Chapter 64

“Now, since I’ll take care of this, you’re free to go elsewhere.”

The moment the student council president realized someone was standing in front of Erica, they rushed over and picked up another pair of tongs from the table.

Since the customer had declared they would flip the meat themselves, the part-time worker should have left, but she lingered.

As if there was still some business left to attend to.

While the student council president’s insight was shining brightly over the unusual attitude of the part-timer,

[A system message indicated that she was originally meant to be a rival heroine who would compete with another heroine for the protagonist’s attention. However, because the other heroine was not chosen as the main character, she is now categorized as an extra heroine.]

Erica had been reading the detailed explanation about the extra heroine.

So, this woman was once the rival heroine?

She had assumed the rival would come from the student council or their class, never imagining the rival heroine would appear as a part-time worker at a meat restaurant.

Not only that, she hadn’t considered that a rival character could even be a heroine and not a male character.

Moreover, she hadn’t anticipated that the role of the rival heroine would be downgraded to an extra heroine because the other heroine had not been chosen as the main one.

“Hmm, what do you think? Should I keep flipping the meat or just leave?”

Noticing Erica observing her, the part-time worker smiled at her.

It wasn’t the usual business smile one gives to customers but one mixed with deeper emotions.

The student council president, having only intruded on this table to begin with, knew that since the one paying would be either Erica or Kim Ha-neul, they were trying to persuade one of the two to stay.

That mixed emotion in the smile was, in itself, her reason for wanting to remain here.

Though the student council president’s keen insight pierced through that fact, it was something they would never verbally acknowledge.

“Well, I suppose it’s fine if I stay…”

Erica said this while checking the student council president’s reaction.

The woman, who had not interrupted or said a word, patiently waited for her to finish speaking.

Under normal circumstances, given her feelings toward Erica, the student council president would have interrupted, but they had realized their own sense of guilt towards Erica.

When their eyes met Erica’s, the student council president simply smiled, conveying that they would understand whichever choice Erica made.

The decision whether to keep the part-timer at this table or send them away.

As Erica was pondering, a boy who had gone out with the student council president returned and sat down.

He picked up on the subtle atmosphere between the two women with a few nods.

“You’re going to keep flipping the meat here, so if you just stand around lingering, I’ll tell the boss you’re neglecting your duties!”

Though his tone was playful, his eyes were icy cold.

Purely out of annoyance, regardless of any prior agreements with the student council president.

For the young protagonist of romantic visual novels who’d encountered many strange characters, there were two reasons that came to Erica’s mind why he felt this way.

Either the boy genuinely considered Erica a close friend and didn’t want any strange woman getting close, or he was truly passionate about grilling meat.

Those dedicated to grilling meat often disliked anyone else doing it for them.

Watching the boy’s expression, Erica was certain that it was more likely the latter.

Since grilling meat was a form of art, it was only natural to feel irritated when interrupted.

“While I’m good terms with the boss and won’t get fired for this, we can always get closer over time, so I’ll wait till later.”

Even though the part-timer worked at a meat shop, it seemed she was unaware of the art of grilling meat as she pulled out her phone from her pocket and extended it toward Erica.

“For that reason, could I get your number?”

Erica looked at Kim Ha-neul, assuming the question had been directed at her.

In romantic visual novels, a rival usually belonged to one of two scenarios:

Competing with the protagonist over one heroine or competing with one heroine over the protagonist.

Given that the part-timer was speaking to Erica and seemed to not like Kim Ha-neul, Erica interpreted it as a strategy to win her over by approaching her first.

It was more natural for Erica to think that instead of herself becoming a rival with Kim Ha-neul, Kim Ha-neul might become the subject of rivalry among other heroines.

“Looks like you don’t plan on giving it, so why don’t you just go?”

However, this was purely Erica’s assumption.

The two sitting with Erica were fully aware whom the part-timer was addressing by asking for the number.

The person the part-timer wanted the number from was waiting for their response, while those seated with them hoped she would leave.

Realizing this, the part-timer gave Erica a warm smile.

“Yeah, I do need to go. But since you haven’t noticed me yet, I’ll wait. Next time, if you visit again, I’ll make sure the meat is much tastier than what you ate today.”

As Erica wondered about the promise of tastier meat, a surprisingly gentle hand shielded her eyes from seeing the person’s expression.

