How to get on the protagonist’s flower path

I clutched my head, thinking about the completely changed attitude of the scammer.

I’d rather be able to curse comfortably like before! This is uncomfortable!

And about the Park Yul-a case, Lee Ha-na took care of that, so stop subtly prodding me. It’s driving me crazy with annoying comments like, “Didn’t you get sleepy while helping with the experiment?” or “If anything seems odd, just let me know.” I knew something was going to happen, yet I was told to ignore it.

Anyway, at least the good news is that thanks to the scammer’s strange state, if I can endure the stress well, I think I can continue to earn many points.

I plan to buy that ‘Elixir’ item I saw in the meta point shop.

…Because among the kids at our orphanage, there’s one who desperately needs treatment due to a congenital ability issue.

That child has not even been able to be diagnosed with a status ailment, so the items to remove such ailments don’t work on him, and he has had to endure suffering all this time.

However, if it’s the legendary recovery item, Elixir, then maybe I can heal that child.

The problem is that if this situation continues, my plan to naturally fade out in the middle of the story will be shattered.

It’s also difficult to intervene artificially. I can’t just throw one of my club members as a substitute for me to the scammer, right? I have a conscience too.

I have no choice but to take care of him myself…

For now, I’ll maintain the current situation while earning enough points and wait for one of the numerous heroines to naturally fall for the scammer.

Then, I’ll help her with her love while sadly giving up on my own unrequited love—this is the narrative I’ll draw out.

Okay. This should be enough.

…Right?

Feeling a sense of unease creeping in, I tried to reassure myself.

Oh, and after the midterm exam ambush event was resolved, I heard it caused quite a stir once the news spread.

An emergent gate at the academy, which is supposed to be a safe zone—does that even make sense?

It must have been shocking enough for people.

Apparently, the housing prices around the academy plummeted. There’s a growing opinion that the academy needs to be relocated to a safer place.

And the academy hasn’t been able to manage this public opinion yet. It seems distant to restore the shattered trust.

They probably carried out the surprise ambush to create this kind of confusion.

Another thing that’s bothering me is that cloaked figure.

That person clearly wasn’t a character who appeared in the original novel.

A sudden appearance, mentioning the terms ‘player’ and ‘second playthrough,’ and showing an unusually high animosity towards the scammer while trying to eliminate him without hesitation.

…And at this point, he’s already someone who knows about the scammer’s existence?

Does he know something?

If we consider it as a playthrough, then the scammer might actually be in the second playthrough.

As I pondered this, I thought about what’s often referred to as meta development. You know, characters in games who remember previous playthroughs.

If that’s the case, then that guy is likely to be a serious variable. Seeing as he appears to belong to the group that caused the midterm exam ambush…

No, thinking about this won’t lead to any immediate solutions. Let’s move on for now.

I tossed aside my complicated thoughts and proudly stroked the bankbook with 800 million written on it that I earned from dealing with the monsters in the gym.

Half of it was donated to our orphanage. With this, it should become more prosperous. They’ll be happier.

***

A few days later, the results of the midterm exams came out.

Students were rearranged into new classes based on their exam results.

Nayuri, whose sparkle had started to fade since being put into a different team, staggered over to us.

Due to her mother’s orders, Nayuri had to keep hanging out with that group even after the midterms.

So, she had less time with us. It had been a while.

I silently patted Nayuri’s back as she hugged me tightly. You’ve worked hard.

Nayuri held onto my hand tightly, as if she wouldn’t let go.

Since the scammer kept staring at our joined hands, I thought I’d give him a service by holding his hand too.

As the three of us walked like that, Choi Soo-jung grabbed Nayuri’s other hand, and Lee Ha-na silently took hold of Soo-jung’s other hand.

Finally, the last member, Dum-dum, quietly raised a question mark before holding Lee Ha-na’s hand as well.

Was it really necessary to do this?

So, we walked hand in hand toward the bulletin board displaying our class assignments.

The sight of us holding hands caught people’s attention, and it was like the Red Sea parted as the crowd made way. How embarrassing, guys.

I couldn’t hide my blushing face and quickened my steps toward the bulletin board.

All our club members were in Class A.

Given our party’s performance in the gym, that was probably reflected in the decision.

Both Nayuri and the scammer looked noticeably brighter upon seeing the results. They really do resemble each other… they’re definitely (biological) siblings.

After checking our class, we headed toward our classroom while still holding hands. No, can you let go of my hand already?

As soon as we arrived in class, I felt a gaze piercing through me.

Turning to look, I saw a girl with pink roll hair glaring at me.

Ah, she’s the scout from the team that took Nayuri away.

She was particularly glaring at the hand I was holding with Nayuri.

…What’s her problem?

Just as I wondered, the roll-haired girl approached and slapped Nayuri’s and my joined hands apart.

Our hands separated.

Why does Nayuri look so shocked? How long did she plan to hold on to my hand?

The angry roll-haired girl pointed at me.

“Someone like you hanging out with Yoori? I can never accept that!”

Hearing her hysterical outburst, the scammer murmured to himself.

“You’re consistent, Shin Baran…”

Only then did I remember who she was.

Shin Baran. One of the heroines.

In the original work, she was a wealthy girl who idolized Nayuri and would often get jealous and fight with the scammer, who kept catching Nayuri’s attention.

Eventually, she would be overwhelmed by the scammer’s persuasive talk and slowly fall for him.

She wasn’t very popular. Everyone said she was arrogant and wished she would just disappear. That level of annoyance could be seen as cute in a teenager’s fiery spirit.

Because of that public opinion, she had gradually faded into the background, so I didn’t remember her well.

Now that I think about it…

“Oh! You were the one who came to our club interview?”

Isn’t this the same girl?

“No, that’s not true! I’m in the reading debate club!”

But the roll-haired girl denied it while her face turned red. So honest.

Since Nayuri joined our club, maybe she wanted to follow suit.

“Anyway! Stay away from Yoori!”

But why is she doing this to me instead of confronting the scammer?

…Actually, I have a good idea of why. She said it herself.

“I won’t back down. Even if you don’t accept it, I’m Yoori’s friend.”

“Ugh…! So annoying!”

I guess she’s just jealous.

Nayuri finds Shin Baran’s adoration burdensome and wants to distance herself.

But Shin Baran, enamored with Nayuri, wants to befriend her even using her family’s influence.

If only Shin Baran’s adoration had been at a healthy level, they could have become good friends…

I glanced at Nayuri. The vitality in her eyes, which had recovered while holding my hand, dimmed again. This won’t do…

Shin Baran’s unrequited love is pitiful.

Did that emotion somehow show on my face?

“I-I won’t accept this-!”

Shin Baran burst out of the classroom door dramatically and ran away. The sound of her running was rather energetic. So lively.

Despite her slight obsession with Nayuri, she’s basically a diligent girl, so she should come back before class starts.

Still holding my hand, the scammer followed me to the back seat. He followed like a chick.

Yet for some reason, even after we sat down together, he was still holding onto my hand tightly. What’s wrong with you these days?

I felt a headache coming on and used my free hand to press my head. Lee Ha-na, with a worried expression, silently handed me some painkillers. Thank you. I’ll gladly accept them.

After a rough morning commute, it was time for the morning assembly.

By the way, Shin Baran strolled in just before the assembly started and took her seat, still glaring at me. She’s really energetic.

Finally, during the assembly, I carefully held onto the hand the scammer had finally let go of and started a conversation with him.

And at that moment,

Bang—!

The classroom door swung open violently, and a small figure entered with a confident stride.

“Aren’t you all doing well, little ones?”