Yumina drank her grapefruit ade in one go and turned off the eavesdropping app. It’s a privacy breach, she declared. That’s true, I suppose. I was a little thoughtless.
“When did you install the bug?”
“It’s been a while. I installed it when we first tackled the Rift instead of the Magical Girl.”
“Of course Doyugeon doesn’t know?”
“Right. Should I tell him?”
“No!”
“Come to think of it, I might’ve been too careless. I guess the person involved should know.”
“No way!”
Yumina panicked and wildly shook her head. She’s so cute.
“So why are you telling me this? It’s kind of scary right now.”
“Scary? That’s random.”
“Beep.”
Even if you puff out your cheeks, it’s still random.
This side hasn’t done anything particular, but you’re implying I’m covertly suspicious. Could this be because I go overboard too often? I might act recklessly but I don’t act completely without restraint, just within the limits others can accept.
For example, whether it’s Doyugeon or Yumina, we play around together until I get tired and ignore any existing schedule to go home, although I do consider the situation. I want to do what’s right by them, but I don’t want to ruin relationships. Besides, apart from these two, I don’t have proper friends.
However, this shouldn’t be something that makes Yumina feel uneasy or irritated—it wouldn’t cause suspicion. On reflection, there are subtle points that make me feel prickly, but I believe I’ve maintained the line.
Have I unintentionally done something I don’t remember? Even if I’ve contemplated putting the leash on, there wasn’t any visible sign, was there? Maybe it’s because of that one time Grandpa interfered. That seems plausible. Grandpa really needs to be restrained in so many ways.
Stopping my thoughts and looking at Yumina, she’s still puffing her cheeks. Cheeks, cheeks.
“This isn’t something for you to be afraid of. I’m just having some worries because of this.”
“Hmm?”
“I’ve discovered various things by installing the bug.”
“Is it okay for me to listen to this?”
“Yeah, it’s fine.”
“Unfortunately, your answer isn’t trustworthy.”
“Hmm, that’s kind of upsetting. If I didn’t say it, it’s something you could guess anyway. It’s nothing big. Whether or not it’s fine, I anticipated many scenarios when I installed the bug, and most of them proved true, but now that I’m experiencing them, I’m somewhat taken aback.”
“What’s so strange about it?”
Yumina’s eyebrow rose slightly.
“There are quite a few female friends.”
“Aha! That’s obvious. Don’t tell me our Young Lady has no friends.”
“You’re right, but hearing it outright is kind of annoying.”
“Hehe.”
“Umm… Anyway, it’s quite a shock.”
“Hmm. How exactly is it shocking?”
Yumina leaned over the table and asked coyly.
“It’s like suddenly being splashed with cold water.”
“Waah! And then?”
“I need to educate them before it’s too late.”
Yumina suddenly wore an astonished expression filled with question marks.
“Full of question marks.”
“Yeah, that’s the expression.”
“Why does education come up all of a sudden?”
“Then what should pop up?”
“Of course, jealousy!”
“Damn, shouldn’t have asked. Anyway, because Doyugeon has no experience in love, I’m worried he might inadvertently fall for a bad person.”
“Our Young Lady is also a bad person right?”
“You are a bad person. So why don’t you try?”
“No! That’s my charm.”
Hmm. A compliment, but it doesn’t feel like one.
“Since he has no experience in love, I’m contemplating whether I should help him accumulate some.”
Yumina tilted her head slightly.
“Our Young Lady has no experience in love either.”
“How could I not?”
I panicked and realized my mistake. There were experiences in the Previous Life, but not in the Current Life.
“I’ve never experienced men, that’s correct.”
“Your answer was slow. That’s suspicious.”
“Where can I find someone as pure as me?”
“Hmm. Saying that makes you seem completely untrustworthy.”
“That’s true.”
Yumina sipped her grapefruit ade with a straw and thought deeply.
“What do you mean by ‘help him accumulate experience’?”
“Exactly as I said. To establish judgment criteria, you need sufficient data. To know if someone is a good partner, you need romance experience.”
“Are you suggesting! That our Young Lady is planning to fall in love?!”
She’s excited.
“Although I applaud your trying to connect us, no.”
“It can’t be no! Ah, seriously!”
She suddenly got angry. I ignored Yumina dramatically grabbing her neck and drank my cappuccino. Warm, so good. Winter is for cappuccino, for sure.
“Ultimately, you’re just going to let him date anyone, right?”
“Nope. Of course, I’ll carefully select suitable partners. Choosing anyone would be terrible.”
“You’re saying the same thing again!”
Our thoughts are somehow off. Let’s drink coffee. Ignoring Yumina’s chatter, I took sips of coffee while enjoying the view outside the window. After a few sips, Yumina calmed down and stopped talking.
“Are you calm now?”
“Yeah. On the wrong side.”
“Then that’s all right.”
“Wrong, see what happens if I don’t ask.”
“Naturally, I think the first partner needs to be chosen extremely carefully. First experiences shape everything, so they should be enjoyable.”
“Are you really not going to ask?”
“Actually, I don’t have to choose. I’ve decided already.”
“Who?”
I gestured with my hand. Yumina looked around her left and right, then turned around—of course it’s a private room, the back is all walls. She’s confused.
