In order to save the villainous twin sisters from falling into darkness, the mob character worked hard, and as a result, ended up being doted on by both of them.
Ohhh…
I never imagined I’d end up getting tangled with the heroine after school like this.
I let my guard down a little.
“I thought I saw someone in the same uniform, and it turns out it’s the Futami sisters… and, uh…”
Hoshina Miyabi, pressing a finger to her forehead, seemed to be trying to jog her memory.
It looks like my name isn’t coming to her—well, it’s only natural since a background character like me doesn’t have much recognition.
“It’s Shirahane, Miyabi-chan.”
“Oh, right, right! Shirahane Touko!”
It seems she came with some friends, and one of the classmates standing behind her whispered in her ear.
Miyabi Hoshina, the heroine, is pretty popular.
Maybe because she’s the complete opposite of the quiet, studious Otowa Mitsuki, she’s surrounded by a lot of flashy friends.
To put it simply, it’s a group of extroverts.
To me, they’re so dazzling I almost want to avoid looking directly at them.
“Forgetting Touko’s name—what’s up with that?”
“Not even remembering a classmate’s name properly? That’s pretty cold, huh?”
And, as expected, Saki and Soyoka were openly showing their dissatisfaction.
The cute vibe they had going earlier had completely flown out the window.
Also, they’re saying that so casually, but didn’t they forget my name too?
“Haha… I’m just terrible with names. Sorry if I upset you!”
Miyabi, though, didn’t seem fazed at all—she stuck out her tongue at me and gave a quick bow.
That boundless cheerfulness and high social skills? Classic extrovert energy.
“No, no, it’s totally fine. Honestly, more people don’t remember me since I’m so plain.”
I ended up feeling bad instead and bowed back.
Seeing that, the Futami sisters now had sour looks on their faces.
Why, though?
“There’s no reason for Touko to apologize.”
“You don’t have to be *that* humble about it.”
For some reason, the Futami sisters were grumpier than me, the person actually involved.
“Oh, by the way, I had a quick question for the Futami sisters?”
“What?” “What is it?”
The sisters synced up perfectly, already on the defensive.
Is this kind of situation unavoidable when you get tangled with the heroine…?
“So, this morning, didn’t I see you two hanging out with Tsugumi? I was just curious what you were up to since you’re friends and all.”
Miyabi Hoshina, just like Mitsuki Otowa, is another girl smitten with Aizawa Tsugumi.
And she, too, tends to end up at odds with the Futami sisters.
Looks like this rivalry dynamic doesn’t change, even with Miyabi.
“Sorry, Miyabi-san, the thing with Aizawa-san is my fault. It’s not Saki or Soyoka’s doing.”
And my role here is to diffuse the tension.
To build a happier future, I need to put an end to this rivalry.
“Even so, those two are famous for being all high-and-mighty, you know? That’s why they’ve caught the eye of that scary class rep.”
The “scary class rep” she’s talking about is Mitsuki.
It’s true that past events still weigh heavily on how people see them, so not many can look at the current Saki and Soyoka without bias.
“But Saki and Soyoka don’t actually have any issues with Aizawa-san, right?”
Even as a background character, this is one thing I’m confident about.
If my words reach them, I’m sure Saki and Soyoka will nod honestly.
“Depends on how they treat Touko.”
“As long as they don’t mess with Touko-chan, we won’t do anything.”
…Yeah, I figured.
“See? It’s fine.”
“That sounds kinda shady, doesn’t it? So it’s all up to Shirahane, huh?”
I thought I could strong-arm Miyabi into agreeing, but no dice.
(*Wait, a nickname…? This girl who couldn’t even remember my name a second ago is giving Touko a nickname…?*)
(*It’s fine, Saki-chan. We still call her by her actual name, so I think we’re closer to her, right?*)
(*I’m more worried about how overly familiar she’s getting with Touko!*)
(*Yeah, that’s true…*)
The Futami sisters were whispering to each other again.
But right now, mediating between Miyabi and them takes priority.
“But it’s thanks to Saki and Soyoka helping me that I can manage school life. So I don’t think ‘high-and-mighty’ really fits them.”
“Helping…?”
Miyabi’s gaze shifted to the side, landing on the crutches propped up nearby.
“Oh, so that’s why you’re with this group?”
She pieced it together gently with just that.
“Exactly. So, you see, Saki and Soyoka really do care about others.”
“…Huh. That does make sense.”
It’s probably a side of the Futami sisters she’s never seen before.
And if anyone would understand what that change means, it’s her—someone who’s been at odds with them.
“I’m only thinking about Touko.”
“Well, that doesn’t necessarily apply to anyone other than Touko-chan.”
“…”
Okay, why do they have to keep bringing my name into it?
If they’d just nod along, this could wrap up nicely, you know?
“Haha, if they can change for one person, maybe it’ll spread to others too. For today, I’ll let it slide for Shirahane’s sake.”
Miyabi seemed convinced enough, waving lightly as she left the café.
Her friends followed, casting suspicious glances at the Futami sisters…
But the vibe was like, “If Miyabi says it’s fine, we’ll deal with it,” and they reluctantly held back their complaints.
“Phew, that went well.”
Anyway, it didn’t turn into a big deal.
After Mitsuki, now Miyabi too—I’ve managed peaceful resolutions with both.
Little by little, it feels like things are improving.
“Hey, Touko, whose side are you on?”
Suddenly, Saki peered at me with a serious look.
“You’re not, like, interested in Mitsuki or Miyabi or anything, right?”
Soyoka also stared at me, trying to gauge my true intentions.
They might be doubting my neutral stance.
“Of course I’m on Saki and Soyoka’s side.”
That’s one thing that’s never wavered, but somehow it’s not getting through.
“…Oh.”
“…If that’s the case, then fine.”
Hearing that, they both nodded quietly.
“Was there something bothering you?”
“No, if Touko says that, then there’s no problem.”
“Yeah, as long as Touko-chan’s on our side, everything’s all good.”
Hmm…
Uh, why are they only this straightforward at times like this?