The Prelude

“Next week’s the opening ceremony,” Arc mumbled to himself as he tried on another suit at the shop.

Per the school’s regulations, the students were required to dress formally for the opening ceremony and then attend classes like normal the next day in uniform.

The normal students wear navy, while the special scholarship students wear white. Sadly, I’m just some commoner who managed to help their mum become a minor noble - even in white, they’ll still treat me like dirt.

While Arc had originally been a minor character, he had ever really stood out. The only reason Haruki recognised him was because he was a completionist who had played each game multiple times all the way through and hunted for hidden quests.

Still, I’ve done all I can to give myself as much of an advantage as possible. Depending on what happens from now, I might need to step up into the spotlight alongside the protagonists, or I could just live quietly? Both sound alright, so we’ll see how it goes.

After putting on his jacket, Arc emerged from the changing room to the excited squeals of his mother and the store assistant.

“Arc, you look great!”

“Dear customer, please, consider this next.”

Both to Arc’s joy and embarrassment, he had inherited his mother’s looks; not just her hair and eyes, but also her beautiful facial features which made him look a little feminine.

Most called him pretty, but Arc wanted to be cool or handsome.

It’s better than being ugly, but still!

Stop using me as a dress up doll!

***

“Nii-sama, please finish your packing tonight,” Elana said with a small frown. “Your train leaves first thing in the morning.”

“I know. Don’t worry. Reis patted his sister’s head. “It’s already done but thank you for reminding me.”

Despite huffing and sighing, Elana relaxed under Reis’s touch and her cheeks turned pink. “As long as you don’t forget anything.”

She’s still a bro-con, but she’s ended up more of a tsundere because I didn’t distance myself from her like Reis in the game.

As long as she isn’t a yandere, then it’s fine.

“Oh, right, Nii-sama.”

“Hmm?”

“If I send you some pocket money, could you go and buy some things I want from the capital?”

“If it’s the weekend, then I should have some time,” Reis said. “It’s only about a 20-minute train ride.”

“Yay! I love you, Nii-sama.”

She hugged her brother tightly which he returned.

It’s okay. The scenario might change or maybe it already has, but I’ll make it work. I’ll protect everyone and achieve the harem end and make everyone happy. Reis scowled a little as he recalled the dead-end route. I’ll never let that happen.

***

“Yena.”

“What is it, Lady Charlotte?”

“Aren’t I…just too pretty?”

“Ew.”

“Huh?!”

With a deadpan expression, Yena said, “Yes you are.”

“Liar!”

“A maid may only tell the truth.”

“That’s the biggest lie ever told!”

“What are you saying, Lady Charlotte?” Yena put on a snarky smile. “You’re such a beautiful, modest, young woman with a pure heart and noble goals.”

“That tone really makes my heart hurt. Besides!” Charlotte smashed her foot hard onto a footstool. “I’ve already explained to you why I’m seeking-!”

“Both of you are getting along again today,” Evalyn said as she poked her head into the room.

“Mother!” Charlotte ran over to her like an excited puppy and hugged her.

Evalyn giggled. “Honestly, even though you’re all grown up, you still act like a baby.”

That’s because I never knew my mum…and you died painfully in the game.

“It’s fine, isn’t it?” Charlotte whispered, a little shyly.

“Of course, sweetie. Yena, how do you think it’ll go? Do you think the dress is a good fit?”

“Of course it is, Lady Evalyn. The young lady is the spitting image of you when you were younger. She’ll no doubt be extremely popular.”

“Yena…”

“That is at least until she starts speaking.”

“You!”

Evalyn simply giggled as her daughter chased the maid around the room. “Another happy day.”

***

“Grace.” Duke Wilbert called out to his daughter at the door. “Be sure to make the Wilbert family proud.”

“...Of course, father.”

The dejected tone and expression she showed him broke the duke’s heart.

Ever since the night Samantha had threatened him into gathering allies together for a coup, he’d put much distance between him and his family.

I’m sorry, Grace, but I can’t let you or your mother fall with me. Scorn me, despise and curse me, but never lose your way, your kind heart, your lovely smile.

He nearly cried, but sternly turned around, not stopping to walk away until he heard the front door close. Then, the duke, with heavy footsteps, returned to his study where he found Samantha waiting for him.

“...Why are you here?”

Samantha, sat facing away from him with a glass of wine in her left hand, held up a sealed envelope in her right. “Your daughter’s quite intelligent, so she might end up figuring everything out.”

Spitefully, Duke Wilbert snatched the envelope and tore it open, quickly digesting its content and ignoring the tiny rose that fell onto the floor.

“Your time on centre stage is coming up soon,” Samantha said. She took a sip of her wine. “All of your years of agony could be over before you know it.”

“...Please, leave me alone.”

“Oh? Not in the mood today I see.” Samantha put her glass down and leapt onto her feet. “Onee-sama has great expectations for you. Don’t let her down.”

The duke blinked and Samantha was gone.

Solemnly, he drank from the bottle and wept.

I was really looking forward to being a father.

***

“Morally speaking, ruining other people’s lives is not a good thing.”

“Yet, you’ve done it too, Stephan,” Risa said flatly.

Stephan sighed. “No one could ever defy the boss after seeing her power. If she says the world should burn, then burn it. It’s just that simple.”

Though. He pushed his glasses up his nose. I just wish it didn’t weigh on my heart this much.

When did I get this soft?

***

“You’re certain?”

“Positive, Mr Moriarty,” his informant said. “Reiss and his sister seemed to be very close. The photos prove it.”

John Moriarty went through them all again, inspecting them even more closely, hoping to see any sign of the scenario he knew.

However.

Like I thought - I wasn’t the only reincarnation. John picked up a photo of Reiss and his sister hugging one another as he boarded the train. I haven’t been anywhere near the Sunderland family or their territory, so unless there’s a very long, linking butterfly effect that somehow impacted Reiss’s life, he must be a reincarnator.

“Thank you for all your work.” John gave him a coin purse for his trouble.

Still nothing on the Silent Sect or the Blue Banners. John leant back in his chair and groaned loudly. I really don’t want to try and use any underground sources but…I might not have a choice.

“For now, let’s set up a temporary office near the school from the game.”

***

Risa took off her glasses and gave them a quick clean.

“What’s wrong, Risa?”

She put her glasses back on and didn’t answer her boss. Instead, she just shook her head and gave a bemused smile.

“Tell me.”

“…It’s nothing.”

Rose hummed a little before sitting up straight and stretching her arms above her head. “If I had to take a guess, Stephan-” Risa fought to keep her entire being still. “Said something that has worried you a little, right?”

…Did she hear him when we were talking earlier?

“…What are you talking about?”

Rose laughed softly but shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. It’s fine.” Rose put a hand on Risa’s shoulders. “That’s fine. That’s how it should be.”

With one last cheerful hum, Rose left Risa alone with her fear.

Rose knows.

She knows that what we’ve done is plaguing Stephan’s heart.

…It’s okay. Risa hugged herself a little. She knows but isn’t doing anything about it.

He’s fine.

Right?

***

“You seem to be in a very good mood, Onee-sama. Ah, is it because you got to see me?!”

Rose giggled. “That’s part of it, but that’s not the only thing, Samantha.”

“Eh~ I’m really curious now! Can you tell me, please?!”

“Not yet.” Rose patted the vampire’s hair tenderly. “Not until the time is right.”

Not until I’m certain everything’s back on the right track.