Yumina pointed to herself with trembling fingers.
“…Me?”
“Yep.”
“Me?!”
“Yeps.”
Should I reply yep yep?
“Are you joking?”
“Nope.”
“Did I do something wrong?”
“No way.”
“Then why?”
“Because you’re the most suitable. You have plenty of romantic experience, a sharp mind, and you’re someone I can trust. People like you aren’t easy to find.”
Yumina whispered while nervously fidgeting her fingers.
“I’ve dated before, but it’s been quite a long time. My mind isn’t particularly sharp, and I’m worried about money lately—so I may not exactly be trustworthy.”
She leaned forward to sip her grapefruit ade again. Sour-sweet. Her words trailed off as she flustered.
“Don’t undervalue yourself. Rather, take pride in it.”
“A world filled with people like our Young Lady wouldn’t be good.”
“You’re worrying too much. I’ll cover your budget. Are you ready?”
Yumina paused to consider, then pointed outside the window. I looked to see a couple embrace and spin in the middle of the street.
“Can’t guarantee I’m not jealous.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Whether it’s worrying or not, we’ll see. But right now, I’m too busy.”
“Crime spree still going wild?”
“It’s calmed down a bit, but now Laplace is stirring up trouble, saying it’s time for government intervention. Will they really get involved? What do you think?”
“Not sure. I lack expertise in political science, so I don’t know how the political scene will evolve.”
“Do you not meet politicians?”
“Occasionally, but they bother my dad, so I avoid them. Anyway, got it. Let me know when you have time. It’s not urgent. Surely, with a beautiful girl like me around, he won’t suddenly fall for some random girl, right?”
“That’s true, but…”
Rather than taking responsibility, I choose to berate myself.
What?
*
Under the eaves across from the academy, snow covered the road. It’s cold. I grabbed the warm takeout drink with both hands and sucked on the straw. Sweetness spread across my tongue. Regrettably, it’s cocoa though. The security guard didn’t make a mistake in buying this. The foam on a cappuccino makes it hard to seal the lid properly anyway. Hmm. Should I cut it? It’s just a thought.
Playing with the plastic bottle in both hands while waiting, students burst out from the academy. Finally, it’s over. I unwound from my crouch and stood up. My legs are stiff. If not for the people around, I could have just floated there with magic. But then I’d miss the exercise.
Looking at the students descending, Doyugeon wasn’t among them. Where’d he go? Sensing outward, checking the academy, Doyugeon was putting stray chairs into desks and clearing up. What? He’s putting chairs back while I’m waiting here. Well, he might not know I’m waiting, but still.
A voice came from the side, it was an unfamiliar student offering an umbrella. Checking their red face, it seems they were one of the students who just finished classes. Don’t know him.
Looking back at the academy, Doyugeon wasn’t there as expected. He must be unaware I’m still waiting, but it’s a bit upsetting to be so overlooked. Logically, he should be there since he’ll definitely show up eventually. Isn’t it better to just come down and check instead of straightening chairs? There’s no real loss here.
“Excuse me…?”
He should at least check if we’re still here before rearranging the chairs.
“Humph! Umm… who are you?”
Ignoring the student being dragged away by security, I blanked out. Watching the snow fall, I waited longer, and finally Doyugeon descended. Looking at me, he was clearly flustered by the lack of an umbrella, no doubt because of the snow. I knew it.
Handing the drink to the side, I whispered softly.
“Umbrella.”
The drink disappeared, replaced by an umbrella in an empty hand. Cool, let’s go. Walking on the snow carefully, footprints appeared.
“Do you need an umbrella?”
“Over here!”
Huh? A familiar shout came from somewhere, and a random umbrella was tossed to Doyugeon. He caught it, unfolded it, and the snow was lightly blocked.
“Thanks! Let’s play soccer sometime!”
Too upbeat an answer?
Doyugeon happily bid farewell to the unknown guy with bright enthusiasm and turned around. He noticed me and approached.
He’s such a natural at this, but I’m not sure whether to admire or be upset about it.
“More friends, better?”
“Huh? Is it? Anyway, what are you doing here? Did you just happen to pass by?”
“Yeah, that’s right. I stopped by on the way because I heard there’s an exam at the academy today.”
Doyugeon looked at my expression carefully, then glanced behind me. Curiously, I turned around but only saw the security guards.
“Where were you heading?”
“That’s not very important. How was the exam today?”
“Pretty good.”
“Wow.”
Confident answer. Maybe the hard work is paying off.
“Pretty good means how good? As good as Yumina?”
“How good is Yumina?”
“Second place in the school.”
“Second place in a prestigious school? That’s too high a standard…”
“You’ve got to aim high.”
“That’s excessive aiming high.”
“Already? Then first place is your goal?”
“How good is first place?”
Pointing at me with both hands.
“Me.”
“Eh… Right, that’s the goal.”
“Then it’s impossible. How long have you been studying that you’re already aiming for first place? Completely like a thief.”
“Didn’t you say to aim high?”
“Hmph.”
![[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered](https://i3.wp.com/novelhitam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1743806812-5548-TS-The-Protagonist-is-Conquered.png?resize=151,215 "[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered")
