I Was Reincarnated As the Hated Scummy Best Friend in a Gal Game and the Protagonist Is Useless

17

10. Risa Jumonji Gains Friends

“Why did you two get so close anyway?”

Risa’s question was thrown at Emi, who was hugging me, and me, being hugged.

“I wonder why? Because we’re neighbors?”

Honestly, I was supposed to be keeping my distance from Emi, but for some reason, she keeps coming closer every time.

Even when we first met, after parting in the park, I had no intention of talking or hanging out again.

“I guess I took a liking to you, Hideyori, because you were amazing.”

Emi stopped hugging and returned to her original posture.

Hearing her words, Risa asked back, “Amazing?”

“What was so amazing?”

“…”

Emi silently stared at me.

I’m grateful that she’s keeping the secret of the gift that’s just between me and her.

“I’m actually good at magic tricks.”

“Magic tricks?”

“Yeah. Emi seemed to have a lot of fun with them.”

I only disclosed the information about the magic tricks, keeping the gift a secret.

“Wow, I want to see that! I want to see Akechi’s magic tricks!”

Saying “I can do magic tricks” often gets a response of wanting to see them.

Everyone loves magic tricks and illusions, after all.

“I don’t mind showing you, but I don’t have the tools right now. I’ll show you with cards when we get home.”

“Got it.”

As we were about to head back, Emi quietly asked me,

“Sorry, it looks like I might have to use the gift…”

“Don’t worry, I can do simple magic tricks without it.”

“Eh? Really? But if it’s the same trick as before, you could do it quickly, right?”

“I could, but no way. I have a principle of not showing the same magic trick to the same person twice. It would lose its freshness and excitement, don’t you think?”

“That’s wonderful!”

“Right?”

He really hated to give off a sense of déjà vu with his magic, like “This is the same old trick!”

If Emi hadn’t been there, he might have performed the same 10-yen coin magic trick for Risa, but with Emi present, he wouldn’t show the same trick.

It was a commitment he had even before his reincarnation.

—

He invited the two girls into his home.

The auntie looked on happily, saying “Oh my,” pleased to see him bring home two girls.

Though not related by blood, the auntie seemed to look forward to things like his marriage (if she lived long enough to see it…).

The blood relation he had was with his uncle.

“Excuse us for intruding!”

“We’re coming in.”

After Emi and Risa greeted the auntie, they were led to the room.

Then, he performed a really simple card trick.

“This is your chosen card, right?” It was something anyone could do if they knew the trick and the setup.

“Hideyori-kun, that’s amazing!”

“Eh? How did that happen!?”

When he guessed Risa’s chosen card, both of them were incredibly excited.

Indeed, the satisfaction of performing magic comes when it surprises people.

“Tejinanya.”

“Eh? What on earth is that?”

“Tejinanya?… What is that?”

“It’s enough to make you cry over the generation gap…”

Both Emi and Risa didn’t quite get that part.

In his previous life, people knew what it meant and laughed.

“Tejinanya.”

“Toyotomi-kun, that’s nostalgic!”

“Don’t say nostalgic! It makes you feel the generation gap, doesn’t it?”

“Ahahaha,”

That’s right, that’s how I used to get all excited with her.

I wonder what she’s been up to since I died…?

I’d be happy to know she’s still doing well.

Well… she might have forgotten about me by now.

It feels silly to dwell on the romantic ties from before my reincarnation.

It’s embarrassingly sentimental.

But still!

The thought of her dating or marrying another guy makes me anxious!

I really wanted to date her…

“You can’t find anything on ‘Tejina-nya,’ even if you search for it.”

“Is it some moe culture thing you’re discussing with your brother? Like a cat-eared maid adding ‘nya’ to the end of sentences?”

“Wow, Hideyori, you talk about such things?”

“Uh, Emi-san? Isn’t your voice a bit scary?”

So, the word ‘Tejina-nya’ doesn’t exist in the world of “Breaking the Chains of Sorrow.”

That’s why it doesn’t ring any bells.

It’s not even a generation gap, just a piece of regrettable knowledge.

“But thank you both for today. It feels like I’ve made friends in just one day.”

“We’re already friends with Risa-chan, right, Hideyori?”

“Well, if Risa thinks so, I’m happy.”

It’s the first time I’ve had a conversation with Risa without Takeru.

“Looking forward to getting to know you both better!”

Even though I don’t want to get involved with the original characters Emi, Takeru, and Risa, they’re all such good people that I can’t help but want to.

I’m afraid it might follow the original storyline.

But for now, all I want is to not destroy this comfortable space.