The Defeated Heroine I Married Cannot Forget The Protagonist

✦  Chapter 6  ✦

「Translator - Creator」

᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃

Like any dating sim visual game, ‘Romance at the Academy’ revolves around the protagonist and heroines. What set it apart, however, was its almost complete disregard for side characters and extras.

Take Mate Daylight, for instance—one of the mid-bosses from the early episodes. In the original timeline, he was exactly that; an insignificant character who met an early and unceremonious exit.

But in the previous playthrough, I’d fought tooth and nail to integrate him into the protagonist’s party.

By betraying the villain and choosing redemption, he narrowly survived his intended removal from the story. His survival earned him enough goodwill to elevate himself to a supporting role, a remarkable feat for a character like him.

If I managed to achieve that, couldn’t I do the same for someone else?

"That’s weird… It worked just a moment ago."

"Stay at the church tonight—"

*Thwack—!*

Before I could even finish, a snowball flew from Yuri’s outstretched hand, slamming into my face.

"What the hell? Is that phrase some kind of trigger?"

"...I get it. You hate me. But I’m serious about this."

"And why would you say something like that when you know I hate you?"

"............."

I couldn’t exactly say, ‘Your house is going to catch fire tonight, and you’ll die if you go home.’ She wouldn’t believe me, and it’d only make me sound like a lunatic.

If I only knew the cause, I wouldn’t even need to convince her to stay.

Yuri's village only allowed residents or those with the chief's permission to enter. That was why, in the previous timeline, I’d been thrown out before I could uncover the fire’s origin. While it could’ve been an accident, I couldn’t ignore the possibility of foul play, especially given Yuri’s mother’s unstable mental state.

That was why I was so adamant about keeping Yuri and her mother confined to the church — at least until I could investigate her house and pinpoint the cause.

"...Alright, how about this? I’ll help you study magic. In exchange, just do what I say for tonight."

"And what makes you think you’re qualified to help me?"

Of course, she had no way of knowing.

There was no reason for her to suspect that I was second in the Lumeris Academy's Magic Department.

Magic wasn’t even my forte. I’d only joined the Magic Department because I wanted to avoid overlapping with Yuren, someone I couldn’t stand.

I'd obsessed over getting stronger, investing countless hours.

That's how I survived.

Teaching a beginner like Yuri, who was only just learning the basics, was something even I could handle.

"I'll help you learn intermediate magic."

"...You're lying."

"It’s not a lie. I’m serious. Don’t you want to get into a prestigious academy someday?"

An hour trapped in the confessional with Yuri.

As she occasionally glanced at me from the corner of her eye, I could feel it in my gut—she was finally starting to take me seriously.

'Finally, she's starting to see me.'

I'd found the key.

If I wanted to convince Yuri, this was the only way.

If I kept following this path, I could escape the maze.

Finally, I could end today's schedule.

"I'm not lying. With intermediate magic in your third year of middle school, you'll catch the teachers' attention."

"..........."

"And as everyone in the Church knows, I'm entering Lumeris Academy in a month. You must know what kind of place that is."

The empire's most prestigious certified academy.

Entering Lumeris Academy was every youth's dream.

And Yuri was no different.

Though poverty prevented her from studying properly, she was still human. Of course she dreamed of entering the most renowned academy.

"I have conditions."

Yuri put down her textbook, ready to talk.

"Go on."

"First, my mother's not involved. I don't know what you'll do."

"I refuse. Without your mother, there’s no point in me making this proposal to you."

Did I phrase that strangely? It might have sounded odd.

Contrary to my expectation that she’d start screaming her head off, Yuri was unexpectedly calm.

"...You like my mother that much?"

I take it back—calm isn’t the word. What the hell did I just hear?

"How is this any different from saying you want to seduce my mom? Is it because I’m too young or something?"

"Can’t you speak in a slightly lower volume? My head’s pounding."

"Whatever. My mom is off-limits. Even if you have to kill me, I’m not letting that happen."

So the negotiation’s dead in the water, huh.

Her resolve was more intense than I’d anticipated. She didn’t have to glare at me so viciously—I already knew she hated me.

*Sigh—*

Screw whether I come off as insane or not. There’s no convincing her.

Let Yuri live while letting her mother die? For someone like Yuri, who treasures her mom above all else, that would be hell itself.

"Your house will catch fire tonight."

"...What?"

I expected this. That she’d react like that.

Yuri froze in place, completely dumbfounded, like a statue carved out of disbelief.

A moment later—

"Heh."

— she let out a hollow laugh, the kind you give when someone just told the most ridiculous joke.

"You're insane."

".........."

"So you’re out of words now, resorting to curses like some petty lunatic?"

*Slam—!*

She slammed her book shut with such force that the sound echoed through the room. Her fury was palpable, sharper than I’d anticipated. Without another word, she stood up, marched to the door, and stormed out of the confessional.

If she didn't stop Yuri now and let her leave like this...`

Suffocating while burning to death was the most painful death a human can experience.

"Let go of me!"

Yuri flailed her arms violently, trying to break free, but there was no way she could overpower someone of similar age and greater strength.

"Help me! Somebody, please help!"

I glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.

8 P.M.

Winter belonged more to the moon than the sun.

The soft glow of starlight and moonlight mingled with the gentle illumination of the church, creating an almost serene atmosphere.

To an outsider, someone unaware of the circumstances, this scene would paint me as a monstrous villain.

A despicable man terrorizing a young girl.

The truth, however, was that I was doing this to save two lives.

Fortunately, aside from Yuri and me, the church was completely empty.

