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 17

The training ground owned by the Amamiya family, “Genbu’s Rain-Drenched Rock Field,” is a secret training facility that has been passed down through generations of the Amamiya family, who have long served as practitioners of divine rites.

Located deep in the mountains, far from any human settlement, a long stone staircase leads to a massive set of double wooden doors dyed in vermilion, blocking the way forward.

As I finish climbing the endless steps, panting heavily, Shirayuki pays me no mind and instead places her hand on a talisman embedded in the pillar beside the gate, marked with intricate patterns.

With a dull, groaning sound, the doors slowly begin to open.

Beyond the gate stands a figure…

“We’ve been awaiting your arrival, Shirayuki-sama.”

“Mm. Ume-nee, long time no see.”

A woman in a purple kimono adorned with hydrangea patterns bows deeply and respectfully to Shirayuki. After exchanging greetings, she raises her head and glances at me—her eyes, for just an instant, gleam coldly.

“I’ll be in your care for a while starting today. My name is Seiji Kitano, a second-year at Toko High, same as Amamiya-san.”

I bow slightly from behind Shirayuki as I introduce myself.

“I’ve been informed about you. I am Umeko Kaizuka, the caretaker of ‘Genbu’s Rain-Drenched Rock Field.'”

Her voice, now two octaves lower than when she greeted Shirayuki, carries a formal tone.

Kaizuka-san has her jet-black hair tied up in a bun secured with a shell-shaped comb. Standing at 170 cm, she is tall for a woman, but her slender frame keeps her from appearing imposing. Her fair skin, well-defined thin eyebrows, long eyelashes, and deep red lipstick give her an elegant air—accentuated by a beauty mark near her lips that exudes mature charm.

She seems to be in her mid-to-late twenties, with a composed demeanor, but the most striking feature about her is her sharp, piercing black eyes.

(I can tell from her attitude that I’m not welcome here… Is this also because of Seiji’s character?)

Though I have no personal memory of it, I myself despise Seiji, so even in situations like this, I don’t feel any resentment toward her—rather, I understand her feelings and find myself agreeing with them.

“I’ve heard that you’ll be staying at the training grounds for three days. It’s a short stay, but I’ll be in your care.”

After exchanging the bare minimum of pleasantries, Kaizuka-san takes only Shirayuki’s luggage and leads us inside.

“Mm? Ume-nee, explain the training grounds.”

Prompted by Shirayuki, Kaizuka-san’s expression tightens slightly, but she bows lightly to Shirayuki before stopping in the middle of the stone-paved walkway to begin her explanation.

“This training ground is divided into four main areas. First, to the east is the ‘Azure Zone,’ where lodging and meals are provided. Next, to the north is the ‘Crimson Zone,’ a training field for forms and paired exercises. To the west lies the ‘White Zone,’ a natural rock field for physical training. Finally, to the south is the ‘Black Zone,’ where a waterfall serves as a site for mental discipline. These four areas make up Genbu’s Rain-Drenched Rock Field.”

“Mm, that explanation’s lacking… Seiji, each facility is aligned with the dragon veins of the four cardinal directions. For example, the Azure Zone has the power of the Azure Dragon, which speeds up fatigue recovery… The White Zone has the power of the White Tiger, which enhances physical strength… Basically, the training grounds are enhanced by these beneficial effects.”

Shirayuki puffs out her chest proudly as if to say, “How about that?”

“I am impressed by Shirayuki-sama’s knowledge.”

Kaizuka-san bows deeply toward Shirayuki, though her words feel hollow.

(Well, I already knew this…)

This training ground also appears in Demon Capital Tokyo 1999. Near the end of the story, after Shirayuki joins the party, the protagonist Takashi uses it as a training site to prepare for his rematch against Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the first of the three gods he forms a contract with.

However, in the game, you could just fast-travel there with a menu command. I never imagined it’d be located at the end of such a treacherous mountain path.

Also, Kaizuka-san never appeared by name in the game—she was probably just a background character, an assistant whose face icon would pop up when selecting facility commands. But even these small details are already diverging from the game’s original content.

I nod along as Shirayuki points out various features of the facility while we walk.

(Well, in the game, the Genbu Training Ground was just a single background image. Seeing it in real life, it’s surprisingly spacious and well-equipped…)

Looking around curiously as we walk, we soon arrive at the lodging facility.

“The lodging here is in cottages, and each one is a private room.”

Shirayuki hands me a key as she explains.

“Breakfast is at 7 AM, lunch at noon, and dinner at 7 PM. There’s also a hot spring behind the main building.”

“Got it. I’ll just drop off my luggage first.”

I open the door to the cottage labeled “Turtle” on the key tag. Inside, while not particularly spacious, it’s furnished with a bed, desk, toilet, and even a computer—more like a compact business hotel than anything else.

“Nice atmosphere.”

“Mm. Hurry up and unpack.”

As I store my luggage in the closet, Shirayuki starts shoving her own belongings in as well.

“Huh? Shirayuki, what are you doing?”

“Mm. Unpacking.”

“You should unpack in your own room.”

“Mm. That’s what I’m doing.”

“??? What do you mean?”

“??? What do you mean?”

“Don’t tell me you’re planning to stay in this room with me?”

“Mm. Of course, duh!”

She grins and flashes a peace sign while forcefully cramming her oversized luggage into the closet.

“Shirayuki-sama… Neither your father nor your mother would permit such a thing. You must stay in your own room in the main building.”

Kaizuka-san, standing at the entrance, bows deeply but firmly shuts down the idea of Shirayuki staying with me. (Thank god.)

“Mm. If Ume-nee stays quiet, it’s fine.”

“That is impossible.”

“Mean.”

“No matter what you say, some things cannot be allowed. Moreover, it is improper for an unmarried man and woman to share a room overnight.”

“No need to worry. Seiji and I are best friends. We’ve even shaken hands.”

“That changes nothing.”

“Mean.”

“No matter how much you insist, I cannot permit it. If you absolutely must stay in this room, then Kitano-san will be expelled from the training grounds immediately.”

“…Fine. Ume-nee’s the one in charge here. I’ll listen this time.”

Having forced Shirayuki into submission, Kaizuka-san glares at me sharply over Shirayuki’s bowed head before taking her luggage and disappearing with her toward the main building.

I turn my gaze to the “White Zone” visible straight ahead from the cottage entrance.

(In the game’s final act, the White Tiger—one of the Four Sacred Beasts—manifests in the White Zone, granting Shirayuki new power in a special event… But given our current divine sight level, we’re nowhere near ready for that. Guess it won’t happen this time…)