... She's Gone

"… She's gone."

Watching Koleha's back as she left, I murmured.

"U-um, Your Highness? Then, may I also take my leave…"

"Wait. There's something I want to ask you. Summer—no, Hiiro Inn, was it?"

Ojou-samaaaa, it's totally been found out!! Summer screamed internally.

"Eh? S-Summer… as in Lady Koleha's maid!?"

"I… I didn't notice till you said it. Makeup? That's an amazing technique…"

"… Uh. W-who are you talking about? I'm Hiiro Inn, you know?"

"It's fine. This is Koeha's reckless order, isn't it. Tell me what my fiancée is trying to do… what you can, at least."

Harks smiled a princely smile.

… The pressure in that smile was of true royalty. Summer nearly rolled her eyes, but managed to endure it somehow.

"Hiiro. What kind of 'game' is this? Since it's a game, you can at least tell me the rules, can't you?"

"Y—…"

Summer confessed to everything.

She thought she might throw up, in another sense.

"… Previous life, game, Heroine, villainess. I see. I more or less get it."

"Eh. You got it? From that explanation?"

"How many years do you think I've been Koleha's fiancé? If anything, this makes it all click."

Harks slumped back against the chair.

It was all quite incredible.

Kurushu had had the consideration to set up a soundproof spell ahead of time, but if you asked whether this was something to discuss in a cafeteria, the answer would be no.

"So this school life is the 'real thing.'"

"T-then, I'll excuse myself…"

"Wait, Hiiro. We're not done."

"I told you everything!?"

Summer was teary-eyed as she begged to be released.

Moved by her earnestness, Kenho and Kurushu both felt, "We should help her" — but Harks, smiling, pressed, saying "Sit, and listen."

… Summer lowered the waist she'd begun to raise.

"The Heroine is supposed to join the student council. Then, following the scenario, we'll put Hiiro in under the commoner slot. You can arrange that, Kurushu?"

"Eh… ah, yes… If it's with Your Highness's recommendation, it should be fine."

"And Koleha will join the council as well."

The villainess entering the student council — that diverged from the scenario.

"This morning, Koleha was hiding in the bushes, watching. We can't have the prince's fiancée doing that every time. She should be in a position to check things legally."

"True, we can't have Ojou-sama climbing trees…"

The student council room was on the third floor. There weren't many trees that tall, and if she slipped and fell, it would be beyond dangerous.

"But will Ojou-sama consent so easily?"

"If she balks, say this: 'Isn't it easier to gather evidence if you're close by?'"

"That will work. As expected, Your Highness understands Ojou-sama."

Summer nodded vigorously.

"Ah. But, Your Highness Harks, at a basic level, is it really okay to recommend someone like me? I mean, I was originally an orphan."

"You don't give yourself enough credit. How many years have you served Koleha? You've managed to keep up with her. There's no doubt you're exceptional for the commoner slot."

"Eh? O-oh."

So told, Summer accepted it.

If Koleha was the yardstick, she couldn't help but accept it.

"And you're a 'Saint' or whatever, right? I don't know when that'll come out, but we need to keep you protected so the church doesn't take you. It's useful to have you on the council for that too."

"That helps. I couldn't stand it if I couldn't care for Ojou-sama."

"Yeah. If you're near Koleha, I can also be at ease. I'll be counting on you… I can't shake hands with women due to my contract with Koleha. Kurushu, do it for me."

"Ah, yes."

Summer shook hands with Kurushu in Harks's stead.

At the soft feel of Summer's hand, Kurushu's heart gave a startled thump.

"Kurushu. Consider it honey trap training."

"… Yes, Your Highness."

And thus, the Heroine Summer — and Koleha — were set to join the student council.

"By the way, I see you remembered that contract, Your Highness."

"Of course. It's an important contract between me and Koleha. Well, even aside from that, contracts are meant to be remembered properly and kept."