“Ehehe…… wehehe……”
Mashiro, cheeks melting, was staring at the ring I’d given her the other day.
In the end, putting it on her finger didn’t work out — we’d settled on threading it through a chain and wearing it as an everyday necklace.
“Oh, that reminds me — Ouga. Mom and Dad said they’d like to meet you sometime. Is that okay?”
“I don’t mind at all…… in that case, let’s invite them to Veret territory over the long summer holiday.”
I understand a parent’s wish to see the environment where their child will be working in the future.
I intend for Mashiro to come straight to Veret territory after she graduates from the Magic Academy, so they must be worried.
This is actually a very convenient development.
“Heh heh heh…… let’s give them a grand welcome.”
“Really!? They’ll be so happy~”
Deceive them on the first day, and they’re mine. Once the contract is signed, Mashiro becomes wholly mine.
For that purpose, no investment is wasted.
“Casual wear is fine. If they’re shy about it, I’ll loan them clothing. If there’s anything else they’re anxious about, tell them not to hesitate to bring it up.”
The worst result is them slipping away on various pretenses.
If I cut off those escapes ahead of time, Mashiro’s parents won’t be able to refuse curtly.
“Mhm, mhm! I’m sure they’ll both be really happy!”
“Heh. Of course. Since I’m the host, I won’t allow anything that makes the guests uncomfortable.”
“Fufu, they’ll be surprised. I never imagined a future like this before enrollment.”
Mashiro, all soft atmosphere, smiling away.
…… Looks like her mood has fully recovered.
The magical implement was as effective as expected. But come to think of it, it was the natural outcome.
There’s no way someone aspiring to become a fine mage wouldn’t be thrilled.
I glanced toward Alice — she made a small circle with her fingers.
So our recent conversation cleared the passing grade.
Heh heh heh, I’m frightening myself with my own growth……
While I was basking in that good feeling and waiting for the first-period chime, the words I least wanted to hear were forcibly delivered to my ears through the loudspeaker.
“Ouga Veret-kun. Mashiro Liche-san. Headmistress Floné Milfonti wishes to speak with you. Please come to the Headmistress’s office immediately.”
”…… I’m losing the will to live.”
A summons before class has even begun.
This is going to cross over into class periods, no question. Pulling a student from their actual duties means whatever it is, it’s urgent.
In which case — there’s only one thing I can think of.
“What’s it about? Maybe the duel from before?”
“Mashiro and I were both summoned, so that’s the most reasonable guess.”
Mashiro was, after all, designated as the duel’s prize — she’s a perfectly legitimate party.
But the real aim is to construct a situation where I will definitely show up.
A summons for me alone, I’d have ignored. But if Mashiro’s included, that changes things.
The big banner I don’t want to leave a commoner girl alone in the classroom has been preempted.
The same way I cut off the escape routes for Mashiro’s parents.
The fact that the summons came by loudspeaker rather than by letter — like before — communicates a clear you absolutely will come.
“It’s a personal summons. Let’s go.”
“Mn. Hope it’s not something serious……”
“You don’t need to worry, Mashiro. ……Probably about my engagement (that) thing.”
“Ahh…… that, huh.”
Truth be told, I still hadn’t accepted the engagement to Karen.
Of course not. Am I supposed to just rubber-stamp my own harem-formation crisis?
What do you think I enrolled in this academy for?
”……? Is there something on my face?”
That’s right…… to take big-breasted, cute girls into my own grasp……!
If this were a picture book, Karen and I would have shared a happy kiss and the curtain would have fallen.
But my life, and Karen’s life, still have a long way to go.
Above all — I’m a man who can say No.
If I dissolve the engagement after that flow of events, bad-mouthing will multiply further. But 1 becoming 10 or 100 at this point doesn’t change anything.
The already-evil me adding more evil deeds doesn’t affect my daily life.
”…… Mashiro. Whatever the outcome, I’m not letting you go.”
”——!? Wh-where is this coming from suddenly……!?”
“Just a small intent-check. I’m trusting that you feel the same.”
…… I don’t think it’s possible, but on the off chance.
