It is finally day number three. The last day of my planned trip with the capture targets to the festivals in the royal capital to prevent the heroine from doing it with them instead.

Fortunately the first two days that I went with Alexus, Lu-nii, and Lily went smoothly. We didn't even see the heroine rearing her head during the entirety of our trip.

Or... she did and I didn't realize it. B-But that can't be helped! I-I was having too much fun with Lu-nii and Lily! While on the first day, I was distracted for... a different reason.

But! Even if she did go to the festival on the first two days, then she most likely didn't see us. If she did, I'm sure she'll definitely use that chance to approach Alexus and Lu-nii and try to trigger some kind of event or increase their affection level, even if Lily and I were there.

That's the kind of girl the heroine is... Honestly, I don't even know if I should call her the heroine anymore. The original heroine is nothing like her...

Regardless, there's still a possibility she'll still come and approach us. Especially today since I'll be going with Luke, Wilhelm, and Keith, the remaining three capture targets all at once!

Even if Evelyn, Celine, Valerie-chan, Illya, Noir, Ellie, and Kiara were us, I know she'll ignore us brazenly and try to flirt with the guys.

I can't let my guard down yet...

If she wanted to trigger the Spring Festival events with the capture targets, today will be the best chance she got.

"Onee-sama~ I saw a lot of ladies walking around with limited edition gift baskets from Eden that they could only receive after buying a certain amount of gold~ You're so amazing for coming up with such a genius concept~!"

"Risa-sama~! This is surprisingly delicious~! Would you like to try some~?"

"Ah, Alterisa-sama, you have a sauce smeared on the side of your lips. Here, please let me help you."

"Risa-chan! Let's try out this game!!! The one who wins will have to hold onto the loser's arm for the rest of the trip!!!"

"Oi, be careful when you're walking! You almost bumped into someone. Geez... Here, h-hold my hand. I'll make sure you don't get lost."

"Alterisa-sama, do you feel tired? If you are, how about we take a rest in that cafe?"

"A-Alterisa-sama! T-This has always been one of my most favorite snacks that is only available during the Spring Festival! W-Would you like to try it...?"

Ah... Wait. Let's put that annoying matter aside for a second... I'm in heaven right now with angels all around me. They're dressed in commoner clothes and a cloak that hide most of their countenance, but angels nonetheless...

Kiara, Evelyn, Noir, Valerie-chan, Celine, Illya, Ellie... They're all pampering me with their words and actions. I'm the one who should be escorting them since this was their first time coming here, but why are they the ones pampering me instead?!

Well... I'm not complaining. Moreover...

I glanced back and looked towards Luke, Keith, and Wilhelm, who were following us from behind and being awfully quiet.

When I saw Keith and Wilhelm's helpless and bored expression, I couldn't help but smile smugly.

Fufufu~ THIS is the difference between you, gentlemen, and the prince of the drama club~!!! Do you see how many supreme beauties are surrounding me~?

You must be feeling suuuuuuuuper jealous, huh~? Come on~ Don't be shy to admit it~ There's nothing wrong with admitting the truth~ OHOHOHOHOHOHOHO~!

The three seemed to notice my glance and they all smiled at me.

Awwwww~ You don't need to hide your jealousy and pain behind those smiles, gents~ It's natural to be really jealous of me when I'm being surrounded by these supreme beauties~

But, as the magnanimous lady that I am, I guess I can give you a smile of encouragement~ Better luck next time, boys~

Their eyes all widened in shock, but before I could enjoy their stupefied expressions any longer, my attention was taken by the warm, heavenly softness on my left arm.

"Risa-sama~ Shall we settle down for some tea~? Illya has found quite the nice place for us to take a rest~ We can also sit down and try out the snacks Ellie recommended to us~"

Evelyn said with a flowy tone as she wrapped her arms around mine.

"Oh~? Then let's go~ We've been walking around for a few hours, and it is nearing midday. It's the perfect time for lunch."

"Yes~ Then, let's head to the cafe~"

We headed to the cafe, and as expected, it was pretty difficult convincing the staff there to let us have a table.

After all, we're 11 people in cloaks... Unlike at the time when it was just me and Alexus or me, Lily, and Lu-nii, we're a large group. Of course they'd be a bit apprehensive when welcoming such a large group in cloaks.

But, Luke stepped up and showed them some kind of insignia, presumably his family's insignia, and they immediately let us in.

I was a bit worried the staff would blow this out of proportion and reveal our identities, but thankfully, they didn't. The cloak was enough of a sign to let them know that we don't wish to be known by others.

So, we managed to have a pretty nice lunch together, and we resumed walking around the huge festival in the market street.

It was by far the largest and best festival in the royal capital and there are also a ton of people here walking around enjoying the festival. It's just like the Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa.

But, thankfully, the guys were tactful and considerate enough to protect us from the crowd by walking in front and to our sides. There have been some drunk guys and girls who tried to flirt with us or bother us, but they were quickly taken care of by Keith, Luke, and Wilhelm, so we didn't really get too troubled.

Well... at least until I saw a familiar blonde-haired figure coming towards us.

She was wearing a shoulderless white dress with frills along her chest, a tight leather corset, and a short, barely knee-length, skirt. And to complete her look, she wore quite a bit of makeup and a light red lipstick to accentuate her lips, making her look like one of the many sexy young girls looking for a different kind of "fun" in this festival...

And of course, the moment she arrived with an ear shot, she waved her hand excitedly and called out to us with her usual, sickeningly high pitched cutesy voice... Or Luke specifically who was standing in front.

