I was Reincarnated as the Scum Older Brother of the Protagonist in a Romance Battle Game, But I don't want to Die, so I'll do my Best - Episode 15

On the first day of Golden Week, I found myself on a shopping date with Mashiro at the station-front mall.

As we shopped, hunger eventually set in, so we stopped by the food court for lunch. And just like in a typical romance game, the cliché scenario unfolded.

“Whoa! Check out that cutie!”

“Damn, she’s totally my type!”

A couple of third-rate mob characters, clearly trying too hard, stopped in their tracks as they passed by our table. Their eyes were glued to Mashiro’s overly large chest as she diligently stuffed fries into her mouth like a hamster.

“Hey, girl, you’re crazy cute. You a high schooler? We’re college students from a nearby uni. Wanna come to karaoke with us? It’ll be super fun!”

“Yeah, c’mon, it’ll be a blast!”

The mob characters leaned over our table, ignoring me completely as they tried to get Mashiro’s attention. But Mashiro didn’t even glance their way, silently munching on her fries.

(…Uehara Joji was one of those guys too, wasn’t he? Thinking about it now, I feel kinda bad…)

“Hey, you guys are getting annoying. How about you scram before I lose my temper, you third-rate college punks?”

My words, dripping with malice, made the mob characters turn around with displeased scowls.

“Hah? The hell’s your problem, you scrawny redhead? We ain’t got business with you. You’re the one who should get lost!”

“You’re acting all tough in front of your girl, but you’re gonna embarrass yourself later!”

One of them grabbed me by the collar and got right in my face. In response, I pulled out my student ID from my chest pocket and shoved it in front of his eyes.

“Huh? The hell’s this? Student ID… Tōkō High School… Uehara…!? You… You’re Uehara Joji!?”

“C-Crap… Uehara, as in that Uehara!? I-I had nothing to do with this! This guy was the one who started it! I’m outta here—!”

“H-Hey, wait! Stop!!”

While one mob guy still had a grip on my collar, the other panicked and bolted from the food court.

“So? You planning to keep holding my collar forever, huh?”

“N-No, I didn’t know… T-This is… I mean… L-Let me go, please!”

He hastily released me, his eyes darting around nervously, all his earlier bravado gone. This time, I grabbed his collar and yanked him close.

“You really think you can mess with my girl and still live peacefully in this town?”

“Eeek! P-Please, spare me! I-I’ll never lay a hand on your girl again! J-Just let me go!”

“…”

I released his collar and shoved him away with a flick of my hand.

“I’m in a good mood today, so get lost before I change my mind.”

The mob guy scrambled away, the laughter of nearby customers following him as he fled through the side exit of the food court.

“So, I’m your girl now?”

Mashiro smirked mischievously, sipping her melon soda through a straw.

“Well, don’t say it like that. My bad reputation has its uses, right?”

“Hm? I wasn’t even paying attention to them in the first place.”

“Heh, as expected of my best friend. Reliable as always.”

“Of course.”

Mashiro flashed me a peace sign and grinned. The surrounding customers had been whispering about us after the commotion, but soon enough, the usual bustle of the food court returned.

With our stomachs full and satisfied, we left the food court and headed to a bag and backpack specialty store on the third floor.

“Since I’m the one carrying the backpack, mind if I pick it out?”

“Mm, got it. Let me know when you decide.”

I tried on a few backpacks that caught my eye, testing how they felt. Surprisingly, each one had a different fit.

“This one feels the best… I think I’ll go with this. Mashiro, what about— Huh? Where’d you go?”

I looked around the store but couldn’t find Mashiro anywhere.

(Did she get approached by guys again?… Guess I’ll call her…)

Worried, I dialed her number from inside the store. Then, I heard her ringtone coming from outside.

“Mm, did you pick one?”

“Mashiro, where’d you go? You had me worried.”

“Mm, just looking at other stuff. That the one you’re getting?”

She pointed at the backpack I’d chosen, a small paper bag clutched in her hand.

“Yeah, this one feels the best. You getting the same one?”

“…Mm, I already have one like it, so I’ll pass.”

Mashiro hesitated for a moment before answering. Now that I thought about it, this model was popular for its comfort, so it made sense she might already own one.

“Got it. I’ll go pay for it, then.”

After purchasing the backpack, we left the mall since we’d accomplished our goal for the day.

We walked to the nearest station together and parted ways at the ticket gate.

“Alright, Mashiro, I’m heading the opposite way, so this is where we split. See you tomorrow for training.”

“Mm. Joji, here.”

She rummaged through the paper bag and pulled out a cap, handing it to me.

“What’s this?”

“Mm, a present. Look, we match.”

She grinned and put on an identical cap.

“Huh? You didn’t have to get me anything…”

“It’s fine. It’s a symbol of our friendship. Just take it.”

“O-Okay, thanks. I’ll pay you back next time.”

A little embarrassed, I put on the cap and showed it to her.

“Mm, looks good.”

Mashiro held out her fist, so I bumped mine against hers.

“Meet at the station near school tomorrow at 10, then.”

“Got it. Be careful on your way home, Mashiro.”

“Mm. Goodnight, Joji.”

She waved and disappeared through the ticket gate toward the platform. I held the cap in my hand, reminiscing about the day I’d spent with Mashiro.

(This is nothing like how things went in the game… Mashiro and Joji having this kind of connection would’ve been unthinkable in Demon Metropolis Tokyo 1999… If things can stay peaceful like this, that’d be for the best…)

Whose ears were Joji’s quiet wish meant to reach…?

And so, the story begins to move—