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 9

During Golden Week, which would also serve as the final push for the upcoming Secret Realm Test, I managed to secure a promise from Mashiro to train together using Kei.

Kitawo Seiji himself had no interest in Kei, so the original Seiji had no knowledge of it.

But now, as someone who has been reincarnated, I possess the achievement of having obtained the 100% completion trophy in the game, as well as the knowledge I gained during its development.

All I need now is the unwavering motivation to keep working hard without hesitation.

In this world of Demon Capital Tokyo 1999, with the exception of one individual, a person’s abilities are largely determined by the god they contract with, summon, and are possessed by.

However, to draw out the power of the possessing god, it also depends on the overall stats of the possessed individual. Thus, by raising one’s basic abilities, one can effectively grow stronger—this is the level-up concept of this world.

Physical training through Kei fundamentally serves this purpose—it’s about pure physical strengthening to serve as a vessel for the god’s power.

Next is the necessity of Kata (forms). This is to simplify the complex rituals required when using the skills of the possessing god. It involves expanding a mental domain called the Simplified Ritual Heart Realm, which is meant to memorize and streamline intricate movements—think of it like the memory capacity for registering speed dial numbers on a phone.

The stronger the skill, the more complex the ritual required, and thus the more Heart Realm space is needed.

Players can customize their setup freely—either equipping many weak skills or focusing on a single powerful one—which broadens the scope of combat. This is one of the biggest selling points of this game’s battle system.

As for Awase Kei (paired training), it allows one to simultaneously gain the benefits of both aforementioned effects.

Depending on the partner’s level, the lower-leveled individual receives greater benefits the higher the partner’s level is. Conversely, if the partner is low-leveled, there’s almost no benefit.

Thus, the trick for low-level players is to request Awase Kei from high-level partners to train efficiently.

On the other hand, once players reach higher levels, it’s common to train individually with Kei—this is the general leveling flow of the game.

That’s why, this time, Awase Kei with Mashiro—who is likely the highest-leveled in our grade—is nothing short of a godsend for me.

However, Shinshi (Divine Sight) is an innate talent. While it can be somewhat enhanced through training, it’s common knowledge in this world that it cannot be raised beyond its inherent upper limit.

Moreover, Shinshi level is a hidden stat, and most players complete the game without even realizing what their Shinshi level was.

But in reality, by completing key events, it’s possible to raise the Shinshi level cap.

Incidentally, the average person’s Shinshi level is said to be around LV 10–15. Mashiro, regarded as Amamiya’s greatest masterpiece, sits at around LV 50.

However, the protagonist of this world, Kitawo Takashi, can raise his Shinshi level within the range of LV 40–99.

The reason for the wide range is that reaching LV 99 requires collecting all events related to increasing Shinshi level.

In other words, if the game progresses normally, Takashi’s Shinshi level won’t surpass Mashiro’s.

As for me, Kitawo Seiji, my current Shinshi level is, by my estimation, around LV 5.

As a veteran player, I know all the methods to raise Shinshi level, so I’ve been meditating daily at the leyline spots within the school to train.

But at this rate, even if I push myself, I’ll only reach around LV 10 by the time of the Secret Realm Test… Frankly, that’s not enough to pass the Shinshi exam.

My immediate goal is to reach the deepest part of the secret realm during the test and, in doing so, slightly improve my parents’ opinion of me… And if possible…

To make up for my lacking Shinshi level… Awase Kei with Mashiro is a godsend. If I can train with her at the Amamiya family’s dragon vein training ground using hidden strategies… I estimate I can just barely reach my target of Shinshi LV 15–20.

Ding-dong-ding-dong~

Today’s classes ended, and Minagawa-sensei remained at the podium to begin the closing homeroom.

“Starting tomorrow, Golden Week begins. Don’t go too wild. Also, the week after Golden Week ends, there will be written exams and the practical Secret Realm Test.”

“Sensei~… You’re ruining the mood right before break!”

“Yeah~! Come on, Ayase-cchi~!”

A chorus of small, resentful boos rose from the class at Minagawa-sensei’s announcement, but they quickly fell silent under her icy glare.

(Well, this is how school life is supposed to be… Ah, right—those two are the class’s mood-makers, the guy and girl duo, Toudou Tokiya and Ikegami Amane, wasn’t it?)

These two are NPCs (non-playable characters), but they sometimes join the party during events—essentially, they’re supporting characters.

Toudou is a blond, wolf-cut guy with piercings—a goofy, unfortunate pretty boy. But in reality, he’s quite skilled. By the story’s climax, he’ll summon Sarutahiko, a powerful god associated with tengu and wind manipulation. He’s also the eldest son of a traditional staff martial arts dojo, making him a formidable fighter.

He and his childhood friend, Ikegami Amane, have such good chemistry that people often tease them about dating, to which he always turns bright red and denies it—a straightforward, predictable reaction.

