episode_0104

“Just you wait! My name will be above yours now!”

The villainess declared her intention to snatch the top spot, brimming with confidence. Her blue pupils shone brightly. Having suffered terribly in the last exam, her desire for revenge seemed to shimmer. A uniquely arrogant smile graced her delicate lips. She was certain of her victory.

“It was only natural for me to take the top spot from the beginning. I was born with the noble Vanity bloodline.” Despite being put in her place multiple times, her vanity showed no signs of diminishing. The girl provoked him with a brazen scoff. Her gaze was as if looking down on a loser. Although the girl was walking a different path from the original story, her inherent personality seemed unchanged. She was truly flaunting herself, proving the name of a vain person.

‘Ah.’ I hid the corner of my lips, which kept twitching. Indeed, every reaction from her was dopamine. Although I had initially met her with a rather negative impression, I now knew that behind that mask lay a plethora of clumsy aspects. Even if she laughed like a villain, she only looked like a dopamine charger.

‘This is fun.’ Thinking about breaking that confident expression, even my cold heart felt like it was gently melting. I maintained a troubled expression with a deep breath. It was to deceive my prey more perfectly. If I continued acting distressed, the girl would become even more convinced of her victory. Seizing the moment, I cast out a bait.

“How about we make a bet while we’re at it?” “A bet?” “We’ll compete for the top spot. The loser grants one request to the winner.” “Are you sure? This exam’s scope was particularly difficult… it’s not something you can catch up on by studying for just one night.” “Of course not.” “Besides, you were outside and couldn’t even attend classes properly.”

Although she had seemed to be teasing me earlier, the villainess actually showed concern when I proposed the bet. A peculiar goodwill was hidden amidst her vanity. Unlike her earlier overbearing provocation, she appeared hesitant. I asked curtly.

“Are you perhaps scared?” “Scared?”

That was a remark she absolutely could not ignore. The girl’s expression hardened. “What did you say…?” Perhaps she was flustered by being provoked in return, after being the one to provoke. Emilia froze, speechless, then belatedly furrowed her brow and returned the attack. It seemed she had been stung.

“Who said I was scared?! I was worried you’d lose the bet and burst into tears!” “So you mean…?” “Let’s do it! I’ll absolutely crush you!” “As expected, you’re quite fiery.” “It’s a bet I can’t possibly lose from the start. You just prepare to pay the price of defeat.” “If you say so, I’ll be looking forward to it.”

I replied with a sinister smile. The prey had taken the bait perfectly. A massive wave of dopamine was washing over me. In the coming future, all the girl could do was be mocked to her utmost. I leisurely left the spot.

***

A week later. The short school trip vacation passed, and the final exam was held exactly one month later. The results of the written test, which had been conducted earlier, were already out. Rumors circulated that the difficulty had vastly exceeded the academy’s historical levels, to the point of overturning them. The students were utterly crushed by the malicious difficulty.

But. Even in such turbulent times, there were always those who stood out like a crane among chickens. The villainess was also among the few geniuses. Emilia was brimming with confidence both before and after taking the exam. She had worked hard not to fall behind. Even if a perfect score was unrealistic, she believed she had done enough to claim the top spot. The girl celebrated her efforts and smiled proudly.

‘This time, it’s truly my victory!’

This exam was quite important. At the beginning of the semester. Due to her past record of losing control in front of the entire student body, Emilia’s standing had become significantly precarious. To resolve such an issue, continuous proof was necessary. The timing was also opportune. The boy who had taken the top spot with overwhelming scores in the previous exam had been absent for a long time due to personal duties. Not only had he missed lectures, but he likely didn’t even know the proper exam scope. The villainess felt certain of victory internally.

On one hand, she hesitated, wondering if it wasn’t an unfair fight, but his blatant provocative attitude quickly dispelled any soft thoughts. Only the thought of delivering a decisive blow remained in the girl’s mind.

