Chapter 3 - They say no tree can withstand ten strokes of the axe, don't they?

A solemn mood settled over the students gathered at the old school building. Esther felt their gazes pierce her like arrows, volleys of pity flying her way. The other students had witnessed the collapse of the girl they called the academy's Goddess.

'I... was rejected?'

Esther repeated the thought blankly. No matter how many times she went over it, she couldn't comprehend her situation.

["I find you disgusting."]

This was more than a simple rejection. She had told him she was romantically interested in him, and he had answered with disgust. It was an awful exchange. The figures didn't add up.

'... This wasn't how it was supposed to go.'

It was her first confession. Before this, she had never even been attracted to a boy. All she had to do was stand there, and boys would trail after her, declaring their feelings uninvited. Yet when she opened her heart to the first boy she had ever liked...

["You would be wise to stay out of my sight from now on."]

Laward had been nothing but cold. He had recoiled in disgust and showered her with cutting words. His cruelty was like telling her to let them stab her to death right there.

'That can't be right. Something must have happened to Laward today. That's why... he acted like that.'

Esther shook her head. There was no way she wasn't attractive enough. No way she could fail to win a boy over. She denied reality.

'L-let's talk to him again tomorrow... Something must have put him in a bad mood today...'

And so, the next day, Esther slowly approached Laward as he reviewed swordsmanship theory in the classroom. He sat at the very back. Even during the noisy break, he was absorbed in studying alone, and he looked just as wonderful today. Once again, she found herself drawn to his tireless effort and focus on a clear goal.

"Laward, I'm sorry I sprang that on you yesterday. If you have time, perhaps we could talk again today..."

Laward abruptly rose from his seat, textbook in hand.

"Excuse me? I was talking to you..."

Esther called after him, but Laward left the classroom with a scowl. He ignored her completely.

"... Huh?"

Once again, she froze on the spot. And once again, of course, the other students were watching.

'I... won't give up.'

Her second rejection. She had reached the point where sheer stubbornness overcame her shame.

Some time later, Esther finally decided to resort to seduction. Confident in her figure as well as her face, she considered it her surefire strategy. Her last resort. Her trump card. In short, her ultimate move.

She discreetly loosened the front of her uniform to accentuate her curves. Normally, she kept every button fastened and even her tie pulled snug, but today she undid two whole buttons. Some might say it was only two, but for someone as well-behaved as her, this was such a tremendous transgression that it repudiated her entire life up to that point.

Even knowing it violated school rules, Esther had reached the point where nothing else mattered. Forbidden techniques were all the more powerful, after all.

"Ah, it's so hot... It's terribly hot today... Don't you think?"

She fanned her chest with one hand and stole a sideways glance at Laward. He looked at her, then grimaced and muttered,

"... A lowly lump of flesh."

"W-what?"

Even after that, she refused to give up. She kept trying to show Laward her charms. Her methods even grew more blatant, but the results were disastrous.

Meanwhile, there were boys at the academy who called themselves Esther's fans. They followed her around, secretly watching her from behind. That much hadn't changed since before her confession, but...

"Now then, Esther... What sort of defeat will you show us today?"

At some point, they had begun to feel an inexplicable thrill at the sight of Esther being ignominiously rejected. They had awakened to a taste from which there was no turning back.

"Shh, be quiet. It's starting. Confession number ten."

"What's today's theme?"

Today's confession theme was the domestic woman. That morning, Esther sought out Laward as he practiced his swordsmanship at the training grounds. He wouldn't be able to ignore her today. She had actually prepared a packed lunch herself. Hugging the cloth-wrapped lunch close, she approached him from behind.

Even to her, the packed-lunch idea seemed perfect. Men were invariably weak to women with domestic skills. By personally preparing a healthy meal for him, who worked so hard every day, she could present herself as someone who would make sure he ate properly.

'Hehe...'

Above all, this strategy would drive home the impression that Esther, so cold toward other boys, considered Laward alone special. Since packed lunches took considerable work, it also implied she had risen early and lovingly prepared it with only him on her mind. The packed lunch was an unbeatable strategy, the key to victory.

With a decisive gesture, Esther confidently held out the lunch.

"Laward, you're working hard so early in the morning."

Laward turned toward her with an annoyed look, but that wasn't enough to discourage her. She had already been rejected nine times. A contemptuous gaze had become as routine as a morning greeting.

"If you're exercising all morning, you need a substantial lunch. This... I had a little left over while making mine this morning... so I b-brought it."

She had intended to admit honestly that she had gone to the trouble for him, but she was too embarrassed to get those words out.

"I'm quite confident in my cooking, you know. I even prepared five side dishes, all healthy. You won't be disapp—"

Ignoring Esther, Laward rummaged through his bag. He pulled out a roughly shaped rice ball and chewed into it like an animal.

"I can take care of myself."

