Chapter 3: First goal

About two weeks had passed since the entrance ceremony.

By now, the awkwardness from the first day of school had mostly faded, and everyone had started to mingle with those they got along with.

Of course, in my case, I was alone.

In the previous cycle, I had only focused on capturing the heroines, not spending time with others.

This time, the situation was the same—no time to waste building connections with anyone else.

However…

“Emil, I didn’t quite understand this part of the class earlier. Can you help me?”

“Ah! That’s unfair! Me too!”

“Mm…? Why me? Just ask the professor…”

“Well, Emil is the top student, right?”

“You explain it better than the professor, and it’s more comfortable.”

“Right? Hehe.”

Thanks to the [Mesmerizing Tears] effect, sometimes female students approached me without hesitation.

Aside from that, my life at the academy was solitary.

And so, I spent two weeks like that.

‘Well, it’s about time to get started.’

Of course, for someone like me who has to pursue five heroines, letting two weeks pass without action could be seen as a waste of time.

But this was necessary.

I had to give the heroines this much time to build relationships with the other male protagonists.

‘I moved quickly in the previous cycle before doing that, but now it’s the opposite…’

I don’t just want to make those five heroines suffer.

The same goes for the five male protagonists.

If it weren’t for those bastards, I wouldn’t have had such a terrible experience.

And so, two weeks passed.

Finally, the tedious time was over.

“Ah… Starting today, we are accepting applications for student-led study groups. If the group leaders have formed their groups, please submit the application form to me…”

The first sign of action had arrived.

Study groups.

It’s a simple gathering of a few students who voluntarily meet to study together.

A social event for the new students and a preparation event for the first semester’s midterms.

As soon as the study group event started, students began to form groups with those they felt comfortable with.

For the past few days, group leaders who were eager to recruit good students were often seen running around the academy.

The reason: is to gather students who could raise the group’s academic performance.

Of course, a study group alone wouldn’t improve grades.

But still, the atmosphere in a group with excellent students is very different from that of one without them.

‘Now… where is he?’

Naturally, I had a group I was targeting.

As I walked down the hallway looking for that distinctive pink hair,

“Hey, over here! How about joining our group?”

Various group leaders were trying to recruit students in the hallway.

At the end of the hallway, I spotted the person I had been searching for.

Pale pink long hair.

It was tied in two strands and hung down in her unique hairstyle.

Her round and clear eyes made her look innocent and pure.

But her most notable feature wasn’t her face—it was what lay beneath it.

Sway.

“Uh, sorry, I’m already in another group…”

“Oh… I see.”

As she lowered her head gloomily, her large chest shook.

Even from a distance, I could clearly see it.

The student who had been invited right in front of me left with a disappointed expression.

‘Marie Closer…’

She was the one who had given me my first despair.

—”Sorry… I’m sorry for hurting you…”

The memory of the day she betrayed me passed through my mind.

“Ugh…”

Throb…

Thanks to that, the headache that had been bothering me steadily returned.

Ding!

[“Mental Healing” activated!]

With the advantage of the Easy Mode, the headache disappeared quickly.

‘Normally, I’d refuse to join a group like hers, but…’

I smiled as I felt my head clear up.

My first target was Marie Clauze.

Well, I wasn’t planning to get revenge in the same order as I suffered, but timing-wise, she was the first.

‘Now, let’s go.’

Fortunately, I was the top student in this entrance exam.

Since the study groups were aimed at improving grades, my title as the top student would be very helpful.

I had struggled quite a bit during the first cycle when I didn’t have such a title.

‘Please! I’m begging you!’

‘Huh? Well, but… I’m really serious about this midterm exam.’

‘I won’t drag you down, I promise! Actually, I’ll definitely be helpful!’

‘Huh…?’

Back then, I fought desperately to join her group.

Eventually, after recruiting another top student, I managed to join Marie’s group.

‘The efforts from the last cycle will look ridiculous now.’

This time, I walked confidently toward her.

Since she was serious about improving her grades, aiming for the top student, she’d definitely want my help.

But then…

“Ah, Emil! Where are you going? Did you join a group yet? If not, join ours!”

“Uh, huh?”

As I was walking toward Marie, another group leader rushed up to me.

“Sorry, I’ve already joined another group…”

“Oh? Emil! It’s the top student!”

“Wait, Emil! Come join our group! We’ve got a really well-organized setup!”

“What?! Wait, follow the order! I’m still in the middle of asking!”

“No, I mean…”

And then, more group leaders, realizing who I was, started gathering around me.

This wasn’t expected.

“Join our group! Really, it’s much better! We’ve already secured a new venue!”

“We’re going to use a luxury inn nearby! They’ll provide endless snacks and tea!”

“Ugh, we don’t have that, but… yes, yes, there are lots of pretty girls!”

It felt like reporters swarming around a celebrity involved in a scandal.

One by one, the group leaders highlighted the advantages of joining their groups.

“No, I’m already set to join another group…”

No matter how hard I tried to explain, my words were drowned out by the enthusiastic group leaders.

Then.

‘Wait, Marie…!’

From a distance, I locked eyes with Marie, who had been rejected by someone else.

It seemed like the other group leaders had noticed me.

‘Okay, if Marie comes, I’ll just tell her I’m joining that group…!?’

The plan had changed, but the result would still be the same.

