Sasaki Emi wants to be relied on

After we got kicked out of the shop, Emi and I were on our way home.

The road is a little dim but it will be a while until it gets dark so there’s nothing much to be scared of.

“Seriously……., you’re so sly Hideyori-kun, going on a date with Towa like that.”

“M, My bad…..I was asked to guide her around the city you see.”

“….I thought that it might be the case but she really is a strong opponent.”

“Strong?”

“You can turn on your Deaf skill at a time like this you know.”

Apparently, Emi is upset with how I went on a date with Eien-chan.

They seem to have become good friends lately so I feel a little sorry that I took Eien-chan away from her.

If Eien-chan asks next time, it might be better if I say [Can I invite Emi too?].

“So, I have something I want to consult with you, Emi.”

“What is it?”

To be honest, I’m already at a dead end.

I just can’t find a good way to save Eien-chan from her birdcage.

“Emi is the closest to Eien-chan so I want to consult you first. Actually, she has troubles with her family you see.”

“Her family?”

“It looks like it’s got to do with the reason she moved here too……..”

What she told me today.

And what I know about her father from the game.

I told them to Emi.

Emi was manipulated by Hideyori in the game and was involved with a lot of his evil deeds including entrapping Eien-chan but it’s okay.

This Emi is a gentle girl who thinks things through seriously.

“You don’t have to come up with a solution alone. If Emi thinks that you’re stuck then you can try consulting with Risa and Tsugaru too.”

“…….I see. Towa can’t go against her father and Hideyori-kun doesn’t know how to help her right.”

“……yeah. I couldn’t do anything. I’m such a useless and pathetic guy huh……”

I couldn’t even do a single thing for Eien-chan.

I couldn’t solve even one of her worries…….

“That’s not the case at all. Hideyori-kun is neither useless nor pathetic.”

“Emi…….”

“I want Hideyori-kun to show me more of your weak side. I like the strong and cool Hideyori-kun but I also like the weak and uncool Hideyori-kun after all. I want you to rely on me more.”

“But, I would only trouble you……..”

“You won’t.”

Emi didn’t let me finish my sentence.

She then takes a step toward me and brings her face closer to mine.

“I like being relied on by Hideyori-kun. I mean, it would be a hassle if you made me clean the classroom together with you but it would be way sadder if you don’t rely on me at all……”

“It’s okay, to rely on you……?”

“Of course.”

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When my shoulder was broken in my previous life, I didn’t want to bother everyone in the club so I just silently submitted my withdrawal notice.

[[If you start blabbing your mouth then the effort of all your friends who stay late to practice every day will be for nothing right? Your shoulder will never be right again anyway. If that’s the case then wouldn’t it be better if you just quietly disappear without bothering anyone? So, Toyotomi, what will you do?]]

The words of the damn club captain were reproduced in my brain.

Would it really be a bother if I involved them…….?

Was my choice wrong after all……..?

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“I’ve always dragged Hideyori-kun into my business right. I saw you in the playground alone so I made you play with me. Even today, I just arbitrarily made you plan our pool trip……besides, it’s scary when Hideyori-kun doesn’t rely on me at all.”

“Scary……?”

“I’m scared, one day you might just leave me and disappear. That’s why it felt really reassuring when Hideyori-kun wanted to rely on me. I felt like I was needed.”

“!?”

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It’s reassuring to be relied on, huh.

I never thought about it that way.

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But, I understand where she’s coming from.

“Also, as long as I’m involved, I will definitely help Hideyori-kun! I like Towa too after all. I will definitely save her!”

“Emi……..even though you’re so small you’re so reliable you know.”

I stroke Emi’s hair.

When we were children, we were about the same height but now I’m more than 10cm taller.

Even so, she’s so reliable to me.

“Hehe, let’s save Towa from her birdcage and go to the pool together!”

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I truly like Emi who understands so much about me.

There’s no one more reliable than her.

With her at my side, I might even be able to change the story of the game that has yet to come. Such positive thoughts float to my mind.

That was how much I was saved by Emi’s words.

TLN: A little change to release. it will be 2 chapters each for the next two releases.