Days kept unfolding, just like in the manga.
Kenji and Roka came up with the idea of a sports game arena instead of just a single game—something that wouldn't rely solely on me. We spent several days doing manual labor, setting up the field.
During those times, I never saw my sister. Not even at home.
I don't know how she feels, but I've been avoiding her with everything I have. I wake up earlier than usual and come home late, skipping both dinner and breakfast.
Our mother and younger siblings noticed the tension, but I brushed them off with a simple excuse:
"We're just competing against each other for the school festival."
So most of my time was spent between school, part-time work, and building the arena. Just like that, the awaited day arrived. By unspoken agreement, both sides didn't interfere with each other and focused on their own projects.
Still, I could guess what was happening on Takao's side.
I had shattered their pride—they probably spent the entire week trying to create a game that surpassed mine.
I know that mindset well. I used to be the same.
Maybe I still am.
I led them to believe the competition was about programming skill, but in reality, it was about visitors—engagement, not complexity.
I wrote complex code that only IT-literate players could understand. No wonder they lost to Roka even in canon—the visitors just wanted to have fun. That's what we offered: a full-blown entertainment district. Meanwhile, the Real Game Creation Club focused on game development itself. Sure, some players could beta test it... but their numbers were limited.
Besides, the original manga already hinted that most visitors were only after Takao's chest. After confirming she wouldn't be doing the explanation booth herself, even the "baldies" would lose interest.
Everything went according to plan.
And in the end, they began to reconcile.
Yeah... To rebuild their friendship, our bond had to be sacrificed.
But it's worth it.
For the sake of character development, I'm willing to throw anything away.
Ironically, I guided others toward the path I myself cannot cross.
Even after living a second life, I'm still not mature.
Even if I died of old age... I never learned how to forgive.
Takao chose to face things head-on.
What I did was one-sided manipulation.
I just hope someone in this world beats some sense into me. Otherwise, it's all meaningless.
...But that's just a fleeting thought.
I watched students flood into our sports arena, enjoying the variety of games across the field. The brilliance of our setup was that it wasn't just one game—it was many. No boredom, no long waits. Always something new to try.
It was a one-sided victory, as expected.
Kenji eventually picked up Takao and led her to Roka's role-play house. They had a heart-to-heart, and at the same time, Chitose hugged Takao and explained everything—including her own role in the club's disbandment. She admitted her mistakes. She apologized. She forgave.
Just like in the manga, everything played out smoothly.
The only difference… was me.
I wasn't needed, so I didn't show up.
My role was over.
I'm thinking of quitting the club and focusing on other tasks—working, gathering money, and gaining independence.
Before, I lived on autopilot. But I'd managed to collect a number of Bitcoins—enough to buy land or a house if I traded them now. I consider it an investment. But I lack business knowledge, so for now, I plan to take on various jobs, gain experience, and build something of my own one day.
That's a goal for the future.
For now... I should focus on learning and investing.
It's troublesome—but necessary.
Setting those thoughts aside, I glanced back at the festival grounds.
Both game clubs had gathered, celebrating together. Laughing. Smiling. I smiled faintly. And quietly, I turned to leave—heading home.
A girl with long brown hair tied in a braided ponytail hid behind the corner of a building. Her brown eyes peeked out from time to time, scanning her surroundings to check if she was being followed. Sweat poured continuously down her snow-white skin, and her ragged breathing revealed the exhaustion from running for so long.
She was being chased by four people, but now it's down to three—Minami had surrendered out of sheer exhaustion.
"We've lost her!" Chitose muttered, biting her thumbnail as she scanned the area for any sign of Takao.
"Don't worry, President. She probably hasn't gone far yet," Sakura, a pink-haired girl, reassured her. And she was right. In fact, Takao hadn't gone far at all—she was only a few meters away. It was only a matter of time before they caught her.
"Takao-san, this will only get harder if you keep running away."
"Just give up and accept your punishment!"
Roka called out, her gaze fixed on a corner where a set of familiar bangs peeked out. She had already pinpointed Takao's hiding spot. Realizing this, Takao groaned and reluctantly bolted from her position.
"There she is! Let's get her!" Roka shouted, and the game of cat and mouse resumed.
Meanwhile, on the other side of campus...
I walked quietly, contemplating what to do about the near future. Judging by how things are unfolding, the fight between Kenji and the "devil" is drawing closer. There's something that worries me deeply. Apparently, I'd already encountered one of them in the past. It was a one-on-one fight, and although I beat their leader easily, he was far stronger than I expected—much stronger than in the original story.
