LIGHTNOVELSTORY chapter 90
90. The Villain and the Heroine
“Then, let’s have everyone gather a bit earlier tomorrow morning, and Shindo can explain and decide on the menu, okay?”
“Yeah. I think it would be good to explain the details of the menu in front of everyone and ultimately decide by majority vote.”
“That sounds the most peaceful. If we discuss it among amateurs in sweets-making, we won’t reach a conclusion. It’s best to have Shindo, the cooking leader, take the lead here.”
As it began to grow dark, Himeno and I started to wrap up our discussion.
Even after reviewing the survey results, the conversation wasn’t progressing.
We decided it would be best to explain the menu I had thought of, discuss it, and vote again to make a decision.
Even though we had time until the cultural festival, I felt that our group was lagging behind compared to the others.
The group next to us, where Mashiro was, had already completed the discussion phase and was steadily moving forward with preparations. Other classes seemed to be in a similar situation.
To catch up, we needed to proceed smoothly with our preparations, not falling behind the other classes.
That said, there was no need to rush.
Even though I stood at the center of the class, my influence as the villain wasn’t that strong.
I had to do my best to incorporate everyone’s opinions and skillfully bring the discussion together.
“Well then, let’s continue this tomorrow. I’ll think about what to explain to everyone.”
“Please do. For now, I’ll share today’s discussion with Shindo in the group chat. I want everyone to gather early in the morning, and that way, the conversation will flow more smoothly, right?”
“Yeah, thanks. And don’t forget to invite me too. It’s kind of sad being the only one excluded from the class chat.”
“That’s true. Leave that to me. I’ll explain it well.”
Himeno stood up from her seat and brushed off her skirt.
We had talked quite a bit, but I felt that, despite everything, preparations for the cultural festival were indeed progressing. Just then, I noticed Himeno staring intently at me.
“What’s wrong? Is there something else?”
“Yes. The cultural festival is important, but don’t forget the crucial thing.”
—
“The reason why Fusegawa has become strange, huh? Of course, I haven’t forgotten.”
“For me, that was the main topic. It’s a bit disappointing that there’s been no progress on that front.”
“Well, I do want to do something about it as soon as possible.”
I believe I understand the depth of Hime no’s feelings for Fusegawa Raito throughout the original story.
As one of the main heroines, as a childhood friend, she has been the closest to Fusegawa Raito, observing him more than anyone else.
In the original, she has always acted with him in mind. Her strong feelings, that he is the most important person to her, have been evident in her actions.
As someone who has supported Hime no in the original, I too want to uncover the truth behind the protagonist Fusegawa Raito’s strange behavior as soon as possible.
However, I don’t think it’s a problem that can be solved so easily.
Fusegawa Raito shows unusual behavior only when something different from the original occurs.
Every time the antagonist, myself, or Mashiro causes an irregularity not present in the original, Fusegawa Raito behaves in a way that is uncharacteristic of a protagonist.
In other words, to respond to Hime no’s feelings, it is necessary to create an irregular development that wasn’t in the original once again.
If that happens, the reasons and causes of the strange behavior will surely become clear. By observing carefully, I might be able to get closer to the answer.
However, I think it will be difficult to create an irregular development during the upcoming main event, the cultural festival.
While the roles in preparing the sweets café are different, the overall flow is almost exactly as in the original. If things proceed smoothly, the second class’s sweets café will succeed just like in the original, and I won’t be able to confirm the identity of the strange behavior that Hime no speaks of.
Even if I act as the antagonist and try to sabotage the success of the sweets café, it would be nearly impossible to create an irregularity.
In the original, Fusegawa Raito overcame all of Shindo Ryusuke’s various sabotage attempts and managed to unite the class.
The success of the second class’s sweets café is a guaranteed future, and it would be nearly impossible to overturn that and trigger an irregular development.
Moreover, I personally want to enjoy the cultural festival of “Fusekoi” that I saw in anime and comics, and I think it would be incredibly happy to experience that emotion live as a fan of the original.
In other words, I must ensure the success of the sweets café at the cultural festival while also creating an irregular development that wasn’t in the original.
(The cultural festival is a major event for “Fusekoi”… Changing that flow is going to be quite difficult.)
