Well, this novel recently got a manga adaptation, which is currently on chapter 1, and I liked it, so here it is. The manga it’s a direct adaptation of the web novel; I understand it doesn’t have a light novel.
01 The Childhood Friend Wants to Become a Mob Character
I stood at my desk in the classroom.
“Suzuna, I guess I could walk home with you again today?”
A black-haired boy looked down at me.
…Strange.
I’d never seen this classroom before, and I’d never spoken to this boy.
Even so, I knew.
This was Seiran Academy, and the boy’s name was Shindo Minato.
Somehow, I knew it well.
As I tried to figure out why, it immediately hit me.
“…Ah, this is the world of that game I was playing last. This is it.”
“My Girlfriend Next Door is Super Sweet”
Commonly known as: KanoAma
…I think.
Anyway, I was playing a dating sim with that title.
This world is strikingly similar to that game.
Could it be… this is what they call reincarnation?
“Huh, game…? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“Ah, um, it’s nothing. More importantly, Shindo…-kun. What did you just call me?”
“Huh? Don’t ask weird questions… Suzuna is Suzuna, right? What else would I call you?”
Ah… Seriously?
The name of the girl he called was Amatsuki Suzuna.
One of the heroines, her position: childhood friend.
It seems I’ve been reborn as one of these characters.
“See, you don’t have anyone to go home with anyway, right? I’ll walk home with you.”
Shindo Minato and his childhood friend, Amatsuki Suzuna, always went to and from school together.
However, as you can see, Minato’s attitude towards Suzuna is noticeably arrogant.
Even now, he’s giving off this “I’m doing you a favor” aura.
But Suzuna is incredibly kind.
She’s harbored feelings for Shindo Minato since childhood, keeping them hidden while remaining his friend.
That’s why, even when treated like this, she responds with a smile. Such a pure-hearted girl.
If I were to respond like her, going home with him would be the right answer.
…But.
“I’m going home alone, it’s fine.”
I told him my intentions clearly, in a voice that even I thought sounded blunt.
◇◇◇
Even though it was an unfamiliar hallway, I knew the way like the back of my hand, like it was my own home.
As Amatsuki Suzuna, I share her memories of this world.
I headed straight for the entrance.
“H-Hey… Suzuna, what’s wrong? Are you… mad at me or something…?”
But there was a boy following behind me.
“I’m not mad.”
“Th-Then… why aren’t you walking home with me? We always do.”
“Just because we always do, doesn’t mean we have to today.”
More than anything, I wanted him to stop following me.
Being approached by boys is a little scary.
“Did I… do something to you, Suzuna?”
“…Do you have any idea what it might be?”
“Uh… ah, no, like today, you let me copy your homework, and you woke me up right before class when I was sleeping, and you swapped cleaning duty with me… or something?”
Yes, this boy is incredibly lazy. And dependent on girls for everything.
The heroines of this world constantly pamper the protagonist. As if there’s some rule that they can only fall for good-for-nothing guys.
Even though he’s a second-year high school student, they only spoil him and never scold him.
And among them, this heroine, Amatsuki Suzuna, is especially sweet.
Just because they’re childhood friends, she’s always taken care of him since they were young.
She’s constantly subservient, always watching his expression, and always treats him kindly.
Honestly, as the player, I couldn’t understand it.
I didn’t like this protagonist, and I didn’t understand Suzuna’s feelings for him either.
I couldn’t empathize with her at all.
“It might be that.”
“Eh, even so, why all of a sudden…?”
“Anyway, I’m going home alone. Bye-bye, Shindo-kun.”
That’s why, I won’t be captured.
Even if this is the world of a dating sim, I refuse to date a boy I don’t like.
“…He finally gave up.”
Looking back after passing the school gates, Shindo-kun was nowhere to be seen.
“But… did I say too much?”
The image of Shindo-kun falling silent with a hurt expression after my parting words wouldn’t leave my mind.
I had to be clear so he’d understand, but I didn’t want to hurt him needlessly.