Laward spurned the five-side-dish lunch Esther had poured her heart into and stuffed his mouth with a rice ball that barely deserved to be called food.

"I believe I told you to stay out of my sight."

... Esther turned away, swallowing her tears.

"That's our Esther. Rejected again today."

"Ahh... I'm burning up... That tearful face gets me so hot..."

The self-proclaimed Esther Fan Club had become a gathering of perverts who observed the proud Esther getting summarily rejected by Laward.

003

I set off for the academy. It was a long way from my home, the estate of Count Hasgard, but the time had come to meet the heroines. I figured that training to become a paladin had distanced Laward from them, but I couldn't rest easy until I saw it for myself.

Ending number thirty: Paradise. The route where Laward won over all five heroines. I'd already experienced that worst possible conclusion. I couldn't let my guard down. While I was stuck among men preserving their chastity in hopes of reaching paradise after death, that bastard had tasted true paradise.

The game my junior made had thirty-one endings in total. Thirty-one varieties, like some ice cream chain. Each of the five heroines had five endings. Five times five made twenty-five. Then there were a whopping five harem routes, bringing the total to thirty. Add one hidden ending, and there you had it: thirty-one.

Laward would meet the female characters in sequence. Not just any women, either, but women who would become attracted to him. Since this world was a dating sim featuring beautiful girls, the heroines falling for the protagonist was a given. Each fell in love in her own way, for her own reasons. The story followed the developers' intentions. Through its crafted narrative and illustrations poured full of soul, it asked the player:

Look, here are five whole heroines, each with her own charms.

They all like you.

What do you think? Aren't they cute? Aren't they pretty?

Now, who will you pursue?

Oh, right.

You can choose to pursue all of them, too.

Something like that.

Besides, Esther's confession event should have happened around now. Esther, the first heroine. As the first, she was designed to catch the player's eye and get them interested in the story. In other words, she was a character the developers had put extra effort into. They had given her beauty beyond any words' ability to describe, all to steal the player's heart.

Brilliantly shining eyes. Silver hair that lent her a mysterious, fantastical air. A figure worthy of a sculptor's masterpiece. The archetype of a tsundere classmate who always spoke politely.

Could our protagonist, a womanizer who had managed the harem route in a single attempt, really have resisted someone like Esther? Judging by his letters, he seemed interested in nothing but the Goddess, but who knew what was going on inside his head? I'd go myself. I needed to see with my own eyes.

I was an extra, and I wasn't in a position to become an academy student or teacher. Still, there was a way to keep a close eye on the heroines and intervene: scholarships. In other words, I would become their sponsor.

"You'd like to offer scholarships to our students?"

The question came from an academy teacher.

She was that academy teacher—the only character I had liked when playing the game. Unlike the heroines, whose ages were concealed as "XX years old," this female teacher was explicitly in her thirties. What luck. Today, at least, I almost wanted to acknowledge the Goddess's existence.

Long, straight red hair. A mature air those girls could never achieve. Though her unlined skin made her look young at first glance, her very presence was different. I could proudly say I had a radar for the aura unique to older women.

Had I mentioned that succubi took the form of their prey's ideal woman?

... She looked exactly like that succubus.

More accurately, the succubus had taken this academy teacher's form, but remembering the sultry atmosphere that day left me a little hot.

It wouldn't have felt strange if Chris appeared and cut her head off at any moment. I wouldn't have minded being enchanted before that happened. I'd better finish the business at hand and start making a move. First, I'd ask her name. The game hadn't even given her one.

Avoiding the apocalypse and saving my family from destruction were important, but I deserved happiness in this life. As a paladin, I'd lived as though I didn't have a dick, even though it was still attached. This time, for sure.

"Yes, House Hasgard would like to sponsor five students."

I calmly invoked my family's name. Father had already approved the financial side, and I had saved more than enough to cover five students. As head of House Hasgard, Father had always said that giving was the noblest thing a noble could do. He had also been happier than anyone when I said I would sponsor students.

"I see. Then... shall we select them based on their grades?"

The academy teacher tucked her long hair behind her ear as she asked.

Never mind her question—that tiny gesture sent a fragrance wafting toward me, a mixture of spring flowers, grass, and fresh soap. Damn it. Calm down. Stop letting every little gesture toy with all five of your senses. Sure, I'd lived as a chaste paladin, but what was I, a middle schooler?

"No," I said firmly, pulling myself together.

"Actually, I've done a little research on the students. The ones I'd like to sponsor are Esther..."

And the rest of the heroines.

"Lucia, Amelia, Veronica, and Rebecca. Those five."

"They're all... female students?"

Huh? The look she gave me changed abruptly. Did she think I was some typical wastrel from a count's family? Some scumbag using his status and wealth to get his hands on beautiful girls? This was a problem.

Whatever I might look like, I'd been a paladin. A noble, chaste paladin. My comrades respected me, and my superiors recognized my worth.