For now, I just needed to wait for Marie to come closer.

But then…

‘Huh…?’

Marie made a disappointed face and turned away, walking in the opposite direction.

It looked like she had no intention of inviting me anymore.

“What’s she doing?!”

“Huh?”

“Eh, Emil?”

Surprised by her reaction, I inadvertently shouted my thoughts.

That caused the group leaders to momentarily freeze, creating a path for me.

Bang!

“Ah! Emil!”

“Wait, we were still talking…”

I broke free from their grasp and sprinted down the hallway.

Initially, I had planned to approach her slowly and naturally.

I didn’t want to beg to be included in her group.

But now the situation had changed.

‘She’s definitely putting everything on the line for this midterm exam!’

She needed to recruit top students, but she turned her back on me.

I didn’t know why, but I couldn’t let this chance slip by.

And then…

Grab!

“Ahh!”

“Hey, wait…”

—Huh? You are…

I was able to catch Marie, who was heading down the central stairs, after running quickly.

Her pale pink twin tails and large chest swayed as she looked at me.

There was a look of confusion in her eyes, as if to say, “Why you?”

“It’s not that… I was wondering if I could join your group?”

“Huh…?”

“I saw you inviting another student earlier.”

“Eh, um, I mean, I’d be happy… but…”

“Emiiiiiil–!!”

At that moment, I heard the voices of the other group leaders I had left behind, calling my name.

“Seriously, do those guys never give up?!”

“Eh, uh?”

“Let’s go!”

“Wait…!”

If I got surrounded here, things could get messy.

While they were grabbing me, Marie’s group might fill up.

Tada-dadada—!

I grabbed Marie’s hand and headed for the rooftop with her.

Clunk!

After reaching the rooftop and closing the door behind us, Marie and I let out a sigh of relief.

“Haah, haah… That was… that was scary…”

“Whoo, sorry. It was really a life-or-death situation.”

“Mm, heh, running away was fun, so it’s fine.”

Marie, who had been catching her breath, smiled at me happily.

It seemed like I hadn’t upset her mood.

Rather, she started to look at me cautiously with sparkling eyes.

“Hey, by the way…?”

“Hm?”

“Earlier, when you said you’d join a group, were you trying to make others drop out?”

“No… I… I’m asking if you’re serious about it. Joining the group…”

Even now, Marie was still worried about me joining the group.

‘If she’s reacting like this, she must want me to join…?’

I was puzzled.

After all, just a moment ago, she had turned her back on me and tried to leave.

“Do you want me to join?”

“Hm? Of course! You’re the top student, right? I remember the entrance ceremony! Emil Tier!”

“…But then, why didn’t you come earlier?”

“Huh?”

“When the other group leaders gathered, you made eye contact with me.”

“Ah, you saw, huh…? Hehe.”

Marie scratched her cheek awkwardly at my question.

“But… with that much popularity… I thought you’d just refuse even if I invited you.”

“Ah…”

“I invited the other top students too, but they all already had groups. So, I thought you would too.”

Only then did I understand her thoughts.

‘Well, at this point, she probably has pretty low self-esteem…?’

Before she achieved great results in exams, Marie displayed a lot of insecurity.

Of course, while I was pursuing her, that side of her also got resolved.

In the end, the Marie I remember is one who’s confident and free of those complexes.

…Her excessive confidence even led her to switch to another guy.

Anyway.

“Well, if that’s the case, don’t worry. I haven’t joined anywhere.”

“Really?! Then…!”

“Yeah, I’m planning to join your group. What I said earlier wasn’t me trying to run away, it was sincere.”

“Eh…?”

At my words, Marie’s eyes sparkled, as if she was touched.

‘The reaction is completely different from the first cycle.’

Back then, no matter how many times I asked, she refused, so Marie’s reaction now felt a bit awkward.

Just being the top student was enough for her to react like this.

Long live Easy Mode.

“Thank you! Really, thank you! I’ll do my best not to hold you back!”

“No, actually, I should be saying that. I’m not as serious as you about the midterms.”

“Hehe, but in the end, I’ll be the one receiving help, right? Anyway, I’ll work hard, so please take care of me!”

Marie left the rooftop after thanking me repeatedly with a bright smile.

“Ha, please take care of me…”

After she left, I revealed a twisted smile hidden behind the pure one.

…Although I don’t remember it, I know Marie’s true nature.

No matter how innocent and pure she seems.

She had mocked and trampled on my sincerity.

“Let’s get along from now on, Marie…”

I murmured as I looked down at the vast academy landscape from the rooftop.

***

The next day, after school,

I went to the separate classroom that was assigned for my first study group.

The academy had provided a classroom specifically for the group that included the top student of the entrance exam.

But, when I entered, I was faced with an unexpected person.

“Why are you…?”

“What? Of course I came to study in the study group.”

“No, I mean, why this group?”

Sierra tilted her head in confusion as if asking why I was asking that.

“Well, because you’re here?”

“Huh?”

“I’m also serious about the midterms. This time, I want to be the top student, so naturally, I have to join the group you’re in.”

“I see…”

Being the top student really brought a lot of variables.

***

Author’s Note

Thank you for reading!

If you enjoyed it, please recommend, subscribe, and leave a comment!

Especially comments are a big help in writing! Thank you!