I just didn’t want to end up in the troublesome position of being his girlfriend.
“Seriously, even in a game world, I can’t get along with people… Give me a break…”
I sighed a little, remembering the world I came from.
No matter where I am, can I never live the way I want?
“Stop it, stop it. This is a new life, I have to enjoy it.”
Yes, it shouldn’t all be doom and gloom.
By walking this new life, I might gain something different.
Fortunately, Amatsuki Suzuna wasn’t a character that others disliked.
If I play my cards right, I might even be able to have a decent school life.
A heroine who isn’t captured by the protagonist, no, better yet, become a mob character and live a modest school life.
A peaceful life suits me.
Somehow, deciding on a future course of action calmed my mind.
My footsteps became a little lighter, and I hurried home.
I passed through the downtown area.
I’m not very fond of this space, where the buildings suddenly become larger and the crowds increase.
I quickened my pace to get through it quickly.
“I’m teeellling you, I’m not interested!”
…Hm?
A girl’s voice I’d heard somewhere reached my ears.
Looking towards the source of the voice, I saw a girl with light brown, loosely curled hair and heavy makeup, wearing a cheap-looking suit, being harassed by a man.
“You’re cute, so… I think you could easily earn money, even if it’s just for 1 or 2 hours a day.”
“Huh? What’s that? Super sketchy, it’s creepy. I’m not struggling for money, anyway.”
The girl was wearing the same uniform as me.
Hers was quite disheveled, giving off a rather frivolous impression, but she was definitely a student at the same school.
“Lies, dressed like that, there’s no way you’re not interested. It’s not sketchy at all, so just listen to what I have to say, and you can refuse if you don’t like it.”
“I’m already refusing. Seriously, you’re persistent.”
…Ah….
I racked my brain at the sight.
I remember this event.
Originally, Amatsuki Suzuna should have been going home with Shindo Minato today.
Shindo-kun, as usual, would have been boasting to Suzuna.
‘I’d do anything for a cute girl.’
He’d say something superficial like that.
But, because Suzuna is a naive girl…
‘Is that so? Then if there’s a girl in trouble, I can ask you for help, Minato-kun.’
She’d give a carefree reply like that.
And then they’d encounter this scene.
‘Hey Minato-kun, that girl looks like she’s in trouble.’
‘…Yeah.’
‘You said you’d do anything for a girl, right?’
‘……Yeah.’
Unable to back down from his careless words, Shindo Minato would half-heartedly charge at the man in the suit.
The man, thinking he was outnumbered, would retreat…
“Because of me, Shindo-kun isn’t here…”
In other words, the protagonist who was supposed to save her is absent.
The guilt weighed even heavier on me.
I couldn’t just ignore this…
Suppressing the fear welling up in my chest, I quickened my pace.
“Hey, hey, come on. Just a little, just a tiny bit.”
“No, don’t touch me. Seriously, you’re gross.”
The man’s advances were finally becoming forceful, and even I, watching, felt anxious.
I broke into a run, and then…
“Ah, ahhh. Sorry, sorry, were you waiting?”
I forced myself between the two of them and called out.
My voice cracked a little, unused to such lines.
“Uh, um…?”
A classmate she hadn’t made plans with suddenly called out to her.
Of course she’d be taken aback.
“Shopping first? Come on, we don’t have time, let’s go.”
Ignoring her bewilderment, I took the flashy girl’s hand and started walking.
“Hey, wait a minute!”
To the man in the suit who was still trying to pursue us, I opened my mouth.
“Sir, this girl and I have something to do. Besides, if you keep pestering her, I’ll call the police. You’re targeting a minor, and if rumors spread, it could affect your job, you know? Is that okay with you?”
“…Tch, whatever, fine.”
The man clearly looked displeased as he backed down.
Well, at least he wouldn’t bother her any further.
“Let’s go, Hinase-san.”
“Ah, y-yeah!”
I then took her hand—the hand of one of the heroines, Hinase Riri—and left the downtown area behind.
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