A boy’s hand gently covered Erica’s precious eyes, and he slightly raised the corner of his lips.

“I don’t think that will happen.”

While Erica interpreted this as confirmation that it wouldn’t happen, to the others present, it sounded like the boy was determined never to bring her back here.

And since someone liked Erica, suggesting she avoid certain places could also be interpreted as a proclamation of affection unless it indicated something sinister.

The student council president’s gaze momentarily turned sharp, but the boy remained oblivious, continuing to block Erica’s vision.

And with his persistent actions, he inadvertently triggered something Erica had been expecting.

[You have reached 10%. A system has been unlocked that allows you to utilize the possibility of a bad ending. Beware: the possibility of a bad ending will always lurk below, ready to pull you down.]

[From now on, when you look in a mirror, you can confirm your role. Your current role is Extra Heroine. A situation in which you will not have an ‘ending’ with the protagonist. Perhaps something has gone awry in your connection with the protagonist?]

[The bl**d Erosion has reached a certain level. Henceforth, if your protection weakens, the bl**d Erosion will begin to erode you. Though powerful, it also drastically increases the chances of reaching a bad ending.]

With the milestone of 10%, various systems had been unlocked.

Though their immediate comprehension and application seemed distant, they also contained methods to overcome the current absolute unattainable challenges.

The fact that Kim Ha-neul’s action had heightened Erica’s awakening rate was confirmed.

While Erica wasn’t sure whether this awakening rate represented ability, role, or another undefined element, Kim Ha-neul’s presence undeniably catalyzed the process.

“Then, I’ll go now. See you next time.”

Despite knowing that Erica couldn’t see, the part-timer waved at the girl she had taken a liking to and moved toward another table where another customer awaited.

One small incident among many at the meat restaurant.

It remained unclear whether Erica, who hadn’t exchanged numbers, would meet her again, but—

If they crossed paths even amidst opposition from their surroundings, perhaps it would qualify as a meeting destined between fate and coincidence.

*

Having achieved the 10% target.

While returning home could have been a good option, instead of heading directly home, Erica and the group from the meat shop decided to stroll around the city.

The usually too busy student council president and Kim Ha-neul, whose availability wasn’t guaranteed for impromptu meet-ups, were both present—such opportunities were rare.

“So, where are we going? Can you at least tell us the destination?”

“Aren’t we going wherever Erica decides?”

The boy muttered while the student council president strolled leisurely, holding Erica’s hand. From afar, they looked like intimate friends.

A couple ignoring Erica and the girl who adored one of them. If classmates saw, they’d surely rub their eyes to confirm the sight—but the sight didn’t last long.

“Hey, do you know about the event happening during the upcoming school trip?”

Erica’s inquiry sought to confirm if these world protagonists knew about the upcoming main storyline.

“I do.”

“Really?”

Contrary to Erica’s assumption that everyone would know, the two reacted differently.

The boy, who probably received information from his “elder sister,” nodded confidently, while the student council president, from whom Erica presumed foresight would come, turned to him with the air of hearing it for the first time.

The boy, too, surprised by the student council president’s lack of knowledge, seemed to awaken to something, widening his eyes.

“Ah, you must’ve been busy with my requests and other things recently, so you wouldn’t know. It’s simple: criminals will attack our school during the school trip.”

“…Excuse me?”

Though nonchalantly stated, this was not something the student council president could take lightly. A terror attack?

Alright, let’s assume it could happen. How did they know beforehand? And if the teachers were aware, wouldn’t the student council president have been informed? But evidently, they had not shared this knowledge with the teachers.

“Didn’t you?”

Bewildered by the student council president’s reaction, Erica was perplexed. She had thought the council president continuously and faithfully used their ‘ability’ for school duties.

It never occurred to Erica that the council president could be overusing their abilities for something else, like helping the boy to meet Erica again.

“…Yes, I didn’t know. It seems there is still more for us three to discuss.”

Humbly admitting her ignorance, the student council president fixed her gaze on the other two, seeking the unknown information.

—Though her body was strained from the overuse of abilities, she mustered everything to precisely uncover the impending event.

Thus, the wise one, a few days before the terror attack, delivered news of the impending terror at school to their once-loved partner and present romantic contract-bound lover.