At Otori Magic Academy, a score check will be conducted once every six months. Or to be precise, our score will be checked at the same time as the so-called midterm test and final test…and we will be assigned to a suitable class.
From class A to class E. The best students will be assigned to class A, and the bottom students will be assigned to class E.
Of course, the MC and the heroines are automatically assigned to class A at the start of the game. And if you proceed normally, the MC will not be dropped from class A. I mean, Esco is an easy game, after all. The quiz of the midterm and final test are easy as hell, and even the practical exam is just an easy rhythm game.
Although there might be times when the player deliberately dropped the MC from class A to go to a special route, being in class A just gave various benefits which is perfect to clear the game normally.
Well, since the main heroines such as Lapis and Rei will not fall out of the class A, the only reason players choose to drop the grade is to aim for sub characters.
At any rate, I am currently in class A. Sitting on my left is Ophelia, the Miss Underdog, while the one sitting on my right is the MC, Tsukiori Sakura–
“Hmph!!”
“…”
–who were just like cats and dogs… or rather, I was just caught between this Miss Underdog, who is one-sidedly hostile toward Tsukiori.
“Hmph hmph hmph!!”
Miss, I think doing 『Hmph!!』 once is enough… If you keep doing that, you will look like a stray dog, you know… So, please stop already…
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“Hmph hmph hmph hmph!!”
Stop it already!! (Desperate)
I glanced at my left and right and sighed. Apparently, Hiiro’s aptitude as a man sandwiched between Yuri is very high. This is probably in the realm of unique skills. And the skills are probably 『Sandwiched between Yuri』 and 『Instant death (self)』. How enviable (Irony).
“W-well then everyone! Please get back to your seat!!”
The classroom’s door opened and a teacher came in. She is Marina tu Baysands, A-class teacher.
Marina is the only daughter of Count Baysands and a new 24-year-old high school teacher. She, who had short light pink hair, was well-known for how easy she is, because of how she married the main character just right after the player select the option 『Kiss her』.
Really, what strong Yuri power. Well done, Baysands family, do more (encouragement).
Anyway, such a Marina now begins to flusteredly explain the entrance ceremony to the class.
“T-that’s why, when you get a signal to enter… Cough!! Uegh!! I-I am sorry… I-I’m so nervous… my stomach is sick…”
Is this woman okay?
In the back seat, I looked at the classroom with my elbow on the desk and saw familiar characters sitting in the class. In other words, all-star. It made me actually feel that I have come to the Esco World.
From the diagonally forward left seat in front of the black board, Lapis was staring at me, sending a gesture sign saying, 『Why are you making a ruckus on the first day?』 with a sullen look on her face.
And when I moved my hand to say 『It was truly a wonderful underdog-ness. She is really an amazing person, you know? (Interpreter style)』, Lapis tilted her neck, seemingly unable to understand the 『Underdog』 part.
Following that, I also felt a gaze from the diagonally forward right seat. The source of that gaze was Rei, who was looking at me with a smile while slightly waving her hand at me.
“….”
If I ignore it, I’m sure she will feel despondent. Thus, without having any choice, I waved back at her.
Immediately, Rei smiled happily and waved her hand compactly.
“….”
If I didn’t wave back, she would surely feel despondent. Is this an infinite loop?
“Eeto… Eeto… W-well then, S-sensei was, ano…. also a bit nerdy for a long time…”
In the middle of that, an adult was currently doing her best to introduce herself with a bright red face. And everyone in the class is watching Marina-sensei’s introduction with a warm look. Even I did the same while thinking about what to do from now on.
At this school, the objective I have to aim for is already clear. Which is to give a happy ending to the MC and the heroines.
Normally, I, who chose Yuri over my life, should have been doing Harakiri1 the moment I reincarnated into Hiiro. The only reason I still live in shame while calling myself Hiiro is for the sake of the future Yuri. Because even though this game is an easy game, it also has many dangerous points.
If it’s just a game, everything can be solved with save and load, but…in the early game, there are many places where the MC can be defeated. And if the MC… Tsukiori Sakura dies, neither Lapis nor Rei can be happy.
This is something that I, who have played Esco for so many times, understand. It is that only the MC can make the heroines happy2.
I wonder how many times… how many times I wish for the MC to bunshin3 herself… because what will happen to the heroines that weren’t chosen…. Please bunshin yourself…!!
That is why, I will do my best to protect the life of the MC, and by extension, the Yuri. In the worst case, I will unhesitatingly be their shield and get destroyed by whatever it is.
For that purpose, I cannot die freely in the future. And that also means I have to beat the approaching death flags.
I have to protect the Yuri (sense of mission).
Now that’s decided, I have to decide how I should act from now on.
First of all, I have to raise my score.
As I said before, the MC and the heroines most likely will not drop their class. Thus, it is essential for me to stay in class A in order to protect the beautiful Yuri flowers that they bloom. For that, I really need to raise my score, even with forceful means.
Next is maximizing my own strength. This is essential to help the MC in the dark and to help the progress of the route. Even by mistake, I must not crush the events of the MC and the heroine or receive unnecessary experience points like the original Hiiro. Those exps have to be concentrated on the MC, and I also have to prevent the MC from dying. Having a need to do both of those was truly the difficult part for Yuri gamers.
Besides that, I also have to be the strongest. I mean, this is an easy game, after all. The main character can easily go beyond my bloody efforts with a little effort. If I can’t keep up with her growth, there is no way I can protect her.
I looked at my trembling hand after clashing with her. That last blow that she launched at me was terrific. Hence, I can’t stay like this. I have to be stronger. Unless I’m prepared to devote everything to protect the Yuri, I don’t think I can keep up with that cheat MC.
“W-well then, everyone! Let’s move! After the entrance ceremony, the three dormitories’ managers will introduce you to the dormitory as an orientation! So please also consider moving in– Cough!! Cough!! Cough!!”
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Before I knew it, the short home room was over.
With determination, I stared at the heroines walking in front of me.
I will– No, Tsukiori Sakura will definitely make them happy.
And unexpectedly, Tsukiori who stood next to me also smiled happily.