Don’t Look Back, Megumi Kato [4]

In the middle of the academy courtyard, the three of them stood in a triangle formation.

A soft spring breeze blew past, brushing over their clothes and carrying with it the scent of blooming flowers.

“I only agreed to be the heroine in Tomoya-kun’s club game. Whether I date someone or not doesn’t really have anything to do with that, does it?”

Kato Megumi’s expression showed slight discomfort as she glanced at Aki Tomoya.

He was being way too nosy today.

And it was making her feel distinctly uneasy.

“But... dating can cause people to lose sight of themselves!”

Under her calm gaze, Tomoya’s eyes darted away, his voice faltering.

“It could mess with your character setup as the heroine. That, in turn, could throw off the whole tone of the game. Besides, you’re way too defenseless—it’d be easy for some shady guy to take advantage of you!”

[Oh ho~! Hearing this trash actually call you the shady guy? Outrageous! Your mind is instantly flooded with countless responses. Clearly, this bastard’s just trying to exploit her innocence for his own agenda. All you need to do is show her you’re magnanimous, considerate, and gentle—open about your feelings, unlike his overbearing, emotionally stunted approach. The contrast will only grow starker, and before long, she’ll lose faith in him completely. Then you’ll be free to step in and hold her close. This—this is your chance to win this duel of hearts!]

“Mm?!”

Izumi Yuu raised an eyebrow at the sudden commentary.

Apart from the slightly greasy undertones—and a whiff of that netorare stench his purist heart detested—the narrator actually made a valid point?

Tch.

Saving a pure-hearted girl from some manipulative creep?
Now that’s what a true champion of wholesome love does.
Not any of that cuck nonsense.

[At this very moment, you feel like you have the greatest narrator in the world. You revere the narrator beyond all reason. If the narrator had a physical form, you’d be on your knees, kissing its feet!]

If you had a physical form, Izumi thought coldly, I’d knock your teeth in.

And just like that, whatever satisfaction he’d briefly felt toward the narrator vanished into smoke.

“I don’t think that’s quite fair. Besides, Izumi-kun isn’t the kind of person you’re making him out to be. That’s a bit rude, Tomoya-kun.”

Seeing Tomoya avoid her gaze, Kato Megumi felt a twinge of disappointment.

She’d thought he cared because he was worried about her. But no—he only cared about the game.

Even worse, he was belittling Izumi right in front of her.

That made her uncomfortable.

If she didn’t speak up, wouldn’t Izumi-kun feel hurt?

“There’s nothing wrong with being cautious,” Izumi said with a mild smile, “but a healthy, genuine relationship can bring out the best in someone. It’s only warped love that causes people to lose themselves. Whether or not Kato-san wants to date someone is her own decision. Others should probably respect that.”

Even as the words left his mouth, Izumi couldn’t help but think he sounded a little too smooth.

Am I becoming a tea master now?

Tch. It’s that damn narrator’s fault. I’m a warrior of pure love! Not some manipulative drama protagonist!

“Even someone as... ordinary as me could shine through love?”

Megumi’s gaze wavered slightly, the words stirring something warm in her chest.

That kind of mature, respectful, emotionally intelligent statement—tinged with quiet romanticism—made her heart flutter a little.

“I told you already,” Izumi said, eyes meeting hers with calm sincerity.

“Kato-san, you’re anything but ordinary. You’re beautiful, inside and out. Most people would envy that.”

“Ugh... Izumi-kun, you’re exaggerating. You’re making me blush.”
A faint pink crept across her cheeks.

Unnoticed, the affection meter above her head had quietly ticked past the 40 mark.

[Name: Kato Megumi]
[Affection: 41 (A slightly special friend.)]

Izumi’s lips curved into a slight smile.

Looks like this task isn’t going to be so hard after all.

“N-No... that’s not it!”

Tomoya, flustered, felt like he’d been sucker-punched.

Every expression Megumi made, every slight movement toward Izumi—each one hit him like a direct blow.

And that smile on Izumi’s face?

Smug. Smug and clearly directed at him.

Tomoya’s eyes were practically burning with hostility.

[You can see the enmity in his eyes. He’s panicking—unable to accept that the girl is slipping away. But all he can do is stew in impotent rage. And every ounce of his misery fills you with delicious satisfaction. Being the benevolent soul you are, you plan to let him witness her collapse lovingly into your arms—watch her serve you with dog-like devotion. In fact, in your infinite generosity, you might even let her call him during one of your “indoor running sessions”... so he can hear that sweet, precious voice he once thought was his alone…]

Tone it down, Izumi thought, rolling his eyes.

This damn narrator was getting way too into the legacy of Cao Cao lately. Absolutely unhinged.

“Well then, if Tomoya-kun doesn’t have anything else to say, Izumi-kun and I should head to class,” Megumi said, glancing toward Tomoya. Her tone was soft, but firm. “Whatever else you want to discuss... save it for the clubroom after school.”

And with that, she turned and headed for the classroom building.

“…Alright.”

Tomoya stood there, stiff and awkward. That one word took a visible effort to force out.

“We’ll be off then. Aki-kun, let’s chat another time—if there’s ever a chance.”

Izumi said this with an easy smile, the picture of polite confidence.

His looks, his natural charisma, and his effortless composure made him look even more insufferable in Tomoya’s eyes.

“Izumi-kun, if you don’t hurry, we really will be late!”

Megumi turned to look back, slightly flustered at how long he was still talking to Tomoya.

She didn’t notice that, in that moment, she’d casually dropped the honorific and started calling him “Izumi-kun.”

“I’m coming!”

Izumi jogged a few steps to catch up, falling into step beside her as they walked toward the school building.

As their figures disappeared into the distance, Aki Tomoya stood alone, a bitter taste rising in his throat.

Ding-ling-ling~!

The school bell snapped him out of his daze.

“Crap, crap, crap! I’m late!!”

Already down in the dumps, Tomoya’s mood sank straight through the floor.

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This is a fan translation of 加藤惠别回头，我是伦也君 by 故人归 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!