I Shall Bully the Heroine! (Farce) (Part 1)

"Ojou-sama. What's the next 'event' again?"

"Let's see… Mm, if I recall, during the joint magic practical, I pick a fight with the Heroine for getting close to His Highness. That's the very next class!"

"It's a joint with His Highness's class, then. I'll have to transform. Please excuse me."

"Yes."

After changing Koleha into her gym uniform, Summer stepped a bit away and swiftly applied makeup to become Hiiro.

It was makeup fast enough to call 'transformation.' It felt almost strange that it wasn't magic.

And once transformed, Koleha did not address Hiiro.

Lately, Summer's friends also refrained from speaking to her when she was Hiiro.

"The way my retainer can change, truly a sight to behold…!"

"'If you wear makeup, you become special.' So that's the branding… As expected."

"Nyarlathotep cosmetics use medicinal herb extracts, apparently good for the skin! Though they say you feel just a touch of bitterness each time you apply."

"To repeat that much applying and removing, and have her skin look even better… that's outrageous…! Such a tiny price to pay."

Koleha had recently noticed: Hiiro had become the ad face for the cosmetics.

Sales had grown, herb ingredients had sold more as a result, and the fees more than covered the cosmetics she provided Summer — with plenty of extra gratuities.

This meant she could rest easy having Summer continue as the Heroine.

(As long as the prince doesn't find out, it's fine… He won't. He hasn't so far.)

With Summer now Hiiro, Koleha—once again alone—headed to the joint magic practical.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

The joint magic practical began.

At once, Harks strode energetically over to Koleha.

"Koleha! I was looking forward to this joint class."

"Ah, Your Highness, a good day to you. And to you as well."

"Hey!? Don't greet me and immediately leave — I'm your fiancé!"

Harks circled to block her.

"My. Do you wish to flaunt your good relationship with your fiancée that badly?"

"Naturally. I intend to show everyone."

"Well, yes. It would be quite the scandal if someone of Your Highness's standing had a poor relationship with his fiancée."

"Exactly. So be properly affectionate."

I see — Hiiro was here, but for appearances with his fiancée, he had to prioritize the latter.

Good grief. She'd need a reason to get away, or she wouldn't be able to let him flirt with the Heroine. Koleha pondered.

At that moment, the teacher's voice rang out.

"Alright, let's begin class. First, pair up."

(!?)

'Pair up' — for loner Koleha, it was a sudden execution.

If this hadn't been joint, if it were just their class, she could have paired with Summer. But Summer was Hiiro Inn at the moment!

The villainess and the Heroine… could not pair up!!

"U-um, I'm not feeling—"

"Koleha. Will you pair with me?"

The prince's hand was offered.

It was truly a spider's thread hanging down into hell. Koleha hesitated a split second — and took it.

"—Kuh. I suppose I have no choice. I shall pair with you today."

"Ah. Thank you, my beloved fiancée."

Harks smiled with heartfelt joy.

At the sight of those handsome features softening, Koleha almost found herself entranced.

(T-that face is for the Heroine, no?! … Hm?)

Then she realized: he was announcing 'fiancée' to those around them.

Apparently he had received proper training in how to act princely — to the point of making Koleha waver.

"Kenho. Pair with Lady Hiiro."

"Hn? Got it. Let's pair."

"Ah, yes. Pleased to work with you."

And of course, he casually directed his aide Kenho to secure the Heroine. One could see the possessiveness, he didn't want others to take her.

… In any case, Koleha had avoided instant death by the pair-up trap. For that, she decided to be grateful to Harks. Not that she'd say it.