I Want to Fall in Love After Getting Reincarnated as the Heroine on the Verge of a Bad Ending, but My OP Older Brother Won’t Leave Me Alone!? - Chapter 79
Translated by: ShinigamiTori
Chapter 79 ? Music Festival and Fateful Love 2
“Huh, is Rene sitting next to me?”
Appearing with a piece of paper that had “K-02” written on it was none other than Julius.
The moment I saw his flawless face, I couldn’t help but feel relieved. In a game event, the character with the highest favorability should appear at this point.
However, in a grand event like the music festival, being placed in such an artificially staged seat with a one-in-a-hundred probability, could it really be unrelated to the main story of the game?
Honestly, it felt impossible. It must be an event.
At this point, the only confirmed capture targets are Prince Theodore and Arnold-san, with not much interaction in terms of conversation.
While there’s hope that everyone’s favorability is mediocre, advancing towards the normal end, it contradicts the sudden increase in my magic power, which is equivalent to the favorability of a capture target.
“.. .There are just too many things I don’t understand.”
In the end, I’ll have to ask Anna-san about it.
But at the same time, I was also relieved that Yoshida wasn’t here. Even though my favorability towards him has only increased one-sidedly, the fact that the person of the opposite sex I have the most contact with is not here means that there’s a high possibility that he may not be a genuine capture target.
Although I love Yoshida, I don’t want him to suddenly tell me he loves me or be subjected to a ‘kabedon‘ due to game mechanics[1]. Moreover, Yoshida would probably dislike it too. I want to remain close friends.
“But if that’s the case, why is Julius here… Is there some system where sub-characters appear if the favorability of all the capture targets hasn’t reached a certain level? No, but still…”
“What’s wrong? You look troubled.”
“Ah! Y-You startled me.”
As I was lost in thought and muttered to myself, Julius, who had somehow come right next to me, peered in. Startled, I quickly apologized and offered the seat next to mine.
Julius smiled and said, “Thank you,” then took a seat. Sitting side by side, I couldn’t help but notice that the distance between us felt notably closer than the other seats. It’s definitely suspicious.
“I heard rumors about this, but I never imagined the day would come when I’d actually sit here. It really seems like we’re out of sight from everyone else around us.”
“You know, isn’t it, like, unusually close and dark here?”
“Yeah, you’re right. Shall we be all lovey-dovey?”
“No.”
Although I’ve become a little serious with all the things I’ve been thinking about, I’m still relieved to see my brother looking the same as usual.
“But I’m glad it was Julius who came here.”
“…Why?”
“Being alone in such a confined space with someone of the opposite sex would not only be unsettling but also frightening.”
As soon as I said that, Julius briefly widened his ice-blue eyes, looking somewhat surprised.
“Is it okay for me to be happy about that?”
“Probably…? I feel at ease when I’m with Julius.”
Whenever I was in a pinch, my brother was always there to help. During the overnight trip, if Julius hadn’t come to my rescue, there’s a chance things could have gone really bad.
Julius eventually flashed a small, somewhat troubled smile.
“Thank you. I’m honored.”
“I’m the one who’s grateful.”
“Hahaha, but well, I think I’m the scariest one, though.”
“Eh?”
???
Soon after that, the music festival began smoothly, and before I knew it, it was my turn to perform. Standing backstage with Moses-kun, my partner for the performance, I followed Arnold-san’s instructions and did some hand stretches.
“Wainwright-san, you don’t look nervous at all.”
“No, I’m actually really nervous.”
“Really? It didn’t look like that at all.”
“I might be nervous, but I find this more enjoyable than anything else.”
It’s quite nerve-wracking to stand on the stage of the large hall, filled with the entire student body and invited guests. Looking back, even in my past life, I never had the opportunity to stand in front of such a large audience.
However, in the past, I never devoted myself to anything other than studying and working. Now, everything felt fun, thrilling, and dazzling. The fact that I practiced so diligently was also a source of support for me.
“That’s good to hear. Let’s enjoy it to the fullest.”
“Yes!”
??In the end, thanks to Moses-kun’s coordination with me, I managed to finish the performance without making any mistakes.
Amidst the dazzling spotlights, as I deeply bowed, thunderous applause echoed throughout the hall. The thought of these being directed at me made my eyes teared up.
I bite my lip hard to keep from crying. Ever since I came to this world, I feel like I’ve become a crybaby.
I never cried even when things were tough, but I never imagined that the day would come when I’d cry from happiness.
“Welcome back. It was fantastic. You did a great job.”
“T-Thank you…!”
After finishing my performance and returning to my seat, Julius welcomed me with applause.
“Why the strange face?”
“I-I got a bit emotional, and I’m trying my best not to cry.”
“I see.”
He gave me an incredibly kind smile and patted me on the head, which made me feel like crying even more. Although he offered to hug me, it felt somewhat awkward to embrace him right here and now.
The show went on with the performances by the first-year students, and both Yoshida and Jenny delivered exceptional performances as well.
I listened to the pleasant music, wishing I could continue to play the piano. Julius, seemingly as if it were natural, held my hand the entire time.
Soon, it was lunch break, and I stealthily slipped out of my seat, heading to lunch with Therese.
“It was a really nice performance. Good job.”
“Thank you! I’m glad to hear you say that.”
Expecting a bustling day with students from all grades moving at the same time, I’m being taken to the cafeteria reserved for A-rank and above. I hope that someday I can achieve a high rank and casually invite others like this.
Even the spacious and luxurious cafeteria was crowded, and as I searched for a seat, someone tapped my shoulder from behind.
“Ah, Prince Theodore. Hello.”
“……”
“Is there something you need?”
Turning around, I was astonished to find the prince standing there.
Thinking it would be another day of his silent brilliance, I followed his silent gesture and saw Yoshida sitting at a spacious table with a menu in hand.
“Ah, Yoshida seems to be having trouble deciding between the chicken set and the sandwich set. He’s such an adorable guy, hehe.”
“……”
“Rene, Theodore-sama is probably?”
“Eh?”
I tilted my head in confusion, and just as Therese was about to say something, the prince suddenly grabbed my hand.
Translator Notes:
1. Kabe-don (“wall slam”) is the act of the man slapping his hand on the wall next to the woman, pinning her in position by his proximity. ?
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