Chapter 34: The Reason I Move for You

I looked at Aya pleadingly. But I couldn’t reveal my secret. I couldn’t tell her that they were characters in a novel, and I was a soul from another world, stuck in the body of a background character. Who would believe such a story?

But… perhaps because I wasn’t being completely honest, Aya’s eyes remained clouded with doubt.

She stared at me silently, her usual sharp wit and playful banter absent. This was the face of a genuinely troubled Aya.

‘…Why?’ I wondered, then I realized.

‘Ah…’

My recent actions, my ability to anticipate and solve problems from the novel… those were all things Aya should have been doing. I was stealing her role.

“I’m sorry… please believe me, Aya,” I pleaded again. “I really don’t want to be vice-president. It’s not about that. I just…” I took a deep breath and continued, “I really… don’t want to see you struggle. I won’t interfere anymore. I didn’t realize my actions would upset you.”

“…” Aya’s lips trembled slightly, but no words came out. Instead, she stared at me, her deep blue eyes piercing, as if searching for something hidden within me. I braced myself for her response, my heart pounding nervously.

“…That makes me sound like a terrible person,” she finally said, letting out a small sigh, then a slow smile spread across her face. “Okay. I believe you.”

“R-Really?” I asked, surprised.

Aya nodded. “You’ve been doing so well lately… it made me wonder.”

“I… I just wanted to help,” I mumbled, my eyes welling up.

Wait, me? Even though I was still a guy on the inside? I’d noticed myself becoming more emotional since becoming Rina, but… I hadn’t realized I’d become this easily tearful.

Aya chuckled softly, seeing my tears. “So, about meeting with my sister… would you like to come with me?”

“…Huh?” I was taken aback. Didn’t Aya dislike meeting with her sister?

****

Rina’s tears streamed down her face as she looked at Aya. And Aya… felt a small sense of relief.

‘So… Rina doesn’t have any ulterior motives.’

But at the same time… a nagging doubt lingered in her mind.

‘Is she really… that selfless? Her actions…’

At this rate, Rina would receive all the credit for the Spring Festival’s success. And Aya didn’t like that. She was used to being the star, the one in the spotlight. She didn’t want to be overshadowed by Rina, her sweet, harmless friend.

But strangely, she was also relieved. While she was wary of losing her position, she believed Rina wasn’t acting out of malice.

Kurosawa Rina. The girl she’d met at the beginning of the semester had become a small, vulnerable creature in Aya’s mind. And the thought of this fragile girl fighting for her, supporting her… it was endearing.

But… was this love? Or was it a twisted form of jealousy, a possessiveness towards her rival? Aya, unable to decipher her own feelings, simply smiled faintly.

“So, about meeting with my sister… would you like to come with me?”

Rina’s expression turned to one of surprise, her emotions, as always, written clearly on her face.

“…Huh?”

Seeing her flustered expression, Aya felt a sudden urge to tease her. She slowly stepped closer.

“You said you wanted to help me because you didn’t want to see me struggle.”

“W-Well, that’s true, but…!” Rina stammered, waving her hands, trying to backpedal as Aya continued to approach. Rina instinctively stepped back, until… thud. Her back hit the hallway wall.

And then, Aya… placed her hands on the wall, trapping Rina between her arms and the wall.

“A-Aya…?” Rina’s eyes widened, her face flushing crimson.

‘This is… a kabedon?!’ Rina instinctively turned her head away.

But Aya, oblivious to the implications of the pose, continued to stare at Rina, her deep blue eyes calm and unwavering.

But Rina wasn’t oblivious. Realizing she was trapped, her shoulders tensed.

“S-So, Aya, this…!” Rina stammered, raising her hands hesitantly, but Aya didn’t move.

“So, you’ll help me until the end, right?” Aya’s voice was still calm, but Rina seemed to have gone blank. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded weakly.

“…Yes, of course.”

Aya smiled, satisfied. ‘…I knew you would say that.’

But…

‘Does she really… need to go this far for me?’

The thought crossed her mind. Aya could handle the night market issue on her own. She always had, and she always would. So… Rina didn’t need to help.

“You really are… a fool, Rina,” Aya murmured softly.

“…Huh?” Rina looked up at her, surprised.

“Why are you going this far to help me?”

Rina’s lips trembled as she looked at Aya, then she finally spoke. “…Because I don’t want to see you struggle.”

That simple, repeated phrase rendered Aya speechless. Her blue eyes wavered.

Was that really the only reason? Did Rina truly have no ambition for the vice-presidency? Why was Rina, always so hesitant, so passive, suddenly going this far for her?

Aya stared at Rina, her gaze intense. If she was lying, now was the time to confess.

But Rina’s lips remained sealed, her eyes filled with a desire to escape. And yet, Aya pressed further. “Is that really the only reason, Rina? You don’t want to see me struggle?”

“Yes, really. Truly.”

Rina’s answer sent a strange pang through Aya’s heart.

And in that moment, Aya realized something. Rina was an enigma, someone she couldn’t understand. Aya couldn’t comprehend selfless acts. Her own kindness always had an ulterior motive.

The respect she received.

The untouchable status she held within the academy.

The feeling of being needed, trusted, admired.

That was why Aya had always been kind.

But Rina?

Rina had stayed by her side, offered her support, without expecting anything in return.

‘Because I don’t want to see you struggle.’

That simple reason was Rina’s motivation. But the emotions hidden beneath that selflessness… were still beyond Aya’s comprehension.

…And perhaps… that was why she felt a flicker of unease, a strange anxiety she’d never experienced before. It made her question everything.

‘Is that… really all it is?’

Aya couldn’t hate Rina, despite her apparent foolishness.

Because…

“Aya…”

“Yes.”

“This is… a bit much…”

“Ah, right.”

Pressuring someone who was only trying to help… that wasn’t right.

****

I found myself walking with Aya, the sun still high in the sky. The days were getting longer. We’d parted ways with Mizuki at the intersection.

Which meant…

I was… going to Aya’s house.

“Are you sure it’s okay for me to come?”

“Yes. Let’s say you’re coming over to study.”

“Study… I should probably do that.”

Honestly, as a former repeat student, I was curious about the study habits of Yukikawa Aya, one of the top students in Japan. What was her secret to maintaining perfect grades?

But more than that… right now… being in this affluent neighborhood felt surreal.

I’d walked past my usual route towards Ōizumi, continuing down the main street, until finally… the Yukikawa residence came into view.

A modern mansion, as imposing as a castle.

The garden was impeccably manicured, and a high wall, sleek and modern, surrounded the property. But its sheer size and perfect symmetry gave it an aura of inapproachability. I stopped, staring up at the mansion.

“…Wow.”

The word escaped my lips involuntarily. Aya, unfazed, continued walking towards the gate, the familiarity of her home a stark contrast to my own bewilderment.

‘Aya grew up… here…’ The realization made me hesitate. Did someone ordinary like me even belong in a place like this?

“Rina, are you okay?” Aya asked, turning back at the gate.

I snapped out of my daze and hurried after her, into Aya’s world.