[Befriend Ruri. Invite her to this year’s cultural festival.]
Ruri’s appearance at the academy’s cultural festival was the pivotal event that unlocked Ruki’s route for the player in the game. It was supposed to occur in either the second or third year, but given recent circumstances, Shizuki deemed it wise to expedite the timeline and facilitate Nonoka and Ruri’s acquaintance as soon as possible.
I agreed with this approach. Nonoka had put in so much effort into bettering herself, and devoted as she was to Miyu, would undoubtedly bond well with Ruri. Their friendship could ease the strain on this twisted timeline and pave the way for Ruki and Nonoka to get to know each other.
“Something on your mind?” Ruri’s voice jerked me from my thoughts.
“No, not at all. What makes you say that?” I replied.
“Nothing,” she said a little too hastily. “If not, then that’s good. Oh right, I, um, I wanted to give you this.” As she said this, the maid behind her handed her a flat, wrapped package, which she then handed to me.
Taking hold of it, I cocked my head. “What’s this?”
“It’s a present,” she replied, “for returning my favorite scarf to me.”
“You shouldn’t have. But since it’s a special occasion, I’ll accept. May I open it here?”
At my question, she only smiled. Around us, the subtle tension was palpable; it was evident we were under scrutiny. Whether or not the party’s attendees could overhear our conversation, it was clear that Ruri and I appeared to be on amicable terms.
But this wasn’t at all a problematic image to cultivate—in fact, it was quite the opposite. I handed the package to Shannon, asking her to unwrap it. When she did, my eyes widened in surprise.
“What a lovely stole,” I murmured. It was a lightweight, fabric stole suitable for warmer seasons. The design, strangely enough, seemed to match the gown I was wearing perfectly, so much so that I would swear the two were crafted as a set. To those in the know, the implication was clear.
“Would you mind trying it on?” she asked politely.
“Of course not,” I replied immediately, but internally, I cursed her name.
Playfully, of course. I was sure Ruri meant nothing by it; this was her role in the original game after all, wasn’t it? Carefully, I draped the stole over my shoulders, letting it settle around my neck.
“Wow. You look stunning,” Ruri said. “I’m so glad I checked with Ruki first.”
And with that statement, the gazes around us sharpened even further. To those who heard, it might well seem as though the gown had been a gift from Ruki. But I supposed his mere invitation was enough to spark rumors of a special connection between us.
“You two do make a pair of thoughtful siblings, don’t you?” I replied warmly. “Consider the favor repaid. I’ll cherish this dearly.”
That was my attempt to quell some of the more rampant speculation going on around us. By framing the gift as merely a returned favor, I subtly suggested that our relationship wasn’t as intimate as it might appear. I let that notion linger for a moment, then expressed my gratitude to Ruri.
Now then, it was time to get to work. Ruri’s gift, while unexpected, provided the perfect segue into tonight’ mission—nothing too villainous, but the villainess’s mission nonetheless. In other words, it was time to get to villainessin’.
“I’ve also prepared a little something for you, to celebrate your achievement.” I snapped my fingers, and Shannon handed me a wrapped present. “Ruri, congratulations on winning at the recital,” I said, extending the gift toward her.
She looked taken aback. “Can I open it now?”
“Absolutely.”
With careful fingers, she loosened the ribbon and peeled away the wrapping. Inside was a small, velvet box. Opening it, she found a barrette inlaid with lapis lazuli—a stone otherwise known by its traditional Japanese name, ruri.
“It’s beautiful…” she whispered, then looked up at me in wonderment.
“I could put it on for you, if you’d like.”
“Would you?” she asked, almost in disbelief.
“Of course.”
I gently took the barrette and snapped it into place just above her temple. It was a simple design but a fitting one I thought, seeing her lustrous raven hair now glinting with a dot of blue. “It suits you,” I said.
“Does it? I’m so happy to hear that!”
“If you’re happy, then I’m happy. Though, I hadn’t been expecting a gift from you tonight, too. Now my gesture feels a little lacking in comparison.”
“Not at all! I just wanted to give you a little something, it doesn’t take away from your gift at all!”
“No, I insist. Let’s see, what else can I…” I touched a finger to my cheek, pretending to ponder. In truth, I already knew my next move after her gift, but pretending it was a spur of the moment thing felt better.
“Ah, Ruri,” I said, breaking from my feigned contemplation. “It’s still a little bit aways, but there’s a cultural festival coming up at the academy. I could show you around our campus on that day, if you’d like?”
“Huh?” she gasped, her eyes widening in surprise. A smile briefly lit up her face before it fell dark again, as if a heavy thought had suddenly burdened her. “But I… I’m sick, and I—”
“That’s all right,” I interrupted gently, reaching for her hand to give it a comforting squeeze. I let the mask of the villainess slip away and offered her a smile—the same one from the day we first met. “Listen,” I said, lowering my voice. “I…have a sister who’s sick too. So, I get it. Don’t worry. I’ll be there to make sure you don’t overdo it, and you can always cancel if you’re not feeling well.”
My tone, unexpectedly casual, seemed to surprise her. “Is that… Do you mean it?” she asked, a fragile hope flickering in her eyes.
I nodded firmly. “So, what do you say?” I asked, the playful edge of my villainess persona returning.
“I…I want to go.” Her voice trembled slightly. “But I really might cancel. Like even at the last minute. Is that still okay?”
“Of course,” I assured her. “In fact, I’ll show you around if, and only if, you are feeling your best.”
“Okay… Okay, then!” Her spirits lifted, a tentative smile breaking through. “Then, will you come to one of these parties again sometime?”
“Of course. It’s a promise.”
Extending my pinky toward her, we locked our fingers in a pinky promise, sealing the deal. And with that simple gesture, Shizuki’s mission was complete.
…Or so I had thought.
As the party wound down, I made my way to Ruki to say my goodbyes. “That’s my favor to you fulfilled. We’re square now.”
His lips curled into a sly half-smile. “You really didn’t suspect a thing?”
“Excuse me?” I shot back, cocking my head in disbelief.
He expelled air through his nose, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. “It’s almost summer break.”
“Yes. And?” I tilted my head even more, genuinely confused.
He let out a soft, knowing laugh. “My original request, if you recall, was for you to play my fiancée during the summer break. Since it’s not summer yet, and I haven’t once mentioned ‘fiancée’ tonight, I’m not sure how you’d consider my request fulfilled.”
I paused, the gears turning. “Now that you mention it…” Cold, horrifying realization gripped me. “You’re kidding. The party tonight—it wasn’t related to your request at all?”
“Not in the slightest.”
“You— What?!!!”
My voice echoed through the hall. Ruki’s smile widened, sweet yet devilish, reveling in the moment. It turned out tonight had been a mere prelude. The real challenge lay ahead. As the daunting prospects of the weeks to come floated through my mind, I couldn’t help but sigh. Yet, despite everything, my path forward remained clear.
Now then, let’s get to villainessin’, shall we?