Chapter 81: Otome Game’s Death Flag

Carna had mobilized all her knowledge from the past life to organize the school festival. In the otome game Blue Orchid, the theme for the school festival was Flower Garden. When she was playing the game, she saw the academy on the screen decorated with colorful flowers. But now, in front of her eyes, she saw the stars decoration shining brightly reflecting the light of the sun.

“I’ve made it…”

By the time the chime was rang to indicate the opening of the festival, most of the visitors were already waiting to enter the gate. Carna was overwhelmed with emotion when she saw the school buildings were bustling with activities.

She could see that the scene was different. She had managed to do the thing she wanted to. To her, it meant that the plot had changed – which proved that her destiny had changed too.

Carna was reincarnated as the villainess of an otome game. But Folia, the heroine of the game, had fell in love with a priest who was not a love interest’s character. Other than Carna, Razé was also a reincarnator who came from the same world with her.

She wondered whether the game plot would be broken since the characters in this world were different than the game casts. Perhaps, the plot had already been breached since before she entered the academy – or maybe even before she recalled her memories.

Otherwise, why would he still let me stay by his side?

Carna turned and looked at the person next to her.

“It’s beautiful,” Ruben said in a gentle voice.

Carna felt like crying for some reason, but she endured it and nodded. “… Yes.”

She thought it was her own convenient interpretation to assume that the scenario had changed a long time ago. By right, as the main hero, Ruben should be by the heroine’s side during such an important event like a school festival. But instead, he was standing next to the her, a character that was supposed to be the villainess. It made her wondered whether this was possible?

It feels like a dream…

Although she was his fiancée, she was not an ordinary lady. She was the designated villainess. According to the plot, their romantic feelings would be gone by this time, and she was even hated by the other love interests. Depending on the situation, she wouldn’t be able to live a decent school life. She was seriously worried about this before.

“Carna, today was made possible because of your hard work and your encouragement to the other members.”

Looking at Ruben’s sincere and unclouded eyes, Carna was unable to hold back her feeling any longer. A drop of tear fell from her eyes.

“I- I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cry.” She wiped the tears on her cheek hastily. She couldn’t stop the emotions and tears that welled up in her eyes.

“But I’m glad-” She wanted to explain her feeling, but her words were blocked when something warm enclosed her body.

“Yes. You’re such a great person.”

Carna looked up and saw Ruben’s face close to hers. Then she realized he had pulled her into his arms.

She was speechless. She didn’t know about this event. The Ruben inside the game was neither this gentle nor warm.

“I fell in love with you when I saw how diligent you are.”

She held her breathe, and she thought her heart had stopped beating too.

“Huh…?” Her tears stopped because she was so surprised.

What? What did he say just now? He fell in love with me?

Ruben gave a little chuckle when he saw her blank face. “I love you. From the bottom of my heart, I’m really glad that you’re my fiancée.”

Carna could feel her face turned red. “!?”

“Actually, I plan to confess during the after-event celebration. But you’re so beautiful, I couldn’t wait any longer.” Ruben smiled happily as he wiped her tears.

“Eh- Ah- Uh- …” Carna’s brain had reached its capacity because he was too close to her and also because of the unexpected love confession.

Looking at her panicking, Ruben slowly said, “The destiny of a story does not matter. Besides, the day you die will be the day I die.”

Carna realized this was neither a dream nor a lie. She knew he was serious and treating her sincerely. She gently stepped back from Ruben, clasped her quivering hands and exhaled slowly.

She wanted to give a proper answer to him. She looked him straight in the eye. “Ruben-sama, I’ve fallen for you since long time ago… Would it be okay for me to love you…?”

Finally, I’ve said it. Is it okay for a villainess like me to be so happy?

Strangely, she didn’t feel any guilt towards the heroine, Folia. What she felt was the anxiety that came from extreme happiness. She felt worried for being excessively happy. She knew her question sounded cunning but she couldn’t help it.

Right after she asked the question, Ruben smiled and immediately answered, “Of course!” He picked her up and spun around once. Her long skirt spread softly like a blooming flower. “Thank you. When shall we decide for a wedding dress?” Ruben yelped with delight and laughed innocently like a little child.

“Fufu.” Although she had a lot to say, she couldn’t help but laughed together with him.

* * *

Carna was reincarnated as the villainess of an otome game. But for some reason, her engagement didn’t get called off. The heroine didn’t choose the main hero. Instead, she chose someone that was not even one of the love interests. The plot for the romantic encounter events had collapsed.

Carna held Ruben’s hand while wondering what had happened to the death flag. She felt her heart was filled with deep emotion.

Ruben: “Where do you want to go next?”

They had played mini game, watched performance and had lunch together. They had finished walking around the school building, so now they needed to decide where to go next.

Carna: “Ah. That classroom looks very popular.”

Ruben: “3rd Year Class E: Masquerade… They provide costumes for the visitors.”

His words reminded her of the class program. It was not just simply wearing costumes. This masquerade party helped the visitors to hide their status. It left an impression on her when she received the proposal plan for approval.

Perhaps the 3rd Year students had noticed this matter after experiencing the tournaments in every summer and winter in the academy. However, they had a hard time preparing the costumes and had to make adjustment until the last minute.

“It looks like they’re having so much fun,” Carna said when she saw the atmosphere surrounding the classroom.

They got curious and decided to go closer. The students were lining up in a queue in front of the classroom. Everyone looked excited and the line was quite long. They listened to the conversation of a group of 3rd Year students who were chatting excitedly.

“Did you see Dreis just now?”

“I did. He looks like a different person with his hair done. I want to get my hair done too.”

“His face is so good-looking.”

“Yeah, that’s like cheating.”

“True. I heard he directly negotiated with Fervor’s parent about their engagement. He’s so cool.”

“It made me see him in a new light. Let’s bring some drink and gather at his room tonight.”

A few male students replied mischievously in a chorus, “Nice idea!”

Carna put a hand on her mouth and whispered to Ruben, “It seems that something happened.”

Ruben was observing in the other direction. He leaned closer to her and nodded. “Since we are already here, why don’t we go take a look?”

“Okay!” She was happy to go anywhere as long as he was with her. She lined up behind the group of male students. At that time, she heard one of them saying, “Woah～, breaking an engagement. Dreis is very daring～”

What?! Carna knew it had nothing to do with her but she could barely stand when she heard those words.

No. It’s not about me… It’s none of my business. I’m not going to be obsessed with the game anymore—

Her mind was thinking rationally but her heart was still panicking. She felt like it was a sign – a warning to remind her that she had missed something. She squeezed Ruben’s hand without thinking.

Ruben: “What’s wrong?”

Carna: “N- Nothing—”

She wanted to smile to him and tell him that she was fine. But it seemed like the wheel of fortune was mocking her—

“GUGAAaaaaAAAGAaaAA!!!!!”[1]

The sound of glass breaking and a beast roaring from the bottom of its lung could be heard all over the campus.

“— Huh?” She looked outside the window and was startled. She could see clearly a familiar looking beast falling to the ground.

Is this world really not related to the otome game?

Did the game events really didn’t occur?

Did my destiny really was changed?

Carna opened her mouth but couldn’t make a sound.

[1] Exactly as in the raw. ↩