Chapter 6: This Is What Happens When You Let Someone Misunderstand You!

Turning a blind eye to your problems doesn’t actually accomplish anything. No matter how much you struggle, the moment eventually comes when you have to face reality.

I understood that perfectly well, but... right now, I just wanted to eat a decent meal and forget all the bullshit.

“This is actually quite delicious, Onii-sama!”

We were in the student dorm’s cafeteria. Lumiere was sitting right next to me, wearing a pure, innocent smile. She looked for all the world like a loving sister enjoying a meal with her Onii-sama... but I wasn't falling for it.

I was certain she was just waiting for an opening to poison me. That was why I didn't take my eyes off my plate for even a second.

“A-Alvart Zesphiria! Pardon our intrusion!”

...A voice I didn't want to hear reached my ears, forcing me to look up.

It was Elise Lucifor and Cecil Imitation. The former was looking at me with a bright red face for some reason.

“I—I wanted to apologize. I misunderstood your intentions and said some terrible things to you.”

“She’s really reflecting on it,” Cecil added with a gentle smile. “Could you find it in your heart to forgive her?”

I responded immediately. “As long as the misunderstanding is cleared up, that’s all that matters.”

I left it at that and went back to my food. I had no intention of making conversation, and surely they had achieved what they came for. Our interactions should end right here—

“A-About that, Alvart...”

There was more?

“...Yes, Miss Elise?”

“U-Um, well, you see... er... w-when should we hold the wedding ceremony?”

...The wedding ceremony?

“I’m sorry, what are you talking about?”

“Hmph...! You’re such a tease!”

“He’s right,” Cecil chimed in, though her smile was starting to feel a bit sharp. “I don’t think this is the time to be playing hard to get, Alvart.”

I’m scared. Cecil’s smile is terrifying. But I seriously had no clue—

“You made a vow and a proposal. You have to take responsibility for that.”

“...Come again?”

What the hell is this guy talking about? A proposal? When did I ever... wait. Don’t tell me they means the Pact of Absolute Submission?

“You’re saying that was a proposal?”

“W-Why act surprised now?! You didn't hesitate for a second... y-you confessed your love to me!”

...Holy shit.

I went all the way to the library to study the world-building specifically to prevent this kind of shit from happening. It was a complete waste of effort! In fact, considering I ended up getting involved with Linslet, this is a massive net loss!

“S-So! Answer my question! A-And while you’re at it... h-how many children do you want? I expect an answer to that too!”

Elise’s cheeks were as red as apples as she fidgeted. Her appearance was devastatingly erotic and cute. Knowing what I did from the original game, the sheer level of unintended seduction was insane.

“I-I have studied such matters as part of my bridal training, so... I-I’m sure I can satisfy you!”

I bet you can. After all, you satisfied Alvart plenty in the original game.

Those bountiful breasts. Those thick thighs and that ass. Those soft lips. I have a very clear idea of exactly what kind of pleasure that alluring body can provide. I’ve been "indebted" to her countless times, after all.

That’s exactly why I want nothing to do with the main heroines. If things go down that path, my self-restraint will probably evaporate into thin air.

“A-A premarital tryst is generally frowned upon, but... i-if you insist, then... p-perhaps the first child... um... m-might be permissible!”

Like hell it’s permissible!

Seriously, getting this horny for someone you basically just met—is she an eroge heroine or something?

...Oh, wait. She is an eroge heroine. Right.

But while Elise was troublesome, there was someone even more annoying right next to her.

“Hey, Alvart. I hope you’re not about to say... that it was all just a joke?” Cecil asked.

...In this world, there are some things you can't just brush off by saying "I didn't know." This reality was one of them. A proposal made among the nobility carries extreme weight. If I tried to laugh it off like "Lol, it was just a joke, bro," I wouldn't be able to complain even if they killed me.

In short, I was currently in checkmate.

“Come on, Alvart. Be a man and give her a straight answer.”

The pressure was insane. Cecil was supposed to be a ruin flag for the original Alvart, so I figured she’d be harmless to me... but I was wrong.

You got me, Correction Force! If I make the wrong choice here, it’s a guaranteed Bad End!

“Y-You... d-don’t tell me one wife isn't enough for you?! W-Well, personally, I wouldn't mind having as many of your children as you want... p-please don’t make me say such embarrassing things!”

If I granted Elise’s wish, I’d probably be enjoying erotic bliss every single day. And I’m sure those days would be incredibly "good" in many ways.

But if I accept that, I’ll die. The piece-of-shit Correction Force will kill me.

However... if I reject Elise here, the former ruin flag known as Cecil will come out of retirement and hit a walk-off home run on my life.

What the hell am I supposed to do...? I was on the verge of tears internally when—

“...Onii-sama doesn't have time for that. Isn't that right?”

My sister’s sudden words sparked a brilliant idea in my mind.

An "Ultra C" plan that would satisfy both of them without hurting Elise or damaging Cecil’s opinion of me... and effectively nullify the whole conversation.

It was simple.

“Miss Elise. That proposal was indeed my true feeling.”

“O-Oh! I-In that case, perhaps tonight we could start on the first—”

“However. I spoke those words believing it to be an impossible dream.”

“...Huh?”

Elise looked completely lost. Beside her, Cecil continued to smile, observing my every word and gesture. One wrong move and I was dead. But I should be fine. I had to be.

“Miss Elise. Would you be willing to listen to my plans for the future?”

“Hmm? O-Oh, of course.”

To the bewildered Elise, I began to speak with practiced eloquence.

