Naturally, during my second playthrough when I was preparing for the election with Aira. Sierra wasn't there. She wasn't even interested in elections. 'But why suddenly…' That Sierra, who had been that way, was now participating as an election helper as if it were natural. And as Aira's election helper, no less.
"Yes! I have an opinion!" "Hmm, Sierra from first year, wasn't it? Speak." "How about providing a free special meal at the dormitory cafeteria once a week as a pledge?" "Hmm… once a week. I don't know if the budget will allow it, but let's put it on the list for now." "Hehe, thank you." "..."
Sierra assertively expressing her opinion, and Aira actively accepting it. To me, having experienced the second playthrough, it was a very awkward sight. 'I was sure all the spots were filled…' Before Sierra joined as a helper, all the helper positions were already taken. When I asked Aira about the situation, she said: 'Hehe, Sierra was the second-best student in first year. A president candidate with the top and second-best students as helpers. Doesn't that paint a good picture?' It was a very politically motivated decision.
"How was it? Didn't I do pretty well? Maybe I'm just cut out for being a helper." "Hmm, well…" During a short break. Sierra, who had been diligently offering opinions during the meeting, approached me and smiled brightly. It wasn't that I disliked it… No, of course, I could say I liked it. After all, when trying to capture the heroines I had already captured, memories of the second playthrough resurfaced. Having Sierra by my side could chase away those gloomy thoughts.
However. 'I can't approach Aira…' Once again, I was trying to capture a heroine in front of Sierra. "Hey, Emil, what are you doing after this today? I heard a new, delicious skewer stall opened recently…" "..." Moreover, ever since I approached her honestly a while ago. Sierra also started approaching me more openly. That was currently giving me a headache.
Just then. "Excuse me, but could I borrow Emil after the meeting today?" "Huh?" Aira was the first to speak like that. And she said it not to me, but to Sierra.
"Uh, I…" Then Sierra glanced at me and spoke cautiously. "I think it would be better to ask Emil about that…" "Hmm? Aren't you two a couple? That's why I asked you." "What?! Ah, I, that is…!" "..."
Aira asked without hesitation. Sierra's face turned red as she alternated glances between me and Aira. My expression stiffened. 'Damn it…' Leaving the flustered Sierra, I carefully opened my mouth. "Sierra is a friend, …is." "..."
"Ah, is that so. My apologies for the misunderstanding." "No…" Fortunately, the misunderstanding was quickly resolved by my swift answer. "..." Somehow, Sierra looked at me sideways with a displeased expression. Why, it's true we're not, isn't it?
"Um, Senior-nim. What is this about?" I was afraid of Sierra's gaze, so I quickly changed the topic. "Hmm, there's somewhere I need you to come with me." "With me…? Why are you specifically pointing me out, of all people…?" "It's nothing much. The person I'm going to meet asked you to come along too." "Who?" "Hehe, you'll find out when we get there. Anyway, I'll take that as you agreeing to make time." Aira said that and returned to her seat.
And then. *Squeeze.* "Ow, what are you doing?" "Hmph." Sierra stepped firmly on my foot. However, it wasn't very painful, as it carried more emotion than force.
"Emil, your answers are so quick, it must be nice." "..." In response to my question, Sierra took her foot off and said that without even looking at me. …What should I really do about this capture?
***
After the election strategy meeting, I followed Aira. Naturally, Sierra had already returned to the dormitory. 'Still, this is an opportunity.' Until just a moment ago, with Sierra by my side, I couldn't carelessly approach Aira. But now that Sierra was gone…
"..." "Ah, Emil, hello. Are you leaving now?" "Hmm? Wasn't she the President's younger sister? Do the two of you know each other?" Just then, Mari appeared in front of us as we walked down the hallway. Perhaps by coincidence, Mari also had a surprised expression. But Mari naturally smiled and greeted us, then walked past.
"…Aren't you close?" As I remained silent, Aira, who was beside me, asked that. "…We just greet each other." "Is that so." And we began walking down the hallway again.
"..." Just moments ago, I had decided it was an opportunity and intended to proceed with capturing Aira. But. 'Strangely, my mind feels unsettled…' I couldn't easily act. Why? My resentment from dying in the second playthrough should still remain. I should proceed with the capture to resolve that grudge. But seeing Mari suddenly, only one thought lingered in my mind. …If I capture Aira. Will Aira kill Mari's older brother, Damien?
"..." That thought settled at the center of my mind, obstructing any thoughts of capture. Just then. *Ding!* A message popped up with a familiar notification sound. [Activating 'Mental Healing'!] "..." It seemed Mental Healing had activated because my mind was very confused. For the first time in a while, I felt my mind clear.
