Chapter 74
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Evidence (2)
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The recording containing the PE teacher's words was in my hand, and I pondered what to do with it.
‘What should I do...’
Exposing Kumoto's crimes right away and saving Haru would have been a good option.
But that wouldn't lead to the "salvation" the scenario demanded.
The scenario didn't consider saving Haru from that PE teacher as true salvation.
More precisely, it viewed true salvation as severing her connection to Hiro as well.
So the problem was crystal clear.
‘Hiro, that bastard is the real issue.’
The guy who was the perfect NTR protagonist in every sense—such a moron that it made you wonder how he ever reeled in Haru.
‘If he at least had the brains of an average guy, this would be easy.’
Hiro fit the NTR protagonist mold perfectly, whether in a good way or bad.
He had a nice personality but zero awareness, some consideration but it was all twisted.
In short, he was the perfect guy to cause misunderstandings.
‘No, even before misunderstandings—he's perfect for sparking conflicts.’
Thanks to him, I had a lot to think about.
After agonizing over it for a while, I finally reached a decision.
To put it simply.
‘Using the recording right now would be amateur hour.’
I decided not to report Kumoto immediately.
There were several reasons, but first, Hiro needed a mental overhaul, and second, using this recording right away had too many holes.
There was no proof the voice belonged to Kumoto, and filing a report based solely on this would give him plenty of ways to weasel out.
In other words, I needed to gather as much solid evidence as possible.
In that sense, where I was right now was perfect for my goal.
The track team's office, where even in the game, Kumoto's various scandals were hidden.
I had to ransack the place.
‘Alright, time to head in.’
With that, I infiltrated the track team's office.
A short while later, after turning the track team office upside down, I managed to snag some decent evidence—even if it wasn't slam-dunk decisive.
For example, this white powder that wasn't sugar.
[Low-Grade Aphrodisiac Powder]
[Helps excite a person's body.]
This was an aphrodisiac.
[Training Log (Making My Own Slave - Ruin Edition)]
[Follow this, and I'll be a trainer starting today?!]
This was something no teacher should ever possess.
None of it was ironclad evidence on its own.
He could claim ignorance about the aphrodisiac being an aphrodisiac, and the book could just be written off as a private kink.
That would result in a slap on the wrist at best.
Of course, since I'd already secured some [irrefutable evidence] to prevent that, it didn't matter.
The drugs and book were just side dishes to highlight the PE teacher's sleazy tastes.
Anyway, with the evidence in hand.
‘Alright, time to go correct the biggest problem child.’
Time to give that moron some education.
The ordinary high school boy named Hiro had a lot on his mind these days.
‘Sigh... Haru’s probably at club activities right now, huh?’
The main reason was his childhood friend and crush, Haru.
More precisely, the fact that a few days ago, she’d been furious with him.
Their relationship was already on rocky ground, and he’d chosen the absolute worst timing for the absolute worst action.
Yes, even Hiro realized he’d messed up.
Well, only after his friends pointed it out.
‘But honestly, I thought I was being considerate...’
In his mind, it had been consideration.
‘She used to say she wanted to get closer to the seniors...’
More precisely, it stemmed from something she’d said almost half a year ago.
Yes, Hiro hadn’t realized half a year was plenty of time for opinions to change, assuming Haru’s thoughts were still the same as back then.
This was why dating a clueless guy was so exhausting.
It was obvious now that she had zero interest, yet he acted anyway.
Of course, Hiro firmly believed he had some social awareness.
“Sigh, I just don’t get girls’ feelings.”
Muttering to himself, he decided to get some fresh air, changed into casual clothes, and stepped outside.
Mid-September, and with the sun setting, it was getting chilly.
‘Gonna have to dig out the winter uniform soon.’
Thinking that, he headed to the nearby playground.
It was newly built and nice and clean.
Upon arriving at the playground, Hiro froze at the voices he heard.
“Really?!”
“Have you ever known me to lie?!”
“What about that time you broke a promise?”
“Khk... Well, that was...”
It was his childhood friend Haru chatting happily with someone.
Or more accurately.
‘Why the hell is that guy here!’
The unusually handsome kid he’d recently befriended by chance.
Seeing them together, Hiro felt a surge of jealousy, but it faded quickly.
There was an age gap, after all. What could they possibly do?
Thinking that inwardly, but unable to shake his suspicions, Hiro cautiously eavesdropped.
“Sis, have you tried that café over there? The vibe is amazing.”
“Isn’t it kinda pricey?”
“The owner studied abroad or something and has a huge ego about it. But their desserts are killer.”
“Maybe we’ll check it out next time... Oh! Right! That shoujo manga you recommended? It was so good!”
“Right?! Total classic. You gotta finish it.”
Café? Desserts? Shoujo manga? What were they talking about?
At first, it didn’t make sense.
Which made sense—he’d treated Haru half like one of the guys, always talking games, soccer, or otaku stuff, never girly topics like cafés, desserts, or shoujo manga.
So Hiro was flustered at first, but as he listened, he realized how little he knew about her.
‘Haru... likes that kind of stuff...’
She’d always gone along with whatever he wanted, so he had no clue.
Partly her fault for always accommodating him, but mostly his for never bothering to learn her tastes.
Though the oblivious Hiro had just assumed she liked the same things as him.
Anyway, as he eavesdropped, his focus waned amid their everyday chit-chat.
“Takuya-kun. This is about a friend of mine... What do you think if her rational childhood friend barges into her room without knocking or does stuff she didn’t ask for?”
‘Is she talking about me?!’
The sudden mention of himself snapped Hiro back to attention, and he strained to listen from behind.
As Hiro focused, Takuya pondered briefly before answering.
“Honestly, worst kind of guy. That friend, I mean.”
“W-Worst?!”
“Yeah. People have boundaries. Butting in without being asked, crossing lines when you’re not even dating? That’s clueless and rude.”
“You really think that?”
“Well, that’s my take. Others might see it differently. But what do you mean by ‘unasked stuff’?”
Haru vaguely mentioned improving relations with peers, and Takuya shook his head.
“Sounds like a real oblivious type.”
“Th-That bad?”
‘Me. I’m. That oblivious?’
Hiro thought despite himself at Takuya’s harsh critique.
No, deep down he figured he wasn’t that bad.
But that notion shattered moments later.
“He should’ve at least asked what she wanted first. Instead, he rushed ahead on his own assumptions. And when she says she hates it, he whines it was all for her sake, why can’t she understand? Nothing uglier than that.”
“Y-Yeah, I guess...”
Takuya’s words hit exactly what Hiro had been thinking before leaving home.
Hiro couldn’t collect his thoughts.
‘Am I... really that kind of person?’
He started feeling disgusted with himself.
While Hiro reeled, their conversation continued.
He couldn’t tear himself away, continuing to eavesdrop.
After chatting for a good while, Haru and I parted ways to head home.
On the way, sipping a vending machine drink, I thought.
‘Hope this gives him a little wake-up call.’
Yes, Takuya had subtly sniped at Hiro in conversations with Haru because he knew Hiro was there.
He was a pro at sensing presences, after all.
So he’d known Hiro was around. When Hiro showed up, he’d gone hard, hoping the guy would snap out of it.
‘Hope this fixes it...’
Who knew.
Takuya thought that inwardly as he headed home.