As for Ikegami Amane, she’s also an NPC who joins the party at the same time as Toudou.

Her appearance is flashy—a loose, wavy perm with pink highlights, long eyelashes with dramatic makeup, pink blush with glitter, and nails decorated with ornate fake tips—all reflecting her loud personality.

Her figure is quite good, and she deliberately leaves her shirt slightly open, revealing a glimpse of her light-blue underwear. Her skirt is obviously too short, and though she ties a sweater around her waist to cover her back, every time she crosses her legs, her underwear becomes visible. Among the introverts, she’s worshipped as a “gal goddess.”

In reality, despite her looks, she treats everyone equally, whether they’re introverts or extroverts, making her popular among both boys and girls.

Amane’s family runs the prestigious Senke school of ikebana (flower arrangement), with many disciples. She herself is highly skilled—so much so that she’s said to have surpassed her mother, the master instructor, and is approaching the level of the headmaster.

The fact that Amane wasn’t a romanceable character led to complaints from some fans, becoming the most common point of dissatisfaction in the game’s negative reviews.

Because of this, the development team created a patch to add events making her a sub-heroine and romance option. However, just before release, the parent company vetoed it, and the update was shelved. Still, Amane remains a popular quasi-heroine, rivaling even the other sub-heroines.

As for her relationship with Toudou, while rumors about them swirl, unlike him, she casually denies any romantic involvement, leading fans to believe it’s a one-sided crush on Toudou’s part.

By the game’s climax, Amane will summon Ame-no-Uzume, the goddess of dance and revelry.

Incidentally, even these sociable, cheerful two utterly despise Kitano Seiji.

“With that, homeroom is dismissed.”

“Stand, attention, bow!”
“Thank you very much!”

As Minagawa-sensei left the classroom, the liberated students gathered around Toudou and Amane, chatting and laughing.

It seemed the class was planning to go to karaoke together before the break—even Seiji’s usual hangers-on were among the group.

“…!?”

One of them, who had been staring blankly, suddenly met my eyes, flinched, and quickly looked away, rejoining the conversation as if nothing had happened.

(Well, that’s the better choice for both you and me…)

I picked up my bag, stood, and headed for the back door to leave—but just as I touched the handle…

“Hey, Seiji-cchi! Wanna come to karaoke with us?”

“…Huh?”

Caught off guard, I replied with a dumbfounded, cracking voice.

“Pffft— What’s with that voice?! Like a girl who just got harassed! Seiji-cchi, you’re hilarious~!”

The one who called out to me was Amane.

She slapped my stiffened shoulders and laughed, clutching her stomach.

But Toudou, watching this, glared at me with a displeased expression.

“Tch—Oi, Amane, why the hell are you inviting him?”

(This kind of honest hostility is so like Toudou… No hidden motives—honestly refreshing.)

I was inwardly thrilled by this unexpected everyday interaction with NPCs—something I hadn’t experienced in the game.

“Kitawo, what the hell are you grinning at?!”

Apparently, I had been smiling in excitement… Oops.

“Ah, my bad, Toudou. Didn’t mean anything by it. And Amane-san, thanks for the invite, but I think I’d just kill the mood if I went. Plus, I’ve got stuff to do.”

“…Huh? Amane… san?”

This time, Amane blinked in confusion, her voice cracking.

“Anyway, have fun, everyone. See you after the break.”

I smiled lightly, gave Amane a small wave, and left the classroom, leaving her staring blankly after me.

Then, I headed to my usual meditation spot—the sacred tree in the school’s backyard, where leylines converged—and quietly began meditating.

“…………”

“Sorry, Kitano. It’s about time.”

A voice suddenly called out to me. When I opened my eyes, Minagawa-sensei stood there in casual clothes.

“…Sensei, I’m sorry for always troubling you.”

“…It’s fine. I’m heading out too. Want to walk to the gate together?”

The sun had begun to set, dyeing the surroundings in twilight.

“School’s closed starting today. I won’t be able to watch over your meditation for a while.”

“That’s true… It won’t be as good as this spot, but I know of another leyline location. I’ll meditate there during the break.”

It seemed Minagawa-sensei really was the last one left. After exiting the gate, she opened a nearby control box and pressed a switch. With a creaking sound, the metal school gate slowly began to close.

“Hey… Kitano. Can I ask you something?”

Minagawa-sensei locked the gate control box while speaking to me over her shoulder.

“Sure, what is it?”

At my reply, she turned around, her sharp eyes glinting in the moonlight as she stared at me.

“Are you really Kitano Seiji?”

(A fair question… But if I take the Shinshi exam under the local god Minagawa-sensei is acquainted with, sooner or later, it’ll be revealed whether I’m the real deal or not… But—)

“I’m not sure what you mean… I am me. I can’t answer beyond that.”

“Let me rephrase. Are you the same Kitano Seiji as the first-year version? Because the ‘you’ now is way too different.”

“I am……………………”