The Difference Between Subs and Mobs?

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    I didn’t want to see my stepsister in pain anymore.?

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    Today, I talked a little too much. …… I used to only vocalize a few times most days, but thanks to Shimotsuki, I’ve been talking a lot.?

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    Thanks to this, my throat hurt. My voice was dying due to the fact that I usually don’t talk at all.?

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    I was going to finish the conversation and go to my room to rest.?

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    “But I’m surprised that you and Shimotsuki-san are such good friends. …… I wonder if Ryoma Onii-chan knows about this.”?

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    When Azusa suddenly said that, I couldn’t help but widen my eyes.?

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    Bad … Yes, it might have been a bad idea for Azusa to know about my involvement with Shimotsuki.?

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    Because Azusa likes Ryuzaki. But Ryuzaki likes Shimotsuki. …… In other words, Shimotsuki is a love rival for Azusa.?

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    The fact that the girl is on good terms with everyone except Ryuzaki means that Azusa and the other subheroines will be the ones to benefit.?

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    Although Ryuzaki’s feelings will not be rewarded, there will be a battle for the vacant position of the main heroine.?

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    However, in the current situation where Shimotsuki is not attached to anyone, the truce is such that it is impossible to even start a war.?

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    For the sub-heroines to be rewarded, Shimotsuki is an obstacle in their way.?

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    Therefore, it is not surprising that the girls want to eliminate the absolute main heroine, Shimotsuki.?

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    In fact, it is more natural for them to want her to disappear.?

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    For example, Azusa may be hoping that if she gets together with a guy other than Ryuzaki…….?

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    (That was a rather bad move, since that’s not …… the kind of protagonist who becomes more fiery the more adversities he faces.)?

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    However, I’m sure it won’t go the way the subheroine wants.?

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    In fact, I think the absolute stronghold of Shimotsuki will become stronger.?

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    Ryoma Ryuzaki is the protagonist.?

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    When he is cornered and has no other choice, that is when he shows his true strength.?

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    I’m sure he’ll start a fierce attack on Shimotsuki. He will not pay attention to the other sub-heroines, and will become passionate about developing a straightforward romantic comedy.?

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    From a meta point of view, I think that’s probably what will happen.?

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    And when that happens, the person who will be the most unhappy …… is Shimotsuki.?

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    I would never allow someone I hated to follow her around just because she became friends with me.?

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    So I got impatient.?

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    “Azusa, wait a minute!”?

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    I couldn’t help but grab Azusa’s shoulder. It was the first time in a long time that I had touched my stepsister’s shoulder, and it was so small and slender that I felt like it might break if I put a little pressure on it.?

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    “What’s wrong with ……? You suddenly …… startled me.”?

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    I’m sorry for startling you, but I’ll apologize later.?

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    “Please, don’t tell Ryuzaki about …… me and Shimotsuki, okay?”?

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    I desperately begged her.?

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    I know I look pathetic, but I have to stop this, even if I have to beg.?

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    “I know it’s not convenient for Azusa. …… Shimotsuki is your love rival, and I understand that it’s more beneficial for her to get together with a guy who isn’t Ryuzaki. But please, …… please don’t tell Ryuzaki. I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”?

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    I was so desperate that I thought about getting down on my knees.?

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    Maybe it’s because I’m in a hurry, but my speech is pretty messed up. It came out of nowhere, and Azusa still seemed surprised, her eyes rounded.?

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    I continued with my words to her.?

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    “Shimotsuki shouldn’t get involved with Ryuzaki. …… I don’t want to hurt that girl, please. I know I’m asking Azusa to take a loss……. Still, please, please.”?

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    I begged her to let us go.?

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    In the end, I lowered my posture to get down on my knees,……but Azusa stopped me from doing so.?

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    “I’ve never seen you get emotional before. …… I was surprised. You’re a human being too, huh, Oni-chan?”?

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    Then she smiled gently at me.?

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    “Yeah, okay. I won’t tell. …… I promise. I won’t tell anyone, so don’t look like you’re about to cry.”?

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    And unexpectedly, she readily agreed.?

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    It would be a loss for her, but she didn’t seem to care about that.?

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    “Azusa wants Ryoma Onii-chan to like her, fair and square …… I don’t think I want to be loved in return after Shimotsuki-san is a bust, okay? I’m not going to use …… any sneaky tricks because I want to winover Shimotsuki-san fair and square.”?

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    She declared in a clear voice.?

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    Even though she knew she was going to lose out, she was going to stick to her principles.?

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    I genuinely thought that was a wonderful thing about her…….?

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    This may be the difference between a “sub character” and a “mob character”.?

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    Unlike the mob characters who can’t be anything, she has a solid character, “Azusa Nakayama”.?

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    I found her to be very charming.?

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    “And also, …… you tried to help Azusa in the back of the school building, didn’t you? I’m glad you said, “I think you have something to say.” …… I couldn’t make use of that support, but you still tried to be nice to this terrible sister.”?

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    Then she clenched her fists.?

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    As if to give herself a boost, she gives a big push.?

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    “I’m not going to bother you. …… Azusa loves Ryoma Onii-chan, after all.”?

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    Then Azusa, who had been depressed earlier, smiled as if she had regained her energy.?

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    She had a lovely, friendly smile that was unique to Azusa.?

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    “I’m going to do my best to be as good as Shimotsuki-san! I can not afford to be depressed. …… Azusa is going to visit Ryoma Onii-chan now. I’m going to spoil him a lot and charm him!”?

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    She made a strong declaration and walked away from me.?

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    Watching my stepsister’s back, I laughed a little.?

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    “Yeah, good luck …….”?

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    The only thing I can do now is cheer her on.?

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    I still want Azusa to be rewarded for her feelings.?

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    I’m a fake, but I’m still “Onii-chan”.