Chapter 130

“I…”

As I began to speak, I looked directly into Hiresia’s eyes.

Although she had boldly asked how I felt about her, her face showed undeniable anxiety and nervousness.

Her eyes blinked more rapidly than usual.

No matter how composed she usually was, waiting for an answer from someone she liked was clearly nerve-wracking for her.

But I was just as nervous.

My heart had been racing uncontrollably.

I realized something.

Despite her whimsical and quirky nature, this high elf senior had been incredibly reliable and helpful, and I had grown quite fond of her.

And.

I had romantic feelings for her.

Acknowledging my feelings helped calm my nerves a bit.

I continued speaking.

“…I see you as more than just a senior. I genuinely want to become closer to you.”

As soon as I said that.

Hiresia’s anxious expression brightened immediately.

Her joy was evident.

“R-Really? Are you serious? You’re not joking, right?”

She still seemed a bit insecure and asked for confirmation several times.

…Do I seem that untrustworthy?

I chuckled and replied.

“Of course, I’m serious.”

“I-I see.”

Her anxiety disappeared.

Hiresia’s pointed ears twitched cutely like a rabbit’s.

Her face was flushed with a mix of joy and embarrassment, and she didn’t know what to do.

She was likely not used to such situations.

After all, this was probably her first time.

At times like this, I should take the lead and clarify things.

“Senior.”

“Y-Yes?”

“Do I qualify now?”

“Qualify?”

“To go on a date with you.”

“T-That is…”

She hesitated, looking around nervously.

Then she clenched her fists and said.

“Y-Yes, you do.”

Her voice trembled.

“That’s a relief.”

I smiled.

Then I moved closer to her.

Close enough to feel each other’s breath.

“W-What are you doing?”

She widened her eyes in surprise and raised her voice.

But she didn’t pull away, and her face didn’t show any signs of dislike.

In fact, she seemed to be hoping for it.

…Senior, your words and actions are quite contradictory.

While I could have taken things further given the atmosphere, I didn’t.

What mattered was the sustainability of the relationship.

I didn’t want a relationship that burned brightly and then fizzled out quickly.

I intended to approach slowly and steadily, especially since she was not human but a different species.

“What am I doing? I wanted to say something.”

I spoke in a low voice.

“W-What is it?”

“How about we seriously get to know each other better?”

This was the starting point.

Honestly, there was a lot I didn’t know about her.

She was an unapproachable heroine in the game.

So, I needed to take it slow.

If I rushed in and something unexpected came up, it would be hard to handle.

I needed to get to know her better to be prepared for any situation.

“…I agree.”

Fortunately, Hiresia seemed satisfied with this.

She might have found anything more overwhelming.

“Alright, then.”

I smiled and extended my hand.

Realizing what I meant, Hiresia hesitated for a moment before taking my hand.

Firmly.

A warm touch.

I could feel her pulse racing.

Walking around holding hands and flaunting it to the many singles at the academy wouldn’t be bad, but I decided against it.

One principle of surviving as a multi-tasker.

Always be cautious of the eyes and ears of other heroines.

Being too close with one woman in a crowded place wasn’t a good idea.

Sigh, in the game, it’s one thing, but doing this in real life makes me feel uneasy.

My conscience pricks me.

But what can I do?

I have to do this to survive.

“Well then.”

I gently let go of her hand.

Seeing Hiresia’s disappointed look made me feel even more uncomfortable.

…Please don’t look at me like that, senior.

You’d be embarrassed if people stared at us anyway.

“Shall we get moving again?”

* * *

We enjoyed the festival in the morning.

The stares felt somewhat piercing, but it wasn’t just my imagination.

There were plenty of male students who admired Hiresia.

Not just male students, but even female fans.

They wouldn’t be happy seeing someone like me monopolize Hiresia during the festival.

But this was something I had to endure.

If I wanted to date someone as popular as her, it was inevitable.

I chose to view those stares positively.

Being envied and jealous of is proof of being successful and happy.

That part was fine, but…

“Huh?”

Suddenly running into someone I knew was a bit awkward.

Especially if that person was the protagonist.

I tried to walk past as if I hadn’t seen him, but Camian was unusually proactive today.

…Why couldn’t you be like this all the time?

“Hello, senior.”

Camian ran up and greeted me.

Though he greeted me, his gaze was on Hiresia.

Camian seemed genuinely surprised.

He couldn’t believe I was spending the festival alone with one of the most famous third-years.

And she wasn’t just any person; she was a woman.

‘Well, he knows nothing about my relationships with women.’

At most, he knew about Elaine.

So, it wasn’t strange for him to react like this, seeing me with another woman.

Especially if that woman was Hiresia.

“Oh, hey. What’s up with you greeting first, un-cute junior?”

I chuckled and greeted him jokingly.

Then I continued.

“But you shouldn’t just greet me. You know, this is third-year senior Hiresia.”

I introduced Hiresia naturally.

It wasn’t their first meeting.

They had met when I treated Hiresia to a high-end steak, and Camian was working part-time at the restaurant.

But I had used a transformation spell to hide, so this was practically their first meeting.

