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 5

As my parents’ email made clear,

I absolutely must deliver results in this upcoming Forbidden Zone Test—otherwise, my death flag will undoubtedly be raised again.

Important Notes About the Forbidden Zone Test:

• • On the day of the test, a Divine Vision Exam will be conducted immediately beforehand to confirm eligibility for participation.

• • The Forbidden Zone Test will be undertaken in parties of 2 to 3 members.]

The problem lies in these notes…

To be blunt, I, Kitano Jōji, have never once engaged in ascetic training or rigorous discipline. In other words, I’ve avoided harsh physical conditioning and grueling mental exercises my entire life.

In this world, ascetic training is part of compulsory education—so how did I manage to dodge it? It’s a mystery, really.

But the reason is simple:

“If Jōji is strong, the protagonist (who’s still weak in the early stages) won’t be able to beat him to a pulp.”

That’s the role assigned to Kitano Jōji in the character planning meetings.

(Still… it’s too early to say Jōji has no talent. If I use my full knowledge of the game’s mechanics and train as efficiently as possible, I should barely be able to awaken Divine Vision by the test date…)

The real issue is the other requirement: party members.

Jōji has hangers-on who call themselves his “friends,” but none of them are truly loyal.

In fact, there’s a scene in the game where—after losing the duel to Takashi and being disowned—Jōji tries contacting his so-called friends, only to be coldly rejected.

“We always thought you were annoying. Serves you right, loser.”

The scene cuts to Jōji in despair.

(Those guys are useless… Even if I forced them into the party, they’d just betray me and run when things get tough.)

“Guess I have no choice… I’ll have to ask her for help.”

Muttering to myself, I slump over my desk.

Meanwhile, students continue filing into the classroom, and that gossip-loving girl from earlier is helpfully spreading the news of my broken engagement to everyone.

(This situation is probably meant to humiliate me and provoke me into lashing out… But since I also hate Kitano Jōji, it doesn’t bother me at all.)

Just before homeroom starts, one of my hangers-on—a male student—approaches me.

“Hey Jōji, I heard the rumors. Super annoying, right? I bet it was your little brother Takashi who put Aru up to it… Let’s get him.”

Grinning eagerly, he tries to egg me into clashing with Takashi.

I decide to ask him something else.

“Hey, unrelated, but… What are you doing for the Forbidden Zone Test?”

His face immediately twists in panic.

“Th-the Forbidden Zone Test?! Pfft—ha ha ha! That’s optional, right? No way I’m doing something that troublesome!”

“I see… I’m planning to take it.”

“?! …O-oh! Uh—good morning!! Sorry, Jōji, I gotta talk to that guy over there—see ya!”

With exaggerated cheer, he rushes off to greet some random student he barely knows.

(Yeah, I’d rather not deal with you guys either… The real battle starts at lunch.)

The homeroom bell rings, and our homeroom teacher, Minagawa-sensei, enters.

She’s been my homeroom teacher since first year.

“I heard there was some commotion in the hallway this morning. Kitano, did something happen?”

Her tone suggests she’s only asking out of obligation—no real interest.

Minagawa Ayase (26, single)

• • Long, straight brown hair, with one side tucked behind her right ear, where a natural-stone earring glimmers.

• • 160 cm tall—average for a woman—with a slender figure that suits her professional attire.

• • Beautiful features, but her sharp eyes give off a cold impression, making students keep their distance.

Ayase and Jōji had a conflict in first year. Though they superficially reconciled under the school’s mediation, Ayase still harbors strong disdain for him.

(Of course, she’s also a sub-heroine and a potential love interest for the protagonist.)

Three years ago, Ayase lost her husband.

Before becoming a teacher, she served alongside him in the 9th Special Anti-Demon Unit, a covert ops branch of the national defense force tasked with eliminating demons and false gods that emerge from the Forbidden Zones.

Ayase was the youngest-ever commander of the unit—an elite among elites.

However, during a mission, her mistake led to a dire situation. Her husband sacrificed himself to save her, dying in the process.

Devastated, Ayase resigned and left the military.

She was later taken in by the chairman of Tōkō High (one of the unit’s financial backers) and became a teacher.

“No, it was a personal matter… I apologize for causing a disturbance.”

I bow my head politely, leaving both Minagawa-sensei and the class stunned by my uncharacteristic humility.

“I-I see… Well, the students were making quite a fuss with their gossip earlier. If it’s personal, I won’t pry further. Everyone—don’t spread baseless rumors or slander others. This discussion is over. Understood?”

“Yes!”

The rest of the morning passes with ordinary classes. The material is nearly identical to what I learned in my original world (where I graduated from a national university in Tokyo), so it’s basically just review.

(No issues with the written exams on the first day… I should focus all my energy on the Forbidden Zone Test on the second day.)

Ding-dong~

The lunch bell rings, marking the end of the morning.

As the teacher leaves, students cluster into their usual groups, unpacking lunches or buying bread.

“Uh… Jōji, you eating in the cafeteria like usual?”

It’s the same hanger-on from this morning, now visibly awkward.

“Sorry, I’ve got something to take care of. I’ll pass.”

“Huh? Oh… uh, sure. Tch! (What’s his deal? The only good thing about him was free meals… Useless.)”

I pretend not to hear the click of his tongue and leave the classroom.

My destination?

The rooftop.

The stairwell to the third floor and beyond is marked “Off Limits,“ but I ignore the sign, forcing open the heavy metal door.

A warm, concrete-scented breeze rushes past me as I step out.

My eyes land on a large, rust-covered water tank.

(There she is…)