["Haah... I'm not your backpack, Commander. Please, get a grip. Don't you feel sorry for the person who gave you that fine sword? How many times have you left it behind now...? O God, please watch over our commander..."]

["Daywin, if you wanted more food, why didn't you simply ask...? Thanks to you using my name to get a second bowl at the mess hall, I've had no dinner tonight. Daywin, how about showing a little respect for your bishop?"]

... Some trivial disagreements I'd forgotten suddenly came back to me.

Sorry, Chris.

My apologies, Bishop.

"As you say, they're all female students... Is there a problem?"

"Hmm... I suppose it's a matter of fairness. The students you mentioned all..."

She emphasized the word "all."

"Have poor grades."

That was right. The heroines' grades were abysmal. It was the sort of story where the top student in school met the student at the very bottom. Laward had ranked first from the moment he enrolled, while the heroines competed for places at rock bottom.

But they all possessed tremendous potential. It simply wouldn't show until the player discovered it. Finding and drawing out that potential to win the heroines' affection was the game's main narrative and objective.

"So, if I may cautiously make a recommendation, what about Laward from the swordsmanship department, who placed first in this year's entrance examination? Given his family circumstances, Laward needs a scholarship, and his top ranking provides ample justification."

She cleared her throat and continued. For some reason, I thought I could hear the succubus's sultry voice overlapping hers.

"Even so, you're saying you insist on sponsoring only female students with low grades?"

"... That's correct."

Faced with a question that felt like a finishing blow, I could only agree.

"Ah... I see..."

The academy teacher nodded awkwardly. The look I caught in her eyes had grown even harsher.

Ahh. That was definitely the look you gave a wastrel. She absolutely thought I was scum.

Beautiful Teacher–Daywin Ending: Locked.

Route unavailable.

There was... no save point to return to.

There was no helping it. At this rate, not only would I fail to dispel her suspicions, I wouldn't even be able to get close to the heroines. In the end...

"I'm the one who recommended Laward to the academy."

I told her the truth.

"Oh... Really?"

Her eyes widened. Then she asked me to wait a moment and rummaged through various documents.

"You are!"

Her expression changed as she waved a sheet of paper. Her attitude was noticeably different.

Well, of course it was. Someone who announced out of nowhere that he wanted to sponsor only five girls with the lowest grades was bound to look different from someone who had discovered a genius in the slums and secured his admission to the academy through a recommendation.

"In that case... that changes things. You clearly have a discerning eye."

She glanced at me, then slammed her stamp onto the sponsorship certificate.

"I'll deliver this to the chairman right away."

"Would it be possible to meet them?"

"The chairman?"

"No, the students."

Why would I want to meet that old guy?

"I'd like to tell them about the scholarships myself."

"Oh, yes. Knowing where the money comes from should motivate them, too. Though Amelia probably won't be particularly happy about a scholarship. She might even take offense. It's a little..."

She discreetly extended her index finger and pointed upward.

"She's our student now, but she is originally someone of very high standing."

"Understood. I'll start with the first-years and work my way up."

"Yes, if we're starting with first-years, Esther would be first. Esther is..."

She broke off, her expression changing. Worry colored her face.

"... Of all people, Esther has to be first."

Of all people? Didn't Esther have an excellent reputation among teachers as well as students? Her grades were a little disappointing, but she was well-behaved and sharp. That was certainly how I remembered her character being written, yet the teacher looked distinctly uncomfortable.

"Is there some problem with her?"

"Oh, no."

She hummed and hesitated for a moment.

"... You'll understand when you meet her."

Unease accompanied me down the corridor on my way to meet Esther. The sudden flood of worry meant I never did ask the teacher's name.

"A pleasure to meet you, Esther. I've come to inform you that you've been selected for a scholarship."

"Yes..."

Seated on the sofa, Esther stared blankly at the ceiling.

"I've been... selected for a scholarship...?"

Her voice sounded utterly drained of life.

"Why me? I'm nothing but a lowly lump of flesh..."

Huh? Something felt wrong. This wasn't the Esther I knew. Esther had always been brimming with confidence. Sometimes excessively so, but it was grounded in ability, making it hard to dislike her.

Esther merely stared fixedly at the pattern on the ceiling with empty eyes. Where had the tsundere gone?

"What do you mean, why? Your grades may be a little..."

Hmm. Being too honest would probably hurt her feelings.

"A little disappoin...ting, but I hear the teachers think highly of you, and you're tremendously popular with the students. You even have quite a grand nickname. The academy's Goddess, was it?"

"E-eek!"

She gave a violent start.

"What's wrong?"

Was I remembering her character wrong?

"N-nothing... It's just... all of a sudden..."

"Still, how childish of the students. Calling you the Goddess."

"E-aah!"

Every time I called her the Goddess, Esther overreacted. She practically jumped out of her seat, as though I'd pressed a button.

What was wrong with this girl...?