“Snow-san!!
Sha!! That ghost—or rather, that spirit—wasn’t lying after all.
For a moment, I suspected it might be leading us to a bad place, but it turns out there are good spirits too!
Though, we probably won’t meet again!!!
‘Heh, Player, sometimes it’s not so bad to trust others.’
What are you talking about? You disappear at the most crucial times, you coward. But whatever, I don’t have time to mess around with my scaredy-cat guide right now.
Snow-san is the one I’m concerned with.
I chased after her when she suddenly ran off, but…
…Wait, what am I supposed to say?
“Kasuya-kun? How did you find this place…?”
Crap, the conversation has already started.
If I could speak in Curse Mode, this would be a lot easier…
“Ah, um, Snow-san, you suddenly ran off, so…”
“…Did you come here because you were worried about me?”
Uh, well, now that you say it like that, I’m not so sure.
What do you think, Navi?
‘Just say you were worried; it’s for the best.’
Oh, okay.
“Ah, yes.”
‘He actually said it just like that…’
“…Heh.”
Snow-san smiled.
“Hehe, Kasuya-kun, just now, it was like someone told you to say that… You’ve always been a mysterious person, even in the previous world.”
“…No, no way, haha.”
Wow, she’s strangely perceptive.
Is it some kind of magic? But I don’t sense any magical power.
Should I use my Cursed Eye?
‘Don’t do that.’
Okay.
“Kasuya-kun… You don’t have to stand there awkwardly. Would you like to sit here?”
“Ah, is that okay?”
“Yes, of course.”
Snow-san pointed to a bench.
A lone bench perched on a small hill.
‘…How romantic, like a scene from a love story.’
It feels more like the spot where a twist ending in a horror story would take place…
Better stay on guard.
I sit down next to Snow-san, cautiously.
…Wait, now that I think about it, isn’t this the first time I’ve sat like this next to a girl?
Well, excluding White and the others, of course.
What am I supposed to talk about?
Whhooooooooosh.
A gentle breeze blows.
Thanks to climbing up the long hill, it looks like we can see the entire campus of the magic academy from here.
“…Hehe, even though I asked you to sit, I’m not sure what to talk about.”
“…Yeah, same here. I’m not really good at talking with girls.”
“…And you have three such beautiful mentors, yet you say that?”
“Mentors…? Ah, right.”
White! Scarlet! Kuro!
Those three always roleplay like it’s nothing!
“Where did you meet them?”
“Oh, uh, it was in a village, just by chance.”
“Hmm… Is that your way of saying you don’t want to talk about it?”
“No, that’s not really what I meant…”
Isn’t Snow-san using some kind of magic? Like mind-affecting spells?
Hmm, maybe I need to study magic systems again…
“Hehe, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to trouble you. Just think of it as some harmless teasing between friends.”
“Friends…? Huh?”
“Huh?”
Wait, what was that?
Friends?
Who and who?
Does that mean me and Snow-san?
Huh? Isn’t my friendship level with her still too low…?
“……”
“Um, are you saying we weren’t friends?”
“Huh? Was my friendship level high enough?”
“Friendship level?”
“Oh, crap.”
This conversation isn’t going smoothly at all.
‘What a shame, Player.’
Shut up. I’ll turn this around, just watch.
“Kasuya-kun, back when we were at school, I used to talk to you quite a bit, didn’t I?”
“Ah, yes.”
“I even spoke with you about Life Fields and such, didn’t I?”
“Ah, yes.”
“…To be honest, I’m royalty, so I don’t often talk to people I have no connection with.”
“I-I see…”
Wait, what?
What is she talking about?
Even I, a supposed master of understanding women’s feelings, can’t figure out what Snow-san means.
“…I considered you a friend when I spoke to you.”
She pouts a bit and looks at me with a somewhat accusing gaze.
Her small lips are pressed together tightly, resembling a small animal.
Is she sulking? No way…
“Kasuya-kun, so you didn’t see me as a friend…?”
Ugh… she’s looking down.
