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 38

Location: Hokkaido, Sapporo City Outskirts – Kitano Family Main Residence, Reception Room

(Kitano Residence Reception Room)

Sitting in my family home’s reception room, my stepbrother Takashi accused me of forcing Mashiro into our relationship purely out of my own malice. I tried to refute him, but my words caught in my throat, and no sound came out…

I understood Torra’s warning. In my head, I was panicking, knowing I had to say something, had to state the facts. But Takashi’s sharp gaze felt like an eagle’s talons gripping my heart, making it painful, impossible to speak… Just then, ping! I heard the notification sound from my phone.

With trembling hands, I pulled my phone from my pants pocket… and checked the banner displayed on the lock screen.

Mashiro: Forgot to say, Joji, call me every night before bed.

As expected of my favorite heroine… Perfect timing.

The moment I saw Mashiro’s message, the suffocating pressure in my chest vanished like mist clearing… My mind became crystal clear, and all the unpleasant sensations from moments before were completely gone. I turned my face towards Takashi.

“Takashi. You’re accusing me… Kitano Joji… of threatening Amamiya… Mashiro… and forcing her cooperation against her will… What’s your basis for that? I assume you have solid evidence for this indictment?”

I met Takashi’s gaze head-on, returning his sharp stare.

“Evidence? Don’t you think all your actions up to now, Big Bro, make everyone think that?”

Takashi’s point was valid. He was probably exploiting to the maximum the fact that everyone hated Kitano Joji, a lowly, scummy, minor villain… to his advantage.

“I understand what you’re trying to say. But the logic you’re using only holds water if it stays inside someone’s head.”

“…What exactly are you trying to say, Big Bro?”

“When you publicly denounce someone, you do it with solid evidence… That’s common sense, even legally. Rumors or subjective opinions from others hold no evidential value whatsoever… They’re meaningless.”

“Especially when you haven’t even gotten a statement from the person involved, Amamiya herself! What substance is there in stories decided by third parties based on speculation? Are you such a fool that you can’t even understand that?”

My resolute attitude and undeniable logic left both Mom and Dad shocked and silent…

“B-But Big Bro, you don’t have any evidence to deny my claims either!! Th-That’s right! Show me proof that you aren’t forcing Amamiya-san to obey you!!”

Sigh…

“Very well. I’ll present the evidence, so everyone please remain silent.”

I quickly typed a message on my phone… Ring ring ring! Ring ring ring! Ring ring ring!

An incoming video call notification popped up from the messaging app.

“I’m answering the call. Everyone, confirm that the person appearing is indeed Amamiya Mashiro herself. Then, listen silently to the conversation.”

I tapped the green ‘Answer’ button.

‘Joji? Why the sudden urge to call? What’s up?’

The beautiful girl with light blue long hair appearing on the screen was undeniably Amamiya Mashiro herself. Seeing this, Takashi made a bitter face but nodded silently to our parents, confirming for them – who didn’t know Mashiro personally – that this was indeed her.

I confirmed this out of the corner of my eye and continued talking to Mashiro.

“Nah, I just wanted to talk to you, Mashiro.”

‘Hm? Did something happen at your family home, Joji?’

“Sort of. I’m being suspected of forcibly dragging you into the Hikyoku Test… Thanks for calling, you really saved me.”

‘I see! Unforgivable to doubt your best friend! If home sucks, come back right away! Stay at my place if you need to!’

“Whoa, whoa. Your parents would never allow that, right?”

‘Huh? Really? Hold on… (Papa, can I invite a friend to stay over?… Yeah, Kitano Joji, my best friend… Okay, got it). He said “By all means, invite him to stay, as long as you sleep in separate rooms.”‘

(Whoa, whoa, Mashiro… my family’s listening! Don’t just drop bombshells like that…)

I glanced up briefly, surveying the three. Mom and Takashi looked utterly stunned. Dad had his arms crossed, eyes closed, head tilted back as if deep in thought.

‘Hm? What’s wrong, Joji? You’re looking around?’

“Ah, it’s nothing. More importantly, Mashiro and I are friends… best friends, right?”

‘Hm! Obviously! Joji & Mashiro are an unbeatable best friend duo! Friends (Pèngyǒu)!’

(…This girl, she got hooked on “Crimson Sky Fist” during the break, didn’t she…)

“Yeah, thanks. Let’s do our best on the Hikyoku Test after the break.”

‘Hm! Leave it to me, friend!’

Chuckle. “Alright then. I’ll call you tonight.”

‘Hm! I’ll be waiting.’

Smiling, I gave a light wave to Mashiro on the screen and pressed the red ‘End Call’ button.

Phew… For some reason, warmth spread deep in my chest.

As always, talking with Mashiro calmed my heart…

Feeling that happy sensation, I took a deep breath, switched gears, slipped my phone back into my pants pocket, leaned back heavily into the sofa, surveyed the three, and finally shifted my gaze to Takashi.

Takashi was looking down, clenching his fists tightly on his knees, clearly frustrated.

“So? Takashi… What was it I was supposedly doing to Mashiro again? Look me in the eye and say it one more time, would you?”

“Tch…”

Takashi wouldn’t even look at me… This guy’s the protagonist of the story, right? If he can’t apologize honestly for his own mistakes, he’s hopeless… He won’t make it far like that…

“Hey, Takashi. It’s fine if you resent me, hate me. That’s understandable; it’s all my fault. I admit that.”

“But listen. Don’t lose yourself… Don’t go slandering others just because you’re swayed by gossip, without any real proof.”

“You’re an amazing guy. You have skill, charisma, and above all… a talent no one else has. Someone as incredible as you doesn’t need to drag others down. You’re destined to achieve great things.”

“Big Bro…”

“I’m telling you this for your own future. Especially since you’ve found a partner to walk beside you, right? Aoi Miyashita-san.”

“…I apologize for accusing you based on speculation… It was my shortsightedness. Please forgive me.”

Saying this, Takashi bowed his head to me.

‘Joji, seems that unpleasant aura vanished, at least.’

I nodded with a smile to Torra, waiting at my feet.

“Takashi, raise your head. I should be the one apologizing. I’ve caused you nothing but trouble all this time. I’m truly sorry.”

I also bowed my head towards Takashi.

“Well, it seems you two have cleared up your misunderstanding… But Joji, don’t forget this doesn’t erase the disgrace of you breaking off your engagement. Keep that in mind.”

“Yes. I will definitely bring back results from the Hikyoku Test and prove it.”

…………

…………

Thanks to Mashiro, I somehow managed to navigate the tense family meeting safely… However.

“Still… my death flags keep sprouting anew no matter how many I break… Is this world so determined to erase Kitano Joji?”

The unnatural physical distress I felt when Takashi cornered me… Takashi’s uncharacteristic transformation – he’s usually overly considerate, naive, and kind – and the sense of dissonance.

This world’s setting is subtly diverging from the “Demon Capital Tokyo 1999” I know…

Is it because an anomaly like me slipped in? Or is it the work of some greater, more powerful will?…

Either way, I have no choice but to fight with everything I have to survive.

And if possible… I wish for the protagonist and the heroines to reach a happy ending…