"Luke~! Ah, I mean, Raeven-sama~! It is so nice to see you in this wonderful festival~! I didn't know you'd decided to come~! You said you were busy when I invited you, but it seems like you've got a bit of time~!"

"..."

""...""

Luke, Wilhelm, Keith, and the girls all looked at Aria in silence with the same expression. Annoyance.

They all looked like they wanted to say "What are you doing here?"

Hah... I know, friends. I wonder what she's doing here... Maybe to trigger flags or just to annoy us...

"Uhm, I understand that you might be exploring with your friends, but... W-Would you like to go to the festival with me? My friends had to return home quickly to help with their family business, so I am all alone now..."

She looked up at Luke with puppy eyes and pressed her boobs together with her arms as she batted her eyelashes.

Alright... I know that you want to appeal to him using your body and appearance, but why are you acting like that to Luke? You know they're the most eligible bachelors in Deruria kingdom, right? Do you think no ladies have tried using the same trick?

They probably have tens of girls using the same trick to seduce them every day of their lives and have most likely gotten tired of it. Even though you are the heroine, why would you seduce them by doing the thing that would most likely annoy them instead?!

And as expected, Luke, who was directly in front of her and the one she called, simply turned to look at us, ignoring her existence completely.

"Let's go. Noir, stay with Alterisa."

"Yes, Onii-sama. Let's go, Alterisa-sama~"

"A-Ah, uhn..."

All of us began walking past Aria, who stood there in place, frozen and speechless.

...Eh? Is that it?

Did I just dodge... the Spring Festival Events just like that...?

No... Of course, considering how badly the heroine approached it, it should be an instant failure for her. But is it... that easy...?

"Ah! Please wait!"

...Damn it. I jinx it.

The heroine quickly followed after us, and this time, she approached Keith and used the same trick. Though this time, it was the sad puppy face.

"U-Uhm, V-Varion-sama, how about you...? W-Would you like to come with me instead...? I-I assure you it will be so much more fun!!! I know a lot of places that I'm sure you will find exciting!"

...Alright, even I can't believe she's saying this. Did she just forget that everyone heard her trying to invite Luke and make him ditch us? And now, she's acting as if she never approached Luke and tried to make Keith do the same.

How thick is this girl's skin?

"Forgive me, but I will have to refuse. I am currently having plenty of fun with my friends and I have no intention of leaving them for you. Then, if you will excuse me."

Unlike Luke who just ignored her completely, Keith treated her much more politely. His words were still straight to the point, but it was much softer than how Keith from the game would've said it. He actually dared to yell at my Evelyn and told her to go away when she confronted him after he went to the festival with Aria instead of her despite being his fiancee.

...I became a bit upset upon remembering that. But thankfully, now Evelyn is in my arms~ She won't need to feel hurt about it.

I glanced down at my blue-haired onee-sama, and saw her staring at the heroine with blank eyes.

Ah... That's the eyes she made when she entered angry onee-sama mode... Rest in peace, Aria...

But of course, Aria didn't notice Evelyn's icy glare and tried the same thing one last time with Wilhelm.

But as expected, he refused curtly before she could even finish.

"Y-You little... Why don't you just fall for me... I am fated to be loved by all the handsome men in this world... Why are you surrounding that bitch instead...?"

Aria muttered quietly, her voice easily drowned out by the myriad of sounds around us. But we could still hear her words because of how close she was to us.

My eyes widened in shock. T-This heroine is delusional... She's completely treating this like a game instead of real life...

She raised her head and looked at me straight in the eyes with the most intense glare I've ever received in both lifetimes.

Then all of a sudden, she shouted at the top of her lungs.

"..."

But there was no sound... She clearly shouted just now, but there was no sound at all...

I looked over towards Wilhelm and Valerie-chan, who both had their hand up towards Aria. A wisp of magic power leaving their hands in the form of light particles that sparkled before dissipating.

"What an idiot... Did she think I'll let her tell everyone that Alterisa's here...?"

"Hmph! If we're not in a place with a lot of people, I would've given her a taste of my new fire spell!"

Ah... It seems like the two managed to use magic to silence her...

From Wilhelm's words, it seems like she wanted to yell out that I'm here to attract the people towards me and ruin the trip.

Not to toot my own horn, but my name is super popular with the masses. Many wanted to see me after rumors about my appearance made their way throughout the entire kingdom. So if she really yelled out that I'm here, we'd definitely have to cancel the trip and quickly head home before we were mobbed.

"Risa-sama... Are you okay...?"

"Onee-sama... You look a bit pale... Should we go home...?"

Evelyn and Kiara's voice snapped me out of my daze. I realized everyone was looking at me worriedly, so I quickly put on a smile and reassured them.

"I-I am fine... I was just shocked at this turn of events... There's no need for us to return from this long awaited trip this early. But... let's find another interesting cafe so I can rest for a few moments..."

"Of course. Onii-sama, will you head to "Swan Lake" and reserve a private table for us?"

"Mm. I'll see to it."

Luke nodded to his little sister and immediately set off.

"Alterisa-sama, let's go."

"Uhn... Thank you, Noir. I'm sorry to trouble you. Everyone as well..."

"No trouble at all, Alterisa-sama~"

"Uhn~! Don't worry~! We can still enjoy the night festival after you get plenty of rest~!"

"That's right. It's not your fault. It's that crazy girl's fault."

"Please don't worry, Alterisa-sama."

One by one, the girls and even Keith and Wilhelm tried to comfort me. Even Anne, Maria-chan, and Iris approached me to ask if I'm okay.

Hah... I'm really blessed to have such amazing and caring friends...

"Thank you... Everyone."







AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please vote and comment your thoughts~!