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 20

“You’re important to me, Mashiro… because she’s my dear best friend!”

“……”

“Young Lady Mashiro’s Meteor Eyes may see you, Uno-sama, as someone truly worthy of trust… but I cannot bring myself to think the same.”

“I figured as much…”

“Let me make one thing clear… if you ever act dishonestly toward Young Lady Mashiro…”

Kaizuka-san’s glare sharpens as she stares at me.

“Then by all means, do as you please, Kaizuka-san. I want to protect Mashiro’s smile… No, I will protect it. To do that, I need to become stronger—stronger than I am now.”

For a while, Kaizuka-san silently studies my serious expression before turning her back and opening the door to the room.

“Your resolve… I’ll be watching.”

Without looking back, she gives that brief reply before the door closes behind her.

(Still, Kaizuka-san… Did something happen between her and Jōji a year ago? Hmm… I feel like I’ve heard something about that before… No, I can’t remember!)

Clunk.

Huh? Is someone outside? Kaizuka-san? I open the door to check… but no one’s there.

“Must’ve been my imagination…”

“……Jōji…”

……

……

……

After getting into bed, I replay Kaizuka-san’s words in my head. First of all, I have no memory of any past incidents involving Jōji… Wait—

“Ah! I remember now! Kaizuka-san was a character from one of the rejected drafts for Jōji’s backstory!”

……

……

It’s all coming back to me now. It was during one of the early planning meetings for Metro Tokyo 1999. The young president—who was still just a managing director at the time—burst in…

🔶

“How many more useless meetings are you incompetent employees going to waste time on?! You’re just throwing away time and money, you salary thieves!!”

After disrupting the meeting with his tantrum… Piroron♪ Piroron♪… Click.

“Ah~ Miyachan~? Yeah, yeah, I’ll be at the club tonight~ Yeah, yeah, leave it to me~ I’ll order the most expensive champagne, no worries~ Ahahaha, it’s fine, it’s fine, it’s all on the company’s dime. I am the next president, after all~ Ahahaha, sounds good, huh? After-party? OK, OK~ I’ll be there soon~ Make sure the VIP booth’s ready~ Later.”

With that, he left the meeting room—now as silent as a funeral—while grinning like an idiot.

“……”

“What the hell was that?! That guy’s supposed to be the next president?! This company’s doomed! Right, Nanahara-san?!”

One of the junior developers was furious at the director’s behavior. I felt the same way, but if I let my emotions take over, the meeting would—

“Ah, ahaha… W-well, let’s just focus on our work.”

“Damn it!! That bastard…! Hey, why don’t we model the scumbag older brother character after that idiot?!”

The other developers were just as angry. It was true that the early-game scumbag mob brother character—whose name and design hadn’t been finalized yet—was meant to be hated. Maybe they needed to vent a little…

“A-alright, how about this? You guys brainstorm some ideas for the brother’s backstory, and we’ll pick the best one. Sound good?”

“Seriously?! This guy’s supposed to get absolutely wrecked by the protagonist in the tutorial, right? That’s already set in stone?”

Indeed, the plan was to have a character that players would love to hate—someone they could beat to a pulp for catharsis early on.

“Y-yeah, it’s in the roadmap. The scumbag brother isn’t planned to appear again after that, so players can go all out on him and enjoy every second of his humiliation. So come up with the most despicable backstory you can.”

“In that case, let’s make him as hateable as possible! We’ll give players a scumbag they’ll cheer to see get destroyed! Just you wait, you spoiled brat!!”

“……”

🔶

If I recall, that character concept was scrapped because one of the female staff members felt sick reading it. But I’m pretty sure one of the rejected ideas involved Jōji, during his first year of high school, harassing a woman in public with some sleazy pickup attempt. And her name was… Kaizuka, I think?

“Wait, wasn’t that the one where he suddenly grabbed her arm in the street, introduced himself as the heir of the prestigious Uno family, and demanded she go to a hotel with him? And when she refused, he got pissed, tracked down her home and family, and threatened to ruin her life unless she regretted turning him down? What a complete scumbag…”

“Man… that’s bleak.”

If that’s really how they met, then repairing my relationship with Kaizuka-san seems impossible right now. Maybe in the future, depending on my actions… but for now, I should probably give up on that.

“Huh?”

“Wait a second… Why is a scrapped backstory suddenly canon? Does that mean other rejected ideas might also be in play…?”

If so, my knowledge of the game might become useless.

“I’ll have to stay cautious for a while…”

With that uneasy thought, I drifted off to sleep.

……

……

“Good morning, Uno-sama.”

Kaizuka-san’s tone is as cold as ever. After remembering her backstory last night, I feel nothing but guilt.

“Good morning, Kaizuka-san.”

I return the greeting, slightly nervous. Mashiro, already seated, is watching me intently.

“Morning, Mashiro.”

“Mmm, morning…”

I sit next to her like yesterday, but somehow, the distance between us feels closer. If I move my arm even slightly, it might brush against hers.

“Mashiro? Aren’t we a little too close?”

“Huh? No… this is normal… (For best friends.)”

Her demeanor feels a little off… The distance is the same as always—no, maybe even closer than usual.

“By the way, about last night—”

“Hm? Last night?”

“Never mind… So, about Jōji—”

“Huh? What about him?”

Mashiro’s acting strange this morning. What’s up with her?

“Nah, it’s nothing. Today, we’re heading to the Red Zone.”

“Got it. I’m counting on you, bestie.”

“Mmm. Best friend… leave it to me.”

As we talk, Kaizuka-san brings over the same soup as yesterday.

“Th-thank you…”

“Mmm. The eggplant miso soup is good.”

“You’re welcome…”

“…Jōji, stop staring at Ane-ue.”

“O-oh, right. Let’s eat.”

“Let’s eat.”

“Let’s eat.”

Another shōjin ryōri meal today—pickled napa cabbage, white rice, eggplant miso soup, chilled tofu, and grilled shiitake skewers. Everything looks delicious.

“Wow, this shiitake is amazing!”

“I’m glad you like it… Young Lady Mashiro, would you like more miso soup?”

“Mmm.”

Mashiro pushes her empty bowl forward.

“Of course. Just a moment… And you, Uno-sama?”

“Yes, please.”

“I’ll prepare it right away.”

Kaizuka-san takes our bowls and disappears into the kitchen.

“…Jōji, did something happen between you and Ane-ue?”

“Nah… nothing.”

“I see.”

Mashiro looks down, lost in thought.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Kaizuka-san returns with our refills, and we take our bowls from the tray.

After finishing breakfast, we help clean up before returning to our rooms to get ready. Now, we’re at the Red Zone.

“So this is the Red Zone… It looks like a martial arts arena straight out of a manga.”

The Red Zone is a simple training ground—just a square stone platform about 15 meters wide, surrounded by statues of the Four Star Beasts.

“Jōji, I’m going all out in our punishment training today. Be ready.”

As she turns to face me, Mashiro’s Meteor Eyes burn brighter than ever.