“What I am aiming for is... a classless society.”

“A—A classless society?!”

“Yes. I believe it is essential if we are to realize the future we envision.”

“Specifically... what kind of vision do you have?!”

Democracy. Elections. Social welfare. Employee benefits. The social structures required to build these things. What I told them was basically common knowledge for a modern Japanese person, but...

“W-What incredible vision...! You’re a genius, Alvart!”

To a resident of this world, it must have sounded like a revolutionary new ideology. Beside her, Cecil had a strangely solemn expression on her face.

“Alvart... you... no, but...”

She seemed conflicted, perhaps even bewildered. I had no idea why she was reacting that way.

“Cecil? What’s wrong?”

“...Haha. No, it’s nothing. Really.”

I noticed something about Cecil then. He—or she—had a specific habit whenever they were in a certain psychological state. This might end up being important later.

“Anyway. I agree with Elise. Alvart, you should lead the government in the future. If you do, I think this country could become a much better place.”

...If I let them keep going, this was going to turn into something big. I needed to wrap this up.

“However. No matter how beautiful or correct that ideology may be... the path to its realization will be incredibly difficult.”

The two of them seemed to agree with that.

“Yes. This country is too tied down by old customs.”

“Your idea is wonderful, but it will take an enormous amount of effort to make it real.”

Good. Now for the closing.

“Miss Elise. I intend to devote my life to this country and its people. Of course, if you were to stand by my side, I could imagine no greater happiness.”

“O-Oh...! Of course! I will be your partner and—”

“But the happiness of forming a family, having children, and passing our legacy to the future... that is a joy that should only be tasted after everything has been accomplished.”

“Wait...! T-That’s...!”

“The path we walk is a path of thorns. It is not something we can navigate while enjoying the peaceful happiness of ordinary people. Furthermore, I have no intention of dumping these hardships onto the next generation. Our beliefs and justice must be achieved in our own time. ...What do you think?”

Now, what would Elise’s answer be?

“...I agree. I wouldn't want to pass such struggles onto my own children.”

Yes! Everything was going exactly as planned!

Destroying the class system? Achieving democracy? There was no way in hell we could pull that off in one generation. By the time it actually happened, we’d be in a nursing home.

Which meant...

“Realizing that ideal is my life’s purpose. But even so... Miss Elise, I couldn't help but fall for you. And foolishly, I couldn't keep myself from telling you.”

“...!”

“Please, laugh at me, Miss Elise. Laugh at my weakness. I should have taken these feelings to my grave, but I couldn't help but confess. All of it... was for love.”

To summarize:

I’m busy as hell. I don’t have time for rom-com shenanigans. But I really do like you. I just wanted you to know that. Not that I’m gonna do anything about it, lol.

That was the gist of it.

“In other words, you knew you shouldn't propose, but you did it anyway?”

“Yes, Cecil. ...It’s only natural that you’d be angry. My weakness caused this. If you want to vent that anger... I will take it.”

Please don’t. Don’t kill me. I’m begging you, don't kill me. I suppressed the desperate plea for my life and maintained my brave front.

“...No, I get it. I’ve been feeling something similar lately.”

S—A—F—E—! The former ruin flag didn't come out of retirement! Hell yeah!

“...Well then, if you’ll excuse me.”

I finished my meal and got up to leave in a natural motion. Phew, that was close. A sudden crisis, but I managed to navigate it. Now my proposal to Elise was effectively void, and our connection was surely severed—

“A-Alvart!”

“...Yes, Miss Elise?”

“If—If your ideal is ever realized! When that time comes!”

...Well, there was only one right answer here.

“If that time comes, and your feelings haven't changed... would you be willing to love a fool like me?”

“—! O-Of course! I will wait until that moment arrives!”

Yeah, yeah. Fat chance of that happening.

“Then, Miss Elise. I’ll be going—”

“But Alvart! I don’t intend to just sit around and wait! I’m going to help too! With your dream! With your ideal!”

Wait, what?

“First of all, I want to share my own ideals with you!”

Wait, hold on.

“Come to this place on our next day off! We’ll talk about everything there!”

Just when I thought I’d ended the conversation, she’d tied it into a new one! Dammit, Correction Force...! This is just a date! This is a straight-up Date Event!

“That’s where our paths will truly cross... a-and as for love! It will begin in earnest there!”

To you, it’s probably the "First Step" of a romance! But to me, it’s the thirteen steps to the gallows! It’s the first step toward my execution, damn you!

“Hey, Elise. Mind if I come along?” Cecil asked.

“Oh, of course! Alvart, that’s fine with you, right?!”

No. I don’t want to go. I don’t want anything more to do with you people. Can’t you tell? I’m using this ridiculously polite, stiff language to keep you at arm’s length!

...But of course, I couldn't say that.

“Understood, Miss Elise. Let us speak to our hearts’ content at the appointed place.”

I wanted to praise myself for not adding "you piece of shit" at the end of that sentence.

“...Now, for real this time, excuse me.”

Thankfully, they didn't call out to me again. But man, what was I going to do? I’d prevented the engagement, but I hadn't managed to cut ties. If anything, I felt like we were even more tightly bound now.

...At this point, I was completely preoccupied with my own problems. Looking back, I should have paid more attention to my surroundings.

Specifically, Lumiere. She wasn't walking beside me, but three steps behind. I should have paid more attention to the meaning behind the faint whisper she let out then.

“...Maybe I should... strike first.”

Because I didn't... I was about to have an experience that felt like my heart was being squeezed in a cold, tight grip.