Chapter 57 - The Puppy That Hid Its Fangs
I could see Mogami-san in the distance. She was looking around frantically, scanning the area like she was searching for someone.
...Hm? Had she not noticed Sanada yet?
Even though he was right nearby, the two of them hadn't actually made eye contact. But it looked like Sanada had noticed Mogami-san. He was watching her, looking like he was debating what to do.
Sanada had to be in Mogami-san's field of vision. And yet she wasn’t reacting to him… which meant she was probably looking for someone else.
She must be looking for Wannai-san.
Even if she was still a high schooler, she wasn’t so young that she’d get lost. She should have known I was on the third floor, so if she wanted to come back, she could have been here in no time.
But Mogami-san was a kind girl.
More likely, she was worried about Wannai-san, who she was with, more than herself. She might have thought that Wannai-san—who is friendly but clumsy and needs constant watching, like a little puppy—was the one who got lost.
But she was wrong. Wannai-san wasn't that innocent. She possessed a cunning nature, one that allowed her to exploit even Mogami-san's kindness when it suited her.
That was because Wannai Misuzu was a “main heroine.”
“Fuko is pretty guarded, but once she warms up to someone, she's totally defenseless, you know? She believed every single word I said. She didn't doubt me for a second, she just entrusted ev-er-y-thing to me.”
Wannai-san placed her hand familiarly on my shoulder and whispered those words. It was a strange sensation. I couldn't sense any malice in her intent, and yet, malice accompanied her actions. It was creepy.
“But, you know, it was actually a struggle to get her to come out with me. When we came out of the restroom and I suggested we leave you behind to go look at clothes, she turned me down instantly.”
“That sounds exactly like Mogami-san.”
“Right? So, I changed my approach. I asked her, 'Why don't we look at some clothes Sato would like so you can surprise him with them?'”
I see.
If she spun it as being "for my sake," then yeah, Mogami-san would definitely agree to it. She was altruistic to an abnormal degree. She had a weakness for doing things "for someone else." And Wannai-san had exploited that nature.
“…You look stupid, but you’re annoyingly clever.”
“Nihihi. I look stupid, don't I? But too bad for you. I actually think things through... especially when it comes to myself.”
And this girl... she had the exact opposite nature of Mogami-san. The concept of "for the sake of others" just didn't exist for her. Everything she said, everything she did... it all boiled down to one single point: "for my sake."
“Fuko is exactly what I thought she'd be... She's so easy to handle, a total pushover, and just... so convenient. A girl like that is the perfect wife for someone like Saiga, who can’t stay loyal, don't you think? She wouldn't be able to keep him all to herself. And even if he cheated on her, she'd probably forgive him right away if he just apologized. So, even if I became his mistress... I bet she'd accept that, too.”
So that's why she set her sights on Mogami-san. From the moment we met, I had already sensed that she had some kind of hidden agenda... and apparently, this was it.
“…And you really think I'm going to stand by and do nothing after hearing that?”
But this girl was misunderstanding something.
Wan-chan. What would you do... if the guy standing right in front of you—the one you're looking down on with such total contempt—actually had the will to act in this situation?
To you, I probably look like just another mediocre side character you could find anywhere. But... what if the person you dismissed as “just another guy” was actually a reincarnated character with an advantage no one else had?
The answer, of course, was obvious:
I wasn’t going to let her use Mogami-san for her schemes.
“Mogami-san!”
If I shouted from the third floor, it would reach her. The mall was crowded since it was the weekend, but that didn’t matter. I knew I’d draw a lot of attention, and I felt guilty about disturbing people. If someone got upset, I’d apologize properly later.
I needed to let Mogami-san know I was there. At the same time, if I made Sanada aware of my presence, that should be enough to keep him in check.
To do that, all I had to do was shout from right here. That alone would make Wannai-san's entire plan crumble.
There was only one reason for her failure. She had underestimated me.
“—No. Don't get in my way, okay?”
The moment I tried to shout. My mouth was covered, and at the same time, my throat was squeezed tight. I couldn't breathe.
“Ghk…!”
I hadn’t expected it. Wannai-san had actually been on guard against me.
Despite the fact that she'd been treating me with such utter contempt this whole time.
“Yeah. Your reaction just now confirmed it. You’re the biggest obstacle.”
I'd thought the reason she was blabbing about her motives and actions earlier was because she'd underestimated me, assuming I wouldn't do anything... but apparently, I was wrong.
She hadn’t underestimated me.
It seemed she had been testing me all along—.