But it was no use. Because the fact that the heroines I had captured so far had killed their respective protagonists hadn't changed. And as I was lost in thought like that. "We've arrived. Please wait a moment." "Ah, yes." Aira and I reached our destination.
'Student Council Office?' The place we arrived at was the Student Council Office used by the academy's Student Council. And Aira knocked on the door there. *Knock knock.* "President, it's me. I'm coming in." [Alright.] A familiar voice was heard from inside the Student Council Office, and Aira opened the door.
"You're here." "Yes, here are the pledges and activity plan for the election period." "As expected, your work is the fastest. Aira, you're the first among the candidates to arrive." "Thank you." "And… is this your first time seeing him in a while?" Damien finished his business conversation with Aira and then looked at me.
"…Yes, I haven't seen you since the first semester's midterms." "Please, have a seat. All I have to drink is black tea, is that alright?" "Yes." "Alright, Aira. You may leave now." "...Understood." Aira hesitated for a moment at Damien's words, then turned around and left the room.
'She looks a little disappointed.' It makes sense. 'After finally meeting the President, she's being sent away immediately, leaving just me.' This is where Aira differs from the other heroines. Usually, other heroines have no feelings for the male protagonists until I approach them. Because I've always intercepted their events before they could happen. But with Aira, it's not possible. That's because Aira is set to have secretly harbored a crush on Damien since her first year. Because of that, Aira always started in an unfavorable position when it came to capture.
"Hmm… Emil?" "Ah, yes." Damien called out to me as I was watching Aira's retreating back. In response, I turned my head and focused on Damien. "Apologies for taking up your time so suddenly. I wanted to have a private conversation with you." "…Is there something you're curious about?" "Of course there is. You're my sister's friend, after all."
"..." His words reminded me of the moment I was capturing Mari previously. 'Mari, she's just a friend.' '…A friend?' 'Yes, and more importantly… I apologize, but I overheard your conversation without permission.' At the time, I stepped forward directly for Mari, who had been hurt by Damien. For the capture, of course.
Damien continued, referencing that time. "I want to express my gratitude, and I also have something to ask you." "I didn't really do anything to be thanked for." "That can't be. Mari changed because of you." "…Mari?" "Hmm, Mari was always dependent only on me since she was little, an inability to do anything without me." "..." "But recently, Mari has given up her obsession with me and is steadily standing on her own." "That's not exactly because of me…" "No, no matter how I think about it, it's you. You're the one who influenced Mari." "..." "Thank you. As Mari's older brother, I express my gratitude. And…"
At that moment, Damien, who had been smiling, hid his smile and asked. "I have something I'm curious about… are you and Mari still friends?" "..." The question, 'still friends.' In other words, it was a question of whether we weren't a couple.
"Yes…" I cautiously answered Damien's question, and Damien accepted it without much reaction. "Is that so? I thought it would surely work out. That's surprising." "Have you asked everything you were curious about?" "No, just one more thing." "What is it…?"
Talking about Damien and Mari was quite uncomfortable. So, to quickly end this Q&A, I asked what he was curious about. Damien looked at me with sharp eyes and suddenly asked. "Recently, three male students went missing." "..." "Do you know about it?" "..."
A completely unexpected question at a completely unexpected timing. Because of that, my flustered feelings almost showed on my face. "...I don't know." In a fleeting moment, I made a judgment. I decided to answer that I didn't know about the disappearance of the three people.
"They're all first-years. Their names are Malcolm, Edric, and Bran." "…I heard they took a leave of absence." "We informed the students that to prevent a commotion. But it's a disappearance." "But why are you asking me that? You said you wanted to prevent a commotion." "..."
In response to my question, Damien, who had maintained a cold, expressionless face all along, smiled faintly. "Just, I somehow thought you might know. You know all three of them, don't you?" "That's right…" "Well, if you don't know, that's fine. You may leave now." "..." Unexpectedly, Damien let me go easily.
'…Is he suspecting me?' I couldn't tell. Why, now, he asked me about the three missing people. Perhaps it was just Damien's personal suspicion. Which might be why he was testing me.
"Excuse me for my intrusion." I left the Student Council Office with a troubled heart. '…If this capture ends properly… then the next target will surely be.' At that time, Damien would disappear.
And if. The fact that Damien suspected me became known to the professors. 'It's dangerous.' Since encountering Mari in the hallway a moment ago. The thought that had been circling in my head since then turned into a strong conviction. Continuing the capture as before is dangerous. I should also try to prevent someone from dying again, but. If I'm not careful, I could be pinpointed as the culprit.
'…Even for Sierra and I to graduate safely, I must prevent that.' Does that mean I have to give up on the capture? "..." I'm confused. In one corner of my mind, the resentment from the second playthrough still writhed. Could I truly dream of a happy future without resolving this?
'…A different method.' I walked towards the dormitory, continuously thinking. 'I need some other method…'