If Mashiro thought she’d like to leave my side, I could die of shock.
A capable man proceeds carefully, and at times boldly.
I’d thrown that line out to gauge her intent.
”…… Mn. I won’t leave Ouga, no matter what. You told me to follow you back then, so you’re going to take responsibility for it properly, all right……”
So saying, she gently clung to my arm.
Her answer made me ashamed of my own attitude.
…… That’s right. What am I doing letting my core wobble.
My previous life’s anxious temperament had peeked through, for a moment.
”…… Yes. Exactly so.”
“Ehehe, good. I was starting to think you’d forgotten.”
“There’s no way. Listen, Mashiro — I never forget the words I say.”
What a good person Mashiro is.
Carving her debt to me into her heart, working diligently every day like this.
Yes, yes. There’s no worry of her leaving.
“Whatever decision you make, Ouga, I’ll accept it. …… I might get jealous, though.”
“That part, I’d appreciate you giving me a break on.”
“That’s the one thing I can’t promise~”
Mashiro grinned and poked at my flank.
“Oh — rock-hard! You really are training, aren’t you, Ouga.”
“Naturally. Alice checks me every day.”
“Eh!? So — Miss Alice sees Ouga’s bare body every day!?”
“Yes. It’s necessary for shaping his body properly. ……Nothing of the sort you may be imagining occurs, Miss Liche.”
“N-not like I was imagining anything! ……But, hmm. Maybe I should train too~”
“In that case, let’s start together tomorrow. I’ll prepare a light menu.”
“Then I’ll come collect you in the early morning, Miss Liche.”
“Yay! I’ll do my best!”
Chatting like that as we walked, ten-some minutes later——
We arrived in front of the imposing doors of the Headmistress’s office.
“Speaking of which — Miss Lebetsenka is still on leave, isn’t she?”
“Yes. Can’t be helped, though. Her standing has changed; she has things she needs to take care of.”
I’d been aware that Karen hadn’t come to school since duel day.
She’d told me on the day itself that she was returning home temporarily.
The Headmistress had, of course, put a stake in her trash father, and if he tried to confine her, the next move would come from my family, the family she’d been bound to by engagement.
On top of that, our engagement was personally recognized by the King.
He must understand, at least, that any action that breaks that arrangement worsens his position.
“Wouldn’t be surprising if she’s in there.”
Tossing off the line, I knocked on the door.
“P-please come in!”
Speak of the devil. The voice that returned was that very girl’s.
Mashiro and I exchanged a look, smiled despite ourselves, and opened the door.
“You’ve been well, Kare——”
The moment we entered, what leapt into view wasn’t the Headmistress but a red-haired beauty seated on the sofa.
The face turning toward us was, unmistakably, Karen Lebetsenka.
The bags under her eyes from constant anxiety were gone, replaced by a flushed redness — embarrassment, maybe.
—— So far, so good.
The problem is below the neck.
There were obviously parts protruding that hadn’t existed before.
She used to be flat as a board, but now her chest was bulging like there were melons stuffed in there.
And her clothing — not the boys’ uniform but the girls’ uniform.
”…… L-long time no see.”
Karen, whom I was seeing for the first time in a week, fidgeted with her hand pressed to her skirt.
Her arms framing those laden fruits as if to emphasize them.
She was probably embarrassed by the unfamiliar skirt.
The healthy, taut thighs usually concealed by trousers were on full display.
”…………Whew.”
………… HOT.
◇ Sorry the update was massively delayed due to revision work!!
In return, the book version is even more entertaining than the web version, so please forgive me…… The update pace will gradually return, so please continue to support the work!
Also, an update on the book version. The title has been changed from the current one to [The Misunderstood Holy Life of a Villainous Young Master My Second Life, I Just Want to Do as I Please] and it’s being released in April from [Dengeki Bunko]!!
https://dengekibunko.jp/product/newrelease-bunko.html
The illustrator is Herigaru-sensei.
Ouga, Mashiro, Alice, and Karen have all been drawn beautifully, so please look forward to it! ◇