I Play the Role of (Villain/Heroine) in a Japanese-style Otome Game Chapter 21 Part1

Chako opens up a little.

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Wafū Otome Gē de (Akuyaku/Hiroin) Yattemasu

I Play the Role of a Heroine
 – Attaining Everything 5 [Part 1]

Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl
Support the translations by reading at the translator's site.

　I spend the time happily with everyone and work hard in the Student Council.
And today, the Photography Club goes hiking.
Sure enough, Chako's bad with hikes and seems apprehensive, unlike usual.
Watching the surroundings vigilantly and climbing with apparent anxiety.
Sensei looks at such a Chako worriedly while having the other club members proceed first.
Meanwhile, I hike next to Chako and Kousuke-kun walks slightly behind us.

　Chako was a little strange in the past round too.
Wanting such a Chako to smile, I overtook her.
Then――[1]
Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl
　Kousuke-kun's probably trying to cheer the anxious Chako up.
Giving Chako a pat on the back, he quickly overtakes her from the side.

"Chako, imma leave you behind if you don't hurry up!"

　Kousuke-kun turns back, and smiles with his mischievous face.
At that moment, Chako's eyes widen in surprise and she pounces towards Kousuke-kun
She then hugs Kousuke-kun's head tightly and lean over.

"… ! Oi, Chako!"
"You can't."

　Although Kousuke-kun hits Chako's shoulder in a fl.u.s.ter, she hugs his head even tighter.
And, as though in search of something, she looks up the mountain slope.
With a really anxious face…
However, the mountain slope is only filled with verdant trees that sway with the wind.
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　… Something must have happened to Chako on a mountain.
Previously, it was me who overtook her and waved my hand.
Chako then hugged me protectively and stopped moving.

　This time, although it was Kousuke-kun who overtook Chako…
She squatted down with Kousuke-kun and stopped moving.
All the Photography Club members turn back worriedly and watch Chako, but sensei urges everyone to go ahead.
We'd been walking in the furthest back so only Kousuke-kun and I are near Chako.
Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl
　Chako looks at the slope vigilantly, but gives a small sigh and separates from Kousuke-kun's body after a while.
She then closes her eyes awkwardly.

"… Sorry."
"Naw…"

　Chako clenches tightly the hand that was separated from Kousuke-kun, and takes deep breaths as though to calm herself.
Kousuke-kun remains in a squatting position and looks at Chako in bewilderment, before sending me a gaze.
After returning a small nod to that, I step up towards the two and squat down quietly.

"You're safe, Chako. Safe."

　I place my hand on the hand that Chako's clenching tightly.
Then, I slowly stroked Chako's shoulder.
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"Ah… sorry. There was a bug, you see. I was just a little surprised."

　Chako laughs "Ehehe."
Although that laugh lacked the usual energy, it's the usual laugh.

　… She's trying to hide again.

　Hey, what is that heart of yours thinking?
Please tell me.
Please tell me, Chako.

"Chako. What were you afraid of?"
"Eh, like I said, there was a bug."
"Chako."
Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl
　I stare fixedly at the deep blue eyes that try to escape.
Those eyes are trembling…
With trembling eyes, Chako gives a small sigh and closes her eyes as though to calm herself down.

"A rock, will come falling, you see."
"A rock?"
"Yes, from the top of the cliff, rolling."

　Opening her eyes, she looks at me.
Chako's tone is one of jest.
"I know right, that's impossible" she speaks with a small laugh.

　However, those eyes look at me with dependence…

　Glancing at the Kousuke-kun squatting close by, he gives a small nod.

　Un. I agree.
It must be something truly scary for Chako.
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"Chako, why are you afraid of that? Did you see that in a dream?"
"Dream? … A dream, huh. I wonder if it was a dream."

　Chako chews her lips at Kousuke-kun's words.
Then, her deep blue eyes peek at me.

"Hey, do you believe in past lives?"
"Past lives?"
"Yes. You see, I, died from falling rocks while hiking."

　Chako's gaze leaves me.
Then, as though she recalled something, she stares at the summit.

