Chapter 15: A New Resolution
I was recalling what had happened yesterday.
On our way home from school, Mashiro had asked to walk with me. However, determined to escape my fate as a villain and avoid my ruin, I had harshly told her, "I can't stand you," wanting to distance myself from her, who was also a villain.
It was to protect her from the catastrophic future that awaited us. I told her this, feeling guilty.
I said I was not fond of gyarus and actually preferred pure and innocent girls, which Mashiro, being the opposite, did not fit.
Mashiro’s expression clouded upon hearing my words. Seeing her like that, I was overwhelmed with guilt. Still, I convinced myself it was necessary to avoid the disastrous future.
But then, Mashiro mischievously smiled and said,
“Just wait, Ryusuke. I’ll overcome what you dislike.”
Not understanding the true meaning of her words, I could only tilt my head in confusion as she bid farewell and left.
That was yesterday.
And now—Mashiro, as if embodying the pure girl I had described, had transformed. Her beautiful black hair was straightened, her uniform was perfectly neat, and she wore natural makeup, shedding any trace of her gyaru persona.
The result was a girl who had become so overwhelmingly beautiful that she surpassed the heroines of the story’s protagonist by far.
Seeing Mashiro like this, I stood up involuntarily.
My gaze was captured. Her beauty, seen up close, took my breath away.
Was she truly the same person? I couldn’t help but think this girl, who now possessed such perfected beauty, was someone else.
As I stood frozen by her overwhelming beauty, I heard her voice, clear as a bell yet warm and comforting.
“R-Ryusuke…? I-It’s embarrassing if you stare at me like that…”
Blushing, she fidgeted with her fingers, showing a shy demeanor that left me speechless. She then clasped her hands over her chest, looking up at me. What was that gesture? It was unfair…
“H-How do I look? You said you liked this kind of look… So, I got my hair redone at the salon and prepared since morning…”
Her azure eyes were filled with uncertainty, making her look so cute that I almost wanted to embrace her. I hastily averted my gaze.
Because I said I disliked gyarus, Mashiro had made an effort to change for me.
To make me happy, to be liked by me, she tried to become the ideal girl I had in mind.
For a girl to give up everything she liked and change herself for just one guy must take an extraordinary amount of resolve.
But she did it.
She turned her feelings for me into effort and transformed into the most beautiful girl who even outshined the heroines.
“...Ah.”
Standing before Mashiro, I couldn’t find my voice. I couldn’t even give her a simple compliment.
I was too happy. There was someone in this world who cared this much about me.
No one had ever done this for me in my previous life. No one in that world cared enough to go this far for me.
I didn’t know what to say to such a person. I desperately tried to put my feelings into words, but I could only stand there foolishly.
Then, Mashiro blushed and stood on her tiptoes, placing her hands on my cheeks with an innocent smile.
“That’s the face Ryusuke makes when he’s genuinely happy. I don’t need words; I’ve known you since elementary school.”
My heart pounded so hard I thought it might explode. She had always known. She understood how I expressed joy and what made me happy.
—I see.
Mashiro would stay by my side no matter how much I tried to push her away.
I wanted to ensure her happiness, convincing myself it was to save her from the impending ruin, and I decided to distance myself from her.
But that was a mistake.
Mashiro wouldn’t give up on me, no matter what. She wanted to be with me, no matter what. Ignoring such pure feelings… that’s exactly what a villain would do.
If Mashiro wouldn’t give up on me, then I wouldn’t give up on her. To avoid ruin and find happiness, we would struggle together, not alone.
Even villains want to experience youth.
Just as I wished, Mashiro wanted to enjoy her youth too. There was no need to hold back anymore. I would laugh and celebrate youth with her.
Realizing this, I finally managed to speak.
“It suits you. You’re really cute.”
Upon hearing my halting words, Mashiro beamed.
Her smile was like an angel’s, and for the first time since arriving in this world, I felt true happiness.
Thus, Amanatsu Mashiro became the one and only presence who colored my world with utmost kindness and beauty.