How can I create an irregular development that wasn’t in the original and uncover the truth behind the protagonist Fusegawa Raito’s strange behavior?
At that moment, I couldn’t even find a clue to that—when it happened.
“—Ah! Ryusuke, you’re still in the classroom! Look at this—I’ve finished it!”
The classroom door opened, and a bright, cute voice echoed.
When I glanced toward the classroom door, there stood an angel. No, upon closer inspection, it was my childhood friend Mashiro. Yep, she’s as adorably strong as ever today.
As soon as she spotted me, she happily ran over, showing me the notebook she was holding.
“Oh, Mashiro. Did you perhaps finish it?”
“Yeah. Yesterday it was still in the rough stage. But after school, I stayed behind to work on it and made detailed corrections to finish it. It took quite a bit of time, but now I can finally show it off!”
Mashiro smiled, revealing her cute little fangs, and began flipping through the notebook.
There, drawn on the pages, was the completed design of a maid outfit adorned with plenty of frills, and Mashiro held the notebook up for me to see clearly as she began to explain.
—
“To make the ribbon stand out, I’ll add a large frill around the chest and create a big ribbon at the waist. Then, I’ll pair it with a mini skirt that flares out gently from the waist and black tights…”
“Oh wow. I think it looks great. With this, there’s no doubt it’ll be a big hit.”
“It’s definitely going to hit everyone’s hearts with its cuteness. Next, we need to show it to everyone in class, and if it seems alright, we’ll gather the materials and prepare for the real thing.”
“That’s amazing, Mashiro. You really worked hard. To get it this far in such a short time is impressive.”
“Thank you. When you praise me, Ryusuke, it… makes me really happy.”
“Hey, don’t suddenly get shy like that… it makes me embarrassed too.”
“Hehe. I worked hard because I wanted to be praised by Ryusuke, so I couldn’t help it…”
“I-I see. Well, um, I’m looking forward to the real thing. I’m cheering for you.”
Mashiro, blushing and hiding her face with her notebook, was so cute that my heart had been racing wildly since earlier.
I was overwhelmed by the impulse to pat Mashiro’s head, but I remembered that we were in the classroom and held back.
Himeno, who had been silently watching us, said with an exasperated expression, “Alright, alright, thank you for the meal,” and lightly tapped my shoulder. Then she whispered in my ear.
“Hey, Shindo… is this how you two always are?”
“Ah, uh… well… yeah?”
“Right. It feels like… really thank you for the meal…”
“Huh? What’s with the sudden change?”
To my confusion, Himeno sighed as if exasperated, saying, “You really have no self-awareness…”
I didn’t understand at all, while Mashiro remained shy and embarrassed.
In the midst of this indescribable atmosphere, Himeno turned her gaze toward Mashiro.
“You’re Mashiro Amanatsu from Class 2, right? I’m Kakeru Himeno from Class 1, just like Shindo. We were on the same beach volleyball team, remember? You can call me Himeno or Kakeru, whichever you prefer.”
“Ah… y-yes! Then, Kakeru-san!”
“Mm, that’s fine. Then I’ll call you by your first name too. Nice to meet you, Mashiro-san.”
“Yes, Kakeru-san. Nice to meet you. I’d be happy if we could get along.”
“Hehe. Yes, let’s be friends. By the way… the maid outfit you drew is really cute. Your drawing skills are great and very easy to understand.”
“W-wah, th-thank you…!”
Mashiro swayed happily, blushing at Himeno’s praise. Her long, beautiful black hair swayed, like a happy puppy wagging its tail. So cute.
Himeno seemed charmed by Mashiro’s cuteness as well, her cheeks softening as she gently gazed at Mashiro.
On the other hand, I was moved by the sight of Mashiro, who had been a villain in the original story, now having a friendly conversation with Himeno, one of the main heroines.
In the original, the two were adversaries, but now they were chatting amicably like this. I felt a surge of emotion, realizing that our efforts had genuinely changed the future of the original story.
(This kind of future… really existed. No, it’s a future that we’ve grasped with our own hands.)
Since being reincarnated, Mashiro and I had been steadily putting in our efforts.
—
Though there were painful and difficult times, we overcame them together, supporting each other.
Now that our efforts have blossomed, this scene of the girl who was once a villain and the heroine of the story getting along feels like the greatest treasure to me.