"Just like how Kousuke-chan was. I overtook my friend,『I'm leaving you behinddd!』I waved. Then rocks came rolling from above."

　"Haha" a dry smile surfaces on Chako's face.

"My heart grew very noise when Kousuke-chan laughed while looking at me."
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　Saying just that, Chako closes her eyes tightly again.
Biting her lips once, she opens her eyes again.
The deep blue eyes that were trembling up till a moment ago are no longer trembling.

"Just kidding! It's troubling when someone speaks of past lives, isn't it? What ominous things are this girl saying when we're here hiking? What a troubling person, I am."

　Chako's eyes s.h.i.+ne mischievously.
Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl
　As though to say we don't have to believe her.
As though to say we can just forget it.

"Y'know, people who suddenly say they can see ghosts. Like that? I'm a character who can sense the supernatural. I'm cultivating a new character trait~."

　Chako laughs.
Her usual "Ehehe".

"At any rate, sorry for causing trouble. It's got nothing to do with you two so don't mind it."

　Looking at Kousuke-kun and I, her deep blue eyes narrow.
With a face like nothing happened.

"――I, believe you."

　I don't know things like past lives.
I don't know how Chako lived or what personality she had.
I only know the current Chako.
Currently, Chako's here, pretending to be strong in front of my eyes.
Although that's all I know.

"I'll believe, if that's what Chako says."

　Because, Chako, your hand is shaking.
Although you're laughing like usual, your clenched hand is shaking.

"It must have been scary… You must have wanted to live longer."

　I open the hand that Chako clenched tightly.
And wrap her hand with both of mine.
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"You're safe now. You won't die anymore, Chako. Same for Kousuke-kun and I. Same for the rest, we won't die from falling rocks."

　Deep blue eyes look at me.
Eyes that are swaying unsteadily.
I speak firmly to those eyes.

"Look, Chako. You have me next to you. The Priestess of Ominous Clouds, you know? I'm incredibly strong, you know?"
Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl
　Look.
Look at me clearly.

"And you know what, Chako? Kousuke-kun's here too. Kousuke-kun won't die from mere falling rocks."
"Yeah. I can just punch and destroy 'em."
"… So overbearing."

　Kousuke-kun, too, looks at Chako firmly.
The sunlight filtering through the trees. .h.i.t his orange hair and it glitter.
Looking at it as though it's dazzling, Chako bites her lips.

"We came hiking today as the Photography Club. Of which『The Strongest Phantom In this World』is the adviser, you know? There won't be any accidents in the hike today. Even if there is, there won't be any issue with everyone here."
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　He probably came back after having the club members proceed first.
I can see sensei's figure some distance away on the mountain road.
Looking at that figure, Chako's brows knit tightly.

"… Sensei, is strong, huh."
"That's right. That's why it will surely be fine."

　At my words, Chako smiles with a face that seems to be on the verge of tears.
I slowly stand up and pull Chako's hand.
Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl
"Let's go, Chako. It will be fine. There's nothing to be afraid of."
"Yeah. It's fine." [Kousuke]
"… Un."

　Holding Chako's hand, I start walking on the mountain road.
Sensei was waiting for us some distance away. He places a hand on Chako's head with a plop.
And begins to walk as though to lead Chako.

"Look, Chako.『The Strongest Phantom In This World』is in front, and his younger brother is behind. In addition, adjacent is the Priestess of Ominous Clouds, you know?"
"… What extravagance."
"Right? Also, there's『The Peerless Onmyouji』and the figure of authority, the director. As well as the Student Council president."
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　Though I think senpai's existence is complicated for Chako.
Nonetheless, senpai thinks about Chako too.

"With this much, I think we're unbeatable."

　Therefore, Chako.
You don't have to be alone.

　Let's proceed together.
Let's become 2nd years together.
Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl
"… Why is Yui-chan saying this?"

　Chako mutters quietly.
I laugh helplessly at that.

"Because Chako's here for me."

　You were watching me, always.

[1] This was kinda confusing due to a lack of transition. Basically in this round, Kousuke did something similar to what Yui did in .