Reborn as the Man Who Takes Away the Protagonist’s Beloved Childhood Friend

Towa-kun’s “I’ll die if I’m away from you” syndrome

Several days had passed since I was informed that Aisaka had feelings for Mari unexpectedly, and that a new external coach would be coming, and summer vacation was just around the corner.

This summer vacation would probably be busy with preparations for the sports festival, but we had promised to spend as much time together as possible outside of that. When I mentioned wanting to have yakiniku (grilled meat), Ayana said she wanted to go to the pool together… well, when you’re in love, there are plenty of things you want to do together.

“Yukishiro!”

“Yes?”

After school, I was called by my homeroom teacher while I was wandering around.

“Sorry, I have a meeting now. If it’s okay with you, could you lock the AV room?”

“Sure. Where’s the key?”

“After you’re done, leave it on my desk.”

“Got it.”

“I appreciate it. Well then, I’m counting on you.”

The friendly teacher waved at me, and I waved back. Our homeroom teacher was a young one, but when any issues arose, he always approached things from the students’ perspective, making him popular in our class. In this day and age where there are many cheeky students who don’t respect their teachers, our class truly felt peaceful.

As I was on my way to the AV room, I passed by my classroom, and Ayana, who had promised to walk home together, was still there.

“Towa-kun!”

　Although she ran towards me with a happy expression, I had to decline her company for now since I had to fulfill a request from our homeroom teacher. After conveying this to Aina and mentioning that she could come along, the two of us headed towards the audio-visual room.

“You could’ve waited for me.”

“It’s too late now. I just wanted to be by Towa-kun’s side a little longer.”

　It’s something I often think about, but Aina is truly a girl who gives me the words I desire. Perhaps it’s because of this trait that I find myself liking her to an unbearable extent. Even within the school building, as I naturally intertwine my fingers with Aina’s, she responds with a grip that seems to convey, “I won’t let go no matter what.”

“I wonder if Endo-sensei will scold us again.”

“I wonder.”

　Endo is the homeroom teacher I just met. While my classmates find the interactions with Aina endearing, it seems a bit too clingy from the teacher’s perspective.

“Hey, you two, it’s great that you’re lovey-dovey, but think about the time and place, okay? What’s with you, Yukishiro, trying to rub in the fact that I’m lonely every day as a single guy? Tell me how you managed to get such a beautiful girlfriend.”

　The latter half is probably just envy, but that’s how our homeroom teacher is. Moreover, saying this in the middle of the class was embarrassing. Well, it turned into a discussion on how the teacher could genuinely find a wonderful wife, which made me laugh. Seeing Endo giving advice to both boys and girls on what to do and how to behave, I realized he must be well-liked.

“We’re also heading to the preparation room, Aina.”

“Sure thing.”

　Upon entering the audio-visual room, Aina closed the door of the preparation room first. And then—. I heard the sound of the entrance door being locked with a click.

“Aina?”

　Of course, since only Aina and I were present in the room at the moment, it was inevitably Aina who had locked the door. Aina, with her hands behind her back, closed the door with a smile and then spoke.

“Alone… together, aren’t we?”

　Blushing, she made a gesture as if wanting something. I leaned in towards Aina, gently placed my hand on her head, caressed it, and she closed her eyes, seemingly enjoying the sensation.

“That’s right. Let’s head back then.”

“…Hmm. Towa-kun, you’re quite strong.”

　We just talked about considering the time and place, didn’t we? Well, Aina must understand that, as she changed her expression to a more composed one and unlocked the door.

“Because of what happened ‘before,’ you know…”

“…………”

　…I’m sorry, Aina, I was at fault too.

　After closing the door of the audio-visual room, we returned to the classroom, each carrying our bags, then proceeded to the staff room. Placing the key on the teacher’s desk, we left the school building.

　In the schoolyard, the energetic voices of the baseball club, including Aisaka, echoed, while members of the track team who had been running outside were returning one after another.

“Ah, there’s Mari-chan.”

　Aina said so, and Mari was running while wiping off sweat. When Mari noticed us, she waved but didn’t come over. It’s understandable since she’s in the middle of club activities; she can’t just come over on a whim.

