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 29

Joji bids farewell to Michiyo and heads off to school. It’s a weekday during Golden Week, and while some large companies enjoy a nine-day break, Joji recalls never having such long holidays in his previous life. On the train, seeing the sparse number of commuters, he’s reminded of his past as a salaryman, where his boss would berate him for even considering a break, prioritizing work above all else. He feels a strange nostalgia looking at the tired faces of the office workers.

An announcement for Higashikoubashi-Higashi, his nearest station, pulls him back to reality. “I can’t believe it, I’m not a salaryman anymore, I’m a student! I must dedicate myself to being a student!” he thinks, offering his seat to a tired-looking salaryman before moving to the door. Most of the passengers are students, and a crowd gathers at the station, some meeting up, others excitedly discussing their Golden Week plans. Most, like Joji, head to school alone.

School Life and a Partner Decision

Upon arriving at school, other students continue to keep their distance, whispering about him. He tries to ignore it, telling himself he’s just gotten used to it rather than admitting defeat in his efforts to improve his reputation. The lively chatter in his classroom falls silent the moment he enters. “This is honestly the hardest part,” he thinks, sitting at his desk without a single greeting.

Suddenly, a male sycophant approaches his desk with a fake smile. “Oh, Joji-kun? How was your Golden Week?” Joji reluctantly replies, “Ah, for three days, I spent time in a place rich with nature.” The boy misunderstands, assuming Joji went to Hakone or Izu, praising him for his “mature” holiday. Joji, knowing his statement wasn’t a lie, doesn’t correct him.

The sycophant then hesitantly asks about his partner for the “Secret Realm Test.” Joji senses the boy’s fear of being forced into a partnership with him, a notion Joji rejects. “Oh, it’s already decided,” Joji replies. The boy feigns disappointment, saying he “really wanted to go wild with Joji-kun.” Annoyed by the pretense, Joji roughly stands up and leaves the classroom, ignoring the boy. He hears insults about his “attitude” and being a “failure” as he closes the door, but these only fuel his determination. He eagerly anticipates tomorrow’s member announcement.

Joji heads to the faculty room with a member list in his pocket, bearing his and Mashiro’s names.

Confrontation and a Firm Decision

“Excuse me, is Homeroom Teacher Minakawa here?” Joji asks at the faculty room entrance. Several teachers avert their gaze with displeasure. Teacher Minakawa, prompted by another teacher, approaches him. “What is it, Kitano? Do you need something from me?” Joji hands him the Secret Realm Test member list. Minakawa’s eyes widen in surprise upon seeing the names.

“K-Kitano… this is…” Minakawa stammers. “Yes, the members are all here. I’ll do my best for the Secret Realm Test,” Joji states, bowing before leaving the room.

“I just have to work hard for the remaining 11 days without any regrets,” Joji thinks, psyching himself up. As he walks, he encounters his former fiancée, Aru Miyashita, at the stairs leading from the shoe lockers.

“Miyashita-san… good morning,” Joji greets her curtly before trying to pass her to take the stairs further inside. “W-wait, can’t we talk for just a little bit?” Aru pleads. “What is there to talk about now? We’re no longer fiancés, not even lovers; we’re complete strangers. I will never get involved with you again, so please don’t get involved with me. Well then,” Joji says, hardening his heart. He doesn’t look back and quickly leaves, knowing that any further involvement would lead to his ruin.

Back in the classroom, the morning homeroom bell rings, and Teacher Minakawa stands at the podium with the attendance book. Joji feels their eyes meet for a moment, but he resolves to avoid contact with any heroine other than Mashiro for now.

Lunch Break and the Official Partnership

After the morning classes, Joji notices several students in his class glancing at him. “Good grief… it’s written all over their faces that they want me to leave so they can talk about their Golden Week with their friends,” he thinks. He grabs a melon bun and fruit milk for lunch and heads to his usual spot on the rooftop.

“This week’s ‘Shampoo’ said that the monsters Joji mentioned were siblings!” he hears. “Oh, oh, I see! Well, my deduction wasn’t bad, ha ha!” Joji realizes Mashiro is looking at him with suspicion. “Damn, I need to change the subject.”

“By the way, I submitted the member list to Teacher Minakawa first thing this morning,” Joji says. “Mm, I also submitted mine to the teacher before coming here for lunch,” Mashiro replies. “Oh, good (That was close, I managed to change the subject). Did the teacher say anything about the members, Mashiro?”

“Mm, they just said, ‘If Kitano-kun is your partner, you’re the strongest.'”

“Ah, ahh… that… they probably mistook me for my younger brother, Takeru.”

“What? I didn’t know that. I clearly wrote ‘Kitano Joji’! Maji-Maji-Boo-Boo!” Mashiro says, flashing a peace sign.

“Well, they’ll find out during today’s staff meeting when they cross-reference the member lists I submitted,” Joji says. “Mashiro… I’m counting on you.” “Mm,” Mashiro replies. They smile and bump their right fists together.

The Revelation at the Staff Meeting

Meanwhile, that evening at the staff meeting:

Bang!

“Nonsense! Why is Amanomiya-san from my class partnering with that trash… Kitano-kun from Teacher Minakawa’s class?!” Mashiro’s homeroom teacher protests, slamming the table.

“Even so, Kitano Joji from my class also submitted a member list with Amanomiya Mashiro’s name on it. There seems to be no mistake,” Minakawa explains.

“Amanomiya-san must have written the wrong name! It must be Kitano Takeru… his younger brother! No, it must be! Right, Sensei?!” Mashiro’s teacher presses Takeru’s homeroom teacher. However, two forms spread across the conference table by Takeru’s teacher put an end to the argument:

Secret Realm Test Party Member Form: Name: Kitano Takeru

1. Kitano Takeru
2. Miyashita Aru Total: 2 members

Secret Realm Test Party Member Form: Name: Miyashita Aru

1. Miyashita Aru
2. Kitano Takeru Total: 2 members

Silence falls over the room.

“It’s clear now. Kitano Joji and Amanomiya Mashiro are the two members for the Secret Realm Test,” Minakawa declares. Even the teachers who were unconvinced couldn’t say anything after seeing Takeru and Aru’s member lists.

Later, Mashiro’s homeroom teacher, still unconvinced, called the Amanomiya household directly to confirm. Mashiro herself stated clearly, “Mm, I’ll only partner with Joji.” It is said that Mashiro’s teacher then quietly collapsed to his knees in the staff room.