Chapter 21

“Earlier, you were talking with someone, which is why you didn’t come to class, right?”

As soon as the break period began and I entered the classroom, a girl with teal-green hair approached me and started interrogating me.

Her approach felt quite intimidating despite her small stature, much like how a police officer interrogates a suspect.

Honestly, if she weren’t the heroine, I might have outright ignored her no matter how cute she looked.

A heroine is usually someone the world has chosen to possess a defining ‘characteristic.’ Even someone without any distinct traits can become a heroine by embodying ordinariness as a trait, though it’s common for such cases to come with another form of charm.

When it comes to charisma tied to appearance and personality, those who possess it tend to become heroines. Despite the system’s warning about Inna’s dangers, it’s because Inna is also a heroine that she remains perceived as safe.

A heroine generally refers to someone who has the ‘potential’ to be romanced by the protagonist. Without that potential, no matter how beautiful someone may be, they wouldn’t become a heroine. On the other hand, one who isn’t part of the protagonist’s possible romance routes, often called a “non-romanceable heroine,” may also exist.

In other words, the mere existence of a sub-heroine role implies that Inna’s obsession—if it even exists—won’t go beyond the realm of being adorable.

A heroine who’s dating the protagonist but torments other girls out of obsession? That’s not a real heroine. Hence, labeling her as a sub-heroine serves as proof that her obsession may not escalate further.

As a sub-heroine, she won’t be pursued by other men, nor will she relentlessly cling to me.

“I just had a little chat.”

“Is that so? The conversation seemed to take a while. What did you talk about? Can you tell me by any chance? Maybe I can help.”

The girl brazenly tried to grill me about our conversation. While I was debating not to tell her, I noticed an ominous silhouette behind her watching as Inna leaned close to me with a worried gaze. People might say my reputation isn’t great, but Inna is different.

If I ask Inna, I can probably also learn what the other students in the class know. Though having a penchant for lying due to her possessiveness is a flaw, if this is her Achilles’ heel, then my side can also employ lies when necessary.

“The school queen forcibly approached me, kissed me, and then ran away. That’s why I’ve been thinking a lot about it…”

“What?!?”

Before I could finish, Inna slammed her desk and stood up, her face filled with shock. Her voice was so loud that even the silhouettes who weren’t paying attention to Inna during the break period turned to look at her.

But she paid no attention to the gazes of others. Her eyes remained fixed on me, reacting exactly as I’d expected. As I opened my mouth to speak, I tried hard not to smile too much.

“I was wary because you’re the student council president, but she came from an unexpected direction, surprising me.”

“O-oh, is that so? Sorry. I gave you the wrong information, so I didn’t warn you about that filthy, shameless, selfish, trashy woman. During the last confrontation where I had the upper hand, I should have crushed her, but I couldn’t. Sorry.”

Her sorry tone carried an undertone of menace that made my body shiver momentarily. Inna might seem gentle, but she’s a resident in a world where superpowers exist.

Even though m*rder is taboo, how many battles has she been through? The moment I heard her voice, I had the feeling she could genuinely k*ll someone.

Even though sub-heroines wouldn’t k*ll another heroine for stealing a kiss, somehow—

“It’s fine. Next time, though, be sure to go all the way and then run off. Afterward, Kim Ha-neul followed her.”

“…Huh? I understand why you’re talking about the woman running off, but why bring up Kim Ha-neul suddenly?”

“He was with us.”

Seeing Inna react as if she had never heard of Kim Ha-neul before, I was certain—she hadn’t bugged anyone or anything. While it might be unusual for a regular person to do such things, heroines shouldn’t be considered regular by any means.

“Ah, so he was there too? Hmm, I get it. Are you asking me to find the runaway queen for you?”

“Can you? If possible, I’d prefer a discreet search, but since we’re being so open about it now, maybe it’s impossible.”

The closest person was about three desks away. Although I spoke at a normal volume, even with this distance, if someone strained their ears, they could hear us. We might have to expect some rumors spreading.

However, contrary to my thoughts, the teal-haired girl chuckled mischievously.

“Did I forget to tell you? My speech ability isn’t one that resonates with superpower users, but our conversation is typically forgotten. Influenced by my desire for our talk to remain private, even the classmates who overhear will soon forget it. So don’t worry too much about the story spreading.”

Since superpowers are abilities that ordinary humans can’t obtain no matter how hard they try, what she explained to me earlier made sense. Even if I still didn’t fully understand how it worked, I was clear that she possessed a power that could make people forget our discussions.