　As the kids who finished running began to stretch, I noticed an unfamiliar man among them. Ah, that must be the external coach. The teacher mentioned him subtly… His name was Tachibana, yes, Tachibana.

“So, that’s the external coach.”

“It seems so. Shall we head back, Towa-kun?”

“Yeah.”

　Described as a muscular and handsome guy, he seems to be quite popular among the younger ones. Indeed, he seemed to be touching the girls as part of the stretching routine, and although the girls blushed and seemed happy, they didn’t seem entirely displeased.

　As I was being led by Aina, ready to leave, Tachibana was seen pointing towards us and asking something to the girl. Subsequently, he walked away from the girl towards us.

“Hello. It’s our first time meeting, right?”

“Hello. You’re Tachibana-san, correct? I’ve heard your name from the teacher.”

“I see. That saves me the trouble of introducing myself.”

　He smiled refreshingly… But for some reason, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there might be more to his smile. Maybe I’m being too suspicious? Despite not showing it on my face, I’ve been contemplating such thoughts deep down all along.

“That girl earlier said you two are dating, right? A handsome guy and a beautiful girl, quite enviable.”

“Thank you for that.”

“…(Nods)”

I expressed my gratitude, but Ayana remained silent. As I mentioned before, Ayana seems to dislike being called beautiful or cute by other men.

“I worked on improving myself for Towa-kun. I didn’t strive to hear such things from anyone other than Towa-kun, so I wouldn’t be pleased no matter what they say. Rather, it gives me goosebumps and makes me feel sick, so I’d prefer they stop,” she said with a truly repulsed expression.

She really seemed to dislike it.

Ayana’s silence could be seen as proof of her genuine aversion. So, even though I tried to lead Ayana away by taking her hand, at that moment, a voice from the track team’s girls resonated.

“Coach~! Should we bring out the cones~??”

“Ah, please… No, I’ll go.”

At that moment, Tachibana, for some reason, looked at Ayana. And he blurted out something like this:

“I want to talk to students from other clubs as well. Nonomiya-san, would you mind helping me?”

…Why is he asking Ayana when there’s a guy like me around? It seems my gut feeling, or rather, the sense that there’s more to it, might not be entirely off.

“I’ll go,” I was about to say, but Ayana answered first.

“Understood.”

“Really? Then—”

“Ayana and I will go, so Coach, please focus on guiding everyone here.”

Ayana took my arm.

“Just wait a moment. It’s not ideal to leave everything to us…”

“The Coach just arrived here recently. It would be important for him to build a good relationship with the track team members, don’t you think? Please leave these minor tasks to us. Daily practice is very important for the club members. Moreover, with Mr. Murakami gone, the Coach is the only one they can rely on. Every minute counts, I believe,” she said, embracing my arm.

“Also,” she continued, “If I separate from Towa-kun, I develop a condition where I’ll die. Do you want me to die, Coach? You wouldn’t say such a cruel thing, right?”

“Um…”

“So, shall we go together, Towa-kun? Come on, let’s go.”

“…………”

Tachibana’s face at that moment clearly showed that he thought Ayana was a troublesome girl.

Tachibana went back to guiding the students, and Ayana and I went to get the cones from the equipment room.

“…It’s disgusting, I feel nauseous from those looks.”

Ayana might think she’s hiding it, but her expression is quite intense. After bringing the cones, Ayana and I left immediately. As we looked at the schoolyard on our way back, it seemed like half of the members admired Tachibana. Mari and the others were stretching a bit further away.

“Nevertheless, it’s unusual for you to say such things when you don’t usually.”

“Well… I thought it might be okay to be seen as a troublesome guy if I said something like that.”

“So, there was that intention.”

“I felt a chill like you were looking at my chest or butt. Let’s also inform Mari-chan to be a bit careful.”

It seems like it might be after practice when I check Ayana’s message… but I wonder. Mari is the kind of person who doesn’t suspect others much, kind of easily deceived.

(…I almost forget, but this is the world of an adult game. I’m completely off-script, and there are many things I don’t understand.)

That’s why, perhaps, I’m the only one who can protect this girl beside me…

To keep my promise to make Ayana, who is smiling happily while embracing my arm, happy, I must firmly do what I can.

“Well, if someone tries to make a move, I’ll deal with it.”

What do you mean by “deal with it,” Ayana-san?