Academy Arc ~ This Is the Main Game! ~
If There's No Heroine, I Can Just Make One desu wa!
"… How could this be…!"
Koleha staggered, clutching her head.
The protagonist — the one she was supposed to deliver a serves-you-right to — was her own confidante maid…!
"In a 'serves-you-right' story, the Heroine is supposed to be some lowlife who shamelessly flirts with the capture targets…!"
"Please don't underestimate me! The only one I flirt with is Ojou-sama!"
Summer puffed out her chest with pride. A ten-year veteran of constant flattery.
She would gladly lick Koleha's feet. In fact, she'd consider it a reward.
"What happened to the childhood events—! Ah, come to think of it, you were with me for the kidnapping incident…"
"That was so much fun, being with you, Ojou-sama!"
And of course she knew the capture targets. She had been serving Koleha all along.
She'd even been present when meeting targets other than the prince.
"Typically, in times like this, the patterns are: 'the Heroine is also a reincarnator', 'the Heroine isn't a reincarnator, or 'other'. Summer — which are you!?"
"'Is', 'isn't', and 'other' covers everything, Ojou-sama. You could classify the entire world with those three categories."
"Silence! The world is surprisingly simple! Everything is combinations of simple parts, desu wa!"
Koleha thumped the built-in table, throwing a tantrum.
"Unlike you, I don't have memories of a previous life."
"… No! It's not over yet…! There's still the pattern where memories return during the entrance ceremony event—!"
"Isn't 'other' a bit too broad? Either way, there's no way I'd betray you, Ojou-sama!"
"There are no absolutes! The only absolute is 'there is absolutely no absolute'!"
Koleha had worked so hard for serves-you-right; being told 'that's impossible now' wasn't something she could accept.
"…! That's it, Summer! Betray me."
"Eh? W-what are you saying, Ojou-sama!?"
"Yes—yes! Summer, whether your memories return or not, go win over His Highness Harks and steal him from me! Then I can serves-you-right His Highness, desu wa!!"
"… Th-that—"
Summer wavered. She wanted to grant Ojou-sama's wish. But she didn't want to betray Ojou-sama. Quite the paradox.
And interfering with a royal engagement could mean execution for lèse-majesté, couldn't it? If she were executed, she couldn't serve Ojou-sama; unacceptable!!
The "betraying Ojou-sama" part especially tore at her…
In response to those hesitant words, Koleha presented an answer.
"Oh my. If you betray me on my orders, strictly speaking it isn't betrayal!"
"Hoh?"
"So after serves-you-right is done, just come back to me."
"… I see!"
Summer had a flash of insight.
This was a trial from Ojou-sama to the prince. If he wavered for Summer, the engagement would be dissolved. That was the plan.
… Yes. A touchstone for whether Ojou-sama could have a happy marriage. That was the role of the 'Heroine', Summer! — Or so she was thinking!
If it's for Ojou-sama, she wouldn't regret being executed for lèse-majesté!! Summer had that resolve. But if possible, she'd escape execution and sneak back! That was the plan! Summer decided.
"Understood. I, Summer, humbly accept the role of 'Heroine'!"
"Yes! Summer, I will give you and the prince a most satisfying serves-you-right, desu wa!"
Something felt slightly off, but for now, that's how things were.
"Now that it's decided, I'll teach you all the events I remember. Make sure to do them properly, Summer."
"Yes! I'll do my best!"
"And act as if it has nothing to do with me! Understood!? First, the capture targets are…"
"Heeh — His Highness's close aide candidate, Lord Kenho, and his cousin Lord Kurushu as well. I'll be wanting a special allowance for this… Um, come to think of it, I've already met all of them. Will that be alright?"
"Makeup should do, shouldn't it? You usually go barefaced. What excellent raw materials… I see, as expected of the most beautiful girl in the country…"
And thus, Koleha's serves-you-right Heroine training continued right up until the entrance ceremony.


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