Prologue - The Mob Heroine Finally Had Her Glow-Up, So Why Isn't She Starting a Rom-Com with the Protagonist?
“Who… are you?”
It was lunchtime in the classroom. Sanada Saiga, the protagonist of the romantic comedy manga that was supposed to get cancelled, froze as he looked at her.
And who could blame him? After all, she was beautiful. She had glossy black hair, a knockout figure... and peeking out from behind her long bangs, a pair of crystal-clear, sky-blue eyes that would mesmerize anyone who saw them.
There had never been a girl like her in this classroom before summer vacation.
But I knew who she was.
She was Mogami Fuko.
In the original story, she was the "mob heroine,” a background character whose name no one ever even bothered to learn. Among fans, she was affectionately called Mobuko-chan, but in the actual series, her treatment was beyond tragic.
She was the kind of poor background character who wasn’t even remembered by the protagonist and could only watch him from a distance... But now, that same girl was the center of everyone’s attention in class.
That's how beautiful she'd become. She'd had her glow-up, transforming into a peerless beauty who could easily overshadow even the main heroines.
In other words, this was where Mobuko-chan’s romantic comedy was supposed to begin.
"You're... M-M-Motokawa, right?"
See? A good sign. Sanada is finally acknowledging her existence.
“No, that’s not it. It’s Mo... Mogami, right? You’ve changed a lot.”
He actually remembered her name! Yes! Okay, now's your chance, Mobuko-chan!
Just introduce yourself! Do that, and you'll finally be promoted from a background nobody to a main heroine. This is where it all begins. From this moment on, no one gets to call you Mobuko-chan ever again.
Mogami Fuko would rise to become one of the main heroines. She'd be officially recognized as a rival by the other girls, competing to see who the protagonist, Sanada, would ultimately choose.
And I'll be right here, cheering her on from the sidelines.
—Just like I did back then, before I was reincarnated into this manga.
...Yeah, that was the plan, anyway.
“Um, Sato-kun?”
“Huh? What is it?”
"Um... could we... go outside?"
“Hm? Why?”
"J-Just come with me!"
With that, she grabbed my arm. Tightly.
In that instant, Sanada's eyes shot wide open. The whole class immediately started whispering. And I was panicking right along with them. Hey, I get that you have them big but please don’t press your chest against my arm like that, seriously.
More importantly... Hey, Mobuko-chan! What the hell are you doing at a time like this? This is your golden opportunity! Your rom-com is supposed to be starting right now...!
"It’s because... I made you a bento."
"A bento?!"
Shouldn't you be giving that to Sanada? Why won't you leave my side?!
Ah, stop. Don't, Sanada! Don't look at me like I'm the enemy! If anything, I'm on your side... But before I had time to explain, Mobuko-chan dragged me out into the hallway.
"H-Hey! Mogami-san, is this really okay?"
I asked as we walked down the hall.
“...You mean about Sanada-kun?”
What else could I be talking about?
“Well... yeah. I think... it’s fine, maybe?”
“Seriously?”
What in the world brought on this change of heart? In the manga, she had always watched Sanada from afar with such longing... but right now, her eyes were focused directly, and only, on me.
I could clearly see those beautiful, sky-blue eyes peeking out from behind her long bangs. Those eyes... they were so beautiful, so captivating... That's why she became my absolute favorite.
She was my favorite heroine, one I’d wished could find happiness with the protagonist. That’s why I was conflicted. Was it really okay for her to ignore Sanada like this...?
"That aside... was it... a bother? Me making you bento, Sato-kun..."
Ah, crap. That's a lingering trait from her days as a mob character and her self-esteem is still rock bottom. If I'm not careful, she'll get down on herself in an instant. But I can't help finding that part of her adorable, too... so I accidentally let my true feelings slip out.
“No, I’m really happy. Thank you. I can’t believe you actually made a bento for me, that’s so cute.”
“C-Cute...? Hehe.”
Mobuko-chan smiled shyly, fidgeting as her cheeks softened into a delighted grin. Seeing that expression filled me with pure joy.
How could I not be happy when my favorite heroine was smiling like that?
Still... was this really okay? She was showing these kinds of expressions only to me, not the protagonist. Are we sure this is how things are supposed to go?
I couldn’t be sure. I only helped her because I wanted to see her feelings finally be rewarded, but now... I've got this sinking feeling the story is starting to twist in a very weird direction.
This romantic comedy was supposed to get canceled anyway. But who would’ve thought that my interference would end up changing the entire story?
The once-forgotten mob heroine had her glow-up, transformed into a stunning beauty, and finally earned the right to be loved by the protagonist... ...only for her to fall for... me. A side character.
Back then, I had no idea that's where any of this was heading.