If Kenji ends up facing him, he probably won't last even a few seconds. Worse, he's going to fight the entire squad just to prove himself.
Dealing with devils isn't the problem—it's the consequences that follow.
Sigh... This manga might be labeled a comedy and harem, but it's giving me a headache. I can't just sit back and let my friends get beaten. So here I am, sorting through every scenario I can think of—how to make the outcome more favorable, how to solve this without screwing everything up.
I was so lost in the wonders and worries of the world that I didn't notice someone running straight toward me. Then again, how could I? It was at a blind corner, and I was taking my usual detour behind the campus—part of my daily ritual to avoid running into my sister or anyone from my club.
Baam!
A sharp, numbing pain pulsed through my forehead as I collided with someone at full speed. I stumbled backward, losing balance and landing painfully on my butt. It wasn't because I was weak or anything—it was just gravity. Yes, gravity. Whoever ran into me must've been jumping down the stairs, using the corner as a shortcut.
I felt something soft and heavy press against my chest—round, squishy, and warm. A strong rose-scented cologne filled my nose.
Okay, definitely a girl.
I didn't know who she was, but I gently grabbed her shoulders and pushed her away lightly enough to free myself from the suffocating pressure.
"Are you okay?" I asked. It wasn't really my fault, but I still felt the need to ask. After all, I'd been so deep in thought I might've been able to avoid her if I were paying attention. So, I took a bit of the blame.
When I glanced at her face, I realized something: she looked very familiar.
I don't know what happened to my dumb luck, but of all people to bump into, it had to be the very person I've been avoiding for the past week. How unlucky can I get?
"Urgh... Thanks, I'm fine—Shin?!"
She let out a soft groan, tried to lift her head, and then froze. Her eyes widened in disbelief. The person she'd been searching for was right there, lying beneath her.
Adjusting herself, she sat up—on my crotch.
Although the position was more than a little intimate, she didn't seem fazed. After all, we're siblings.
Unfortunately for me, her butt landed just right—or rather, just wrong. Her soft curves pinched my unhardened shaft. Lucky I was holding myself together; if not, the hidden sword might've risen and charged straight into the glory hole, all the way to the gates of the cervix. A tragic, unintentional, lewd accident.
Takao looked at me with teary eyes. She recalled all the times she'd tried to talk to me—knocking on my locked door, waiting at breakfast and dinner, only to be met with silence. She wanted to apologize. She realized she'd been selfish, demanding so much from me without considering my feelings.
Especially after she reunited with Roka and chose to use a different approach—one that didn't involve my programming skills—she finally understood. It wasn't betrayal. It was just my choice, which also put her into consideration. And her ego, her expectations, had nearly ruined our relationship. If she keeps clinging to that pride, we might end up as strangers.
That's why she searched for me. She wanted to fix it. But she never got the chance—until now.
On my end? I'd been avoiding her for the same reason. It was my way of handling guilt. I knew I should apologize too… but instead, I twisted things. Even when I was at fault, I found ways to make the other person apologize. That habit—manipulation—had become second nature. I hated it. I wanted to change but didn't know how. So I avoided her. And the problem.
"Shin, you... I finally found you," she said, her tears falling thick and fast, trailing from my flushed cheeks to the side of my ear.
Even if I was a little numb, I could still feel it—her emotions were raw and real, and they hit me harder than any slap.
"I..."
I tried to speak, but nothing came out. I swallowed the words. I couldn't be weak in front of her. That's the problem with pride—it makes you afraid to accept vulnerability.
So instead, I mumbled the first thing that came to mind:
"What do you want?"
Normally, a blunt response like that would cause conflict. But she chose to understand.
"I'm sorry—"
Takao started to apologize but was abruptly cut off by the sound of several footsteps—and a familiar voice.
"Finally found you!"
The speaker was none other than Chitose. Her eyes darted from Takao to me, noticing the flush on my forehead. Her grin widened.
"I see… Takao must've bumped into you. Well, Shin, I'm quite grateful for you holding your sister down. However—"
Her smile twisted into something mischievous.
"You also need punishment for skipping the festival," she said, cracking her fingers.
Behind her, Sakura and Roka wore the same devilish smirk. Whatever they were planning, it definitely wasn't good. My instincts told me it was cross-dressing.
Of course, I wasn't scared of facing them. But at the moment, I wasn't in the mood for any more trouble.
Realizing our shared predicament, Takao suddenly stood up—and I followed. Without a word, she grabbed my wrist and took off running, dragging me along with her.
"Chase after them!"
Now that I'd become an additional target, their motivation tripled. And so, the hunt continued.