‘It’s a bet I can’t possibly lose from the start. You just prepare to pay the price of defeat.’

After perfectly completing the written exam, the two confirmed the results announced a few days later. The villainess stood proudly beside the snake. If things had gone as she originally expected, there would have been no defeat. However.

“How can this be…?” There was one fact she had overlooked. That if there was a crane that stood tall among countless chickens, there was also a peacock that raised its head even among those cranes. Emilia stared at the rankings with trembling pupils.

[Final Exam] [Overall Written Test Rank Announcement] 1. Juda Snakers 2. Emilia Vanity 3. Charlotte Little von Staufen 4. Ruska Vanity … 1145. Yuria Pergynas 1146. Janan Craston

The results of the written test, announced earlier. The villainess, upon confirming them, could only clutch the back of her neck. “This is impossible.” Who would have thought? That he hadn’t let go of his studies at all, even while completing his schedule outside the academy. It was truly an insane obsession. It was also a result created solely with the determination to mess with and mock the opponent to his heart’s content. The person in question froze at the absurd ranking.

“Lady.” Beside her, the snake was smiling brightly. “Lady.” “……” “Second place is also an excellent score.” “Don’t do that.” “Sec.” “I clearly warned you. If you do it again, I’ll seriously get angry…” “ond place is also an excellent score.” “……”

The relentless teasing continued without fail. Emilia had to suppress her anger, biting her lip tightly. What could she do? Both in the midterm and the final exams. The girl’s rank was an unchanging second place.

***

On the way back to the dormitory after confirming the announced rankings. The villainess was unusually silent. Perhaps because he had teased her all day, she remained completely quiet. Judging by the tense atmosphere, she seemed more than just angry. Eventually, walking in uncomfortable silence, I carefully spoke, watching her reaction. A gesture of reconciliation, wondering if I had gone a little too far.

“I think my teasing went too far.” “……” “I apologize.” “……It’s fine. It’s okay.” “I think my teasing went too far. I apologiz—” “Hey!!!”

No, that was just prolonged teasing. “Is this fun? Is it fun for you?!” “Yes, it is.” A groan escaped her. “Yes, it is.” “Be quiet!”

Emilia huffed and puffed in response. Her expression showed she was dying of anger. We had been repeating this conversation since earlier. Mockery was the privilege granted to the victor. The loser could not defy the harsh world of competition. I mocked her with all my might.

“You are incredibly childish! Do you think I’ll break down over such wordplay?” “Yes.” “No, I won’t?!” “Yes.” She made an irritated sound, gritting her teeth.

The villainess tried to swallow her rising anger. Perhaps her reason was clouding from the continuous teasing, as even her elegant speech began to falter. Of course, it was still too early for her to break. She hadn’t yet paid the most important price.

“I’ll stop teasing now.” “……” “Instead, how about we collect the reward you promised before?” “Reward…?” “Didn’t we make a bet a week ago? That the person who lost the final exam would grant one request to the winner.” “……I remember. So what’s your request?” He chuckled ominously.

Without needing to hesitate, I recited the content I had already thought of. “I will touch your body.” “What…?” “It means exactly what I said. I will knead any part of your body without discretion. My request is that you do not resist and remain still during that time.” “S-s-suddenly such a shameless request…!?” “Surely, I trust you won’t go back on your word.” “I did make a promise, but, still, something like this… Of course, I’m not saying no, but d-do you really want something like that?” “I have no other requests.” She gasped, a low moan escaping her.

Instantly, the girl’s face turned beet red. Her winter-like pale complexion was nowhere to be seen, as hot flush bloomed on her cheeks like flowers. Was it because she had received a completely unexpected request? She was flustered, even forgetting her characteristic arrogance.

“I shouldn’t have taken that bet back then…” Her own foolishness was tripping her up. The villainess groaned in distress for a while. Finally, as if resigning herself, she squeezed her eyes shut and spoke. Her voice was trembling. “D-do as you please.”