“And you’re asking me to find Seo Yu-ri? Not to sound unpleasant, but you’d be better off consulting the president rather than me. If we try to find her with the help of everyday people, she will simply escape using her abilities.”

“How would it be different if the president is involved?”

Because of her ability to see through disguises and know the queen’s true identity, I assumed the president might be the queen’s natural rival. Is there more to it?

As if catching the meaning in my gaze, Inna sat down next to me and answered immediately.

“When the queen’s abilities don’t work because of the president’s presence. The queen’s powerful reality-altering ability can fabricate everything but the reason people once managed to drive her away was thanks to her own abilities.”

The student council president’s superpower is wisdom. I thought her ability was just about being exceptionally intelligent and insightful, but it seems there is more to its application, worthy of the term “superpower.”

The more I observe how heroines wield their powers, the clearer it becomes that I, who can’t even use my own abilities as I wish, am far from standing on equal footing with heroines.

At what point will I be able to match their level? It’s not because I want to be selected by the protagonist.

It’s just that, to live in this world without being threatened in matters of chastity, I believe I’ll need to be like the heroines who wield their powers freely and know how to apply them.

“Honestly, I don’t like the idea of you asking the president for help, but if the queen targets you, it’s true that only she can respond effectively.”

Pretending to be casually conversing, Inna’s finger slithered like a snake around my hand. Once my left hand was firmly tied and unable to move, the girl beside me grinned in satisfaction.

“In return, would you hold my hand for a while? And if the student council president manages to find the queen, please call me too. I’m sure I’ll be of great help.”

“Of course. Who else would I call if not you?”

“Even if it’s just words, I really appreciate it, eh?”

The gratitude isn’t merely in words; it’s sincere. Inna, this superpower user, who has the ability to inspire. She might not seem useful in battle, but against someone like Kang Yu-ri, who draws strength from her people’s trust, she could definitely play a role in shaking that faith.

Holding each other’s hands while unable to do anything else, Inna and I spent the entire break this way, unable even to rest our heads on our desks.

*

“I am sorry, but there’s an urgent matter.”

Yesterday, without any better progress in the investigation of details, a boy abruptly burst into the president’s office, where a young woman was present, without even knocking.

In contrast to his usual relaxed demeanor, his current expression was notably urgent. Therefore, instead of questioning why he burst in unannounced, she jumped right into the matter.

“What’s the matter?”

“The queen declared she’ll torment your favorite Erica and then fled to the city. She probably won’t come back to school until she’s ready. I need your help again just like last time.”

Though the queen appeared to have chosen the life of a mischievous trickster who would stop when told, she announced this time that she’d torment someone again.

It wasn’t just a simple loss for the queen. Those she thought were her loyal supporters turned around to jeer, claiming they only followed her for her benefit, and her subjects mocked her use of power, calling it a mere pretense.

The queen witnessed her own kingdom she had created turn against her in ridicule.

Her later behavior of aimlessly tormenting others was merely a form of revenge for that ridicule. And involving Erica this time must’ve been partly out of revenge against Inna and me, the ones who mocked her kingdom, rather than with an actual intent to inflict harm.

What has reignited the dormant will of the queen to torment anyone?

The young woman’s wisdom pointed to Erica once again, though the student council president dismissed it lightly as an error in judgment, having overthought Erica recently.

“Then let’s go immediately.”

Given Erica’s involvement, this matter couldn’t be taken lightly.

The city is vast, and if the target can escape our detection, there are countless places she can flee to. Still, we must chase her down and prevent her actions. Protecting a loved one is naturally one’s responsibility.

“Do you know where to look?”

“Haha, I’m not completely confident, but there are three candidates. Let’s head to the abandoned factory. It looks slightly suspicious.”

Erica mentioned, after a pause in time, that the boy referred to the “abandoned factory.” The place once harbored arson criminals before they vanished. Is this a coincidence or fate that he mentioned it?

Unaware of these facts, the two of them quickly opened their phones and navigated to the nearest abandoned factory.

Scenario 1: The Takedown of the School Queen, Part 1 – Finding the Queen.

Erica thought it ended at just identifying the queen’s identity, but she hasn’t yet gained the rewards from the first scenario—favorability. Of course, the mission to find the queen isn’t even complete yet.

The queen, who disappeared from school.

And the people who quickly set out to find her.

Whether they will find her within the time may depend entirely on fate.