Before The Decisive Battle

I stood before the gates of the duke’s household where Josette lived. The sun had already set, and it was dark outside.

“Um, I’d like to request an audience with Lady Josette, please…”

I spoke politely to the guard at the gate.

“Oh, Kent-dono. You must be tired after last night. You have business with Lady Josette? Understood—please wait a moment.”

Because the same guards who had been present when we captured the arsonist were on duty, unlike last time, my request went through smoothly.

“Thank you for waiting. This way, please.”

Guided by a maid, I was led to a separate building where Josette was staying.

“Sorry to come by so late.”

“It’s quite all right. Judging by your timing, you’ve obtained some important information, haven’t you?”

“You’re sharp as ever.”

It seemed Josette had already guessed why I had come at this hour.

I explained to her what I had uncovered from today’s analysis.

“This is very valuable information. And about Baron Frederick you mentioned earlier—he is Caro-san’s father.”

“What? Caro’s father?”

I remembered the first time I had spoken with Caro. I had seen her several times as part of the villainess’s entourage, but the first time we actually talked was when I helped her after she collapsed by the roadside. That connection had led us to where we were now.

“Wasn’t her parent arrested for corruption and had their assets confiscated?”

“That’s correct. Although the evidence is in place, there are many suspicious points, so no verdict has been reached yet. If this becomes public, Caro-san can return to her former life.”

I knew that would be best for her, but hearing it left a hollow feeling in my chest.

“Then I must report this to my father. Kent-san, please come with me.”

Led by Josette, I was taken to the room where the duke was.

“Ah, Kent-dono. I’m glad you came.”

“Sorry to trouble you so late.”

“Nonsense. I hear things have taken an interesting turn.”

Josette’s father greeted us with a genial smile.

“Thank you for allowing us to use your name during the investigation. Thanks to that, we obtained decisive information.”

“I see, I see. If my name proved useful, that’s good to hear.”

After exchanging greetings, Josette, the duke, and I explained the current situation and discussed our next steps.

“Thank you for your help. We’ll be counting on you.”

“Leave it to me.”

Once the meeting ended, I moved back to Josette’s separate residence.

“Kent-san, it seems things will finally be settled tomorrow.”

“Yes. I just hope everything goes smoothly.”

“It will be fine. I feel like you can do this.”

Suddenly, Josette’s face reddened, and she fidgeted.

“Um, Kent-san… it’s gotten late. Would you like to stay the night?”

“I didn’t tell anyone at home I’d be staying out. I’m sorry.”

“I see… that’s unfortunate.”

She looked disappointed.

“Then… would you mind staying just a little longer?”

Before I could answer, Josette leaned in and kissed me lightly, then held onto me.

“I’ve been holding back lately, out of consideration for Caro-san. But today, I couldn’t stop myself.”

We stayed like that for a while, quietly. I enjoyed the sweet scent drifting from her. Before long, we parted, and I decided to head home.

“Please be careful on your way back, Kent-san.”

“Yes. I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”

With that, I left the duke’s household.

“Kent-san, welcome home.”

“I’m back, Marie-san.”

When I returned, Marie—already home after closing the shop and wearing a brown tracksuit—greeted me.

“Sniff, sniff… Oh? You smell like another woman.”

She stepped closer and sniffed at me.

“Uh…”

“I’m joking.”

“Huh?”

“But judging by your reaction, you really did meet someone. That’s cruel, when you have me.”

She puffed out her cheeks.

“I just went to report to Josette-san because there was movement on Etsigoya’s side.”

“Caro-chan, could you come here for a moment?”

“Yes? What is it?”

Caro, wearing a red tracksuit, peeked out.

“Could you smell Kent-san for me?”

“Sure… if that’s okay. Kent-san, excuse me for a moment.”

“Sniff, sniff… Ah, that’s Lady Josette’s scent. You went to the duke’s household, didn’t you?”

I was amazed she got it right just from the scent.

“Amazing, right? I was surprised too when I learned about this talent.”

“How did you find out?”

“Well, that’s…”

Marie hesitated, and I decided it was better not to ask further.

Marie, Caro, Catherine, and Rachel had already eaten dinner and taken baths. I quickly did the same, then gave my report.

