Chapter 6

[Favorability towards Target: 57(70)]

If 57 is the current favorability this body has towards that woman, then is the adjacent 70 the favorability cap that was previously shown?

Back when it was Inna, only the rising favorability was shown. But in this case, the system kindly displays the cap, too, showing just how much it can rise. It’s clear this woman is favored by the system.

However, once the favorability cap reaches the first stage of release, I’m told I can access her profile.

So when I stared deeply at her to try and look at her profile, the main heroine averted her gaze, wincing in pain.

Though, thinking about it, while it might be startling for her to suddenly be glared at, there’s no reason she should look so pained.

The answer to that will be here. I began reading slowly the window that had just appeared in my sight.

[Heroine Name: Lee Seo-ra]

[Made friends since middle school, then became lovers. Her dating someone other than you and her relationship with ?? caused her to drift from you. This ended up fueling your self-harm incident. She now believes your refusal to acknowledge her is due to her supposed betrayal. She’s currently strategizing ways to break this awkward situation by utilizing her abilities to the fullest extent.]

[Seo-ra’s strategy to win you back is through wisdom—gaining insights about you and focusing on giving you what you like and avoiding what you dislike. If things proceed to the bedroom, be aware that her ability to pinpoint your pressure points will make leaving impossible, and her wisdom will uncover all sorts of things about you.]

So, it seems we were former lovers, but we drifted apart when she began dating someone else…

So, is this woman taking my stare as an accusation of her past relationship?

Regardless of this body’s history or who she chose to date, I am glad for her.

Even though I don’t know exactly who ??? is, clearly it means she’s already in a relationship with someone.

In romantic visual novels, it’s not uncommon for heroines to date each other.

This happens because sometimes people are put off by百合 (bl百合) elements, but even though I’ve always been closed off and never given my heart to any of the heroines, precautions must be taken for that rare chance. Worst-case scenarios tend to happen exactly when you least want them.

But the main heroine, who not only chose someone else but also carries guilt towards me—how wonderfully convenient a situation this is.

In romantic visual novels, there is usually only one person the main heroine would be dating.

The protagonist of a romantic visual novel.

Surely, this woman has already fallen for the one person I should be most wary of, making it impossible for me to feel any ill will towards her.

Since she’s already smitten by the protagonist’s magical charm, there’s really no need to be on guard against her.

In fact, seeing her profile made things crystal clear. By making the protagonist no longer a concern, a favorability of 57 feels like a cheap price.

Having become female, I worried about being ensnared by the protagonist’s or the main heroine’s charm, but falling in love with someone who’s already taken is absolutely impossible.

Seeing her like this makes my heart race uncontrollably, yet I’m sure about my feelings.

“…I apologize for the casual way I spoke earlier.”

“Ah, it’s fine. You don’t need to worry about it.”

To think that she has unintentionally removed a dangerous explosive from my way! Though this woman, who only knows my past self, would be confused if I explained my gratitude.

Regardless, interpreting my words as an apology, she glanced at me sideways and gently wrapped her fingers around my wrist, softly caressing the bones with her index finger.

“There’s still a scar. I’m sorry… When you told me everything was a lie, I should have come rushing right over, but I couldn’t, and I apologize. I thought you’d be okay, but it seems I was wrong.”

“There’s absolutely no need for apologies.”

Watching her avoid my eyes, I felt a hint of sadness. Her posture, her waist standing straight, her ample bosom, her slightly haughty cat-like eyes, and the mesmerizing golden irises—all are my type. In fact, I’m slightly envious of the protagonist for having someone like her.

Though, in a world where one mustn’t fall in love, I am certain that even if I were to d*e and wake up, I would never fall for this woman.

“Me… me! It’s not a…!”

“Hold on, Inna. This is the student council president talking with the person behind the s*icide threats. If we interfere, we’ll get in trouble later. If they reconcile, there won’t be another s*icide threat later.”

“Not that! Not her!”

As Inna was being restrained by other students, I noticed something different about the woman standing before me despite her school uniform, thanks to her voice.

