I Play the Role of (Villain/Heroine) in a Japanese-style Otome Game - Chapter 20.2

Chapter 20.2

In the end, we achieved 2nd place overall for the inter-class matches that include 2nd and 3rd years .


In the girls’ basketball, we obtained 1st without having to show our navels . In the boys’ soccer too, with the Kousuke-kun and Yuusei-kun combi playing an active role, we obtained 1st .
And, as usual, with my abilities that grow the more I train, I got 1st in the girls’ relay race too .
Naturally, it was a complete victory over Kuo-sensei’s class .
The homeroom teacher was urged by Chako to treat the entire class juice and for some reason Kuo-sensei treated the entire Photography Club to ice cream .
　Today, we’re having a reflection session for such fun inter-class matches .
Just like before, it became an argument about games for male phantoms and humans and I propose a phantom-only relay .
The meeting gets roused up at once and it became a discussion about a new game .
Even though it was such a fervent session, Tomotaka-senpai, as usual, doesn’t really get involved .
When time’s up, he nimbly wraps up the suggestions and breaks up the meeting .

　As the sun sets, I shut the open window while looking at Tomotaka-senpai .
Perhaps he’s writing documents regarding today’s session, he filling in something while sitting at his desk .
“Senpai . A phantoms-only relay is something to look forward to, isn’t it?”

　I talk to him with a chuckle .
Tomotaka-senpai gives a vague smile and looks back at me .

“A phantoms-only relay, huh… Well, I think the chances of really holding it next year is low though . ”

　As though to cool my head, Tomotaka-senpai issues those words .

　Ah… this feeling . How nostalgic .
『Power is required if one wants to do something new . 』
That’s what you mean, right, senpai?

“That’s right . There’s no guarantee that the current executives will be executives again, and I doubt the fever right will last till next year . ”
“… Yeah . ”
　Perhaps he weren’t expecting my calm words; Tomotaka-senpai makes a slightly surprised face .
I laugh mischievously at that face .

“However, senpai . Senpai’s the Student Council president next year too . And, I’ll continue to be an executive . I’ll also try asking executives who seem motivated to be executives next year . ”

　After all, today . We got so fired up .
Everyone, wants to see the amazing points of phantoms .
Phantoms, too, want to show their amazing points .

　That phantoms are different from humans, that phantoms are amazing .
Everyone knows that but I think it’s good to establish something that allows us to experience it .

“We have another year after this . I think we can hold it next year if we prepare . ”

　The inter-class match committee members barely have anything to do after this .
Naturally, I think there are many who accepted to be executives because they thought it ends today .
Even if I ask for help for the sake of next year, I don’t know how many will be willing .
However, surely, I believe there will be people who will help .
“I, want to have the phantoms-only relay, you see… No matter what . ”

　That’s why, senpai .
Let’s do something new, together .

　Tomotaka-senpai’s eyes narrow when I stare fixedly at him .

“… Is there any benefit, for you to put so much effort in a phantoms-only relay?”
“Benefit, you say? … There is . ”

　Tomotaka-senpai’s deep blue eyes shine doubtfully .  
Unable to avert from those eyes, I giggle .
“I, love phantoms . It’s enough for me if I can see phantoms being cheered on by everyone and coolly participating . ”

　Yes . I just want to see cool phantoms .

　Hearing such an answer from me, a corner Tomotaka-senpai’s mouth raises .


Oh, right . The Tomotaka-senpai when talking about phantoms, feels like this .
A warped smile different from his princely one .

“You like phantoms… is it . You really are strange, aren’t you?”

　With that smile on his face, Tomotaka-senpai speaks in a cold voice .
That’s probably his voice when he suppresses his emotions to the best of his abilities .
However, I had a feeling I saw a flame rising, deep within those deep blue eyes .

　… I know that flame .

　Having something you want, and working hard for it .
Yet not being rewarded at all…

　Not wanting to discover that side of yourself .
Thinking that those feelings are unnecessary .

　Enough already, even though you thought you hate it, you couldn’t let go .

“… Because I’m the same as senpai . ”
“… You and I?”
“That’s right . Because senpai loves phantoms… Long, long before I did . ”
　Tomotaka-senpai’s eyes widen at my words .
I smile at those eyes .
Those eyes are the same as mine after all .

“I know senpai has been working hard . Tomotaka-senpai has always been working hard . ”

　However, the direction he worked hard in was off so he failed a number of times .
… Truely, just like me .

“I, have only been making mistakes and failing… En route, I even came to dislike working hard . ”

　Senpai, do you remember?

　『Me too . I am still en route . Surely, even now, Tomotaka-senpai is en route . 』

　Although considerable amount of time has passed since then .
It seems we’re still en route .
The fruit hasn’t bore, at all .

　It’s been nothing but failures for so long that I ended up chuckling .
Laughing in the middle of the conversation, he probably thinks I’m a bit of a strange girl though .
As Tomotaka-senpai has been staring at me all along, I address those eyes .
“Let’s work hard together . ”

　So that this will be the last .
So that we can laugh and hold a phantoms-only relay next year .

　Tomotaka-senpai’s deep blue eyes widen at my words .
I stare back at those eyes .
While thinking that the colour of Tomotaka-senpai’s eyes is extremely pretty, like the colour of the night sky .
　I wonder how long we stared at each other?
Around the time when the scenery visible through the window changes from orange to deep blue, senpai finally opens his mouth .

“… Naba-san is really a strange person . ”
“I’m the Priestess of Ominous Clouds after all . ”

　The flame in Tomotaka-senpai’s eyes slowly tremble .
Watching that, I chuckle .
After Tomotaka-senpai returns a troubled smile, fuu, he sighs .

“So I like phantoms despite being an onmyouji . ”

　Good gracious, he mutters while pushing his brown hair upwards .
『I like phantoms』
So it appears that fact had gotten firmly into senpai’s heart with a click .
However, perhaps as an effect of turning back time, it seems there isn’t the feelings he had in the 1st round .

　Perhaps senpai didn’t want to know that .
Perhaps that feeling had hurt senpai .

　Even then, I…

　Looking at senpai, I laugh mischievously .
“It’s fine . Yuusei-kun likes phantoms too . ”
“… Him, too?”
“That’s right . The『Peerless Onmyouji』likes phantoms so there’s absolutely no problem for Tomotaka-senpai to like phantoms . ”
“I see . ”

　Tomotaka-senpai smiles at my words .
A sparkly smile beyond his princely one .

　How nostalgic .

　As always, I feel my cheeks warming at his smile .
“Senpai . I think there will be a lot going on but, I, will work hard for the sake of the next year . ”
“… I see . I also need to work hard, if you are . ”
“Senpai may be a bit too hard working though . ”
“You too . ”

　Tomotaka-senpai gives a sparkly smile .
A flame still flickers in those deep blue eyes .
Surely, in mine too .

　Shouldering this part of ourselves, we will live .