Just as I thought that maybe the heavens were finally on my side—

*BANG—, BANG—, BANG—!!*

The loud pounding from the church’s front doors shattered my focus. The force was so intense it felt as though the doors might splinter and collapse at any moment.

In my moment of startled hesitation, my grip slipped, and Yuri didn’t miss her chance.

'Why is she so fast!?'

She darted away, widening the distance between us with an alarming speed. I quickly assessed the situation—her head start, my slower reflexes. It was too late. Realizing I couldn’t catch her, I stopped running and let out a resigned sigh.

Why is it so damn hard to save one middle schooler?

"Please help me!!"

Reaching her destination at last, Yuri flung open the church’s grand doors and screamed for help.

"Sister Shirai?"

Two familiar figures stood revealed in the doorway, framed by the cold winter night.

Saintess Shirai and Ihwa Cloudraine.

Why they were here, of all places, I had no idea.

But one thing was certain — I had just gotten myself into a colossal mess.

"This crazy person grabbed my arm and wouldn't let me move!"

This was bad.

At that moment, no other decision in my life filled me with more regret than tearing apart the Regression Tome.

𓆩♱𓆪

Supported by Ihwa, Shirai stepped down from the carriage, her heart pounding as if it might burst from her chest.

"Haah... I clearly said 9 PM."

"Isn’t this better? It means we can return earlier."

"That’s not for you to decide, is it?"

The biting cold was sharp enough to turn every breath into a visible puff of breath.

Snow blanketed the streets, crunching beneath their feet.

The icy February wind continued its relentless assault, but it was no match for the two women.

Shirai, dressed in her ceremonial robes, wore a thick white sweater made of fine leather over the top. As for Ihwa, she seemed completely immune to the chill, her constitution naturally resistant to the cold. She wore only her uniform, with not a single additional layer. It was, of course, something only Ihwa could pull off.

Still, Shirai couldn’t help but sigh. Instead of refining her training back at the Order, she had dragged them both out into the freezing night on a whim.

"What was your reason for moving the inspection schedule up? Especially to visit the Daylight Church at such a late hour?"

"Well..."

The official reason she had given was a stroll to clear her head. That excuse wouldn’t last long. If Ihwa hadn’t already figured it out, it was only a matter of time.

The real reason? She had come here on impulse, driven by an uncontrollable desire to see one man. But in case things went sideways, she needed a plausible excuse.

"...Let's say I'm suspicious."

Are you implying the Daylight Church is a cult?"

"N-no, not that. I received a tip-off a while back. Let’s see... what was it again? Something about the church leader... having a habit of mistreating young girls? Someone read the report to me, but I can’t quite remember the details."

"If the report is true, then he’s beyond redemption—a piece of filth. I understand why you moved up the schedule."

"R-right? Exactly."

She'd made up something Mate would never do.

It was easier to prove someone’s innocence if the accusations were outright absurd.

"We’re at the gate. Shall I knock?"

"Please."

*BANG—, BANG—, BANG—!*

The force Ihwa put into knocking was significant, but the Church was massive—she needed to ensure the sound carried.

When there was no immediate response, Ihwa struck the door again with renewed vigor.

"We’re here for a scheduled inspection. Is anyone inside?"

"Ihwa, are the lights on?"

"Yes, there’s definitely someone here. At this hour, it could only be one person."

*BANG—, BANG—!!*

"Church Leader Mate! Are you there?!"

A sudden sense of unease crept over Ihwa, an echo of the morning when she had barely stopped Shirai from harming herself, prompting her to tell Shirai to step back.

"What are you trying to do?"

"I’m going to break the door down.”

Just as Ihwa took a step back, bracing herself to build enough momentum for a powerful charge—

"Please help me!!"

— the sudden cry pierced the air just as the heavy doors swung open, and a young girl, her blonde hair and red eyes striking against the dark, collided directly with Shirai.

Fortunately, neither of them fell, but the impact was enough to rattle them both.

Ihwa spoke calmly to avoid startling the girl.

"What's wrong?"

"This crazy person grabbed my arm and wouldn't let me move!"

Suddenly, Shirai’s earlier words echoed in Ihwa’s mind—

「I received a tip-off a while back. Something about the church leader... having a habit of mistreating young girls?」

*Grind—*

Gritting her teeth, Ihwa fixed her gaze on the well-built blonde man. Church Leader Mate Daylight, a decent-looking man set to enter Lumeris Academy. He matched his ID photo perfectly.

"Shirai?"

"Step back. I'll restrain this filthy ma—"

Shirai never missed it.

The direction of the voice that spoke her name.

*Tap—, Tap—, Tap—, Tap—*

Before anyone could react, Shirai sprinted toward Mate, her robes fluttering in the wind. She came to a halt right in front of him, throwing her arms wide as if to shield him.

The scene left everyone present in stunned silence. Even the young girl’s mouth hung open in disbelief.

Ihwa, however, didn’t waste time gawking. Her mind worked quickly, piecing the situation together. Given Shirai’s inexplicable actions, there was only one explanation that made sense — Mate possessed some kind of mind-control ability.

“You bastard! How dare you manipulate the Saint and use her as a hostage?!”

"Put down your sword."

She knew mind control abilities existed.

She'd met students with such powers at the academy.

That's why she knew better than anyone - those being controlled couldn't speak.

“Drop the weapon. Let it hit the floor so I can hear the sound.”

From suddenly moving up Daylight Church's inspection to now protecting this clear criminal.

"Can't you hear me?"

A single possibility struck Ihwa, making cold sweat run down her temples.

END of CHAPTER

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