The silver emblem pinned on her chest stated “President.”

That simple word conveyed her position in the school.

“Are you the student council president?”

“…Yes, I couldn’t say much when I was elected since both you and I were confused and overwhelmed. It was because of your help that I managed to take on this role and am handling the student council duties. Though, there’s still much that is unfamiliar, so I don’t feel entirely deserving of the title…”

Actually, I merely asked because I wasn’t even sure which grade I’m in.

It’s not because I think she’s failing at her duties or because she didn’t tell me she became president.

When I realized my wrist had slipped from her grasp, I scratched my chin with my left hand.

My smooth, clean-shaven chin as I contemplated.

Hmm, I’m probably in second year? I’ve heard student council presidents can be first or third-year students, but second year is more common for reasons like showcasing competence. Though this is just a guess, as I haven’t delved too deeply into the world of romantic visual novels.

When the question of which grade I’m in inevitably dissolves once I reach school, there’s no need to overthink it now.

Letting go of that thought, I raised my head, only to find that Lee Seo-ra had leaned into my ear.

…My heart almost dropped.

“…I’ll keep my promise to him and will return to you soon. If you still have feelings for me, please wait just a little longer.”

“Promise?”

The casual tone from the woman, dropping honorifics, wasn’t awkward but sweet and melodic.

Her voice was nothing out of the ordinary, perhaps not as angelic as that of the heroine whose talent was her voice, but on a completely different level.

Still, the crucial keyword, “a promise with the protagonist,” kept my attention.

As her warm breath caressed my ear, I realized why this world, devoid of battle, would feature such a skill like ‘weak spot insight.’

…I prayed this romantic visual novel wasn’t an 18+.

“Yes, a promise to find a certain role the woman bears.”

Perhaps the ‘role’ mentioned in her promise with the protagonist was the same as the term that often appeared in peoples’ names, like ‘extra’ or ‘heroine.’

When I was about to ask more about this promise, a familiar voice interrupted.

“Hey. Your boyfriend is coming.”

Inna, having shaken off the others’ hold, appeared close by, addressing only the two of us with her teasing voice.

If ‘boyfriend’ refers to the protagonist?

Both Seo-ra and I looked around, but as expected, no boy labeled ‘protagonist’ hovered above anyone.

“Fake! If you have a boyfriend, it’s not nice for you to be friendly with other girls. Thank me for preventing possible misunderstandings among others. Now, come with me.”

Inna naturally grabbed my hand, preparing to leave, but Seo-ra quickly grabbed the other.

“Someone with at least some conscience wouldn’t do this. You don’t deserve to hold Erica’s hand.”

“Um, it looks like there’s no boyfriend, so let go?”

A popular Inna among students and a student council president Seo-ra, their conflict was direct and personal.

The struggle over my hands caused me to feel the pain directly.

If you’re going to fight, please do so without pulling my arms, you brutes.

Even though my body has weakened, it feels like these women possess physical strength stronger than adult men. Just as I was about to groan from the intense pain that felt like my arms were about to be torn off, an unusual phenomenon occurred.

[ Pain Limit Reached – Ability Unlocked ]

I don’t know exactly what happened, but just as white flashes like lightning appeared before my eyes, the pain was gone, and both women had let go of my hands.

The strange words “ability unlocked.”

The women, with different expressions, had both released my hand.

Seo-ra looked calm, while Inna bit her lips with an annoyed expression.

“Remember this: if anyone tries to manipulate your mind with ill intention, or physically harm you, you can repel them as long as you wish.”

It sounded like she knew I currently couldn’t use an ability, and she was implying that the arm-pulling was meant to help me unlock it.

After saying that, Seo-ra glanced briefly at me and Inna before speaking.

“Well, I’ll be going now.”

Her tone reverted back to honorifics, and she turned and walked ahead towards school.

She left as regally as someone who no longer recognized the gentle girl that once tiptoed carefully in our exchanges, as if those memories no longer existed.

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