“So Father was innocent after all. I never believed he would commit such corruption, but to think it was Baron Kroise’s trap…”

“Kent-san, may I ask you something?”

Marie, curious about what Caro had said earlier, asked me.

“You called Baron Frederick your father—does that mean Caro-chan is actually a noble lady?”

“Technically, yes. Formerly.”

“But if his innocence is proven, won’t she return to her former status?”

“Marie-san, even if that happens, I want you to treat me the same as always. Things are most comfortable that way.”

“If that’s what you want, Caro-chan, I understand.”

Marie nodded, satisfied.

“Yeah. I used to think of her as a typical noble, but once we became friends, I was surprised at how nice she really is,”

Rachel said, recalling Caro’s days as an attendant.

After that, we all went to bed. That night, it was my turn to share a room with Caro.

“Kent-san, thank you for everything.”

We lay facing each other.

“When your father returns, will you leave this house?”

“Probably. Thinking that we won’t be able to spend time like this for a while makes me feel lonely.”

She hugged me tightly, and we stayed close, sharing warmth and comfort.

“Kent-san, please wake up. It’s morning.”

“Good morning, Caro-san.”

“Good morning—mwah.”

She gave me a light morning kiss. We both climbed out of bed and gathered the clothes we had set aside the night before. After getting ready, I went to retrieve the IC recorder just in case, while Caro, Marie, and Catherine headed out to prepare the shop. When I returned and analyzed the audio, there was nothing noteworthy—unsurprising, since we already had what we needed.

School began, and after the morning classes, lunchtime arrived. As usual, Josette, Caro, Rachel, and I gathered behind the school building. Yesterday I had cut corners due to exhaustion, but today, to prepare for what lay ahead, I made an extra-luxurious lunch box.

“Big brother, there’s cutlet today.”

“Yeah. I figured we could use a bit of good-luck symbolism. It’s frozen, though.”

As Rachel ate the nicely fried cutlet, she spoke cheerfully.

“Cutlet for ‘victory,’ I see… how clever,”

Josette said thoughtfully.

“That kind of thing is interesting. Are there others like it?”

Caro asked.

“Let’s see… rice balls to tie bonds together, lotus root for clear prospects, sea bream for celebrations… I can’t say brand names, but there are lots of lucky snacks too.”

“If you can name that many so quickly, there must be more,”

Caro said with interest.

With some time before afternoon classes, Rachel suggested we try some of the lucky snacks we’d talked about.

“It’s been so long since I had snack food—this is amazing!”

Rachel said, energized.

“These are different from the sweets I know, but they’re delicious in their own way,”

Josette said.

“This chocolate one has a bit of bitterness, but it’s sweet and tasty,”

Caro added.

After enjoying the snacks, we returned to our classrooms for afternoon lessons.

After school, as I was getting ready to leave, the girl from the seat next to mine spoke to me.

“Kent-kun, are you heading home now?”

“Yeah, I was just about to.”

“Our routes are the same for a bit. Want to walk together?”

(Whoa, the after-school event! It’s tempting, but considering what’s coming, I really don’t have a choice.)

“Sorry. I’ve got something to take care of today, so I need to hurry home. Ask me again another time.”

“Oh, that’s too bad. Maybe next time.”

She left the classroom looking disappointed.

“So that’s the girl Josette-san mentioned. Just based on looks, she’s pretty average—about on my level,”

Rachel said.

“Kent-san, you’re quite popular. Rachel-san may look plain, but her personality is very distinctive,”

Caro added.

Rachel and Caro had come to my classroom. As the game’s protagonist, Rachel had an intentionally average appearance to make it easier for players to relate to her, while the other main girls had exaggerated traits. The girl from the next seat had a similarly unremarkable look.

“Oh, everyone’s here,”

Josette said as she arrived.

The three of us looked her over, as if appraising.

“What is it? Why are you all staring at me? It’s embarrassing,”

she said, blushing.

“She’s on another level.”

“There’s nothing to criticize.”

“I’m jealous of Lady Josette,”

they said one after another.

With her silky silver hair, balanced figure, and beautiful face, she truly stood out—even among the game’s characters.

“Oh, honestly. If we’re all here, let’s go already.”

Her ears red, Josette hurried out of the classroom. Caro, Rachel, and I rushed after her.