“Nice to meet you, senior Hiresia. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Camian greeted her politely.

I then introduced Camian.

“This is first-year Camian Croycher. He has no cute side, but he’s a reliable junior.”

Camian gave me a sideways glance.

Hey, that was a compliment. Don’t you get it?

“Yes, nice to meet you, junior Camian.”

Though she responded politely, knowing her personality, she was probably grumbling internally.

Who are you to suddenly show up and interrupt a pleasant time?

Still, she didn’t show any sign of it, proving once again that she was a professional at maintaining her composure.

“Do you need something, Camian?”

I asked.

In fact, I could tell just by looking at his face.

Where was the warm scene with Senior Elaine from just a few days ago, and why are you with another senior now? was written all over it.

But he couldn’t directly say such things here.

Camian hesitated for a moment before giving a hollow answer.

“…No, I just saw you and wanted to say hello.”

“Ah, I see. Thanks for the thought. Enjoy the festival.”

“Yes.”

“See you next time.”

I walked away briskly.

No need to worry about it, right?

It didn’t seem like such a big deal.

Still, something felt a bit off.

Was it because I was doing what the protagonist was supposed to do?

But the world is big and there are many heroines.

That guy has plenty of targets for his romantic endeavors.

Moreover.

Even if that unreliable guy had the chance instead of me, I couldn’t imagine him winning the hearts of heroines like Hiresia or Regina, who are notoriously difficult to approach.

This progress is purely because it’s me.

In other words.

‘Just focus on your own business.’

I shot a sharp glance at Camian before walking away with Hiresia.

* * *

“I had a great time today.”

After having lunch at a popular food stall set up for the Changsung Festival, I saw Hiresia off.

Of course, even though it was a popular spot, it was entirely vegetarian, so Hiresia must have sighed inwardly.

But the act of having a meal together at the festival seemed to satisfy her.

“Are you very busy?”

She asked with a regretful look.

…Why do you have to make me feel guilty, senior?

I enjoyed spending time at the festival with her too.

Why wouldn’t I?

But I have no choice.

To survive, I can’t be just one woman’s man.

“As you can see, I’m quite popular, so I can’t just stay put.”

I said with a smile.

…Even though I was the one running around making appointments.

“What?”

Even though she knew it was a joke, Hiresia gave me a sharp look.

Why so scary?

Woman’s intuition…?

I quickly added,

“Hey, it’s just classmates, classmates. Keeping promises is part of social life’s hardships.”

I subtly laid the groundwork.

Riviera, whom I was meeting next, was a great classmate, and although Elaine wasn’t a classmate, she was a peer, so even if Hiresia’s radar picked up on it, I had an excuse.

This should be fine.

At least for this year’s festival.

“Sigh, fine. I suppose so.”

Hiresia sighed softly and composed herself.

“I had a great time today. And thank you for what you said.”

Her cheeks were flushed, and a gentle smile graced her lips.

A beautiful and alluring smile.

My heart raced again.

“…The pleasure was mine.”

* * *

“Hey, isn’t that her?”

“Huh? Who?”

“That sickly genius magician girl who was amazing in the mock battle against the first-years.”

“Oh? Yeah, it is her.”

“She’s smaller than I thought.”

“She is, but it suits her face.”

“Yeah, she’s cute. She looks like a baby. Is she really a second-year?”

“She’s definitely a beauty.”

The murmuring male students didn’t notice.

Riviera’s pace had subtly slowed.

And her expression had changed.

‘Hmph, they have good taste.’

With a confident look, Riviera sat gracefully on a bench.

Though not as surrounded by people as Hiresia, she still attracted male students who preferred cute types.

“…She doesn’t have a boyfriend, right?”

“Should I give it a try?”

Some male students were even preparing to make a move.

If Professor Lapit saw this, he would be fuming.

Meanwhile.

Rick and Jack, the rural duo, were also there.

Having already experienced a glimpse of the adult world, they watched with a changed perspective.

“Another competition, Jack.”

“Yeah, the big city is a scary place, Rick.”

“This time, it’s a cute girl, Jack.”

“Losers and winners will be cruelly divided again, Rick.”

They swallowed nervously and watched the situation unfold.

And soon.

A male student boldly approached Riviera on the bench.

“Hi. You seem to be alone. Do you have some time?”

The male student came straight to the point.

He seemed confident in his tall, handsome looks.

But.

“No time.”

Riviera rejected him without a second’s hesitation.

The male student was stunned, having never expected to be cut off so quickly.

“So fast!”

“Scary!”

Rick and Jack’s faces turned pale.

They might have imagined themselves in that male student’s position.

Shoo, shoo.

Riviera even waved her hand dismissively, signaling him to leave.

The rejected male student awkwardly retreated in a hurry.

Desperate to be forgotten by those who witnessed his rejection.

…Everyone understood his feelings.

Because the rejection was so harsh, no one else dared to approach her.

How much time had passed?

Rick and Jack’s eyes widened.

A second challenger had appeared.

And it was a familiar face.

“Isn’t that…?”

“The winner we saw earlier…?”