I don’t really understand what’s going on, but I can tell this could go badly if I don’t do something.
…Calm down.
I’ve learned everything I know from the Life Fields.
Now that I think about it, events with female NPCs often had these awkward moments.
How did I handle those situations?
Let’s see, it’s either raising affection points with a gift or by completing an event…
An event, right.
Usually, in situations like this, things went well when I helped fulfill whatever the other person wanted.
Sha!! Let’s do this!
“Snow-san, is there something you want to do?”
“Huh?”
“I mean, is there anything you want to do? Like, a wish or a goal?”
“Something I want to do…? I want to restore the memories of everyone in the class and ensure their safety and well-being.”
“That’s your duty, not necessarily what you want to do.”
“Kasuya-kun?”
“Duty and desire are different.
Many people tend to confuse the two, which is why life becomes painful for them.
‘Is there anything you want to do, Snow, not for someone else, but for yourself?’
‘…I don’t have anything like that.’
Beyond the hill lay the view of the town and the sea.
The sun kept sinking lower.
‘I was born and raised with more than most. Someone like me isn’t allowed to do anything just for themselves.’
Snow smiled softly.
For some reason, alongside that gentle smile, I felt as if a line had just been drawn.
An inviolable line—one that I wasn’t allowed to cross.
…I remember someone who used to say the same thing.
Mr. Snowman.
One of my few friends from the Life Field.
He used to say similar things, too.
When he said he was quitting the Life Field and the guild.
‘I don’t have time anymore to do what I want to do.’
I remember how I felt back then.
But back then, unlike now, I was too dumb to say anything.
I didn’t know if I felt sad or hurt.
I just felt… incredibly frustrated.
But at the same time, I also felt this:
‘…I’m envious.’
‘Huh?’
Snow froze, looking bewildered at my words.
I never had a role like that.
‘A role. You have a role, Snow—one that you must fulfill, more than anything you want to do.’
‘Kasuya-kun?’
Living by doing what you want is wonderful.
But doing what you have to do is just as admirable.
Everyone has a role.
I didn’t have a role.
But when I came to this world, I found a role I wanted to play.
To be a villain.
Not just any background character, but a villain who people would remember.
I want to freely play the role of a villain.
I want to control the shadows of the world, orchestrate schemes, all of it—I want to be the one behind it.
And in the end, I want to die as the villain.
Performing the greatest villainous role possible.
‘We’re the same…’
‘What?’
‘Snow, you’re going to do it, aren’t you? Fulfill the role you were given… it’s admirable.’
‘Ah…’
Snow must fulfill her role.
There’s no need for mistakes or pity in that.
I was the one who was mistaken.
I underestimated Snow.
Before her resolve and dedication to her duty, any word from me is a profound insult.
‘I’m sorry, Snow. I spoke out of turn. You should do what you need to do.’
‘Ah, haha’
Snow laughed, her expression crinkling.
‘Haha… hahaha… hahaha! Kasuya, you’re so strange! Haha, hahaha’
Wait, what?
Why did she start laughing?
Did I say something weird?
‘Hahaha… you know, usually in moments like this, people say, “You should follow your heart,” don’t they?’
‘If the words “should” come out, then it’s not what you truly want to do. It’s a decision you have to make, even if you don’t want to.’
‘Kasuya, you really are a serious person, aren’t you? Like, seriously serious.’
Did she just call me stupid?
‘Calm down. There was no mockery in her words.’
Okay, then.
In any case, this time, I made a mistake.
I misjudged Snow von Untz-Lichte.
Now, anything I say would be an insult to her.
‘…Kasuya, do you remember what you told me back at school?’
Snow sat on the bench, hugging her knees and resting her head on them, smiling at me.
She’s still incredibly beautiful—she could rival White and the others.
‘Player, just quietly listen to her story now.’
Okay.
But, what did she mean by “do you remember?” I have no idea.
‘Just listen.’
Okay.
