai-san, much like Mogami-san, didn't have many friends.
She was the type of girl who just said whatever was on her mind. She was selfish and a total spoiled cheeky brat, so she often got carried away easily and said things she shouldn't. That's why she didn't have many female friends.
I think the reason why she was so crazy about Sanada was because he was the one guy who was still nice to her, even with her personality. Still, it seemed like she might get along surprisingly well with Mogami-san. They were chatting normally, and they even exchanged contact info. Wannai-san looked actually, genuinely happy.
(A date, huh… a bit of pressure, but oh well.)
This event was probably meant to deepen my relationship with Mogami-san. And maybe, just maybe, it would even help Wannai-san and Mogami-san connect and form a friendship.
If that was the case, then even if something felt a little off… I could accept it.
If it meant Mogami-san could make a friend, then maybe I could put in the effort too—just this once.
