How Did It Come to This?

I was sweating bullets, trying to figure out how things ended up like this.

Yesterday, I had calmed Orca down and planned to take it easy for a while...

Even though the prologue was over, the main story of the playable characters doesn’t start right away.

The prologue is just that—a prologue, meant to give a feel for the game.

So I thought I could relax and play some games.

But this morning, students started flocking to the counseling room.

It wouldn't have been an issue if it were just one or two. But they kept coming every time I tried to take a break.

The student in front of me was one of them.

"What should I do?"

"Well..."

A girl adorned with flashy decorations was looking at me with expectant eyes.

She seemed to think that a teacher would have the answers to everything.

Honestly, I had no idea what to tell her.

I had never been in a relationship, so I didn't know how to help.

But if I said that, she’d be disappointed.

"I got mad seeing him with another girl... Am I being too possessive?"

"..."

I wish she wouldn't ask me things like this...

I held back the urge to tell her she came to the wrong person.

I reminded myself again that I am a counselor. I am a counselor...

I must not waver in these situations...

Okay, I’ve calmed down.

"Does that boy have someone he likes?"

"No, I don’t think so."

"And he doesn’t know you like him?"

"...No."

"Then it’s simple."

I decided to just say whatever came to mind.

Whether it helps or not, who cares.

It's their fault for asking someone like me, who’s never been in a relationship, for advice.

If she comes crying later about how it didn't work out, I can always use hypnosis to make it work out.

"Do the opposite of what you’ve been doing."

"...The opposite?"

"Yes. You’re embarrassed to show your feelings, right?"

The girl’s face was still slightly red as she nodded.

She probably had to muster a lot of courage to come to me.

Personally, I think it’s better to be honest about your feelings if you like someone...

But everyone is different.

This girl seemed unable to express her love.

"Boys are simple. They get excited just from knowing someone likes them."

"...Really?"

"Of course. If a cute girl like you confesses, he’ll be happy."

"..."

The girl closed her eyes, thinking for a moment, then shook her head.

"I... I can't do it."

"Can't do it?"

"Confess? No way... I’m a noble, how could I confess to a mere commoner..."

She came to me, desperate because she liked him so much, yet she recoiled at the word “confess.”

I got the gist.

She was scared of being rejected.

...But love needs to be fought for.

Especially if there’s competition.

"Look into my eyes."

"Huh? Your eyes..."

"I’ll cast a spell on you. If you really want to confess but can’t muster the courage, look at this."

"...?"

I picked up a small doll hanging in the corner of the counseling room and handed it to her.

As she fell into a trance, I smiled and spoke to her.

"Look at this doll and think about your love. It will give you courage."

"Is that enough...?"

"Yes. It’ll be fine. ...Now, go. Seize your love!"

This should be fine.

After she left, bowing her head in thanks, I let out a deep sigh.

"Sighhhhh..."

I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes.

I felt like I could sleep right away from the accumulated fatigue.

"You look tired, teacher."

"Ah, Orca... When did you wake up?"

"A while ago."

I thought I had kept my voice down because Orca was sleeping.

But it seems it was still too noisy.

"...Do this many people usually come?"

"Of course not... It used to be very quiet..."

I missed the days when I had so few visitors that I could enjoy playing games.

Back when I had so much free time that I was just playing games, though I felt a bit guilty, it was still fun.

Ah, those days...

"Then why are so many people here now? You said it was quiet."

"...You’re the one to talk."

"Huh? Me?"

Yes, you.

Because of your commotion, I’ve become too famous.

I wanted to say that but decided against it.

Saying the wrong thing might hurt Orca’s feelings.

Orca is sensitive and gets hurt easily by small things.

"...Never mind."

"That’s boring."

As I mentioned before, Orca is quite infamous in a bad way.

So people ran away from her threats.

That’s why Leo didn’t check the details and warned her, leading to the fight.

As expected.

It was exactly like the prologue.

What I didn’t expect was the outcome. Orca won instead of Leo.

This is technically impossible in the game. Orca cannot win against Leo at this point.

Even if she is a playable character.

The prologue progresses from Leo’s perspective.

It’s like a defeat event.

Of course, the demon inside Orca would rampage, and although they manage to subdue it, the situation worsens...

Then the main story would progress...

The problem is, this is reality, and because of my interference, Orca beat Leo.

"Why are you staying in the counseling room today?"

"No classes today."

"I see. I was just about to have lunch. Would you like to join me? My treat."

"Sure. Anything with seafood is fine."

"You really like seafood... Well, I don’t mind either."

The students, who should have run for their lives if a demon appeared, must have found the situation not as bad and stayed to watch the fight.

I did wonder why they were watching such a dangerous scene, but well.

They say the most entertaining things are fire and fights.

...Anyway. The students who watched the fight must have seen me scolding her.

So the counseling room’s reputation skyrocketed.

Rumors about Orca attending classes properly recently might also be due to me.

I wanted to be known as a competent counselor, but this is a bit too much.

While pondering lunch menus, I heard a knock at the door.

Again?

Can’t I eat first?

I feel sorry for the student coming to the counseling room, but I was exhausted.

I had never experienced listening to and solving other people's problems before.

It’s much harder than I thought.

So, the counseling room is closed for the morning.

No more.

"I’m sorry, but we’re about to go for lunch. If you have something to discuss, could it be another time?"

"Oh, I see. I’m sorry for the intrusion..."

"...Leo?"

"Hello, Teacher Ophelia."

Just as I was about to tell the unknown visitor to come back later, I saw a familiar face and was taken aback.

What is he doing here?

"I wanted to see you, but it seems you’re busy. I’ll come back another time..."

"No, it’s fine. Have you had lunch?"

"No, not yet."

"Perfect. Would you like to join us for lunch? We can talk there."

"No, it’s not urgent."

"Is that so..."

Darn.

I was looking forward to eating with Leo.

He has a setting of being a small but big eater, often depicted eating a lot.

I wanted to see that, but he politely declined.

What a shame.

As I felt a pang of disappointment, Orca peeked over my shoulder.

"Who is it? Hurry up, let’s go eat... Oh, it's you."

"...Orca."

"Are you here to fight again, kid? Didn’t I tell you I’d really punish you next time?"

Orca started to speak harshly as usual, then changed her tone after glancing at my face.

So cute.

But Leo didn’t react to her threat, just staring at her and then asking me.

"Teacher Ophelia, are you having lunch with her?"

"...Yes, that’s the plan."

"Then, may I join you for lunch?"

What’s gotten into him?

I nodded, feeling puzzled.

...Orca looked a bit unhappy.

Sorry, Orca. But I wanted to have lunch with Leo at least once.