‘Back then, you told me I was amazing. Since coming to Japan, my friends like Harusaki and Okajima, and others, would say that I should do what I want, as Snow, not because of my royal duties. I appreciated that, but…’
Wow, Harusaki, what a supporting character.
He really built a connection with Snow.
When was this? I seriously don’t remember.
‘You were the only one who saw my royal duty and acknowledged it. Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome.’
The wind blew.
Snow continued to smile quietly.
What could be so amusing?
‘Heh… aren’t you going to ask?’
‘Ask about what?’
‘…About what Aki said.’
‘Oh… she’s unconsciously dropped the honorifics… things are looking good for you, Player.’
No, no, she shouldn’t drop the honorifics when I’m still using them.
I should remind her—
‘Stop it! You idiot!’
Okay.
But, what was that again?
…Aki? Oh, right, that was about my enrollment process and all that.
The engagement thing, maybe?
Well, it’s personal stuff… I’ll just find a way to brush it off.
‘If it’s a duty of yours, then I have nothing more to say.’
‘I see. Thank you… Hey, Kasuya, about those honorifics… can we drop them when it’s just the two of us?’
‘Huh, what’ ‘Just say yes.’
Okay.
‘Alright, Snow.’
‘…Huh?’
Snow’s pale skin flushed red in an instant.
I see, fair-skinned people really do blush more noticeably.
‘Y-yeah, heh. Addressing me like that is pretty bold, Kasuya… um, can I call you Takihito-kun when it’s just the two of us, too?’
Navigator, what should I do?
‘Congratulations.’
What does that mean??
Well, whatever, it’s just addressing each other by name.
‘Yeah, that’s fine, Snow.’
‘Heh, okay… thanks, Takihito-kun. With your support, I can focus on my duty…’
She looks satisfied.
Alright, it feels like I managed to raise Snow’s points somehow.
And it turns out, I already had a friend.
This kind of thing… is—
—Nothing but a fleeting illusion outside of power.
Not bad. Yeah.
I’ve decided.
I’ll figure out what I can do to make Snow the best protagonist.
Let’s see…
Oh, the fiancé!!
Snow took on a fiancé as part of her duty!
Alright, I’ll help make sure she can become closer to her fiancé!
Heh, it sounds like it’ll be a rewarding experience. After all, we’re friends! Alright!
And if she has any other troubles, I’ll be ready to help out.
I admire people who fulfill their duties and roles.
Because it’s something I couldn’t do.
‘By the way, Takihito-kun, about the dungeon—are we in the same group?’
‘Oh, of course. Thanks for inviting me. I thought I’d have trouble finding a group, like during the school trip…’
‘Ah, um… sorry about that. When the groups for the trip were decided, it was already set before I realized. I think Aki probably had something to do with it behind the scenes. Seriously, he’s always been so overprotective!’
Snow puffed up in anger.
Maybe this is how she truly is—just an ordinary girl.
But a girl like this, who is committed to fulfilling her duties and roles, is truly admirable.
…If someone like her ever genuinely hated me, that would make me the perfect villain.
‘Aki-kun is probably just worried about you, Snow.’
‘…Hmph, Takihito-kun, you’re back to using honorifics.’
Oops, I need to stay calm, ‘you are beautiful’. Okay, seems like I’m in the clear.
‘Ah, sorry, Snow.’
‘…Ugh, um, just out of curiosity, Takihito-kun, are there any other girls in our class you address without honorifics?’
‘Huh, no, there aren’t.’
No, right? Not among the class members.
‘Heh, I see, I see… Hey, Takihito-kun.’
Snow stood up.
She faced me with a smile, backlit by the scenery of a different world—town, sea, and sunset.
‘Yeah?’
The red light of the setting sun illuminated her golden hair. It shone, sparkling.
Her cheeks were flushed red, probably because of the sunset.
The sunlight created a prism effect, briefly turning her green eyes into a rainbow.
With a smile that seemed like that of an ordinary girl, free of any duty or role.
‘I’m looking forward to getting to know you better, Kasuya Takihito-kun.’
